Homebrew Draconic Harpy Species Details

Making home in the areas surrounding high mountains which are doamains of aarakroca, the draconic harpies, sometimes called land raptors, live freely and vigorously protecting the land that syranita has given them.

Scales and Feather

At first glance a draconic harpy may look quite reptilian in appearance. Though when examined with a better eye you can see that they truly show their racial traits from their ancestral pairing quite vividly. Standing upright, draconic harpies reach a solid 5.5-7 feet tall, and they have long, strong legs that taper to sharp talons holding up their lean and muscular bodies. They have long arms that have some little to no plumage but show varied scaling which end in mostly scaled hands with claws that are not be trifled with.

Feathers cover a good portion of their bodies. Their plumage typically denotes membership in a tribe. Males are brightly colored, with feathers of red, orange, or yellow. Females have more subdued colors, usually brown or gray. Their heads are quite different than their parent races in a way that many do not expect. Their faces appear to be quite human like in shape. Though they do have human like shaped heads there are many things that display their true heritage as well. They show many feathers peaking out from their hair that can be any color imaginable with feathers to match or even of different color entirely. Main colors of their feathers are based on their dragon heritage but can take on any color of the rainbow. They also show prominent scaling and horns on the face and head that can range from very small and subtle to large and dramatic like their dragon ancestors. They have short snout like mouthes donning very sharp teeth which allow them to tear any prey to catch while hunting with ease. Watch out, draconic harpies MAY bite.

Avian and Draconic Mannerisms

The resemblance of Draconic Harpies to birds and dragons isn’t limited to physical features. Draconic Harpies display many of the same mannerisms as ordinary birds and true ferocious dragons. They are fastidious about their plumage, frequently tending their feathers, cleaning and scratching away any tiny passengers they might have picked up. Of course due to being terrestrial and not arial creatures like Aarakocra they can handle a little dirt here and there which is unavoidable. But they do still love to be prim and proper when wanting to look their best so a little plumage pampering is not beneath them in any way at all.

Many draconic harpies punctuate their speech with chirps and snarls, they use to convey emphasis and to shade meaning, much as a human might through facial expressions and gestures. Though having a more humanoid face than either of their parent races allows them to use most facial expressions their vocal side is more often used to convey these feelings unless the harpy has spent quite some time away from home.

The idea of ownership baffles most aarakocra. But it certainly does not baffle the occasional lustful eyes of draconic harpies. Just like their ancient ancestors, dragons, they can on occasion succumb to greed whether it be beautiful gems found while hunting and scavenging or even people and random objects they have connection to. Shiny, glittering objects definitely tend to catch their eyes.

They find it hard not to pluck the treasure and bring it back to their settlement to beautify it. A harpy who spends years among other races can learn to inhibit these impulses.

Confinement terrifies the aarakocra. To be grounded, trapped underground, or imprisoned by the cold, unyielding earth is a torment few aarakocra can withstand. Draconic Harpies like most terrestrial creatures have no such fear. They are confused by the innate horror their birdfolk cousins have of the ground often humorously calling them “chickens”. Many Aarakocra are not big fans of said joke.

Homelands

Draconic Harpies are found just about anywhere you’d Aarakocra or Dragonborn. Their main living is usually around the high mountains surrounding large Aarakocra civilizations in the woods where they live off the land and trade with the birdfolk.

Many harpies though can be quite adventurous spirits lead by their curiosity and sometimes dragon like greed to leave their homes to explore their world. Whether it be moving to a big town to move away from the woods of their childhood or to search out their dragon blood cousins to experience the other half of their ancient lineage.

Harpies who integrate to dragon born tribes are usually groomed to be swift warriors who lead vanguards and protect their people to the final breath. Dragonborn teach the Harpies all of their pride and honor of having dragonblood coursing through their veins. Many harpies are infatuated by this and strive to retain high levels of honor among their dragon cousins by working extra hard to work for their village many earning high standing wether it be as a wise elder or a valiant warrior. Harpies who have lived with their dragonborn relatives are a force to be reckoned with especially when their people are in trouble.

 

Great Purpose

Draconic Harpies enjoy peace and solitude. And are not afraid to fight until the end to protect it. Most of them have little interest in dealing with outside parties although their are a great many who’s curiosity leads to all corners of the world. With the dragon’s greed residing deep within them treasure and glory is sometimes enough to lure them from their tribes. Of course this isn’t always case as some are as carefree as the wind their aarakocra cousins carry under their wings. A life of constant excitement and whimsy is what lies in an adventurous harpy’s life.

Draconic Harpy Names

As with much of their speech, Draconic Harpy names include clicks, trills, and snarls to the point that other peoples have a difficult time pronouncing them. Typically, a name has two to four syllables with the sounds acting as connectors. When interacting with other races, harpies may use nicknames gained from people they meet or shortened forms of their full names.

A draconic harpy of either gender may have one of these short names: Aera, Aial, Aur, Deekek, Errk, Heehk, Ikki, Kleeck, Oorr, Ouss, Quaf, Quierk, Salleek, Urreek, or Zeed.

If their village has more dragon influence a harpy may have a name closer related to their dragonborn cousins 

Male Names: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn

Female Names: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Havilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit

DRACONIC HARPY BACKGROUNDS

Backgrounds that are most appropriate for Draconic Harpies include the outlander, the hermit, and tribe guardians.

Draconic Harpies have very small tight knit societies. All having nicknames/names of endearment for each other. Whether they still live in their birth village or with a new family they made all their own; they live their entire lives working with each other to protect and care for one another. They often care deeply for the wildlife as well for the land they have been blessed with by the goddess Syranita.

Draconic Harpy Traits

As a Draconic Harpy, you have certain traits in common with your people. Your long, strongm, thick legs carry your body with such ease and grace that your walking speed is an increased 45 feet. You do not carry wings like your Aarakrocan cousins but you more than make up for it with your extreme speed on the ground.

Ability Score Increase

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

Age

Draconic Harpies reach maturity by age 15. Compared to aarakocra and dragonborn, draconic harpies live longer lives closer to their dragon ancestors going upwards of 150-200 years or so.

Alignment

Most Draconic are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.

Size

Draconic Harpies have varying heights ranging form 5.5-7 feet tall depending on if their birdfolk or dragon lineage is stronger. They have lean, muscular bodies whose weight can generally be anywhere between 140-220 Ibs. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Due to your lean body and impressively powerful legs your base walking speed is 45  feet.

Draconic Ancestry

You gain elemental resistance depending on your dragon lineage.

Due to your natural cold blood and no way to consistently warm your body through bull body feathers or hide you have a weakness to cold element.

Claws, Talons, and Legs

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

Due to your quick and powerful legs you are able to attack with a swift kick to the legs or abdomen when melee attacked as a reaction deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage. Enemy must roll a saving throw on a hit and if unsuccessful will fall prone. If saving throw is successful enemy takes half damage.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Draconic.

Float like an Aarakocra, Sting like a Dragonborn

Due to your shared blood of birdfolk and dragonborn your lean powerful body gives you proficiency in athletics checks and your combination eyes give you proficiency in perception checks