Gohma (RPG)

The Gohma are a sentient species of arachnids which have plagued Hyrule for millenia.

Physical Characteristics
Descendants of peoples from an older world, the Gohma bear physical resemblance to arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, as well as a variety of other animals, from insects to crustaceans. Their specialized forms are highly diverse, though they all share several physical characteristics; claws, a form of pincers, segmented bodies covered by a chitinous exoskeleton, and a central eye, specialized for perception and detail.

Reproduction and Life Cycle
The Gohma life cycle also differs from most life in Hyrule, as there is only one male specimen in the entire species; the Immanis. Following the Immanis' death at the turning of the ages, certain bodily systems, including his reproductive organs still functioned, allowing the Gohma Queens to continue fertilization at the cost of having to commute to the Misery Mire. Unlike most species, the Gohma had a strict caste system; several types of larvae would do most of the work on Gohma hives, while other larvae were selected to metamorphize into specialized Gohma forms, ranging from the reproducing Queens to combat forms such as the Armogohma.

Psychology
Contrary to popular belief, all Gohma were sentient and sapient, though extremely hard to understand due to their language, which incorporated various chirps and growls, physical language, and pheromones to transmit information. Their size and brain proportion often influenced their intelligence. While larvae were capable of independent thought, their intellect was middling, and relied heavily on the guidance of Queens. Without their presence, larvae would become disorganized and often run amok. The Queens, likewise, answered to more intelligent Queens above them, such as the Matriarch. Human-Gohma communication and even trade was present, though rare and difficult due to the psycho-physiological and cultural differences.

Age of the Gohma
Very little is known of this time, as there don't seem to exist any documents, though it is described in both Hylian and Gohma myth. According to both, the alliance of the Immanis with First Sage Sulkaris resulted in the Gohma gaining dominion over most of the known world. The Hylians describe this era, which is referred to as an eon as a tyrannical dark age where Gohma nearly exterminated all other life from Hyrule. The Gohma, on the other hand, typically think of the era as a golden age in which all life lived in harmony under Gohma guidance. At the end of this era, the Oocca are said to have empowered the Hero of Men with a will and ability to defeat Sulkaris and Immanis, resulting in humankind becoming the new rulers of the world.