Hiskus

The Hiskus are an insectoid species. They are 6 limbed quadrupedes, with long curved forelimbs, giving them an appearance like a Terrestrial Praying Mantis. The forelimbs contain a series of long flexible tendrils capable of manipulating objects in the same way humanoid fingers do. Many possess an organ along their forelimbs that allows them to deliver an electric shock, usually barely strong enough to stun an adult human
Due to a biological quirk they call "The Curse", not every Hiskus is born equal. They posses varying degrees of sentience, with the Warrior Caste being only barely able to function as living beings without constant care, and the Worker Caste being less mentally capable than most domestic animals. In the distant past, low birthrates of the fully sentient Observer and Priestess castes meant that the Hiskus were on the verge of becoming extinct, but genetic engineering managed to balance the numbers, and while the non-sentient castes are still the majority, there is no concern that the other castes will cease to be
Hiskus have no familial instincts. Marital attachments are rare, and children are usually raised by their community (or when in the Empire, the State)
Hiskus are capable of regrowing lost body parts. In their early days, they would use spare body parts as construction materials. Nowadays, petrified eyes are a valuable commodity, and while not illegal to possess, there are strict laws governing their collection, making them relatively rare without the right contacts

Related Ethnicities

• Observer Caste
• Priestess Caste
• Warrior Caste
• Worker Caste