Mantis Demon
"-Grandpa tell me why are they called mantis Demons?
-Well dearie, once, a long time ago a man was looking trough an insect book with a curious demon by his side, the demon recognised the praying mantis as very familiar, they pointed at the picture and asked the man 'What is it?', the man answered Praying mantis. Then the demon pointed the themselves and said 'Mantis?', soon, because of visual likeness the name grew on them and they kept it." - Author Unknown These demons are known for their grace and strength, throughout centuries they have been the symbol of ones personal power. Carrying striking resemblance to their insect brethren. They say that that spending the night with one of their females could be the best, but definitely would be the last in their lives.
-Well dearie, once, a long time ago a man was looking trough an insect book with a curious demon by his side, the demon recognised the praying mantis as very familiar, they pointed at the picture and asked the man 'What is it?', the man answered Praying mantis. Then the demon pointed the themselves and said 'Mantis?', soon, because of visual likeness the name grew on them and they kept it." - Author Unknown These demons are known for their grace and strength, throughout centuries they have been the symbol of ones personal power. Carrying striking resemblance to their insect brethren. They say that that spending the night with one of their females could be the best, but definitely would be the last in their lives.
Basic Information
Anatomy
These demons are insect like. More specifically they have similarities with prying mantises. Females and males are very different, with males being more insect-like in appearance than females. Both genders have an exoskeleton chitinous carapace, antenna, 2 raptoriales and the insect abdomen.
Females: They have a less insectoid face with eyes that are a mix between human and insect eyes. Their jaw and mandibles although insectoid are hidden behind a humanoid looking mouth. They also grow hair and brows. A rather visible particularity is their supplementary arms. Instead of having 4 legs they have 4 arms. 2 with raptoriales and 2 humanoid like. Their joints are insect like, despite the humanoid appearance.
Males: More feral in appearance. They stand on 4 legs instead of having 4 arms. Their insect like appearance is clear to see, mandibles, eyes, and all. They also have insect wings.
Females: They have a less insectoid face with eyes that are a mix between human and insect eyes. Their jaw and mandibles although insectoid are hidden behind a humanoid looking mouth. They also grow hair and brows. A rather visible particularity is their supplementary arms. Instead of having 4 legs they have 4 arms. 2 with raptoriales and 2 humanoid like. Their joints are insect like, despite the humanoid appearance.
Males: More feral in appearance. They stand on 4 legs instead of having 4 arms. Their insect like appearance is clear to see, mandibles, eyes, and all. They also have insect wings.
Biological Traits
Males usually fall sick after coupulating with a female, which in hard surviving conditions is a bad thing, so centuries of that has developed a maternal instinct in females that they must consume the male, so they can safely produce eggs and don't starve while doing so.
It is extremely rare but if the male provides enough food to satiate the females appetite for the duration they can survive, if so the male grows devoid of all emotions, but still instinctively desires strength. (Genetically they're supposed to mate only once, so once the deed is done their bodies stop supporting the hormones that are needed for reproduction, both chromosome material and behavior, so they become more emotionless.) Hence the guaranteed survival of fathers hetero-species couples.
Genetics and Reproduction
Mantis Demon's reproductive organs are located at the tip of the abdomen. Often female mantis attacks and eats the male after he has fertilized her.
Female mantis demons deposit batches of between 1 and 40 fertilized eggs using their ovipositor at the tip of the abdomen. The eggs are secured to poles, walls, or other surfaces within their abode, with each egg batch housed in an ootheca (egg case) constructed from a frothy substance produced in the abdomen. Each egg is deposited in an individual compartment inside the ootheca, and each compartment has a one-way valve permitting the young demons to hatch with minimal effort. The ootheca hardens quickly, providing protection from danger.
Female mantis demons deposit batches of between 1 and 40 fertilized eggs using their ovipositor at the tip of the abdomen. The eggs are secured to poles, walls, or other surfaces within their abode, with each egg batch housed in an ootheca (egg case) constructed from a frothy substance produced in the abdomen. Each egg is deposited in an individual compartment inside the ootheca, and each compartment has a one-way valve permitting the young demons to hatch with minimal effort. The ootheca hardens quickly, providing protection from danger.
Growth Rate & Stages
Wingless young emerge from the eggs, and look more like normal humanoids than mantids. While young they are easy prey and often stay in hiding to survive. Surviving mantis demon young molt several times, each time becoming more like the adult, with mature wings appearing after the final molt.
Mantis demons grow up rather quickly. Their young stage during which they molt lasts only for 5 to 10 years.
Mantis demons grow up rather quickly. Their young stage during which they molt lasts only for 5 to 10 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Manis demons build their villages in the jungle among the trees. Their houses are rather simple yet well decorated and blend easily with surroundings.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Mantis demons have enormous appetites, eating various insects and small animals when young. Later they will eat larger prey like... anything tasty they can get their hands on.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Social structure of mantis demons is family based matriarchy. Each family is more or less independent and rules over their own offspring. Females are the ones in charge. Each village however has one head family which is the family that started the village.
Once the young have found their partners and procreated they separate themselves from their family to start their own.
Once the young have found their partners and procreated they separate themselves from their family to start their own.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Some higher standing demons (or powerful humanoids of Lavir ) like to keep mantis demons as servants or bodyguards.
There have been instances of people using the raptoriales of Mantis demon to craft weapons.
