Harpy (Obojima)

The origin of harpies is shrouded in mystery. Some say they are cursed humans, a long-lost coven of witches who dabbled with forbidden magic. Others say that the harpies came to Obojima from beyond the horizon and are from a different world entirely. Whatever the truth is, what is certain is that harpies are generally raucous, aggressive, and uncouth. They are prone to acts of bullying, piracy, and they enjoy larceny in all its forms. They are often found in gangs of three or more, and rare is the harpy who speaks with a civil tongue and does not at some point resort to vulgarity or name-calling when dealing with others. Harpies see people as rubes (at best) and as food (at worst). Harpies enjoy tormenting the innocent, and the more sheltered and naive the person is, the more the harpies enjoy shocking them with their lack of couth and civility. The thing a harpy hates most is ambivalence, so the bigger the reaction, the more inwardly pleased a harpy is. Islanders think of the harpies as wretched souls who are best left alone to their own wickedness. They are considered cursed and magical creatures, so some witches are curious to know if things like a harpy's spit, a talon, a lock of hair, or a feather would have some magical properties for brewing potions, but to this day, no one has been willing to take the risk to find out.