Arala Yu
Description
Arala Yu reveals little known trivia about her reviled race, the harpy. Harpies are not born as wrinkled and old-looking women of wicked capacity. They age as other races do, though unfortunately far more swiftly. Yu knows that in a matter of a few years, she too will lose her beauty and youth, and it shall probably consume her with revulsion and hatred as it does all her people. But for now, Yu wanders the earth, reveling in her powers and wiry strength. She appears to be a demonic young woman in her mid to late 20s. Her Wutao heritage is obvious in the tone of her skin and slant of her coal-black eyes. From her back spread a pair of broad leathery black wings that carry her far and fast. Her legs from the thighs down are ribbed and hardened, like the scaly limbs of a lizard or bony limbs of a bird, yet their nature seems not at all to slow her down, and only add to her agility and swiftness. A simple cloth shirt drapes down over her well-proportioned upper torso. Over that, Yu wears a fine catch of a chain shirt, crafted of the silvery links of mithral. Bracers crafted from bronze and etched with motifs of dragons are clasped to her wrists. A pack of traveling gear is hitched to the harpy's belt, and a quiver tied to one leg. A recurved long bow of high quality, etched with flowing script and symbols of arcana is tucked horizontally through belt loops. In hand, Yu carries a halberd, the steel shiny and blade keen. Long, silky black hair is allowed to flow freely, and lacks the filthiness older harpies usually pick up. Still, her smooth-skinned and even beautiful face readily contorts into a mask of battle-fury and deadly intent. Arala Yu is not a psychopath, but she's definitely a killer.
History
Almost 50 years ago, Arala Yu was born in the Huizedi Swamp in Wutao. Her mother was impregnated by some unfortunate human she caught and forced into copulation. Yu knew nothing of that or cared, glad just to be nurtured. She aged slower than men, but faster than elves, though her vitality did not run out with her aging. After twenty years, Arala already felt like the age she currently held. She was warned by her mother and other harpies that that would fade shortly. The harpy race was given a short "grace period" of the first 60 years of their life would be filled with youth, beauty, and vigor. Then they would suddenly show their age like a human woman of the same age, although it would take centuries to lose their physical health. This sudden transformation was known as the Withering. Yu resolved to enjoy her life while she could, as her elders encouraged. But instead of hanging around those old, cranky biddies, Yu stole her mothers armor and weapons and flew away. Yu took the skill her mother taught her and honed it, hiring herself out as a mercenary to dark forces willing to employ a creature such as she. She hoped to amass enough wealth to fund an independent research effort. Her doom of the Withering and becoming resigned to self-revulsion and hatred was not to be accepted. It was to be avoided if at all possible, by magic or divine intercession and anything in between!
Personality
Arala Yu is a creature fueled by determination that's beginning to dissolve into desperation. She is trying to live life to the fullest before it's too late. Yu also holds out hopes that she can avoid her racial nature's inevitable doom, and can be quite vicious in defending that ambition. Secretly, she's resolved to simply kill herself the day she reaches that age, if she hasn't found a way to avoid the Withering by then.
Goals
Yu will master the fighter class (20th level) before considering a Prestige Class, such as blackguard or assassin. She would instead begin multi-classing as a bard, finding some inner peace and channel for broader emotions thereby, if she finds a way to avert the Withering.
Character Sheet