Private Be Wary of the Takers of Skulls

Prahka was annoyed. Greatly annoyed in fact. When she should be out hunting, her mother instead requested that she stand by to receive a relative of the king. Some long lost prince so she heard whom knew not of ways of the harpies, nor of the denizens of the of the colony in general. But as he was royalty of sorts... it meant that she it was only appropriate that the daughter of the chieftess herself be the one to accompany him during his visit.

Part of her wondered if this was some ploy by her mom to test if this Eein could prove to be a prospective for her... or maybe this was all to annoy her. Either way, she stood by awaiting by the entrance of her clan's domain on the look out for a blue haired humanoid with with great living sword accompanying him.

@Saber

Glade was admittedly nervous that Eein decided to to visit the harpies first of all of the mydaid of races living on the colony. Something about the hunting traditional of these avian people fascinated him and this fascination was now leading them to the Skulltakers Clan. Why the king chose them out of all the clans, Glade could never be certain given their reputation. Yet while many harpy clans lost their traditional ways given the cramped living spaces on the colony, the Skulltakers managed to maintain their ancient lifestyles with little alteration.

"We are near Eein. I warn you to keep your wits about you. Skulltakers have always been the most dangerous of harpy kind. Back in Esteria they were among the last of clans to be subdued by the kingdom and even then always been difficult to control. Be mindful of what you say as to not cause an incident." warned Glade in husted tone while the two the two approached the entrance, watched by pink and brown harpy looking to the two of them suspiciously.

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Prahka spotted the pair long before they reached the entrance. She noted the tall deer-like woman speaking to the blue haired one though what of she couldn't make out though she had somewhat of a guess. As Eein greeted her Prahka didn't answer him right away. Instead she circles around him, sniffing him from his boots to his neck. There was pause as she lifted her head head, air from her nostrils tickling the back of Eein's neck before she slips in front of him to at last introduce herself.

"I am Prahka Skulltaker." answered Prahka whom gaze then motions to Glade, giving them a curt nod "I have told of Glade. The Cheifess has spoken at much length of you."

Her attention returned to Eein, tilting her head like a bird. She had to admit he was more impressive in stature than she expected and looked to his clothing favorably. No fancy silks or gaudy gold trimmings to be seen but practical garb for a practical purpose.

"You are the son of Alora, that much I've been told. The Chieftess told me stories of her when they have fought the corruption during the war in Esteria since I was a hatchling. I do not however know much about you Eein... but have a legacy to uphold young prince."

Prakha takes step back and looks at to of them.

"I'm to escort you through out the area belonging to Skulltakers and enlighten you or our peoples ways and those of other harpies. You will also have an audience with our Chieftess whom can offer you wisdom for whatever answers I may lack."

There was a pause as Prahka considered his offer to join him on a hunt, which is very much something that she would rather be doing right now.

"Prehaps." replied the harpy whom then beckons the two of them to follow her.

Upon entering, Prahka guides them along the main branch that is about as thick as one way road as both Eein and Glade were greeted with a snapshot of typical harpy livelihood. While hopping from branch to branch seemed precarious, the resident harpies here do so with no concern for the dizzying heights should they fall. Instead of huts or teepees there were roosts nestled along the thicker branches or hanging cages made of wood and leather coverings. Both the males and females seem to work together to accomplish a variety of tasks such as tanning hides, butchering meat, weaving baskets and other such chores one would imagine tribal society can accomplish. Hatchings could be seen scampering about playing games or observing what the adults were doing. A few of these kids paused to look at Eein and Glade before quickly going back to what they were previously doing.

"This here is the main branch, our people live along its entire stretch and branching pathways. The elves and dwarves may faint at the sight of being far above the ground but us harpies have no such fears. They may think us savages but we are an egalitarian people whom take care of one another. Female and male are both expected to help with clan." explained Prahka as they make a short hop to another branch, looking back to both Eein and Glade to see if they will continue to follow.


Glade looks over the edge and even she got a sense of vertigo. She then looks to Eein to see what he will do.

Prahka watched as Eein shifted to his dragon form and flew on the branch was was on now. It was bit unnecessary given that the jump wasn't that far but at least she could see his true draconian form. He was surprisingly feathered and his appearance seemed to have garnered a few curious gazes from the other harpies. Most of them curious young females she noted.

"We are called such because they do not understand our ways." Prahka then points to numerous skulls and bones the seem to be decorated just about everywhere they look. From creatures as small as mouse to skulls of deer-like creatures and few larger ones of beast of some unknown origin.

"They call them grizzly trophies but that is not why we collect them. Each skull contains a fraction of the soul of every creature and we honor their sacrifices by preserving their memory. We adorn ourselves so that their spirit may imbue us in with the qualities they had in life." Prahka then points to various skulls that they are wearing "From the raven's cunning, the the bear's strength, the wolf's stamina... each gives me some measure of their power as I honor their lives through the hunt. But not eveyone seems to understand that line of thought. Every skull you see hanging here... are the works of generations of my people fulfilling the duties of the hunt and through their sacrifice we continue to endure. Life gives and life takes... none of us are above this cycle." lengthfully explained Prahka trying to justify the unfair label put upon her people. As they stroll down and the question about drying meats was brought up, Prahka just gave him a look.

"Of course we dry our meats. What we are unable to eat today we preserve for tomorrow. Nothing is wasted." answered Prahka. With the rest of the questions she would give him answers one by one "There hasn't been a group hunt as of yet. Mostly solitary ventures but I know there is talk among our hunters of banding together to fell great beast as our ancestors once have. For much of my life I hunted nothing larger than a rabbit so to finally have a chance to hunt something such as a deer has been... exalting. I have see the game of the forest and they are of a worthy challenge. Since the arrival, my people are have been excited to resume the Hunt once more."

Prahka cocked her head as she listened, nodding her as she could relate to the story behind the looped necklace. It was the sort of understanding she knew her mother valued in Alora long before she was born.

"Your mother spoke wisely. Your parents seemed to have taught you many valuable skills it seems..." commented Prahka, pleasantly surprised by Eein more and more.

"We may not have the power of dragons, the magical aptitude of the elves, nor the sturdiness of the dwarves. Yet we find our own strength in our community and in partaking in the Hunt. That is what always made my people strong."

Eyeing the dried meats for a moment, Prahka and Eein continue on their way.

"You say you know of the creatures prowling the forest beyond the colony. Can you tell me a bit about them? Also... the clothing that you wear. Did you make it yourself?" inquired the harpy as they soon approach the the Skull Roost where the cheiftess, her mother, resided.