Ecology
Typical physical characteristics
Thri-kreen resemble humanoid mantids with golden-brown coloration. They possess six limbs, and usually use one pair for locomotion and the other two pairs as arms. They have excellent physical capabilities, allowing them to jump great distances. They also have sharp claws, poisonous bites, and psionic abilities.
An average thri-kreen has the life expectancy of only 30 years. However, this is countered by the fact that thri-kreen do not require sleep. A thri-kreen truly lives out every moment of its precious 30 years.
Environment
Thri-kreen dwell in warm deserts and plains.
Society
Thri-kreen are formidable nomadic hunters who respect the land and hate creatures that despoil it. They will attack anyone who disturbs their home.
Thri-kreen have two signature weapons: the gythka, a polearm with a blade at each end; and the chatkcha, a dasl crystal throwing wedge which returns when thrown. Dasl is made from thri-kreen venom, modified by the zik-thok (fejik) plant. Creation of dasl is a racial secret and is only suitable for making three-sided weapons such as the chatkcha and gythka.
Thri-kreen sometimes use other species' weapons, but this is rare.
Variant forms of thri-kreen include the civilized tohr-kreen (of which there are six subspecies) & the mentally and physically altered zik-trin.
When Thri-Kreen are born they immediately imprint with the person they see first. Sometimes this allows other races to utilize them easily as slave labor. Thri-kreen do not have families in the traditional sense, they are born to clutches, a group of individuals that work together to survive. Thri-kreen believe in the survival of the clutch above all and will fight their leader if they think they are endangering the clutch. Those that lose their clutch for any reason sometimes adventure with other races eventually forming a new clutch bond.
The thri-kreen society is very organized, and they have a strong hive mentality when in groups. Not much more is known since they have a difficult time associating with the humanoid races.
Thri-Kreen Predator
Those among the Thri-Kreen that focus on their race's physical prowess. In particular using their body as a weapon instead of relying on tools. These Thri-Kreen are the apex predator.
Differences Between Versions
2nd Edition
Thri-Kreen where large creatures and had thoraxes.
4th Edition
Thri-Kreen where medium creatures without thoraxes.