Horkval

Horkval
An Horkval Cabalist.
Population	approx. 500
Distribution	Across Sapience
Strengths	Cooperative and disciplined, chitinous bodies with natural protection.
Weaknesses	They find themselves less prepared to master the magical arts.
A race of insectoid people who have grown powerful in the realm of Aetolia.

Cooperative and disciplined, the Horkval are a race of insectoid people who have grown powerful in the realm of Aetolia. Their race is known for its determination and teamwork, though most outside of the hives are posessed of a strong individualism and self-awareness. Their powerful legs allow them to reach areas others cannot, and their chitinous bodies lend them a natural protection unmatched by any other mortal race. These blessings of the body have taken their toll on the Horkvali, however, and they find themselves less prepared to master the magical arts.

A mighty people, the insectoid Horkval are perhaps the most unique of Aetolia's races, with bodies sheathed in a chitinous exoskeleton as strong as armor. Hailing from tight-knit hives scattered throughout the land, the most prominent of which can be found on the island of Ulangi, the race is known for their fierce loyalty and stalwart determination, trained from birth to serve their hive, although independent warriors are known to leave their ranks to seek training in the outside world. Physically, the Horkval come in a range of suited, most ideal for physical combat, be that small and agile or bulky and strong, with their bodies reminiscent of oversized, humanoid insects, complete with hard shells, antennae and sometimes claws or feelers.

Culture

Hive-minded to a degree, they are rumored to share some part of their consciousness and through that even memories or direct information. Great sense of duty and community is the most important in their homeland, the Hives on the island of Ulangi, but out of the Hives they can develop strong individualism and self-awareness.

Origins

Perhaps she knew not what she did. Perhaps she sought to understand what death was. Whatever the case, the day she decided to sever the head of her lover as he lay dormant by the pool was a day the world changed suddenly.

It was the time of the great unknowing, when men and women had no purpose, but strode across the land, relying only on momentary instinct and without the possibility of forethought, and intent. It was a time before the appearance of Varian as the Celestine, and a time nearly lost in history. It was the time of the great unknowing.

Her lover slept, dozed off after a jerking, nearly violent act of love. And she glanced upon him, with neither love, nor hate, for neither existed in the world yet. But she stared at the nape of his neck, and wondered why the flesh was soft of that like a beast, and why such a vulnerable part was left so bare, with little bone or sinew to stop a crippling blow. Was it not here that we end the beast's existence so that we might cook it and feast upon it? Why were some meats good to eat, and others bitter, or tough, leaving one retching for days on end, and thirsty for drink. She looked at his limbs, strong with the days' activities, and looked down upon her own limbs, stronger yet with her own activities. He rested, yet she was awake, alive, invigourated after their passion.

And, not truly understanding what she did, she took a sharp stone from aside the pool near which they rested, and with one glancing blow struck him in the head near the fore part of the crown. His eyes opened in an instant, not comprehending what was happening. With a second blow, his eyes glazed from the impact, leaving him helpless, and without sense.

She looked down again at his peaceful and weak frame. His chest rose rhythmically and quietly, mimicing the movements of the ripples on the pond. His vulnerable form no more powerful that a weak suckling babe. She was stronger, and if she were to carry on her seed, he would only be an inconvenience and a strain on her resources for her children. Let him rest, in eternal slumber, for he would be a strain no longer.

And with the sharp edge of the stone she began to sever his throat. A low wailing scream leap out from his throat, with blood like a geyser darkening his unclothed form. Within a few moments, she was down to the bone of his neck, her hands covered in warm, life-giving blood. The rock not sharp enough, she tossed it aside, licking the blood from her hands. Realizing the nutrients coursing through his last blood, she began to drink from the wound itself, feeding herself, and her growing child.

Satisfied for the moment, she raised her head, and looked around at the silent woods surrounding her. The air was too warm and humid tonight, and the woods too quiet. She would find no game this evening.

Standing above the unmoving corpse before her, she began to move slowly about it, touching parts of it to test its firmness. At last satisfied, she picked up the bloody rock, and began to cut skin and meat away from the bone; once having gutted the body, she prepared a fire to dry the meat so that it may keep to provide for her and her offspring. Pleased with the results of her hunt, she sat down by the pool, wearied from the activity.

Varian, the Satus, viewing His creation with some interest, spoke to her, intoning, "Like the Mantis, who eats her mate, so shall you and your offspring be."

Immediately a wail of pain exploded from her mouth, as her skin became more rigid, and her limbs more thin and plate like. Her head became more rounded, and her eyes wider and bejewelled as the sea's surface. Covering her face with her bloodied hands, she attempted to hide herself from the world, but only succeeded in smearing her eyes in the crimson blood of her mate.

And thus it is that our people came to inhabit Aetolia, with their strong bodies, and their eyes of red. In the spring, when the woods are quiet, and the air humid, one can hear the cries of the men giving up their lives so their mates may feed the young.