Entomos; Kingdom of Insects [FULL FOR NOW]

[Taytay]

That will work Ill write it in and repost. @Kafka Komedy

[Taytay]

Zak

Zak

Character Summary

Name: Zak Edwards aka: Nephila, Golden One, Banana Boy, Golden Prince, Son of The Red Silk
Age: Young
Race: Spiders
Gender: Male
Class/Job: Assassin
Appearance: Zak is a smaller spider due to his age. He just recently molted into his youth and gained his colors. His skin is a pale white and his hair is a grey, six of his golden eyes sit on his face while the other two are on the crown of his head. His abdomen and his legs are covered in hairs and are the blackest black, covered in golden spots all over that glow in the moonlight. Even his hairs could be gold-ish in some lights.

Belongings

• A Silken Bag
  • Tubes containg venom he has stored
  • 3 Silk Sacks filled fungi (to be eaten)
  • 20 Chips
  • A Curved Sword and a dagger
• Abdomen and Arm Armor
• 2 Dewdrop spiders
• Necklace bearing the Seal of his clan
• 2 Blades that cover his to front legs

Skills and Abilities

• Espionage
• Knowledge of Venom, poisons, and toxins.
• Charismatic
• Nimble
• Flexible
• Strategic
• Swordsmanship

^{"Its never to late to change, we just need to be given the chance to show that we are all not that bad."}

Personality

Unlike most of his kind Zak is a nice guy. Even though he was trained to take the lives of others, by cold blooded killers, he himself sees value in life. Zak is considered too kind by most, when they meet him they immediately think that he is either plotting something or attempting to kill them. But let it be known, his smiles are genuine and if he offers you a hand its most likely to help (unless your his enemy). Zak, even though he is good mannered, he is not a fool or one to be taken advantage of, he can be your best friend or you worst nightmare and all with a smile.

History

Zak was born into a clan that was supposed to have been disbanded after the Spider Laws came into affect. This clan was known as the "Silk Weavers", know for producing great assassins, spy's and for gathering information. The Silk Weavers, during the Spider Wars, was headed by none other than Sergeant Major Edwards. The clan itself "disbanded" and became one of the foremost luxury silk producers in Entomos. The specialize in making silken produces of the highest quality and color.

What many don't is that the clan simply took up this facade in order to continue training their young for the future and they fights that may come. Zak was one of many in his brood, his mother was a assassin known as the Scarlet Seamstress (due to the color of her silk she left behind), and she took to the hidden tradition of training her young in not only alchemy but in the techniques of the clan. She was one of the daughters of Sergeant Major Edwards and was trained by him.

Zak was especially rare due to the golden color of his silk so his mom took good care of his training and growth. But he was not like his people or his brothers and sisters, he did not hate any of the other species and was always kind soul, it saddened his mother that a child with skill and talent like his does not have the desire to use such skills. So after he finished his training his mother sent him away to learn of the brutality his people face and not to come back until he has learned it.

Zak now travel Entomos in search of the "brutality" his mother spoke of, taking a job here and there to end the life of some villain, nothing too big just enough to help him get by.

[DracoLunaris]

Your setting is really cool. Definitely making something for it.

[Kafka Komedy]

@Thecrash20@Briza@DracoLunaris I look forward to your characters! Any preference on plot?

(Also nice Godzilla NES reference dude)

[Shortcake]

I decided to follow up on one of the plot hooks in the OP with my character. This game looks like it'll have a good population.

Li Ju

Li Ju

Character Summary

Name: Mrs. Li
Age: Middle Aged
Race: Chinese Mantis
Gender: Female
Class/Job: Widow

Belongings

• The full estates and manor of her late husband, Mr. Li Chen, and all associated enterprises
• Li Chen's journal of alchemical formulae, kept on her person at all times
• A sample kit of her late husband's more popular wares

Skills and Abilities

• Mrs. Li is a capable housewife and highborn lady in all respects, from entertaining company to cleaning up when said entertaining goes horribly, inevitably wrong.
• Mrs. Li is possessed of all the abilities common to her kind- flight, camouflage, razor-sharp sickle arms, the ability to rotate her head 180 degrees, etc.
• Though considered a clumsy and an untalented fighter for her kind, the aftereffects of her husband's alchemical experimentation has gifted Mrs. Li with prodigious- some would even say freakish- size, strength, and appetite. She has also developed a tendency to spit corrosive acid when under duress, a fact which she finds extremely embarrassing.
• Mrs. Li is possessed of some minimal knowledge of alchemy due to her upbringing, though she still can't make heads or tails of her husband's more complex formulae. Li Ju's real talent lies with her deceptively sharp business acumen and experience in dealing with the noble houses.
• Mrs. Li knows her manor and the surrounding lands like the back of her claw, along with all it's myriad secret rooms and passages.

