Fiction:The Firmament/Harpy

"Despite what many may think, harpies are not creatures of darkness. They are wild and unpredictable, though really only as much as the untamed birds they resemble. So should you ever be confronted by a harpy, there is no need to fret for the most part, though one should treat them with caution; they can be... forceful in their advances."

- Humbert Berkel, human ranger

Harpies are a species of being who resemble a hybrid of humanoid and bird. They are native to the land of Kultaurus in southern Dryadala, but most of their kind no longer lives there, having migrated north and west over the course of the centuries.

Biology
Harpies superficially resemble elves with wings for arms and bird-like feet with long, hooked talons like that of an eagle. Their wings end in four fingers which allow them to grasp objects, albeit somewhat clumsily compared to other humanoids. Their hair is made up of long feathers, which course over their wings and end in made of elongated tail-feathers on their backs. Harpies come in a variety of colours, from green to red to blue to many others. Harpies are all-female and require males from other humanoid races to reproduce, with their offspring always being full-blooded harpies. They stand at an average of 1,6 meters, weight 50 kilograms and live roughly six decades.

Among other reasons, harpies are notable for their innate magical abilities. They have the power to let out enchanting songs which cause those of weaker will to fall asleep or be charmed by the harpy, or alternatively may let out potent screeches, powerful enough to knock a fully grown man to the ground from their sheer force.

History
The harpy species are the original inhabitants of the land known today as Kultaurus, being forced to flee the region following the arrival of minotaurs. Most harpies migrated northwest and ended up in Khalmartis, where they are most prolific in current times, though their race extends as far as Waldland and Eondrassana, far to the other side of the continent.

Culture
Harpies congregate in large flocks, where the largest and strongest among them assume control by asserting their dominance over the others. They tend to make their nests upon the canopy of trees or on the side of cliffs, and usually decorate them by objects which strike their fancy; usually shiny baubles such as jewelry. Harpies are naturally energetic creatures and do not like to stand idle for too long, leading many of their flocks to be chaotic and confrontational to those who cross them, as the creatures tend to be easily provoked.

Religion
The matron of the harpies is Sephiara, one of the forces of nature, though their race is not known to possess priests and clerics; usually a flock will have a single shaman who communes with the forces of the wilderness occasionally, with their flock mates being casual worshipers in comparison. A small number of harpies are known to worship Constarnach alongside Sephiara.

Relations with other races
Many races are wary of harpies due to tales of their kind taking men away to never be seen again; such tales have base in reality, as many harpy flocks use their magic to charm men - usually humans, lamias and wood elves - to be their mates. Harpies are, for the most part, not hostile and even welcoming to outsiders, though their energetic and forceful nature leads many to be pulled off by them.

Despite this, harpies are considered official inhabitants of the land of Khalmartis, being treated as equals alongside the lamiafolk, and are known to sometimes successfully integrate into other societies as well. Among human nations, harpies are valued as scouts along city walls, often perched on the highest points to use their superior eagle-like vision to detect incoming arrivals.