Kalithae

Written by Sterrestel

Kaelyra /kai'lirə/

Massive sea serpent type mermaids.

These creatures are rare and lonely. They are often born to other types of kalithae and grow to be as large as a blue whale, sometimes even larger. They are able to shift into human form, however, they usually keep to themselves within the Rimmeda sea.

Due to the fact they are rare, and rarely seen, not much is known about them.

Klyhra

Those who become alien marine life.

A broad term for the more sentient life of the sea, not all sentient life is a klyhra. Reincarnation is complicated, and often souls are not reincarnated as full mortalis. These people did not start out this way. Whether sentenced to death or simply fell off a boat, these are the people who have drowned. Or, at least, most of them. It is more likely for those whose legs have been bound together.

The ocean cares for its victims and adopts them, turning their legs into tails, fins, and tentacles. There are multiple types; those who die in a burning shipwreck become glowing fish. Those who die due to lightning, become electric fish. Strangled, sea creatures with tentacles and/or seaweed.

Khyma

Your typical fantasy mermaid.

Khyma are the rarest of the kalithae. Their scales are valuable, looking to be made of moonstone, stardust, or the flames of a dying sun. They are also incredibly delicate, and if handled incorrectly, will shatter and fade into light particles.

During a full moon, if one manages to gather enough of these scales, one can call a mermaid from the sea, and make a deal with them. For their desires and everything else they could ever need or want. Of course, these are deals, not simple granting of wishes or gifts, so there are side effects, consequences, and more to each deal made. If the other side of the deal is not met, then that individual will be forever doomed to be claimed by the sea, and often will become various sea creatures.

Typical Khyma cannot shift legs on their own; they are only able to do so once they have been called from the sea. Then, they only gain full control once their deal has been made and met.

Kaethai

Merfairies. Most well-known thanks to having been recently created by Eros.

Creator

Eros often visits the kaethai and is loved by all, although some watch from afar, too shy to approach. The first four kaethai are closest to Eros, as they are the first that Eros created and the oldest. Eros takes care of every single kaethai, able to sustain them with their energy if necessary. When Eros is around, they will often sleep all over them, desiring to be as close as possible.

Homes

Kaethai do not live in the water; rather, they live in the sky. They can be territorial, and live in floating stones/islands around and under the floating continent of Myenetal, hollowing out the stones with their teeth, claws, and building tiny homes. Homes are heated by the mere presence of a kaethai, as they are quite warm. Colonies are often quite misty, as they exhale large amounts of mist as they sleep.

Groups vary in size, with the most congested colonies being close to the edges of the continent, and smaller colonies closer to the city of Halo. There is a city of kaethai within Halo as well, where a larger floating island is the city center, and where Eros stays while visiting.

Appearance

Height of 3-4 inches, with an added tail length bringing them to 7-9 inches long. Their tails often have glowing markings, with Eros’ rune somewhere among them. Skintones range in blues and greens, and even purple. Tails have long feathery fins, and hair is often just as long and light. With tiny fangs and strong tails, they can strangle an average alatheian. Their scales are tiny, soft, and powdery.

Social

Kaethai are creatures of Eros, are born of energy, and are therefore all siblings. All are connected, although there are small groups of kaethai that are closer to each other for safety and comfort. Attack one, and you have harmed all of them. They are incredibly fast and dangerous in flocks.

Once bonded with another creature, they are bonded for life; they most often bond with the kreos. The individual’s actions cannot decide whether a kaethai bonds; they are connected to energy and can sense bonds easily, and follow those bonds. If a stranger were to wander into their colony, most often they would hide, however, if an iron blooded creature were to wander in and they were hungry, they would swarm and drain it. Otherwise, they are very shy creatures. They will attack if provoked, or if the one they have bonded with is provoked.

Homeless kaethai are often pitied and taken care of by other kaethai until they are able to make a home of their own.

Because all kaethai are related through their connection to Eros and are born from energy, they do not mate with each other. However, they bond for life with other races. It is unknown whether there are romantic or sexual intentions with these relationships, although it is unlikely in most cases.

Culture

Kaethai like salt and iron-based blood.

Favorite pastimes include ocean skimming, crafting charms and talismans, and leaving signs of their presence around the planet. Crafting is a very important skill for the kaethai as it allows for survival. From charms around their homes to beautiful tiny gardens, each item means something and is important. To break an item is extremely disrespectful.

Kaethai have a hierarchy based on age and closeness to Eros. This is due to the fact that the oldest have more experience and are able to teach the youngest about the world around them. It is unknown whether they have a proper government or ruler, as they seem to live on their own easily and without strife. All kaethai, like kalithae, are genderfluid, although some may lean toward a certain gender or expression more than others.

Survival

With a natural aversion to Desius , death, they will often avoid their creatures, such as the Tarine. They are attracted to Oraculos, reincarnation.

Kaethai live off of naturally salty plants; some inedible to most creatures, growing in saltwater. Common examples are water succulents, salt vines which grow naturally around Myenetal, and crystal ferns. They also eat insects and other marine life, such as salt jellies. Kaethai tails are tough and powdery, and not usually sought after by predators. They do have competition for territory and resources, however, they usually drive out any unwanted competition, able to swarm in large numbers.