Sephen's Log

Harpies
Sephen's Log

FLOCKS
   - Flock in groups of 5-20 members
   - Lead by one alpha (male or female)
   - Extremely protective of flockmates, offspring
   - Communicate with bird noises or gestures
   - Identify one another by calls, markings, plumage
   - Completely submissive to authority of the alpha
   - Hunt or gather in smaller groups of 2 or 3
      - Search for prey high above ground, swoop/dive to catch prey
      - Hunt fish, small animals, largest prey wild pigs or badgers
   - When an alpha needs replacing, group submits to strongest or eldest member

STATS (full-grown)
   Lifespan: 150-250 years (age at 1/2 to 1/4 rate of humans)
   Wingspan: 12 to 20 feet
   Height: 5'8" to 7'0"
   Weight: 130 lbs to 250 lbs
   Mating: Mate only once; for life

OTHER
   - Live births (not eggs)
      - Pregnancies last between 6-7 months
      - Can continue having children until old age
   - Able to mimic bird and human noises
   - Female plumage usually brighter than male
   - Can take off vertically
   - Very hostile when territory is trespassed on
   - Territory ranges from a few miles to hundreds of miles
   - Ability to hone
   - Screech- ability exclusive to females (extremely loud, high-pitched shriek/scream; causes disorientation, pain or deafness with prolonged exposure)
      - Length of time used depends on user's lung capacity; ability to use it becomes hindered when flying
   - Appear to understand human speech (with some difficulty)

INFO
   - Very slow and clumsy on land
   - Can lift 2-3 times body weight when standing
      - Weight limit reduced to (1x) body weight while in flight
   - Highly agile
   - Extremely potent senses
      - Nighttime vision/long-distance sight
      - Sensitive hearing
      - Above-average smell
   - Skilled as carpenters, hunters/fishers, tanners, or embroiderers
   - Fascinated by unusual textures, colors
   - Trade with merchants for glass/clay beads, brightly-colored stones, exotic produce, fabric and thread
   - Provide skins/furs, carvings, fish, embroidery, feathers
   - Omnivorous
   - Highly social; grooming common among family members, companions and mates

ANATOMY
   - 4 digits on hands and feet
   - Tails

   - Wings- 3 joints
      - Usually span 2-3 times height
      - Shorter than mountain harpy wings, more maneuverable
      - But need to flap more often

   - Muscular/lean physique
   - Hooked talons on feet
   - Curved talons on hands
      - Very dexterous, able to use talons for intricate embroidery
   - Very fast heartbeat
   - Hollow bones, air sacs
   - High body temperature

   - Feathers in/on...
      - Calves/Hips
      - Wings
      - Hair
      - Lower arms
   - Virtually soundless in flight
   - Tattooed at age 20 (10 in human years) with distinctive markings; brown, black, red, or green
   - Complexion varies between pale/white, to very dark/black
   - Teeth same as humans (common misconception)

COMMUNICATION
   - Communicate through bird noises, gestures/signs
   - Hissing: displeasure, hostility, protective
   - Screech: angry, on the attack, hunting
   - Cooing: happy
   - Chirping: 'speaking'
      - Also communicate with gestures and expressions, have formed a sort of language with it
   - Screech in females: Used as an attack; extremely loud and high-pitched, used only for long-distance calls or to disorientate/deafen enemies

OWL WOOD FLOCK: 12 members (7 f/5 m)
- Alpha: Dzuna ♀/49
- Arquillion ♂/129
- Jidaia ♀/132
- Zhinni ♀/48
- Javin ♂/53
- Tika ♀/18
- Finlay ♂/90
- Yuya ♀/87
- Rikke ♂/87
- Keevah ♀/105
- Yeri ♀/93
- Galhat ♂/41

Families:
- Arquillion/Jidaia: Dzuna, Galhat
- Rikke/Yuya: Javin
- Finlay/Yeri: Zhinni
- Allistr(deceased)/Keevah: Tika