Enriching the universe with wondrous creatures!

@aphid-kirby's art blog!!!! This the home of the Nimalings! My original creature designs inspired by everything I love!! You can also expect 2D & 3D fanart of Kirby, Pokemon, Mario & Pikmin creatures!

[nimalings]

Hello! This is a master image for my creature design project! The Nimalings! 6 years in the making! Who's your favorite?

Welcome to the world of Nima! This is a universe with rich history & lore, filled with charming creatures inspired by the many things I love of our universe! Mainly my love for Cosmology, Biology, Engineering & Dreams!

This is my dearest passion project, and I'd love to find more people who are interested! I am currently working on a Mario 64 Romhack set in this universe! And I have a whole RPG planned for the future!

Every creature has its evolutionary history and culture! Feel free to look them up in my blog! I'm also on Instagram as @nimalings & Bluesky as aphidkirby.bsky.social

I also started a Youtube series explaining the process and inspirations of each design!

In the read more I'll put a summary explaining the origins of all 4 major groups!

When the universe was born, so was Skeemeraph, alone in a dark void, but with the ability to make imperfect copies of itself using whatever matter is around. They took the hydrogen atoms and made The First Astroclade, whose descendants filled the void with living stars.

The Astroclades later developed new elements, discovering complex chemistry, with which Skeemeraph made The First Carboclade, whose descendants filled the planets with plants and animals.

The Carboclades later developed tools and machines made from inert matter, with which Skeemeraph made The First Mechanoclade, whose descendants connected the universe with their technological abilities.

Finally, The Mechanoclades developed a massive online server to connect every creature through their dreams, Skeemeraph took these materialized dreams and made The First Oneiroclade, whose descendants populate the minds of everyone!

[nimalings]

Made a 3D Model of #058: Oneiroboros!

It can rearrange itself into near infinite variations! They represent the ability dreams have to emulate any and every possibility. If one visits your dream, you'll be have more control over your dream's physics!

[nimalings]

Been sculpting figurines out of diferent materials!

This is #086: Foresign made out of Air Clay!

Foresign will appear in front of you to warn you of a future event in your life. The symbol in the face will change to reflect your fate!

[nimalings]

#106: Eucalind

These lanky trees always grow in tight groups, they support each other so they can grow fast & tall without risking harm from strong winds. These communities not only survive, but thrive in the wind! Their flexible wood allows them to bend and dance in hypnotizing wave-like patterns, a synchronized dance with the wind!

Inspired by Eucalyptus trees in the wind!

[nimalings]

3rd video of my Creature design series is up!

This time I talk about designs I came up while in a field trip to the coast of Colombia!

[nimalings]

#105: Crozai

A strange Oneiroclade that splits its image in two to confuse predators. If you have two eyes you can see through their trick and behold their true form:

Simply cross your eyes and fuse the two images together!

It is said that when you're having trouble keeping your eyes focused, it's because a Crozai nearby is trying to impede you from seeing it.

Bit of an experimental one! Inspired by stereogram eye training exercises! And Hoatzins! If you're having trouble seeing their true form, it is easier if the image is smaller, and get close to the screen!

[nimalings]

Low Poly Model of #071: Televiseek!

Their cathode ray tails are used to display anything they can think of, with the intent to attract other creatures and feed off of their attention! This tail can also be weaponized to fire an electron beam if they need to defend themselves.

[nimalings]

#104: Betelburst

One of the largest species of Astroclade. They have an unstable core, constantly shifting and flaring up, releasing extreme amounts of energy!

In order for a Betelburst to come to being, 2 newborn stars are required, one will be absorbed to power the other; the halo on a Betelburst is the remnant of the consumed sibling.

Inspired by Betelgeuse! One of my favorite stars!

[nimalings]

#103: Rufflefull

They mimic trees to stay out of trouble, their fluffy and dense feathers can hold many chicks inside! The babies have to stay quiet and still to look like flowers, if this doesn't work, the adult can forgo the disguise and run at extreme speeds! The feather colors of both adults and chicks vary depending on the location, to blend with local trees better.

Inspired by ostriches, trees, and a dream I had!

[nimalings]

After too much time, episode 2 of my youtube series is up!

This time I talk about my first designs! As well as the RPG I'm planning for them!

[nimalings]

Professor Yoosbi's Guide to Nima: Osmia & Kinef

Wanna start getting into making short comics explaining the universe! I'll make it a series if there's enough interest

[nimalings]

#102: Anglimage

They inhabit the afterimage of the things other creatures see, they prolong these illusory lights to feed off the attention the host gives to these visions. They can swim in hypnotic patterns to bewitch their hosts. If you see someone moving their head with their eyes closed, they're likely seeing an Anglimage and following their movements!

Try looking directly into its eye for 15 seconds, then stare at a white wall and alternate closing and opening your eyes, looks like you summoned one! Increasing the brightness of your screen helps!

Inspired by Anglerfish, Afterimages and a dream I had!

[nimalings]

Low Poly Model of my creature #008: Salpalp!

Salpalp hug each other with their sticky pads, this allows them to drift in the ocean in a safer manner, they always have someone keep an eye out for any lonely Salpalp in need of friends! Groups of salpalp can reach astronomical lengths!

Inspired by Pelagic Tunicates! (Salp)

[nimalings]

#101: Newbright

All Astroclades begin their life as something like this. Their big fin-like veils stretch outwards to gather matter and funnel it towards their mouth, they will keep eating until they've gathered the necessary mass to transform into the adult stage of their respective species, at which point they will leave their parent Nebulime and search for their place across the cosmic expanse!

Inspired by Veliger Larvae (sea snail babies) & Protostars!

[nimalings]

are there shinies (in Pokémon terms) for your project?

There are! Actually every species has variation between individuals, face proportions, patterns, tones, but there are also very rare alternate palettes like traditional shinies, but i'm not sure how to implement them yet, since they'll be in frienf areas like Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, which only has like 7 shinies

[nimalings]

#018: Urchinaut

Carboclade

Urchinauts spend their days travelling across the seafloor of the planet foraging for good food and good sights in the sea, don't let anyone know they enjoy life though, they like to be edgy about it. They're known to wear Seagrass in all kinds of fashionable ways! They care a lot about these clothing pieces, cleaning them every morning before going out!

Inspired by Sea Urchins of the genus Tripneustes! Who cover themselves in Seagrass to protect themselves from the sun!

This is a redesign of one of my earliest creatures!

[nimalings]

I made my creature #048: Reflecho into a real mirror! Using Cold Porcelain!

Constantly shifting the infinite perspectives of their mind, these creatures like reflecting as many sights as possible, trying to understand it all from different points of view! This makes them a very insightful creature to interact with! You're sure to learn a few things about yourself if you talk to one!