Sporeflies are named for their insectile appearance and the spores that cover their bodies.
Design[]
Appearance[]
Sporeflies resemble large beetles with six red eyes, bark-like armor, leaf-like wings, and spores covering much of their bodies. Sporefly Queens are much larger than other members of their hives.
Roar[]
Sporeflies produce cicada-like chitters and bee-like buzzes.
Personality[]
Sporeflies are social omnivorous insects living in hives in swamps or near freshwater lakes. They will move to a new territory when food starts to grow scarce and will use their bodies to transport their larvae to a new hive. Sporefly Soldiers vigilantly patrol their territories in swarms and will fiercely protect their hives. Sporefly Queens are ambush predators that use bioluminescence to attract prey.[1]
Origins[]
Sporefly[]
Often encountered in swarms, Sporeflies are the smallest of their kind. Sporeflies exhibit standard behavioral traits found in other insect species, such as collective foraging and the ability to form large cooperative groups without the need for leadership.
When food is scarce, the hive will move to a new territory. Before this happens, Sporeflies will form a protective structure composed of their bodies to transport the defenseless larvae to the new hive. Sporeflies will light the way for their queen with a royal display of bioluminescent pulses.
When provoked, Sporeflies prefer to attack in force and can produce spores with numerous effects. While their mandibles are not as large as their soldier counterparts, the sheer number of bites they can inflict in a few seconds more than makes up for it.
― Monarch Creature Profile
Sporefly Soldier[]
With two large mandibles and a thick chassis of bioluminescent armor, the Sporefly Soldier is well-equipped to protect the hive and their Queen.
Sporefly Soldiers are often seen patrolling the perimeter of their hive, communicating with a series of bioluminescent signals that change color and tempo based on the type and level of threat encountered. The same behavior can be observed when they accompany Sporefly swarms on foraging expeditions, as the smaller members of their brood are often too absorbed in their obligate traits to be aware of their surroundings.
When a threat is identified, the Sporefly Soldiers will vibrate their wings and release spores into the air that induce temporary nausea and confusion, giving the hive ample time to prepare an all-out assault on what ever dared to encroach on their territory.
― Monarch Creature Profile
Sporefly Queen[]
This mighty creature spends the vast majority of her time in slumber. She prefers freshwater lakes or swamps, but swarming Queens may be found anywhere there are trees to conceal her. A lone Queen, while laying her eggs, is too slow to give chase and instead patiently waits for her prey to come to her. In her passive form, she folds up to appear like a part of her surroundings, awaiting her chance. When that fails her, she can use bioluminescence to attract prey.
When faced with larger predators, the hive will defend her fiercely but she is not without her own defenses. Her heavy body and powerful pincers can take down all but the biggest opponents but when that fails, she can release a cloud of shimmering spores to immobilize her foes. These spores promote regeneration in other sporeflies, making her even more formidable in a swarm. This great giant of the swamp is not to be underestimated.
― Monarch Creature Profile
Abilities[]
Bioluminescence[]
Sporefly can use bioluminescence for various purposes. Regular Sporeflies use bioluminescence to light the way for others of their kind during a journey to a new hive. Sporefly Soldiers use bioluminescence to communicate with each other and to assess potential threats. Sporefly Queens use bioluminescence to attract prey.[1]
Durability[]
Sporeflies are covered in a thick chassis of bioluminescent armor, which acts as protection from predators.[1]
Flight[]
Sporeflies can use their wings to fly in the air.[1]
Spore production[]
Sporeflies can produce an excess of spores for various purposes. The spores of Sporefly Soldiers induce temporary nausea and confusion. The spores of Sporefly Queens can immobilize her foes and promote regeneration in other Sporeflies.[1]
Strength and combat[]
Sporeflies can use their mandibles and pincers to battle their enemies.[1]
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