Harpis
(A'Hwiirdh-Paan'a)
Context
Harpis is from the early version of DC Comics’ Omega Men. These space freedom space fighters first appeared in 1981, and got their own book in 1983.
These VERY OLD NOTES are simply a modernisation of her DC Who’s Who text and her Mayfair game stats. We did a small series of these back in the 1990s, when finding Mayfair’s stats for the Omega Man could be difficult.
Background
- Real Name: A’Hwiirdh-Paan’a.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Duarmzshee-Paan (aka Demonia, sister, deceased).
- Base Of Operations: Vegan star system.
- Group Affiliation: Omega Men.
- Height: 5’6” (plus wings height) Weight: 115lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: None
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Powers and Abilities
Harpis flies with agility and can lift more than her own weight into the air. Still she conserves energy by gliding whenever possible.
The size of her wings prevents aerial acrobatics in close quarters, but Harpis’ claws serve her well in close combat.
On the negative side, Harpis’ wide wingspan make her a tempting target for long-range gunfire. Fortunately, there are no nerve cells in the wings themselves. Thus, a hit there will usually fail to bring Harpis down.
History
Hwiird and her older sister Duarmzshee were born into a humanlike race on the planet Aello, 20th world of the Vegan system. They grew up in one of Aello’s domed cities. These protect the inhabitants from icy winds and frequent blizzards.
Raised in the communal family of the Paan Electronics Factory, Hwiird was often dominated by her sister. Nevertheless, the two were close companions. Together they explored the treacherous walls of the rift valley outside the city dome. In doing so they built up athletic ability and a love for high places.
How Hwirrd got her wings
It was on one of those trips that Hwiird was celebrated as a heroine. She rescued a lost child from certain death. The scientists of Aello granted the girl their greatest honor : a pair of bioengineered wings surgically connected to her body, controlled more by mental command than by muscle movement.
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This achievement was reflected in the double A bracketing her name. She now was A’Hwiirdh-Paan’a.
Though enjoying her celebrity, Hwiird harbored secret guilt. She could not have saved the child without her sister’s help. Duarmzshee used that guilt to convince the younger girl that they should both leave Aello. Accepting a recruitment offer from the planet Rashashoon, the sisters were taken into Mama Madame’s bordello, working under the trade names Harpis and Demonia.
While in the city of Raggashoon, both girls were changed forever by the heartless Citadel officer Komand’r. She ordered their body reformed by science to better please her nonhuman crew. Unlike Demonia, Harpis detested her new form. She never forgave the Citadel for stealing her beauty.
Omega Men
Thus, when they later escaped Komand’r to join the Omega Men, Harpis fought Citadel oppression with fierce determination.
On a mission led by fellow Omegan Kalista, Harpis fought and was struck down by the bounty hunter Bedlam. He smashed her hands and then ripped the wings off her back as a souvenir. Harpis was taken by Citadel forces, but Primus paid a ransom to get her back. Yet her mutilation and the news of Demonia’s death combined to drive the Aellan into a nervous breakdown.
The Omegans brought her back to Rashashoon. There Mama Madame treated the girl with help from Delengis, an old lover. But it was only the restoration of her lost wings on the planet Sindromeda that finally reclaimed Harpis’ sanity.
Returning to Aello and Delengis for a time, Harpis found that she didn’t fit in there. Therefore, she rejoined the Omegans. She became a constant companion of Tigorr, and is known to have survived the Invasion .
Description
See illustrations.
Personality
Harpis does not share her sister’s penchant for treachery. She has always served the Omega Men well.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Harpis
| Dex: 05 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Unwanted |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 05 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Freedom fighter |
| Inf: 07 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 023 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
Claws: 07, Enhanced initiative: 04, Flight: 07
Bonuses and Limitations:
Flight is Winged (-1).
Skills:
Evasion (Aerial only): 07, Martial artist: 06, Vehicles: 04
Advantages:
Misc.: Wings (see below).
Connections:
Omega Men (High).
Drawbacks:
None AFAIK.
Wings of A‘Hwiirdh-Paan’a
Harpis’ wings are considered as having a BODY of 09. They can be hit by a Trick Shot. The wings are the normal target when she’s flying, unless the attacker performs a Trick Shot to hit her body instead.
Harpis can also spend 10 HPs in order to take the blow in the wings.
The wings can function normally unless they are at BODY 00. They will heal separately from Harpis’ main BODY score, at a normal pace. Damage to the wings does not affect Harpis herself.
Source of Character: GL and Omega Men comics (DCU).