Harpy
Harpies are winged humanoids whose have bodies like thin humans. However, their limbs are more birdlike. Their arms are two large feathered wings with a pair of humanoid hands at the end, and their feet are avian talons suited for perching but able to be used to walk as well. Instead of hair, they have long feathers on their heads which give a similar appearance.
Harpies build their homes high up, where only flying creatures can reach them. They build these homes out of wood, cloth and other lightweight material that they can carry up. Harpies generally keep these settlements fed though herd animals kept below their cities. Farmer harpies keep an eye on these grazing beasts, then when they are ready the harpies kill the beast and fly it up for the rest of the settlement. They also practice agriculture, but their heavily meat skewed diets place meat above plants in their farming priorities.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Harpies only have one sex: female. They reproduce through a version of parthenogenesis, then lay eggs. A harpy mother generally only lays one egg at a time, though twins or triplet are known.
Many harpy cultures have special rituals or ceremonies revolving around the egg. Some paint symbols on their eggs to try and give their child boons, like painting arcane runes on the egg to make them magically gifted or painting symbols of fortune to ensure their child is blessed with luck. Some keep fragments of the eggshell as jewelry, believing that keeping this piece of their egg close will bless them in some way, such as staying youthful or helping with fertility. Some try to read the cracks of the shell, attempting to divine the child's fate either while or after they hatch.
Ecology and Habitats
Harpies are widespread due to their ability to fly and the intellect to overcome the challenges of different biomes. Yet regardless of where they live, they prefer to settle in place that only they can reach. They roost on high cliffs or in the branches of giant trees, or anywhere else that they can easily fly up to but someone without wings would have a difficult time reaching.
Civilization and Culture
Common Taboos
Most harpies have a cultural aversion to eating eggs. They lay eggs, and see it as weird to eat babies even if its not their own species. Eggs also hold a special place as almost holy symbols of life.
Common Myths and Legends
The core tenant of harpy religion is worship of their ancestors, with their goddess Hyrella being a single entity representing the vast, vague concept of the ancestors. She and her priests are mostly recognized as the bridge between the harpies and their ancestors, though Hyrella still performs the near universal duty of protecting her mortals. All harpies pray to their ancestors, but priests have a deeper connection and can get responses from the departed.
Hyrella is not passive in their religion however. In between ferrying souls back and forth to speak with her priests, Hyrella has gotten herself up to quite a few shenanigans that form the mythology of her religion. For instance, harpies believe that their connection to elemental lightning comes from their goddess having saved a storm elemental, and it blessed her species with elemental magic.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
For practical reasons, harpies never went too far with fire. Heavily feathered beings working with fire in homes made of wood and cloth is a recipe for disaster. There have been methods developed to safely handle this dangerous power, but most harpies still barter for forged goods. They offer their services as flying messengers, scouts, and more in exchange for things they have a hard time producing. The advantage of flying agents makes harpies sought after, so they rarely have trouble finding someone to trade with.
Comments