^{"It gets so lonely at night, up here in the manor..."}

Personality

Mrs. Ju was often noted for being a perfect match with her late husband up until his death: Remarkably well-mannered, exceedingly helpful, and monstrously absentminded. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Li attempts to ward off loneliness with company, inviting all manner and class of arthropod into her manor for lunch. Unusually for a mantis, Li Ju prefers not to dirty her hands, considering violence boorish and unbecoming of a lady.

History

Li Ju (Originally Tang Ju) hails from the noble house of Tenodera. The 14th daughter of her brood, she likely would have languished her whole life as a minor court official had she not been the nymph-hood sweetheart (and occasional test subject) of the renowned alchemist Li Chen. Chosen as the famously-chaste apothecary's mate only a week or so into full adulthood, what followed was a whirlwind romance filled with passion, excitement, and highly unethical mantid experimentation.

All dreams, however, must come to an end, and so too did Mrs. Li's husband. He was found messily decapitated in his study one summer night, the remains of his head having vanished without a trace. The door, though locked, showed no signs of forced entry, and the only other person with a key had been Mrs. Li herself- who confirmed that none could have possibly entered her husband's study without her knowledge, due to the layout of the manor. In absence of any clue to the murderer's identity, it was deemed a freak accident; the case remains unsolved to this day.

Mrs. Li was, of course, inconsolable over the entire matter. To cope with her grief, she threw herself into work, seizing full control over her husband's estates to protect them from the notoriously-ruthless noble houses. In doing so, the late Mr. Li's business enterprises have seen a remarkable rise in profits. Surprising, to be sure, considering the poor woman's reputation for absentmindedness.

[Scrapula]

I feel that, for a main plot to follow, we should try to go for something that encourages conflict between the races. Like, say, some bigshot bugs get assassinated by something, and everybody scrambles to blame each other. Then a light civil war breaks out, or something.

[Thecrash20]

Xiao

Xiao

Character Summary

Name: Xiao Ke or Seieibushi-Xiao
Age: Middle Aged
Race: Mantis
Gender: Male
Class/Job: Warrior
Appearance:
Xiao is a fine example of the Warrior class of Mantis. Tall, strong, and quite fearsome looking. His age makes his skin a darker green, almost black. His front Raptoral Forelegs are not the biggest of his Race, but still frightening to other races. When standing straight up, there no other Insect race that can reach his size, but he usually leaning frontward disguising his actual size. He has two large Talon arms with two smaller arms under them and stands on four legs. He eyes are smaller than the other classes of other Mantis.

Belongings

• 'Kana' Raptoral Forelegs Blades
• Sack of 'FireFly' fire bottles and 'Honey Dew' Medical Ointment
• 'Tanta' Short sword
• Zopherinae Iron-Clad Carapace Armor

Skills and Abilities

• Preying Mantis Art: Xiao is a master in the North and South 'Preying' styles of combat. The North fighting style is based on attacks with his Kana Blades. Using aggressive attacks before resting into a resting position. The South involves a defensive form of fight. Dodging, Blocking, and Parrying with his Kana Blades. These are both thought to the Mantis Warrior Caste to be used together to form a overall fast paced fighting style. When facing against each other, most Mantis wait for what seems like hours, until finding the perfect timing to inflict their attack.
• Battle Alchemy: Developed heavily when facing Spider Invaders. The Mantis developed Alchemy potions used mostly as thrown material. Their effects range from poisons, fire starters, and pesticides. Most of the Materials used come from non sentient Insects, but the strongest, most lethal ones come from Sentient Insects. Even other Mantis. Xiao has experience with most of the common potions, thought among all the Warrior Caste.
• Cook: Xiao has spent days to weeks out from his homeland. This has forced him to learn to make meals. The Warrior Caste of Mantis have been thought the basics as eating other Insects raw is considered 'Dishonorable' and Savage'. Meant for the lower caste and not of their Nobility.

