Harpies
One of the strangest and most barbaric races of the imperium, harpies live outside the bounds of any dragon’s domain. Living in small flocks on high rocky outcroppings, they use their enchanting songs to ensorcel travelers and carry them away to steal their goods and feast upon their flesh. Harpies primarily live on small, barren islands in the Sea of Syridia, but some also live on cliffs overlooking the passes through the Miridian Mountains north of the Brightgrass Sea. Their bodies resemble human females covered in many places with feathers. They have large, powerful talons on their feet used for grasping victims and perching on crags and boulders. Their arms contain long, powerful wings, two grasping fingers, and an opposable thumb. This allows them to grab and manipulate objects, but with less dexterity than other humanoids. Harpy skin ranges from tan to dark, and their feathers are generally brown but can be white, gray, or black as well. Their hostile nature to any but their own kind makes gathering knowledge about whatever semblance of culture they possess difficult. It is known they rest in large nests, similar to eagles, and they seem to have an affinity for precious metal ornamentation as they are often seen wearing stolen necklaces, bracelets, and belts. It is unknown if harpies possess a verbal language, their songs being composed of seemingly nonsense sounds. However the complexity of their ambush and attack patterns and the prevalence of their troupes suggests the capacity for reasonably complex communication. Extremely agile fliers, they are able to weave in and around airborne cavalry when sorites are sent to root them out of trade routes. They then utilize their smaller size and familiarity with their territory to hide between rock crevices and in hidden caves until the raiding party fatigues and has to give up the hunt. They would make for excellent scouts and skirmishers if someone were able to negotiate with them, but thus far they seem utterly unwilling to parlay, preferring their own company and traditions.
Geographic Distribution
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