Assoti

The assoti (Scolipendra syltorus) are a race of sentient insects which inhabited the northwestern reaches of Syltör. Their population was mostly within the City-State of Rugo, while some remained in Haven and Nieden. However, there were many displaced assoti from the Canan tribe that traveled the world.
As Rathnir and Eldham were frozen, many migrated to Abexilas. They currently only inhabit the continent Kejafros. The Sanctum of Vulren is where a vast majority live.
== History ==
The assoti originated far west of Syltör in a distant continent. They were initially simple-minded animals, more akin to silverfish or bees than the various humanoids inhabiting Rathnir. They occupied massive, underground hives ruled by a single queen. When their queens mysteriously died off, the assoti had no leadership nor a means of reproduction. Their populations either died of sickness and starvation or resorted to cannibalism. As they were at the brink of extinction, a select few gained independent, complex intelligence akin to that of the humans. This small group of assoti managed to escape the chaotic dogma that their hive had become. They migrated east to Syltör and found refuge in the ruins of a partially subterranean fortress, which would later become the city of Rugo.
=== Dwarven rivalry ===
Due to competition for mountainous living space and vast cultural differences, dwarves and assoti have a long-standing hatred for each other. Both races are guilty of committing hate crimes against each other. This continues to the present day, despite amends made by both races during the time of the Motheyeví to stop the conflict.
=== Tragedy of Rugo ===
Due to the Devrim tribe's incompetence. Rugo fell into disarray and was able to get captured by a squatter nation calling themselves "Divine." They completely flattened the city, destroying the hive and bulldozing the mountain. They rebuilt the town in their different building style and erased all assoti remnants, except for a few remaining Devrim tribe members, including Adashi Cornaro, who would later form the Canan tribe.
== Appearance, anatomy, and physiology ==
The assoti are insectoids that possess a complex, hard exoskeleton that can range in color depending on gender. Black/Grey and Orange being only seen in males, while Green has only been seen in females. They possess formidable mandibles and mouthpieces near the bottom of their elongated, triangular heads. They have two large eyes which aid them in traversing the dimly lit catacombs that made up their hive, and alongside their large eyes, they also have two large antennae that act as a form of long-distance communication between assoti. They possess a pair of large, primary arms and a second pair of arms that is located near the center of their torso. They range drastically in height, some measuring a mature height of 6 feet, to some measuring a towering 9 feet. Assoti age much faster than humans and have shorter lives.
=== Assoti queens ===
The mature queen has a greatly distended abdomen and may produce 40,000 eggs a day. The abdomen increases the queen's body length to several times more than before mating and reduces her ability to move freely; attendant workers provide assistance. Compared to other assoti their stinger is much more durable, as it serves as a means of storing larvae and due to the much more frequent use. Their mandibles are also larger than other assoti. Since assoti are compatible with most creatures and require them for the process otherwise, it would be reasonable (and evolutionarily smart genetics-wise), for a Queen to have "suitors" of other species, if not multiple, along with a male King. Queens tower over other assoti at around 12-14 feet tall and live around 300 years.
=== Respiratory system ===
Assoti possess a tracheal respiratory system. 18 pairs of openings, called spiracles, are evenly distributed along the lateral edges of the 18 tergites, which are upper portions of carapacial segments apart from the head. Each spiracular atrium measures 1 centimeter in diameter and is constantly open. They connect to tracheae, air passages that then connect to tracheoles. Tracheoles distribute oxygen to cells by diffusion, rather than by blood.
A mutualistic relationship has been formed with small air-sucking vertebrates called heliphs. They are directly connected to the top of the spiracular atrium, providing air via suction in exchange for nutrients transported by the assoti’s hemolymph. Without heliphs, assoti gigantism would have been impossible due to insufficient oxygen distribution. Additionally, respiration creates an audible sighing effect, which can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with assoti.
Due to the spiracles being constantly open, water loss is significant. Assoti require frequent hydration from the ambient environment or water sources, which is why there are no notable cases of them in desert environments.
