Insanity

Animal Self-Immolation

The insanity is an exceptionally uncommon phenomenon where a spark of flames moves through the food chain. There are very few documented instances involving insects and mammals and birds being so aflamed, all at once, at such a scale that it looks like a swarm of fireflies as taken over the night.

Manifestation

Food Chain

Many animals in Manka evolved a chemical defense, where burning secretions serve as a potent deterrent against potential threats. In response, predators deviced counter measures that comically leads to animals higher up the chain to spontaneously and nonchalantly appear as though smoking or burning or flaming.

Fire Bird: A specially adapted falcon whose feathers can catch alight without burning the bird's flesh.

— Ullawanka of Xiuhtlatlauhqui

As birds of prey, they pitch and bank through the air to sweep the bats as food. But they themselves can be set upon by banshees inturn, during such an event, because they are illuminated clearly.

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Ember Bats: Large winged bats larger that its proportionate body size that fly out on mass at sunset to forage for insects and fruit.

— Ullawanka of Xiuhxoxoauhqui

Every night, roughly 300,000 bats emerge from their roosts in the mountain to hunt in swift and agile flight patterns in the sky; which when lit, creates a mesmerizing dance. These bats play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

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Lava Crickets: Insects native to volcanic regions, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and bursting into scorching flames from their guts, making them dangerous prey.

— Ullawanka of Xiuhiztacuhqui

These creatures employ "predator satiation" and "self-sacrifice" as a collective survival technique for the species. Although, this effect is prededicated on a colony finding and consuming a pocket red salt in the ground, in order to get it all started.

Localization

Mountain of Fire

Xiuhtotontli holds the mountain peak as a sacred site for mysterious rituals. However, the fire sages have not had much access to it due to the occupation.

Type

Natural