Mantidae

The Mantidae are a humanoid species found on the planet Ante. They appear rather standard in frame, with minor differences in terms of eye count and digitigrade legs. Overall, they are a prideful group, with each member of their society taking great care to preserve the structure laid out by those who came before them. Their metal spires hold them aloft above a dense scape of jungle, filled with volatile flora and fauna. All Mantidae have at least a minor proclivity for psionics, causing them to be a major resource for the local temple of Human monks.

## Physiology

Considered a part of the "Like," the Mantidae maintain a rather humanoid form. Their basic shape remains the same, though their internal biology does vary from the much more prevalent mammalian species around them. All information in this section pertains to the adult Mantidae, based on studies they have willingly participated in. For information on younger members of this species, please see the culture section.

At first glance, one would most likely be drawn to the line of spines protruding from their tibia. These thorns are sturdy enough to not bend or snap backwards with ease, covered in a strong exoskeleton, and normally rather small, able to be hidden behind larger clothing. Following down the line of body, the "ribcage" area shows scarring from the larvae phase's extra limbs in the form of two, small, vestigial joints. The hipbones are angled slightly forward, allowing for the vaguely digitigrade legs to balance correctly. A high-placed ankle sits above two "toes" with curved claws, the only remnant of their ancient ancestor's apical claws and the source of the species' overall increase in dexterity compared to other bipeds.

Looking up towards the face, one is greeted by 4 large, unblinking eyes. Two large orbs stare out from the standard humanoid placement, and a smaller second pair sits along the "browline" area in place of any eyebrows. While the eyes have retained the compound nature of their insect relatives, the Mantidae's skull and brow tissue have heavily reduced the peripheral vision advantage of their eye's shape. Long-running Council Members of the race are known to have the fatty brow tissue slowly carved away over time, allowing them to maintain a higher sense of passive perception. While a few Mantidae will have large fake pupils in brightly coloured eyes, those bright targets have died out over time. Now, most surviving will have blank and dark orbs, which are also better for vision at dawn and dusk. Overall, they see as well in the dark as any human, so not very.

The nose is almost reptilian in nature, flat against the skull with slitted nostrils. The sense of smell is on the lower side of average for humanoid races; they aren't going to miss a stench, but minute differences in scent may go unnoticed. Above the eyes sits a pair of antennae which fluff at the end. These antennae are another mostly vestigial remnant of their larval stage, during which it helps to alert when predators may be near by detecting vibrations in the air. As adults, they do little more than detect vague wind currents or an idea of how hot it might be nearby, just by still having functioning nerve endings. This upper half of the skull is also capable of producing hair, though it tends to be more frail if the Mantidae does not keep up on their calcium intake. Rather than dual directional ears like the average mammalian species, the chitinous exoskeleton type flesh of this species allows for a single ear hole type structure at the back of the skull. Generally, this will be protected by the chitin layers and an inner film, however some Council Members are again known for hollowing away the layers of chitin with the claim that it improves their hearing.

Looking to the bottom of the skull, the mouth appears almost skeletally along the jawline, with sharp cheekbones and a curved upper mandible. Two "teeth" from either side appear to be sticking out from the mouth, with a clearly softer cheek material between where the "teeth" rest and the outer edges of the maw. This gives an almost cat-like image to the closed mouth. Unfortunately, the sweet façade is wiped away the moment a Mantidae opens up; inside rests 3 sets of mandibles, the tips of the two innermost sets being the aforementioned false teeth. Once the mouth is open, the softer cheek material stretches to allow the mandibles to extend out, each one capable of moving on its own. When eating, the Mantidae have been witnessed holding food items towards their mouth, lowering their bottom jaw, and using each mandible almost like a finger to pull the food inwards. (Scientists found this both fascinating and revolting.)

As xenobiologists struggle to label Mantidae as Insectoid or Mammalian, their internals play into the debate. Mantidae contain a mix of both normal hemoglobin (blood) and oxygen-free circulatory fluid (hemolymph). These systems appear to be layered on top of each other in their bodies, with some veins and capillaries delivering hemolymph to an area that may have received hemoglobin only a moment ago. It was noted in what anatomical reviews they would consent to that surface level wounds seemed to only ever release hemolymph in a pale green colour, whereas deeper tissue damage would release a mix of both fluids that resulted in a much darker, almost brown sort of blood. Some xenobiologists theorize that this extra layer of circulatory fluid going to the brain may be what allows this species easy access to Psionic ability, as every single member presents with at least a low level.

They do appear to have a rather common organ set: Brain, lungs, heart, stomach, something resembling a vaguely familiar gastro-intestinal tract, even a small organ that acts similarly to the liver which the Mantidae called the *"Fugu"* in modern times. Through enough adjustments of translators and verifications, it was revealed that they took this name for it from what they had heard humans call pufferfish. The organ cleanses their body of toxins, but also acts as a potent toxin of its own if injested by another. The word stands out easily from their standard language -- while they do have a voice box of some sort, the unusual shape of their mouths causes their vocal range to be rather limited. Most sounds will be sharp, clapped, hissed, or breathy. In times of excitement or other large emotions, the spines on their arms will be rubbed together quickly to make even higher pitched hisses. Doing so is seen as a sign of losing control of one's composure and frowned upon.

In general, the Mantidae appear on the smaller side of measurements, with their adult males around 4'9" in height and their adult females around 5'6". It is worth noting that any sexual dimorphism in this species appears to favour the females, as they are viewed as long and graceful whereas the males are seen as stocky and cumbersome.

