Driftling

Physiology
A Driftling is akin to an orchid when it sits still or lets itself be carried in the wind, and is a bright-coloured mantis when moving, and is about the same size if not smaller. It is light enough for it to be able to be carried great distances so long it unfolds its ‘petals’ that act as wings. Their name comes from the fact that rather than flying, they drift on the winds in a form of uncontrollable flight.

What makes this creature unique is the fact that it is so unassuming and bright-coloured. That and the ability to pretend to be flowers in the wind makes them excellent hunters and allows them to catch prey even mid-drift.

Diet
They eat insects exclusively.

Habitat
The Driftling are anywhere where orchids and bugs are found. They are even known to cluster in bushes that don’t naturally have orchids to attract insects for a group feast. Some Driftling even make their homes on the backs of insect-carrying animals. Oxen, cows, smelly people and creatures, and horses are sometimes adorned in crowns of flowers due to this.

Behavior
These creatures are predatory. They float on the wind like elaborate flower petals and assail their creatures from above, or they sit and wait to spring into action. While, unless you have lice, they aren’t a problem for humans, some smellier Caparii might find that Driftling cluster on them due to the sheer amount of fur they have.

Mostly incapable of any organised socializing, these creatures are capable of recognizing each other and do tend to cluster amongst their kin. In these clusters, the reproduction tends to happen. A process that the males, sadly, do not survive as they are devoured by the females.

Lifespan and Reproduction
Driftling live for about a year, and once in that year gene leave their eggs to scatter in the wind when excreted. Many eggs don’t survive this chaotic tumble, but since there are generally thousands of eggs, a good hundred always find a place to hatch.

Yields
TBA with crafting plugin

Credits
Jeroxia