Female
Male
The Harpy social structure is most likely the most unusual among the known races of the Cein Isles. Among one of its signature traits is its matriarchal structure, consisting of elder females and a close knit community of mothers, aunts, sisters, and cousins. Biologically, this is because males are very rare per brood of chicks hatched. Statistically, per one hundred chicks hatched only one among them will be male.
Males assume a "puppet king" rank, though there's no one more spoiled than a healthy, potent male. In exchange for lack of decision making, he fathers many chicks and is cared for by a society of females. But just because he's the only male doesn't make him an automatic candidate for a father. Females look for a clean, healthy male, as well as a generally submissive temperment. An aggressive, unhealthy male means his children may be unhealthy or sick. A potent male with a clean bill of health is allowed to choose the females he shall mate with.
As far as colorations go, a general rule is males are brighter colored by comparison. Females are muted by comparison to males, rare occassions make a female brightly colored. Females are typically organic colors such as brown, black, black-brown, soft reds, soft copper, soft yellows and sometimes white. Males eventually evolved to be brighter to depict health and good breeding.
Long ago when the Naga fought the Unitaur, they were forced to side when the Naga would ransom stolen chicks and eggs in exchange for fighting females to serve as airborn units for battle. In the aftermath, most of the harpies fled far, far away and up towards the cold of the mountains where serpents would not go. The ones who attempted to stay are still preyed upon by the Naga. In their shame, they stay up in the mountains and near the cursed forest region for food and resources. These days they choose to take no sides.
As far as magic is concerned, Harpy have no time for such things. Though because of their lifestyle, they have developed their own salves, pastes, and an extraordinarily potent "love potion" consisting of mashed fish, lichen, and a few drops of a mixture of plants that remains a secret amongst the elder females.
A Harpy's View on the other Taur Races:
Centaur -- Our light hearted cousins, if only they knew of our sins against their ancestors. When the day comes they will be the first to be asked for forgiveness.
Cervitaur -- Our boldest cousins, we can only hope that when the time comes their brother's the centaur will bend them to give forgiveness.
Wolftaur -- They're too concerned with their on politics to even notice what lurks in the water beyond the cost! We can only hope that they do not follow our path.
Foxtaur -- Maybe if we had their wit we could have saved ourselves. It's a shame they can't find anything better to do with it then to swindle and jest!
Cattaur -- I have heard they are beautiful but I have yet to see one as beautiful as our males. They save themselves for magic that we can accomplish with mere herbs!
Unitaur -- Noble, beautiful, and brave in battle. If we should ever cross a lone survivor we will only be able to hang our heads in shame.
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