Kabuwaga (beetle people)

The proud Kabuwaga are a race of half-human, half beetle creatures easily growing up to 13 feet tall. Like the Miaxi and the Gypsas, they stand on six insect-like limbs, but their bodies are bulky and prodigiously armoured, with an oddly metallic shine. Males are far larger and even more heavily built, and from their heads grow spectacular, jagged horns like those of stag beetles that can sometimes reach half their body length. Females, on the other hand, are smaller and slightly leaner, and they have a single blunt horn like that of rhinoceros beetles, which is no less destructive. Aside from that, their features are relatively human.

Kabuwaga –or more specifically, the males- have a reputation for being among the physically strongest creatures in Felarya, in proportion to their size. They can shrug off wounds or blows that would seriously cripple beings such as humans or nekos, and their bodies are densely packed with muscle, most of it connected to their thin but practically unbreakable horns. They can uproot trees with ease, tear down houses with their bare hands, stop a rampaging mumansi on its track and crush vehicles into scrap metal. However the male Kabuwaga pays a price for this power, as their bodies are so geared for close combat they are clumsy when it comes to anything else. As a result they must waddle awkwardly from place to place, using their limbs to balance in an ape-like fashion, and they have difficulty eating on their own.

For all this might, the Kabuwaga are a rather laid back and peaceful folk, often preferring to do little but eat and sleep and enjoy life as it comes. They gather themselves in large clans ruled by the largest, strongest and literally horniest males, along with their wives, which are referred to as “Herac”. While the men are concerned with battle and politics, the slightly more intelligent women take care of the productive works, such as farming and running businesses. Grubs are born in communal chambers, and while they’re perfectly aware of their surroundings they largely sit and watch, all the better to learn what they must to survive…and coincidentally making them desirable for other humanoid mothers willing to trade

The fighting style of the Kabuwaga is reminiscent of sumo, and it is highly honoured to the point of being a near-religious ceremony. The rites and laws are performed with the utmost respect, and even the slightest flaw is seen as an unforgivable sin (specially killing your opponent). Males continuously challenge each other in front of the girls, for they value the strongest genes for their offspring and a healthy, big-horned lug that can toss aside all who challenge him is a perfect mate. Unfortunately, sometimes the rush of adrenaline can get on the males’ heads and they don’t quite know when to stop, even if it’s the girl that just chose them.

The Kabuwaga are all vegetarians, making beverages out of tree sap and feeding on plants such as wheat, corn, bamboo, other grasses and even logs, which they love crushing with their horns. They are native of the Jungle Bowl, and like every other humanoid in there they highly respect and revere Cypress. In fact, should any harm come to her or the people in general the Kabuwagas are always the first to come down on the offender, ready to protect their allies at all costs.