Vespoids

This is a work-in-progress article and subject to changes in the future

Vespoids

A dashing appearance, a sharp sword, and unwavering loyalty: those are the traits Vespoids value the most. Their armies soar through the skies to establish vast empires. Their workers craft the finest honey and build the most stunning cities. The vespidian empires shape the ways of the world they exist in, either through their charm or by force.

Regal Stripes

The common vespoid resembles a humanoid bee. They stand from 5 ft. up to 7 ft. in height, and most Insectoids think of vespoids as the epiphany of beauty. On top of their segmented abdomen rests, on a slim waist, a broader upper body. Their chitinous exoskeleton ranges in color from browns to yellows and oranges. Some may even be born in red or blue. Almost like to accentuate their beauty, their chitin is adorned by brown or black stripes.
Most vespoids sprout two or four translucent wings, allowing them to soar through the skies faster than most other Insectoid races, and their heads are crowned by two delicate antennae. However, their most prized feature is the soft white fur, pushed up around their neck like the mane of a lion.
Vespoids are very proud of their appearance, and as such, most wouldn't cover their bodies with clothing, except for some accessories to accentuate their radiant looks.

United in Purpose

Most vespoid nations are swarm-nations and as such, allegiance to their nation comes before friends and family for most vespoids. However, in vespoid society, the individual is valued a lot more than in other swarm-nations.
When a female vespoid gives birth to an egg, she doesn't raise it herself but gives it into the care of a comb-school. These nurseries care for the egg until it hatches and raise, educate, and train the child. So depending on the combschool you are born into, you are put into a different role in society.
The worker caste is the lowest in vespoid society. Most bumbles and some bees that stem from poor parents are born into this caste. Individuals accepted into this caste work on the vast pollen fields of their empire or as master waxcraftsmen, creating the building materials for all manner of buildings.
A step above the worker caste is the soldier caste. Most vespoid nations value martial prowess highly, and as such, soldiers enjoy quite a bit of renown in their society. Moreover, vespoid nations often expand into vast empires and, as such, employ masterfully trained soldiers. These soldiers, in return, swear an oath to protect and grow their nation and are fiercely loyal to their queen.
The royal caste forms the highest and most influential caste. The few individuals in this caste form the vespidian aristocracy. These are the rulers, intellectuals, and scholars that shape their nation. At the center of this caste stands the queen, the absolute monarch in most vespidian empires. A queen chooses her successor from one of the comb-schools and raises her as a wise and noble ruler.
Although it can prove quite tricky, one individual can rise in society. For example, a worker bee might prove themselves as a worthy fighter and, as such, enter the ranks of the soldiers. Vespoids are raised with a purpose to fulfill and value loyalty above all else. A vespoid would lay down their life for an ally or friend, but betray their trust, and you will have made a powerful enemy.

Nations in the Sky

As all common vespoids can fly, much of their everyday life is spent in the air. And their golden hive-cities reflect that. These massive metropolises are built high above in the canopies of giant trees. Some might even be held aloft through arcane means. They construct most of their buildings from very resilient wax that can withstand even high temperatures. Vespidian architects favor hexagonal structures and tall buildings with multiple entrances on all levels, giving their cities a very unique look.