Voice of the Deep

From: Siren

A conch shell imbued with the power of the ocean’s song, capable of emitting a mesmerizing melody that can disorient and incapacitate foes. Its haunting notes can also be used to communicate with marine life, summoning creatures to aid Coralia in battle or exploration.

Lore: The Voice of the Deep is more than just a conch shell; it is a vessel for the ancient songs and whispers of the ocean itself. Crafted from a rare, spiraled shell found only in the deepest trenches, it is said to have been formed from the echoes of the first Siren’s song, imbued with the primal power of the sea. Legends speak of a time when the ocean spoke directly to its children, its voice carried on the wind and waves. With the advent of civilization and the rise of land-dwelling races, this connection faded, but the echoes of the ocean’s song remained trapped within the Voice of the Deep.

Over centuries, Siren shamans and musicians have sought to unlock the secrets of the conch shell, learning to channel its power into enchanting melodies that can calm storms, soothe savage beasts, and even command the tides themselves. The shell’s haunting notes are said to resonate with the very soul of the ocean, allowing the user to communicate with marine life and summon creatures from the depths to aid them in their endeavors.

Use: The Voice of the Deep is a versatile tool, serving as both a weapon and a means of communication. Its haunting melodies can be used to disorient and incapacitate foes, creating openings for attack or escape. The shell’s sound can also be focused into a concentrated blast of sonic energy, capable of shattering objects and stunning creatures.

But the Voice of the Deep’s true power lies in its ability to communicate with marine life. A skilled user can play melodies that resonate with specific creatures, summoning them to their aid or luring them away from danger. The shell can also be used to decipher the songs of whales, dolphins, and other intelligent sea creatures, unlocking ancient knowledge and secrets hidden beneath the waves.

Stats:

• Tier: 1
• Type: Instrument/Weapon
• Rarity: Rare
• Cost: 500 gold pieces
• Requirements: Siren ancestry, proficiency in Performance (wind instruments)

Modifiers:

• Charisma (Performance): +2
• Wisdom (Animal Handling): +2 (aquatic creatures only)
• Intelligence (Arcana): +1 (for deciphering the songs of marine life)

Skills:

• Performance (Wind Instruments): +4
• Animal Handling: +2 (aquatic creatures only)

Tags: Instrument, Weapon, Siren, Aquatic, Sound-Based, Enchanted

The Voice of the Deep, due to its unique nature and potential power, would not be found in common marketplaces or music stores. Its acquisition and usage are limited to specific settings and circumstances:

Acquisition:

• Siren Temples: As repositories of ancient Siren knowledge and artifacts, temples dedicated to the sea god or other aquatic deities would be the most likely place to find the Voice of the Deep. It might be a sacred relic passed down through generations of priestesses or shamans, or a reward for completing a perilous quest or proving one’s devotion to the ocean.
• Underwater Ruins: The remains of ancient Siren civilizations, hidden beneath the waves, could hold forgotten treasures, including the Voice of the Deep. Daring explorers and treasure hunters might risk the dangers of the deep to recover such a powerful artifact.
• Enigmatic Merchants: Certain wandering merchants, rumored to have connections to the mystical realms of the ocean, might offer the Voice of the Deep for sale. These merchants might demand a high price, not just in gold, but also in favors, rare artifacts, or even proof of the buyer’s worthiness to wield such power.

Environment of Use — The Voice of the Deep’s power is most potent in aquatic environments, where its melodies can resonate with the natural frequencies of the ocean and its inhabitants:

• Underwater Cities: In the bustling underwater metropolises of Saṃsāra, the Voice of the Deep could be used to communicate with various aquatic races, negotiate trade deals, or even resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
• Open Ocean: On the vast expanse of the sea, the conch shell’s melodies can reach great distances, allowing the user to communicate with whales, dolphins, and other intelligent marine creatures. It can also be used to summon sea creatures for aid in battle or exploration.
• Coastal Regions: Siren musicians and shamans often use the Voice of the Deep in coastal rituals and ceremonies, calling upon the ocean’s power to bless their communities, appease sea spirits, or even influence the weather.
• Naval Battles: In times of war, the Voice of the Deep can be a powerful weapon, disorienting and incapacitating enemy crews, summoning sea creatures to attack enemy ships, or even creating devastating whirlpools and tidal waves.

End Results — The Voice of the Deep, in the hands of a skilled user, can produce a variety of powerful effects:

• Sonic Warfare: The conch shell’s haunting melodies can disorient, incapacitate, or even stun opponents, giving the user a significant advantage in combat.
• Marine Communication: The user can communicate with a wide range of sea creatures, from intelligent beings like dolphins and whales to monstrous predators like krakens and sea serpents. This allows for alliances, negotiations, or even the summoning of creatures to aid in battle or exploration.
• Environmental Manipulation: Skilled users can harness the conch shell’s power to influence the tides, create whirlpools, or even summon storms. This can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes, as well as for more subtle manipulations of the environment.
• Spiritual Connection: The Voice of the Deep can deepen the user’s connection to the ocean and its spirits, granting them insights, visions, and a greater understanding of the natural world.

