My character from a new species and I created. Art done by

The Vala'Dim (pronounced Vah-Lah Deem) is a species I recently developed with the help of tonilyn .

Bio:

Vala'Dim (pronounced Vah-Lah Deem) are not born, they are created. Thousands of years ago, a dying race, the Vala'Nim. The Vala'Nim were both very scientific and ritualistic; employing a mix of magic and technology in their everyday lives. They used ancient rituals to transfer their souls into special crystals, which are virtually indestructible. As their frail, mortal shells withered away, they placed the gems into beings they created from splicing the DNA from multiple species, of which are now unknown. Using magic, they opened a portal to a pocket dimension, known as Il'Kir (Ill Keer) where an unlimited amount of Vala'Dim bodies are held in stasis. The soulgems were fused into the beings' chests, and as the Vala'Dim awoke, the Vala'Nir were no more. Having only transferred their souls, the Vala'Dim were without knowledge of how they came to be. Eventually they left in search of a new home; eventually settling in a rocky, mesa-filled desert known to them as Dul'Bal.

Details:

Having lost their knowledge of their former race, the Vala'Dim have regressed into a more ritualistic and primal race. They have in innate affinity for magic and many can bend the elements to their will. They have no malicious tendencies and are very curious and straightforward when confronted with a new opportunity. There are both Male and Female Vala'Dim; and while they cannot reproduce, they still have reproductive organs that are typical of male and female genders and will become intimate towards another they are attracted to. When a Vala'Dim "Dies" their body is cremated and the Soul Gem is retrieved from the ashes. Using rituals the Vala'Dim were designed to remember and carry out, they summon a new Vala'Dim body from Il'Kir and place the soul gem into it's body. The Vala'Dim is reborn, without memory of its former self; yet still harboring some of its old habits and experiences, carrying them forward into a new generation until the next cycle.

Eyes- The black iris's help them see better in the desert sun, as well as having the ability to see in infrared.

Horns- Help them dissipate body heat.

Claws- are a continuation of their hands and feet, and not a separate nail. this portion of their skin is naturally harder and will grow like nails. They sharpen them on rocks and help them climb, run and dig through the sand, and catch prey. Their dewclaw is used to hook into the sloped dunes and allows them to "surf" down them. Their claws can be retracted at will.

Tail- Their tails are usually quite long to aid in balance.

Fur- fairly short except for in some areas that may recieve high impact, such as their elbows. It is extremely soft and protects them from injury while hunting and climbing. Fur comes in all colors and shades, although usually consists of earthy tones, rarely one may be seen with more vibrant fur.

Soul Gem- Each is unique to each Vala'Dim. Many of them decorate them with ritual ink as well as their body. Their soul is visible inside the gem at all times and seems to gently pulsate; as though it were a heartbeat.
The gems come in all sorts of colors and can slightly differ in shape. Souls usually resemble the eye color of the Vala'Dim; as it is said the eyes are the windows into ones' soul.

Vala'Dim are © me and tonilyn and are not to be recreated under any circumstance. Thank you.