Insectaur (5e Race)

Insectaur

“	Herald the hordes of locusts, brethren! Charge!	”
—Ixalra, insectaur general

Physical Description

Art by Herald of Whitemantle Source

Insectaurs are insectoid creatures. Their body design is similar to a centaur in body shape, with two arms and four legs. They have a thick, extended abdomen, and females also have an ovipositor. Insectaur heads highly resemble that of a mantis, with bulging, compound eyes and a four-part mouth. These mantis-styled creatures have light or dark green exoskeletons. They also are known to have long insectoid wings which are said to grant them the ability to lift themselves off the ground for short distances. When not in use, these wings fold atop their abdomen. Their carapace colors range from true green to bright pink and can sometimes have spotted designs.

History

Within the Abyss, creatures adapted to new and sometimes horrific forms to survive in the unpredictable environments, filled with their worst nightmares. The insectaur came about with little exception to this rule of survival. Closely similar visually to the praying mantis, these creatures of the Abyss found themselves branching into caverns of the material plane. It is said they evolved from a vein similar to ice demons, who also possess insect-like features. As time passed, the insectaurs have evolved with the help of old magics into wiser, smarter, and stronger creatures. Once thought to only be savage creatures, their nests near the opening of the Abyss have burgeoned to the size of a town where they host travelers eager to learn of their mysterious origin.

Society

They live in large hierarchies with their species, with the strongest and wisest individuals of the race having the top position in the hierarchy, fighters and skilled crafter making up the middle ranks of the hierarchy, and then grunts at the bottom of the hierarchy. Unlike the common misconception, they are not ruled by queens, but by gerontocrats. Age is equated with experience, and gerontocrats establish the rules within the nest. They divide up the roles and draw the lines of patrols for safety. These elders are cyclically replaced when they die.

Insectaur Names

Their names are stolen from books and stories of which they have read and traded, which mostly originate from names of Dwarves and other residents of the Underdark.

Male: Reneguar, Khanon, Garris, Mavis, etc.

Female: Frehann, Helloph, Uthgard, Yelen, etc.

Insectaur Traits

Giant praying mantis-like creature that originates from the Abyss.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Insectaurs mature by 6 years, and live about 40 years maximum.
Alignment. Insectaurs are mainly neutral or lawful.
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Exoskeleton. Your unusual frame does not support most kinds of armor, your natural Armor Class is equal to 12 + Dexterity modifier and you cannot use regular armor as most humanoids can. Armor must be specifically made for you through barding. This armor typically costs thrice as much as the regular cost of armor and weighs twice as much.
Mantis Strike. You have a set of blades that can naturally extend to act as blades. These are natural weapons that you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, they deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your Dexterity modifier.
Mountable. You can serve as a mount for creatures of Medium size or smaller.
Insect Wings. As a bonus action, you can extend your insect wings and gain a flying speed of 30 feet for up to 1 minute. You cannot fly higher than 10 feet. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all use after you finish a long rest.
Monstrous Type. Your creature type is monstrosity instead of humanoid. As such, you are immune to spells like crown of madness or dominate person because they specifically target humanoids.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Undercommon and Abyssal.

Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier*	Base Weight	Weight Modifier**
6′ 4''	+2d8	180 lb.	× (2d6) lb.
*Height = base height + height modifier **Weight = base weight + (height modifier × weight modifier)

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