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Description
It is quite a challenge to write an entry on Mimics because the species teeters between the categories of "things people already know a ton about" and "things too complicated to even understand." What can be said about Mimics that people don't already know? If you look deeper, though, you find things that can't be properly explained, so what then? Despite this conundrum, I am going to forge ahead and do my best. I am sure many readers will find certain sections obvious, but I implore you to keep reading! Perhaps there will be a nugget or two you didn't know!

To begin, Mimics are a species that is quite famous for their shape-shifting abilities. So great is this ability that it is nearly impossible to figure out what category of life they fit in. Are they a mammal, an amphibian, a mollusk or fungus? Or are they more akin to Slimes? Since they can create appendages, organs and bodily structures at a whim, it is really hard to say. Research has found the closest thing one can describe as a "neutral state," which is the form they have when they aren't mimicking something. In this state, Mimics are pale and have a dripping body that some compare to soft wax. Their limbs and body plan may vary, but they often possess pink gums, a set of wicked teeth and (of course) a long tongue. Sighting them in this form is quite rare, as Mimics absolutely adore their ability and will take any form, shape, color or texture they please.

Obviously if we are going to take about Mimics, we have to talk about their shape-shifting abilities. Thankfully I was able to find some willing Mimics to talk to (though it cost a pretty penny to do so!), and I was to get a slightly better understanding of their abilities. As one probably already knows, Mimics are capable of changing their bodies to replicate any pattern, texture or substance. In minutes, their flesh can switch from iron to bark to human skin and even lush fur. Their forms seem to have no real internal structure, which allows them to morph and sculpt their bodies to better suit their environment and prey. Due to their amorphous nature, they can even stretch or compress their flesh to allow them to shrink or grow in size, though they do have their limits. The amount of flesh they have limits the sizes they can grow or shrink, as at some point they simply cannot go any farther. Clever Mimics, though, have found ways to circumvent this with a few cheats and tricks. For objects of large sizes, a Mimic may hollow itself out and instead focus its mass on its outward appearance (though this cause the problem of them being very lightweight and perhaps a bit too malleable if conditions are not favorable). For shrinking down to tiny proportions, a Mimic could turn its body into several small creatures but connect them all together with a single thin tendril (which may give away their disguise if faced with a sharp eyed opponent).

While a Mimic can change its form into practically anything, ranging from a bear to a bed, their ability does have some weaknesses. The big one is their tongue. Any pictures or stories of Mimics often show off their long tongues that they use to snare and reel in prey. This is because all Mimics have these flexible appendages, and also because this organ is the one thing in their body they cannot change. For whatever reason, the tongue of a Mimic is completely incapable of shape-shifting. It can stretch, shorten, twist and tie itself into knots, but its appearance and texture cannot change. This means that the Mimic has to work around this organ, as most people know that bookshelves aren't supposed to have tongues. For those who disguise as objects and furniture, they often hide their tongue in their concealed mouths, waiting for prey to get close. Those who mimic living creatures will try to get the organ to look as close to the real deal as possible, but they will often be too big or small to truly fool a observant person. Instead, they will use distraction and subtle manipulations to keep people from noticing, or they might just jam the tongue into some other part of their body.

The other thing that Mimics have to worry about when it comes to shape-shifting is, funny enough, themselves. It turns out shape-shifting and copying other things is not as easy as it looks. They can't just say "I want to be a chair," snap their fingers and POOF! It is something they have to think about and focus on, which is quite difficult. To get a better idea of this, imagine a bed. It can be any bed you want, canopy, bunk bed, normal, whatever. Just think of one in your head and picture it the best you can. Got it? Now suddenly I walk over to your bed and yank the covers clean off! What does the mattress look like? What about the underside of the blankets? Now I jump on the bed, what does it feel like? Is it soft like cloth and padding or soft like a squishy bag of organs pretending to be? And what about those blankets and sheets? What does each one feel like? Or, if your bed has wood, what does the grain look like? Or how about the underside of the bed? You probably get the point I am trying to make here, and it is that there are way more factors into replication than one at first believes. If a Mimic wants to copy a bed, then it needs to take all these things into consideration depending on the level of deception they want and the type of prey they are hunting. It is this extreme level of thinking, planning and focus that makes older Mimics much better at mimicking than younger ones. They have learned an array of personal tricks over their lifetime, as well as picked up others from fellow friends. The youthful energy of young ones may allow them to shape-shift faster than an adult, but when their disguises face scrutiny, the older one will win every time.

