Vespii

In Meridian legend, when the moon spirit passed for the first time, the people were confused and terrified. They believed she was lost. That she could be found. Among her strongest followers were the beasts of the night who missed her dearly, but none more than the Vespii. They believed that she was held hostage by the sun so instead of sleeping they searched the day for her. They never would find her. Over the centuries it is believed that their search turned to constant daylife. Abandoning the night in favor of the waking hours of many. Some even believe they’re still looking for her to this day.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Vespii are a species of diurnal megabat. They possess broad wings for fluttering through the trees and soaring low against the canopy. Vespii’s hands are clawed so that they may hang from the branches of their treetop homes. They make for exceptional climbers but poor walkers, unable to do much but crawl in a sluggish manner if grounded. Vespii have quite powerful grips on their feet, letting them hold their entire body weight upside down for hours on end. They can lock their digits in place while they sleep so as to not fall or be removed once they lose consciousness.

Proficient searchers, Vespii have fine tuned their senses. Their hearing is exceptional albeit not as hyper-specialized as other bats. Vespii have great eyesight akin to an elfs, able to distinguish items of interest buried in the canopy. They used both these senses to search for their favorite foods; fruits and nectar. Vespii have a long tongue to siphon nectar straight from the flowers they find and great maws to fill with berries whole. Their choice in diet puts them at odds with Rosbins and now Whelps, both of which they actively compete with. Vespii are well-equipped to bully Rosbins with their wings. They can generate small gusts of wind to knock the smaller creatures out of the air. Whelps they prefer to flee from as they’re much larger and bulkier.

The wings of the Vespii are brightly colored to serve as display structures. Males will hang upside down and extend their wings in leks to advertise their fitness. Their membranes are usually colored orange or red to be more eye-catching to passing females. A Vespii will try to keep their wings as well kept as possible to demonstrate their health as rips and holes are both debilitating and unpalatable. In the spring Vespii will have their pup. A Vesplet will spend six months clinging to their mother’s underside or hanging from her roost when she goes out to forage. Once they’re able to fly she will kick them out.

#### Psychology

Social and intelligent, Vespii can dwell in flocks of up to thirty adult individuals. They do not have a hierarchy but instead react to the success of other Vespii through mimicry. If one were to happen to find a new grove of fruits it’s very likely the others will follow the same pattern to the same prize. Their adaptability has allowed them to dominate many of Amnisica’s arboreal ecosystems to such an extent that they have begun to outcompete other flying animals. The only respite many animals get from Vespii is during the night when they roost in large communal masses in the canopy. Vespii can be tamed and may serve as good fetchers and collectors. They can be given a task to find and return specific items (e.g a fruit) and do so with relative success if such can be found.