^{Cowards and Beast are no different from one another. At least the Beast run on instinct rather than choice.}

Personality

Xiao is known as one of the most Honorable Mantis there is. Strict, but Fair. He is quite an amount of compassion for his old position in the Warrior Caste. He speaks quite formal and proper compared to the average Insect, showing his High class. Some find him quite suspicious due to his slow and calm nature and due to the Prejudice of most to Mantis, some would think he was constantly planning to cut their Head off and chew their innards. This of course is the furthest from the truth. Not because of his nature necessarily, mostly because eating Insects raw is considered disgusting...

History

Long ago the Mantis were absolute Savages in their past Wars. Losing themselves in the heat of battle and killing friend and foe. For awhile this proved effective, but as time grew with the neighboring sentient races, their Arrogant frenzies cost them many casualties. In war and in their culture as well. After the Sixer dynasty fell in shambles, the Mantis committed terrible acts among each other and waged war for years with one another. It wasn't until Kodenbushi-Kabu was born did the Mantis gain a sense of unity. Establishing the Current Kabu Dynasty today.

Kabu Xie was a Shogun during the Sixer Dynasty, and lead a small army of Mantis to reclaim the Throne and establish peace among the Mantis. Although the Mantis reputation as a species was ruined, he aimed to rectify this and bring Honor to his Insects. This was over 100 Birth cycles ago. Much has changed during these times. Some extremely controversial while some minor changes in their culture. Such as not eating Sentient Insects and dulling their Barbed Forearms. The controversy stems from their now established 'Elite Warrior Caste'. Kabu decided to raise an standing army during some of the Tension created by the Spiders before the Great Spider War. Most of the Mantis Warriors were commoners. Having just their Forearm's barbs re-sharpened and bringing any Armor they could buy or carry. Although Kabu created his own unit to lead his Mantis and to stop all acts of savagery their Hearts contain.

These Special Mantis were picked and trained from Birth. Not only in War, but in Honor. They were created to be Elite units. Few in numbers, but expertly trained. With the help of alchemy, they grew and extra set of arms under their forearms. Their wings were removed as flight was considered cowardly and made space for Battle armor. Their Forearm's natural barbs were filed down and replaced with 'Kana' blades. Their Eyes are shrunk to make them harder to injure and finally they have lost their original color's replaced with a form of Dark green. One for every hundred Mantis Warrior, were raised. They were brutally trained in War and Honor. Even going as far as committing a Honor suicide by their Tana Blades for losing a battle or allowing their controlling force to Frenzy and fight among themselves.

Xiao Ke was one of these Warriors. Being born into the Elite Warrior Caste and going to war as a young Mantis. He served in the Great Spider War in almost all fronts. The Underground Invasion of the Ants colony, the Defense of the Bee's tree, and even the Final battle of Entomos. Fighting with all different Species and Class of Insects. Meeting the Spiders on their front and contributing into Sergeant Major Edward's defeat. From the lonely rank of Apprentice to now a Seieibushi, Xiao in not stranger to War. Although the War has ended and Xiao was a stranger to the World. Due to the Spider Laws, his unit was disbanded. Meant to integrate into the Normal everyday Mantis culture. A task Xiao could not complete. Now he travels Entomos, doing any odd jobs that require his set of skills. Hopefully the call of battle with ring again, and he could serve his purpose before he dies of age.

For ideas: I like what @Scrapula mentioned, but would like the start of Spider War II, but more like a large group trying to overthrow the larger group of Spiders. Maybe the Spiders toss the laws out of the way and completely revolt against all species or just a civil war happens with our Chars join the side for the Laws to stay in place(obviously). I think this route allows player Spiders to still be on everyone else side. I think we should also have our group meet up for something very minor and then it evolves quickly into this huge conflict.

[Stern Algorithm]

@Stern Algorithm Surprise surprise but it seems good! Only thing is, as you said that image really doesn't fit the setting. I'll add a written appearance section in below class, feel free to write what he looks like there. Or, I did some browsing and, hey, you mentioned Hollow Knight? Well I found something from that that might just fit!

My Hider

Feel free to use it.

@Kafka Komedy

Thanks for the image!

