===THALEMIMIs===
Thalemimis are an amphibious species. They can thrive anywhere from land or freshwater to oceans and seas. What sets them apart is their ears and tail that are similar to tentacles. Gills can be found located on their necks, along with swimming membranes between their fingers. These features make them skilled swimmers and allow them to breathe underwater. They also have a so-called "second skin". It's a section of thicker skin that adorns their hands and legs. The skin is almost impenetrable and usually has various markings and colors. Sometimes Thalemimis are born with mutations that are caused by acid rains and pollution, but in some, it can also manifest later in their life.
Here's the Traits Guide for Thalemimis.
And here's the link for Thalemimi NPCs!
===What are Thalemimis?====
Thalemimis are an original species from Gaidinia. They are a kemonomimi species with tentacle animal-shaped ears and tails (suckers included). These humanoids have a "second skin" - it's a skin that can be found on their arms and legs. It's unusually thick and almost impenetrable. The second skin can have various patterns and mutations. Thalemimis are amphibians and like to spend their time on land and in water equally. Thalemimis are one of only two species (with Water Nyanarrs) that can breathe underwater. They are also excellent swimmers.
Thalemimis are also the only species in Gaidinia that can mutate due to water pollution and acid rains. They are very sensitive to pollution and various mutations can appear for them. You can read about the mutations in the Thalemimi Biology section below.
===Where do Thalemimis live?===
Thalemimis usually like to live near bigger or smaller water bodies (sea, lakes, ponds, etc). Their capital city is Bewea, which is a beautiful, but at night quite dangerous, place. Bewea is never at peace as it's usually loud. Lots of inns, sailors, and pirates can be found here. An ancient clan of Thalemimis called "Alathi" rules over The Town and they worship Neiyn - one of the Thalemimi deities. However, Thalemimis can live anywhere in Gaidinia. Unfortunately, if Thalemimis decides to live far away from water bodies, they must take showers or baths very often. Thalemimis need water to survive and they need it in more than a decent amount. They can get dehydrated extremely fast, therefore be careful!
===Thalemimi's Abilities===
Unlike most Gaidinian species, Thalemimis do not possess any magical abilities in a typical sense of the word. However, it does not mean they don't have any interesting abilities! Thalemimis, as already mentioned, can breathe underwater, but they're also excellent swimmers (this ability is genetically inherited, they do not need to train and they will still be faster and more efficient swimmers than any other species - including water Nyanarrs!). Most Thalemimis can also communicate with underwater fauna thanks to a special "telepathic" ability. They do not hear the animals actually speak, but they can sense their feelings and thoughts in a sense - in other words, they are very sensitive to the language of sea life. This is a great ability when one needs to find out certain information or just wants to help out a poor sea animal in need. Thanks to these abilities, Thalemimis do not have any natural enemies and are the dominant species of the sea.
===Thalemimi Biology===
Thalemimi's lifespan is about the same as the human lifespan. They become adults around the age of 18 and they usually pass around 60-90 years of life. Unlike every other species in Gaidinia (except Water Nyanarrs), they can live underwater. It is actually more common for Thalemimis to live on land than to live underwater (unlike in past), but it's mostly because it's simply easier. The species doesn't have any preference in general. Their bodies are perfectly adapted to these conditions. They can handle higher pressure (which allows them to live deep under the sea level, etc.), breathe underwater, they can swim very well, and their eyes are perfectly adapted to seawater, limited light, and so on. Their eyes have a second eyelid similar to most fish, sharks, and marine mammals. This second eyelid is transparent and cannot be detected easily (basically invisible). It is a very thin but very durable transparent skin that protects the eye against the salt water it would normally be exposed to.
Aside from that, Thalemimis' feet are pawed and both their arms and legs are covered in so-called "second skin". The second skin can be of any pattern and sometimes (if mutated) can be also furred, scaled, etc. All Thalemimis also have a set of tentacle-like ears and a tentacle-like tail (suckers are necessary and cannot be omitted!). Between their fingers, there are membranes that help them swim faster and have higher agility when underwater. All Thalemimis also have a set of gills on the sides of their neck.
