Lepidopteran

Those SUPER SMART BUGS.

## Biology

Despite looking like moths, Lepidopeterans do not undergo metamorphosis, nor do they lay eggs. Young Lepidopeterans are born live and already in possession of their two pairs of wings. One can estimate the age of Lepidopeterans by looking at their antennae; they are born with only a few tufts of hair, and fill out as they age. The oldest Lepidopeterans boast a pair of thick, fur covered antennae.

Externally, a chitinous, thin exoskeleton covers the body of a Lepidopteran, and is in turn coated with a layer of fur. The torso and waist have the least fur, and the exoskeleton is sometimes exposed. The fur gathers in tufts around the neck, wrists, and legs. This is exceptionally pronounced in some individuals, earning them the nickname of 'Poodle Moths'. This uncommon, fluffier variety of Lepidopteran is the product of a recessive gene mutation. They are often given the tasks of sentinels due to their stouter body.

Lepidopterans have no mouth, but a thin proboscis from which they collect water and other liquids. While they feed almost exclusively on fruit and nectar, some Lepidi have been observed using their distinctive needle-like proboscis to suck the blood of defeated enemies. Their fluffy antennae allows them to communicate telepathically, and also pick up vibrations and allow them to hear. Their eyes are large and faceted, with no sclera.

Although Lepidopterans cannot speak, they can rapidly beat their four multicoloured, patterned wings, to hum with a soothing melody.

## Society

The Lepidopterans have a solitary society, each individual generally operates without reliance upon others. They share knowledge about sources of water and local growth patterns, but seek out water sources on their own. The largest shared things among their culture are nectar first, and knowledge a close second. There are centralised living areas, which are focused around areas that grow essential plants and are near water sources. The Lepidopterans spend a lot of time collecting and distilling nectar into a liquor that seems fairly mild to them, but is seen as quite potent by outsiders.

They have their own language, Lepidan, which is "spoken" by the various humming sounds that their wing beats can create. The language is highly musical, reliant on pitch and duration instead of syllables to convey meaning.

The most highly regarded professions within their society are skilled metallurgists and blacksmiths who produce tools and weaponry. As they are a small species, they rely on powerful, mechanised armour to deliver devastating attacks to any aggressor. Highly intelligent, Lepidopterans have long been valued consultants in a broad range of technical and tactical fields within the Federation.

Although usually passive, they are territorial, and can become enraged if they perceive someone intruding on their gardens or picking their flowers.

## Names

Due to their unique means of communication, Lepidopteran names are extremely difficult for many species to pronounce, as they typically consist of a variety of treble and bass tones produced by their wings. Sometimes an individual may choose a simple, monosyllabic name that their wings can reasonably imitate to make it easier for their companions, such as Tee, Boo or Fa.

## General Racial Traits

* **Ability Score Increase.** Your Intelligence score increases by 2. **+8**
* **Age.** Lepidopterans reach adulthood at age 13 and typically live for around 75 years.
* **Alignment.** Lepidopterans strive to be good if not neutral, with a slight bent toward chaos.
* **Size.** 2’ - 3.5’. Your size is Small.
* **Speed.** Your base walking speed is 20 feet. **-3**
* **Wings.** You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armour. When you take damage while flying, make a Constitution save with a DC equal to 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher. If you fail the saving throw, you fall to the ground.
* **Hover.** You can hover in place while airborne. **+18**
* **Humming Wings.** You may cast spells that require a somatic component by beating your wings in a particular rhythm, thus you cannot cast spells while airborne. Additionally, your wings make a distinctive noise. Any creature within range that can hear will know your relative location while you are flying. **-8**
* **Proboscis.** You have developed proboscis instead of mouths. As a result, you cannot speak verbally, and you can only consume sustenance in the liquid form. **-2**
* **Telepathy.** You can mentally communicate with any creature within 30 feet with whom you share a language. **+6**
* **Darkvision.**  You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colour in darkness, only shades of grey. **+3**
* **Languages.** You can read and write Common and Sylvan, but do not speak it. You can read, write, and speak Lepidan.

## Common Variant

The most commonly seen type of Lepidopteran.

* **Agile.** Your fly speed increases to 40 ft. **+6**
* **Glitterdust.** Choose a point within a range of 120 ft. A cloud of sparkling particles covers everyone and everything within a 10-foot radius of that point until they wash or otherwise remove it. For the duration, any target covered by the dust has disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks, and gains no benefit from being invisible. Once you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest. **+3**
* ***Score Total: 31***

## 'Poodle' Variant

Larger than the average Lepidopterans, they frequently train to act as the vanguard of their fellows. Stronger but less aerodynamic. There is no offical name for individuals with this mutation, but some have began calling them "Poodle Moths" due to their extra hair growth creating a 'puffy' appearance.

* **Sentinel.** You gain the True Strike cantrip. **+2**
* **Cunning.** You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. **+7**
* ***Score Total: 31***

## Example Lepidopterans

Pree, adolescentSo, adolescentLuCeeDeeNel, armouredCoo, armouredPla, poodleBoo, poodleMm, poodleCea, poodle