Siren

Siren
The temptresses at work...
Information
Alternate Names/Spellings	Sirene, Seiren, Seirene
Origins	Greek Mythology
Alignment	Chaotic Evil, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil
Element	Air/Wind/Sky, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Sound, Water
Species	Nymphet
Appearance	Seductress (often bird-winged)...

The Sirens' Song, naturally recorded by a woman...

Origins

Though numerous creatures exist with similar appearance, motive and ability, in mythical accounts worldwide, the Siren is a creature with origins in Greek mythology.

Most claim that the father of the original Sirens was the river-god Achelous, though others say their father was actually Phorcys (a sea deity who was also the father of the original Gorgons, and numerous other monsters).

Their mother is most commonly said to be one of the Muses (either Terpsichore or Melpomene), though others claim they were born of the nymph Sterope (one of the Pleiades) or even the Earth itself (Gaia).

In addition, some believe in the existence of only two original Sirens; others believed that there were three, while others thought that five existed. Though, most believe that there were as many as thirteen, and ascribe to them the names Thelxiepeia/Thelxiope, Thelxinoe, Molpe, Aglaope, Aglaophonos, Aglaopheme, Pisinoe/Peisinoë, Peisithoe, Parthenope, Ligeia, Leucosia, Raidne, and Teles.

Many attribute the difference of the original Sirens' names to the sounds of the winds and the waves making their names difficult to hear. And the discrepancy in the number of the original Sirens is often attributed to their simply being present or absent at different times (some might only see Peisinoe, Aglaope, and Thelxiepeia, while others only see Parthenope, Ligeia, and Leucosia, and others only Aglaopheme and Thelxiepeia, etc).

Furthermore, though most accepted accounts state they lived on the island of Anthemusa (Anthemoessa), which was given to them by Zeus, there are other accounts which claim they live on Cape Pelorum, on the Sirenusian Islands (Seirenoussai, Sirenussae) near Paestum, or in Capreae. Some claim that this difference is due simply to wrongful identification of islands by lost or inexperienced sailors.

At any rate, it is widely known that, before they went to live on their island home, the Sirens were friends and handmaidens of the goddess Demeter's daughter Persephone (Kore), in her younger days. Though, eventually, Persephone would be abducted by the god Hades to be goddess and queen of the Underworld.

The Sirens took flight to search all over for her, yet they would look to no avail. And since their search turned out to be in vain, and they had been left without a mistress to serve, they instead settled down on an island, to live out the rest of their lives.

Or so the tale goes, in some cases. Other accounts claim that Demeter stripped the Sirens of their wings in anger, upon hearing their failure to find her beloved daughter. As further punishment, they were said to have been banished, exiled to live the rest of their lives in seclusion.

Though, some claim that the Sirens lost their wings because of the goddess Hera. In these accounts, she persuaded them to challenge the Muses to a singing contest. The Muses won the contest handily, and to shame them for their loss, took their wings (or, more commonly, feathers from their wings, to make crowns).

There is even a myth for how the Sirens came to be winged in the first place. While many believe that they were born with wings, others claim that they gained wings at their own request (from Demeter to help search for her abducted daughter Persephone, or from Aphrodite to escape potential lovers and suitors, so that they could always be virgins).

Yet, some claim that the wings were punishment from Demeter, because the Sirens failed to help Demeter search for Persephone (which implies that they may have been useless to fly, and instead may have been a heavy burden to bear).

Regardless, one thing is known for absolutely certain about the original Sirens. Since going to live on their island home, they have spent nearly every day of their lives luring unwitting listeners to untimely death with their song.

Appearance

Due to their divine heritage, Sirens are supernaturally beautiful. Though, their heritage manifests in numerous different ways.

While Sirens can never be underweight or overweight, some have more of a lithe, sylphic beauty, and others are voluptuous, even buxom.

Likewise, while they tend toward human norms, as far as hair is concerned, they can actually have nearly any hair color, texture or length.

Furthermore, while their skin tends toward European tones (namely, white), it is also possible to see more diverse skin tones (even blues and greens, as befitting their lineage).

Abilities

They don't make resisting easy...

Many a sailor has fallen prey to the song of the Sirens...

Sirens often sing in groups called "choirs"

The first known to sing alone was a siren called Lorelei...

This siren teases men with promises of untold sexual pleasures...

THIS one has a different method..."Come to me, Periphon...Zeus has a word for you..."