The average Mantidae diet consists mainly of easily accessible vegetation and farmed insects. While they are omnivorous, evolving away from the obligate carnivore status of their insect relative, it's a good thing Ante's version of an isopod is more the size of a hedgehog. Whether by way of the planet's nature itself, or through the farming and breeding methods of the clan, most good cattle-bugs will range from about the palm of a human hand to a large housecat. None of this is to say they stray away from heartier meats either; trade with the nearby Monks allows their upper echelons access to exquisite delights like beef or even the occasional fish.

## Culture

The Mantidae are an incredibly honour-bound society.

Social roles are set in stone from the moment the egg casing breaks on any given congregation. (Much like Earth-bound Mantis bugs, a group of Mantidae can be referred to as a "congregation." Normally, this is only used for those *born* from the same egg.) As the nymphs are distributed among the caregivers, they are given class ranks based on any obvious attributes. This is due to the extensive process they have gone through to be *born*.

Egg casings start soft, allowing for expansion as the larvae first grow. In order to absorb nutrients directly, the eggs are cocooned in a viscous fluid for a series of months. Larvae inside begin at microscopic sizes, slowly taking shape and growing into their first milestone at 8-limbs. The Eighths remain smaller than the human hand, around 6-7" at best and weighing close to a single pound. As they grow larger, around the 1-month mark, their double circulatory systems begin to cut off the lowest set of middle-limbs, instead funneling those resources into rapid growth. This reallocation of the body's resources allows the Sixths to reach the size of a human infant, approaching 20" and upwards of 8 lbs. At this point, where the eggs may have begun with hundreds of larvae, they no longer have the resources to support such a large congregation. The fluid they are kept in has dried almost completely. Restricting all growth, the outer shell has hardened. Many larvae do not survive this point. Those who fail are reabsorbed into the albumen, and their nutrients distributed back to the extant few.

Finally, as the larvae approach 2-months, the other set of middle-limbs will face the same fate as the first. This major growth spurt allows the Mantidae to reach anywhere from 2'6" to 3'0" in height by their 3rd month, approximately the same size as a human toddler. Even fewer survive this final transition from 6-limbs to 4-; the average surviving congregation will contain 6 members, though as few as 1 and as many as 14 have been recorded. Mantidae healers did inform scientists that the final chambers of the eggs appear to form mostly in sets of three (around 90% according to their records), and that they do hold memories from their larval stage. Very few remember the first loss of middle-limbs, but the secondary loss is spoken about as humans speak of lost teeth, although with far more *growing pain* type aches.

Pipping out feet-first at 3- to 4-months of age, the Mantidae nymphs will show signs of any struggle they had to survive. Those with no deformities and the highest neural responses are placed with high ranking caretakers who can provide one-on-one care. They will be taught languages, politics, sciences; they will be trained in bladework, ranged weaponry, combat tactics; and they will be given access to resources otherwise denied to those below them. A nymph deemed of the utmost level of quality straight from the hatch may even be taken under the wing of a Council Member, if they feel so generous.

The average nymph will have a few minor disparaging features -- a middle-limb still not fully detached, clearly malformed tibia spines, or even a lack of response from one of the four eyes. This will place them into standard care, with one caretaker to many nymphs. It is rather common for these nymphs to share a sense of comradery; strangely, it is almost equally as common for them to despise each other. Nymphs with any further complications are deemed unable to survive in their hostile ecosystem and gotten rid of, though the Mantidae would not share how with scientists.

Once a role is placed upon a nymph, they are raised into adulthood knowing nothing else. The social mores and roles are obeyed at all costs. Failing duties or gaining any advantage over another without having earned it properly is met with great shame. A Mantidae who takes on great personal sacrifice to uphold their obligation gains the esteem of their peers; meanwhile, any with compromised honour may prefer to seek death over attempting retribution.

The more necessary a role, the more well-funded your life. Caretakers are given a large stipend once a year, when the eggs are first in need of watching in late winter, and expected to make due from there. A chef on the other hand may be paid anywhere from monthly to per meal, depending on their skill. A nymph branded with a medical role is deemed invaluable, ushered into the higher class, and spoon fed delicacies their whole life. Those with more advanced Psionic abilities are honoured above all others. That said, it is impossible to tell from nymph-dom how strong a Mantidae's psionics will be, as any below their clan's minimum -- as detected by Metapsions -- fall into the "unable to survive" category. This is to say that all surviving nymphs will have a baseline level of Psionic ability fresh out of the egg; only a few will be able to grow their skills enough to be deemed remarkable.

Inhabiting a less-friendly section of Ante's ecosystem, a Mantidae's social status is also apparent by their relative closeness to the jungle floor. Carnivorous fauna and deadly flora line the base of the shining metallic structures that make up the clans home. As if in an attempt to reclaim itself, the greenery has begun to climb back over the sharp silver beams and spires in many spots, leading to vines and moss draped across any openings or gaps. The higher up in the trees, the closer to the canopy of wide branches and leaves rather than low hanging moss and vines, one is, the more respected they are. Council members live in a spire just barely below the crest of the canopy itself, with rumoured access to a rooftop that can see above the trees. Their homes -- "pods," as the mantis-folk refer to them, most likely due to their tendency to be rounded shapes set into larger structures rather than full spaces -- also grow in size the higher up in the trees they are. Most live in a one-room pod, no larger than 10' x 10', less than 200' off the ground. The most lavish will enjoy spaces up to 30-rooms across, each one varying in size but being no smaller than the last, upwards of 450' up into the sky as the trees nearly crest 460' themselves. At the lowest, those whom have perhaps been dishonoured in some way sit barely 25' above the ground, within range of some predators from the jungle floor. Their pods will be barely a hole in a wall, large enough to sleep in or perhaps keep the chill away. Some will take over structures deemed no longer viable that are larger than offered pod options -- dilapidated shacks, collapsing spires, etc.