There are some types of bird folk and other flying beings who are often catagorized wrongly as harpies, sometimes also referred to as false harpies, on account of them possessing wings instead of arms similar to harpies. A misunderstanding stemming from these false harpies typically living in the wild in primitive villages even though generally they appear a lot more civilized compared to harpies. Many of the feathered ones live among other bird folk where they are usually well accepted unlike actual harpies, and they come in all different shapes and sizes which is why it is easier for other bird folk to simpley see them as just another species of bird folk so they refer to false harpies as one species, even though in truth there are many. So collectively they are called Aviiri by other bird folk, and despite their differences the Aviiri have embraced this collective moniker as it sets them apart from the monsters they were once thought to be. Although some humans still refuse to notice the obvious differences so the Aviiri tend to stay away from the human cities and especially the harpies who live among humans, not out of any malice towards the city harpies but simply to avoid any more confusion and problems for both.

Another obvious difference, for those who can tell at least, is that the Aviiri have both males and females unlike harpies who appear to be only female, but since they aren't typically mammalian it can be hard to tell for most who don't know how to tell them apart. Aviiri tend to be quite capable mages with a particular specialization into telekenisis, likely out of necessity due to not having hands but most Aviiri have developed quite the dexterity with their feet allowing them to handle and manipulate small objects and even use needle and thread with great skill even without telekinetic ability and Aviiri can be counted among some of the finest seamsters and tailors among birdfolk.

The other false harpy shown here is perhaps closer to a monster compared to the Aviiri, and despite their looks is not related to the Vossen or even Volfen. In fact not much is known about them at all as they have only recently been discovered inhabiting the same jungles as the Iluurai and even the Iluurai haven't had much contact with the nighthowlers as they call them. Some of them appear to be always in the nude while a few have been observed wearing clothing so perhaps they do have some form of developed culture. One individual who had been captured in one of the Iluurai traps was able to be studied briefly and nighthowlers do appear to have similar hands on their wings as harpies do, and a flat tail covered in fur and despite their carnivorous appearance they only eat fruits and other plants, which is why the Iluurai have traps around their fields to stop them from damaging too many crops. Despite that not much is known about them the nighthowlers are a good example of what can be considered a false harpy of the leather wing variety, at least untill more is known about them. Perhaps when there is another expedition to these newly discovered lands contact could be established with them as well.

There are certainly more examples out there of false harpies, and perhaps they deserve their own research notes one day when there is a greater understanding about the many different races and species that fall under the false harpy category...

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