Wrillo
Wrillo are a species of half human people that have lower bodies resembling crickets and grasshoppers. Although they come in many sizes they average Wrillo stands about 60 feet tall. Their human bodies are usually very trim and attach to their insect halves at the waist, the line where skin and carapace meet being covered by a large protrusion of their shell. The skin of their human halves is usually a green or brown and like their hair can be quite varied in tone. While they do have antennae coming from their foreheads their faces remain very much human, through some Wrillo are known to have small insectoid feelers coming from their jawline.
Their insect haves are quite long compared to their human halves, almost twice the length, and are very smooth and streamlined. Their carapace is very shiny and is divided into the abdomen and thorax. The thorax is rounded and thick, giving way to the very long and robust abdomen. They stand on six long legs: four of them facing frontward and two of them facing backward. The two backward facing legs are several times larger than the other two pairs and have large powerful muscles that allow them to jump large distances.
Wrillo also possess two pairs of wings that attach to the top of their abdomen near the thorax, one large and one small. These wings allow them to fly for short distances and combined with their jumping ability make them quite hard to keep up with when they want to get away.
Due to their size Wrillo are in the middle of the food chain: being both prey for larger predators as well as predators themselves. Having no natural weapons they rely on their wings and strong jumping legs to both find food and avoid being it as well. They are not very fast runners either, so if they are caught in a small space they will be unable to use their natural agility and will be in big trouble.
Because of this Wrillos are not picky eaters and will gobble down whatever edible things that they can find. Fruit and other plants make a bulk of their diet but will not hesitate to eat human sized prey if they can catch it. They prefer humanoid prey over animals as they are easier to catch, though they will not pursue either too far if they travel through difficult terrain.
Wrillo are huge fans of music, so much in fact that they hold their love for music over their own lives. They are known for their ability to craft wonderfully ornate instruments that are both simple and elegant. These include: flutes, harps, violins, drums, and even harmonicas. Wrillo feel all instruments to be worth protecting gallantly and will go to great lengths to preserve them. Their personal instruments are almost living to them and they guard them with their lives. Should these personal instruments are somehow lost or destroyed a Wrillo will become very distraught for a period of time before crafting another, devoting every waking moment to perfecting it.
It’s no surprise that Wrillo enjoy playing music then, though it is sometimes dangerous to do so where they live. Due to this danger it is most common to hear a Wrillo playing at night, their beautiful melodies wafting through the night air to sooth anyone who will listen. Not everyone enjoys this music however and outcries of anger will usually shut them up for the night, or at least a while.
Instruments are not the only source of music for a Wrillo, for they have two natural ways to enjoy their passion. The first is their voice of course: both male and female training daily to perfect them. Males usually have deep soulful voices with tones that resonate through the air and body, filling you with powerful emotions of strength and determination. Females usually have higher voices, tones of laughter and excitement that bring joy to those that hear them.
The second way Wrillo produce natural music is with their wings, for on the bottom of each there lays a long string of barbs formed from their blood vessels. By holding their wings up and open they can scrape their wings together and using these teeth produce a loud pleasant sound sometimes compared to the chirping of birds. Don’t ever make this comparison to their faces as they get offended, their music is much more refined and elegant in their eyes.
Wrillo are normally very solitary, their size keeping them in very real danger to the predators of their environments. Even despite this solitary nature it is rare for a Wrillo to be far from other of their kind, the loud noises of their wings making an excellent warning to others of danger. For this reason travelers should take great care should they hear a Wrillo chirping during the day.
Their love for music also keeps them together and it is not strange for Wrillo to seek out their kin after hearing their music at night. They love to exchange tunes and songs, sometimes even instruments. In this was they feel they can give part of themselves to another and in return receive part of someone else, more and more becoming something bigger than themselves. This mentality also carries over to other races, and though not many of the giant races are musical themselves it is hard to not enjoy the talents of a Wrillo. Even human sized species are treated this way, and those with talent and appreciation of the musical arts can save themselves from becoming the Wrillo’s next meal.