== Culture ==
The sequence of cultural groups and their times of most significant relevancy proceeds as the following:
Assoti Tribes
Order of Appearance	Name 	Periods of Peak Affiliation with Assoti 	Status
1 (oldest) 	Ancient Devrim	before the mass death of assoti queens 	Extinct
3 	Proto Devrim 	before the establishment of Rugo and after the mass death of queens	Extinct
4 	Modern Devrim 	after the establishment of Rugo and before its fall 	Extinct
5 	Canan 	after the establishment of Iabet and before the death of Adashi 	Extant
6 	Motheyeví 	after the indoctrination of Skarn and before the end of Ratham 	Extant
7 	Neo-Devrim 	after the release of the Scourge and before the end of Ratham 	Extant
8 (newest) 	Taren 	after the end of Ratham and continuing to present day 	Extant
=== Ancient and Proto Devrim assoti culture ===
The Assoti were initially deeply religious, reactionary, and traditional. Ancient Assoti culture was based around a strict caste system, and each Assoti was born with a certain body plan to fit certain roles. There were two primary types of Assoti; Grunts, and Elites. Grunts were usually weaker, smaller, and more submissive than their Elite counterparts. Grunts possessed only a single pair of arms and were usually mentally stunted at birth, to ensure they would not commit acts of insubordination against their leaders. The Elites on the other hand tended to be stronger, larger, and vastly more intelligent than their Grunt cousins. Elites possessed 2 pairs of arms and they could harness ancient nature-based forms of magick as a result of their higher intelligence. Most of the Grunts died off or gave way to the Modern, more sophisticated, and intelligent Assoti after the collapse of the Ancient Assoti civilization. Most of the Elites survived but some still clung on to their elitist, decadent, and reactionary values, plotting and scheming ways to return to their former glory.
=== Canan culture ===
But with the Guidance of the Great Brood Mother, they'd taken a shift into the right direction.
They also sometimes stole tools and food. Assoti colonies and Bugtowns were well known for having loosely defined ownership, with most tools and objects for survival being switched between hands consistently, largely due to the lack of a trade economy in the original colonies having a transformation into their modern version. There was sometimes trade with items and food, but this is much less common.
However they were well known for trading objects around and accidentally stealing objects, especially shiny ones for decoration (partly to remind their instincts of the deep caves with jewels which makes them feel a natural sense of home and also because they’ve actually been allowed a wakening into consciousness with the Great Brood Mother so they can for once appreciate beauty)
=== Motheyeví culture ===
Most Motheyeví are composed of descendants of Canan who fled Rugo and Iabet after the death of Adashi. After her death, Canan remnants formed nomadic tribes. They would often be absorbed into other cultures, including those of the following continents: Nieden, Haven, and Syltör, all of which contained assoti populations prior to the exodus. However, Farthorni emissaries brought news of Skarn, a new assoti queen. So, some emigrated from their respective nations with little resistance. Other Canan remained in their respective tribes. 
=== Taren culture ===
Taren picked up where the Motheyeví left off. Their cultural group began as a continuation of the Motheyeví on Abexilas, however, it slightly deviated. This was largely because the new generation of assoti grew up in an entirely different environment than their predecessors, being born on rocky shores rather than in a landlocked corner. Their love for kelp, glow berries and community brought about a new love for nature that did not only focus on land but also the sea. 
There are still Canan and Motheyeví groups that remain separate from the main Taren culture. They make up the conservative majority of assoti.
=== Clothing ===
Clothing is only worn for utility or status, as their tough exoskeleton protects an assoti from the enviroment.
In rare instances, the carapace of a deceased assoti may be turned into armor plating for individuals of status.
=== Weaponry ===
===== Koruma =====
A single bladed glaive with handles that allow for easier control with an assoti's many arms. At the bottom of the weapon is a blade or hook used to catch smaller opponents. They are appropriately sized for an assoti warrior, leaving them unwieldy and inefficient for a standard humanoid to use.
