The Optera
The optera are one of native species of Mendail. Swift, social, and ravenous, the optera are enthusiastic even in the face of death. As the most numerous intalli species, they are commonly observed in every region of the Selvan, including Kuuandra.
Biology
The optera are a highly diverse species with many different phenotypic variations, but the traits listed below are shared among most individuals. The optera are long and slender, possessing tails nearly as long as the rest of their body. They have two pairs of eyes along with a single segmented horn on their foreheads. Adults possess two sets of bug-like wings with a matching pair of head fins. The optera boast three sets of legs, with the middle pair acting as grappling claws for climbing and hunting.
Though typically small in size, certain individuals, referred to as sujors, can grow to an immense size. Sujors occur naturally and randomly within optera populations but have become rarer in recent centuries. Sujors typically have stronger magic than their small counterparts.
The optera grapples with markedly unstable magic, causing abrupt and fatal disruptions of their corpora. As a result, it is not uncommon for an optera to inexplicably drop dead, leaving little to no explanation for their sudden demise.
Abilities
Mind Link
Optera possess a limited form of telepathy that requires the deliberate linking of minds. Direct messages can be sent to any conscious members of the mind link, no matter how far away they are. Links must be formed in person but can be disconnected at any time.
It is possible to form a mind link with a member of another species, but only the optera will be able to send messages.
Ecology and Behavior
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Optera possess a pure gilder reproduction system, allowing all individuals to produce and fertilize eggs. Mature optera can reproduce at any time and can lay up to five eggs per clutch.
Reproduction among optera is casual, with recreationing pairing being rather common. Once laid, eggs are deposited within communal nursery hives; parents have no role in raising their children and have no parental instinct.
Eggs hatch after two months of incubation. Newborn optera take on a larval, grub-like form, featuring only a single pair of pointed and segmented legs. Newborns instinctively utilize these legs to assist their clutchmates in their own hatching, allowing for synchronized emergences.
Juveniles are raised by unrelated caretakers rather than family. Grubs are voracious and opportunistic eaters, consuming just about anything they can get their mouths on. They grow at an extreme rate and will molt several dozen times as they develop.
The saliva of a grub is notably less acidic than that of adults. Instead, it takes on a glue-like form, being exceedingly sticky when fresh but transforming into a sturdy and impossibly strong substance when hardened. Caretakers will thus utilize grubs as living glue dispensers during the construction and maintenance of nursery hives. Of course, grubs are compensated for their work with snacks. This saliva is eventually used in the construction of a grub's first cocoon.
Juveniles undergo frequent molting until their first proper metamorphosis into nymphs at age 5. Nymphs strongly resemble adults but are both smaller and wingless. After several years, they will have their final metamorphosis at 12 and gain their adult wings.
Optera will continue to molt every 2-5 years in adulthood but will experience a sharp drop in growth after reaching 18. Most will have an unnoticeable shift in size after molting and growth is typically only noticeable upon direct comparison. Despite this, if an optera consumes a substantial amount of food just before a molt, they may experience a growth spurt. Attempting to force multiple growth molts in a row can lead to various health risks as the organs struggle to adapt with the rapid growth.
Optera are considered adults at 18 and have an average lifespan of 80 years old. Average life expectancy hovers just below 50.
Social Structure
Ancient optera lived and worked in massive regional hives. Hundreds to thousands of optera would spend every waking moment maintaining the hive structure, hunting, and protecting grubs. Nowadays, the only hive structures that are regularly used are nursery hives.
Nurseries are strictly managed by dedicated caretakers. Grubs are grouped up into different classes based on size. A grub will form their first mind links with their classmates and their caretaker. This ensures that caretakers will be alerted to their needs and brings grubs together to develop their communication and teamwork. Given the grubs' less acidic saliva during this stage, collaboration becomes crucial for breaking down their food effectively.
Grubs become more independent of their classes as they grow. Nymphs are able to explore outside of the hive in groups and occasionally aid in maintenance and grub care. Most nymphs will begin schooling within the hive, however, it is not uncommon for them to attend multi-species institutions later on.
Adult optera are highly social and maintain their closest connections through their mind links. Romance and sexual relations are highly casual and monogamy is rare.
Despite the absence of parental instincts, adopting younger siblings is a common practice among Optera. This usually occurs when a cluster of nymphs forms a connection with a specific grub in the nursery hive, and, under careful supervision, caretakers will permit their transfer into designated nymph quarters.
Diet
Optera are highly omnivorous and can eat just about anything they put their mind to. Devoid of teeth, they rely on an exceptionally acidic saliva that can break down just about any organic matter. This renders them just about immune to any form of harmful bacteria or toxins in their food.
Shockingly, their saliva can be launched with remarkable precision. This spit can inflict intense pain and can burn through fur, flesh, muscle, and in severe cases, even bone. In cases where it reaches the bloodstream, it can be fatal. While primarily utilized for hunting, this formidable saliva serves as a common tool for self-defense.
Hybrids
Extensive hybridization with various other species has resulted in a vast array of diversity within the optera population. Hybrids are very easy to produce and rarely face fertility issues. Given their prevalence, many hybrids simply identify themselves as optera.
Psychology and Culture
Ideals and Instincts
Optera are naturally drawn to the strong and powerful. While originally an instinct meant to draw optera to sujors, this has extended to just about any other species as well. This behavior does not blind the optera to the actions of their leader though. Historically, optera have swiftly overthrown sujors who had failed to properly fulfill their role as a leader.
Optera have a poor sense of emotional object permanence. Subsequently, they seldom experience longing or sadness over individuals they have not seen recently. This prompts the need for consistent interactions to maintain relationships. Fortunately, the presence of mind links significantly eases the challenge of long-distance relationships.
Another consequence of this is that death is rarely treated as a finality. Death is not seen as a definitive end, instead, the dead are often regarded as if they are still alive. Treating the deceased with the same consideration and respect as in life is seen as essential, as to act any differently would be to disrespect them as an individual. While they logically understand the consequences of death, it is hard for some to fully wrap their mind around the concept.
Customs and Traditions
Optera do not like to bury their dead. Decomposition is seen as a peaceful experience, so bodies are left out in open fields or forests to rot. Seeds from various plants are buried around the dead, producing flower fields of graves.
Birthdays are treated with major fanfare. Reaching the next year is seen as an impressive feat and is celebrated with a traditional feast of bugs and herbs. Notably, reaching the next decade (e.g., Reaching 20 or 40 years old) is honored with week-long festivities leading up to the individual's actual birthdate.
Trivia
The optera make a chittering noise when they laugh.
While they are often compared to insects, the optera do not share the same fascination with light. Bright lights can easily overwhelm an optera's vision and leave them uncomfortable and disoriented.
Flutterball is a popular sport among the optera. A lightweight ball typically formed from loose twine is propelled by an optera's wings back and forth through different hanging hoops. It is a very fast-paced game and typically leaves one's wing muscles aching afterward. A variation of flutterball can be played by wingless species and involves leaping up to hit the ball with one's head.