Harpy

Basic Information

Anatomy

Harpies are humanoids with bird-like feet and feathered wings sprouting from their backs. Harpies also have retractable talons on their feet and hands. In addition to this, harpy wings contain quills which can be propelled from the wing at high velocities. These quills regrow quite quickly, and also contain a neurotoxin. Small amounts of this neurotoxin cause weakness, and larger amounts can be fatal.
Harpies are typically quite physically strong, being able to carry an average adult Human with ease. They are also quite agile, have extremely fast reflexes, and have a natural knack for communicating with birds.

Genetics and Reproduction

Harpies reproduce sexually, and are oviparous. Their incubation period is fourteen months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Harpies typically become capable of flight at the age of five.

Ecology and Habitats

Harpies often live in high places (e.g. mountains, trees, towers, etc.) and typically hate small spaces.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Harpies are omnivorous, and are quite adaptable. Harpies (especially Wilding and Flock harpies) tend to eat mostly meat because of their cultural focus on hunting.

Additional Information

Social Structure

There are three categories of harpy:

• Wilding Harpies, who live on their own or in small groups.
• Flock Harpies, who live in larger harpy communities, known as flocks.
• City Harpies, who have joined the civilizations of other races.

There is generally a lot of tension and distrust between the three types, especially between the Wilding and City harpies.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Some less scrupulous alchemists use harpy quills as an alchemical reagent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Harpies typically have above average sight and hearing, and are otherwise average.

Civilization and Culture

Relationship Ideals

Harpies are typically monogamous.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Draconic

Common Dress Code

Wilding harpies typically wear minimal clothing, or none at all. When they do wear clothing, it is typically untanned hide and is often intended more for showing off an impressive kill than for modesty or protection.
Flock harpies typically wear very little clothing, which is usually made of leather and/or plants. These are often accompanied by small trophy accessories made from bones, teeth, or untanned hides, intended to show off an impressive kill. In the case of these trophy accessories, it is considered shameful to wear any that are not made from something killed by the wearer. However, accessories made from normal clothing materials are acceptable regardless of who obtained the materials, as are accessories that are traded for, as long as they don't resemble trophy accessories.
City harpies typically follow the local culture, with modifications to accommodate their anatomy. Flock harpies who become City harpies sometimes still wear trophy accessories.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

_{This section will mostly focus on Wilding and Flock harpy culture since City harpies generally conform to the culture around them. It should also be noted that the culture of Flock harpies varies between flocks, and that the information presented here is simply what they are most likely to have in common.}
Hunting is probably the most important aspect of harpy culture, and is one of the few points that Wildings and Flock harpies have in common. In fact, Wildings, given their solitary nature, have very little culture outside of hunting. Flock harpies, on the other hand, are much more complex in this regard. However, this has not diminished the importance of hunting to them. Flock harpies are expected to have at least basic proficiency in hunting, regardless of their other skills or ambitions. The hierarchy among Flock harpies is largely (although not exclusively) based upon hunting prowess, and some flocks even choose their leaders based on who has the most impressive hunting record.
This focus on hunting, along with their natural mobility, makes Flock harpies exceptionally gifted at utilizing guerilla tactics. Because of this, other races will often seek to hire flocks as mercenaries, especially for campaigns against Gryphons or Draconians. This also makes flocks that turn to banditry particularly dangerous compared to regular bandits.
It is quite common for all types of harpies to keep birds as pets. City harpies generally prefer small and cute birds, such as budgies, canaries, or finches. Wildings and Flock harpies, on the other hand, tend to prefer birds of prey such as eagles, falcons, or owls. Other pets are not unheard of, but their natural knack for communicating with birds and the fact that they fly makes birds the most popular choice for pets.

History

The origin of harpies is unknown. Some think that they are a type of Chimera, some think they simply evolved naturally, and a few believe that they were originally the offspring of Humans and giant, sapient birds known as Rocs.
Before the arrival of the Zelunii, harpies lived in nomadic tribes. Most of these tribes coexisted with the Zelunii, but a few fought them and were destroyed. When the New Abrizan Empire arrived, this changed. The harpy tribes were rounded up, shuffled together, and then distributed across the Empire as slaves. Most were laborers in fields requiring flight ability, such as high-altitude construction and pulling Sky Chariots. The fastest and most trustworthy among them were removed from this work and put to work as couriers.
After the fall of the New Abrizan Empire, the harpies scattered across Zelunica. Some went to live in the civilizations of other races, some attempted to reform their tribes, some nomadic and some not, and some struck off on their own or in small groups. This state of affairs has persisted to the modern day.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Many people of other races are distrustful of Wilding harpies, because of a widespread belief that they are feral barbarians. There is some truth to this, but it is not universally true, and even most of the barbaric Wildings do not stoop to behaving entirely like animals.
This belief also feeds a misconception that Wilding harpies are the likeliest to join bandit gangs, despite the fact that any harpy in such a gang would be considered a City harpy, unless the gang is primarily Harpies, in which case they're probably Flock harpies. However, lone banditry by Wilding harpies is not uncommon.
Flock harpies are also often somewhat distrusted, especially in areas that have a flock that has turned to banditry. However, Flock harpies are not usually distrusted to the point of outright refusal to interact on the part of other races.
Because of their ability to fly, City harpies are highly valued as couriers.
A few people are wary around City harpies, but they are generally accepted, or at least tolerated.

Lifespan

70-90 years

Average Height

5'4"

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Harpies' skin colors are typically similar to those of Humans. The feather colors of harpies vary greatly, ranging from entirely black or grey to a multitude of bright colors.