I have an updated resubmission below. Other than the new appearance and description, I changed his dagger to a pair of shears and added flaming oil and a firedancer's sash to his inventory.

The shears are sharp enough to use for thrusting and stabbing, but are traditionally used by spies for committing suicide.

The firedancer's sash is flame retardant, but the ends soak oil well and is used in a traditional butterfly religious/sensual dance of fire celebrating The Light.

Michel's surname, Millesoeufs, meaning 'thousand eggs', is the name of the orphanage where he was raised.

Michel Millesoeufs

Michel Millesoeufs

Keeping this for posterity

I'm just keeping this here since it matches the 'feel' I'm trying to go for this character

Character Summary

Name: Michel Millesoeufs
Age: Young
Race: Butterfly
Gender: Male
Class/Job: Charmer
Appearance:

Despite the gaudy, obviously-male wing patterning, Michel appears androgynous and feminine in a way similar to how caterpillars, being sexually underdeveloped, are indistinguishable regarding gender. Michel is small in stature and is pudgy in a cute, prepubescent, immature way. Michel takes good care of his appearance, using light make-up. People tend to feel protective or possessive towards Michel. Michel tends to wear clothes that are commonly worn by butterfly females as part of his particular persona as a catamite.

Belongings

• Pheromones/Perfumes/Fragrances
• Sedatives/Tranquilizers/Non-lethal poisons
• Alchemical stimulants and depressants
• A bottle of alchemical fire oil
• Firedancer's sash
• Self-defense shears
  
  Shears image

  
• Catamite Certificate

Skills and Abilities

• Acting/Firedancing/Singing
• Good memory
• Charm/Persuasion
• Sex!
• A decent throwing arm
• Math/Literature/History
• Alchemy

^{"Did you think all butterflies were nobles? I may be cute, but I'm not exactly what you'd call 'high-born'."}

Personality

Michel has learned to overcome life's disappointments with a faux-cheery disposition and a sense of jaded resignation. He usually comes off as friendly and tends to flip between a happy, clumsy innocence and a submissive seductive playfulness. He deals with life as a pragmatist, seeking rational, achievable goals and doesn't try to reach beyond his station. He seems, for the most part, content with his lot in life.

History

Michel was raised in an orphanage that fell under the patronage of one Dr. Thaddeus Tonnere, a noble, alchemist, and trafficker. Michel's life became one of regimentation: strict diet, strict study, strict training. After all, he was being raised to be a catamite, a special class of boy-entertainers/consorts that were all the rage among the social elite. As a caterpillar, there was nothing to be done about his physique and appearance, so he was given lessons in intellectual subjects, since nobles wanted their precocious boy-toys to have at least enough intelligence to impress others and to follow a conversation or be receptive if their masters engaged in deep emotional outpourings. He was also trained in alchemy; catamites who could concoct and serve up pleasure drugs to their masters were worth much more than those who could not. Besides, Dr. Tonnere was something of a spymaster, so some of their training tended towards using their arts to serve that purpose. Michel's diet not only accelerated his onset of metamorphosis, but also made it so that his adult form kept certain physically young traits. Once he emerged as an 'adult butterfly' the physical and sexual training began. Upon completion, Michel attended parties and balls, going from client to client, doing a little snooping and drugging when ordered. For the most part, he lived an opulent and pampered life.

[Pathfinder]

Here's my hand at a cleric of some pretty no nonsense Gods, but who is ultimatly doing what he belives is the best for others. I still need to figure out the backstory but that's about it, thinking something along the lines of lightning bolts and insecticide.

---

Mortarion // WIP

Mortarion

Character Summary

Name: It's just Mortarion now.
Age: Old
Race: Beetle
Gender: Male
Class/Job: Alchemist, Cleric, Doctor, and Mortician
Appearance: Mortarion is an incredibly tall being, towering over most other insects save for Mantis', though with how he kneels low to the ground most people don't particularly notice. When it comes to clothing he wears little more than torn black rags that covor most of his body.

Belongings

• Wyrdstaff: A multipurpose tool that has become synonymous with the wandering cleric.
• Obsydian Dagger: Not a weapon per-say but when it comes to carving through flesh there is nothing better.
• Wanderer's Cart: As he has no home himself, Mortarion carries his belongings with him in a personal rickety cart. If he's staying in a city for any extended amount of time he makes arrangement's for proper storage.
• Healer's Bag: A bag filled with ancient looking tools that are nonetheless in perfect working condition, it won't feel very nice but you'll pull through.
• Dark Satchel: A much smaller bag filled with various vials and tinctures, all of them deadly and incredibly painful if mishandled.

