Vespulan

Hive Hierarchy

The most important and innate thing to all Vespulans is the hive hierarchy. The hive hieracrhy determines everything about a Vespulans life from daily chores to mating rights. Hive hierarchy is strictly adhere to as the brain chemistry of a Vespulan will not allow them to go against the collective hive or a Vespulan higher than themselves in the hierarchy.

At the bottom of the hierarchy are Vespulan Spawn. Vespulan Spawn are born from the eggs laid by Vespulan Drones. Being the lowest in the hierarchy and with their limited intellect, Vespulan Spawn are treated more like guard dogs than actual members of the hive. Vespulan Spawn are often left to guard pools of Vespulan honey and act as an early warning system for the rest of the hive if intruders draw close.

Just above Vespulan Spawn, are Vespulan Gatherers. Vespulan Gatherers are a rare birth from Vespulan Drones. Sporting a much great intelligence from their siblings Vespulan Gatherers, are the scouts of the Vespulan Hive. Gathering food, water, and other necessities of the hive.

Vespulan Drones are not born of the hive but converted by a Consort or Matriarch. Most Vespulan Drones are adventurers who came too close to the hive or who attempted to pilfer the highly sought after Vespulan Honey. Vespulan Drones are responsible for the upkeep of the hive and repair any damage that may be caused to it. They are also responsible for giving birth the both Vespulan Spawn and Vespulan Gatherers. While deeply connected to the hive, with enough care, attention, and magic a Vespulan Drone can be brought back to their original form.

Vespulan Warriors are the defenders of the hive, and conquerors of new land when the hive needs to expand. Vespulan Warriors are Vespulan Drones who have gone through a rebirth by the Matriarch. This rebirth irreversibly changes the Drone and nothing short of a wish spell can bring the original person back before they became a Vespulan. Vespulan Warriors are the only class allowed to breed with the Matriarch.

Vespulan Consorts are the children of the Matriarch. Much like the Matriarch they posses the power to convert creatures into Drones. Unlike the rest of the hive Consorts do not have to act in the best interest of the hive and can even disobey orders from the Matriarch. As they mature a Vespulan Consort may choose to leave the hive in favor of starting their own. Others may stay and wait for the death of the Matriarch in which the eldest Consort will take the title.

Vespulan Matriarchs are the leaders of the hive. The power from the hive distorts their bodies in unnatural ways causing many to diverge from their humanoid origin. Matriarchs are responsible for ensuring their hive flourishes and expands. Giving birth to new Consorts and converting new Drones.

Vespulan Honey

The most sought after and valuable possession of a Vespulan hive is their honey. Much like a regular bee hive, a Vespulan Hive spends much of its time and labor making its honey. Using it not only to feed the members of the hive but create structures, and weaponry.

Vespulan honey shares many of the same properties as a regular bees honey. However unlike regular honey, Vespulan honey has a few magical properties that separate it from it's counter part. Vespulan honey is incredibly sweet and can become incredibly addictive to those who ingest it in large quantities regularly. Those who find themselves addicted to Vespulan honey will also begin to notice physical and mental changes to their body as they begin to assimilate with the Vespulan hive.

Fractured Hive

The collective of a Vespulan hive is all tied to the Matriarch though only loosely. Many Drones, Spawn, and Gathers are first and foremost connected to their consort. These will make up the Consorts legion. When a member of this legion is cut off from their consort, whether it be through the death of the consort, or magically severing it from the collective they become fractured.

Undergoing this process causes a strange mutation and or transformation in the Vespulan Honey within the Vespulan's body. The honey becomes like that of a virus or parasitic fungus, and the more of it a Vespulan has in their body the less likely they are to survive. While this may not outright kill the Vespulan it will drive them to madness quickly as they have no collective to guide them, and with a weak mental ability the honey can easily control the body. Once it gains control of the body it will do whatever it can to spread itself into a healthy creature. This often causes mutations and deformations in the Vespulan that will significantly decrease its life, but will make them far more dangerous and powerful.