Harpy

Size: 6'
Move: 1/2/6
Carry: 20
Sense Evil DL: 3
PHF DL: 8
Courage DL: 2
Battle Ability: 5
Attack: 5
Defense: 5
Damage: 2d4 claws, d8-2 bite
Physical Vitality: 25
Sin Enchantment: Outcast
Passed by: Touch
Strength Attacked: JO
Strength Damaged: JO
Special: Song Charm (SC defense)

If you ever find yourself out on the moor, or in the high places in the mountains, and you hear the most beautiful song, beware! And if the singer turns out to be a most beautiful maiden with long flowing hair, back away brother! That vision of loveliness may be far less lovely than your lying eyes would have you believe. It may be a Harpy!

What sad creatures these are! They actually appear to be some twisted and filthy huge bird with the upper torso of a woman. The bird is bedraggled, with withered feathers, spindly legs and dirty talons.

Their history is murky, but it is said that in the dark times past, there were lovely harpies that flew high in the morning sun, singing sweet songs of joy to the OverLord's world. The Wise Ones say that somewhere along the way, the Harpies fell victim to the lies of the dragons. "You have always been looked down on, you know," they were told. "The other creatures think your voices are horrible, and those elves, well, they just snigger behind your backs!" After a while, the harpies believed these lies, and the more they stewed on them, the more bitter they became. They began to see themselves as outcasts from a cruel society, then as rebels.

The Harpies thought themselves victims, and began to shun whatever rules anyone else had about living, bent on a quest to become "individuals." Only the opinion of other Harpies mattered, and then as things worsened, not even that! Today, they have fallen completely under the dragons' Outcast Enchantment, and will pass it along every chance they get. They want the whole world to feel as sad, angry, and isolated as they do.

Harpies are fond of white-pasty makeup, and blood-red lipstick. There are some tribes that actually dye their hair or skin bright glowing colors, in order to be even more different from the rest of the Harpy world. Many enjoy making "art", which to them consists of squashing dead bugs with rocks and then giving them titles like "Filthy Elves who Mock Me" or "Life Stinks." Their lives have become more and more about despising others.

They will lair in old deserted houses or high peaks in the mountains or any desolate place where they can be alone to brood on how unjust the world is. They seek to draw OnceBorn to these places, to try and pass their Outcast Sin Enchantment to them.

While their bodies may be considered unpleasant, Harpies have the most wonderful singing voices, and that is the danger.

Adventure Master Notes:

The Harpy's voice is so magical and sweet that upon first hearing it, any LightRaider must make a Self Control check at a Difficulty Level determined by the Shadow Stone. (Once Born or others have a 80% chance of being charmed.) Failing this check does a like amount of Maturity Unit damage to Self Control, (Helmet of Salvation check to save) and the LightRaider will be so completely charmed that he or she will see the most beautiful woman they have ever seen. Men will be in love, women will admire her fashion sense and want to try her hairstyle! The young maid will become fast friends with all charmed team members and create some excuse to peck them on the cheek or touch their skin. ("Thank you some much brave knight for returning my scarf! A kiss to reward you?" And, "Fair woman, lean close and smell this beautiful flower!") Upon contact, the player makes a Joy check versus the same Difficulty Level as the charm. Failure means that the LightRaider becomes infected with the Outcast Enchantment. The LightRaider will begin to harbor grudges, and note every slight, real or imagined, and generally will view themselves as victims and outcasts.

If placed in a battle situation, Harpies will fight with their dirty claws and occasionally a sharp bite. Usually, they seek not to kill the traveller, just to infect them. Remember, despite their ugly nature, these creatures are extremely intelligent! If they charm only a few raid team members, they will try and separate the group so that only the infected ones see them. Harpies will avoid LightRaiders they cannot charm.

It is said that Sirens are a mermaid version of the Harpies, and have roughly the same enchantments. However, they are far deadlier. Their hatred of the world and its people causes them to lure ships onto the ocean's rocks, and do the unthinkable of taking the lives of Men! Be wary, traveler!

2.024
UNANSWERED WORDS WordRune
LO 3, DL 2
JOB 11:2-3
"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?"
JOB 11:2-3
A LightRaider who can say the UNANSWERED WORDS WordRune perfectly can reduce the Harpy sin enchantment by 2 Difficulty Levels. May be used only once per day by an individual LightRaider.
GO +2 mu, SS +2 mu

6.018
DRUNKARD'S SONG WordRune
GE 7, DL 6
PSALM 69:8-12
"I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards."
PSALM 69:8-12
A LightRaider who can say the DRUNKARD'S SONG WordRune perfectly can reduce the Harpy sin enchantment by 2 Difficulty Levels. May be used only once per day by an individual LightRaider.
SC +6 mu, SS +6 mu

10.051
WHISPER AND MUTTER WordRune
FA 9, DL 10
LAMENTATIONS 3:59-66
"You have seen, O LORD, the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause! You have seen the depth of their vengeance, all their plots against me. O LORD, you have heard their insults, all their plots against me -- what my enemies whisper and mutter against me all day long. Look at them! Sitting or standing, they mock me in their songs. Pay them back what they deserve, O LORD, for what their hands have done. Put a veil over their hearts, and may your curse be on them! Pursue them in anger and destroy them from under the heavens of the LORD."
LAMENTATIONS 3:59-66
A LightRaider who can say the WHISPER AND MUTTER WordRune perfectly, and can explain the context of it, can reduce the Harpy sin enchantment by 2 Difficulty Levels. May be used only once per day by an individual LightRaider.
JO +10 mu, SS +10 mu

Email me at: joerevesz@windstream.net