Skills and Abilities

• Primordial Gifts: Thanks to the various alchemical concoctions he's imbibed over the years Mortarion is much stronger than he appears, both in physical might and bodily constitution. Disease does not touch him and he's as strong as he ever was in his prime, his own blood sour and rotten to any curious nibbler.
• Medical Professional: Mortarion is an accomplished surgeon, a skill he honed by dredging through battlefields for survivors. His methods of healing, however, are very painful as he does not use any anesthetic besides a burning brew of his own making. You either fight through the pain and survive or let it consume you and perish.
• Vermin Empathy: There is a certain kindred between the various verminous creatures found on Entomos and himself. They don't mind his presence nor he theirs, and a gentle coexistence breeds between the two.
• Dark Alchemy: Through his communes with his Gods, Mortarion has amassed a great treasure trove of alchemical poisons and drugs. Able to curdle the blood of his foes while giving his allies the strength of ten beetles. Beware, however, as each of his drugs has their own price on one's body.

^{"Be still child, your insides will stay on the outside if you keep squirming."}

Personality

Mortarion is a stark, sinister figure who marchers throughout the lands by the whims of his fickle Gods. However he is not a malevolent entity, and in fact has saved countless lives over the years. It's just that Mortarion has a religious fixation on pain, viewing it as the crucible of which true strength is born from and that rubs many people the wrong way. Let it be known that he does not view himself as a cruel man, on the contrary, he has a great passion for life, it's just that he goes about spreading it in a way most people frown upon.

Ultimatly Mortarion is a compassionate old codger who only wants to bring out that inner fire in everyone no matter their race or creed, and no matter how dour his mood may appear or how dry his wit may bite, everything he does is for the betterment of others. Whether they wish it upon them or not.

History

[Briza]

Unsubscribing!

Have all the fun!

[Kafka Komedy]

Yay, more characters! I'm surprised it took someone this long to choose a beetle, I had assumed they'd be quite popular.
@Queentze@Stern Algorithm@Thecrash20 and @Shortcake, your characters seem all good!
@Briza As I mentioned with Stern, I'm not a big fan of the more human characters. I found an image for you, if you'd like, though you can keep the one you have. Be aware if you do, though, you're going to have to describe them.

My Hider

As for the plot, I think it's the major consensus that Captain Entomos: Civil War, is what errybody wants. I'll begin work on the OOC shortly.

[Stern Algorithm]

@Kafka Komedy

I don't mean to be a stickler, and the GM also hasn't said anything, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt, but while the GM mentioned that Mantises use Chinese names, I think the GM forgot to mention what names the beetles use. From the name Rokurou, however, I deduce that beetles use Japanese naming conventions, which makes sense since Samurai and beetles are often thematically linked.

@Thecrash20: My point then is that while Xiao Ke is an acceptably Chinese sounding name, the title of Seieibushi is a clearly Japanese sounding term, as is the name Kabu (which breeds confusion as it reminds one of kabuto, a Japanese term referring both to samurai armor and to beetles). Kana is reminiscent of kama, a Japanese sickle weapon (perfect for mantises). And while the Elite Warrior class does make me think about Samurai and Bushido, I'm not going to criticize it on the basis that this is world-building and there's no point for me to restrict you in that way. My main reason for bringing any of this up is simply to point out that while you are using a Chinese sounding name for your character, almost every other term you use evokes the Japanese language.

@Pathfinder: I think beetles are supposed to use Japanese names, but will need the GM to verify this.

Also, I'm Chinese and watch a ton of anime, so I'm quite familiar with the blatant and subtle differences between Chinese and Japanese. Again, not trying to be an ass, and the GM didn't seem to disapprove, just pointing it out in case y'all wanted to make minor tweaks for a more consistent, water-tight CS. I suppose I should also open my character up for criticism, to be fair. I took French in High School, but I'm terrible at it, so feel free to rip me apart.

