the mantis lords

The Fungal Wastes had grown quiet, spores drifting like dust as you descended into the carved tunnels. The Mantis Village loomed, and at its heart, three figures sat upon high chairs, unmoving, watching.

You walked on until—slam!—the great door shut behind you.

“You’re not going by without proving yourself,” the middle one said firmly, her tone clipped and commanding.

You raised your nail.

The eldest rose first, every step sharp with discipline. “Show me your strength, little intruder. No tricks. No cowardice.” Her strikes were measured, relentless, until with one counter she faltered. She returned to her seat, chest steadying. “Hmph… not without skill,” she muttered.

The second sister leapt down, her voice quick and playful. “My turn! Let’s see if you can keep up!” She was a blur, laughing as sparks flew, until exhaustion forced her back. “Damn… too much too fast…”

The third hopped down less gracefully, bristling. “Ah—uh… don’t think I’ll go easy on you!” Her swings were heavy, clumsy yet stubborn. “Stand still already! I’ll… I’ll land it this time!”

On her throne, the eldest sighed, hand to helm. “Pathetic. Reckless speed… sloppy strikes… do you take nothing seriously?”

“Shut up, elder! I had him!” “At least I’m not stiff as a stone like you!”

Their bickering fell silent when their eyes turned back to you. Then, without a word, all three sprang forward at once.

“Enough games. Now we fight together.” “Try to keep up, little bug!” “This time… I won’t miss!”

Steel rang, voices mixing with the hiss of strikes. The trial was no longer one by one, but three mantis wills united—testing yours.

more information and history

extras:

Severa

(from severe, reflecting her strict discipline and unyielding nature)

The leader and most disciplined, a symbol of the clan’s honor.

Second Sister – Veyra

(from veer, hinting at her quick, darting movements and unpredictable speed)

Agile and playful, the fastest but least enduring.

Youngest Sister – Kaela

(from caleo, meaning “to burn/strive,” showing her determination despite clumsiness)

The youngest, still unpolished, but fierce in willpower.

The Mantis Tribe was never the largest or strongest among Hallownest’s many clans, but they have always survived through discipline, precision, and cunning. Long ago, when the kingdom was still wild and untamed, the ancestors of the Mantis Tribe were solitary hunters who learned to band together for mutual protection. They settled in the high cliffs and deep crevices of what would later become the Mantis Village, favoring isolation over expansion.

Unlike other tribes, the Mantis Clan managed to avoid the worst of the Infection. Their strict code of life—ritualized training, close-knit community, and minimal contact with outsiders—kept disease and chaos at bay. Each generation of Mantis learned the same methods: train relentlessly, fight only when necessary, and uphold honor above all else. Over centuries, the village became a fortress of agility and skill rather than sheer numbers or brute strength.

Despite being relatively small and less physically imposing than other clans, the Mantis Tribe earned a reputation for precision and deadly efficiency. Outsiders who underestimated them quickly learned their mistake. They cultivated not just fighters but disciplined warriors capable of defending their home against intruders, maintaining the purity of the tribe while the rest of Hallownest fell to infection and decay.

The three sisters are the culmination of this history: the heirs of generations who survived by skill, training, and a code that prizes discipline over power