Template:Species The Rito are the race of anthropomorphic birds that inhabit Dragon Roost Island, the volcanic island located in the Great Sea in The Wind Waker. The Rito are an evolved form of Zora that have gained the ability to fly.[1] This trait makes them suited to serve the role of mailmen. As such, a big part of their island is used as a Post Office.
History
The Rito began their history as the Zora tribe,[2] with whom they share their social organization and symbols. It is stated in the Hyrule Historia that the gods changed them from fish into birds so that the Great Ocean could remain lifeless, and the remains of Hyrule would never be discovered. The Rito were not always creatures of the sky, and the Grappling Hook is a remnant of those days.[3] The Rito still aren't aerial beings by birth; they need to get their wings from the Sky Spirit, Valoo, by visiting him and receiving a scale from him. This also seems to serve as a sort of coming-of-age ritual.[4][5]
The Rito are the keepers of Din's Pearl. Originally, the pearl was owned by Prince Komali's grandmother, but she passed it on to her grandson when she died.[6] Komali does not give the Pearl to Link instantly because it is the only thing that comforts him, and he feels Link is useless.[7] Later on, when Link clears the Dragon Roost Cavern and calms Valoo, Komali is impressed by Link's bravery. He gives Link Din's Pearl in order to increase his own courage.[8]
Society
The Rito worship the Sky Spirit Valoo, and appoint an attendant to take care of him. At the time of The Wind Waker, this attendant was Medli.[9] These attendants were also revered as teachers.[10] The leader of the Rito people is their Chieftain.
Anatomy
Rito are very similar in appearance to the Zora from which they are descended. In addition to that, they also share a lot of anatomy with the Hylian race. They have pointed ears, a human structure, and speak modern Hylian language. The main characteristics of a Rito that make them different are their beaks and wings. In place of a nose, Rito have a large orangish-yellow beak. This does not function as a mouth, however, as they have a mouth just below it. It appears to just be the shape their nose takes. This often extends all the way up between their eyebrows. Also Rito have wings which they use to fly. Most Rito let their wings dangle like "sleeves" out from under their clothes when they are not flying. However, Medli and the Rito Chieftain do not have this trait. When they do fly, their arms and "sleeves" transform into one set of wings. Their feet also turn into talons, which they use to carry things. This is made clear when Quill and Komali carry Link.
Notable Rito
Medli
Medli is Valoo's attendant as well as the Sage of Earth. She is a descendant of the previous sage, Laruto, who is a Zora.[2] Medli accompanies Link in two dungeons, Dragon Roost Cavern and the Earth Temple, and is skilled with the harp. She is a close friend of Prince Komali and constantly worries about him.
Komali
Komali is the future leader of the Rito. He is the son of the Rito Chieftain and the holder of Din's Pearl. Despite his crushing shyness, he is a close friend of Medli.
Quill
Quill is a mailman that is admired by his peers and trusted by the Chieftain. He delivers various pieces of mail to Link during his adventures and helps advance his quest many times.
Rito Chieftain
The Chieftain is the leader of the Rito tribe. He is stern and constantly looks for the best interest of his tribe, sometimes causing him to be distant from his family. However, he cares deeply for his son Komali and asks Link to comfort him and build up his confidence.
Basht and Bisht
Basht and Bisht are two very minor characters in Dragon Roost Island.
Hoskit
Hoskit is a Rito in guard on Dragon Roost Island who stands by the Chieftain's room. He wishes to give his girlfriend Golden Feathers as a gift. If Link gives him 20 of these feathers, he will receive in turn 100 Rupees. Afterwards, Hoskit's girlfriend will in return mail the young hero a Piece of Heart.
Ilari
He was born on Dragon Roost Island and is a Rito postman. He's usually found at the highest balcony of the island and tells Link about Flight Control Platform before flying.
However, after Link sends Maggie's Letter to the postbox, Ilari is seen the next day on Windfall Island, where he and Maggie's Father are seen arguing inside the newly-rich homeowner's house.[11] Maggie's Father refuses to let the postman deliver a letter to Maggie and won't listen to reason.[12][13] Frustrated, Ilari leaves to the Cafe Bar to calm down.[14] There, he explains to Link the hardships he experienced to obtain the letter, and feels he is a failure for failing to deliver it.[15] Link can help this troubled postman by agreeing to deliver the letter for him.[16]
Like Anju, he has a difficult time remembering people's faces.
Koboli
Koboli is the mail sorter found on the upper floor of the Island Postal Service. He hires Link to be an assistant sorter, and becomes so impressed with Link's contribution that he hires another person, Baito, to help him.
Kogoli
Kogoli is a Rito who can be found atop the wooden platforms on one of the higher levels of Dragon Roost Island during the day, while he moves inside the Mail Center after nightfall. If spoken to, he comments on the damage that was done to the Wind Shrine on the island, as well the the wind god Cyclos's resulting anger and its destruction.
Strangely, Kogoli disappears without explanation from Dragon Roost after Medli is awakened as the Sage of Earth, never reappearing in the game again afterwards.
Namali
Namali is a Rito that lives on Dragon Roost Island.
