THE TERRESTRIAL COCKROACH (CHILU SOKA)

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 exohuman 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
• Speed: Up to 5 km/h
• Exoskeleton: Dark brown with an iridescent sheen, allowing it to blend into dimly lit environments.
• Antennae: Long, highly sensitive, detecting food, threats, or competitors from several meters away.
• Legs: Six spiny legs enable rapid movement across uneven terrain and vertical surfaces.
• Eyes: Small compound eyes provide limited vision in low light, but the cockroach primarily relies on its sense of touch and smell for navigation.

• Extreme Resilience: Terrestrial cockroaches can survive weeks without food and adapt to a variety of environmental conditions.
• Rapid Reflexes: Their high-speed evasion allows them to escape predators with ease.
• Chemical Communication: Cockroaches release pheromones to attract others, signaling food sources or potential threats.

• 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.

Diet: Omnivorous (decaying plant matter, fungi, organic debris, and waste from human settlements). Social Structure: Highly adaptable scavengers, forming dense colonies in warm, humid environments.

• Rapid Reproduction: Ensures continuous population growth despite heavy predation.
• Opportunistic Scavenging: Feeds on discarded waste, stored supplies, and organic debris.
• Territorial Defense: Cockroaches release defensive pheromones when threatened, alerting nearby members of danger.
• Hiding and Evasion: Can squeeze into crevices, tunnels, and other tight spaces to avoid predators.

Since the arrival of ExoHuman settlers, terrestrial cockroaches have established themselves in caves and tunnels, competing with Bero Hiki for food. This has resulted in aggressive territorial skirmishes over decaying plant matter and fungi, shaping cave ecosystems.

• Cockroach Advantage: Larger, stronger exoskeleton, faster breeding cycle.
• Bero Hiki Advantage: Camouflage, regeneration, toxin-based deterrents.

This rivalry adds a dynamic ecological conflict, influencing the population balance of both species.

The terrestrial cockroach reproduces at an exceptionally high rate, ensuring its continued survival despite predation and competition.

• Egg-Laying: Females deposit oothecae containing 10-15 eggs in dark, warm locations, often near geothermal vents or human settlements.
• Hatchling Stage: Eggs hatch within 20-30 days, producing nymphs that resemble miniature adults.
• Molting Process: Nymphs molt several times over the course of 3-4 months before reaching adulthood.
• Maturation: Cockroaches reach reproductive maturity within 3-4 months, ensuring rapid population growth.

• Total Lifespan: 6-12 months, though their high reproduction rate compensates for predation losses.
• Mating Behavior: Cockroaches use pheromone trails to locate mates. Males engage in brief courtship rituals before fertilization occurs.
• Asexual Reproduction: If no mates are available, some cockroach strains are capable of parthenogenesis, allowing a single female to produce offspring without a male.

The terrestrial cockroach is not a direct threat to players, but it can cause significant disruptions in various ways:

• Infestation Scenarios: Players may need to exterminate swarms to protect food supplies, trade goods, or settlements.
• Disease Risk: A cockroach-infested environment may force players to manage infections, requiring medical supplies or spells.
• Survival & Crafting: Cockroaches can serve as an emergency food source, bait for larger prey, or an ingredient in exotic concoctions.
• Symbolic Role: The cockroach’s invasive nature mirrors humanity’s presence on VOI 700 D, creating a thematic parallel between the species.

• Earth
• Habitual Belt
• Dark Side
• Equatorial Sections East and West
• Asari Region
• Ralar Region
• Known Wildlife of Asari
• Known Wildlife of the Ralar Region

Known Predators:

• Naka Tula
• Korozo
• Kajanga

Rival Species:

• Bero Hiki