Harpy

Basic Information

Anatomy

Legs

They have double jointed legs with bird like feet, with three toes forward and one backwards. The skin of the talons is either yellow, brown or grey. They have feathers/down from hips/waist and down to the second knee. Although some have feathers all the way down to their feet.

Wings

They have wings with a span about twice as wide as they are tall. They have no real flight capability, but are able to glide. Their bones are hollow and they weigh approximately 15% less than a non-harpy person of the same build.

Biological Traits

Hair

Haripes do not have hair. Instead they have feathers/down of varying shape on their heads. The colour usually match the feathers of their wings and legs.

Eyes

Round pupils and normal sized iris. Colours are very diverse.

Ears

Rather long and pointy. The outer curve is usually feather clad.

Most common magical abilities

• Elemental: air

• Physical: enhanced senses

• Linguistics: comprehension (internal)

Growth Rate & Stages

Harpies are born without feathers, and during their first few months, soft down grow in on their heads, legs and wings. The down is exchanged for proper feathers once they reach puberty.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Down and feathers are regularly shed and there are many uses for them, both decorative and practical.

Facial characteristics

Hooked noses are commonly occuring.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origins: fifth planet, Emandur
Commonly found on: Palir and Emandur
Uncommonly found on: Arpa and Elu

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Clean and neat feathers are preferred. Strong wings and a good flight capability is ideal in most regions. Opinions of colours also varies a little depending on the region. Some prefer bolder colours, others the more muted ones.

Courtship Ideals

It's a common tradition to show off, either yourself or something you've made specifically for your object of affection. Dance is a big part of their culture, and there are many traditional dances of display, and mating.

Relationship Ideals

Harpies tend to not marry unless the couple is absolutely sure they want to spend the rest of their lives together. But having children pre-marriage has never been anything negative.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Harpies are one of the races with the most diverse languages, and also the most number of languages. Each language is usually only native to a relatively small region, though, and most harpies are usually fluent in three to five such languages.

Common Dress Code

A traditional harpy folk dress usually consists of a halter necked and open backed top and either a skirt or some sort of wrap pants. In some cases the dress is a single piece of clothing, worn by both men and women. Colours, patterns, decorations and accessories vary from region to region.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Singing and dancing

Singing and dancing is a large part of harpies' culture. There are specific songs and dances for many different occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, funerals or any sort of religious holiday, and they are often different in different regions. Although neighboring regions may have similar elements.
A song and a dance are often linked together, where the dancing creates the rhythm for the song's simple harmonies, or the song's tempo sets the rhythm for the dance. Accompanying instruments are only rarely used.

Feathers

Using someone else's feathers to decorate clothes or the body is a fairly common custom. It's viewed as a way to stay close to each other. It's common practice to gift those close to you with a feather if you are for example going on a long trip, or moving away. In times of mourning, wearing the diseased person's feathers is a way to show respect and to show that they will be remembered.

Common Taboos

You never take or displays a stranger's feathers. It's seen as intrusive, or even perverse. A feather not given to you doesn't belong to you. You are however allowed to acquire crafted items that has a stranger's feathers in it.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Throughout history, harpies has had rather few dealings with Fauns and Satyrs. What interaction they've had has usually been neutral trading relations.

Average Height

women: 165-180cm
men: 175-190cm

Average Weight

about 15% less than any non-harpy of the same build.

Average Physique

Harpies have a very diverse body build.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Skin colours are usually between light and dark brown, but other colours are fairly common. Feathers and skin are usually matching in tone, but not always the exact same colour.