The Thri-kreen, also known as mantis warriors, are a minor[3] spacefaring race from the Spelljammer campaign setting,[4][5][6] and can be selected as a player character race.[7]
"Many races preceded the current spacefaring races into Wildspace; the thri-kreen flourished in space before most human societies had even mastered agriculture. Rumors persist of an elder race whose symbol was a three-petalled flower. In any event, mankind is a very late arrival in Wildspace."[8]
Overview[]
The thri-kreen, often referred to as "mantis warriors", are a race of large, intelligent insectoid humanoids[9][10] who preceded humans and the illithid into wildspace, possibly by millions of years. They are perhaps the only contemporary spacefaring race who may have had any interaction with the ancient precursor race known as the Juna,[11][12] who they refer to as "the Lost Gods".[13] No-one knows where the thri-kreen originated, though many believe they evolved on the planet Athas and then spread from there throughout the known universe.[1] Other rumors persist of a crystal sphere dominated by the xixchil and other related races known as "Kreenspace".[2]
Over 4,000 years ago,[14] spacefaring kreen society was dominated by a religious sect known as the People of the Celestial Mantis who revered the Mantis God of the Eternal Lotus. Kreen religion even now is multi-faceted and largely incomprehensible to non-kreen, while the kreen themselves appear to understand its intricacies and apparent contradictions without any trouble, and quite happily engage in interminable philosophical discussions about them.
A basic tenet of the Peoples beliefs included an injunction to "spread the word" across the spheres, and to convert every living being to the worship of the Mantis God. Inevitably, this led to the kreen coming into conflict with numerous other races who were unwilling to give up their own religions. This refusal to accept the inevitable didn’t sit well with the thri-kreen, who brought the full forces of their spacefaring fleet to bear against these unbelievers, leading to the almost explosive expansion of the People throughout the known universe.[11]
Under the auspices of their rather protean religion, the thri-kreen viewed time as a fixed and immutable thing. To them the past was unchangeable, and the future was fixed; in fact, the words “past” and “future” were misleading, since time was like an intricate tapestry of infinite extent. Nothing changed in time, as nothing changed on a tapestry. The fact that time appeared to flow and things seemed to change was simply due to other creatures being unable to view more than one portion of the tapestry at a time. This rather specious argument may seem nonsensical, but it was of great importance to the thri-kreen. They believed it their destiny to spread “The Truth” throughout the universe.[4] However, this belief that the thri-kreen were preordained to dominate the space-lanes that permeates much of their writings, appears to be of a later date. In the earliest known copy of the "Lyric of the Eternal Lotus", an ancient apocrypha to their holy writings, there is no mention of their so-called “manifest destiny”.[15]
As all things do in the passing of time, the kreen's dominance of wildspace began to decline until their empire fell. They talk little of it now, even those who still reside in the void, but they remember the glory. They remember it very well.[11][12]
Description[]
Mature adult thri-kreen stand about 7 feet tall at the shoulder and 11 feet long. They have six limbs which protrude from their midsection: two are used for walking and the other four end in hands. They have a tough, sandy-yellow exoskeleton which is extremely hard. A thri-kreen has two compound eyes, usually black with highlighted eyespots, and a complicated jaw structure that manipulates food as the thri-kreen chews. They also have two antennae, which help with maneuvering through brush and grasslands in the dark. Thri-kreen often wear harnesses and even some forms of clothing, but they never wear armor.
The thri-kreen speak their own language, which is made up of clicks and grinding sounds. While it is difficult for other creatures to speak or even interpret this tongue, it is just as difficult for thri-kreen to imitate more standard speech patterns. Some thri-kreen understand the common tongue. Thri-kreen have no need of sleep and can remain active throughout the day and night.[9][10] To interact with creatures of other sapient species, thri-kreen rely on a form of telepathy.[16]
Personality[]
Thri-kreen are carnivores. Though they seldom hunt other intelligent creatures for food, they will do so in times of need. Mantis warriors have a well-known taste for elven flesh, which keeps both races at an uneasy peace at best. When raiding instead of simply hunting, thri-kreen are rarely interested in items of monetary value, usually concentrating on those things they can eat. Thri-kreen packs carry little that could be considered treasure, though their weapons and tools are considered valuable by some.[9][10]
Combat[]
Thri-kreen are by nature hunters, though some have taken up raiding. Thri-kreen attack as a tightly coordinated group, generally weakening their enemies with psionics and missile weapons before engaging in melee. Because thri-kreen do not sleep, they are relentless and can continue an assault long after their opponents have become fatigued. Though thri-kreen can win most battles by force, they achieve as many victories through attrition and endurance.
