Homebrew Common Bug Species Details
"Once mindless wandering savages in the wilds far beyond our gates, These beetles have shown they are more than capable to adapt within this wonderous land." Lurien wrote out on his sheet of silk before glancing back into his telescope.
The city's heart bustled with energy, bugs scuttling along roadways brief moments of interaction, some glancing up to the spire to which he was sat upon. He thought for a moment before continuing his writings. "It was our supreme majesty, the King's pale light that brought these bugs to his Kingdom, Hallownest. It was his gift of greater thought that allowed these bugs to think, build and fuel the Kings achievement of an internal kingdom.
In terms of the history of Hallownest, beetles are the most recent race to settle, Arriving much later on scene and short-lived in comparison to Moths, Mantids, and Wyrms. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, desiring to impress beings of high power and standing, building their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, beetles are the innovators, the achievers, and explores.
Variety of Appearances
With a knack for survival these bugs can be found everywhere, being more physically diverse than any of the other common races. An individual can stand from 4 feet to over 10 feet tall and weigh from 60 to 500 pounds. Though Common Bugs’ appearances can vary based on the environment they live in, their carapaces mainly vary from black, gray, blue and or red. Most have white, mask-like faces with or without horns, but there are others that have faces that match the colour of their body. Their eye color is either black or white. Bugs that have darker faces usually have white eyes while other bugs with lighter faces have black eyes. Their hair, if any, ranges from black to blonde (curly, kinky, or straight).
Adaptability and Thrival
Common bugs are the most adaptable and ambitious creatures among the other races; have widely varying tastes, morals, and customs from the many different lands where they have settled. When they settle, though, they stay. They may decide to settle in the harshest or the most plentiful environments if they find a good reason to stay. Whether it be for resources, jobs, political advantage, or just because they can. Or they might decide not to settle at all and travel by themselves or in groups. Whatever Common Bugs do with their lives they do it wholeheartedly.
As a result of their large communities, it is inevitable that beetles will come in contact with members of other races. They get along with almost everyone, though they might not be close to many. Beetles serve as ambassadors, diplomats, magistrates, merchants, and functionaries of all kinds.
Moths. “They’re kind, soft spoken friends, recounting long lost tales and memories from long ago. Their culture is rich with history, more ancient than Hallownest itself. However, I can’t help but feel an odd air around them, hearing whispering along the winds.”
Mantis. “Strong willed and proud. It’s best not to wander into this tribe’s territory. For anyone who does manage to find their territory will be attacked on sight by adults and kin a like. I've heard that if their leaders are able to be defeated in honorable combat, the tribe will treat you with great respect. There is a lot to learn from their traditional ways.”
Mosskin. “Short and fairly harmless folk, you can easily miss them while traversing through Greenpath. Their admiration for the nature around them and their ability to utilize it is astonishing. These bugs aren't two well acquainted with the world outside their territory, so it is best to meet them within their own realm.
Culture
Where a single Mantis, Bee or Mosskin might take on the responsibility of guarding a special location or a powerful secret, Common bugs can find a purpose wherever they live. Having widely varying tastes, morals, and customs from the many different lands where they have settled. Meaning a bug born near a lake side will vary greatly from another born near the Crystal mines. Common bugs dream of success, whether in be in terms of wealth, survival, power, or knowledge; they can find these things within the Kingdoms of Higher beings.
All Common bugs have one thing in common: they can get along with any race. It is because of this trait they make good merchants, ambassadors, diplomats, and other social/political positions. It also makes them good party members for adventuring groups.
Cities and Kingdoms
Similar to their nature, Common bug Kingdoms can be found anywhere and are the most common kind of kingdoms. Most often these kingdoms are run by other common bugs, there are some cases where these kingdoms were constructed by Higher Beings. While the Mantis and Moth tribes pass on the ancient traditions to each new generation, Common bug's may be enthralled within the allure of a Higher Being; constructing temples, libraries, and codes of law biased on the Higher Beings wishes. The race may take up the majority of the population of their kingdom, but they also generally invite any bug to make a home and find work there. However, this does not mean they get along with every race, and some kingdoms are more welcoming than others.
Names and Ethnicities
Being the most common and varied species of bugs, common bugs as a whole have no typical names. Some parents give their children names from other tribes, (pronounced more or less correctly), but most parents give names that are linked to their region’s culture or to the naming traditions biased on titles.
The material culture and physical characteristics of beetles can change wildly from region to region and species to species. In the Outer wilds, for example, the clothing, cuisine, and music are much different from that of Hallownest. Even from within Hallownest can you find diversity of culture. Common bug physical characteristics, though, vary according to the environment they live in.
Outer Wilds
Larger and stronger in build than most other common bugs, These bugs have dusky brown and black shells, fur, and eyes. For a better chance of survival, they forgo intelligence for strength. Names tend to be short and simplistic.
Outer Wild Names: (Male) Beo, Boon, Dwi, Toro, Feo; (Female) Cai, Cana, Duaa, Ea, Tuk, Hama.
Hallownest
Bugs who live within the area of Hallownest are gifted the ability of independent thought, using that to work or thrive within a particular area of the kingdoms reach. These bugs have no specific appearance thought unlike the Outer Wilds, they do tend to adorn themselves in lavishes, and inventions for ease of life or as a mark of status.
Hallownest Names: (Male) Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd; (Female) Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele; (Surnames) Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag
Subrace
Two main subraces of common bugs populate the land of Hallownest: Rhino beetles and Water beetles. Choose one of these subraces or one from another source.
Common Bug Traits
It’s hard to make generalizations about beetles, but your bug character has these traits.Ability Score Increase
Increase one ability score of your choice by 2 or increase two ability scores of your choice by 1.
Age
Common bugs vary in age and maturity, Through most commonly, they will reach adulthood within one or two centuries.
Alignment
Common bugs tend toward no particular alignment. The best and the worst are found among them.
Size
Common bugs vary widely in height and build, from barely 4 feet to well over 10 feet tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and one extra language of your choice. Common bugs typically learn the languages of other bugs they deal with, including obscure dialects. They are fond of sprinkling their speech with words borrowed from other tongues and regions: Deepnest curses, Farloomian musical expressions, Mantis battle phrases, and so on.
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