The diet of a Mimic is just as varied and free as their bodies are. They are the ultimate omnivore, capable of eating practically anything (though it is a question if they want to eat some of these things). They can consume fruits, vegetables, meat and other organic substances (and some inorganic as well), but often their menu will be unique to them. Some may have cravings for certain substances, while others may just go for what food sources are available. Many do indeed have the taste for meat, which leads to their infamous hunting strategies and appetites. Many stick to the simple method of ambush, hiding as a common object and then striking once prey gets close. Others may go for active stalking, taking on a disguise and following prey until they are vulnerable. Some take that a step further, using tricks and pleasing appearances to lure in prey. Many human stories talk of seductive young females who catch the eye of suitors, only to transform into ravenous beasts when taken to private quarters. While these stories are perhaps the most obvious and plentiful, these types of Mimics will pull this trick on any species of any gender. They take joy in playing their cards just right and causing prey to willfully bumble right into their open jaws. They enjoy this so much, that some Mimics have actually wound up making careers out of it! There are tales of some Mimics going into entertainment, using their mimicry to perform plays or create music (though they often do so in disguise). Some use their trickery and imitation for con jobs and scams. It is said that no criminal organization is complete without a Mimic on the payroll! Others find their talents useful for framing people or spying. I have even heard a rumor that there are a few shady Mimics out there that one can hire to lure cheating spouses and dish out some revenge! Quite the list of possibilities when one can turn into practically anything! And yes, I am sure some are wondering, there are said to be some Mimics who partake in a certain....business...for folks who wish to indulge in particular...fantasies. Nothing more need to be said about that.

The talk of seduction does bring to mind the question of reproduction, which is a pretty straight forward process for Mimics. Due to their makeup, Mimics do not have a gender, which means any Mimic can breed with another. The act of reproduction is the two partners pretty much mixing with one another and then budding off an offspring. Think of it like kneading two balls of dough together and then pinching off a piece. Except in this situation, the two dough balls will separate on their own and go back to being two individuals! Young Mimics start off quite small, with them being about the size of your closed fist. At this size and age, they will stick to ambush hunting with simple disguises. Things like rocks, dirt clods or coin pouches is perfect for them, and they will patiently wait to nab a bite! As they consume and age, they shall gain more mass and become more experienced in shape-shifting. One interesting thing to note is that while young Mimics begin to grow, they also begin to develop cravings. What I mean by this is that each Mimic will go through a stage in their life where they become obsessed with a certain food item, to the point where it almost seems like an addiction. No one is sure what dictates the source of their craving, but some believe that these cravings are meant to guide the Mimic down a certain lifestyle or hunting behavior. In time, these addictions will pass, mainly when they become a full grown adult. The other thing that changes as they age is their speed of shape-shifting. While they are young, Mimics are able to morph quite quickly, but it takes them longer to get the little details right. For the adults and elderly, shape-shifting takes longer, but they often get the appearance right on the first time. Due to the time it takes to perfect their disguise, young Mimics will often keep a part of their body partially transformed into their desired disguise. That way if they need to hide quickly, they just have to compress and hide the rest of their body while their prepped part takes the stage. For the adults, who take longer to morph and change, they will remain fully transformed for most of their time. If movement is needed, they will only make small adjustments to make themselves mobile. Only in dire emergencies will they completely morph out of their main disguise and take on a different form. As adult Mimics grow past adulthood into their elder years, their ability to shape-shift will continue to slow and become more costly for their body. If a Mimic lives to such an old age, they will hardly ever shift from their common disguise, to the point where they are just as immobile and docile as a piece of furniture. To fully change their body takes a huge amount of energy from their aged form, as such a drain can actually kill them. If pushed past their limit during their elder years, the Mimic will lose all control and consistency over their body and fall apart into a puddle of lifeless goo. So to avoid this, they will remain in their chosen form for the rest of their years, simply waiting for the end to come to them. So perfect and peaceful are these forms, that some people have unknowingly kept elder Mimics in their house as furniture for years! There is a story that tells of a king who once bought an antique wardrobe for his personal quarters. He was quite fond of it and kept it for decades. One day, though, as he was changing, his wardrobe let out a calm sigh and simply melted into the floor!

