Spiderlings

Perhaps the most alien sentient species on the planet of Sera, spiderlings are the most commonly recognized nickname for the oversized arachnids that live in the underground cities of Collective One. Though most subspecies are limited by their vocal organs, every individual is fully capable of comprehending and responding to other sentient beings' speech and interactions in spite of their insectoid forms, though their method of consensus-based government and non-verbal communication display aspects of swarm intelligence. Despite early conjectures, it is now understood that spiderlings are neither controlled by a hive mind, nor can any individual be mind-controlled to obey the will of another.   Highly industrious and decentralized, the overwhelming majority of its species are motivated by a strong drive to satiate their curiosities about the outside world and ensure the preservation of the collective. Possibly as a result of their collective-oriented mindset, spiderlings tend to have minimal self-preservation instincts, which combined with their unusual methods of attack, significant strength and resilient exoskeleton, makes for excellent fighters.