Gnasts and Gnastlings

If you don't like bugs, stay away from them.

The Daemon Gnastasi and Gnastosin species of demonkind, referred to as Gnasts and Gnastlings respectively, are an insectoid-like class of demon. Gnastlings are common for warlocks to summon as they are classified in the same group as imps, but Gnasts are considerably rarer. All specimens are proficient in geomancy and most Gnastlings are only proficient in geomancy, but all Gnasts are additionally gifted in transformation and hex magic, often to a dangerous degree. Gnasts also choose to permanently float by way of geomancy rather than walk.
Gnastlings are a well-understood demon species. Most warlocks will characterize them as 'upright praying manti.' Their head is closer to an upside-down triangle than any other shape, with two large, oblong eyes. They lack pupils and instead have a hex-like grid structure to their eyes, much like insects in Turan. Their two foremost arms are long claws that droop downards in front of their body, but lack sufficient penetrative power to actually slice through human flesh. Similarly, the small mandibles at the base of their head would limit their ability to chew through meat, but they also do not appear to eat plant matter when summoned. Scholars continue to debate how gnastlings acquire nutrients.
The lower body is comparatively long, starting with a heftier lower section housing the majority of the gnastling's organs and propped up by six legs that resemble oversized spider legs, which they use to scurry about in an omnidirectional fashion as needed. This 'thorax' has a chitinous shell, which affords a greater level of protection than most humans expect, being able to deflect arrows from shortbows and other light projectiles. Their body curves upward drastically as it progresses into their midsection, which has closer resemblence to humanoids than most are comfortable with. Their two upper arms are attached at the 'shoulders' of this section, leading to their neck and head.
The entire affair of a gnastling is capped by two antennae that appear to be sensory organs for mana, though the exact mechanism is unknown. Scholars expect that this affords gnastlings something akin to a permanent, though limited aether sight, given their tendency to rapidly scuttle out of the way of magical projectiles.
By contast, the gnast is almost humanoid in overall shape, though it retains the gnastling's chitinous body and triangular head. Instead of six legs and two arms, gnasts have two legs and six humanoid arms, even sporting five fingers per hand. However, gnasts have limited physical prowess and it is believed they occupy a position of power among gnastlings, who will gather food for the gnast to consume.
The reason for this belief is the deeply dangerous nature of gnast magic. Through unknown means, a gnast can manage three simultaneous spells at any given time, correlating to their three pairs of arms. At almost all times, the lower set of arms is held in an almost meditative pose and channels a geomantic spell holding them aloft and directing them through the world. The middle set of arms appears to cast illusionary magics, yet require no complicated verbal component and can be cast at distances impossible to the average human. The upper set of arms channels hex magic, which is believed to be the control mechanism for gnastlings in its home environment. However, in Turan, gnast hexes are terrifyingly effective, even against groups. The ability to create a combination of illusions and a group hex lends itself well to sowing confusion or even friendly fire among enemies.

Scientific Name
Daemon Gnastasi
Daemon Gnastosin

Lifespan
200 to 300 years (Gnast)
30 to 50 years (Gnastling)

Average Height
4'0" to 4'6" (Gnast)
2'6" to 3'0" (Gnastling)

Average Weight
80 lbs. (Gnast)
30 lbs. (Gnastling

Geographic Distribution
The Realms

Demonkind