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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/harpy

Name:
	Harpy  (Magical Creature)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 2-12
	Climate/Terrain: Temperate, tropical land or coast
	Frequency      : Rare
	Organization   : Flock
	Activity Cycle : Day
	Diet           : Carnivore

Description:
	Harpies are wicked avian beasts that prey upen nearly all creatures but
	prefer the flesh of humans and demihumans. Harpies have the bodies of
	vultures but the upper torsos and heads of women. Their human features
	are youthful, but hideous, with frayed unkempt hair and decaying teeth.
	A foul odor surrounds all harpies and that which they touch. Harpies
	never bathe nor clean themselves in any way. Their dress, if anything,
	is limited to tattered rags and shiny trinkets from previous victims.

	The language of harpies, in contrast to their enticing song, is a hor-
	rible collection of cackles and shrieks. Although there are instances
	of harpies which could speak the languages of other creatures, these
	are few and far between.

Combat:
	The song of the harpies has the ability to charm all humans and demi-
	humans who hear it (elves are resistant to the charm). Those who fail
	their saving throw versus spell will proceed towards the harpy with
	all possible speed, only to stand entranced while the harpy slays them
	at its leisure. This charm will last as long as the harpy continues to
	sing. Harpies can sing even while engaged in combat.

	It is impossible to fend off a harpy song simply by clasping hands over
	ears because the charm takes effect the moment the first note is heard.
	Characters making prior preparations to block out the sound (wax in
	ears, etc.), are immune to the effects of the song. In addition, char-
	acters who weren't charmed by the song are immune to its effect, until
	such time as they encounter a different group of harpies.

	If forced to fight, harpies can do so quite effectively by delivering a
	vicious bite and raking simultaneously with their talons. About 50% of
	all harpies encountered will use weapons, usually a bone club which
	they wield surprisingly well.

	The touch of a harpy upon a charmed individual has a similar, though
	somewhat less potent effect. Those who are touched will stand mesme-
	rized for 20-30 hours. The effect of either charm is broken when the
	harpy is slain.

Habitat/Society:
	Harpies make their homes upon coastlines in regions near shipping lanes
	and by well-travelled paths. There they use their song to lure travel-
	lers to their doom.

	Their lair is usually a shallow cave, which they defile until no animal
	dare approach it. Here they remain unless hunting. Harpies often carry
	victims back to their lair to devour them in more familiar surroun-
	dings.

	Harpies have little use for treasure, other than the shiny baubles
	which they often attach to their clothes. Other items, such as gold and
	weapons, are frequently interspersed amongst the filth and bones that
	litter the cave. This refuse can reach a depth of several feet in the
	oldest of harpy lairs.

	A typical harpy lair houses about half-dozen of these wretched crea-
	tures. No male harpies have ever been seen and it seems that harpies
	can reproduce at will by laying a single egg every other year. Harpies
	take no care of their young, which live off carcasses and cave vermin
	until they themselves are old enough to sing and hunt.

	Harpies have no social structure, frequently quarreling over who gets
	what part of a victim and when to stop the torturing and start the fea-
	ting. Occasionally these quarrels will turn violent, so that more than
	one harpy feast has begun with the last minute addition of the losing
	harpy to the menu. Harpies will occasionally aggree to cooperate in
	evil acts with other humanoids.

Ecology:
	Harpies hunt all manner of beasts, remaining in an area for as long as
	the food supply lasts. They are despised and greatly feared by all
	creatures weaker than themselves.

	Harpies have a voracious appetite, devouring all manner of man and
	beast. They take great delight in torture, and frequently kill for ple-
	asure. Slain victims which harpies do not eat are simply left to rot.
	Their life span is unknown but seems to be about 50 years.