Matriquito

They came by the hundreds, tumbling over each other to grasp at every ear of corn, every head of lettuce. At the end of the day there wasn't a single farmer west of Fortune Lake that had a single crop. Town guards and mercenary men lay dead by the fields, their efforts to stop the swarm were nothing but futile.

The swarm has passed, and we can begin to rebuild. But for what cause? It's only a matter of time before they return in larger numbers.

-Mia Toadfinder, Echoes and Omens: Journal 7

Swarm Society

Matriquitoes live in loose gatherings known as swarms. It is commonplace for a swarm to be lead by a king or queen, but the role is mostly symbolic. For the majority of the time, matriquitoes live a peaceful life of hunting and gathering, crafting objects, and exploring nature. However, in a time of famine, a king or queen calls upon their compatriots, triggering the frenzy phase of the swarm.

During a frenzy matriquitoes revert to a simpler state of mind, resembling the locusts they were born from before Arreschoug granted them intelligence. The frenzied matriquitoes plunder nearby villages for food, eating most of it for themselves and bringing some back for their monarch.

Occasionally, matriquitoes are able to break free from the cycle of the swarm. These individuals are no longer under the influence of a monarch.

Myriad of Forms

Arisen from insects, matriquitoes share their great array of polymorphisms. Members of a swarm typically resemble a certain kind of insect. Among the most common forms are grasshoppers, butterflies, bees, mosquitoes, and water striders.

Swarms are only constituted of a certain form of matriquitoes; however, it isn't uncommon for parents to have children that hardly resemble themselves. A clutch like this will often choose a member of themselves to become a monarch and start a new swarm of their own.

Matriquito Names

Matriquitoes see no distinction between men and women except for procreation, thus they share similar names. It is tradition that a matriquito name ends with the letter O.

Matriquito Names: Bibirito, Gabrototo, Girato, Makatalo, Onioto, Pemimio, Spirio, Takanako, Yaho, Zaleo

Matriquito Traits

Thousands of years and hundreds of generations of matriquitoes has resulted in your character, who shares traits in common with all other matriquitoes.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.

Age. Matriquitoes develop rapidly, reaching adulthood at only 1 year of age. However, matriquitoes have short lifespans, rarely living more than 60 years.

Alignment. Despite an allegiance to a monarch during a time of swarming, most matriquitoes tend toward the chaotic alignments, preferring to guide themselves amongst a society without hard rules.

Size. Matriquitoes are between 5 and 6 feet tall, with bucklegs standing even taller. Matriquitoes weigh between 80 and 140 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Insatiable Appetite. You have a large, expandable stomach. You may eat unendingly without any negative consequences. You have advantage on Constitution saving throws made against tainted or poisoned food.

Additionally, you may remove 2 levels of exhaustion after finishing a long rest, given that you have eaten 2 or more meals the previous day.