A thri-kreen's chitinous exoskeleton serve as a form of natural armor, and they can attack using their 4 claws and a bite. If they are armed, the thri-kreen can combine the weapon's attacks with their bite. Thri-kreen often use weapons of their own design, particularly the gythka (a two-handed polearm with a blade at each end) and a light thrown weapon called a chatkcha (a flat, triangular wedge with three serrated blades). Gythkas typically have shafts of bone and obsidian blades, while chatkchas are usually made of sharpened bone or crystal.[16] While usually used as a slashing weapon, the gythka can also be thrown like a spear. Experienced thri-kreen also learn to wield the chatkcha which can be thrown up to 270 feet and can return to the thrower if it misses. Thri-kreen are immune to charm person and hold person spells.
The thri-kreen intuitively learn new combat skills as they mature, and will typically have mastered them by the time they become mature adults. Kreen can leap 20 feet straight up and 50 feet forward. They cannot leap backward. Mature thri-kreen develop the ability to produce venom which is delivered through a bite and can paralyze prey and other victims. Thri-kreen also learn how to dodge ranged missiles fired at them; they cannot dodge magical effects, only physical missiles. Some thri-kreen have even developed a psionic wild talent. While thri-kreen can use most magical items, those designed to be worn by humanoid creatures may not fit properly and as such will not function for a thri-kreen.[9][10]
Society[]
Thri-kreen hatch from eggs. Those who hatch from the same group of eggs are considered a clutch. The bond of a clutchmate goes beyond family or friendship. When thri-kreen enter non-kreen society, they still feel compelled to belong to a clutch and often accept humanoids as clutchmates.
In their natural habitats thri-kreen organize into hunting packs. There are no permanent thri-kreen communities. Each pack consists of several clutches and ranges over a wide territory that the pack considers to be theirs for purposes of hunting. Thri-kreen clutches and packs are organized along a strict order of dominance. The toughest member is the leader, the second most powerful is the second in command, and so forth. A thri-kreen can challenge a superior for dominance, initiating a contest. The combatants fight until one surrenders or dies. Afterward, the matter is settled and there are no lingering resentments, because all thri-kreen agree that a strong leader makes a strong pack. The challenger is doing what is best for the pack, not seeking personal gain, and after a challenge, both individuals can go about their business, confident of their status within the group.
When thri-kreen are not engaged in hunting, they make and repair weapons, teach skills to their young, and create works of art, usually sculpture. Thri-kreen also decorate their chitin with etchings or sometimes paints. Thri-kreen also pride themselves in the quality of their weapons, especially the chatkcha. Many chatkcha are decorative as well as functional and have designs carved into them. Some chatkcha become heirlooms and are passed on from generation to generation within a pack. If an heirloom chatkcha is lost or stolen, thri-kreen consider it a point of honor to recover it.
Thri-kreen are monogamous and never betray the bond between mates. Mating usually takes place late in the year at the time of the ascending sun. From 10-30 eggs are laid approximately 30 days later. Eggs not eaten by predators hatch about 60 days later. Thri-kreen moult once a year until they become mature adults. Thri-kreen seldom live for more than 35 years.[9]
Tohr-kreen[]
Tohr-kreen, also known as "mantis nobles" by non-kreen, are large, intelligent insectoid humanoids physically similar to the thri-kreen. In fact the differences between them are largely cultural and social. The tohr-kreen build permanent settlements or cities on various worlds, while many individuals explore the universe in search of knowledge. The tohr-kreen consider the thri-kreen to be barbaric and uncivilized, and may even establish thri-kreen settlements where they attempt to pass on their knowledge to their cousins in the hopes of teaching them to be 'civilized'.[17][10]
Types of Kreen[]
There are six subspecies of kreen, namely the Jeral, To'ksa, J'hol, J'ez, Tondi, and T'keech. There are also two significant kreen-related species, the Zik-Chill and the Trin.[18]
Jeral[]
Both the Jeral and the To'ksa encompass what most outsiders would recognise as "thri-kreen". While there are physical and cultural differences between the two subspecies, the most notable is that the To'ksa have more prominent antennae and four-clawed hands, while the Jeral have three.[19][20] Jeral are on the whole more peaceful than other kreen, and are hardly ever inclined to evil. They favor professions such as priests, rangers and chakak (psionicists). Jeral prefer to live in sandy wastes and scrub lands, and are good with domestic animals.[21]
J'ez[]
J'ez are militant and aggressive kreen who enjoy combat and war, and provide some of the best military leaders among the kreen. The J'ez have black chitin, four-fingered hands, long antennae and circular fang-like maws. Their jaws are relatively flexible and have fang-like structures around the circumference pointing inwards. J'ez tend to have lawful alignments, and often serve as chakak (psionicists) and philosophers. They prefer to live in rocky badlands and sandy wastes.[21][20][22]
