Harpy

Harpies are a non-playable race and monstrosity type creature located north of the Emerald Grove in the Secluded Cove.

“

Sadistic creatures with the legs and wings of a vulture and the body of an elf. Their sweet song enchants their prey, luring them to their deaths.

„

— In-game racial description

Involvement

Act One

Main article: Investigate the Beach

A group of harpies can be found singing their alluring song along the Secluded Cove. They have already lured the young tiefling Mirkon close to the water's edge.

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 Claws ()

2d6 (2~12) + Strength modifier Slashing

Lash out with deadly claws.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

 Fly ()

Fly to a target position

 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

 Luring Song

Charm nearby creatures with a magical melody to  Lure them to you.

AoE: 25 m / 80 ft (Radius)

 Multiattack ()

2d6 (2~12) + Strength modifier Slashing

+

2d6 (2~12) + Strength modifier Slashing

Aim two attacks at a  Lured creature.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

Recharge: Per turn

 Sharp Rock ()

2d4 (2~8) + Strength modifier Bludgeoning

Throw a sizable, rugged stone.

 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

Tactics

The harpies utilize a combination of the terrain and their  Luring Song. One harpy always remains at a distance to perform the song, which can cause the party to waste turns if they fail to resist. Meanwhile, the other harpies fly close to attack the party. Any attempts to approach distant harpies will be slowed because of the cove's Difficult Terrain. The harpies can ignore distance and terrain using their fly ability, which allows them to easily multiattack party members who are lured.

It is recommended to use ranged attacks and spells on the singing harpy to break their Concentration. If successful, it is suggested to fight aggressively before another harpy sings again.

In preparation for combat, it is possible to bless the party before speaking with Mirkon to improve the party's resistance to Luring Song. Using gnomes, elves, or half-elf characters with Advantage on saves can improve the likelihood of resisting the song. It may also be helpful to utilize the high ground flanking Mirkon.

A viable yet violent strategy to protect Mirkon involves throwing or shoving him away from the shoreline and the harpies. Tossing him provides more distance from the enemies to reduce his likelihood of being killed.

If a party member can cast  Calm Emotions, the fight can be somewhat trivialized. Calm Emotions protects Mirkon and all party members within its casting radius from being affected by Luring Song, which significantly reduces combat difficulty. (The game log will still show a saving throw being rolled, but the characters are unaffected on failures.) Alternatively, the party can use  Silence and keep their entire party within the silenced area. In both cases, the party should be careful to prevent the caster's Concentration from being broken. If the party member casting Calm Emotions or Silence is a cleric, they can cast  Sanctuary on themselves to prevent broken Concentration.

However, note that casting Silence over Mirkon before speaking with him immediately triggers the fight. If the player character decides on this strategy, it is advised to cast Silence over Mirkon and the entire party.

Gallery

• 

  A Harpy ingame.

• 

  Concept by Tan Burci

• 

  Render by Maxime Ponslet

External links

• Harpy on the Forgotten Realms Wiki