O'rei'i (Oh-Ray-Ee)

There are two notable subtypes of O'rei'i, Ganitilt and Itilit. The Ganitilt O'rei'i are akin to flightless birds, expanding into a diverse group of birds. Some resemble the penguins of colder habitats while others resemble rhea, ostricts, waterfowls, and other varities. Some of these evolved to have stronger legs than their Itilit bretheren, having them more muscular in the lower half of their body. Others gained water resistant feathers and the ability to swim through water as if they were gliding through the air.   Meanwhile, the Itilit commonly imitate all birds who can fly. Pigeons, Hawks, Eagles, Chickens, and more are common birds that the Itilit are similar to. Their wingspan and size often varies like their Ganitilt bretheren. Some of them are tailored towards being predators, just like birds of prey. They have wings and physique that are tailored towards hunting, even allowing them to dive bomb at speeds almost incomprehensible to ordinary eyes. Others have the unique traits of owls or even smaller birds.

Due to their many variations even beyond the two subspecies, it is hard to nail down a common growth rate between them. Most might physically become adults by their late teens but there are some who grow to that size by the time they are three. While the majority of O'rei'i can live a century or even up to two, there are some that done even make it past three decades.

The O'rei'i were children of King Raselo, crafted from the birds of Faenum. And like birds, they were varied and diverse, far more than even their younger siblings, the Elves. They were an enigma amongst their Feyborn siblings since they made choices to be who they are. Some of them became scholars who studied their realm and even others such as Avestra. Others became warriors and guardians like the Lunari. And some simply followed in the footsteps of their feyborn siblings and lived coddled by the Fey.   When the Great Exodus occured, most of the Ganitilt O'rei'i followed, seeing the writing on the wall after how the Alomri and Lunari were treated. However, the warrior caste of the Itilit chose to stay, protected by serving numorous djinni in their bid for power or artifacts. That all changed when the Air Sultan, Celes, came to power. A djinni of much renown, they hired the O'rei'i more and more. To the point to where the O'rei'i began to serve them more than the different factions.   That turned out to be an excellent decision when the X'ith'ila came to eradicate the cosmos. The Itilit were united on the frontline when they threw themselves against the Aberrations and the monstrosities they commanded. While there are countless losses for their kind, the valiant birdfolk never backed down and never retreated from battle. It was said their efforts were what stopped the X'ith'ila and their forces from getting so far into Faenum.   Celes rewarded them greatly after the war against the X'ith'ila but... things began to change. Celes's good nature and love of the Itilit began to fade. Due to some punishment, a group of Itilit were cursed. Their feathers became greyish white, their beaks sharked to tear through flesh, and their eyes constantly wide and transfixed. The name for this group of cursed O'rei'i varies on culture but the common names are Strix and Strigòi, those that feast on the blood and flesh of other mortals. This horrified the Itilit and they were divided on what to do. Most of them were driven by loyalty to Celes and stood by while they continued to punish other traitors.   That was until a group of Itilit grew tired of the tyranny and sneaked into the Sultan's air palace. While they slept, the four slew the Sultan and forever shattered the unity of the Itilit. Since that day, the Itilit splintered into different factions and the birdfolk could never be united again. Some continued to be mercenaries on Faenum and beyond while others joined their bretheren on Avestra. Some of the Strix ended up across Avestra, falling to their bloody urges and becoming monsters to be hunted by adventurers.   The ones that did not go mad learned of the Lonavi Lords, ancient vampires who were well-studied on curses. They went to them, learning how to control thier urges and given a safe respite as the Lonavi attempt to find a cure for them. Other O'rei'i joined them, seeking to protect their corrupted kin. Showing that even in their darkest moments, most O'rei'i won't abandon their own.

The O'rei'i understandably have a deep connection with their Feyborn bretheren, even after some of them chose not to follow them in the Exodus. Even when some choose to be reclusive, they are still open to the Lunari and others. Even when O'rei'i might be violent to each other, their fey siblings are able to bring peace back to the different factions.   They have been especially grateful to the Vampires of the Lonavi since they took them in without expecting anything in return. They gave the cursed Strix a chance to be free or to be indulged in their new appetites to stop them from going mad. And even cull them should the curse finally drive them to madness.