Abarak

The Abarak are a race of arthropodal bipeds. Semi-nomadic, they live in robustly organized underground tunnel systems in colonies of approximately fifty to a hundred, though outsiders will seldom see even half their number. Their colonies operate with a hivemind whose radius is directly proportional to the colony’s queen, and individuals who stray far enough away from the colony will lose direct contact with the hive, though their gained knowledge and experiences will be reintegrated upon their return.
Each colony survives through the combined efforts and symbiosis of multiple individuals assigned roles at birth, though it is not unheard of for members to transition to another role. To outsiders, this is most comparable to gender roles, with a total of five major roles.
Abarak have a natural proficiency in religion and survival.
Proficient with mason’s tools. They do not require them to dig or build but are capable of utilizing them as well as teaching others to use them in a basic way. (For other variants of Abarak, any equivalently reasonable set of tools is substituted, e.g. woodcarving tools for a termite-esque variant.)

Basic Information

Anatomy

Abarak have 4 vestigial arms under their primary arms. These can be used for very simple non-dextrous tasks but are generally useless in combat. They are capable of surprisingly significant load-bearing and can be used to hold things if one’s main hands are full, but they do not have distinct opposable digits.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They operate on the same level as a Hive or a Colony. Each member has a role that's assigned to them and they function to the full extent of their role.

Facial characteristics

Eight eyes centrally located, 1 large set of pincers and then a secondary (smaller) set of pincers, horns on the side of the head used for intercolony communication.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Nomadic, close to larger settlements but separately functioning. They do not stay separate and often integrate into the area of settlement for however long of a time that they stay there.

Average Intelligence

Sentient

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Ophiocordyceps unilateralis - A parasite that only infects the Abarak. The fungi essentially zombifies the infected and controls it's functions and behaviors to ensure the spread of it's fungal spores.
Paladins can detect cordyceps in asymptomatic carriers as well as those infected Anyone (even non-Abarakians) can be a carrier but only the Abarak can be infected symptomatically.
The infected must be killed but this is done in a religious ceremony and is viewed as healing, this is necessary to prevent spread to the rest of the colony.
Cordyceps treatment solely involves quality of life and quality of death

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Abarak have their own language. It can be learned to an extent by non-Abarak, but learning it requires several concessions and statements of intention by most other races, there is an extreme focus on pheromones and scents in communication and identification & this cannot be learned by species that do not have the capacity to do something similar. Lizardfolk have the ability to learn the language.

Once a day, you can summon the strength of the colony, and double your strength modifier. This applies for three rounds of combat, or one minute in RP.

• Abarak have Dark Vision of 120 feet, Sunlight Sensitivity.
• 30 ft movement speed.

Scientific Name

Formicidae

Lifespan

40 years

Average Height

6 ft to 8 ft

Average Weight

140 lbs to 170 lbs

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Black body coloring, varying tints and undertones.