Homebrew Butterfly-folk (Updated) Species Details

History

Insectoids are believed to originate from insects exposed to magic which altered their very genetic structure. This is supported by current research into their unstable bodies, which, until they fully mature, are able to take on many properties to adapt to stress and environments. A small cult of druids are believed to have performed such magic experiments, which resulted in the rapid evolution of regular insects into large larvae and pupae. These progressed to become the insectoids. The druid cult was believed to have been disbanded early but few knew of the insectoids they left behind, which were left free to populate amongst themselves.

Insectoids, like their original forms, had no trouble reproducing hordes. However, the strains of a larger size were apparent too, as they required more and more resources to sustain themselves. When their harvesting encroached on foreign lands, they were easily killed and repelled by more advanced societies. Insectoid population soon became unsustainable due to the sheer amount of mouths to feed. Millions died from starvation as their drones worked only to maintain their queen. The insectoids were driven down under to the depths of the most unknown in Underdark to bear the rest of their days. This is where their civilization would flourish.

Eventually, their huge population dwindled to a more manageable size, which is when their culture began expanding and they evolved in mindset from their original insect hive ways. Schools of development and planning were founded to find sustainable ways to grow population. Religion came about as they worshipped their queens. Soldiers began adapting more techniques from other lands and improved their weaponry to battle with other nations better. Few today remember their hordes on the surface. However, echoes do resound of the occasional sap that ventured too deep and was killed by hideous bug-like creatures of the Underdark depths.

Society

The insectoids are very reclusive, keeping to themselves underground. These are their main cities, centered usually around the palace and breeding ground where their queen, drones, and workers reside. The queen is the central figure to every insectoid society, as she is the bearer of the young. This is carried on from their original insect societies. Drones help attend to the queen and keep watch over workers. Workers bring food to the queen and take care of the eggs and young in huge nurseries underneath the palace grounds.

Insectoids sport a large and fierce military, particularly those of larger swarm subraces. However, it is only when a surface dweller comes into their habitat caverns that they attack. They inhabit a different sublevel of the underdark that even the drows haven't come upon. This doesn't bother the isolated race, which seems to mostly mind its own business. Insectoids are more known to trade amongst other insectoids than with other races.

Religion

Insectoid society values their queen above all as their living goddess, giver of life and future. They worship the queen as a deity. As such, offerings of food are generously apportioned for the queen to feed. Insectoids are often seen prostrated before their queen when they aren't working. They are often taught from young ages of their queen's supremacy as the heart of any insectoid society. They are expected to live and die for their queen. As such, larvae are brought up and indoctrinated at an early age. Deviants are not tolerated and are eliminated.

Insectoid Names

Insectoids speak with lispy noises and clicks, making their names nonsensical to surface walkers. They communicate their real names in pheromones exchanged by antennae, which cannot be translated.

Male: Kkrlckthhh, Plkthhh, Shhthhlp

Female: Rcklllthh, Scrckshhh, Clckrshh

Butterfly-folk (Updated) Traits

+2dex

Darkvison

Can see in the dark

Multifooted

Being Insect Like provides you with Multiple Limbs

Distracting Camouflage

Your wings and body can change color/pattern and positioning/shape to avert attention away from vital body parts, which may also cause ambush attacks to approach from the wrong end, if at all, enabling you to detect attacks promptly. Creatures have disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to surprise you.

Ability Score Increase

Increases Ability score