Springsinger Abilities
Springsingers have incredible aerial maneuverability and can hover, fly directly up or down, and even fly sideways or upside-down.
Springsingers are famous for their incredible songs. Springsingers even have a unique language only for singing. This language is often the first language a springsinger learns, and is nearly impossible for any other creature to replicate. A springsinger’s song almost always has strange effects on other creatures, especially dragons. There are a wide variety of effects these songs can induce, ranging from helpful to potentially lethal. |
While springsingers are known for being friendly and benevolent, their song magic can be sinister in the wrong hands. Artwork by Coldfrontdrawz. |
Singing
Springsinger songs have effects on other creatures, all of which vary based on the skill of the singer and the content of the song, as well as a few other factors. An amateur singer’s songs usually can only invoke certain emotions, but skilled singers can create specific effects like the ones of the songs recorded below. If multiple singers work together they can strengthen the effects, and/or how many creatures said effects reach. If the singers are not in tune with each other (literally and figuratively) the effect of the song will be decreased or even lost. Deaf dragons can be effected by Springsinger songs, but they have to be able to feel the vibrations of it to do so. Many singers will allow deaf dragons to touch their necks or chest while they sing, as this provides a very powerful effect.
In addition to effects, all songs have reach. Reach is how many creatures feel the effect of the song. The volume at which a song is sung often is similar to the reach, but does not directly affect it. The same is true for effect. For example, a song meant to comfort benefits from being quiet, and a song meant to excite benefits from being loud.
Another thing that affects the reach and effect of songs is the genuinity and the emotions of the singer(s). Subconsciously, the intent and emotions within the singer leak through into the effect and reach of a song. So, for example, songs that invoke emotions will invoke not necessarily what the song is about, but what the singer is feeling. Another example is that a singer has to be willing to kill for To Still The Leaves Of An Ancient Tree to be effective enough to be dangerous. Otherwise, it likely won’t even be enough to cause a victim to pass out.
In addition to effects, all songs have reach. Reach is how many creatures feel the effect of the song. The volume at which a song is sung often is similar to the reach, but does not directly affect it. The same is true for effect. For example, a song meant to comfort benefits from being quiet, and a song meant to excite benefits from being loud.
Another thing that affects the reach and effect of songs is the genuinity and the emotions of the singer(s). Subconsciously, the intent and emotions within the singer leak through into the effect and reach of a song. So, for example, songs that invoke emotions will invoke not necessarily what the song is about, but what the singer is feeling. Another example is that a singer has to be willing to kill for To Still The Leaves Of An Ancient Tree to be effective enough to be dangerous. Otherwise, it likely won’t even be enough to cause a victim to pass out.
Songs
Singing is not like casting a rune, where there is a set design that must be repeated to create an effect. Songs are sung to fit the theme of an effect, but there is no set tune or lyrics required. A Springsinger does not need to invent a whole new song every time they want to effect someone though, and the songs below can be repeated. They are also often used to teach certain effects (except outlawed songs of course). While these specific songs do have titles, most songs don’t and are only referred to by their effects or chorus. For example, a killing song, a sleeping song, or a healing song.
Any Springsinger can make up their own songs or versions of songs, but these are the ones used to teach these effects (or are otherwise popular).
Songs with offensive effects are outlawed, but defensive and artistic effects are revered and sought after.
“To Still The Leaves Of An Ancient Tree” Effect: stops breathing.
This song is about stopping the wind from blowing. It causes victims to stop breathing, and can be repeated for any length of time to cause victims to pass out or die. Lasts until the song is over. Very skilled singers can use it to quell fire, wind, and magic. This song is outlawed.
“The Rain Falls Heavy” Effect: prevents dragons from using their breath weapon.
This song is about rain, fog, etc. soaking into scales/skin/fur/feathers (altered to apply to victim). It lasts a maximum of two and a half days. It also can make victims feel sluggish and cold. Skilled singers can use this song on magic and fire. It is said that extremely talented singers can even make the air more humid to the point of causing small storms, but this has yet to be proven.
“Goodnight Moon” Effect: makes victims fall unconscious.
This song sings goodnight to all the moons and the jungle, at the end says “And goodnight to you.” Lasts a maximum of 12 hours.
“The Flowers Are Blooming” Effect: calms aggression/anxiety.
This song is about all the wonderful things in the forest. It works less/takes longer the more aggressive/anxious a receiver is. It can additionally cause drowsiness. It works until the receiver is provoked again.
“A Nest Of Termites” Effect: overwhelming.
This song is about buzzing, writhing insects. It causes victims to be unable to focus, to breathe faster, and to feel anxious and/or unnerved. It can cause minor auditory and visual hallucinations as well. It lasts until a maximum of half an hour after the song is over.
“The Thrill Of Life” Effect: causes hallucinations.
This song is about different sensations such as colors, patterns, sounds, smells, emotions, and highly stimulating things (sparks, screams, etc.). It causes victims to hallucinate. This effect is often used to create pictures and scenes. It lasts a maximum of 3 hours.
“The Will Of The World” Effect: confuses and impairs coordination.
This song is sung from the perspective of nature/the world. It is about storms, wind, rivers, the ocean, etc. It causes victims to lose coordination. They will miss when attacking, stumble or fall over when standing, walking, or running, and dragons will be unable to sync their wingbeats or navigate in the air. It lasts a maximum of 1 and a half days.
“Hive Mind” Effect: hypnotises victims to do as the song commands.
This song is highly variable and very difficult to learn and to master. It is about the forces of the jungle syncing and working as one to accomplish tasks the singer chooses. It causes victims to become limp and emotionless until commanded. It is incredibly difficult to control more than one victim, and nigh impossible to command victims to act natural. This song is outlawed.
No set song. Effect: invokes emotions.
These songs can be about anything the singer desires. They always have a tone that fits the emotion(s) it causes. The singer has to be skilled, but they can cause very intense emotions, multiple emotions at once, and even minor hallucinations. The emotions linger a maximum of 2 days, and the hallucinations until shortly after the song ends.
Examples of reach and effects:
A singer sang “The Flowers Are Blooming” to their anxious and overwhelmed partner to calm them down. They sang quietly and only reached their partner, but their genuine intent and emotions caused the effect to be very powerful.
Two singers did a duet together and sounded terrible. They did not harmonize at all. Yet, their enjoyment of singing together caused the effect and reach to only suffer a small bit. Most listeners didn’t even notice.
Two skilled singers sang together, but even though they sounded amazing they hated working together. So, their effect and reach were greatly decreased, or even erased.
A choir sings. They all enjoy their work and each other, and genuinely feel the emotions behind and enjoy the song. Their reach and effect was unbelievably powerful.
A singer tried to sing a very cheerful song, but they had a bad day and really didn’t feel cheerful. Either their effect and reach could’ve been lost or altered to suit their true emotions.
Any Springsinger can make up their own songs or versions of songs, but these are the ones used to teach these effects (or are otherwise popular).
Songs with offensive effects are outlawed, but defensive and artistic effects are revered and sought after.
“To Still The Leaves Of An Ancient Tree” Effect: stops breathing.
This song is about stopping the wind from blowing. It causes victims to stop breathing, and can be repeated for any length of time to cause victims to pass out or die. Lasts until the song is over. Very skilled singers can use it to quell fire, wind, and magic. This song is outlawed.
“The Rain Falls Heavy” Effect: prevents dragons from using their breath weapon.
This song is about rain, fog, etc. soaking into scales/skin/fur/feathers (altered to apply to victim). It lasts a maximum of two and a half days. It also can make victims feel sluggish and cold. Skilled singers can use this song on magic and fire. It is said that extremely talented singers can even make the air more humid to the point of causing small storms, but this has yet to be proven.
“Goodnight Moon” Effect: makes victims fall unconscious.
This song sings goodnight to all the moons and the jungle, at the end says “And goodnight to you.” Lasts a maximum of 12 hours.
“The Flowers Are Blooming” Effect: calms aggression/anxiety.
This song is about all the wonderful things in the forest. It works less/takes longer the more aggressive/anxious a receiver is. It can additionally cause drowsiness. It works until the receiver is provoked again.
“A Nest Of Termites” Effect: overwhelming.
This song is about buzzing, writhing insects. It causes victims to be unable to focus, to breathe faster, and to feel anxious and/or unnerved. It can cause minor auditory and visual hallucinations as well. It lasts until a maximum of half an hour after the song is over.
“The Thrill Of Life” Effect: causes hallucinations.
This song is about different sensations such as colors, patterns, sounds, smells, emotions, and highly stimulating things (sparks, screams, etc.). It causes victims to hallucinate. This effect is often used to create pictures and scenes. It lasts a maximum of 3 hours.
“The Will Of The World” Effect: confuses and impairs coordination.
This song is sung from the perspective of nature/the world. It is about storms, wind, rivers, the ocean, etc. It causes victims to lose coordination. They will miss when attacking, stumble or fall over when standing, walking, or running, and dragons will be unable to sync their wingbeats or navigate in the air. It lasts a maximum of 1 and a half days.
“Hive Mind” Effect: hypnotises victims to do as the song commands.
This song is highly variable and very difficult to learn and to master. It is about the forces of the jungle syncing and working as one to accomplish tasks the singer chooses. It causes victims to become limp and emotionless until commanded. It is incredibly difficult to control more than one victim, and nigh impossible to command victims to act natural. This song is outlawed.
No set song. Effect: invokes emotions.
These songs can be about anything the singer desires. They always have a tone that fits the emotion(s) it causes. The singer has to be skilled, but they can cause very intense emotions, multiple emotions at once, and even minor hallucinations. The emotions linger a maximum of 2 days, and the hallucinations until shortly after the song ends.
Examples of reach and effects:
A singer sang “The Flowers Are Blooming” to their anxious and overwhelmed partner to calm them down. They sang quietly and only reached their partner, but their genuine intent and emotions caused the effect to be very powerful.
Two singers did a duet together and sounded terrible. They did not harmonize at all. Yet, their enjoyment of singing together caused the effect and reach to only suffer a small bit. Most listeners didn’t even notice.
Two skilled singers sang together, but even though they sounded amazing they hated working together. So, their effect and reach were greatly decreased, or even erased.
A choir sings. They all enjoy their work and each other, and genuinely feel the emotions behind and enjoy the song. Their reach and effect was unbelievably powerful.
A singer tried to sing a very cheerful song, but they had a bad day and really didn’t feel cheerful. Either their effect and reach could’ve been lost or altered to suit their true emotions.