Introduction
The raspel are an ancient insectoid people from the equatorial jungles of the Southern Reaches, known for their honeycombed cities and remarkable adaptability that has seen them excel in diverse roles throughout the Four Fiefdoms. Once organized under massive Queen Mothers in rigid caste systems, their society transformed after a catastrophic plague fractured their civilization, leading to the wandering traditions and cultural diversity that characterize modern raspel communities.
Through the Ages
The Age of the Hive Mothers (Before Year -500)
In the deepest reaches of the Southern Reaches, where the equatorial sun beats down mercilessly and humidity hangs like a living thing in the air, the raspel first emerged from the primordial jungles. Ancient raspel oral traditions speak of the Thal'moren—the First Awakening—when their ancestors evolved from purely instinctual creatures into beings of intelligence and purpose. The earliest raspel societies were organized around massive Queen Mothers, colossal raspel whose sole purpose was reproduction and governance. These towering matriarchs, some reaching twenty feet in height, established the first great hives deep within the jungle canopy and underground root systems. Each Queen Mother ruled over thousands of raspel, organized into rigid castes that served specific functions within the hive structure.
The Time of Fracturing (Year -500 to -200)
The Age of the Hive Mothers came to a violent end during what raspel historians call the Shattering of Queens. As the great hives grew in size and complexity, conflicts arose between different Queen Mothers over territory, resources, and the right to spawn new colonies. The final blow came when a devastating plague—the Yellow Death—swept through the Southern Reaches. The Queen Mothers, with their massive size and sedentary nature, proved especially vulnerable. Within a generation, nearly all the great matriarchs had perished, leaving their hives leaderless and their carefully maintained social orders in chaos. This period saw the rise of the Council Hives—smaller communities governed by representatives from each caste rather than a single monarch.
The Age of Wandering (Year -200 to 100)
As traditional hive structures collapsed, many raspel became nomadic. This era produced the Trekker Clans—mobile communities that moved through the Southern Reaches following seasonal resources and establishing temporary settlements. These nomadic raspel developed the traditions of adaptability and diverse skill sets that would serve them well in later interactions with other races. It was during this period that raspel first encountered other species in significant numbers, discovering their natural aptitude for commerce and their ability to excel in roles within foreign societies. The kabon—the distinctive garment favored by modern raspel—originated during this era as practical traveling wear. Young raspel began leaving their birth communities to seek fortune and knowledge in the wider world through the tradition called Thek'miran (the Journey of Self-Making).
The Time of Integration (Year 100 to 400)
As the Four Fiefdoms stabilized following the Fall of the Old Gods, raspel found increasing opportunities in human society. Their natural intelligence, adaptability, and industrious nature made them valuable assets in developing economies. During this period, many raspel communities established permanent Trade Embassies in major cities throughout the known world. The caste system began to evolve, with those who ventured abroad often adopting new identities based on their skills and interests rather than birth caste. The Valestrum Reach communities, including Grigor's birthplace, developed during this time as vertical cities built into cliff faces that took advantage of air currents for both temperature control and transportation.
The Modern Era (Year 400 to Present - 539)
Contemporary raspel society is characterized by diversity and adaptation. While traditional jungle hives maintain ancient customs and caste structures, countless smaller communities have developed their own unique cultures adapted to specific environments and circumstances. The Merchant Houses have become particularly influential, with raspel trade networks spanning the known world. The warrior caste has evolved beyond simple hive defense, with modern raspel warriors like Bekjris often becoming mercenaries, bodyguards, or criminal enforcers. Technical specialists like Grigor represent a new evolution in raspel society, blending traditional bio-construction techniques with modern technology.
Cultural Practices
Raspel society centers around several distinctive traditions that bind their scattered communities together. The Great Molting is both a physical necessity and cultural celebration, marking major life transitions as adult raspel shed their carapaces in community ceremonies. Young raspel participate in Thek'miran, the Journey of Self-Making, a rite of passage that encourages them to venture into the wider world to gain experience and knowledge before returning to their communities. Seasonal migrations follow ancient patterns, creating a complex network of interconnected settlements throughout the Southern Reaches. The Caste Echo maintains symbolic connections to traditional roles even among raspel living abroad, expressed through ceremonial practices, clothing choices, and professional preferences.
