The Giecomb

Living in hives controlled by Morose the Iron Mind, the Giecomb species is known for their diligence, hard work ethic, and how quickly they can build a hive and inhabit an area. Giecomb are large, adaptable insects that burrow, build, farm and defend, all while empathically connected in purpose. Few can compete with the growth of Giecomb society thanks to this hive-similar mentality. Peaceful and industrious are the two ways most would describe the Giecomb if they took the chance to get to know them, however due to their monstrous appearance and strong bond within their own culture few care enough to study them. As a result the Giecomb are viewed as pests by society at large, though largely left alone due to their impressive Soldier forms, nigh instantaneous battlefield communication and tactics, and raw efficiency in specialization.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Giecomb are an insectoid species similar in many ways to ants. The giecomb are typically about 5 feet tall, and 5 feet long, their thorax bent in the middle such that four limbs act as legs and the final two act as arms. All this wrapped in a thin exo-skeleton Giecomb are highly adaptable, capable of shifting between four different forms, the passive drone, the powerful soldier, the industrious farmer and the charismatic ambassador. Some Giecomb can shift into even more forms, but these four are accessible by every Giecomb from birth.
Much has been debated about Giecomb physiology as insects of their size simply shouldn't be able to survive. However, SDA and ZOT scientists have ruled this as a morphological miracle resulting from Zendikite and an almost twice as efficient consumption of oxygen. The truth however, remains unknown.

Genetics and Reproduction

Giecomb reproduce sexually however only certain Females are capable of laying eggs.

Ecology and Habitats

The Giecomb inhabit large tunnel systems beneath many planets and moons in the solar system.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Giecomb have very delicate digestive tracks and can only eat the blandest, vegetarian cuisine. Spicy and hot food is disgusting to the Giecomb and can make them quite ill, oddly though hot sauce, vinegar and other intense condiments act in a similar way to alcohol. Their preferred diet is consists mostly of Bruck, the wonder-fungus-cum-grain that they can farm en-masse practically anywhere regardless of environmental locations. This can be eaten by other species without issue, though the taste is like a mixture of hard-tack and unflavored quinoa as bland as bland can be.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Giecomb all have the ability to sense true north on any solar body, additionally they have the empathic link, allowing Giecomb not to truly communicate with telepathy, but understand their "role" or where they best fit at any given moment. For the few who have communicated with them for extended periods of time, the Giecomb emotional state is largely like that of being on a sports team you've grown up with your entire life, switching between positions almost instinctively while inherently trusting your team-mates to handle their positioning.
The secondary ability of a Giecomb is to switch between four different forms, though switching takes about 8 hours. The Soldier, the Drone, the Farmer, and the Ambassador. Each of these forms has different benefits and penalties, with the Soldier granting improved durability and strength, the being an un-specialized customization or default form, the Farmer gaining improved endurance and dexterity, and the Ambassador gaining Panache and Intelligence. Although there are certainly other Giecomb forms, these are not inherent to Giecomb biology and tend to require months of time to shift into, often permanently. Some reported forms are walking siege engines, giant transport leviathans, and miniaturized scouts and infiltrators. These forms tend to come with severely reduced capacity for thought in exchange for massive specialized benefits.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Large Abdomen, long mandibles and thick exoskeleton are all viewed as highly desireable traits. Non-giecombs are viewed as quite ugly.

Gender Ideals

Male or female, a giecomb is a giecomb.

Average Technological Level

Giecomb have a biological advantage allowing for great adaptability, as such they have never needed much in the way of technology. Instead they scavenge technology from other species.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

The Giecomb Language is a combination of the chittering they make using their mandibles and body language. Humans and Stalaguard, even if they’ve mastered imitating the mandible vocals, are still at a disadvantage when attempting to communicate with a Giecomb as they lack a few limbs and the antennae that all play a big part in Giecomb conversation.

Common Etiquette Rules

The Giecomb code is a moral code engrained into their psyche (requires the beliefs of authority, giving and benevolence when dealing with other Giecomb, further Giecomb cannot share any giecomb Secrets they may have) Further the Giecomb are mentally subservient at all times, should the Morose, or one of her emissaries so desire a Giecomb’s beliefs can be altered for a period without resistance. The Giecomb typically do not view this as intrusive or wrong, but rather as an honor that such a high power took a particular interest in them. When traveling or interacting with other races, the Giecomb are typically a curious, gentle and at times quite a fun presence, However when inside one of their hives, the Giecomb become very serious and rigid acting with great reverence and respect for their brethren and the hive itself. Those who may be traveling with the Giecomb will certainly notice a very sharp change in their manners the minute they pass through the gates.

Common Dress Code

Though Giecomb feel no shame wearing only their exoskeleton, some find it helps to wear the cultural clothing of another species when dealing with them. others wear clothing for functional reasons such as pockets or warmth and some wear clothing just to look good or feel pretty.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Giecomb culture is an interesting case. All Giecomb are connected by the telepathic network controlled by their leader Morose the Iron Mind. Each Giecomb functions as an independent, autonomous entity, but all share a series of beliefs beholden to the betterment of their race.

