Silk

Overview

Silk is a Chimera discovered dormant inside The Nilam’s bark in 393 AC and bonded with Moyo Chibuye through The Musubi ceremony. Named for its ability to secrete hardening fiber similar to a silkworm, Silk serves as Moyo’s Alter Ego, sharing consciousness and perception with its partner.

Discovery and Growth

Researchers found Silk curled dormant inside The Nilam’s fossilized trunk, approximately fist-sized when discovered. The larva had endured the frost in hibernation and awoke when exposed to milder temperatures at Nilam Spires. The creature’s growth rate proved exponential—by the time of Zaj Ke Va’s inquiry, Silk had reached the size of a farm pig.

Physical Characteristics

Silk possesses unquestionably chimeric nature but displays unusual stability—it has not undergone the series of mutations typical of Chimerae. Its form has remained consistent since awakening, only increasing in size. The larva secretes a tough fiber from its glands, saliva that hardens when exposed to air, earning its name.

Diet and Nature

Mana forms part of Silk’s daily diet, yet despite this magical sustenance, the creature has maintained its original form without mutation. Moyo Chibuye theorized that Silk’s existence was no coincidence—its idea lingered in the fossilized trunk while its physical shell endured the frost.

Bond with Moyo Chibuye

Since Silk’s awakening, Moyo Chibuye was the one feeding it. The creature displayed attachment to Moyo like a dog to its master—reacting differently in Moyo’s presence, seeking out their touch. This bond prompted Yzmir leadership to consider Silk as a candidate for The Musubi ceremony.

The Musubi and Shared Consciousness

Through The Musubi with Moyo Chibuye, Silk shares perception with its partner—each one’s experience becoming the other’s. Moyo can curl within Silk’s folds to observe the world as a detached spectator. Silk’s cognition developed from purely primal concerns—hunger, discomfort, thirst, fatigue—to more complex processes: attachment, distance, memory, projection.

Behavior

Silk crawls toward Mana sources, spitting out filaments and wrapping them into balls around energy sources to store as reserves. The creature tucks these balls into the folds of its skin, nestled safely in its ringed segments.

Possible Connection to Mana Moths

When questioned about a connection between Silk and Mana Moths, Moyo could only respond “perhaps,” leaving the relationship uncertain.

Relationships

• Moyo Chibuye: Yzmir Exalt bonded with Silk through The Musubi (393 AC)
• The Nilam: Dead world-tree where Silk was discovered dormant
• Nilam Spires: Facility where Silk is housed; location of Moyo’s workshop
• Saskia Averina: Researcher called in to study Silk after discovery
• Zaj Ke Va: Satrap who inquired about Silk’s potential as Alter Ego (393 AC)
• Mana Moths: Species with possible connection to Silk
• The Musubi: Bonding ceremony Silk underwent with Moyo (393 AC)
• Kuraokami: Dragon whose liberation led to recovery of Nilam bark containing Silk