The Voice of the Deep is a versatile and potent artifact, sought after by those who seek to harness the ocean’s power and communicate with its inhabitants. Its use can lead to great discoveries, powerful alliances, and even the ability to shape the very tides themselves.

Activation Perception of the Senses

• Five Senses:
  • Sight: The conch shell glows with a soft, ethereal light, its surface shimmering with an iridescent sheen. Intricate carvings seem to dance and shift, revealing hidden patterns and symbols.
    • Positive: The captivating display can mesmerize and entrance both the user and those who witness it, enhancing the power of the conch shell’s song.
    • Negative: The light can attract unwanted attention, especially in dark environments.
  • Touch: The shell’s surface is smooth and cool, with a subtle texture that mimics the ebb and flow of the tides. When activated, the shell vibrates gently, sending a tingling sensation through the user’s hand.
    • Positive: The tactile feedback reinforces the connection between the user and the shell, enhancing their control over its power.
    • Negative: The vibrations can be distracting or uncomfortable for some users, especially those with sensitive touch.
  • Sound: The conch shell emits a haunting melody, a symphony of whispers, roars, and echoes that evoke the vastness and mystery of the ocean. The sound is both beautiful and unsettling, capable of stirring deep emotions within those who hear it.
    • Positive: The melody can be used to calm or enrage creatures, depending on the user’s intent. It can also be used to communicate with marine life and tap into the collective consciousness of the ocean.
    • Negative: The sound can be disorienting and even deafening if used improperly. It can also attract unwanted attention, especially in quiet environments.
  • Smell: The conch shell carries a faint, salty scent of the sea, reminiscent of brine, seaweed, and ancient coral reefs. The scent is both invigorating and nostalgic, evoking a sense of longing for the ocean’s depths.
    • Positive: The scent can be grounding and calming, reminding the user of their connection to the sea and its power.
    • Negative: The scent may be too strong for some individuals, particularly those with sensitivities to smell.
  • Taste: Though not meant to be tasted, the conch shell has a slightly salty and metallic taste, like the residue of dried seawater.
    • Positive: The taste can serve as a reminder of the conch shell’s connection to the ocean, strengthening the user’s resolve and focus.
    • Negative: The taste can be unpleasant and may linger in the mouth.
• Extra-Sensory Perceptions:
  • Empathy with Sea Creatures: The user may experience a heightened sense of empathy and understanding towards marine life, sensing their emotions and intentions. This allows for better communication and interaction with creatures of the deep.
  • Channeling of Ocean’s Power: The user may feel a surge of energy from the ocean, empowering their abilities and enhancing their connection to the natural world. This can manifest as increased strength, agility, or even the ability to manipulate water to a limited extent.
  • Echoes of the Past: The conch shell may reveal glimpses of the past through fleeting visions or whispers of ancient voices. These echoes can offer insights into forgotten knowledge, lost civilizations, or the origins of the shell itself.
  • Warnings of Impending Danger: The conch shell may vibrate or emit a discordant sound when danger is near, alerting the user to potential threats lurking beneath the waves or hidden within the currents.

Awakening the Voice of the Deep

• Materials Needed:
  • One pristine conch shell, harvested from the deepest ocean trench under a full moon.
  • Three strands of Siren hair, imbued with the essence of song and moonlight.
  • Seven drops of leviathan blood, collected during a storm at sea.
  • A handful of enchanted sand, gathered from a beach where the moon goddess is said to have walked.
  • A vial of pure seawater, blessed by the high priestess of the sea god.
• Tools Required:
  • Abalone shell carving tools
  • Silver needle and thread
  • A small cauldron or bowl
  • A moonlight-infused crystal for focusing energy
• Skill Requirements:
  • Expertise in shell carving and inscription
  • Advanced knowledge of Siren songs and rituals
  • A deep connection to the ocean and its spirits
• Crafting Steps:
  • Preparation of the Conch: Cleanse the conch shell thoroughly with the blessed seawater, removing any impurities and attuning it to the ocean’s energy.
  • Carving and Inscription: Carefully carve intricate patterns and symbols onto the surface of the shell, using the abalone tools. These markings should represent the ocean’s power, the Siren’s connection to the sea, and the phases of the moon.
  • Infusion of Song: Weave the Siren hair strands into the carvings, imbuing the shell with the essence of song and moonlight. Chant ancient Siren melodies while weaving, invoking the spirits of the sea and the moon goddess.
  • Blood Offering: Under the full moon, add the leviathan blood to the cauldron or bowl. The blood will activate the shell’s dormant power and connect it to the primal energy of the ocean’s apex predators.
  • Enchanting Ritual: Place the conch shell in the cauldron and sprinkle the enchanted sand around it. Using the moonlight-infused crystal, focus your energy on the shell, channeling the power of the moon and the sea into it.
  • Awakening the Voice: As the ritual reaches its climax, blow into the conch shell, releasing a powerful blast of sound that awakens its latent magic. The shell will resonate with the ocean’s song, ready to be wielded by a worthy Siren.

