Bugs

Living on floating islands above the islands of Belous, bugs are typically only two inches tall and are able to use magic via the help of crystals. Scales and spikes cover their bodies depending on their respective species, and they are often winged. While bugs include many species, the order of Hemiptera are actual insects, not humanoids.

Despite being spread out throughout the islands, bugs share many traits, such as:
Farming aphids and mealybugs
Using cicadas as mounts for travel
An organ that allows for the use of magic, and markings that glow when said magic is used
Picking their own names at a certain age
Tasting like various fruit flavors

Kheper
(Beetles, Flies, and Dragonflies)

Residing on the island of Titanreach, Kheper are one of the largest groups of bugs. They have the highest potential to be good magic users. Though some Kheper are willing to venture into the wilds of Belous on scouting missions, most carry a healthy fear of death and strive for safety.

Though skilled at magic, not all Kheper focus on it. Stained glass is one of most well known artistic hobbies among them. Despite their tendency for safety, beetles enjoy martial arts like wrestling and boxing, often utilizing their horns if they have one. The key focus on these matches is leaving one’s opponent defeated without any long-lasting injuries.

Deities of Kheper:
First Titan Dynastes - Hercules Beetle, and patron deity of beetles. Known for forging his own horn and is especially important to trans bugs.
Meganeura, the Protean Wyrm - Meganeura, and the patron deity of dragonflies.
Musca, the Prosperous - Hoverfly, and patron deity of flies. Thought of as bringing luck.

Hiveborn
(Wasps, Bees, Ants, Sawflies)

The Hiveborn live on the island Anak-Lamech. They are honor-bound and loyal to the end, and are led by individual queens for their groups, which they take the last name of. However, many worship a “true queen” that they believe rules above all and ties them together. The polar opposites of Kheper, the Hiveborn see no fear in death, seeing an exciting, glory-filled death as an honorable one. They are less keen on magic, though they are able to channel it into their stingers for added pain.

The Hiveborn will often wear dead things in addition to their outfits (something that exceedingly worries the Kheper) like small animal skulls and shells. They are far more willing to venture into Belous, and a number of ant colonies reside down there to gather important resources.

Deities of Hiveborn:
Overqueen Darinia - Asian Giant Hornet, and patron deity of wasp. Represents order, productivity, and strength.
Heureka, the First Pathfinder - Martialis Heureka, and patron deity of ants. Represents innovation, creation, and evolution.
Apis, the Lightbringer - Giant Honey Bee, patron deity of bees.
Rotuofu, the Liar’s Queen/the Maverick Queen - Wallace’s Giant Bee, and patron deity of solitary wasps and bees who know her as the Maverick Queen, while the rest of the Hiveborn call her the Liar’s Queen.

Lepidopa / Outsiders
(Butterflies, Moths)

Lepidopa, now known as Outsiders, used to reside on the island Oncewhyr. They had a disastrous fall from grace when they discovered gunpowder, realized its value and potential damage, and collapsed from that. Driven out of their home, they now live on Belous. Some Outsiders still defend themselves with shoddy pistols, but most have forgone their use. Not necessarily banned from the islands above, they migrate between the two and trade materials and stories. While cicadas are used as mounts among the islands, Outsiders use colorful jumping spiders as mounts.

Their magic focuses on illusion, which they primarily use for survival, but for illustrating stories as well. Often thrill seekers, they’ll tell dramatic tales of their adventures in Belous to any ear that’ll listen.

Deities of Outsiders:
Amaranth, Soul of the West - Luna Moth. Embodies the setting sun and helps travellers and outsiders find their way to shelter at sundown.
Helian, Heart of the East - Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly. Embodiment of the rising sun, and imbues bugs with the energy to keep moving.

Lamechites

Lamechites existed long before modern bugfolk, and have evolved very little compared to other bugs. Some started out as tall as tyto, but with decreasing food sources, they shrunk to the size of regular bugs. Due to not having the same crystals bugs use for magic, their natural powers are more primal in nature, connected to the planet. There are some modern descendents of Lamechites, but most won’t realize their ancestry.

Most bug deities were Lamechites, the earliest, largest ones being Kheper deities and later ones being of Hiveborn and Outsiders.