Overview

The Eituhel are a fey-descended mortal race shaped by exile and adaptation rather than natural evolution. Their ancestors were cast out from the Fey Realm for defying tyrannical rule, forced to survive in the forests and canopies of the material plane.

Once capable of flight, their wings became vestigial over generations, repurposed for balance, expression, and protection.

Eituhel are tall, slender, and highly dexterous, with pointed ears, delicate antennae, and occasionally patterned wings or subtle insectoid traits. Their fey heritage binds them to the seasons, influencing temperament and coloration. Long-lived and curious, Eituhel are wanderers and explorers, often forming temporary settlements and forging tight social bonds with their kin and trusted companions. Though mortal, they carry the grace, curiosity, and whimsy of their ancestral fey in every step.

History

In the far past, alongside the evolution of humans, the Eituhel all came from one distant ancestor who descended from the elusive fey. According to legend, their ancestors were exiled from their homeland as punishment for overindulging their curiosity, unbendable to the tyrannical wills of their leaders. Afterward, they were exposed to the unforgiving overworld with no one but themselves.

While their people used to soar the skies on their fluttering wings, they found themselves at the mercy of skyborne predators, evolving to utilize their dexterity for life in the forests. The canopies protected them from the sights of hawks in the sky and wolves on the ground, while also providing them with a consistent food source in the form of fruits and herbs. Able to move fast and efficiently, their wings became flightless as they no longer needed them for their original purpose, instead serving to shield themselves from all predators alike to explore once unreachable places outside their original environment.

This only supported their innate sense of wanderlust, leading them to live in many places around the globe for generations from then on, continuing to grow and evolve alongside others.

Physiology

The Eituhel are measured at 170 cm to 243 cm in height and bear very spindly-to-lean body masses, typically weighing around 145 to 180 pounds at the peak of physical maturity, varying depending on height ratio. All Eituhel have pointed ears, often being very small upon birth, which could grow to as long as 6 inches as they grow and mature. The smallest ear length possible is 3 inches. Eituhel are among the many unique races that do not experience many differences between sexes, with their physical features being virtually identical in most cases. A few, albeit very subtle, key differences are found in wing patterns, with male having thinner veins, if applicable, and lighter colors compared to female. It is also said that females tend to be a bit larger, but this is not completely proven. Their fey ancestry binds the Eituhel to the changing seasons when born, separating them by summer, spring, autumn, and winter at random. Depending on the bound season, an Eituhel's temperament and coloration are influenced.

Seasonal Coloration

Eituhels come in a wide variety of skin colors, with the seasons only corresponding to different undertones. Those bound by autumn and summer tend to have warm undertones, while winter and spring-bound Eituhel have cool undertones. This similarly applies to hair and eye color, which can potentially take on many vibrant shades that could be thought of as unnatural by human standards.

Temperament and behavior are not completely exclusive to the seasons, but certain traits are commonly found among them. Usually, spring Eituhel are nurturing and playful, summer Eituhel are assertive and energetic, autumn Eituhel are thoughtful and wise, and winter Eituhel are withdrawn and stoic.

Lifespan & Torpor

The Eituhel age at the same rate as humans, reaching physical maturity at 25 before their aging drastically slows from that point onward. Despite their functionally indefinite aging, at a certain threshold around the age of 200, they begin to experience a severe mental decline, causing them to gradually enter a state of insanity. The longest an Eituhel has been recorded to live was at the age of 300 before dying from their own doing. Due to their heightened senses, Eituhels are adventurous and curious by nature, often exploring far corners of the land to find knowledge through their experiences. This also makes them impulsive, rarely dying of old age and more as a result of unfortunate escapades. They do not need sleep to replenish their energy, but instead "roost" in a safe and quiet area while they enter a state of torpor, which can last for days on end at maximum. During this time, their physiological activities decrease, reducing body temperature and metabolism. However, their senses and consciousness remain active enough to act towards danger if need be.

Wings & Antennae

While mostly humanoid, Eituhel exist on a spectrum of lepidopteran features, some being more obvious while others are almost non-existent. The most common trait among these features is the presence of long, feathery or club-tipped antennae stemming from the top of the head. These antennae help to keep an Eituhel's balance, while also offering them a greater sense of smell.

Secondarily, flightless, varyingly patterned wings grow from the back in different sizes depending on the individual, ranging from being large enough to cover the entire body to barely the size of a palm. Underdeveloped wings are also not uncommon, often falling off during adolescence and creating back scars that persist throughout ones life. These wings are composed of a thin layer of chitin that is covered by tiny, reflective scales, making them relatively durable for everyday life. While flightless, they typically serve as a means of emotional expression, camouflage, insulation, and protection against the elements, supplementing the lack of body fat. Despite their durability, wings are prone to ripping when placed under excessive stress. Although it is possible to sew them back together, this may weaken the protective properties of the wing and cause permanent scarring.

Rare Traits

Rarely, Eituhel can also be born with insectoid limbs, the ends of which hold taste receptors that can make an individual more sensitive to their environment. The same holds for Eituhel who are born with compound eyes, the only difference being that sensitivity is vision-based. The last characteristic that is biologically possible is chitin-based fur, typically present in tufts around the neck and joint areas. This is usually common among Eituhel who live in colder climates, and require additional insulation to maintain efficient movement.

Family & Reproduction

The primary time when Eituhel seek to meet one another is for a means of reproduction, where oftentimes, they establish relationships and form large families. Some choose to remain this way until the end of their lives, while others leave right after to find new opportunities. Children typically stay with their parents until the age of 18 or until they and their parents deem themselves ready to go out on their own. While Eituhel can visit their parental guardians after the fact, this tends to happen rather seldomly without much stigma compared to that of humans.

Diet

Ancestrally, the Eituhel descended from a fey race that was strictly vegetarian, but upon finding themselves outside the comfort of their home realm, they eventually learned to consume meat in dire circumstances and became functionally omnivorous after years of evolution. Despite this, modern Eituhel only eat meat either rarely or occasionally, tending to boast a more vegetarian diet.

These diets more specifically involve a wide range of flowers, fruits, herbs, nuts, seeds, and nectar, making a source of sugars, starches, and fiber a needed staple for Eituhel to fuel their explorative lifestyles. Their stomachs are specially designed to efficiently process nutrients from plants, leaving them fuller for longer and omitting the need to consume protein often. If a source of protein is needed, they typically ingest animal products like eggs and dairy, but this can be seldom.