Homebrew Coleoptid Species Details

Born into their role and molded from birth, Coleoptid fulfil their part in the hive the belong to without question. Communicating between others with a mild form of telepathy - a hive mind, so to speak - they effortlessly protect, gather, invade and supply as a swarm. 

Occasionally a rogue mind appears, refusing to conform to the hive. Such members are ostracised from the hive unless they can prove useful, but most choose to leave regardless, attempting to seek their own purpose and desires.

Winged Swarms

Most Coleoptid have wings, but some have been raised with aquatic or burrowing capabilities, while others have the ability to climb with ease. When threatened, the entire hive heeds the call to arms, rushing forth from the sky, seas and ground to overwhelm their opponents. The hive's primary concern is that of keeping their Queen alive, though even if she is defeated the hive can continue as long as two or more members survive; Coleoptid are able to change their sex at will and, if required, can spend a month in a hibernating state as their body morphs accordingly. It is due to this that Coleoptid have no concept of gender, as all members can be either sex and variations thereupon. They also engage in polyamory rather than the concept of monogamy held by may other races, and as such, within each hive, family units can form spontaneously, constantly changing to suit their feelings.

Homelands

Coleoptid don't call a specific plane their home, but they are more common on planes without elemental extremes. Their hives tend to be located in areas of soft ground where it isn't too wet or too dry, and can stretch far below ground or reach towards the clouds. Each hive's builders have a different style of architecture, ranging from typical insectoid burrows to fanciful limestone mansions. Some have even learned the techniques to hone glass and metals, adding to their strange architecture.

Coleoptid Traits

As a coleoptid, you have certain traits in common with your hive.

Hive Sight

Coleoptid hives are dark places. You are born with the ability to see in that darkness, gaining darkvision to 60ft. You cannot discern colours in the dark.

Hardened Carapace

Born as soft, squishy larvae, coleoptids develop a hardened carapace as they mature which acts as both natural armour and the exoskeleton to which their muscular biology is attached. Unlike insects, coleoptids need not shed their previous shells as they grow as it acts just like humanoid's nails and hair; densely packed keratin that must be occasionally kept short through cleaning rituals. You gain +1 to your AC.

Extra Appendages

The typical growth tree for coleoptid is to have four membranous wings stored beneath the carapace on your back. However, some are grown for different purposes such as climbing, burrowing or swimming.

Telepathic Mind

As part of a hive, coleoptids share thoughts and feelings through telepathy, though this is limited to the conveyance of still images rather than audible words or sounds.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Coleoptid reach maturity by age 5. They tend towards shorter lifespans, but some live to 100 years.

Alignment

Coleoptid tend towards order, and thus hives show Lawful traits. Those split from the hive follow their own moral compass.

Size

Coleoptid are usually between 4 and 7 feet tall. Their bodily size and shape vary greatly, and they can weight anywhere between 70 and 200 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial.