Assoti

The **Assoti** *(Scolipendra syltorus)* are a race of sentient insects which inhabit the northwestern reaches of Syltör. Their population is mostly within the city-state of Rugo of Syltör while some remain in Haven and Nieden. However, there are many displaced Assoti from the Canan tribe that travel the world.

## History

The Assoti originated far west of Syltör in a distant continent. The Assoti were initially simple-minded animals more akin to Silverfish or Bees than the various humanoid inhabiting Rathnir. They occupied massive, underground hives ruled by a single queen. When their queens mysteriously died off, the Assoti had no leadership nor a means of reproduction. The Assoti's population either died of sickness and starvation or resorted to cannibalism. As the Assoti were at the brink of extinction, a select few gained independent, complex intelligence akin to that of the Humans. This small group of Assoti managed to escape the chaotic dogma that their hive had become. They migrated east to Syltör and found refuge in the ruins of a partially subterranean fortress, which would later become the city of Rugo.

### Dwarven Rivalry

Due to competing for mountain living space and cultural differences. Dwarves and Assoti have a long-standing hatred for each other. Both races are guilty of committing hate crimes against each other.

### The Tragedy of Rugo

Due to the Devrim tribe's incompetence. Rugo fell into disarray and was able to get captured by a squatter nation calling themselves "Divine." They completely flattened the city, destroying the hive and bulldozing the mountain. They rebuilt the town in their different building style and erased all Assoti remnants. Except for a few remaining Devrim tribe members. Including Adashi Cornaro, who would later form the Canan tribe.

## Appearance

The Assoti are insectoids that possess a complex, hard exoskeleton that can range in color depending on gender. Black/Grey and Orange being only seen in males, while Green has only been seen in females They possess formidable mandibles and mouthpieces near the bottom of their elongated, triangular heads. They have two large eyes which aid them in traversing the dimly lit catacombs that made up their hive, and alongside their large eyes, they also have two large antennae that act as a form of long-distance communication between Assoti. They possess a pair of large, primary arms and a second pair of arms that is located near the center of their torso. They range drastically in height, some measuring a mature height of 6 feet, to some measuring a towering 9 feet. Assoti age much faster than humans and have shorter lives.

### Assoti Queens

the mature queen has a greatly distended abdomen and may produce 40,000 eggs a day. The abdomen increases the queen's body length to several times more than before mating and reduces her ability to move freely; attendant workers provide assistance. Compared to other Assoti their stinger is much more durable, as it serves as a means of storing larvae and due to the much more frequent use. Their mandibles are also larger than other Assoti. Since Assoti are compatible with most creatures and require them for the process otherwise, it would be reasonable (and evolutionarily smart genetics-wise), for a Queen to have "suitors" of other species, if not multiple, along with a male King. Queens tower over other Assoti at around 12-14 feet tall and live around 300 years.

## Culture

### Devrim Assoti Culture

The Assoti were initially deeply religious, reactionary, and traditional. Ancient Assoti culture was based around a strict caste system, and each Assoti was born with a certain body plan to fit certain roles. There were two primary types of Assoti; Grunts, and Elites. Grunts were usually weaker, smaller, and more submissive than their Elite counterparts. Grunts possessed only a single pair of arms and were usually mentally stunted at birth, to ensure they would not commit acts of insubordination against their leaders. The Elites on the other hand tended to be stronger, larger, and vastly more intelligent than their Grunt cousins. Elites possessed 2 pairs of arms and they could harness ancient nature-based forms of magick as a result of their higher intelligence. Most of the Grunts died off or gave way to the Modern, more sophisticated, and intelligent Assoti after the collapse of the Ancient Assoti civilization. Most of the Elites survived but some still cling on to their elitist, decadent, and reactionary values, plotting and scheming ways to return to their forming glory.

### Canan Assoti Culture

But with the Guidance of the Great Brood Mother, they'd taken a shift into the right direction.

They also sometimes steal tools and food. Assoti colonies and Bugtowns are well known for having loosely defined ownership, with most tools and objects for survival being switched between hands consistently, largely due to the lack of a trade economy in the original colonies having a transformation into their modern version. There is sometimes trade with items and food but this is much less common.

However they’re well known for trading objects around and accidentally stealing objects, especially shiny ones for decoration (partly to remind their instincts of the deep caves with jewels which makes them feel a natural sense of home and also because they’ve actually been allowed a wakening into consciousness with the Great Brood Mother so they can for once appreciate beauty)

### Motheyeví Assoti Culture

After the death of the First Great Brood Mother, the Canan fell into disarray. Many remnants integrated into other cultures, especially those of Nieden. Hence, the arrival of the Second Great Brood Mother stirred significant social change to the Canan of the time. Most beliefs were preserved but also added on to, with the exception that Soleannen beliefs were much less significant. This was a result of Rugo's isolation from Niedea. The culture directly brought upon the formation of the Assoti Kingdom of Farthorn, now a matriarchy. Uckist Demonians also intermingled with the Motheyeví, but they declined in power after the death of King Enzohh. The complete assimilation of traditional Uckist Demonians within Farthorn occurred after New Helloria was ceded to Synderia.

#### Clothing

Clothing is only worn for utility or status, as their tough exoskeleton protects an Assoti from the enviroment.

#### Weaponry

##### Koruma

A single bladed glaive with handles that allow for easier control with an Assoti's many arms. At the bottom of the weapon is a blade or hook used to catch smaller opponents. They are appropriately sized for an Assoti warrior, leaving them unwieldy and inefficient for a standard humanoid to use.

