The insectoid Ky’limek are one of the oldest mortal species that makes their home in Shards, with a genetic history that is said to span far enough into history to predate the Shattering. Much of that history was spent in relative isolation, deep in the furthest, darkest regions of the Shards.

Unfortunately, their isolation and their species native link to Magical Change made them prime targets for manipulation by the Herald of Szekaris. Centuries before his reckoning during the events of the Foulheart, the Ky’limek people found themselves bound to the service of the Infinite - and tools used to bring about his revenge and return.

Even though the Herald’s plans never came to fruition, the Ky’limek were still forced to serve the role of footsoldiers and servants in his forces. Most notably, hordes of the Ky’limek were mobilized by the Herald to lay waste to Berus - the ancestral home of the Berusians - in an effort to protect Szekaris’ ambitions.

Freed by the destruction of the Foulheart, the Ky'isst Autarchy stands as the remaining nation-state of the new generations of Ky’limek, born free of Szekaris’ influence and will. And while, Queen K’k’isst’a herself stood along the First Wayfarers as they shattered the Foulheart, she has seen the duty of herself and her new people to help rebuild not just the Shards they directly had a hand in destroying - but all those affected by the wicked will of Szekaris.

In general, Ky’limek are an insectoid species of humanoid size and proportions. Their soft bodies are contained by glossy, chitinous carapaces with colors ranging from jet black to a variety of shades of earthy tones - often accented with organic striations and patterns. Since the destruction of the Foulheart, all members of the Ky'isst Autarchy possess starry simple eyes, with a slight blue-white glow at their center.

Ky’limek are unique, however, in that they have a number of different body shapes, dictated by an individual’s chosen trade and role in society. Called ‘Casteforms’, these forms can be changed between with enough time and effort, and while cosmetically different, they also grant a variety of different abilities and capabilities to support the differing demands of their lifestyles.

Ky’limek have no explicit sexual dimorphism, though biologically female Ky’limek tend to be larger than those born otherwise.

The most common Casteform found in the Creches, the Kindred Casteform is versatile, adaptive, and capable of most tasks with ease. It has the most variety of appearances, as Ky’limek of this casteform can adopt practically any role within a Creche.

Generally, however, Kindred Casteforms stand between four and six feet tall and with generally lithe features. While a bipedal form, the Kindred Casteform possesses both two strong primary limbs with fully functional hands, it also possesses two smaller secondary limbs located lower on the torso, which have more limited function.

Kindred typically have a small tail-like thorax, two main antennae, and four eyes.

Designed for the protection of a Creche from predators and rivals, Warrior Casteform is immense and powerful, though less capable of the delicate work and craftsmanship needed throughout most of a Creche - making it less common during times of peace. That said, many find it useful to have a number of Warrior-form Ky’limek on hand when brawn is needed, and some adopt this Casteform to assist in construction or demolition efforts.

Warrior Casteforms are the largest form the Ky’limek can take, averaging between six and nine feet tall, with bulky muscular limbs and statuesque proportions. Their carapace is thicker than other Ky’limek and often lined with ridges and horns for defensive purposes. Warrior form stands on two stocky hindlegs and bears two strong arms ending in thick-digited grabbing claws.

Like Kindred, Warrior Casteforms have two pairs of eyes, though smaller and set deeper into protective facial ridges. They possess four antennae, and a hooked tail-like thorax that curves up over their lower abdomen.

Originally the scouts, explorers and hunters of the Creche, the Tracer Casteform is quick, nimble, and has the unique capability of flight. Tracers, however, lack the physical prowess and robustness found in the immense Warrior-forms or even the more versatile Kindred. Still, many find adopting the form of a Tracer valuable in a number of careers and endeavors.

Tracer Casteform is exceptionally lithe and slender, with heights ranging between four and six feet tall. Tracers are bipedal, and they possess two arms with highly posable hands - highly capable of climbing and scaling rough terrain. Rarely is that needed, however, as Tracers are distinct in possessing a set of insectoid wings, known as Slightwings, growing from their lower backs. These wings - composed of a large forewing and a smaller hindwing - enable them to fly at high speeds, with surprising maneuverability.

Tracer Ky’limek possess four eyes, though their fore-eyes are particularly large and precise, situated lower and more forward than other casteforms. Likewise, their two antennae are particularly large, and arch high over their heads. The tail-like thorax found on other Casteforms is mostly absent in Tracer Casteform.

A highly community-focused people, the Ky’limek endeavor to serve the collective Creche - a term used for any community of Ky’limek - and adopt forms and roles within that Creche as is needed for the benefit of all.

At the same time, however, having served for generations as the unwilling servants of Szekaris, the Ky’limek people have found themselves at a strange juxtaposition of values. Despite their intense bonds to their community, Ky’limek have been stressing an expression of self and independence that was previously impossible while bound by the Fallen Infinite.

While few modern Ky’limek were alive to see their people in servitude to Szekaris, the genetic memory passed down by their Queen K’k’isst’a has granted them the memories of that dark time. This has resulted in a people who are staunchly dedicated to concepts of atonement, justice, and freedom.

The Ky'isst Autarchy occupies a number of small Shards in the northern Span, living a collective of communities known as Creches, which all serve willingly Queen K’k’isst’a -the Ky’limek Queen who liberated their people from Szekaris, and aided in the destruction of the Foulheart.

In the Ky'lik language, an individual's name is typically a short concept coupled with an emotional reaction to that concept - expressed through a Ky'limek's innate telepathy.

These concepts are highly varied, but examples include things such as “the anticipation of a new day”, “the excitement of climbing to the highest point”, or “seeking shelter from the rain and waiting to emerge”.

When transliterated to spoken language, they are sounded out as a combination of sharp clicks, rasps and tones - and written as a halting batch of consonant sounds. These are not so much literal translations, but close approximations.

Some examples of Ky'limek names include: T'ch'ssk'ta, K'k'assk'a, Ch'tik'ka, Sh'tik'k