The terrestrial cockroach (Periplaneta americana), known to the Native tribes as Chilu Soka (“those who creep in the shadows”), is an invasive species that has found remarkable success in the ecosystems of VOI 700 D. Originally brought aboard the spacecraft Last Frontier as accidental stowaways, these resilient insects have established themselves across the Habitual Belt and beyond.

During the settlers’ journey, terrestrial cockroaches thrived on the supply decks of the Last Frontier, feeding on waste and scraps. Some were captured and dissected in school biology classes as part of terrestrial education, while others were unofficially processed as a protein source for the human crew. Despite these efforts, the species endured, and their arrival on VOI 700 D sparked new ecological dynamics.

• Length: Up to 4 cm
• Weight: Less than 1 gram, its lightweight build enabling it to maneuver through tight crevices.
• Speed: The terrestrial cockroach is capable of quick bursts of speed up to 5 km/h, an impressive pace for its size, allowing it to escape predators or relocate rapidly.
• Appearance: The cockroach’s dark brown exoskeleton is segmented, with a slight iridescent sheen that helps it blend into dimly lit environments. Its antennae are long and highly sensitive, detecting food, danger, or competitors from several meters away. Equipped with six spiny legs, the cockroach moves nimbly over uneven terrain. Small compound eyes give it decent vision in low light, but it primarily relies on its sense of touch and smell to navigate.

• Armor Class (AC): 12 (due to its small size and agile movements)
• Hit Points (HP): 5

Attacks:

• Bite: 1d4 piercing damage, with a 25% chance of inflicting a minor disease on the target.
• Infestation: A swarm of cockroaches in a 5-foot radius can deal 2d6 damage per round if not removed or dispersed.

Special Abilities:

• Scavenger's Instinct: Advantage on Survival checks related to locating food or hiding places.
• Disease Carrier: Any creature bitten by a cockroach must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or become infected with a minor disease that reduces their movement speed by 10 feet for 1d4 hours.
• Persistence: When killed, cockroaches release pheromones that attract other cockroaches within a 30-foot radius, potentially summoning a swarm.

• Origins and Spread: The terrestrial cockroach escaped into the wild after the crash of the Last Frontier near New Kourou in the Habitual Belt. From there, it infiltrated human and Native settlements, stowing away in trade shipments and stolen goods to reach far-flung locations like Firetown and the Ralar Geothermal Caves.
• Preferred Habitat: Warm and humid environments such as supply depots, inns, and volcanic caves. The cockroach avoids colder regions, such as the Dark Side.
• Behavior: Opportunistic and highly adaptable, cockroaches scavenge anything edible, from discarded waste to stored supplies. They are known to enter conflicts with Native invertebrates like Bero Hiki, displaying surprising territorial aggression despite their small size.

• Food Source: Though vulnerable to predators, cockroaches reproduce rapidly, providing a reliable protein source for small animals like Kajanga. This abundance has triggered population booms in Kajanga and their predators, Korozo.
• Competition: The cockroaches’ omnivorous diet has brought them into direct competition with Bero Hiki, a native worm-like species. The two species exhibit aggressive territorial behavior, often prioritizing conflict over food.

The cockroach’s persistence and invasive behavior have made it a symbol of humanity’s impact on VOI 700 D. Some Native tribes refer to humans themselves as Chilu Soka, drawing parallels between the settlers’ encroachment and the cockroach’s relentless spread. This term gained traction during the Great War, appearing in speeches by Native leaders as a derogatory comparison to humanity's perceived destructiveness.

The terrestrial cockroach is not a direct threat to players but it can cause significant disruptions like resource depletion or transmission of diseases. In addition to that the cockroach also has a symbolic role as it is alien to the planet like the ExoHumans are.

• The wildlife of the Eastern Equatorial Section of the Habitual Belt from A to Z
• The wildlife of the Dark Side from A to Z
• Earth