Now I am sure the talk of the unknowing king and his secretly living furniture has some people worried. Many are when it comes to Mimics, and the most common question is: How do I tell if someone or something is a Mimic? While there are a few tricks and clues one can use, there is not one that is 100% foolproof. Mimics tend to have their own touch when it comes to shape-shifting, and they may use different methods to achieve the perfect look. The other thing to keep in mind is that Mimics aren't dumb. When word gets out that there is a way to identify Mimics, they are quick to listen in and change their methods to avoid this trap. Regardless, I will list a few here, as they can still be useful, but don't come crying to me if they fail to keep your "chair" from biting your bum off! Of course the most obvious clue when it comes to identifying Mimics are their tongues. Depending on their disguise, these can be cumbersome to hide, so keep an eye out for entities who cover their mouths or do their best to draw your attention away from them. Another trick is one that can be used for inspecting wooden objects or furniture. If you suspect a piece of furniture being a Mimic, take a look at the grain of the wood (carefully though!). Younger Mimics tend to overlook this detail, or they will find it too hard to focus on, so what often happens is that they take one pattern of wood grain and then copy it all over their body. If the grain on the furniture suddenly cuts off or keeps repeating, then that object is probably a Mimic. Depending on what a Mimic is copying, you might be able to take advantage of the limitations of their morphing. While Mimics can copy texture, shape, color, size, sound and smell, there are certain properties they cannot replicate. Powers, immunities and magic are not possible for them to copy. For example, demons are immune to heat and flame, but even if a Mimic takes on their appearance perfectly, they cannot possess this ability. They may find ways to work around it, but such efforts to do so may disrupt their disguise and expose them. Since Mimics cannot perfectly replicate magic, one merely needs to test to see if their subject can perform a complicated spell that cannot be organically reproduced. Another tip is to check the clothing and garb of the suspected person. When it comes to copying specific people, Mimics tend to grow their clothes rather than put them on. If a person is unable to remove their shirt or pants from their body, it might because it is actually a part of their flesh! This trick, though, takes some finesse to properly use, as many folk don't respond well to someone demanding they take their clothes off. And lastly, some have pointed out that Mimics rarely copy the internal structures of their targets. If they pretend to be human, they don't often go as far as to create lungs, hearts and other organs. Instead, their insides will just be that blank pale flesh. While this is indeed a way to detect a Mimic, I do not recommend following this line of thinking for obvious reasons.

One of the things that continues to be debated about Mimics is their origin. Due to their incredible shape-shifting abilities, many find it hard to believe that they are a natural species. However, we must remember the crazy types of magic that humans, dryads, fairies and demons can use. Then there are the shades who go against every rule in the book, yet we still believe them to be a natural occurring species. On the other hand, though, is the question on why their population is so small despite their fantastic powers. Beings who are capable of nearly perfect replication of other species should be quite dominant, but so far studies have found Mimics to be quite rare (unless they are better at hiding than we thought!) The other thing that brings their origins into questions are the Doppelgangers, a species of shape-shifter that has indeed been created through tampering and magical influence. Many folk believe there is a connection between the Mimics and Doppelgangers, but no one is truly sure what came first. Some suggest that Mimics were failed experiments that eventually found life, while others think they are the botched result of Doppelgangers breeding with other races. On the other side is the idea that Mimics were the foundation of the Doppelganger experiments, and the successful fusion of human and Mimic resulted in this artificial species. It is quite hard to say for certain!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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Can one write an obscenely long essay about one of the most basic and common monsters in fantasy? DARN RIGHT I CAN!

Description
It is quite a challenge to write an entry on Mimics because the species teeters between the categories of "things people already know a ton about" and "things too complicated to even understand." What can be said about Mimics that people don't already know? If you look deeper, though, you find things that can't be properly explained, so what then? Despite this conundrum, I am going to forge ahead and do my best. I am sure many readers will find certain sections obvious, but I implore you to keep reading! Perhaps there will be a nugget or two you didn't know!

To begin, Mimics are a species that is quite famous for their shape-shifting abilities. So great is this ability that it is nearly impossible to figure out what category of life they fit in. Are they a mammal, an amphibian, a mollusk or fungus? Or are they more akin to Slimes? Since they can create appendages, organs and bodily structures at a whim, it is really hard to say. Research has found the closest thing one can describe as a "neutral state," which is the form they have when they aren't mimicking something. In this state, Mimics are pale and have a dripping body that some compare to soft wax. Their limbs and body plan may vary, but they often possess pink gums, a set of wicked teeth and (of course) a long tongue. Sighting them in this form is quite rare, as Mimics absolutely adore their ability and will take any form, shape, color or texture they please.

