As discussed in the discord, here's a draft for the Rito settlements discussed. Medli While Rito tradition and history is centred on Dragon Roost Island, the flighted nature of the species means that the Rito diaspora was able to spread far further than other races would typically venture. Most settlements on the mainland did not last due to the logistics of bringing young back to Valoo to gain their wings, but in particular the village of Medli, also known as Rito Village, has long been a mainland home for the Rito people. Located in the foothills of Rolling Ridge, Medli rises out of a small lake, wrapping around an enormous stone spire rising from the water and connected to the land by a bridge. Oddly temperate despite its proximity to the mountains, Medli is the home of the main Post Office of Northern Hyrule. Medli stands out to visitors due to its spiralling, height-based architecture; the Rito built upwards rather than outwards. While a Rito or other individual equipped with flight may navigate the town easily, those reliant on foot may not be impressed at how many stairs they face. After contact with the mainland, and as Rito began to spread out from their home, several small trading posts were established. Medli originated as one of these posts. Its distance from Dragon Roost led to it not always being habited year-round, as the traders would typically fly back to Dragon Roost Island for the winter as well as to raise their young. Slowly, however, as the years went by, Medli grew, and eventually began to have permanent residents. While not nearly as populous as Dragon Roost Island, Medli is a secondary home to the Rito. Its main distinction is the frequency of visits from other races, as well as having its own chief. Medli remains closely aligned with the cultures and traditions of Dragon Roost Island. Despite the distance from the homeland, there is frequent cultural connection through the postmen, the travellers, and pilgrimages to Valoo, allowing culture to remain current instead of stagnating in the past. This pilgrimage is held in high esteem in Medli; the journey south to Windfall Island and then to Dragon Roost via the Rito Bridge is an essential coming-of-age for the Medli Rito, a sign of bravery and maturity. There are very few flightless Rito in Medli because of this; the longer and more perilous journey to gain one’s wings is a challenge, not a barrier. Rito from Medli often have higher priority on warriorship and weaponscraft than their brethren from the homeland, largely due to the higher incidence of monsters surrounding the mountains and the risk the village has faced due to Ganon’s invasion. While its somewhat remote location meant Medli itself was not attacked by Ganon’s forces, the risk to the village was not missed by the residents, who had significantly less protection than their brethren on Dragon Roost Island. Komali Village A frigid outpost located at the point of the Subrosian Glacier, Komali Village is a Rito settlement dedicated to trade with the Subrosians. The climate in Komali Village pushes the boundaries of Rito tolerance, but enjoys a rich and steady trade in ores and metals that are not plentiful on Dragon Roost Island. Unlike other Rito settlements, Komali Village is distinguished by low-to-the-ground architecture, avoiding unnecessary exposure to the freezing winds that might endanger the race’s traditional elevated roosts. The buildings prominently feature fireplaces with large chimneys to protect the Ritos’ avian lungs from soot while preserving warmth. Many Rito in Komali Village choose to travel back to Dragon Roost in the blistering winters. Komali Village also sees a higher level of cured meats, grains, seeds and vegetables in its residents’ diets than is typical for a Rito, due to the ease of transporting these from Dragon Roost. Komali Village culture differs from typical Rito culture, built around the harsh climate and the demands it makes on residents. Living in a more dangerous area, particularly contending with Yook and Lynels who are often not pleased to find the settlement, demands pragmatism and realism from its residents. Rito here often use heavier weapons than can be used in flight to defend against the glacier’s monsters and wildlife, and metal is used in far higher quantities in both construction and armour. The inhospitable climate means that the Rito have not expanded the village and do not typically seek to establish dominion over the surrounding lands - perhaps why it cannot compete population-wise with the somewhat warmer Yook Outpost to the south. (Eev may wish to amend or elaborate on this)