===== Floret =====
The floret is an attachment made for the Koruma that was first produced during the Devrim Resurgence War. The gift of fire magic by the Paxian Spirit Izendium gave assoti the necessary abilities to use new technologies. The attachment is a cylindrical device of various materials ranging from wood to crude iron that links a wielder's fire magic with a magic-infused amethyst crystal. Jets of purple fire spurt out the end of the tube when it is fired. It was used extensively during the Resurgence War for scorched earth tactics, where Devrim units would often burn captured villages before fleeing.
== Society ==
=== Modern Devrim society ===
The primary assoti nation was the City-State of Rugo, which was a semi-theocratic co-ruled monarchy. Rugo was ruled by both a King (who deals with diplomatic, legislative, and international affairs) and the High Priest (a religious head who deals with internal and judicial affairs), alongside a council of various political officials, including The Representative, the primary diplomat of Rugo who deals with foreign affairs, The Warlord, a military leader whose purpose was to train and lead a powerful standing army and The Architect, who dealt with the layout of the various settlements and the designs of the buildings inside of the settlements. Assoti society was racially and religiously based, with non-assoti (particularly humans) being treated as second-class citizens while assoti and celestial elves were treated as full citizens. Humans could not officially own property in Rugo, and all property purchased by Humans were legally owned by the state instead of the individual. Humans, with the exception of a select few nobles, could not partake in local meetings and had essentially no political rights. Elves and assoti tended to be treated as full citizens who enjoyed luxuries such as welfare, the ability to own private property, the ability to construct their buildings within the said property, the ability to serve within the military, the ability to choose their occupation and the ability to influence the outcome of bureaucratic affairs.
Due to incompetent leadership, Rugo was allowed to be wiped off the map by Bardonia. This event shaped assoti for future generations, including those of the Canan and Motheyeví.
=== Canan society ===
Canan society thrived in Iabet. Many of their societal practices differed from their Devrim counterparts, seeing as they were continents away from their ancestral homeland of Rugo.
After Adashi's death, most Canan assoti lived among nomad tribes. It was hard for assoti to find a place in nations due to their reputation as thieves and criminals. Many of these nomad tribes do still exist, but the assoti presence in them is diminished.
=== Motheyeví society ===
The Motheyeví lived in a more technologically advanced society than their predecessors. The development of Rugo's infrastructure, economy, and trade commenced a golden age that continued until the end of Ratham. However, the previous core cities of Adnan and Iabet were ghost towns, with very few inhabitants apart from expeditionaries from the Assoti Kingdom of Farthorn.
For the first time in assoti history, individuals of other races were brought into the Motheyeví Cultural Group. The dual-citizenship pact between Vulpinia and Farthorn gave ample opportunity for a merge of culture and ideas. Interspecies marriage also became increasingly common, especially towards the end of Ratham, when many foreigners who stayed in Rugo after the Resurgence War married assoti. Abexilan Motheyeví continue the practice of integration.
=== Taren society ===
Taren use a mix of technologically advanced and traditional architecture. For instance, they show an expertise in stonemasonry, yet often use mud for buildings. They use the materials of the land in the construction of their cities, further cementing their affinity for nature and community.
Similarly to the Canan, Taren create bug towns where families live in close proximity to one another. However, the integration of many other races into these communities has made them more accepting to others. Most cases of integration occurred when soldiers from the Vulpinian Army married assoti on Rathnir. Unlike most previous cases of interspecies marriage between assoti and others, non-assoti Taren are not forced to undergo the Ascension Process. Consequently, many vulpur and humans live in hives along with assoti.
== Religion ==
=== Traditional Devrim ===
The assoti as a whole used to practice the religion Sürkelism (not to be mistaken for Sakrelism). Its primary beliefs are the practice of a strictly vegetarian diet, the belief that the assoti are inherently superior to all other intelligent races, the inferior races can be redeemed and become equals through the means of "ascension," and the belief that close, emotional connections (I.E-Marriage) are a hindrance to the full potential of an individual assoti and are inherently sinful.
