The differences of opinion we all have about what exactly a harpy is seems to be coming up a lot more in game lately.
I want everyone to be able to contribute to this particular "theory" with what they think a harpy's role is.
To start, here's what Allie/Mai thinks.
The Mistress of Harpies is the city's only real Harpy. She ultimately is the one that will hold sway over certain other politicians. She will be the one who makes any calls regarding social status and boons being owed and whatnot. She keeps a group of harpies beneath her in order to help her in this as she cannot be everywhere at once.
Being asked to be a harpy is either a gesture of recognition from the Mistress or is a ceremonial action in recognition of status of your particular sire, family, or associates. Some harpies are supposedly asked to be harpies because they may be respected young kindred in the city. They might have an eye for the social comings and goings of people, keeping track of scandals, boons, and debts, and damage control on certain rumours.
Most harpies are neonates or ancillae who attain the role by virtue of their upbringing or who they associated with or who their sire is. In the example of Mai, her sire is apparently widely respected, having been friend to a few princes in a row now, and having recently been named Keeper of Elysium. Once his position got him to the inner circle, it is almost a mandatory gesture, so as to recognize by extension his childe, to ask Mai to be a harpy. Not only that but it would be a convenience.
Some harpies actually behave within the by the book role of harpy... which is to pass judgements in silence and whisper rumours to all the right people... to keep track of boons and scandals and ultimately status... but no harpies can actually do anything about it aside from bringing it to the attention of the Mistress.
Most harpies do not actually behave within the by the book role of harpy. Many assume that now that they are harpy, their job is to show up to court and look nice. Many assume that being called a harpy is the ultimate judgement of their art and taste. Many use the position as harpy by not actually serving the Mistress but in an attempt to reach a higher seat... and some are deliberately put in the position of harpy just to prime them for their further experience in the cutthroat world of politics. The position of harpy, now that there are so many and all of one clan for the most part, has been compromised over the years and is not what it once was.
As long as you say the right things to the right people and don't say anything at all to the other right people... as long as you do not offend and yet have your eyes open to the actions of the elders... you may get through your role as harpy. If your particular information proves useful to the Mistress... you may find yourself awarded more status and move on. If not, you are a harpy for ever, if not dropped. But to drop a harpy is nothing small either, for in doing so you offend sires and associates.
Some see being called a harpy, especially when they catch on to the fact that it's ceremonial, as a metaphorical prison. Harpies may judge but no one is judged so harshly as harpies... and they deserve it. Assume you actually do play by the rules and fall into your by the book role... assume you do want to help the Mistress of Harpies and provide information on scandals and boons... do you think that information might be seen as dangerous to other elders? Of course. Assume that you call the wrong shot, make the wrong judgement, heard all the right words to indicate scandal but only out of context and you call something... something that really matters... against a prince or primogen or other elder. Death. Which is why harpies are not what they once were... many are not prepared to risk their life to actually do what powerful harpies once did. Powerful harpies are dangerous and everyone knows that, which is why the "good little roses" that are harpies now never call anything or pass any judgement against anyone with greater status than themselves.
Paralyzing? Yes. A paralyzing ceremonial position. Unless of course you like to be hunted.
⚠ <p> Jenny
A Harpy is some one, "in the know", but about a wide variety of subjects. Some Harpys would know about the really good parties, racks, etc. that cover most Kindreds night to night "entertainment". Some would know who has the eyes and ears of certain elders, and some might have some "juicy" gossip, that comes with a very high price. I see them as the Courtiers of old; the "hangers on" in a Kings Court, and some play the "game" better than others. The lead Harpy would be some one with a with a rather large acess to a wide variety of information, and "courtly influence" over their minions. Or, they could just be a pawn of thier peers.
⚠ <p> Len
The best description I've heard of is that the Harpies relive thier prom night, every night. Snide comments, sharp tounges, quick wits, all the crap that determined "status" amoung their High School class. And, everyone loves building up the Prom King and Queen, just to tear them down latter. Kind of like the modern media? You decide...
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