---

On a completely unrelated note, if the Civil War is sparked by an assassination, I'd love for it to be in a 'House of Pleasure', where my character Michel just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets hopelessly dragged into the party's quest for answers. maybe Spymaster Dr. Thaddeus Tonnere (from Michel's backstory) has a hand in the assassination, or maybe he's a red herring.

[Kafka Komedy]

Thanks for the info @Stern Algorithm. I'll admit I didn't take too too close a look at everyones CSes, but I probably should have noticed that. Shogun especially is a distinctly japanese term I completely missed. I do appreciate the idea you gave me of Mantis history being separated into two distinct dynasties, one represented as the savage mysterious past and one as the honorable new future, @Thecrash20. I think I can incorporate that into the plot. You are also right, Stern, beetles do use japanese names. If you could A. Change that, or B. Give a reason for him not to keep his birthname @Pathfinder, I would appreciate it.

[Thecrash20]

@Stern Algorithm You actually hit everything on the head and found me out lol. Well, besides Kabu. That was just a name with no reference to the Armor, but I like that it was still relevant to the setting! And that Tanta is changed from Tanto.

The whole little shtick were that the new Caste are Samurai of the Insects. The Original post said their names are Chinese, not their culture. So, I got a few things from both Chinese and Japanese evolving the Samurai. It just happens to be, everything I found ever was Japanese... I decided "fuck it", his name is Chinese, but the inclusion of Japanese is obviously there. If it's a problem of course I'll go dig deeper and find the appropriate Chinese Titles and Names. But I assume everyone spoke Bug anyhow and Names were the only true difference in their each species language.

[Pathfinder]

@Kafka Komedy
I'm still working out the kinks of his background, but basically, Mortarion's home was struck by lighting when he was younger. Not a big deal when you're a human but for a bug, it might as well been a death beam from space that vaporized the little village. He's going to do some dazed wandering, have an up close and personal experience with some insecticide (like a drop), pull through and trip out for like a week. I'm going to leave it ambiguous if Gods are actually talking to Mortarion or if he's just a little nuts.

As for the name, I'm going to give him a nicknames/titles since he believes "My name died on that day" or some such cryptic nonsense. So Mortarion is French and now I gotta make up some new names. For now, his umbrella term will be the Black Doctor.

[Stern Algorithm]

@Kafka Komedy
I'm still working out the kinks of his background, but basically, Mortarion's home was struck by lighting when he was younger. Not a big deal when you're a human but for a bug, it might as well been a death beam from space that vaporized the little village. He's going to do some dazed wandering, have an up close and personal experience with some insecticide (like a drop), pull through and trip out for like a week. I'm going to leave it ambiguous if Gods are actually talking to Mortarion or if he's just a little nuts.

As for the name, I'm going to give him a nicknames/titles since he believes "My name died on that day" or some such cryptic nonsense. So Mortarion is French and now I gotta make up some new names. For now, his umbrella term will be the Black Doctor.

@Pathfinder

If his home was destroyed by lightning, it might explain a hatred of the moth/butterfly religion, who worship The Light. If he takes a French name, it might be out of vengeful irony (since the only people who might use French sounding names would be moths/butterflies), or maybe while lost, he was taken in by a priest of The Light, given a new name, and taught spirituality, but later ultimately rejected The Light and deviated.

[Kafka Komedy]

@Pathfinder Ouch. That guy had a hard life. No wonder he'd turn to religion like the Lepidopterans, even adopting their type of name. So does he follow The Light specifically?

[Scrapula]

That is something I've been wondering, @Kafka Komedy. What is the geography of the kingdom, and where are the various countries placed?

[Kafka Komedy]

@Scrapula I've been meaning to make like an actual map. There's a big "sea" (a small pond in the yard) as well as a tree where the ever expanding hive of the bees is. There were some mapping programs I saw and I've got free time, so I'll look into making something.

[Kafka Komedy]

Here ya go, a crappy little map that shows where everyone is relatively. The ants and the bee tree are where Entomos pretty much stops, leading way to the wilds where giant beasts roam free. Than there are the beetles sort of equidistance from both of them. Sort of close to the beetles are the mantises and the moths/butterflies. Off near the right edge is the small Wasp congregation. Near the sea's edge are the spider colonies, broken up by a spot of free land spotted with trading cities leading to a giant free city in the middle of the sea inhabited by a large amount of spiders, mantises and oddly roaches.