The Northern Isles
The harpies reside among the Northern Isles, a region of Media Terra largely regarded as unlivable terrain. Many young harpies die before they reach adulthood. In comparison to the other races on the island, harpies are few in numbers.
Due their hard way of living, the most valuable trait one can possess is adaptability. The climate of the isles does not allow for easy living.
During the winter, the sun will only peer above the shoreline, the ocean will freeze and food becomes scarce. A young harpy must learn to contribute lest they are exiled from their homeland, or worse, allowed to die in the cold.
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Hard Out
Loyalty to the Isles
Harpies have every reason to resent the Northern Isles, yet few decide to live elsewhere. Why?
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Surviving the first winter is a testament to one's resilience. Those who move to Harbor Town are looked down upon and are not allowed to return.
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The Northern Isles is an ancient place steeped in magic and is in many ways very different from the rest of the island. During the winter months, the sky glows with heatless blue fire.
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This sense of reverence for the land often keeps harpies from leaving. They respect the brutality of nature and choose to endure its whims.
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A Sense of Pride
Many harpies are raised with the notion that the other Kingdoms live a life of ease and luxury.
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Young harpies believe the centaurs are glutinous and the mermaids are lost in grandeur and frivolity. Nagas, on the other hand, are somewhat respected.
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They are taught to believe Centaurs and Mermaids are "soft".
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This notion is only broken when harpies eventually leave their home, which many will eventually do. It also appears that many adults, despite having met both mermaids and centaurs, still bear resentment towards them.
Resources in The Arctic
Harpies live off both their islands and the ice-coated northern regions of Media Terra. Meaning, though most of their resources are ocean-based they've also been known to hunt caribou, bears, foxes, and other arctic mammals for their meat and fur. These animals are respected members of the ecosystem and harpies rarely kill them without a need to. All portions of hunted animals are put to use and are treated with great reverence.
Harpies can, in desperate times, become a financially dependent kingdom. Some harpy leaders have been known to allow their people to die before seeking aid from the other kingdoms, others give in and have been known to accept resources. This can occur during the winter if there is a food shortage.
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Trade between the harpies and other nations occurs on an individual basis. Some harpies sell prized seal coats or whale oil to be used in lamps to other kingdoms. These are expensive commodities in other lands.
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Because harpies do not trade many resources with outsiders, it keeps these objects in short supply and high demand.
A Wider World
A Short History
The Displaced Nation
It has been about 500 years since the Harpies were evicted from their homeland of the Southern Forest. They were banished by the centaurs from this land and were displaced to the Isles.
A Mass Grave
After being banished from their lands, he harpies in the Isles suffered before they learned to adapt. The once flourishing population dwindled and many harpies migrated to Harbor Town.
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Still today the harpies maintain low population numbers and a relatively high infant mortality rate. Resentment grew for those who vacated the Isles while their kinfolk sought to make a living in the cold.
New Outlook
Harpies are historically maligned, but this is changing. After their defeat by the centaurs, it was thought the harpies would live in perpetual self-imposed isolation.
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But, for the first time in several hundred years Harpies have been seen traveling freely throughout the Island.
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New trade routes have been established, as well as voyages for outsiders to travel throughout the Isles. They are not allowed without an accompaniment of harpies, but this is the first time most kingdoms have had any insight into these lands.
This has been pioneered by the current Sovereign, Arnkatla Pelagius. It is a controversial decision among the kingdom, but she proceeds in loosening the laws prohibiting outsiders' involvement in the kingdom's economy.
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