The Obojima Podcast the Blog | Episode 2: A New Take on Harpies: Overgrown Airfield

It’s the second episode of the Obojima Podcast! This podcast is a deep dive into the creative process of creating Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass. First thing’s first, let’s meet our intrepid crew of writers. 

• Jeremiah Crofton - The Creative Director of 1985 Games and the creator of Obojima. 

• Ari Levitch- Head Writer

• Adam Lee- Head Writer

Welcome back to another behind-the-scenes peek at the Obojima writing meetings! In this episode, the team (Ari, Adam, and Jeremiah) dives into the creative chaos of building out one of the island’s most evocative locations: the Overgrown Airfield.

After a quick nod to their last episode, which focused on Okiri Village, the trio sets their sights skyward—literally—with the Airfield, a non-village location full of busted planes, forgotten tech, scavenging spirits, and a rowdy gaggle of harpies who’ve made a crumbling radio tower their nest.

The harpies take center stage in this episode, and there’s a lot to unpack. These aren't your typical mythological monsters—Obojima’s harpies are gruff, gear-wearing card sharks who strut around in pilot jackets and speak in clipped aviation slang. Think less “screeching menace” and more “sky biker gang meets poker night.” The team debates how to adapt classic harpy lore to fit the island’s playful but mysterious tone—ultimately landing on a version that’s ambiguous, mischievous, and maybe a little bit dangerous.

They also explore how these feathered rascals might interact with players. From harpies that remember travelers like crows to ones who’ve lost their ability to fly and are obsessed with aircraft, there are tons of potential NPC hooks. Want to befriend a harpy? Try crafting prosthetic wings, offering shiny gifts, or winning a high-stakes card game. (Just don’t get caught cheating.)

Momo, a potential NPC airship pilot, also makes an appearance. She’d offer scenic (and sometimes chaotic) rides across the island—possibly interrupted by harpy shenanigans mid-flight. There's even a pitch for a side quest involving Momo’s routes being hassled by skyborne troublemakers, giving players a reason to negotiate with—or outwit—the local harpies.

But it’s not all feathers and poker chips. The crew talks about making the Airfield a true adventure hub, full of narrative threads and encounter possibilities. Enter the eccentric old mechanic (possibly a retired AHA guild member) who’s obsessed with restoring a flying machine. He’s a fixture at the Airfield, forever tinkering with planes that never quite fly right. Bonus: the harpies don’t eat him because he smells like pickles. (They call him “Pickle Finger.”)

This pickle-loving tinkerer might send players on wild parts-hunting adventures, like sneaking into the harpy-guarded air traffic control tower to retrieve a schematic. One particularly fun mechanic idea was a janky prototype plane that flies an unpredictable distance.

There’s also a mischievous spirit NPC who opposes the mechanic’s efforts, stealing tools and sabotaging equipment. That sets up puzzles and stealth encounters, especially since the harpies are mostly nocturnal and tend to get drunk at night, leaving a narrow daylight window for sneaky players to get things done.

As always, the team layers in setting detail with faction connections. The Airfield used to be an AHA outpost, and glider pilots of Sky Kite Valley could get involved—especially when it comes to flying machine landings or charting flight paths over spirit-haunted skies. There's even talk of needing runways and landing pads, making the airfield a crucial logistics hub in addition to being a narrative one.

In the end, the Overgrown Airfield is shaping up to be more than just a cool place on the map—it’s a story engine packed with memorable NPCs, player-driven quests, and world-building weirdness. Whether your players are fending card hustling harpies, or trying to get a cursed plane off the ground, this corner of Obojima promises plenty of high-flying adventure.

Check out the episode here: https://youtu.be/MJQjLYrWdRQ?si=uvPQJhJUdae1a5_4