Medli, a young Rito.
Quill, an adult Rito.
The Rito are the race of peaceful, anthropomorphic birds that inhabit Dragon Roost Island, the volcanic island located in the Great Sea (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker). The Rito worship the Sky Spirit, Valoo, just as the Zora worshipped Jabu-Jabu in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The Rito are not aboreal by nature. They gain their wings by obtaining a scale from Valoo.
Not only have these creatures adapted to their lifestyle of flight, but they also serve as the mailmen for their mobility and fast-paced travel. This is the most important part of their lifestyle and the majority of their home island is dedicated to this task.
The Rito-Zora Evolution Theory
A common theory is that somewhere between Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the Rito evolved from the Zoras. This would explain their absence in the former game, and the Zoras' absence in the latter game. Evidence for this theory is as follows:
- The Wind Waker hints that they may have evolved, or interbreed, with, or from, humans. The Rito who sorts the mail looks identical to the mail man from Majora's Mask and his description under his statue hints that they are related, or that he was re-incarnated as a Rito.
- The fledglings grow wings when they get a scale from Valoo, indicating that their being bird-like is an affectation.
- The Rito have the same monarchical system as the Zora.
- The Earth Sage, Laruto (a Zora) indicates that her descendant is Medli (a Rito).
- The Zora's Sapphire symbol is seen on Medli's and Komali's clothes.
- The facial and body design of the Ritos is very similar to that of the Zoras, even their wings slightly resembling the fins of the Zoras.
However, all these arguments can be countered by those who don't believe the theory:
- Just because the Rito haven't been bird people for very long time (how long is another question), doesn't mean they were once Zora.
- A monarchial system is used by most races and most of the shown populations.
- Another Rito strongly resmbles (and is somewhat implied to be a descendant of) the postman. It's very well possible that some of the races can interbreed, causing a Rito to be the descendant of a Zora. Similarly, it is unlikely that the races in Ocarina of Time all evolved into Hylians, while the sages in A Link to the Past were Hylians and indicated to be descendants of the sages who locked up Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm.
- Medli's heritage could explain her outfit.
- The Rito and Zora have more differences than similarities. It depends on how you want to look at it.
Notable Rito
- Rito Chieftain- the leader of the Ritos.
- Prince Komali- The chieftain's son.
- Medli- The sage of the earth.
- Quill- Mail deliverer and friend
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