Quetzi

The Quetzi are an avian race who make their home on the island of Equivil. It was once thought that they were their own species, but scientists now believe them to be a subspecies of Woodsmen that got isolated to Equivil.

Biology
The Quetzi slighty resemble humankind and are thought to be distantly related. They tend to be much taller, standing nearly three heads above the average human, and much thinner. Their bones, though hollow, are very strong, and they are a very resiliant species. As a result, they can withstand falls from great distances that would kill a human. Their long limbs and light weight make them excellent climbers. This makes them similar to their Woodsmen brethren.

Their faces are typically longer and more pointed than humans. The females are slightly larger than the males, with thick manes of feathers protruding from their scalps. The males actually sport a mixture of feathers and hair. Skin tones range from an olive color to a dark brown, and plumage tends to be blue or green, though some variation is possible.

Like their human cousins, they are omnivores. Scientists who have come in contact with them believe them to be neither avian nor mammalian, but something else entirely. However, it is difficult to study them, as they are extremely proud and extremely xenophobic.

Society
The Quetzi Society is matriarchal. There is one leader, the Et'ki. She acts more as a guide than a queen, though she does enjoy special status in certain ceremonies. The Et'ki is chosen by the Triad, a group of three females who serve as guides for the rest of the Et'ki, but who are ultimately subservient to the Et'ki they select. The Et'ki is leader for life.

Smaller family units mirror the larger society. The females rule the families. They hunt, leave the home, and trade, while the males feed the young and care for the house. This stems from the Quetzi belief that the female creates life and should therefore rule over it.

The Quetzi fiercely oppose outsiders. The greatest punishment in Quetzi society, reserved for those who murder innocents, is exile to the Oseri, their term for the continents. When this happens, the exiled Quetzi tends to become a loner, as even in exile, the Quetzi are extremely proud.

It is unknown how many tribes of Quetzi exist.