Harpies are a race descended from Vida. Human society believe they are the result of her mating with monsters, while Vida's faction support an alternative theory, claiming that they were born of her copulation with Lafaz.[1][2]
Appearance
Harpies are a female-only race that possess wings and talons, in place of arms and legs.[1][2] They are assumed to be semi-humanoid with the characteristics of a bird, but this has not been confirmed.
Temperament
Many Harpies have bright personalities, and their appearance remains almost unchanged after they mature. They are often youthful on the inside as well.[2]
Reproduction
Harpies are oviparous, laying multiple eggs in one hatching. Children mature to adulthood in approximately ten years. Their lifespans are, in general, approximately a hundred years.[1][2]
Harpies take on many lovers, and many tend to find a new partner for each child they raise. Incidentally, those who are good at looking after eggs, singing and dancing are popular.[2]
Abilities
There exist three types of harpies:
- Ordinary-type harpies (Base Rank 3) that can fly
- Hunting-type harpies (Base Rank 4) that excel in combat and are considered warriors or combat professionals in harpy society.
- Land-type harpies (Base Rank 3) that cannot fly, but cover land very quickly
Many Harpies possess qualities suited for the wind attribute; there are those who unleash spells from above with song-like incantations, while others use their talons to swoop down on their prey.
Like Centaurs, the environments that they can work in as adventurers are limited. However, humanoids who cannot fly without using magic or riding tamed monsters would find it difficult to endure the attacks of Harpies from the sky above.[2]
History
The origins of harpies are unclear, with the most prevalent theory spread in human society being that they're the result of Vida mating with monsters. An alternative theory is that they actually descend from her copulation with the bird beast-king, Lafaz, who had merged (or according to human society, cursed) with an evil god. However, this theory has very little support beyond believers of Vida and the harpies themselves.[1] Luciliano cites Lafaz and Vida as their progenitors in his notes.[2]
There was once a country of Harpies that existed in the north of the east side of Bahn Gaia Continent, around what is nowadays the Alcrem Duchy.[?]
Trivia
- The classical definition from greek mythos: A rapacious monster described as having a woman's head and body and a bird's wings and claws or depicted as a bird of prey with a woman's face.[?]
- In terms of romantic popularity among harpies, Vandalieu receives a passing grade in the first category of looking after eggs, but it seems that he is disqualified in the other two (singing and dancing).[2]