Their exoskeleton chitinous carapace is also a valid material for armor.
Their exoskeleton chitinous carapace is also a valid material for armor.
Average Intelligence
They are around the same level of intelligence as any other humanoid.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The sensory organs are mainly hair sensilla, which are distributed over the body. These react to vibrations and oscillations, but can also perceive odors, moisture or temperatures. Some of these sensory cells are grouped into sensory organs. The compound eyes as well as the ocelli serve as optical sense organs.
Their eyes turn black in the dark. These demons change their eyes to be black or dark purple to see better in the dark.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
While male demons are attracted by the female's beauty, extravagance and strength. Female demons are almost purely interested in the male's strength.
Courtship Ideals
Among mantis demons it is the female that starts the courtship. She makes herself the most beautiful and extravagant as she can. They often copy styles from other cultures (that of the geishas being rather popular).
Once the male has been attracted, it is his turn to show off. Often this is done with a dance. A dance that requires a lot of strength and energy.
If the female deems the male worthy they start their family.
Once the male has been attracted, it is his turn to show off. Often this is done with a dance. A dance that requires a lot of strength and energy.
If the female deems the male worthy they start their family.
Relationship Ideals
Mantis demons rarely stay in relationship for long. Mostly because females tend to eat their partners.
Average Technological Level
They don't seek to invent new things, preferring instead to live close to nature. Stuff they build and use they burrowed from other species.
Common Etiquette Rules
Female mantis demons are rather graceful in their everyday and just as deadly if contradicted.
Male mantis demons are more brutal. They seek those stronger than themselves to pledge their allegiances to which is often their female partners.
Male mantis demons are more brutal. They seek those stronger than themselves to pledge their allegiances to which is often their female partners.
Common Dress Code
While male demons don't wear clothes females like to augment their beauty by wearing some clothing. Like a dress or kimono. Some accessories or even makeup is also commonly used.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
They create something like communal kindergartens (rarely kept by their mothers).
Because the only thing that gets them trough their social ladder is their own personal strength.
So once the young have hatched(nymphs) they're either put trough harsh survival experience to let the best be sorted out via the bottleneck effect or they're literally left without food where from initial 100% are kept the 50 strongest, via cannibalism - since they believe that its completely normal.
Because the only thing that gets them trough their social ladder is their own personal strength.
So once the young have hatched(nymphs) they're either put trough harsh survival experience to let the best be sorted out via the bottleneck effect or they're literally left without food where from initial 100% are kept the 50 strongest, via cannibalism - since they believe that its completely normal.
History
"My grandmother has told me of a Khan that lead an army of mantis Demons throughout the continent, they successfully reaped everything in their path until the Khan was asked for a fair duel, by a brave knight. The numerous army disappeared that night. No-one knows what really happened."
Raid of mantis demons
Death of King of Ludlow
Raid of mantis demons
Death of King of Ludlow
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Many among non-demonic races consider mantis demons to be among beast-like demons.
Mantis demons, themselves don't care about a race. They care about strength.
Mantis demons, themselves don't care about a race. They care about strength.
D&D statistics
Mantis Demon Traits
Your character is a mantis demon. Graceful yet deadly.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.Alignment
Most mantis demons are neutral. They see the world as a place of predators and prey, where life and death are natural processes.Size
Mantis demons stand between 6.5 and 8 feet tall and average about 260-440 pounds. Your size is Medium.Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.Darkvision
You have a eyes that adapt to the dark. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.Languages
You can read speak and write Common and Abyssal.Raptoriales
Because of your particular arms that resemble jagged blades, you have advantage on grappling checks made by you. An enemy grappled by your raptoriales takes piercing damage equal to 1d4 + your strength modifier. In addition, your raptoriales are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your dexterity modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.Exoskeleton
Due to your exoskeleton chitinous carapace your base AC is 12+your dexterity modifier.Female charisma
If you are a female, you have proficiency in the Persuasion, deception and performance skills.Wings
If you are a male, you gain flying speed of 30ft. You also gain proficiency in Intimidation skill.Demonic energy
This energy is unique to demons and allows them to use their abilities.You start with 1 demonic energy point at lvl 1 and gain one additional point per level. Your points recharge after long rest.
Terrain Mimicry
By expanding 1 demonic energy you become Invisible for 24 hours. Anything you are wearing or carrying is Invisible as long as it is on your person. The effect ends if you move, attack or cast a spell.At lvl 10 you are able to move at half speed without interrupting the effect.
Abyssal travel
You gain the ability to cross the veil between Abyss and Lavir by expanding 3 Demonic Energy.Possession
You are able to Possess a target by expanding 10 demonic energy.Soul devourer
You can eat souls of other creatures for sustenance (eating lots of souls will eventually increase your level. Up to DM's discretion).You can eat the soul of a creature when its KO or just deceased. Or, if it has made a bargain with you where it sells its soul. Once you uphold your end of the bargain you are free to devour the soul when ever you wish.
Costs 3 demonic energy
Origin/Ancestry
Lifespan
50 years
Average Height
2 - 2,30 m (females are usually bigger)
Average Weight
120 - 200kg
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Mantis demons come in a surprising range of different colors. Even within a single family you may find different colors.
The most common colors are green or brown, sometimes with pale straw-like specimens being seen.
The most common colors are green or brown, sometimes with pale straw-like specimens being seen.
Geographic Distribution
Comments