Ariformids
The different species and sub-species of sentient beings in Felarya. From giants to tinies, and preys to predators. From the ingenious Humans, to the reclusive Majuras, the noble Sphinxes, the mysterious Nemesises, the peaceful Gerridis or the fierce Crimson Maidens.
A tiny tauric race that dwell in large hives, ariformids possess lower bodies which resemble insects such as termites or ants. They also commonly possess antennae, and retractable pincers hidden in their mouths. Even though ariformids look perfectly human from the waist up, their body structure is actually more like an ant's. They have a sub-dermal exoskeleton on their humanoid part. This exoskeleton gives the ariformids immense strength for their size. Appearance, attitude and abilities differ widely between the hives of one area and another. The hives themselves vary a lot, some being made of large subterranean networks beneath towering spires, while others may be built on the limbs of trees. Ariformid societies are the most organized of the tiny races: the efficiency of their hierarchies and specializations are widely respected by beings of similar size, and they also make rather interesting research subjects. However, to balance out their often massive numbers and larger resources requirement, ariformids are among the smallest of the tiny races, usually about one and a half to two inches tall. They are strong however, with most being able to lift two times their weight with ease.
The Queen of the hive is a deal more imposing than the others, towering above them at four or five inches tall, with a lower half geared more towards reproducing than moving about much. There are also the 'princesses' of the hive, fertile females of which one may take the place of the current Queen should something happen to her, or possibly serving to begin a new colony with a drone from another hive. The workers and soldiers are typically males, and more uncommonly infertile females. Exclusively male are the drones, who sport fully functioning wings and a lighter build.
The burden of a drone is not of earth or food, but the weight of the future. It is his duty to ensure genetic variation of future generations of his race. From birth, drones are treated with more respect and care than the average ariformid, being fed more and better food, and being educated in etiquette, self-defense, surviving off the land, and most importantly, wooing ladies. When the drones reach a certain age however, their situation abruptly changes, as they are cast out of the nest and into the dangerous Felaryan forests. Once they're on their own, most of the drones end up being killed off by predators and circumstance. However, those lucky and skilled enough to stay alive for any period of time set out to look for another colony, which would be suicidal for a worker or warrior, but not quite as dangerous for a flying drone. Still, the journey isn't really a cake walk for a poor drone once he finally finds another nest. He has to earn at least a grudging respect from the workers and warriors, as they'll be quite happy to dismember him if he seems unworthy. Many ariformid nests have devised their own ways of testing prospective drones, such as a dangerous obstacle course, a battle of the minds, or a test of strength, depending on what sort of attributes are valued most in that particular nest. If the drone survives his initiation into the new nest, he finally gets to do what he was born to; make some babies with the Queen, or one of the Princesses.
Ariformids usually have very limited relations with other tiny races, as hives can usually supply whatever they need, and strangers of a different race most likely aren't going to be seen as useful to them. It's possible for some other tinies to live among ariformids, however, especially if they have helped the hive in any way. Ariformids are usually seen as poor and not very tasty prey by Nekos and other sentient predators. They are extensively preyed upon by animal predators, though.
Herodonti Hive
Herodontes are a species of ariformids who live on the northwestern slope of the Ascarlin mountains. Their hive is relatively large and built into a shear vertical cliff on the mountainside. It's a relatively unusual location for an ariformid nest, though it has its benefits, as few predators can reach them here and the sturdy rock of the mountain walls shelter them from the elements. They must, however, leave the relative safety of their home daily in order to gather necessities, such as food and water, through excursions into the danger-filled jungle below. Herodontes are easily identifiable by the golden complexion of their lower tauric halves. Their exoskeletons are also bulkier in appearance and are comparatively stronger compared to those of other ariformids. Appearance is not all that separates members of this hive from others though. Herodontes have an unusual affinity for gold and will go to great lengths to acquire it. "Miles" worth of tunnels, at least compared to them, have been dug out just to mine this most precious of metals. What is more interesting, however, is the fact that Herodontes seem to have no use for the gold they collect, and instead just pile it up in great hordes within specialized chambers of the hive. Any that attempt to steal it, though, is met with spears and arrows.
There are rumors that the above mentioned traits are not the results of isolated evolution, as some have suggested, but instead something far more "artificial". Some believe that the ariformids of this hive have been altered, likely through magic, to be better "miners" and to be instinctively compelled to gather gold in all its forms; a wizard's attempt to get rich, similarly to the supposed origin of the pearl anemone. Whatever its origin, the hive is currently thriving, trading the various minerals and precious stones they've mined (except for gold) in return for supplies from the nearby miners of the ascarlin and diamond mines. A word of warning to the wise. Some miners in the region have reported that their belongings - golden watches, necklaces, etc... - have vanished. While no culprits have yet been found, many of these "disappearances" have occurred within proximity of this hive.