Homebrew Harpy Outcast Species Details

Long ago, an elf wandering a forest heard a birdsong so pure and wholesome that she was moved to tears.  Following the music, she came upon a clearing where stood a handsome elf youth who had also paused to hear the bird's song.  This was a reclusive elf god.  His divine presence stole her heart as he fled, vanishing into the woods as if he were never there.

Though the elf searched the woods and called for her stranger, she found no sign of his passage.  Driven to despair by her longing, she begged the gods to help her. The elf goddess of the sky heard the elf's cries and was moved to her aid.  She appeared as the bird whose song had entranced the outcast god, then taught that song of beauty and seduction the elf maiden.

When her singing failed to draw the object of her affection to her side, the elf maiden cursed the gods, invoking a dreadful power and transforming her into the first harpy.  The curse worked its magic on her soul, as well as her body, turning her desire for love into a hunger for suffering, even as her beautiful song continued to draw creatures to her deadly embrace.

Centuries later, some of her descendants have grown weary of their hard scrabble existence in the wilderness.  Some seek the comforts of a warm home.  Some seek the influence to bring suffering to more and more people.  And some are just tired of seeing their family members killed and looted. 

All Feathers and Claws and Spite

 

A harpy combines the body, legs, and wings of a large bird like an eagle or a vulture, with the torso, arms and head of a human.  Most harpies are covered in brown, black, or gray feathers.  However, some rare specimen have brightly colored plumage like that of some large breeds of parrot.

Most harpies are between four and five and a half feet tall.  In order to maintain their ability to fly, most harpies are slim built.  This combined with their hollow skeletal structures means that most harpies are between 80 and 120 pounds. Because they are shunned by society, in large part, harpies tend to have long, un-styled hair.  

On the Fringes of Society

 

Like most "monstrous" races, harpies find it difficult gaining the acceptance of others.  They are often mistrusted and frequently accused of horrific acts.  Not always without merit.  

Therefore, it is exceedingly rare to find harpies living in cities and towns with other humanoids.  Most harpies live in nesting flocks with their family groups.  When a harpy chooses to live apart from other harpies they typically end up living solitary lives in secluded places like dense forest canopies, high rocky outcroppings, or deep within swamps.  Only occasionally will harpies be found in cities, nesting in the upper floors of abandoned buildings.

By their nature, wild harpies tend to be Chaotic Evil, shunning the law of both society and the gods.  Though harpies that seek to  reenter society will try to adapt to there surroundings, they will rarely make a complete turn around.  A feared member of a harpy flock may come to enjoy the structure of lawful society, particularly if it puts them in a position of dominance over others.  A more flighty harpy may come to appreciate the freedom that fostering positive relationships with others affords them, even if they still find themselves at odds with the ruling order.  Or a harpy might just become ambivalent to any such notions and live an entirely mercenary life. 

No Angels

 "Of course we're friends!  Why it's been over a month since the last time I've thought about disemboweling you and bathing in your entrails"!

Cruelty and selfishness are, some would say, cultural traits for harpies.  Certainly when raised in a nest with other harpies, the lesson of "do unto others before they can do unto you" is taught as a matter of necessity.  For this reason, even the most well meaning of harpies are guided by somewhat self serving motivations.  Sympathy is not harpy nature, but with effort, they can be taught empathy.

Harpies that try to integrate into society do so for a wide variety of reasons.  Many seek fortune and luxury items to decorate their nest with.  Some seek wealth and fortune in order to exert their will on others.  Others, still, wish to convince other humanoids not to kill harpies on sight, through trickery if not through genuine likability. Many harpies try to eschew the monstrous reputation of their race, going out of their way to appear friendly.  While others wrap themselves in it, using the ill repute to gain an upper hand in intimidating others.

  

Homelands

 

The mountains, cliff sides and swamps that harpies typically call home are unforgiving environments even to those not bound to the earth.  Hazardous terrain, scarce resources, and a limited amount of physical space makes living there a difficult ordeal.  Members of harpy flocks find themselves constantly needing to either prove their value to the nest, or prove the folly of trying to cast them out.  Any harpy in the nest has either proven to be a skilled hunter, a strong sentry, or a ruthless leader. You either earn your keep, or you are not kept.

This kill or be killed mentality has given some the false impression that outcast harpies are weak.  Such a foolish notion forgets that weakness rarely survives to adulthood in a harpy nest.

It also leads to some friction between harpies and other peoples.  Phrases that harpies grew to view as terms of endearment can easily be interpreted as veiled threats.  Harpy outcasts who seek camaraderie with others must often choose their words carefully.  Harpy outcasts may also find themselves struggling to express fondness.  And sometimes, despite their best intentions, Harpy outcast will find themselves ostracized. 

 

Harpy Names

Within the nest harpies are given names in birdsong that I lack the intelligence and creativity to transcribe here.  However, harpy outcasts will often adopt names to fit in with the people they have surrounded themselves with.  These names, are not perfect.  A harpy may take names such as Branch Treetwig, Flint Stonerock, Creamy Garlic Noodles, Third Place Contestant, Firewood, Twinkle Twinkle LIttlestar, Stage Coach Stop Number VI, and Fasty Zipzip.  Harpies that don't care to fit in will often make the mistake of allowing their companions to name them, which leads to such unfortunate monikers as Feather Freak, Sky Wench, Angry Duster, Chicken, and far worse. 

Harpy Outcast Traits

As a Harpy, you have certain traits in common with your people. Being able to fly at high speed starting at 1st level is exceptionally effective in certain circumstances and exceedingly dangerous in others. As a result, playing a harpy outcast requires special consideration by your DM.

Harpy's Song

Starting at level three harpies can use the ability Harpy's Song.  Singing in the voice of their people, a harpy can produce a powerful birdsong that bewitches those who hear it.  Harpy's song manifests in one of two ways:

Luring Song:  The harpy sings a magical melody.  Any humanoid or giant in a 20 foot radius of the harpy that can hear must succeed on a wisdom saving throw of DC 10 + the harpy's Charisma modifier.  On a failed save, the affected creature is incapacitated.  If the affected creature is more than five feet away from the harpy, it must move on its turn toward the harpy via the most direct route.  It doesn't avoid attacks of opportunity, but whenever it takes damage from a source other than the harpy it can repeat the saving throw.

Terrifying Screech:  The harpy releases a primal scream of raw fury.  Any humanoid or giant in a 20 foot radius of the harpy that can hear must succeed on a wisdom saving throw of DC 10 + the harpy's Charisma modifier.  On a failed save, the affected creature is incapacitated.  The affected creature must move on its turn away from the harpy via the most direct route.  It doesn't avoid attacks of opportunity, but whenever it takes damage from a source other than the harpy it can repeat the saving throw.

Any creature that successfully saves is immune to this Harpy's Song for 24 hours.

Whether used as a Luring Song or a Terrifying Screech this ability can only be used once.  After using this ability, you can't use it again until you complete a short or long rest.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Age

Harpies reach maturity by age 15. Harpies tend to age and mature at a similar rate as humans.  However, due to the harsh conditions they live in, harpies tend to die younger.  A sixty year old Harpy is almost unheard of.

Alignment

By their nature, wild harpies tend to be Chaotic Evil, shunning the law of both society and the gods.  Though harpies that seek to  reenter society will try to adapt to there surroundings, they will rarely make a complete turn around.  

Size

Harpies are about 4.5 to 6 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 120 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 20 feet.

Flight

You have a flying speed of 40 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.

Talons

You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common.  Harpies can also speak in a language of birdsong understood only by members of the same nesting flock.