Note: Awakening the Voice of the Deep is a sacred and complex ritual, requiring not only skill and knowledge but also a deep reverence for the ocean and its mysteries. Only those who possess a pure heart and a strong connection to the sea can successfully awaken the conch shell’s full potential.

Echo of the Leviathan’s Lament

In the age of the First Song, when the sea was young and the world still dreamed, a Siren wandered the shores, her heart heavy with sorrow. A great leviathan, her friend and protector, had fallen in battle, its song silenced forever.

In her grief, the Siren sought solace in the ocean’s embrace, her tears mingling with the salt water. As she wept, her sorrow echoed through the depths, reaching the ears of the sea god himself. Moved by her grief, the god reached into the abyss and retrieved a gift, a spiraling shell as white as moonlight.

This was no ordinary shell. It was the echo of the leviathan’s final lament, a symphony of sorrow and power, trapped within the spiral chambers. The sea god bestowed the shell upon the Siren, whispering, “Let this be your voice, a reminder of the strength that lies in grief, the power that comes from pain.”

The Siren, clutching the shell to her heart, returned to her people. She raised the shell to her lips and blew, and the sound that emerged was not a lament, but a rallying cry. The echoes of the leviathan’s sorrow transformed into a song of defiance, a call to arms against the forces of darkness that had slain her friend.

The Sirens, inspired by her song, rose up as one, their voices joining in a chorus that shook the very foundations of the world. They fought with the ferocity of a storm, the grace of a wave, and the determination of a mother protecting her young.

The battle was long and bloody, but the Sirens emerged victorious, their song echoing across the seas. The shell, now imbued with the power of their collective grief and triumph, became a symbol of their resilience and unwavering spirit.

The Siren, her heart healed by the ocean’s embrace, continued to carry the shell, using its power to protect her people and guide them through turbulent times. The Echo of the Leviathan’s Lament became a sacred relic, passed down through generations, a reminder of the strength that can be found in sorrow and the power that comes from unity.

Moral of the Story: Even in the darkest depths of grief, there is a song waiting to be sung. Let your pain be your power, your sorrow your strength, and your voice a beacon of hope in the face of despair.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Type: Arcane Artifact
• Sanity Loss: 1/1D8 on a failed Sanity roll when hearing its true sound.
• Description: A large, ornate conch shell that emits a haunting melody when blown.
• Mechanics:
  • Influence: When blown, the conch shell can be used to make a Persuade or Command skill check with a +20% bonus.
  • Summoning: Once per game session, the user can attempt a Luck roll to summon a Deep One or other aquatic creature to their aid.
  • Sonic Blast: As a last resort, the user can unleash a devastating sonic blast that deals 1D10 damage to all creatures within a 20-foot radius. This causes the user to lose 1D4 Sanity points.

Blades in the Dark

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Category: Arcane Item
• Description: A large conch shell that can be used to influence others and summon aquatic creatures.
• Effect:
  • Influence: When blown, the conch shell can be used to sway, command, or terrify a target, depending on the desired effect.
  • Summoning: Once per score, the user can use the conch shell to summon a sea creature to their aid. The type of creature summoned depends on the situation and the user’s level of control over the shell.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Name: Conch of the Leviathan

• Type: Wondrous Item, Rare (requires attunement)
• Description: This large conch shell is etched with ancient symbols and glows with a faint, ethereal light. When blown, it emits a haunting melody that can influence creatures and summon aid from the depths.
• Properties:
  • Influence: As an action, you can blow the conch to cast the suggestion or command spell (save DC 15).
  • Summoning: Once per day, you can use an action to blow the conch and summon a CR 3 or lower aquatic creature to your aid. The creature remains for 1 hour or until it drops to 0 hit points.

Knave

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Type: Trinket
• Description: A large conch shell that can be blown to produce various effects.
• Special:
  • Influence: When blown, the conch shell can be used to attempt a Persuade or Command skill check with a +2 bonus.
  • Summoning: Once per day, the user can blow the conch to summon a random sea creature to their aid. The creature will be friendly to the user and will fight alongside them for one round.

