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 spread throughout the Asari Region in the Eastern Equatorial Section of the Habitual Belt on VOI 700 D.

Originally accidental stowaways aboard the Last Frontier, these resilient insects thrived during the settlers' journey, feeding on organic waste and stored supplies. After the crash of the Last Frontier, terrestrial cockroaches quickly adapted to their new environment, infiltrating human settlements, trade shipments, and Native ecosystems. Their rapid spread has had profound ecological consequences, introducing both food competition and population booms in species that prey on them, such as Kajanga and Korozo.

Due to their relentless expansion, some Native Tribes have symbolically equated ExoHumans with cockroaches, using Chilu Soka as a derogatory term during the Great War to describe humanity’s perceived destructiveness.

• 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 small size and rapid movements)
• Hit Points (HP): 5
• Speed: 40 ft.

• Bite: 1d4 piercing damage. 25% chance to inflict minor disease (DC 10 Constitution save or suffer -10 ft movement speed for 1d4 hours).
• Infestation: A swarm of cockroaches in a 5-foot radius deals 2d6 damage per round unless dispersed.

• Scavenger’s Instinct: Advantage on Survival checks related to locating food or hiding places.
• Persistence: Upon death, cockroaches release pheromones that attract nearby cockroaches within 30 feet, potentially triggering a swarm encounter.
• Disease Carrier: Creatures bitten by the cockroach must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or contract a minor disease that slows movement for 1d4 hours.

The terrestrial cockroach is one of the most prolific species on VOI 700 D, ensuring its survival despite constant threats from predators and competitors.

• Reproductive Rate: A single female cockroach can produce up to 150 offspring in her lifetime.
• Egg Capsules: Females lay egg capsules (oothecae) containing 10-15 eggs. These capsules are hidden in dark, warm locations to protect them from predation.
• Hatchlings: The nymphs, which are miniature versions of adult cockroaches, hatch within 20-30 days. They grow rapidly, molting several times before reaching maturity in just 3-4 months.
• Lifespan: Adult cockroaches live for approximately 6-12 months, during which they continually reproduce, compounding their population growth.

This rapid lifecycle makes the cockroach an incredibly resilient species, capable of rebounding from population losses within a matter of weeks.

• 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.

• Earth
• Habitual Belt
• Equatorial Sections East and West (Asari)
• Eastern Equatorial Section of the Habitual Belt
• Wildlife of Asari