Historical Figures

The Morose is the mysterious Leader of the Giecomb and a powerful telepath capable of reaching into the minds of each of the Giecomb. Little is known about Morose, besides all Giecomb revere them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Tolerated by some Humans Looked on as pests by others. Ignored largely by stalaguard. Enslaved by many in the outer rim. Though treated with great adversity, the Giecomb are often very optimistic and well mannered despite this.

RPG Datasheet

+The Hive Demands it: A Giecomb may switch its spheres during a long rest, changing which one has what die size, with that switch, the Giecomb undergoes metamorphosis, gaining the Soldier (martial), the Ambassador (social), or the Farmer (utility) as the highest sphere. + Intelligence Max increased to d12.
-The Soldier: When shifting into this form, you switch your Spheres so that Martial is the highest die available. In this form you have a thicker carapace equivalent to medium armor, (4). In this form you respect authority and courage. Authority and courage are beliefs, see chapter 7 for a list of them. They dictate how you role-play in any given moment. -The Ambassador: When shifting into this form you switch your spheres so that Civil is the highest die available. In this form you’re capable of understanding any language with an intelligence roll as difficulty, and networking gains advantage on checks. In this form you respect involvement and sociophile. (Beliefs in chapter 7) -The Farmer: When shifting into this form you switch your spheres so that Utility is the highest die available. In this form you gain the ability to adhere to any non-smooth surface, able to climb walls and ceilings alike. You also gain advantage to any survival or outfitting rolls. In this form you respect greed and nature. (Beliefs in chpt 7)

Giecomb Employment: Giecomb can fill many rolls due to their adaptive nature, however you will more often find entire hives employed rather than any single Giecomb employed alone. Typical jobs including construction, security and agriculture. Some have even staffed grand estates with a hive to fill every role from gardener to butler. Many Giecomb can also be found employed by Kadru traders as surface caravans. Some of these hives are paid well and officially employed, others have been tricked or otherwise forced into slavery.

Common Giecomb: Giecomb are an interesting case when role playing as their personality and skill change slightly depending on the role they are inhabiting at that time. While the core of their being never shifts their temperament, mood and general demeanor is affected. For instance a shy Giecomb in the ambassador form while still being an introvert, and uncomfortable with interacting with others, will be more inclined to resolve any conflict among party members diplomatically, a shy Giecomb inhabiting the soldier or farmer forms on the other hand would not be so interested in solving the dispute. Soldiers seek to defend and prefer not to think to hard. Farmers, the industrious workers of the Giecomb hives are very altruistic and seek to avoid boredom and idleness. The Ambassador Giecomb relish a lively discussion or debate but hate to see actual violent conflict, especially among friends. Different Giecomb react differently to these shifts, some are more commited to themselves, others to the role that the hive or party needs from them.

Giecomb in Private: Giecomb culture is an interesting case. All Giecomb are connected by the telepathic network controlled by their leader Morose the Iron Mind. Each Giecomb functions as an independent, autonomous entity, but all share a series of beliefs beholden to the betterment of their race. The Giecomb code is a moral code engrained into their psyche requiring them to follow the beliefs of authority, giving and benevolence when dealing with other Giecomb, they cannot share any Secrets they may have about their hive or morose. Further the Giecomb are mentally subservient at all times, should the Morose, or one of her emissaries so desire a Giecomb’s beliefs can be altered for a period without resistance. The Giecomb typically do not view this as intrusive or wrong, but rather as an honor that such a high power took a particular interest in them.

Scientific Name

Homo Formicidae

Origin/Ancestry

Its is quite evident that in Mar's history was a time of great bio diversity, what ended this period is unclear, but it seems all that remains of that period is the Giecomb and some small cave flora and fauna.

Giecomb in Public: There is quite an interesting dichotomy to daily Giecomb conduct, the difference between being in a hive, vs any where else. When traveling or interacting with other races, the Giecomb are typically a curious, gentle and at times quite a fun presence, happy to engage in games, pranks even vandalism. However when inside one of their hives, the Giecomb become very serious and rigid acting with great reverence and respect for their brethren and the hive itself. Those who may be traveling with the Giecomb will certainly notice a very sharp change in their manners the minute they pass through the gates.
Within EUS territory the Giecomb are protected as either citizens or political allies, however most other races seem to view the giecomb with disgust or resentment, often referring to them as vermin or pests.
Language: The Giecomb Language is a combination of the chittering they make using their mandibles and body language. Humans and Stalaguard, even if they’ve mastered imitating the mandible vocals, are still at a disadvantage when attempting to communicate with a Giecomb as they lack a few limbs and the antennae that all play a big part in Giecomb conversation.