L.E.M.S.I.

Lafayette's Elemental Mana Siphoning Insect

It's noticeable by the buzzing, first and foremost. But perhaps that's just the sound of the forest, the sound of life surrounding you and overwhelming your senses. Perhaps you weren't paying enough attention, or were distracted by your compass...

In the end, you're face to face with a horrifying creature-- luminant and buzzing. It grips on with eight slightly furred legs, while its antenna sway and graze your arm, making a chill run down your neck.

Your arm is numb, and you can't remember the last time you could feel it. Were you sweating before from the trail, or because of the bug? Your heart is racing, and you feel faint. You reach down into your pocket as carefully as you can manage, to the pamphlet you were given before your trek down:

IF YOU HAVE NOTICED A MANA THIEF ON YOUR PERSON: DO NOT BE ALARMED. FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

• Grasp the mana thief by the head, as close to the mandibles against the skin as possible, using pointed tweezers or your fingers.
• Be patient; the mandibles are covered with barbs, so removing it can be difficult and time consuming.
• Pull steadily until you can ease the mandibles and proboscis out of the skin.
• DO NOT pull back sharply; this may tear the mandibles and proboscis from the head and leave them embedded in the skin. If this happens, don’t panic!
• DO NOT squeeze or crush the body of the mana thief; this may force tainted mana from the mana thief into the skin.
• DO NOT apply substances such as petroleum jelly, nail polish, or a lighted match to the mana thief while it is attached. They may agitate the Mana Thief and force more tainted mana into the skin.
• DO NOT use Elemental Magic to remove. You risk injuring yourself and attracting a swarm.
• Once you have removed the mana thief, wash the wound site and your hands with soap and water.
• Observe the bite site over the next two weeks for any signs of an expanding purple rash.
• Mana thief attachment time is important; removing mana thieves within 36 hours of attachment reduces the risk of infection.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE MANA THIEF BY EXCESSIVE FORCE.

— Excerpt from a pamphlet on travelling within the Jumptmou rain-forest.

About

Created by a Wizard named Lafayette, the LEMSI appear to have been planned to siphon mana away from others to destroy their ability to use magic. They are now colloquially known as Mana Thieves or Mana Harvesters, depending on the region of the speaker. Little is known about the wizard, and even less about the creation of these cursed creatures.

Mana Thief-Borne Illnesses

Being bitten by a mana thief carries the risk of contracting multiple diseases or symptoms, varying from mildly inconvenient to fatal. The longer a mana thief feeds, the higher chances of catching or experiencing a more severe case. The following list is some of the few symptoms and possible diseases that may be contracted:

• Mana Poisoning: Wherein Mana not compatible with your own mixes with yours. Debilitating body pains, fever, sweats, etc.
• Rash; Purple: Full-body, splotchy rash. Incredibly itchy, can cause scarring. A sign of impending Chronic Arcane Fatigue.
• Mana Anemia: When your body doesn't have enough mana to aid in sustaining functions. Fatigue. Chills and pale skin, along with Delirium.
• Arcane Fatigue: If enough mana has been drained, the victim will find it impossible to use magic. The victim will recover with rest, recovery time dependent on any other infections and time of feeding.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The average size of Mana Thieves are 5 cm (2 in) in length from head - excluding their proboscis and antenna - to abdomen. They have two antenna averaging around 2.5 cm (1 in) which cap off with small bulbs. While being crowned with antenna, the Mana Thief also has a thick proboscis framed by mandibles which it uses to pierce the skin of its prey.


Along their thorax they have eight legs, each capped with small claws used to grip onto their prey. They are incredibly mobile. The Mana Thief is capable of flight, with wings similar to that of wasps.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Mana Thieves subsist solely on the Mana of other living beings. Drones will bring the Mana back to the hive for consumption. For the younger members of the hive unable of processing it themselves, it will be fed to them by Harvesters.

Biological Cycle

• Egg
  The beginning stage.
• Larva
  dependent on older members of the colony. Is fed processed Mana, and depending on what kind its fed will determine its final form.
• Drone
  Common. These Thieves will mate with an unfertilized Queen.
• Harvester
  Common. Infertile females, which harvest mana to bring back to the Queen and Hive for consumption and storage.
• Queen
  Rare.The main leader of the hive. She is fed all the Mana that is brought into the hive, and processes it.

When the time for a new Queen comes, Drones will feed Royal Mana (Mana that is processed and then spat up by the Queen) to Larva, whichever grows first will then eat the other potential Queens before taking the original's place.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Created by Lafayette M. as a means of artificially removing his academic competition from the running via consuming their Mana.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Mana Thieves live within the Juptmou rain-forest due to their sudden release there. As of Current Date, there have been no noted attempts of migration but it is a risk.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Using its specially sensitive antenna, Mana Thieves are capable of sensing the mana of living beings. They can sense and detect levels of mana, and will go towards the largest and most worthy target to drain.


Their vision is nothing extraordinary, and their prowess comes from being able to follow the trail of mana for up to 3 days before it can lose track of the trail.

Scientific Name

Peredis essentia

Lifespan

15-25 Years

Conservation Status

The Mana Thief is considered an invasive species, and as a result there are no protections in place for its continued conservation.

Average Length

5 cm (2 in) (Without Antenna)
7.5 cm (3 in) (With Antenna)

Native To

Juptmou

Colloquial Names

Mana Thief, Mana Harvester, Hell Bug