Wrillo are for the most part laid back for this reason, the magic of music and their natural escape mechanisms allow them to live without much fear. Though despite this they are easily startled, they are still part of the food chain and very loud noises or sudden movements can make them literally jump in surprise. While they are neutral towards most species there is one that fills them with fear like no other: dridders. The spider kind find Wrillo to be tasty snacks and the mere sight of these hated predators can send a Wrillo into panic. Other social species like Miaxi on the other hand get along quite well with Wrillo. Sometimes if the Miaxi enjoys the music enough they will even invite the Wrillo back to the hive to share with her sisters.
While normally seen alone or in pairs there are occasions where Wrillo gather in large numbers, an uncommon occurrence to be sure. On warm nights when the stars are sparkling above Wrillo gather from far and wide to take place in what they call “The Dance of Hokumele,” also known as “The Dance of Starsong.” These gatherings take the form of festivals and can include dance, music, food, and even mating.
This large gathering is primarily used for Wrillo to come together to find mates and partners, something they have little time for normally. Of course another major aspect of these festivals are sharing song and story that have been gathered out in the world, instruments and keepsakes changing hands to spread their spirits throughout the land. The powerful emotions and music of “The Dance of Hokumele” is so powerful that few dare to disturb its going ons. This is because those predators that do seek to make an easy meal are usually caught up in the thrill of the moment themselves and the Wrillo have no qualms of letting others in to their dance. Of course another prominent reason is getting a large crowd of Wrillo angry would be a very unwise decision. Human sized beings are also warned to stay away from these gathering, for as they are welcome it is unfortunately as appetizers.
Due to their very outward seeking and solitary nature Wrillo have grown very familiar with the stars and other heavenly bodies. Alone at night they will sit and gaze endlessly as the vast dark expanse above them. With so much stargazing they have become very good at reading the heavens and have gained abilities some attribute to magic.
Wrillo claim to be able to divine the future from the stars, predicting events in everyday life with uncanny precision. Beings both predator and prey alike are known to seek out Wrillo to see if their gift can bring light and understanding to their uncertain futures. Even large events that can change the lives of many people have been forseen by this gift, giving Wrillo a certain air of respect.
The constant study of their natural environment has also made Wrillo keen at predicting the patterns of weather, the forecast for several weeks divined from a single day of study. Predator movements and territories are also things a Wrillo can identify easily, making them valuable guides should they feel cooperative. Gaining their trust is the hardest part of winning their skills, for while they trust their own kind on sight any other race will have to work to earn it.
Their gift of perception also allows them to learn and predict the habits and personalities of those they meet or observe. After a few hours of talking a Wrillo can know more about a person than they know themselves. This information is rarely kept to themselves, making learning about a particular predator in the area simple if you can get the Wrillo to stand still.
As stated with their position on the food chain a Wrillo will rarely actively hunt food. Normally they will use ambush tactics and wait for an unsuspecting victim to wander within reach. Their perception and plantlike coloring allow them to hide quite well until darting out to snatch their prey. Their limited flight and jumping abilities also make escaping a Wrillo unlikely, your only hope being to fit in somewhere they can’t reach.
This is not to say one is entirely doomed upon being caught; being laid back allows wiggle room in what a Wrillo will consider eating. Normally the easier you are to catch the more likely you are to be spared their bellies, though this is a risk you still face. Letting yourself be caught might make them let you go, but just as well you might be eaten anyway.
The only true escape from the belly of a Wrillo is music. If you have an exceptional talent for music or happen to be carrying an instrument you are rarely eaten, provided you can play of course. Even the appreciation of music can sometimes save your life: either asking them to play themselves and slipping away while they are distracted or complimenting their music in a believable manner so they let you go.
Subject: Race Idea: Wrillo 
Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:33 pm
