Harpy

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Bestiary Harpy.jpg

Harpies are a race of winged female raiders that can be found in Ascalon, Kryta, and the Crystal Desert. They once thrived in Istan, Vabbi, and Dzalana within Elona 250 years ago, but have since spread north for unknown reasons. The princes of Vabbi have claimed that Dzalana is the homeland of the heket and harpies.[1] Later excursions to Dzalana have further elaborated on the stories, suggesting that harpies are dominant in Dzalana, forcing any Elonians living there to hide in the mountains.[2]

Elonian legends say that the harpies are the descendants of fallen servants of the goddess Dwayna who were cast down from the heavens.[3] A similar legend claims that Dwayna's holy guards were once ascended harpies.[4]

Physiology[edit]

Harpies appear much like female humans with pale skin, except that they have feathered wings, their feet are replaced with bird-like talons, and their hands have sharp claws. How they reproduce is unknown, though some harpies are seen seducing males of other species (such as grawl), and they are known to lay large eggs, large enough to hold a typical Young Harpy. The young harpies can be seen fully developed and appear little different physically from adult harpies aside from height.

The asuran engineer Wode stated that harpies have a pleasant aroma and was creating a perfume using harpy sweat filtered through harpy feathers as they are uniquely able to filter out the less aromatic parts of the sweat. However, the effects of the aroma fade almost immediately upon the death of the harpy, though not on plucked feathers.

Elonian harpies possess skin of a blueish tint.

Culture[edit]

Harpies are a sadistic and xenophobic race that tend to nest in high areas and prey on travelers and merchants below their nests. They are known to also kidnap travelers to both eat and to use as training for their young. Harpies are not above killing some of their own kind if it means their flock becoming stronger as a result. In 1075 AE, hostilities between the skree harpy and heket tribes escalated into an all-out war, leading to Vabbian people seeking out heroes to kill both tribes' leaders to weaken their forces.[5]

In some Vabbi myths, only the matron of a harpy family can breed, making life even more unpleasant for other females—but this may just be a thinly veiled allegory attacking certain powerful wives in the estates of wealthy Vabbi.[3]

Harpies communicate in Tyrian although most non-harpies only ever hear harpy speech via their battle cries. However, harpies are capable of diplomacy if needed such as when a harpy flock gave one of their own as Palawa Joko's betrothed in his harem in the Forbidden Vault in exchange for Joko allowing the flock to roost in the Desolation; the betrothed harpy would peacefully coexist with her fellow betrothed and diplomatically interact with future visitors to the vault.[6]

Government[edit]

Harpies live in small groups which are led by their Matriarchs. In rare occasions, multiple Matriarchs lead a single, larger, group of harpies.

Known roost locations[edit]

A harpy nest filled with loot and corpses of victims.
Ascalon
Crystal Desert
Kryta
Shiverpeak Mountains

Types[edit]

See also: Category:Harpies

Quotes[edit]

Aggro
More victims!
Swarm! Frenzy!
My children, attack!
Flock to meeeee!
Disengage
Next time!
Next time we kill!
Death
Too strong...
Matriarch take you!
Avenge me!

Gallery[edit]

See also: Category:Harpy screenshots‎

Related achievements[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The Book Of Knowledge: Harpies, which was only available during the Beta Weekend Events, states that male harpies do exist, but are hidden away at their nests. It's unclear whether this lore remains canon.
  • Young harpies hatch from eggs already armed with weapons and wearing full armor; this is likely not canonical lore but due to game mechanics.

See also[edit]

Gwwlogo.png The Guild Wars Wiki has an article on Harpy.
Associated items

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Complete Art of Guild Wars: ArenaNet 20th Anniversary Edition, page 55:
    Although the northern region of Dzalana is inaccessible to the people of Elona, the princes of Vabbi claim that it is the homeland of the heket and harpies.
  2. ^ Prologue: The Tyrian Alliance
    Chief Councilor Imann: My people have recently begun early exploration of Dzalana. The Dragonbrand is weakening, all these years later.
    Chief Councilor Imann: Dangerous place... Rampant with harpies—I don't see them helping us. Perhaps the heket?
    Braham Eirsson: I've only been to the ruins of Fahranur, parts of Kourna. I should visit more of Elona.
    Braham Eirsson: When you call Dzalana dangerous, what do you mean?
    Chief Councilor Imann: You've been to the best tourist attractions, at least. You should visit.
    Chief Councilor Imann: Dzalana is...taxing. Harpies are dominant, which makes it hostile territory. But my people used to hide in the mountains.
    Chief Councilor Imann: We have records and rumors of temples. Settlements. I don't know if anything waits for us there, but it's worth looking.
  3. ^ a b Guild Wars Nightfall Manuscripts, legal.guildwars.com
    Some legends hold that the harpies were once beautiful winged creatures who proudly served Dwayna, the Goddess of the Air, until a catastrophic event cast them down from the heavens. Now they stalk the earth as they struggle to survive. Vabbi poets elaborate further, claiming that the fallen harpies now hate everything that walks on the ground. [...]
    In some Vabbi myths, only the matron of a harpy family can breed, making life even more unpleasant for other females—but this may just be a thinly veiled allegory attacking certain powerful wives in the estates of wealthy Vabbi.
  4. ^ Witness Feathered Beauty with the Graceful Bladed Wings Package, GuildWars2.com
    One legend claims that Dwayna’s holy guards were once ascended harpies; these beautiful wings were modeled after that very tale.
  5. ^ Desperate Measures
  6. ^ Betrothed Harpy
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