Rophalomorpha

### Physical Appearance

Rophalomorpha stand between 1.3 and 2.3 meters tall. They have 4 butterfly like wings and 4 front legs with small claws. Their necks and often chests are covered in soft fur, while the rest of their body is covered in exoskeleton. Their long, segmented tail resembles that of a dragonfly and can have a glowing tail tip like fireflies or flight fins. They have long, elegant horns, frills on the side of their head, frilled ears, and eyes with 2-4 pupils, an alternative version of compound eyes. They have long antenna, which help them detect smells and predict weather patterns. Rophalomorpha can shed the small scales on their wings and create a cloud of dust. Breathing in too much of this causes paralysis and breathing problems. At this point, the Rophalomorpha's lower jaw will split open. While they do not have teeth, the sheer force of their snap is strong enough to brake bones. With this, they extend their tongue, which fulfills the role of a specialized proboscis, and suck up blood and bone marrow from their prey. Since this means they can't properly enunciate, they speak in an accent specific to them.

### Coloration

Much like butterflies and moths, there is no limit to the possible colors. Patterns are generally limited to the wings and frills, which often have complex and elaborate markings.

*For more information on how to design a Rophalomorpha, go here.*

### Territory and Culture

Rophalomorpha live on the western portion of the Broken Isles called Loca Cava. It is named as such for the hollow nature of its ground. A huge canyon stretches across the land like a scar, revealing layers upon layers of complex cave systems and hollowed out chambers. Life is strange here, as the brittle ground still allows more than enough light to seep in for plants to grow. While trees are rare, the stalagmites and stalactites perpetually covered in vibrant moss give the illusion of a stone forest. Mushrooms grow up to 10 meters in height and their surprisingly sturdy stems are often used as building material. For Rophalomorpha craft themselves cozy huts on the many layers of their vibrantly green environment. They live together in villages, often held together by elected leaders, but have no centralized government. Thanks to their antenna they have become exceptional at navigating the tunnel systems and their ecosystems, also making them imposing pack hunters. Many individuals typically steer clear of the upper layers as the ground above them could collapse at any time.

Despite the beauty of their environment, their lives are difficult. Predators prowl in the darkness and toxic flora grows on every surface. Due to this, Rophalomorpha have a peculiar relationship with death. They look upon the prospect of their own demise with little more than a shrug, knowing that no individual is particularly special. They may fear the pain that often comes with death in the Hearth, but not the actual darkness that follows. In their eyes, dragons are no different from all the other animals, they're all just meat and eventually their time runs out. This has given them some peculiar feeding habits, as they do not mind eating the bodies of their dead, even viewing it as a necessity in some circles. Their relationship with the other subspecies has suffered drastically because of this as they've also been known to occasionally hunt other dragons for sustenance. Particularly the Aratidae, which often conveniently linger on the borders of their territories, can make for a nourishing meal.

### Relationship with Patron

To Rophalomorpha the Fallen is the very personification of death and life. They honor him daily by taking breath and taking life. They have come from his darkness, the comfortable night, and to his darkness they will return. Someone has to feed the mushrooms after all.