Adult Male
Name: unnamed
Species: Onyx Mantis
Birthday: Friday, July 23, 2010
Owner: zylle
Element: Neutral 
Upon reaching adulthood, the exterior of a mantis hatchling hardens almost completely. The insect also leaves the side of its magi to join the others of its kind, just outside Sylva forest. Unsociable even amongst themselves, intruders to their homes are not tolerated and meet quick ends. When a magi has need of their mantis companion, they summon the insect from far away. These mantises are known to be wonderful spies and assassins, often used by dark magi. An onyx mantis can all but disappear in the dark, and any wayward traveler will swiftly meet their end at a mantis's claws. Unlike emerald mantises, onyx mantises are nocturnal, hiding away to sleep in the day. Unlike their green brethren, that makes them useful in most terrains.
Insects rarely are magi companions, mostly because of their size but also due to their short life spans. Emerald and onyx mantises, however, are quite different. Reaching up to three feet in height, these insects live longer lives, are more intelligent, and possess powers quite unlike regular mantises. Their exteriors are hard and difficult to pierce, and their coloration allows for easy camouflage. Females of the species are the more dominant of the two. Onyx mantises are perfectly colored for the nocturnal lifestyle they prefer and usually hunt in the nighttimes. They are mostly black, with bellies marked in blue, and their large wings are capable of sustaining them in flight. These dark mantises are even more bad tempered than their emerald colors, hunting not only for food to sustain them, but also for enjoyment's sake.
Sprite art: GlassWalker (adult) | Description: Damien