## Society

### Devrim Assoti Society

The primary Assoti nation was the City-State of Rugo, which was a semi-theocratic co-ruled monarchy. Rugo was ruled by both a King (who deals with diplomatic, legislative, and international affairs) and the (a religious head who deals with internal and judicial affairs), alongside a council of various political officials, including The Representative, the primary diplomat of Rugo who deals with foreign affairs, The Warlord, a military leader whose purpose is to train and lead a powerful standing army and The Architect, who deals with the layout of the various settlements and the designs of the buildings inside of the settlements. Assoti society is racially and religiously based, with non-Assoti (particularly Humans) being treated as second-class citizens while Assoti and Celestial Elves are treated as full citizens. Humans cannot officially own property in Rugo, and all property purchased by Humans are legally owned by the state instead of the individual. Humans cannot partake in local meetings and have essentially no political rights except for a select few nobles. Elves and Assoti tend to be treated as full citizens who enjoy luxuries such as welfare, the ability to own private property, the ability to construct their buildings within the said property, the ability to serve within the military, the ability to choose their occupation the ability to influence the outcome of bureaucratic affairs.

Due to incompetent leadership Rugo was allowed to be wiped off the map by Bardonia. But the tragedy is still fresh in the mind of the Devrim Assoti.

### Canan Assoti Society

Canan society thrived in Iabet. Many of their societal practices differed from their Devrim counterparts, seeing as they were continents away from their ancestral homeland of Rugo.

After Adashi's death, most Canan Assoti lived among nomad tribes. It was hard for Assoti to find a place in nations due to their reputation as thieves and criminals. Many of these nomad tribes do still exist, but the Assoti presence in them is diminished.

### Motheyeví Assoti Society

Motheyeví live in a much more advanced society. The development of Rugo's infrastructure, economy, and trade commenced a golden age that has not yet ended.

## Religion

### Canan & Modern Devrim

Most modern Assoti practice Rakauism and give thanks to Rakau for sparing them from their species near extinction. While maintaining the vegetarian diet of traditional Assoti. While marriage is open freely, there are even examples of Assoti marrying other races that traditional Assoti would have shunned them for. Alcohol is considered sinful, as it clouds an open mind.

### Traditional Devrim

The Assoti as a whole used to practice the religion Sürkelism. Its primary beliefs are the practice of a strictly vegetarian diet, the belief that the Assoti are inherently superior to all other intelligent races, the inferior races can be redeemed and become equals through the means of "ascension," and the belief that close, emotional connections (I.E-Marriage) are a hindrance to the full potential of an individual Assoti and are inherently sinful.

## Diseases

### The Flowering

The spores from spore blossoms can take over an Assoti and compell them to cultivate an enviroment where spore blossoms thrive. A network of roots takes control of the muscles and chemicals flood their brain making sure they dont think anything is different. Once the parasite has had enough time to grow. Spore blossoms erupt from the body of the Assoti and start producing spores of their own.

Ironically, Assoti infected with flowers are usually less scary and ugly to humans and are treated better as a result.

The spores do not affect mammals.

### Montroig Plague

Due to Assoti similarities with silverfish, they can contract and spread the Montroig Silverfish Plague but show no symptoms.

## Reproduction

### Parental Oviposition

During Ancient and Pre-Ancient times, many Assoti queens laid eggs that hatched into the majority of Assoti during these eras. Whenever a queen died her corpse released pheromones' that trigger the transformation of another female Assoti into the next queen.

A single Assoti queen remains in modern times.

### Ascension

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Ascension is a technique that was controversial among Devrim Assoti, but essential if the species was to continue. The process starts with a female Assoti using her stinger to implant an egg into a Human or Elves sinuses. This can be extremely painful if not given a prior warning. The egg implant sprouts a nervous system along with basic capillaries to release pheromones into the brainstem and pituitary to create hormones that facilitate the transformation. The mucus gland production rate is increased due to this hormone production creating a slow build of a cocoon from this out of eye grit, etc. The victim's appetite will increase during a period of 4 weeks they will be completely turned into an Assoti. Attempts to forcibly cure the victim could possibly leave them disabled, with limbs or vital organs not fully converting.

#### Compatibility

    While humans are the preferred victims to be Ascended, other races also can be affected but results may vary.
* Lhuren: Dragon scales make up the exoskeleton
* Goblin: The Assoti ends up smaller and the exoskeleton is softer
* Crowfolk: Sharp limbs that can be used like talons, and downy feathers peek out of the side of the exoskeleton
* Niedene: The Assoti keeps the Niedene's profeciency in magic.
* Werewolf: If ascended while in the human form, the werewolf disease will be cured. However the new Assoti will have the same behavioral changes under the moon
* Azeral: They have large pincers opposed to claws.

#### Incompatibility

Attempted Ascension on some races can result in injury to the Assoti or victim being Ascended

* Djinn: The Djinn's spark fills the Assoti's body with fire and cooks the insect from within.
* Lesser Demon: The Assoti ends up getting corrupted and subsequently dies. However, the stinger will remain in the demon and must be removed.
* Moonfolk: Resistance of their bodies or breaks the Assoti stinger or, if aimed properly, the stinger breaks the Core and the Moonfolk dies
* Vulpur: Due to a different skull shape the stinger will merely fatally wound the Vulpur without starting the ascention process.