Shu

The Shu are a race of winged isolationists, living in areas most other races would find difficult or impossible to reach. They believe in the individual spirit and feats of every living person, and value merit and accomplishments above all. Many seek glory and reputation while others seek truth and enlightenment in life. They soar high above the land and oceans below, far away from the worries and cares of those they consider outsiders.

### Biology and Anatomy

Magical Ability

The Shu are gifted with magic in all of its forms, most especially in wind and air magics and telekinetic powers that allow them to lift and manipulate objects. Much of their construction and work is performed through the use of magic, allowing them to boast some of the greatest control over this mysterious power in the world.

Anatomy

The Shu have a highly varied anatomy. They are all humanoid with bird features, but these features can differ completely from Shu to Shu. These features can take the form of bird-like legs and feet, bird wings protruding from the back, feathered arms, arms that are wings, and so on with any combination of such. Whatever form a Shu takes, they will always have wings capable of flight.

Shu are generally short and slim, having a small, almost frail frame that allows them to easily lift their bodies into the sky. They have a general height of around 5'5" for both males and females. Their skin tone is often light, but easily tans due to exposure to the sun.

Biology

The Shu are incredibly adaptable, and their biology will often match the survival conditions of the climate they were born in. As such, a Shu from a warmer clime can seem completely different to one born in a colder clime. This trait allows them to nest and reproduce almost anywhere.

The Shu reproduce by sexual intercourse between a male and female. The female's belly will swell for three months, and then the female will lay an egg containing their offspring at which point the egg must be cared for for another three months until it hatches into an infant Shu. The offspring's bird-like features are utterly unpredictable, and can exactly match or be completely different from one or both of the parents.

### Nativity and Distribution

The vast majority of the Shu are located on their homeland of Mortis, a huge island nation whose sheer height challenges that of a mountain. The Shu build their homes at the top of the immense plateau, bridging the gaps with bridges fashioned out of a unique combination of cloud and magic. Due to the isolationist nature of the people, no outsiders are permitted to set foot on Mortis even if they could somehow scale its incredible heights. Shu outside of Mortis can be found all over the world in isolated villages often built out of reach of others. The Shu are not banned from any lands, though it would be foolish to try considering they can fly over all borders and make their homes out of the way to begin with.

### Contributions

The Shu choose to leave the rest of the world to its own devices, not interfering for better or worse. However, there are exceptions and rare examples of Shu sharing their knowledge, especially regarding magic, with outsiders.