=== Canan and Modern Devrim ===
Most assoti of these groups practiced Rakauism and gave thanks to Rakau for sparing them from their species near extinction. They maintained the traditional vegetarian assoti. Marriage was open freely; there were even examples of assoti marrying other races that traditional assoti would have shunned them for. Alcohol is considered sinful, as it clouds an open mind.
Small enclaves of Canan exist within the Motheyeví. Modern Devrim culture died out with the passing of nearly all members.
=== Motheyeví ===
Motheyeví have little consensus on religion due to the large numbers of immigrants originating from Canan tribes. However, the most prominent religions consist of: Soleannen, Twin Dragon, Asitir, and Nabu.
=== Taren ===
Taren are most often associated with their love for the Old Mothers, a concept largely propagated by Skarn Melithera. The Old Mothers refers to past assoti queens. However, the congruency of the faith is incredibly loose, with most worship being conducted in home environments. There is a small organized religion currently known as Motheyeví Maternalism. However, in an effort to keep assoti secular and open to all possibilities, it has not been made a state religion.
Some also practice religions from Rathnir and Eldham, being influenced by Motheyeví who had come across to Abexilas.
== Diseases ==
=== Flowering ===
The spores from spore blossoms can take over an assoti and compel them to cultivate an environment where spore blossoms thrive. A network of roots takes control of the muscles and chemicals flood their brain making sure they don't think anything is different. Once the parasite has had enough time to grow. Spore blossoms erupt from the body of the assoti and start producing spores of their own. 
Assoti infected with flowers are usually less frightening to humans, as well as other numerous other races, and are treated better as a result. 
The spores do not affect mammals.
=== Montroig Plague ===
Due to assoti similarities with silverfish, they can contract and spread the Montroig Silverfish Plague but show no symptoms.
== Reproduction ==
=== Parental oviposition ===
During Ancient and Pre-Ancient times, many assoti queens laid eggs that hatched into the majority of assoti during these eras. Whenever a queen died, her corpse released pheromones that triggered the transformation of another female assoti into the next queen.
A single assoti queen remains in modern times.
Assoti queens often pair with wildly different species. Until recent history, it was accepted that queens simply had an attribute bestowed upon them by the Gods that allowed them to do this. This was known by locals as the Divine Blessing and by scholars as Trait Transcendence Theory, in which a queen could theoretically mate with any species as they would with their own, purely by divine intervention.Trait Transcendence Theory is also colloquially known as the "TTT" or "Triple-T Theory"Divine Blessing (Blessing for short): the historical name for nature magic in the context of its presence within assoti. It is regarded as the means by which assoti may use magical abilities. It sometimes acts reflexively when certain conditions are met, such as in Saintly Assimilation. Throughout time, there had been a few scholars who have disputed this and wished for more elaborate explanations; however, until assoti unlocked nature magic in the Devrim Resurgence War, there had been no prevailing theory of how the Blessing actually manifested. They did discover, though, that it would be anatomically impossible for most other species to even be compatible with assoti queens. This is due to the nature of their caudal spine, which also has plates that block off the stinger.
In the Spring of 62 VE, Trait Transcendence Theory was added on to and officially became Saintly Assimilation.Saintly Assimilation: An ability that embeds functionally similar physical traits of a host into an egg or larva by autonomously analyzing any amount of genetic material. In the winter of the year before, researchers went on a trek to find old records that had been recovered from a progenitor machine on Rathnir. The machine was used to create Skarn's current body, so it likely had a lot of valuable anatomical information. They found the documents inside of an old shipwreck, one of the ships the assoti had used to arrive on Abexilas. It looked to have been stolen, with its smuggler trapped beneath the wreckage. All of the writing was outlandish; so, they asked interpreters for assistance. This wish was granted, and they found something quite shocking: after an in-depth study, it was revealed that interspecies pairing is only possible through a subtle form of nature magic inherent in all assoti queens. This nature magic is able to analyze any single piece of organic material (i.e. chitin, sperm, hair, etc.) from a mate for a full construction of the offspring's traits and insemination. Intimate contact is not required; the process is reflexive. It effectively genetically engineers the traits of the offspring. Mates may still be regarded as fathers, since the traits they provide offspring are hereditary.
