Shrikes

Introduction
Shrikes are a distinct, pillar-touched elven subspecies created as a result of an eldritch ritual conducted by the iron elf Evdokim Nusakan, later the Prince of Preservation.

Physical description
In appearance, shrikes reside in the uncanny valley for baseline elves, humans, and orcs. Their proportions are subtly different from elven standard and their coloration tends more toward UV and grayscale with occasional splashes of bright color on males. Their eyes have black sclera, with solid color irises devoid of pupils. They do not have visible talons, and their plumage is hair-like down found exclusively on their heads, leaving their overlarge ears bare. They have pronounced lower-jaw fangs that approach orcish tusks in length.

Shrikes are known to assume monstrous forms under great duress or when raised as undead; these "wilding" shapes are larger than a shrike's normal form, covered in feathers that seem to absorb light regardless of color, and sport a large number of insectile eyes on both their feathers and flesh. Viewing a shrike in this shape, especially if the viewer meets the shrike's eyes, can result in immediate madness. Shrikes are far more susceptible to this effect than other species, including other elves, leading to chain reactions of mass psychosis if one shrike in a group goes wilding.

High-dimensional forms
In addition to being vehicles for low-grade eldritch corruption of the surrounding world, shrikes exist in a fourth dimension of space. They can see "inside" purely three-dimensional objects and maneuver freely in an additional spacial direction, appearing able to walk through walls or manipulate items in closed containers without damaging the containers, among other feats. A significant portion of their bodies actually exists within this space, invisible to species who can only see three dimensions. discussion of banners goes here

Reproduction
In addition to having radically altered appearances, shrikes are much shorter-lived and vastly more fertile than standard elves. They are also ovoviviparous, giving birth to altricial young. Unlike every other species on Nephele, shrikes are completely cross-fertile with any other sapient. The species of the child, as well as a couple's chances of conceiving, are dependent on the mother's species.

Most non-shrikes are unaware that this transformation is not an alternate form, but the result of a shrike "flattening" her entire four-dimensional body into only three dimensions. Doing so disconnects her mentally from reality, rendering wilding effectively a tactic of last resort.

Shrikes elsewhere

 * Isle of Joy


 * Orclands

Princes
Evdokim Nusakan, the Prince of Preservation

Others
Esfir Daughter-of-the-Bier, Volkhv Illarion Albireo, Knight-Captain of the Knights Pariah, former Warlord