Swordwing

A swordwing warrior.

### Skin Colors

Carapace colors vary depending on hive-city origin, usually varying colors of grays, blacks, and browns with spikes of colors.

### Eye Colors

Usually black, brown, green or red

**Swordwings**, known as *Thrsssh* in their own tongue, are a race of humanoid insects native to the Underdark and vaguely related to the Thri-kreen. Strange and alien to many other races, the swordwings live in a martial society, most of their numbers living within massive hive-cities burrowed deep into stone walls and ceilings. Their wings are extremely sharp and often used as weapons, and are a point of pride for many members of the species.

## Description

Swordwings stand about the same height as a human, if a little shorter. Their bodies are covered in sleek, sharp carapaces, ranging in various tones depending on what hive-city they originate from. For example, swordwings from the most populous hive-city, Alber-ze-Bul, typically have shiny black carapaces with tones of red, whereas those from the hive-city of Alber-ze-Del have matte brown carapaces with tones of green. Their heads are adorned with elegant spikes of chitin. Their legs do not sport true feet, rather spikey appendages that function to help them lift off from the ground. On their backs are eight large wings they use to fly around, four on each side. These wings are extremely sharp, and often used as weapons by the swordwings.

From here, there are slight deviations depending on what caste the swordwing was born into.

### Castes

#### Drones

Drones possess two arms with fingered hands. This allows them to manipulate objects not unlike many other races on Rosenwelt, and they are by far the most common swordwings. They are typically relegated to tasks like labor and crafting.

#### Warriors

Warriors possess one fingered arm, and one arm with a long, sharp, massive claw that acts like a blade. As well, they are usually born with thicker carapace. This lends them more towards defense and combat, acting as the guards and military of their hive-cities.

#### Queens

Queens, despite their name, are not a royal caste. They are simply the only swordwings who are capable of producing offspring. Multiple queens are present in one hive-city, following the orders of the eldest queen. They appear similar to drones, however are typically taller, have larger thoraxes and shorter wings.

### Development

Swordwings take a few months to develop once their eggs are laid before they hatch into the world. After this, swordwings mature to adulthood within 6-8 years, depending on how well they are fed.

## Society

### Hive-Cities

Most of swordwing life revolves around their hive-cities. Once a nomadic race, during the Second Era the swordwings began to settle into more permanent colonies. The most prominent of these cities is Alber-ze-Bul, however many others have been built in the Underdark since its founding. These cities are usually built into stone walls and ceilings, creating massive artificial complexes deep within the Underdark. Rooms are typically small and compact, and fit to a singular purpose - for example, for forging or for storing food. Larger rooms are usually devoted to agriculture or mass sleeping quarters. Hive-cities can have populations ranging into the millions, as swordwings reproduce quickly and unceasingly.

While most hive-cities are extremely successful, it is not uncommon that a newly founded hive-city will fail. This will usually happen if the last queen dies without laying further queens to continue her legacy, or due to infighting amongst drones and warriors, or even due to agricultural and resource struggles. Oftentimes, the survivors of these failed cities will die, however it is not entirely uncommon for them to flee to another hive-city or to escape the Underdark entirely and pursue a life on the surface.

### Martial Culture

Over time, the swordwings have developed an extremely aggressive and martial culture - partially due to their nature as hunters, but also due to their biology. Position in society is often determined by how strong an individual is. Drones and warriors will often fight amongst one another to solve internal issues and disagreements. Most of the time, these fights are only to whoever yields first, however sometimes are to the death. Losers are typically shunned from the hive-city and sent to live on the surface or to wander the Underdark.

The swordwings often conflict with the shadar-kai, raiding their cities and villages for food and supplies that the swordwings cannot produce on their own.

### Religion

Most swordwings worship a deity known as the Lord of the Seventh, who appeared to them originally during the early Second Era. While this being is unknown and their intents are foreign, it is known that swordwings often worship them as a general or leader, and believe that one day they will be called upon as members of their army.

## Combat

The most noticable trait in combat the swordwings hold is their wings. Razor sharp, these wings function as effective weapons and can easily devestate opponents who are unaware. Their fighting is often aggressive, leaving little room for the enemy to retreat - to a swordwing, combat is only one once all enemies are dead. Due to their nature as a swarm-like race, swordwings excel at large scale unit combat.