Mantidae

The first enemy of the Yrūn were the insectoid Ikítikírittìk. Appearing as giant mantises, these inhuman creatures are among the most alien denizens found upon the World of Teréth End. Unlike almost every other race, the Ikítikírittìk do not seem capable of recognizing the rights or needs of other races. To the Ikítikírittìk, all other living things are food. Usually, this primitive outlook would be enough to categorize the Ikítikírittìk as Bestial except that the creatures have exhibited great intelligence and are accomplished in other areas (e.g., alchemy, engineering, mathematics).

Physiology

The Ikítikírittìk are brachypterous (i.e., flightless) mantids of great size. From head to abdomen adult creatures are about 10′ long with six legs extending from their thorax. The compound eyes of the Ikítikírittìk are very sensitive to motion. Though the Ikítikírittìk cannot fly per se, their wings are capable of assisting in large leaps.

Ikítikírittìk live in three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Eggs of the Ikítikírittìk are laid inside pods called ôðeca. In civilized areas these are kept in special buildings which are guarded by males of the species. In the wilderness, the ôðeca are buried. Eggs are commonly deposited in the late Fall where they remain until late Spring. Late Winter/Early Spring Ikítikírittìk eggs are considered delicacies by the Dwürden who train dogs to find the egg pods in areas where they are common (i.e., central Lyrast). The most successful ôðeca grounds used to be in southern Teréðor until the Yrūn destroyed the mantid population there.

The second part of Ikítikírittìk metamorphosis is the nymph stage. Once hatched from their eggs, the young Ikítikírittìk emerge from the ground with a soft-exoskeleton, completely flightless, and near blind. Only 2-3′ long initially, the defenseless nymphs are popular prey for wild beasts and Awakened alike. Over the course of the next 5 years, the nymphs undergo a series of molts which reveal harder exteriors, allow for larger size, and more useful wings.

The third stage of Ikítikírittìk is adulthood. At this time the Ikítikírittìk are sexually mature and can produce more of their kind. The Ikítikírittìk do not kill their mates although the females of the species do become very aggressive while gravid. During this time (i.e., usually the Fall) male Ikítikírittìk stay clear of the females, sometimes forming large hunting parties to gather food for the upcoming winter. A healthy Ikítikírittìk can live up to 20 years or more, mating once every year during adulthood. A female Ikítikírittìk can lay up to 400 eggs in each ôðeca, though only half of those are usually viable. The viable nymphs often eat those that are underdeveloped.

Psychology

The Ikítikírittìk mindset may be alien to other Awakened species, but it is not hard to understand. The Awakened mantid seem to have no empathic mores. The Ikítikírittìk gather in groups for protection, hunting strength, and to increase the availability of reproductive options. There are no familial bonds between adult, nymphs, or eggs, though civilized populations will guard eggs when that could benefit the community. In times of sparse resources, the eggs are often eaten for food and to prevent further strain on available resources.

Culture

Not much is known about the Ikítikírittìk of Teréðor due to their prehistoric destruction. Tales of the Teréðori mantids are inevitably colored by what is known about their Lyràsti kindred. The little that is known about the culture of Tiki Ikìttir has been gathered by soldiers or rehabilitated survivors of their livestock pits. The information from these sources is understandably subjective and should be viewed as such.

Ikítikírittìk respect the “rights” of other healthy adult Ikítikírittìk in a community. They do not respect or consider the “rights”, needs, or desires of other races, and would kill an Awakened creature as easily as livestock. There have been numerous discoveries of pit-corrals near Ikítikírittìk communities where Dwürden, Gnor, Ortor, and Yrūn individuals have been found serving as livestock. In some cases, where militaries have pushed deeper into the lands of Tiki Ikìttir, large corrals have been found with inhabitants that have lived as livestock for countless generations.

In some respects, the mantids are similar to the mammalian Awakened. Their societies are divided by profession and expertise, with the majority of their numbers hunting or farming. The Ikítikírittìk are almost exclusively carnivorous, though have been observed eating plant matter from time to time. An interesting aside to this fact is the Ikítikírittìk cultivation of Luvel which is found in abundance around most mantid communities. A powerful narcotic for most mammals, the plant appears to have little (if any) effect on the Ikítikírittìk. There is speculation that the blue flower has been cultivated and processed to keep their livestock torpid.

