Lost Company Press
Sirens of the deep sea, mermaids are humanoid from the waist up, with resplendent scales from the waist down ending in powerful fins. Their bewitching songs can lure seafarers off course, leading them into treacherous waters or to a watery grave. While often depicted as beautiful and alluring, a mermaid's visage can become monstrous when their anger is drawn, revealing sharp, predatory teeth and a fierce, predatory glare.
Motive: To protect their underwater realm, sustain themselves, and occasionally seduce or trick travelers for entertainment or malevolence
Environment: Underwater locations, from shallow coastal lagoons to deep oceanic trenches (Ocean)
Health: 9
Damage: 3 points
Armor: 2
Movement: Short on land, long in water
Modifications: Charm as level 5; Speed defense as level 5 when underwater; Intellect defense as level 4 when resisting magical effects
Combat: Mermaids fight with a combination of enchanting song and physical prowess. They can emit a haunting melody requiring those who hear it to succeed on an Intellect defense roll or become charmed for several minutes, during which the mermaid can give the affected beings simple commands. Physically, their strong tails can be used to deliver powerful constricting attacks or to propel themselves at high speed to avoid attacks.
Interactions: Mermaids can be deceptively charming, using their graceful appearance and harmonious voices to coax information or assistance from travelers. However, they can quickly resort to violence if they feel threatened or insulted.
Uses: Mermaids could be the guardians of a sunken crypt, the deceivers behind luring ships onto sharp rocks, or reluctant allies if convinced their ocean is in imminent danger.
Loot: Sparkling treasures from sunken ships, ancient undersea artifacts, or a mermaid's comb which may hold sea magic within.
GM Intrusion: As a character is influenced by the mermaid's Siren Song, they find themselves walking towards the water, entranced, not noticing the predatory creatures lurking beneath the surface awaiting the mermaid's signal.