The Ch-chari are a hive-based species, who live underground throughout Crecia. Although not necessarily malicious, they are extremely protective of their hives and have frequent skirmishes with other races.
There is not much diversity among the Ch-chari based on geographical lines, for the most part two Ch-chari hives on opposite sides of Crecia will be very similar. This lack of diversity means that they are extremely susceptible to disease, plague and biological attacks. However, the Ch-chari are able to somewhat alter their genes between generations, ensuring the survival of the species, and once large, effective changes are made in a population, a psychic link projects this change over time throughout the entire species into the next generations.
The Ch-chari serve their monarch, and as such they need to work together to keep the hive running. Many subspecies have been “dumbed down” by midwives to ensure that they do what they are programmed to and don’t abandon the hive. However some subspecies require more traits, such as high individuality, skills in communication, and flight, to name a few. Although the more individual they are created, the more likely it is that they will abandon the hive to try and assimilate into society in the outside world. Unfortunately due to the nature of Ch-chari society, they aren’t welcome in many places outside the hive.
While larva, Ch-chari can have their genes altered to determine desired traits, such as size and the presence of wings. At a young age Ch-chari are also branded with bioluminescent tattoos to help identify themselves by caste and hive. Some of the subspecies include Monarchs, Drones, Scouts (heightened senses and presence of wings), Midwives (who are fed mana as larva, giving them incredible sapience and powers, allowing them to tap into the genetic makeup of potential larva to change their roles in society), Breeders (stallions/celebrities of the hive, if not kept for a current or future queen, they are generally traded or sold to another hive), Guardians (largest, strongest, most individual of subspecies), Workers, and Diggers (hardened exoskeleton, acidic excretion, stronger and larger vestigial arms).
The Ch-chari are organized and protective.
The Ch-Chari worship the Iira, the psychic link that binds them together. It allows many to think as one, and to work for the greatest benefit of their hive and monarch. Certain members are freed from the Iira at birth, but many still choose to serve it, reaching a guiding hand into the Iira and commanding their subordinates.
The Ch-Chari live to serve their monarch, their hive, and their species. Once a hive is established it rarely expands further than necessary, growing only when it requires more room. A known hive can be monitored and avoided, however they fiercely defend the territory they own.
Ch-chari reside in Nests and Hives
Nests are small, often occupied by a few hundred - thousand Ch-chari, generally starting out from exiles or remnants of war or colonies. They can potentially grow into Hives if allowed.
Hives are huge underground cities that sprawl for miles that house hundred of thousands if not millions of individuals inside.
Nests and Hives can be ruled by a King or Queen.
Kings: more protective and organized, the King impregnates many different females to produce the swarm.
Queens: more expansive and aggressive to allow the nest to grow.
Patriarchal nests tend to be smaller in size. Ch-chari of patriarchal nests are in some ways more dangerous than their matriarchal counterparts because they tend to be more independent and free thinking. Without a queen to protect, the ch-chari often think for themselves, both in work and hunts, and the subspecies and social hierarchies are not as strict or defined. That being said, they are very protective of their nests, but do not advertise their location to other species. Due to the smaller size, they are able to remain very organized even without a queen or overwhelming hive mind present. They rely on ambush predator techniques, that capture or trap prey by stealth and strategy, rather than speed or strength. Ch-chari scouts and hunters scan the environment from concealed positions then rapidly execute surprise attacks.
Due to the nature of creating a ch-chari queen, matriarchal nests tend to be significantly larger than patriarchal nests, oftentimes coming from a once king-led nest. When a queen rules the ch-chari enter a defensive state where their lives become devoted to protecting and supporting the queen and the hive, and the species becomes much more altruistic. They typically use pursuit predation techniques, where they give chase to fleeing prey. While the hive becomes extremely defensive under a queen's rule, they become aggressively expansive and send large scouting and hunting parties out for food and land.
King nests are generally aggressive towards each other as are queen nests, however when opposing nests come into contact they can choose to join nests to produce a bigger and more powerful hive.
The monarch of the nest/hive determines the general behavior of the rest of the ch-chari to adjust in the best possible way.
Ch-chari Kings are made, not born. They are generally nomad guardians that start their own nest, perform a coup on an existing nest to rise to power, or are selected to replace a deceased king or queen. Nests generally begin with kings, as the population and way of life develops and becomes ready for a queen. Kings are biologically different from other male guardians, undergoing a genetically modifying process to become fit for the role. Patriarchal nests strongly patrol their territory, sending out scouts to establish their land and borders, with a strong military basis for the purpose of defending the nest should they need to.
Ch-chari Queens are born from enhanced larvae via midwives, meaning for a successful matriarchal hive to exist, it must already be established for a queen to come into rule.
Lighter, stronger legs, most likely presence of wings, extra awareness and heightened senses, high individuality making them more likely to abandon the hive if necessary
Patriarchal
Matriarchal
Breeders are omnivorous.
Strongest of all Ch-Chari subspecies, developed to protect the hive, communicate between each other, and support the queen. Generally the largest in stature, strongest, high individuality. Known to abandon hives.
Guardians are omnivorous.
Work in tandem with scouts to make the kills and deliver them to the nest, or take care of problems before they become threats. Similar to Guardians but smaller, swifter, and more agile.
Presence of wings depends on the location of the nest. Mountainous regions will generally have flying hunters, while in flatlands and deserts possibly 1/20 hunters will have wings to scout and lead hunting parties.
Hunters are carnivorous.
Responsible for foraging, food storage, and brood and nest maintenance.
Workers are herbivores
Larger, shorter, hardened exoskeleton, acidic excretion, stronger and larger vestigial arms - 6 legged, less individuality
Diggers are herbivores, however rarely eat. Instead they work their lifespan and die, and more are born.
The Ch-Chari worship the psychic link that bonds them together and allows them to survive, thinking of it as the ultimate Mother/Queen to all beings.