===Ascension===
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Ascension is a technique that was controversial among Devrim assoti, but essential if the species was to continue. The process starts with a female assoti using her stinger to implant an egg into any cavity in proximity to the nervous system, often in the sinuses. This can be extremely painful if not given a prior warning. The egg implant sprouts a nervous system along with basic capillaries to release pheromones into the brainstem and pituitary to create hormones that facilitate the transformation. Alternatively, pheromones can be sent through ganglia to control movements as well as other functions. The mucus gland production rate is increased due to this hormone production, creating a slow build of a cocoon from this out of eye grit, etc. The victim's appetite will increase; during a period of four weeks they will be completely turned into an assoti soon after it has pupated. Attempts to forcibly cure the victim could possibly leave them disabled, with limbs or vital organs not fully converting.
The development may vary. The minimum requirement for an egg and pupa to develop is two weeks, but after that it depends on a number of factors, including core body temperature. Higher core body temperature often hastens the process, though it risks heat stroke. An assoti may even eclose (hatch) days after completing the pupal stage, albeit they will have stunted stature (~1-4 ft. lower). One example of such stunted assoti is the Neo-Devrim, some of whom were taken and forcefully ascended in hot environments.
Saintly Assimilation as described in Parental Oviposition also applies to Ascension, except in this case the egg independently gets material for the genetic engineering by analyzing the internals of the victim. All female assoti are able to use Saintly Assimilation in this way, but only queens are able to for interspecies activities. In workers, the nature magic is concentrated in the eggs rather than the whole body and only responds to Ascension. The pronunciation of the trait inheritance from the host is also much greater than with naturally born assoti.
After Ascension is complete, the ascendee's previous memories are retained. This is because the brain or ganglia remain intact.
While humans are the preferred victims to be ascended, other races also can be affected but results may vary:
Ascension Compatibility
Race 	Ascendee Description
Human 	There is moderate variation from the natural-born phenotype. Human subspecies have different results, such as lengthened claws or chitinous overgrowth. Meimeienn, a species, have enhanced setae that cover the antennae, and if wings are present they will be retained.
Elf 	The mandibles are significantly longer and the antennae are more pronounced, being longer and wider.
Lhuren 	Dragon scales make up the exoskeleton.
Goblin 	The assoti ends up smaller and the exoskeleton is softer.
Crowfolk 	They have sharp limbs that can be used like talons and downy feathers peek out of the side of the exoskeleton.
Humanoid Duck 	Downy feathers peek out of the sides of the exoskeleton, similarly to crowfolk ascendees. They also have a bill instead of mandibles.
Niedene 	The assoti keeps the Niedene's proficiency in magic.
Werewolf 	If ascended while in the human form, the werewolf disease will be cured. However, the new assoti will have the same behavioral changes under the moon.
Azeral 	They have large pincers opposed to claws.
Uckist Demonian 	The phenotype is strictly of red, white, and yellow pigments.
Dwarf 	Due to the variety of species and subspecies, it is difficult to generalize the characteristics of them. They are typically smaller (by ~1-3 ft.) with shorter chitin plates on their exoskeleton. Abexilas Dwarves, a notable species, have a thicker chitin exoskeleton, chitin hairs, two hearts instead of one, and often retain polydactyly on forelimbs if it was present in the host.
Catoal and Nekojin	Unlike some more canid-like races, catoals and nekojins usually have relatively human-like skulls. This enables the use of Ascension. The ascendees have chitin hairs as well as lengthened claws, and their maxillae have increased grit, enabling them to consume things like hard tack with ease.
Kobold 	Kobold are draconic and celestial creatures. If metallic scales are present, the ascendee will have a metallic carapace. The common phenotype is of muddied red or stark white. They are smaller by ~1-3 feet as well. The horns are also retained on top of the frontal carina, a section on top of the head. These horns have the same size variation as those on the average kobold, so they are small relative to the assoti's head. Therefore, even the maximum number of horns (a dozen) will still fit within the frontal carina. All wing types are retained too, but they are nonfunctional due to the immense weight gain.