Thalemimis can also have any eye color, hair color (even unnatural tones) but only natural skin tones (unless mutated). Mutations are the most common among Thalemimis that live in polluted water or in an area with acid rains. Among the most common mutations, there are multiple eyes, unnatural skin tone, tentacle hair, multiple limbs, glass parts, and wings.
===Thalemimi History and Culture===
Thalemimis first appeared in the Ion (the Water Village). Later on, they moved to Bewea (The Town).
When it comes to Thalemimis, their history is rather complicated as they do not come from the past, but from the future! Ever since Thalemimis first appeared several hundred years ago, they have lived among the other Gaidinian species. It is said that in the 22nd century, a scientist invented the time machine. His plan was to go back in time and acquire a sample of one of the Old Gods - as he wanted to bring one of the Old Gods back to life. Unfortunately, instead of gaining a sample for his experiment, he managed to send a syringe of contaminated polluted air from his times back in time to the past. As if it wasn't enough misfortune for the scientist, his machine broke and he was stuck in the past. Unluckily, he appeared in Ion around the time one of the many wars caused by the Old Gods was going on.
Despite his original plan, the scientist decided to not seek the Old Gods, he decided to stay in the village and repair his time machine. However, that took several years due to a lack of resources. Around the same time, the long-ago forgotten syringe with contaminated polluted sample broke and the contents of it infected species living nearby. The species in that area started to give birth to a completely new and different species. This was due to the mutations the contents of the syringe started in the other species' DNA. In other words, the species living in that area were not giving birth to offspring of their own kind but to these mutated new species - that the scientist decided to call Thalemimis (Thale means Sea in Thai, and Mimi means Ears in Japanese). This new species spread quickly and seemed to be very efficient - they were amphibious, perfectly adapted to land and sea.
After several hundreds of years, Thalemimis became known Gaidinian species - even considered one of the original species - and the originally contaminated syringe was long-ago forgotten once again. Thalemimis quickly forgot about their origin and they established their own society, cities, culture, and history. Later on, several Thalemimis thanks to their above-mortal deeds gained immortality and became Thalemimi deities. The first of them all was Neiyn, Thalemimi that is obeyed and praised by all Thalemimis for his bravery and strength.
Neiyn's story starts after the New Gods finally managed to overpower the Old Gods. During the Second Gaidinian War, the War Deity Vas decided that he wants a higher position among the New Gods. Vas created War Kamuchiis who were ordered to suppress the others and gain power for him. At the same time, Peace Kemuchiis were created to fight them and face Vas. Neiyn, who wanted to protect his species, decided to join the army. During one of the combats, he managed to get close to Vas. He wanted to slaughter Vas, however, other New Gods decided to take action - not only to protect Neiyn, but also to protect the balance - if Vas was killed, the whole world would be in imbalance. Nonetheless, Neiyn was praised for his bravery and he became the ever first Thalemimis deity. Later on, more Thalemimis became deities - namely Ina, Karas, and Ruvii. All of them take care of Gaidinian seas and other water bodies, and are obeyed and praised by most Thalemimis.
===Interesting Facts===
- Thalemimis can talk to marine mammals, fish, sharks, etc.
- Thalemimis can sense how healthy the sea is as well as how deep under the sea level they are and how salty the water around them is, etc.
- Thalemimis do not need to drink if they live underwater, they absorb and filter the water around them. They, however, need to hydrate (drink) much more than other species when on land.
- Thalemimis are omnivorous but they mostly eat fish and seafood. (the irony)
- Thalemimis can get dehydrated fast, so they must be careful to always keep hydrated, otherwise they're risking their lives.
- Thalemimis are considered to be very passionate and brave.
- Most Thalemimi values come from the deities, bravery and strength (Neiyn and Ruvii), beauty and kindness (Ina), rules and cycle of life (Karas and Ruvii).
- Mutations can apply to most of the body, including the second skin.
- Thalemimis ears function on the same principle as animal ears. The tentacle flash narrows the sound down to their ear hole.
- Thalemimis can tattoo their second skin.
- Thalemimis can wear rings above their membranes (webbing of their fingers). The membranes are approximately up to the first joint.