Flutterfolk

Moody and perplexing, isolated and elegant, tough and passionate, the ways in which one might describe the mothfolk are many - although those capable of pronouncing the true name of the species are few and far between. They're a quiet breed with a tendency toward nature - solitary, yet intimate creatures with a penchant for thought and ritual. Often on their feet or in the skies, even the most fierce and untamed of mothfolk carry an attitude of worldly place that comes from their nomadic lifestyle. They owe their lives to the land they come from, and often find themselves responsible for its protection. Pensive, loving, determined, and gentle, the mothfolk are hidden away, but not to be overlooked.

Enigmatic and Uncanny

Mothfolk are a mysterious, reclusive race found in the lost reaches of the world, seldom seen in more "civilised" places. Tall and often silent, mothfolk have a reputation for being cryptic and thoughtful - although in reality many of them stay silent because they know the thrumming, clicking sound of their communication makes the more "normally-speaking" races uncomfortable. The appearance of a mothkin is also not something that most are accustomed to. Their large, heavy wings hang around their tall humanoid bodies like cloaks, and their inhuman faces with antennae and compound eyes may prove off-putting to those with strong aversions to all things insectoid. Sometimes covered in fur, these four-armed, three-fingered creatures are the subjects of many countryside myths and legends about giant bugs that stalk the night, preying on children - although these myths vary wildly in truthfulness.

Short Lives, Long Tempers

Mothfolk are not the longest-lived of creatures, the very oldest living only until their late fifties. With such a short life, mothfolk have learned to live life to the fullest. Many pursue intellectual or mindful pursuits, becoming librarians or philosophers, pontificating on the nature of life and knowledge itself. Still, others decide to live their relatively brief lives adventuring, seeing the world, becoming as well-travelled and renowned as they can before passing their fortunes on to their children. A common thread throughout most mothfolk, though, is that they are slow to anger. It is instilled in most mothfolk as early as the larval stage, regardless of culture, that life is too short to be spent angry.

Metamorphic Creatures

Unlike most other common races, mothfolk do not develop as the same creature from when they are born. Mothfolk begin their lives as larvae, often a part of a brood of ten or more. After almost a year of nurturing and feeding on the mother, during which the larvae are largely unaware of their surroundings, the mother helps them prepare cocoons for metamorphosis. The larvae stay in coccoons for just over half of a year, at which point they finally emerge as moths. From there, they quickly grow over the next three or four years, usually to just over six feet in height, and learn to fend for themselves. They are considered "adults" once their wings have fully developed, at around ten years after emergence, and elders after about thirty-five.

Genetic Ancestor(s)