Star-skippers

## Overview

The Star-Skippers are a species of moth-like arthropods native to the southern tip of South America. They were some of the greatest astronomers of ancient times, and now many of them still hold true by their name and fully embrace interplanetary travel due to their astro-centric culture.

Overall they are known as one of the most peaceful species on the planet and produce fine silks and sell them for immense profits.

## Physical Attributes

They are invertebrates and possess no skeletal system but have a firm exoskeleton, which is fairly hard but nowhere near as durable as the chitin of the Carapacians.

The Star-Skippers have a slim build but can get as tall as 5ft - 6ft.

Their hands and feet are insect-like and have hooks which allow for easy attachment to surfaces, which was essential due to their air born lifestyle in the jungles of South America. This has became less useful in modern society but still has its utilities, since flying is incredibly handy.

They possess a mane of fur that goes over their shoulders and around their neck, falling downward over their chest and back. This is used both as an insect repellent and a form insulation against both heat and cold.

They have a set of broad wings with a soft layer of fuzz which helps protect them, the wings allow for flawless flight and the ability to glide for long distances.

Their face is quite similar to a moth possessing mandibles and large eyes allowing for broad sight and the ability to pick up faint moonlight easily in the dark. This helped them live a nocturnal lifestyle, going about their days mostly during the night. On their heads they possess large frilled antennae as a sense of smell.

Their died is mostly attuned for various fruits and vegetables, as they are herbivores. They can eat some meats, mostly small insects; but most forms of meat will cause nausea and induce vomiting.

They can easily produce silk from their lower abdomen, which they have used to sell or for personal useage. The fibers have been used historically to make fairly durable and waterproof huts in trees and bindings, they have also used it to make clothing for themselves.

The Star-Skippers reproduce through mating, like most other species. After a period of time, they lay up to 5-20 eggs and deposit them within a silk egg sack. In this time, a larva will emerge from any of the eggs; the first larva to hatch will feast on the rest of the eggs as it will die of starvation if not (but with modern practices, all eggs can be hatched and each larva can be fed). Its a grisly process but was essential to keeping a steady population.

The more eggs the larva devours, the faster it will pupate and develop into a young Star-Skipper. This has been used as a way to control the birth rates, parents can protect each egg and care for each larvae and feed them, but it takes much longer for them to develop. Or they can feed the larva numerous eggs to speed up its development.

## Mystical Attributes

Historically they have focused on astromancy, divination, and luximancy.

They would use the exotic aspects of astromancy and divination to view the stars and look upon the stars and beyond. Allowing for them to peer across the universe, which they interpreted spiritually and observed nebulae as a way to predict the future and read fortunes.

They developed the first telescopes in history, with dense magical lenses to focus their divination abilities and peer deeper into the universe. They believed by going far enough, they would see the edge of existence and truly know the nature of the world.

Even with their astronomical knowledge, they still believed the universe to be geocentric and the sun revolved the earth.