Athropods

**Place of Origin**

Unknown

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**Rarity**

Rare

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**General Overview**

Arthropods are a subspecies of Fae known for their robust survivability and being sought after by hunters for their wondrously potent blood.

Their dense skin allows them to filter through into some of the Aethers harshest environments, anything up to 50 degrees celsius to -50 degrees celsius, from thin air to no light to constant dampness and even deep underwater, each Arthropod varies to suit their environment they are in, their bodies quickly change to their environment. As such, their kingdoms can be found anywhere and everywhere, sometimes even being the only life available in harsh lands.

Arthropods call their Kingdoms ‘Hives’, with a Monarchy system where a King and Queen rule over all. These Hives are often hidden in the toughest parts of the land for protection as, compared to humans, their Hives are small in size but dense in population.

The Hive will see only certain Arthropods become permanent residents, however, as those who do not fill a required roll will be sent away on a pilgrimage… which essentially means they are kicked out politely.

The only Arthropoda who get to stay, or more so are forced to stay and hunted down if they leave, are in authority order:

~ The King and Queen - who must mate for life and produce copious amounts of heirs, most of whom will be sent on Pilgrimage if the lineage is secured.

~ The Soldiers - with the ‘Chiefs’ as their leaders and appointed by the King and Queen, they guard the land dutifully, armed with anything at their disposal.

~ Nurses - who care for and heal all within the Kingdom and are tasked with raising and looking after Larvae (newborns/babies/kids).

~ Teachers - who, well, teach the Larvae magic, how to fight, defend themselves, depending on their future occupation or roll within or without the Hive.

~ Servants - who are responsible for cleaning, cooking and general welfare, they are often seen as prisoners, as such they are can even be other captured Fae.

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There are only 2 remaining Hives known, most having been wiped out by hunters. Despite this, the Arthropods continue to thrive in these densely packed metropolises.

~ Sol Pinion - the largest and most powerful, they are believed to have over 10,000 permanent residents with their Hive being situated in the centre of a desert that stretches for a hundred miles and can reach temperatures of over 70 degrees celsius. It is believed their hive is situated deep under the sand where there was once a tropical paradise.

It is rumoured the Hive is facing a growing sense of rebellion against the Monarchy, speaking with recently departed Sol Pinions can confirm this but it is an uncomfortable subject, rebellions have been known to collapse entire Hives.

Sol Pinion are also known to tame giant scorpion beasts to their will.

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~ Moon Wings - second largest, or smallest if you want to look at it that way, are said to have a population of around 5,000 permanent residents. They make their home in the frozen tundras, carving out their Hive in the ice in beautiful structures that protect them from the barrage of wind, snow and bitter temperatures.

To know you are close to their Hive is when you will be assaulted by flashes of bright light until you pass out and are returned whence you came.

Once forced to leave on their pilgrimage, Arthropods are to scratch out a life of their own. Many take to swarms - mini Hives - or solitary life.

In this, the Hives are by no means the only way an Arthropod comes into existence, but they are the most common.

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**Race Alignment**

Neutral, usually Chaotic

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**Natural Race Abilities/Affinities**

~ *Survivability*

Almost all Arthropods can withstand harsh temperatures and climates, being seemingly unaffected until breaching +50c or -50c without protective clothing, where they begin to feel the effects of their environment if not adequately prepared. Dangerous effects, regardless of preparation, will be found at +130c and -130c if not prepared.

This survivability does not extend to combat and physical attacks deal the same damage, but they can withstand the after effects of hot and cold magics much like they can climates.

~ *Flight*

Most Arthropods have the ability to fly or glide at speeds of 30mph, but those born without make up for this in other strengths. Sharp gusts of wind of more than 50mph can make flight near impossible to control.

~ *Blood*

Arthropod blood always has one of 2 properties:

1- Poison, where in 4 droplets ingested can cause lethal reactions akin to cyanide. These Arthropods are not resistant to poison on their skin, however, but are resistant to poison ingestion. This blood is sought after as it can create potent and delicious dishes in minute dosages, and is sought after for dangerous elixirs by many alchemists.

2- Healing, but not in your normal sense directly. While this does not affect the Arthropods ability to heal their wounds at all, 4 drops of blood can heal broken bones in mere days if applied directly to the immediate area within 1cm as an example. It can also act as an anti-agent, slowing one's age by decades if an entire Arthropods worth of blood is ingested directly into the bloodstream of the user. Their blood is also used in many potent healing elixirs and potions.

~ *Independent characteristics*

Each Arthropod is known to take on at least one characteristic from whatever bug they apparently take after. Be it in reproduction via eggs into a living hosts body, poisonous sting, sight, stronger flight etc. They usually take on one that naturally fits what they are and what bug they are linked to, but more than one is not unheard of.

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**Appearances**

Arthropods vary in their appearances regardless of Hive or not, they can appear more human in aesthetics or even more buglike but one thing always stays the same - their clear sentience and intelligence befitting that of the Fae.

They can have wings, mandibles, claws, hundreds of legs, be anywhere from 1ft to 15ft in height and length.

They are always humanoid to some degree and always insect-like to some degree.

**History**

Descended from nature like all Fae, they are a direct link to the giant bugs of harsher climates, being closest cousins to them and the link to humanoids. They came directly from nature herself, in swarms, their Hives being almost as ancient as they are.

It is believed that their closest Fae relative is the Pixie and Puca, but these are still distant.

However, these dainty creatures once roamed the harsh climates of Aether as massive beasts, ranging from 10 to 30 feet, being solitary and isolated beasts that could easily turn hostile. As such, they are distracted amongst Fae but over the millenia, as the Arthropods grew shorter, so did the distrust.

As their sizes lessened, their Hives became prominent, as they became easier targets so did the research and findings of their potent blood and as such, their hunters grew more in number as the market grew.

In most big kingdoms they are classed as endangered and under protection laws, yet this does not stop the hunters and many Kingdoms ignore their existence bar this political polite policy.

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**Created by Impy**

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