harpy
It is a curious paradox that a song so sweet can come from a creature so vile as a harpy...
Harpies are vicious humanoids with the wings and talons of vultures. As a species, they are entirely female, and their faces are youthful but hideous, with rotted teeth and unkempt hair. In contrast to their overall appearance, harpies are also known to sing an enchanting song to lure prey closer.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Harpies are an all-female species of avian biped with large, feathered wings, forearms and lower legs resembling the talons of a vulture, and a torso and upper limbs covered in dirty feathers except for the breasts, which are bare. A harpy's hair is long and stringy, and the creature tends to reek of rotten meat and feces.
Genetics and Reproduction
As an entirely female species, harpies must mate with other humanoids in order to reproduce. They lure in prospective mates with their enchanting song, before descending upon them as a flock, raping the most desirable males over and over before killing them and eating them. Thereafter, the flock lays their eggs in a communal nest; sometime later, the female young hatch. It is believed that occasionally male offspring hatch as well, but these are immediately killed.
Ecology and Habitats
Harpies tend to roost primarily in coastal areas where they have access to food like fish, carrion, and especially humanoids. They form flocks of up to fifteen individuals, typically sisters from the same clutch of eggs, and claim a large large hunting territory, driving off competing predators with loud screeching. They are not typically tidy creatures, and the area around their roost will be littered with bones and splattered with fecal matter, though any equipment that they can use will be taken back to the roost.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Harpies are overwhelmingly carnivorous, diving on their prey from great heights to snatch them up in their claws or otherwise harass them into exhaustion. Their true sadism manifests when they are hunting humanoids, however, as they will stay out of reach and attack with bows and arrows or despoil their victim's food and other supplies before swooping down on them and attacking at close range.
Behaviour
Harpies are highly social creatures, gathering in flocks of sisters overseen by an elder matriarch. These flocks are strongly territorial and will chase rivals of any species away from their chosen hunting or fishing grounds, and mark their territories with strong-smelling feces, as well as displaying trophies of bones and damaged weapons at their borders.
Comments