Races of Copts Marsh

### Ligula (Mosquito)

Spoken of in whispers, even among the other insect tribes, the Ligula are a mystery to nearly everyone in Onnen. They have no known homeland within the continent, though it is postulated that they originated from Copts Marsh, and no known location where they may congregate in large numbers.

So what follows is what has been gathered over the many generations about the mysterious Ligula, or mosquitos in the common language of Canelux and Parvpora.

First we’ll speak of their looks. Ligula can range in sizes from five feet tall to nearly seven, this seems to depend on the age of the individual and the amount it has fed during its life. Of all the Insect tribes the Ligula can most easily pass themselves off as humans, as long as they wear gangy enough clothing to hide their wings. They tend to be lanky in their build, though they are stronger than they appear, so don’t be fooled. Red eyes are common, and they can just as well in the dark as they do in the light, though white eyes are a known eye colour as well. Their wings are the same as their smaller brethren, fast in flight and they make a distinct buzzing while in flight, as most insects that can fly do.

Most unique and disturbing of their traits are their proboscis, the part of their bodies they use to drain and drink blood. However, unlike their tiny cousins, the Ligula can have their proboscis in either their mouths, like a normal mosquito, or, in the palms of their hands, sometimes both. Easy to hide, especially if they are in the hands, it makes it easier for them to get closer to their prey. They tend to feed at least once a week, but can go two months without blood if they have to.

Which leads us onto the next section; their culture.

The Ligula are predators of the highest order, and are never to be taken lightly. Though they tend to work in groups of two to three, some are known to work alone and some in larger groups. They are stealthy and prefer to sneak up on their prey in silence when they can and drag them away to be fed on. That itself is a horrible experience, such insight gained from the scant few survivors. They tell of the Ligula plunging their proboscis into their victim’s flesh, while the victim is awake, and sucking the blood out, leaving a two inch wide hole. A lone Ligula can drain a full grown human in a matter of only a few minutes, while two or three feeding at once, which they are known to do, can drain a human in just a few seconds. With the quick onset of blood loss symptoms it’s nearly impossible for most other races to fight back against them once they have started to drink their blood.

It truly seems like their only driving goals are to drink blood and mate and propagate as much as possible. They aren’t known to assault their victims beyond draining their blood, and they rarely allow anyone to get away from them, moving from that location quickly if they think they have been discovered. They are not allies of any nation or peoples within Onnen, not even the rest of the insects want them around and guard against them diligently.

One, of two, truly grotesque rumours that I have come across is that they do taste a difference in blood, not just between species but individuals. The rumours also state that, should they come across someone with blood that is particularly unique and tasty they will drag that person away to some hidden location. There, they will restrain that being and use them as a blood bag for as long as possible, keeping the captive alive by force feeding if needed. It is hard to imagine being captive like that, being fed on probably daily a little at a time, like a snack, but never enough to kill you. No one has truly confirmed this rumour, however, some say that evidence of these ‘feeding dens’ have been found dotted around Onnen, although they were always abandoned.

The second rumour is that they are not only immune to being fed on by a vampire, but are strangely attracted to wanting to feed off the vampire in turn! Why this is is nearly impossible to guess at, but if that is true, then it might make life harder for any vampires living in Canelux and Parvpora that are unaware of this new threat.

### Suelada (Butterfly)

Found across Onnen, the Suelada people are a unique bunch among the insect tribes of Onnen. While most tribes tend to keep to their own, Suelada roam the lands freely and, of all the insects, are most welcome among the rest of the populace. They are a more nomadic race, tending to travel in groups of three or four, though never with direct family.

The Suelada people are, put simply, beautiful. Female and male, all are striking in appearance. Their skin tones run in many hues and sometimes more than one colour at a time, usually brightly coloured in one form or another, and is smooth and flawless for the most part. Large wings, like those of butterflies, are displayed with pride, and are never hidden. Like their skin their wings are unique to each individual, with some similarities showing up between family members or Suelada of the same lineage. No two sets of wings are ever the exact same however. A Suelada’s eyes do tend to be black like most insects, however this stark contrast to their otherwise bright nature works to make them look more attractive.

They tend to dress to show off their looks, most males don’t wear shirts and females wear light skirts and small tops. This leads us to their culture. They are the traveling artists of the insect tribes, flitting about between cities and villages making money by selling their art, singing as bards, sometimes a little theft, and sometimes selling their bodies. Prostitution isn’t looked down upon among the butterflies, since they are proud of their looks and their bodies this is another way they celebrate it. Art is very important to butterflies, apart from how they make their living. Painting, writing poetry and stories, written or spoken stories, usually of the romantic kind, and singing, rare is the Suelada that does not have a lovely singing voice. Any form of art is something that the Suelada will do, including love making. They sell their art, will write a story for you for some coin, and will happily sleep with most races, if not for coin then just for fun, but normally coin.

Overall they are a peaceful race wanting nothing to do with the invasion that took place when the people of Onnen found Canelux. Since that time they have started to find their way to Canelux and from there Parvpora, seeking out new forms of art, expanding their musical talents with new songs and instruments.

The rare instance where a Suelada cannot talk their way peacefully from a fight they reveal themselves to be capable martial artists. They see it as yet another form of art, a fighting art, and their styles, while varied, focus on fluid motions and attempts at disarming opponents. Magically they have a strong charm ability, though they only use that in combat, relying on their natural charms outside of a fight. Wind, light and illusion are the most common types of magic between them, with some showing talent with water and the rare fire user.

If you should come across a group of butterflies it is highly advised you at least stop and say hi.