Ikítikírittìk buildings are made from stone and timber, mortared using the same hardening saliva that is produced to fashion their cocoons. The saliva is so potent that it can be used to reinforce leaves, veneer, and grasses into a wood hardness and durability. This capacity allows the Ikítikírittìk to make light-weight shields, armor, building materials, etc. All items reinforced with the hardening saliva have a distinct glossy appearance.

Language

The Ikítikírittìk of Lyrast speak a rapid chirping language called Iqit-ti. To date, it is not reproducible to any accurate degree by other Awakened creatures. Another Ikítikírittìk language called Itikir was spoken in southern Teréðor before that population was exterminated by the Yrūn Kydir. Iqit-ti is commonly written in a script called Tri-iq which consists of vertical dashes crossed by horizontal or diagonal lines.

Religion

Little is known about Ikítikírittìk culture, and less is known about their religion(s), if any. Texts recovered from several mantid communities over the centuries point toward a common origin myth that may or may not be part of an Ikítikírittìk religion. Similar to the Eylfāe‘s origin myth that they crossed the oceans that separate worlds, the mantids believe that their people arrived in three eggs that fell from the skies. Within the Ikítikírittìk scholarship, these eggs are believed responsible for the creation of the Mar Odimis and the Ring of Saráddir. The fate of the third egg is not known. One recovered text suggested that its voyagers perished. Other texts have suggested that the voyagers of the third egg lie dormant, waiting for the proper conditions to hatch.

There do not seem to be any mention of gods or spirits within the Ikítikírittìk writings, though inferences are difficult to glean with magical translations.

Magic

There are no known magicians among the Ikítikírittìk. Their continued survival upon the World of Teréth End has been contingent on their intelligence and considerable natural attributes. It is not known whether well-born Ikítikírittìk would benefit from procedures like the Acèntyri Rite.

Characters

Ikítikírittìk are not appropriate player characters when combined with other races.

Template

The basic template for Ikítikírittìk characters is 50 CPs. This template includes:

Advantages

• Strength +5 (BASp14) 40¹
• Perception +2 (BASp16) 10
• Basic Move +4 (BASp17) 20
• Size Modifier +2 (BASp19) 0
• Damage Resistance (Exoskeleton) +3 (BASp46 ) 9²
• Enhanced Move (Ground) +1 (BASp52) 20
• Extra Legs (Three or Four Legs) — (BASp54) 5
• Flight (Small Wings) — (BASp56) 36³
• Peripheral Vision — (BASp74) 12⁴
• Teeth (Sharp Beak) — (BASp91) 1

Total = 155 CPs

¹ CAMp372 Size Limitation; -20% Strength cost
² BASp46 Damage Resistance (Exoskeleton) +3; 15 pts + -40% (Limited Defenses: Piercing) = 9
³ BASp56 Flight (Small Wings); 40 pts + -10% (Small Wings) = 36
⁴ BASp74 Peripheral Vision; 15 pts + -20% (Easy to Hit) = 12

Disadvantages

• Cold-Blooded — (BASp127) -5
• Frightens Animals — (BASp137) -10
• Intolerance — (BASp140) -10
• Low Empathy — (BASp142) -20
• No Sense of Humor — (BASp146) -10
• Odious Personal Habits (Eats Awakened) -2 (BASp22) -10
• Short Lifespan +1 (BASp154) -10
• Social Stigma (Monster) — (BASp155) -15
• Weakness (Night Lethargy) – (BASp161) -15¹

Total = -105 CPs

¹ BASp161 Weakness; -10 (1d per 5 minutes) x3 (Very Common: Diurnal, Awake at Night) -50% (Fatigue Only) = -15

Options

A selection from the following template options are appropriate:

Advantages

• Arm ST (Two Arms) +2 (BASp40) 10
• Claim to Hospitality (Ikítikírittìk) — (BASp41) 5
• Fearlessness +2 (BASp55) 10
• Flexibility — (BASp56) 5
• Metabolism Control (Hibernation) +2 (BASp68) 4¹
• Perfect Balance — (BASp74) 15

¹ BASp68 Metabolism Control (Hibernation); 10 pts + -60% (Hibernation) = 4

Disadvantages

• Bloodlust — (BASp125) -10
• Gluttony — (BASp137) -5
• Ham-Fisted -3 (BASp138) -5
• Magic Susceptibility +2 (BASp143) -6
• Slow Eater — (BASp155) -10
• Uncontrollable Appetite (Sapients) — BASp159) -15