Garuda

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Humanoid birds that mimic large birds like eagles, cranes, parrots, and owls. They range from 3' to 5' tall.

~ Can see far distances clearly.
~ +1 to Notice rolls involving sight.
~ Can glide and even fly short distances.

Garuda culture values loyalty to the extreme and deep fealty to those of higher status in society. Though the specific politics vary among different populations, they always stratify themselves into complex class hierarchies and pecking orders. Most garuda view outsiders (non-garuda) as automatically lower in their hierarchy due to their lack of flight. There is a strong vain streak that permeates garuda culture that is passed down directly from their god, The Exalted. The core of their religion places beauty of form and behavior very highly, with the power of flight highly revered.

Garuda live in mostly temperate and warm climates, avoiding the deep cold and burning heat. They often form communities (derisively called rookeries by humans) near coastal highlands and other landmasses where thermal updrafts exist to assist their flight. While their power of flight is unique among mortals, truth be told they are poor flyers, preferring to ride thermal updrafts and glide as much as possible. In order to fly they cannot be too heavily weighed down, unless they put in great effort and are traveling a fairly short distance.

Harpy

An early attempt by The Blackened Heart to create a new form of mortal, harpies are truly monstrous creatures, in both body and mind. Similar to the garuda in the barest sense, these creatures have twisted bodies that resemble giant vultures or crows. Sporting jet black feathers crawling with parasites except for their bald, vulture-beaked heads, harpies stare at every mortal with pure disdain through the milky, pale eyes. They hold a sense of superiority so strong, they feel nothing toward other mortals, even the garuda, instead seeing all as cattle good for nothing buy food and slave labor. Harpies are primarily solitary creatures, though they are known to form small tight groups that nest together for a season or two.