Characteristics | |
---|---|
Type | Monstrous humanoid |
Image | Wizards.com image |
Stats | Open Game License stats |
Publication history | |
Mythological origins | Harpy |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the harpy is a monstrous monstrous humanoid creature with the lower body, legs, and wings of a reptilian creature.
The harpy was one of the earliest creatures introduced in the D&D game.
The harpy was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975).[1] It is described as having the lower body of an eagle and the upper body of a human female.
The harpy appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977),[2] where it is described as a Have the bodies of vultures but the upper torsos and heads of women, their sweet-sounding calls cause creatures to approach the harpy who then tortures and devours them.
The harpy was detailed in a pair of articles in Dragon #115 (November 1986), in the "The Ecology of the Harpy: Songs of Beauty" and "The Ecology of the Harpy: Songs of Death.".[3][4]
This edition of the D&D game included its own version of the harpy, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983).[5][6][7] The harpy appears as a player character class in Top Ballista in the "DM's booklet" (1989).[8] The harpy was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991), the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991),[9] and the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994).
The harpy appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),[10] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).[11]
The harpy appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).[12]
Savage Species (2003) presented the harpy as both a race and a playable class.[13]
The harpy appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003), along with the harpy archer.
The harpy appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008). They are depicted with avian features instead of reptilian.[14]
A harpy is usually chaotic evil and usually solitary, though will sometimes take flight in small groups. A harpy's song captivates nearby creatures, causing them to walk directly into the harpy's clutches.
|