Celestial Kobold and Aquatic Kobold are the two prominent subspecies. Celestial (Prime) Kobold will have all of the aforementioned characteristics while Aquatic (Axolotl) Kobold will also have ascendee characteristics similar to that of an axolotl. For instance, there may spiracles specially adapted for aquatic environments. They also keep their regenerative properties. Additionally, half-kobold will have some of the characteristics of either type. This means that a significantly larger number of characteristics can be retained by ascension than parental oviposition.
Kobold ascendees keep their arcane affinity and their breath weapon organ, though the capability to use the organ remains rare. The breath attack is sent through their tracheae, which are coated in heat-resistant mucus. However, since spiracles are distributed all over the body, in contrast to the mouth being the sole exit, the assoti appears to be covered in the breath. The assoti carapace contracts, insulating itself during the attack in order to prevent the user from burning themselves. This can be used to prevent an opponent from touching them. 
Apex forms are kept but provide no physiological changes. However, the behavioral changes induced by them are comparable to the behavioral changes of werewolf ascendees, since kobold ascendees in their apex form are even more difficult to control than unascended kobolds. Specially crafted objects as well as calming pheromones are required for them to keep their sanity in the form.
Attempted Ascension on some races can result in injury to the assoti or victim being Ascended. Most anthropomorphic animal species are incompatible, but can often be augmented to be compatible. This is called Oats' Procedure. If the skull is forcefully warped before the Ascension Process begins, it has a low chance of success. Nature magic is typically utilized to form a protective barrier around the brain to prevent traumatic injury. There is great risk in such an invasive technique, though. Preexisting conditions like anemia will impede the process or result in death. This is because blood flow to the brain is usually restricted by the magic barrier, and some conditions like anemia will worsen that. Even if the assoti is successfully born, there may be damaged cognitive function or even memory loss.
Ascension Incompatibility
Race 	Reason
Djinn 	The Djinn's spark fills the assoti's body with fire and cooks the insect from within.
Lesser Demon	The assoti ends up getting corrupted and subsequently dies. However, the stinger will remain in the demon and must be removed.
Moonfolk 	Resistance of their bodies or breaks the assoti stinger or, if aimed properly, the stinger breaks the Core and the Moonfolk dies.
Srisianoon 	The stinger will usually break. If it does not, and repeated attempts are made, the assoti runs the risk of losing all of their mana due to the srisianoon's passive magic absorbtion. The loss of all mana makes the assoti permanently unable to ascend at all. Furthermore, if ascension is forced on a srisianoon nonconsensually, they may voluntarily absorb all of the assoti's mana.
Vulpur 	Due to a different skull shape the stinger will merely fatally wound the vulpur without starting the Ascension Process. Oats' Procedure may be used to circumvent this. The resulting assoti has chitin hairs, akin to that of a spider, poking out of the carapace. Furthermore, the mandibles are reduced, forcing them to only eat liquid foods. Vulpur Alpin, a subspecies, must undergo the same surgery and will additionally have small mandibles as well as the addition of longer frontal claws. Their pigmentation ranges from a musky orange to a pale white, often with spotting intermixed. In contrast, the average vulpur ascendee pigmentation can vary.
Chiropteran 	Oats' Procedure is required due to the skull shape.
Vesperian, a subspecies, will have a height of around 3-6 feet. The forelimbs will also be supplemented by wings with wing fingers. These wings are nonfunctional, however, and instead make it difficult for the assoti to have proper motor activity. Nevertheless, the second second wing finger, which would be the secondary arm in a natural assoti, is bonded to the third with tissue. Due to the akwardness of this arrangement for assoti, most functions need to be conducted by the large primary arms, the first fingers. However, the assoti's tympanal organs' sound vibration detection is greatly enhanced. 
Pteropian, another subspecies, will have a height of around 4-8 feet. All other traits are identical to Vesperian ascendees, except for greater antennal smelling and better vision.
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