J'hol[]
J'hol are more inclined towards building and crafting than other kreen. They are builders and make fine clothing and tools, and are the only kreen who routinely work metal. They also make beautiful crystalline weapons, which are a status symbol in kreen society. J'hol have red chitin, three claws per hand, and large antennae. A j'hol's abdomen is small compared to other kreens, and they are the most humanoid in appearance. J'hol are seldom of good alignment and serve as chakak (psionicists) and warriors. They enjoy combat and watching gladiatorial contests, and are known for their arenas. J'hol are adapted to live in stony barrens and rocky badlands.[21][20][22]
T'keech[]
T'keech are relatively non-aggressive and often serve other kreen as laborers. T'keech have green chitin, indicating that they once lived in areas where plants were common. The green is a fairly dark shade, with lighter green along the thorax and abdomen. T'keech have long antennae and four-clawed hands. They have small abdomens and are similar in build to j'hol. While they are as adapted to desert climes as any other kreen, they are immune to the chitin-rot and respiratory diseases that afflict other kreen in humid regions. The t'keech tend to be neutral in alignement and prefer to serve as priests, druids or warriors. T'keech live in small settlements in scrub plains and near oases.[21][20][23]
To'ksa[]
Both the To'ksa and the Jeral encompass what most outsiders would recognise as "thri-kreen". While there are physical and cultural differences between the two subspecies, the most notable is that the To'ksa have more prominent antennae and four-clawed hands, while Jeral have three.[19][20] To'ksa tend to be more aggressive and barbaric than other kreen, and prefer a nomadic lifestyle, ranging across sandy wastes, scrub plains and stony barrens. They tend to be chaotic, and are often fighters or gladiators, though some may serve as priests or chakak (psionicists). To'ksa are considered primitive by other kreen (with the exception of the Jergal), and are subject to discrimination.[21]
Tondi[]
Tondi are perhaps the most unusual of all kreen subspecies. All tondi are female: they reproduce by parthenogenesis, laying eggs that hatch into more females. Their chitin is a mottled, pinkish-purple, and the exoskeletons of their abdomens are elaborately decorated with protrusions. When standing still, tondi look like giant flowers, or outcroppings of rock crystal. Besides their odd chitin, tondi are similar to other kreen. They have abdomens as large as those of to'ksa, long antennae, and three-clawed hands. Tondi are quite rare, prefering to avoid combat and usually avoiding contact with non-kreen altogether. They tend to be of neutral alignment, and most have a love of nature. Most tondi are skilled herbalists, while almost all tondi who choose a profession become druids. They prefer to live in badlands with outcroppings of pinkish rock crystal, and scrub plains overrun with large flowers.[21][20][23]
Related creatures[]
Zik-chil[]
The Zik-chil, or "priests-of-change", are a cold, unemotional and ruthless race who are believed to be a throwback to ancestral kreen. Both revered and feared, the zik-chil are manipulative and calculating beings with strange and inexplicable abilities. The zik-chil are physically similar to kreen, but are shorter, more slender, and their chitin is a pale, almost sickly green color. They have legs and lower arms similar to kreen, with three-clawed hands. However, their upper arms end in a unique and exquisitely-articulated set of claws. Each claw can separate into six slender, multi-jointed "fingers" capable of intricate manipulation. The zik-chil have the ability to manipulate their own enzymes, and, combined with their fine surgical abilities, they are capable of rebuilding and augmenting other living creatures.[24] The zik-chil are believed to be related to the spacefaring xixchil.[2]
Zik-trin[]
Zik-trin are normal kreen that have been radically altered and enhanced by the zik-chil, using enzymatic serums and physical augmentation, such as changes to their chitin and internal structures. They are also altered mentally through psionics and "programmed" to perform specific functions. Sometimes confused for tohr-kreen or "mantis nobles" by non-kreen, the zik-trin are larger, stronger, faster and a great deal more deadly than normal kreen. At the same time, due to their mental conditioning, they are also more peaceful and cultured: they are a curious blend of sophistication and savagery, well read and artistically inclined, yet built for deadly combat.[25] Of the various types of zik-trin, the zik-trin'ta are specifically altered to serve as scouts,[26][note 1] while the zik-trin'ak are built purely for combat.[27]
Trin[]
Trin or "thri-trin" (near-people) are large intelligent insects similar to thri-kreen but smaller. They have two arms and four legs (unlike the kreen who have four arms and two legs) and large mandibles. Similar to the To'ksa, trin have a solid shell over their abdomen, a longer neck and long antennae. Their arms end in large, vicious, hinged claws, and their sandy-yellow exoskeletons are mottled with grey, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings. Trin are primitive, brutish and savage hunters, and roam the land attacking, killing and eating all other creatures, including other mantis-folk. Their language is rudimentary at best, and most kreen consider them little better than beasts.[28][29]
