Formians

A race of insect-like beings hailing from a plane of absolute Law, the Formians seek to expand through the universe and tame its chaotic nature. Believing all other races, even predominantly Lawful races such as Dwarves, to be far too Chaotic in nature to exist in an orderly world, the Formians have always used violence as their primary tool for spreading Law.

All Formians live in tribes called "Hives," with each Hive ruled by a Queen whose rule is uncontested. Queens, and by extension their Hives, often war with one another, as each has a unique vision of perfect Law and sees herself as the being most fit to bring this Law to the universe.

A telepathic race, the Formians are difficult to outflank and almost impossible to surprise- as soon as one Formian has encountered an enemy, their entire Hive is aware of the threat. Most Formians are "workers," relatively frail specimens averaging five feet in height, with no opposable digits and weak natural weapons. Workers make up for these shortcomings with massive numbers and swarm tactics that overwhelm much stronger foes.

Above the Workers are the Soldier class, towering multi-armed fighters with thick carapaces, poisoned stingers, and powerful claws. The Soldiers are fewer in number but far more intelligent than the Workers, and fill the role of shock trooper in the Formian armies.

Overseers are physically weaker than Soldiers, but posses the brightest minds of any Formians save the Queen herself. Overseers often have magical or psionic ability, and can pacify their foes with waves of energy that sap strength and exhaust their targets. In addition to commanding troops in battle, Overseers guide their lesser brethren in construction of their mighty underground Hives.

Fewest in number and most mysterious are the Queens. Only a single mature Queen lives in each hive, ruling it with absolute telepathic authority. Little is known of the Queens, but they are said to be fearsome warriors with mighty supernatural abilities, and genius-level intellects outstripping even the greatest sages of other races. The Queens rarely if ever leave their Hives, and are thought to spend their time in contemplation of grand strategies intended to span the eons required to bend all of the Material Plane to their control.