Pashli
Pashli is a Rito that can be always be found walking around the Rito Hall on Dragon Roost Island.
Skett and Akoot
Skett and Akoot are the personal guards of the Rito Chieftain, in The Wind Waker. Never seen apart, they often consult each other concerning the factual accuracy of any comment directed towards Link, often in reference to Medli,[17][18] Prince Komali,[19] or the Rito Chieftain himself.[20] Like sitcom characters, their interaction always leads to humorous bickering and arguing, providing for some poignant comic relief.[21] Upon entering the main Rito hub within Dragon Roost Island, Skett and Akoot are seen flanking the Rito Chieftain, along with Quill, and after the conversation between the Chieftain and Link ends, they quickly escort the Chieftain to his room. From that moment on, the two guards can be found in the Chieftain's room standing at each end of the rear exit.
Trivia
- The Rito may have been inspired by the Watarara, a much more birdlike race that appeared in the Template:Manga.
- Willi and Obli, the two brothers that run the Bird-Man Contest on the Flight Control Platform, have such an unhealthy obsession with Rito that they dress themselves up as Rito.
- Aside from the Rito Chieftain and possibly Koboli, all of the Rito have red eyes.
- With the exception of Medli and the Rito Chieftain, all of the Rito's names in French end with the letter "f".
Etymology
The name Rito is likely a play on the Japanese word "tori", which means "bird" ("Rito" is a reversal of the characters "to" and "ri"). The name may also be derived from Ruto, the Zora princess from Ocarina of Time, referring to the Rito's ancestry.
Most of the Rito's Japanese names describe their role or behavior, while most of the German names are derived from real-life bird species and genera.
See here for the names of each particular Rito in The Wind Waker.
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | リト (Rito) | |
 |
FrenchEU | Piaf | |
 |
German | Orni | Same as Spanish. |
 |
Italian | Falchi Viaggiatori | |
 |
SpanishEU | Orni | Means "bird" in ancient Greek. |
Gallery
Rito Chieftain
- TWW Komali.png
Prince Komali
Quill
References
- ↑ Template:Cite person
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "You must find the one who carries on my bloodline... The one who holds this sacred instrument..." — Laruto (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "You got the Grappling Hook! This was an item used by the Rito people before they had wings." — N/A (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "We do so by the graces of the sky spirit, Valoo. When a Rito reaches adulthood, he or she journeys to the top of Dragon Roost to receive a scale from the great dragon. It is this scale that enables the Rito to grow his or her wings." — Rito Chieftain (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "If this continues, the fledglings who are of age will never be able to receive scales from Valoo on Dragon Roost They will remain wingless, and in time, our very way of life will be threatened." — Rito Chieftain (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "It's so pretty, isn't it? It's called Din's Pearl. My grandma gave it to me." — Komali (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "It's strange... Holding this calms me down. I forget all the bad things. [...] What? What is it, huh? Listen, you can stare all you want, but I'm not giving this to you. This is MY treasure. You understand? I'm not going to just hand it over to some do-nothing guy, am I?" — Komali (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I want you to take this, Link! Giving you the thing I value most will give me the courage I need to stand up to bad things!" — Komali (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "Oh, me? I'm an attendant to the great sky spirit, Valoo. My name is Medli." — Medli (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "See, Prince Komali's grandmother was the great Valoo's former attendant. She was an amazing woman. I was honored to have her as my teacher...She was kind and brave, and unsurpassed in her dealings with the great Valoo. I'm not yet worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as her." — Medli (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ ""Silence! I'm telling you we don't allow postmen here! Begone! Begone!" "Don't be ridiculous! I went through great trials and tribulations to go all the way to the Forsaken Fortress and return with Moe's letter..." "SILENCE! Begone! Begone!"" — Maggie's Father and Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ ""Then, please! Be reasonable! Can you at least sign for the letter?!" "SILENCE! Begone! Begone!" "Just acknowledge I was here!" "SILENCE! Begone! Begone!"" — Maggie's Father and Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I came to deliver a letter addressed to Maggie from a Moblin named Moe, but as you saw, the girl's stubborn father won't permit me to give it to her." — Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "RAAAAAAWRK! Foolish man! Now you've made me angry! I cannot even look you in the face any longer, or I fear I might... ...I must go somewhere to cool my feathers!" — Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I went to great trouble to go all the way to the Forsaken Fortress, and it was a most frightening ordeal, let me tell you! ...If I don't deliver this letter, then I am a failure of the delivery trade..." — Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I have an idea. That old fool may not permit postmen on his premises... But surely he would allow YOU in the place, would he not? Could you deliver this letter to Maggie in my stead?" — Ilari (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "If you are looking for Medli, I believe she is atop the cliff just outside. Do I speak the truth, Skett?" — Akoot (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "You do, Akoot, as usual! She is right in the same old spot! If you step outside near where she is, you should be able to hear the song she is playing." — Skett (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "I believe that Prince Komali has gone to Dragon Roost to study. Is that not right? Akoot! Look alive!" — Skett (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "Yes! Yes, of course! I deem you are absolutely correct, Skett." — Akoot (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "What are you, mute, Skett? Could you not show a little appreciation?" — Akoot (The Wind Waker)
Template:Races