Cimexians

Small encampment headed by a guard and the Antkin Queen.

#### **INTRODUCTION**

Cimexians, believed to be descended from the wider hymenopteran family, are a robust species of sapient arthropod. They have a striking resemblance to other arthropods though are an entirely unique genus. For centuries they have been plagued by turmoil and civil unrest, only recently beginning to work their way back up. They’re valued by most as intense laborers and devote loyalists- renown as a species for their resolve and vigor. Though many have attempted to exploit their species they have always returned from destruction, even in the most dire of circumstances.

#### **ANATOMY**

Cimexians are not a very conventional species. Shaped by generations on the exotic island continents, the Cimexians are almost completely unrecognizable when it comes to ‘human’ factors. They possess an dermal exoskeleton opposed to an internal one. The leather-like exterior of which provides them with protection from debris and the elements, assisting them in day-to-day life in their natural homeland. This natural armor possesses defensive capabilities also- allowing the cimexian to withstand a strike of a small blade (such as a dagger) against an afflicted area. The shell of course doesn’t completely shatter when it is compromised but does pose risk to its otherwise exposed internal organs. It is also hinged and joints only have a cap of chitin opposed to being completely encased. Unlike human skin, chitin burns far faster and Cimexians are prone to intense fire damage should they be set alight.

Cimexians are structured in a far less familiar way than say orcs. For one most of their vital organs are stored in the abdomen rather than the thorax, indicative of other arthropods. They do not have lungs and instead intake oxygen through their exoskeleton. While this does prevent them from being choked, these pores in their dermis can be sealed either by airborne contaminants like smoke or being submerged in liquid. While Cimexians can tolerate the rain they do have to groom their dermis regularly. Their brain and other sensory organs are stored in the head where they then pass information down a sturdy flexible nerve cable through the thorax to the abdomen. This specialized organ functions a lot like a human spinal cord, if it is severed the Cimexian will be paralyzed.

The exterior of the Cimexian is quite a marvel too. Upon their head they possess two compound eyes which form an almost radial view around the Cimexian’s head. While their vision is poor they can see from multiple directions at once, making them poor marksmen but difficult to sneak up on. Assisting them are their antennae which function both as a nose and as ears. Their antennae are covered in delicate receptors to take in chemical signals as well as small hairs to detect vibrations in the air. Of course, the mainstay of a Cimexian are its mandibles. Possessing two these slicing tools help the Cimexian masticate food as well as maintain a sturdy grip. Cimexian mandibles can effectively function as a third arm especially when they’re used in tandem with the mouthparts. The mouthparts a set of smaller appendages behind the mandibles which allow the cimexian to manipulate items before they enter its digestive system; they also assist in grooming and cleaning.

Carrying around their hefty armor is no easy task. So the Cimexians employ the use of four limbs in locomotion. Hexapedal in nature, the Cimexians walk on four limbs while keeping the other two raised as arms. This centaur-esc movement makes them a very stable creature, allowing them to clamber along rocky terrain without fear of falling. It does however make them quite slow compared to other races- bar dwarves. Each of their limbs is tipped with three fingers and a manipulatable thumb-like digit- convergently similar to those seen in the other beast-races. Their dermis is also covered in thin follicles which provide them added grip, allowing them to walk up the sides of walls and other surfaces albeit in their same sluggish gate.

Cimexians are born to great queens *(staff-only)* who are far larger and live longer than their subjects; some by several thousands of years. Cimexians born to the same queen function akin to human siblings and share the same pheromone signal. In the presence of a queen Cimexians fall under the effects of her psychic and pheromone signals and often feel compelled to complete tasks for her. Due to their position biologically queens historically have maintained the dual role of mother and leader to their people.

#### **SOCIETY AND CULTURE**

All Cimexians hail from the number of colonies, eusocial hoards ‘neath the earth. These colonies are oftentimes too numerous to list and too varied to truly quantify and so many simply refer to Cimexian heritage based on their markings. All Cimexian colonies have unique visual markings, patterns, or symbols which define closest to their group. These markings can either be natural- literally upon the dermis of the entire colony- or part of a symbol to represent something important to it. Between members of the same colony relationships are oftentimes familial with many Cimexians forming sibling-like bonds with the brood they grew up alongside. These bonds can endure even into maturity as they spend time together.

Cimexians live in complex subterranean liars often dug by their own workers. These constructs expand vertically rather than horizontally. Nests can often run several kilometers into the earth. The excess earth is piled up outside where it fuses with the rain to form concrete-like mud. Many colonies use this substance to fashion enormous spires which allow the colony to function both above and below the earth’s surface.