Notable Thri-kreen[]
- Tiktitik was a crew member onboard a thri-kreen crusader ship who fell over-board into the phlogiston, where he remained in stasis for over 4,000 years.[4][6]
Signature Spelljammers[]
The thri-kreen have developed their own species specific helm, known as a "crystal throne", and use it to power their own unique spelljammer vessels, namely the Leafship and the Thornship.[30] thri-kreen mystics often serve as spelljammers aboard thri-kreen ships, navigating wildspace with developed psionics.
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ According to the Zik-trin'ak entry in Thri-Kreen of Athas, the statistics listed for the Tohr-kreen in the Monstrous Manual Dark Sun Appendix is to be considered that of a zik-trin-ta or scout.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Thri-kreen article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Thri-kreen article at the Dark Sun Wiki, a wiki for the Dark Sun campaign setting.
- Thri-kreen article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
- Thri-kreen article at Greyhawkonline.com, a wiki for the Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Thri-kreen article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Thri-kreen article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Kreen of Other Worlds section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, page 84
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Where the Kreen Are side bar, page 84
- ↑ Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Major and Minor Races side bar (pp.50, 52 and 54)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Time Capsule section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 42-43
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 44, 46, and 48
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Jihad! section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 50-53
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), chapter 6: Thri-Kreen PC's, pages 85-95
- ↑ Richard Baker, SJR5 Rock of Bral, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Ancient History section, part one: The Crossroads of Wildspace, page 5
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Jim Atkiss, Steve Brown, Timothy B. Brown, Andrew P. Morris, Bruce Nesmith, Wes Nicholson, Bill Slavicsek, Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix II: Terrors Beyond Tyr, 1995, (TSR, Inc). Thri-kreen entry, pages 110-111
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Thri-Kreen entry, page 342
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Nigel D. Findley, The Cloakmaster Cycle, Into the Void, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 65
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 46
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Time Capsule section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 43
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Time Capsule section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 42
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 48
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Christopher Perkins, Boo's Astral Menagerie, 2022, (Wizards of the Coast), page 60
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Related Species of Kreen section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, page 78
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Related Species of Kreen section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, pages 78-79
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), chapter 2: Physical Nature, pages 23-36
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Kreen section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, page 79
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.),ISBN: 0-7869-0125-X, colored poster
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Jim Atkiss, Steve Brown, Timothy B. Brown, Andrew P. Morris, Bruce Nesmith, Wes Nicholson, Bill Slavicsek, Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix II: Terrors Beyond Tyr, 1995, (TSR, Inc). Tohr-kreen (J'ez and J'hol) entry, pages 112-113
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Jim Atkiss, Steve Brown, Timothy B. Brown, Andrew P. Morris, Bruce Nesmith, Wes Nicholson, Bill Slavicsek, Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix II: Terrors Beyond Tyr, 1995, (TSR, Inc). Tohr-kreen (T'keech and Tondi) entry, pages 114-115
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Zik-Chil section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, page 79
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Zik-Trin section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, pages 79-80
- ↑ Tom Prusa, Louis J. Prosperi, Walter M. Bass, Kira Glass with Timothy B. Brown and William W. Connors, Monstrous Compendium Dark Sun Appendix, 1992, (TSR, Inc). Tohr-kreen (Mantis Noble) entry, pages 114-115
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Zik-trin'ak entry, page 127
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Trin section, chapter 5: Pack and Nation, page 79
- ↑ Tim Beach, Dori J. Hein, Thri-Kreen of Athas, 1995, (TSR Inc.), Trin entry, page 126
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Jihad! section, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, pages 51-52