The Macrovolutes are the giant arachnoid and insectoid inhabitants of the planet Angion. [5] Information on them is relayed to Humanity by Professor Gegorsa, a Macrovolute they would see as a giant Cockroach. It is presently unclear why Gegorsa has reached out with these lessons but he has stated that what he is relaying is important to both 'your world' (Earth) and his own. [1]
Technology[]
Macrovolute technology is plant based having scent expressed equivalents to television and the internet. In Formicosa at least access to this network is universal however the publishing of material on it requires permission from the Ants who govern that region. Pheromonic and pressure based triggers are used for the operation of much of their machinery. Tools featured prominently in Professor Gegorsa's presentation are those built for pest control. These include a Venus fly trap like apparatus for capture of life specimens as the featured pest specialist in the professor's narrative, Sophodra, has an interest in capturing rather than exterminating though as indicated in some presentations certain pests may be destroyed, such as Chickens, if it comes to a situation of her wellbeing or them.
Society[]
Their world of Angion is divided into various regions with their own regions such as Diotan, Formicosa, and Helios. These regions have formed within air filled bladders of a massive plant known as Tricularia which covers much of Angion. Each air-bladder complex supports a unique ecology and with that has given rise to different prominent species. Professor Gegorsa has largely relayed details regarding Formicosa where Ants have the position of prominence. Formicosan society is what Humans would compare to an Ethnocracy, governed by the Ant-Queens who inhabit the lowest level of the Formicosa bladder complex, known as Formicosa Palace. The ant's keep public transport running smoothly and maintain the plant based machinery. They direct the flow of individuals who are not Ant and bar from them entry into certain areas where they may cause problems in the smooth running of their nation. Within the narrative presented by Gegorsa one Mantis, Sophodra, entered into a restricted zone while working in the realm of Pest Control with her client being the Ants who summoned her to deal with a Human infestation. In entering such a place she did cut a few mechanical connections which provides for his Human students an example of why the Ants keep certain areas off limits. The non-Ant inhabitants of Formicosa can form businesses, work as labor, and generally reside within the borders so long as they do not interfere in the hive's activities and provide a beneficial service.
Extra-Sapient Species Relations[]
In at least Formicosa there exists some level of inter rather than intra species society though with clear authority resting in the queens of the Ants. Some level of segregation also exists though not domestically (mixed households exist) only in the industrial workplace is such segregation enforced by the Ants. [2] Outside the realm of insects and arachnids the small sapients known as Humans, the last of their genus, are not integrated into any society outside their species. They have the status 'gubs' along side parasitoids and other creatures that fill rolls the Humans of Earth would assign to bugs. These mammalian vertebrates build communities (such as Haven) [7] and have complex social orders. On Angion the Human population is chiefly comprised of females with males largely being confined to community complexes. The professor has not relayed why this difference exists to the Humans of Earth but the general speculation is that a female's specialized sense of smell and sensitivity to higher pitched sounds allows her to better navigate the wilderness of Angion where much relies on sonic vibration and pheromones'. They utilize deoderant to cloak their scent and avoid detection by the Macrovolutes lending the need for professionals such as Sophodra to deal with them. Sophodra herself captures Humans to add to her collection in rather unenriching accommodations where she can keep an eye on them. She's rather proud of her collection though feels it lacking a specific individual (a leader) whom she has failed to capture and she specifically recognizes that individual. [5] Given the status of Humans on Angion the mystery regarding the reasons for the professor's contact is made all the more compelling.
History[]
On the world of Angion massive insects and arachnids rather than mammals nor even reptiles came to be the dominant form of sapient life. The presentations of Professor Gegorsa have not dwelled much on the sociological history of his world but rather it's physical attributes and evolution. A statement that there are eighty-eight air bladders' but where more seems to indicate a disaster of some kind or conflict of a destructive nature damaged the Tricularia at some point.
Professor Gegorsa's Presentations[]
Left; Gegorsa's 'Human Vision' depiction of a fellow Macrovolute named Sophodra as he speculates Humans would see her. Right; Gegorsa's translated depiction of Sophodra meant to convey to Humans how the typical Macrovolute perceives her. The translation involves facial expression among other things to express her on a Human level.
It's unclear why Professor Gegorsa has taken it upon himself to teach Humans about Macrovolute society nor why he has chosen to do so through the narrative regarding a pest control expert. What is known is that he took it upon himself to translate his narrative in a way Humans could understand- since his people communicate through scent, gestures, and other rather subtle means. His narrative features two alternating perspectives of his own world- one a translation of how the typical Macrovolute perceives it and the other how he imagines Humans do. He stated that there are colors he can not see, and that Humans can not see. Since he can not see green he's translated that as Red, in his words 'the deepest of reds'. He also clarified that he took certain liberties since a face of chitin can not be expressive in the Human manner.
Thus far, in addition to relaying through the narrative facts about his world, his presentations have revolved around a Tarantula named Rose and a Mantis named Sophodra with Rose being new to the pest control industry and Sophodra as the founder of the company Humans-B-Gone! in Formicosa.
Source[]
- Humans-B-Gone! #1
- Humans-B-Gone! #2
- Humans-B-Gone! #3
- Humans-B-Gone! #4
- Humans-B-Gone! #5 - Human Leader Attacks Mantis and Tarantula
- Humans-B-Gone #6 - Into the Mantis Nest
- Humans-B-Gone #7 - Weevil Woes