SINGER OF THE DEEP These strange creatures were once men, until they were tainted by the Western Wyld. Now they are fearsome humanoid fi sh. Magical examination by Realm savants reveals that even singers’ souls have been altered beyond humanity. Their skins are scaly, and their backs sport winglike fi ns that spread when the singers take to the air. Their “song” is caused by air whistling through these fi ns, as the singers launch themselves up to 100 yards in the air and glide to attack their prey. Hearing this song causes paralyzing sensations of fear and uncertainty in 156 creatures not immune to such things. The singers’ num- bers were previously held in check by Water-as- pected Dragon-Blooded, but such patrols have been scarce since the disappearance of the Scarlet Empress, and the numbers of singers have increased consid- erably in recent years. Wild singers of the deep usually hunt in packs, launching from the sea with a fl ick of their powerful, fi nned tails. Diving upon their prey from above, the singers attack with a crushing slap of their tails while swooping past or by dragging the foe beneath the waves. The pelagials once controlled whole legions of tamed singers, but as pelagial society atrophies, the armies grow feral. Singers cannot stay out of water for long, asphyxiat- ing in air as a human would underwater after about fi ve minutes. A singer who has landed on the ground—or a ship deck—can still fi ght until the singer suffocates or manages to leap back into the water.