Fate (Accelerated Edition)

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Description: A large conch shell that emits haunting melodies.
• Aspect: Song of the Leviathan
• Skills: +2 to Provoke, Empathy, and Lore
• Stunts:
  • Siren’s Call: When used to create an advantage with a Provoke or Empathy roll, gain a +2 bonus.
  • Ocean’s Fury: Once per scene, inflict a powerful sonic blast, causing a significant consequence (determined by the GM) to all targets within earshot.
• Refresh Cost: 3

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Level: 2d6
• Type: Artifact
• Form: Oddity
• Effect:
  • Intellect: +1
  • Once per day, you can use an action to channel the conch’s power and either:
  • Cast a sonic blast that deals 2d6 points of damage to a single target within short range.
  • Use a powerful melody to influence a creature within short range, giving you a +4 bonus to a single interaction task.
  • Communicate with a sea creature, understanding its basic intentions and desires.
• Depletion: 1 in 1d20

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Name: Conch of the Leviathan

• Level: 5
• Price: 500 gp
• Bulk: 1
• Category: Artifact
• Description: This large conch shell is etched with strange symbols. As an action, you can blow into the conch to produce one of the following effects:
• Haunting Melody (1/Day): Each creature within 30 feet of you must make a DC 15 Will save or become charmed or frightened (your choice) for 1 minute.
• Sonic Blast (1/Day): A creature within 60 feet of you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 3d6 sonic damage and is deafened for 1 minute. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t deafened.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Type: Arcane Background (Major)
• Trappings: Ornate conch shell, haunting melodies, aquatic aura
• Powers:
  • Arcane Background (Magic): The character gains access to the smite, boost/lower trait, and puppet powers.
  • Siren Song: The character may spend a Benny to use the conch shell to influence a target’s emotions, causing them to be either charmed, frightened, or enraged.
  • Call of the Deep: The character may spend a Benny to summon a sea creature to their aid (GM’s discretion on the creature’s type and power).
• Hindrances:
  • Alluring: The character’s beauty and enchanting voice may attract unwanted attention or cause others to underestimate their abilities.
• Cost: 5 Power Points

Shadowrun (Sixth World)

Name: Voice of the Deep

• Category: Sonic Weapon/Focus
• Rating: 4
• Concealability: 0
• Availability: 14R
• Cost: 15,000¥
• Damage: 8S (Sonic)
• Range: Short
• Mode: Single Shot
• Description: A large, ornate conch shell that emits a powerful sonic blast when blown. It can also be used to communicate with or influence certain aquatic creatures.
• Special:
  • When used underwater, the blast has an area of effect of (Force x 2) meters.
  • The user can attempt a Charisma + Negotiation (or Animal Handling) Test to influence the behavior of sea creatures.

Starfinder (Galaxy Exploration Manual)

Name: Conch of the Leviathan

• Level: 6
• Price: 2,500 Credits
• Bulk: 1
• Category: Sonic Weapon
• Damage: 1d8 So
• Range: 30 ft.
• Critical: Deafened for 1 round
• Capacity: 3 charges
• Usage: 1 charge
• Special: Sonic, Line
• Description: This large conch shell is etched with strange symbols and glows with a faint, ethereal light. When blown, it emits a haunting melody that can influence creatures and summon aid from the depths.
• Recharge: 1d3 charges at dawn.
• Spells:
  • Influence (1 charge): Cast suggestion or command (DC 15).
  • Summoning (2 charges): Summon a CR 3 or lower aquatic creature for 1 hour.
  • Sonic Blast (3 charges): Deal 4d8 sonic damage and deafen on a failed save (DC 15).

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Siren Song Shell

• Type: Sonic Weapon
• Skill: Melee (Thrown), or Gunnery (Sonic)
• Damage: 1D+2
• Range: Short/Medium
• Price: Cr6000
• Rarity: Rare
• Description: This ornate conch shell emits a piercing shriek when blown, capable of stunning or disorienting targets.
• Special: The shell can be used to communicate with or influence certain aquatic creatures.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (4th Edition)

Name: Conch of the Drowned

• Type: Arcane Artefact
• Description: A large, spiraled conch shell with a haunting melody.
• Special Rules:
  • Siren’s Call: The bearer may use the conch to cast a Hypnotic Melody spell, which causes all creatures within 20 yards to make a Willpower test or become entranced for 1d10 rounds.
  • Call of the Depths: Once per day, the bearer may use the conch to summon a minor water elemental to their aid.
  • Echoes of the Drowned: The conch whispers secrets of the sea, granting the bearer a +10 bonus to Lore (Sea) tests and a +10 bonus to Swim tests.
• Availability: Very Rare