Craftsmanship
Raspel craftsmanship blends organic techniques with practical innovation, reflecting their insectoid nature and humid jungle origins. Their sticky, fingerless hands excel at delicate work, making them sought-after artisans in jewelry crafting, textile weaving, and precision metalwork. The Valestrum Reach communities have pioneered airship construction, combining traditional bio-construction methods with modern engineering to create vessels renowned for their reliability and innovative design. Raspel artisans are particularly skilled at creating items that adapt to different climates and purposes, a necessity born from their wandering traditions. Their natural secretions are incorporated into building materials, adhesives, and waterproofing compounds that are highly valued in trade.
Trade
Raspel have established themselves as master merchants throughout the known world, operating vast trade networks that span from the Southern Reaches to the Four Fiefdoms. Their Merchant Houses function with remarkable efficiency, utilizing traditional hive-mind cooperation adapted for commercial purposes. Raspel traders are known for their reliability, attention to detail, and ability to navigate complex cultural situations, making them valuable intermediaries between different peoples. Trade Embassies in major cities serve as both commercial centers and cultural bridges, allowing raspel to maintain homeland connections while building new opportunities abroad. Their natural aptitude for languages and cultural adaptation has made them indispensable in international commerce.
Social Structure
Modern raspel society balances ancient caste traditions with evolved social mobility. Traditional castes include Warrior-Defenders, Builder-Shapers, Forager-Cultivators, Drone-Workers, and Menial-Laborers, though these roles have adapted significantly since the fall of the Queen Mothers. Contemporary communities are governed by Council Hives—representative bodies drawn from each caste rather than dominated by a single monarch. The warrior caste gained significant political influence following the great plague, while merchant families have risen in status due to their economic success. Raspel abroad often transcend their birth caste, adopting new identities based on skills and achievements rather than hereditary roles, though some maintain ceremonial connections to their origins.
Mythology and Beliefs
Raspel oral traditions speak of the Thal'moren, the First Awakening when their ancestors evolved from instinctual creatures into beings of intelligence and purpose. Their creation myths center around the first Queen Mothers, massive matriarchs who established the great hives and gave birth to raspel civilization. The Shattering of Queens—the catastrophic plague that destroyed their ancient order—serves as both historical event and cautionary tale about the dangers of over-centralization. Raspel believe strongly in collective memory and shared experience, viewing individual achievement as part of a greater community tapestry. Many raspel practice a form of ancestor veneration, honoring the wisdom of previous generations through chemical communication rituals that preserve and transmit cultural knowledge.
Dwellings
Raspel architecture reflects their insectoid nature and jungle origins, featuring characteristic honeycombed towers and oddly-shaped buildings that blend seamlessly with their environment. Traditional cities are marvels of bio-architectural engineering, built half-underground to maintain optimal temperature and humidity, half-reaching toward the canopy to capture filtered sunlight. Structures incorporate natural secretions and organic materials, creating living buildings that adapt and grow over time. The Valestrum Reach communities represent an evolution of this tradition, with vertical cities built into cliff faces that utilize air currents for temperature control and transportation. Modern raspel dwellings often feature multiple levels connected by sticky climbing surfaces rather than stairs, reflecting their natural agility and multi-limbed physiology.
Cuisine and Drink
As strict vegetarians, raspel cuisine focuses on the abundant plant life of their jungle homeland. Their thin-slitted mouths filled with small, rounded teeth are perfectly adapted for mashing vegetation, leading to a culinary tradition centered around ground grains, mashed fruits, and fermented plant matter. Meals are often communal affairs that strengthen social bonds and facilitate the chemical communication that preserves their collective memory. Traditional beverages include fermented tree saps and fruit nectars, with different flavors marking seasonal celebrations and cultural events. Raspel abroad have adapted their dietary needs to local vegetation, often becoming skilled at identifying edible plants and creating nutritious meals from whatever is available, a skill that has made them valuable as expedition members and travelers.
Education and Knowledge
Raspel possess a unique form of cultural preservation through Hive-Memory, where knowledge and experiences are shared through chemical communication. This allows communities to maintain collective wisdom and makes raspel naturally excellent at coordinating complex tasks and preserving technical knowledge. Education traditionally occurs through apprenticeship systems where young raspel learn from experienced practitioners in their chosen fields. The chemical sharing of memories supplements hands-on learning, allowing rapid skill acquisition and deep understanding of complex subjects. Modern raspel communities have established formal schools that blend traditional memory-sharing with contemporary academic subjects, preparing young raspel for roles both within their communities and in the wider world. Their natural ability to absorb and retain shared knowledge has made raspel scholars highly valued in academic institutions throughout the Four Fiefdoms.
Raspel Characters
BekjrisA raspel. Crime-lord of Brighton.