#dreckhaven

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Let's get ooc out of the way. Hey look, it's Hermes's housemates.

Here are the bugs they're based off of.

Flint, the Desert Stink beetle.

Clara, the old Cochineal.

And Chert, the Gossamer Wing butterfly.

Maybe I could do flashbacks if you want to see them. Hopefully I can design some bug bodies too.

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I've established a few other characters trying to flesh out Hermes's backstory so if it's something you wanted to do, you can specify these extra Dreckhaven bugs. Look at me make up lore on the spot.

Hermes's housemates:

- Clara the old Cochineal. (She/her) She's always looking out for others. A crafts expert. Especially in dyes and paints.

- Flint the Desert Stink beetle. (He/him) He's energetic and a great cook. Hopefully you don't mind the smell.

- Chert the Gossamer Wing butterfly. (She/they) She's actually a construction worker and her wings make it a safer career. They are sometimes nonverbal.

The Hercules beetle family:

- Attens the Hercules beetle. (She/her) Tough old codger. It's Hermes's Gramma. Used to be a warrior. Got more despondent lately. Her husband Cor died.

- Maia the Hercules beetle. (She/xer) Works in the aphid farms with Monadnock's ant population. Xey are super nice and she loves making friends. It's mom.

- Alcus the Hercules beetle. (He/him) Helps out the moth commune that raised him. Some dysmorphia. Geology nerd. He knows a little bit of dream magic. He's neurodivergent (not sure what). It's dad.

- Mercury the Hercules beetle. (He/him) Works in the graveyard and knows resting rites. He's so fast. Guy that gives noogies.

- Lao the Hercules beetle. (She/her) Wastes guide. Really good combat specialist and survivalist. A bit no nonsense but has a crazy sweet tooth. Probably the most sensical to meet.

- Iphy the Hercules beetle. (She/her). Transfemme. So fluffy too. Does theater. She is well informed on Wastes history.

Lastly, Hermes's stupid boss.

- A bug shrouded in shadow (haven't decided yet, also unspecified gender) a bit too greedy to be bound by the walls of Dreckhaven. The Emporium of Important Items from Faraway started in Fercity but is franchising to other kingdoms. Likes to use Sticky Fingers charm.

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Important information:

Dreckhaven lore be upon ye

Dreckhaven is a bug "kingdom" located in the Wastes. Less of a kingdom because there is no ruling monarchy. Instead, multiple sapient bugs are chosen to represent different parts of Dreckhaven and work together to satisfy the needs of the people. (Yay! Democracy!).

The kingdom was established from a few spots where the harsh winds blew less hard and resources were available. There were a few of these spots so the settlements merged together to form Dreckhaven. These include Hermes's hometown Monadnock and the capital Fercity. Desert bugs like ants, aphids, cochineal, moths, butterflies and beetles are more common but the place is a nice area to move in once the Wastes are traversed.

Masks are less about identity since communities know each other and more about sand protection. Most of the fashion is also sand protection, avoiding fabrics that accumulate particles. Fluffy bugs have personal brushes to comb grit out.

Imports are very common in Dreckhaven. The bugs there are used to the environment and can easily go elsewhere to trade. They still call themselves a kingdom to relate to the other places. Rumours pass through and travelers can stay in the inns, learn desert scavenging and mound building.

(Bit that could be removed if necessary: @arkus-the-ironclad is supposed to be a former Warlord of the Wastes which is convenient for bugs like Hermes to have a need to wield weapons, make weapons and know how to use them.)

Religion is a lot less tight. It's more casual. Soul is regarded as a law of the natural world. Sapient plants are seen as theoretically possible but they haven't been seen there. Void is relegated to a myth. A story used to help convince bugs to live life to the fullest without regrets.

Fun facts: Dreck can be used in German for mud, dirt or muck. Monadnock is an erosion resistant rock above peneplain which is surface geology. Fercity is a play on fair and French iron, that could have a pronunciation problem like hydrocity from sonic. Desert bugs were searched up and that selection could hint at how things are done there. My bud @grandexcessivecoremode helped brainstorm and set the kingdom in the Wastes to help out with how things should go. Stuff was made up on the spot. Honestly? Any extra ideas are welcome.