Cimexians have no real defining faith between colonies, some appeal to the words of other learned men, some create their own, and some still don’t have any at all. The concern of culture and its trajectory within colonies is almost always centered at the queen herself, to which members of the colony value dearly. She is both the mother figure and the leader of the collective. Her actions decide the fate of the colony she lords over.

#### **HISTORY**

Cimexians are some of the oldest people. They trace their history back to the formation of the Kelevas. There they ruled beneath the surface unopposed for centuries. Their great labyrinths became known collectively as ‘The Empire of Cimex’ and at its epicenter the first great nest was formed. They would soon be joined by Greenskins but little interaction came from the insects, they had little reason to invade the surface.

Of course, until the elves came.

The masts of the Silvic Fleet rose on the horizon generations ago but it is still a painful memory for many of the Cimexians today. They have come seeking labor for their great city. They would not take no for an answer. The elves largely ignored the Cimexians at first, the queens were too well-guarded and the workers would die swiftly, preying upon the surface-dwellers. But the elves were not content to allow the Cimexians to continue unscathed and schemed for ways to use them in their escapades. So, these old elves convinced the coastal Cimexian colonies to assist them in their conquest for slaves. Keleva turned on itself. The seeds of conflict were set. Even long after the elves had departed the coastal colonies still used the communal tunnels to transport their captured victims, attacking any other colony that dared to use them. This disparity of resources combined with the growing resent of the surface dwellers began the slow and steady downfall of the Empire of Cimex.

Collapsing into feudal powers the Cimexians battled as much with each other as they did the surface dwellers. The coastal colonies repurposed their now dormant slaving operations for their own use, effectively mimicking the same acts of forced labor and monumentalism that befell the elves across the Barren Sea. The surface dwellers, outraged with the insidiousness of the coastal colonies, launched their own campaigns against them. They were far more destructive than initially intended, attacking both slaving and non-slaving colonies in an act of confusion and miscommunication. Ultimately Keleva would descend into utter chaos for a century to come.

In the chaos a scant few Cimexian queens made the daring voyage from Keleva to what is now Impolo, hoping to escape the violence incurred by their sisters at home. Some survived this escape and have since immersed themselves into the melting pot of Ludwag.

#### **LANGUAGE**

The ancestral language of the Cimex is Kahuatí, at least a more modernized version of the such due to intermingling with Raoan and Impolo culture after the great migration -- it's only natural, then, that the vast majority of Cimex can speak Raoan. More ancient Kahuatí utilizes hieroglyphics in its written form, and is similar to Trilabi in that the language is spoken in a variety of clicking sounds and throat vocalization. Ancient Kahuatí is incredibly difficult, bordering impossible, for normal races to learn, though the modernized version has eased into more Monic-friendly ways. Common phrases can include;

Hello - **"Niltsé"**

Goodbye - **"Timoittaseh"**

Yes - **"Kema"**

No - **"Amo"**

Friend - **"Ikniutli"**

How are you? - **"Ken'tíka?"**

Thank you - **"Tlasokamatí"**

Sir/Ma'am (Universal, respective title) - **"Nótek"**

Excuse me - **"Teix'kontsinko"**

Good luck - **"Kuali ónkisa"**

Scum - **“Ook'chí”**

Such the very bulk and basic phrasing of the language, providing the opportunity for very simple sentences the likes of "Yes, sir." as being "Kema, Notek.", or "Hello, how are you?" as "Niltse, ken'tika?".

#### **Brief FAQ**

***· Q** : Can I be an (X) cimexian?*

**A** : **You can superficially resemble any arthropod.** You’re allowed to mix and mash parts *provided* they are **merely cosmetic**.

Cimexians are not limited to ants, "insect-Cimexian" ethnicities do not exist. Instead, players are allowed to mix and mash parts from **ANY ARTHROPOD** of their choosing.

***· Q**: Can I remove the back legs?*

**A**: Most Cimexians are naturally born with four legs, though abnormalities can occur naturally by hormonal shifts in cimexian Queens, causing a Cimexian to be **born with two legs**. In these cases, Cimexians will have the alterations listed up next due to this:

* **inability to walk up walls & ceilings;**
* **shrunk abdomen into the thorax, broadening the area of the organs inside it;**
* **additional height (up to 6'1'' ft)**.

Should a four-legged Cimexian wish to remove their back legs later in life, **they can remove** them through surgery with as little as intermediate+ Carnomancy. Once this surgery is done, they will be given the same effects listed above with naturally two-legged-born cimexians.

*(This procedure can only be done with the consent of the user. Consider it PTC.)*

***· Q**: Do we still produce amberite?*

**A**: Yes.