Obviously if we are going to take about Mimics, we have to talk about their shape-shifting abilities. Thankfully I was able to find some willing Mimics to talk to (though it cost a pretty penny to do so!), and I was to get a slightly better understanding of their abilities. As one probably already knows, Mimics are capable of changing their bodies to replicate any pattern, texture or substance. In minutes, their flesh can switch from iron to bark to human skin and even lush fur. Their forms seem to have no real internal structure, which allows them to morph and sculpt their bodies to better suit their environment and prey. Due to their amorphous nature, they can even stretch or compress their flesh to allow them to shrink or grow in size, though they do have their limits. The amount of flesh they have limits the sizes they can grow or shrink, as at some point they simply cannot go any farther. Clever Mimics, though, have found ways to circumvent this with a few cheats and tricks. For objects of large sizes, a Mimic may hollow itself out and instead focus its mass on its outward appearance (though this cause the problem of them being very lightweight and perhaps a bit too malleable if conditions are not favorable). For shrinking down to tiny proportions, a Mimic could turn its body into several small creatures but connect them all together with a single thin tendril (which may give away their disguise if faced with a sharp eyed opponent).

While a Mimic can change its form into practically anything, ranging from a bear to a bed, their ability does have some weaknesses. The big one is their tongue. Any pictures or stories of Mimics often show off their long tongues that they use to snare and reel in prey. This is because all Mimics have these flexible appendages, and also because this organ is the one thing in their body they cannot change. For whatever reason, the tongue of a Mimic is completely incapable of shape-shifting. It can stretch, shorten, twist and tie itself into knots, but its appearance and texture cannot change. This means that the Mimic has to work around this organ, as most people know that bookshelves aren't supposed to have tongues. For those who disguise as objects and furniture, they often hide their tongue in their concealed mouths, waiting for prey to get close. Those who mimic living creatures will try to get the organ to look as close to the real deal as possible, but they will often be too big or small to truly fool a observant person. Instead, they will use distraction and subtle manipulations to keep people from noticing, or they might just jam the tongue into some other part of their body.

The other thing that Mimics have to worry about when it comes to shape-shifting is, funny enough, themselves. It turns out shape-shifting and copying other things is not as easy as it looks. They can't just say "I want to be a chair," snap their fingers and POOF! It is something they have to think about and focus on, which is quite difficult. To get a better idea of this, imagine a bed. It can be any bed you want, canopy, bunk bed, normal, whatever. Just think of one in your head and picture it the best you can. Got it? Now suddenly I walk over to your bed and yank the covers clean off! What does the mattress look like? What about the underside of the blankets? Now I jump on the bed, what does it feel like? Is it soft like cloth and padding or soft like a squishy bag of organs pretending to be? And what about those blankets and sheets? What does each one feel like? Or, if your bed has wood, what does the grain look like? Or how about the underside of the bed? You probably get the point I am trying to make here, and it is that there are way more factors into replication than one at first believes. If a Mimic wants to copy a bed, then it needs to take all these things into consideration depending on the level of deception they want and the type of prey they are hunting. It is this extreme level of thinking, planning and focus that makes older Mimics much better at mimicking than younger ones. They have learned an array of personal tricks over their lifetime, as well as picked up others from fellow friends. The youthful energy of young ones may allow them to shape-shift faster than an adult, but when their disguises face scrutiny, the older one will win every time.

The diet of a Mimic is just as varied and free as their bodies are. They are the ultimate omnivore, capable of eating practically anything (though it is a question if they want to eat some of these things). They can consume fruits, vegetables, meat and other organic substances (and some inorganic as well), but often their menu will be unique to them. Some may have cravings for certain substances, while others may just go for what food sources are available. Many do indeed have the taste for meat, which leads to their infamous hunting strategies and appetites. Many stick to the simple method of ambush, hiding as a common object and then striking once prey gets close. Others may go for active stalking, taking on a disguise and following prey until they are vulnerable. Some take that a step further, using tricks and pleasing appearances to lure in prey. Many human stories talk of seductive young females who catch the eye of suitors, only to transform into ravenous beasts when taken to private quarters. While these stories are perhaps the most obvious and plentiful, these types of Mimics will pull this trick on any species of any gender. They take joy in playing their cards just right and causing prey to willfully bumble right into their open jaws. They enjoy this so much, that some Mimics have actually wound up making careers out of it! There are tales of some Mimics going into entertainment, using their mimicry to perform plays or create music (though they often do so in disguise). Some use their trickery and imitation for con jobs and scams. It is said that no criminal organization is complete without a Mimic on the payroll! Others find their talents useful for framing people or spying. I have even heard a rumor that there are a few shady Mimics out there that one can hire to lure cheating spouses and dish out some revenge! Quite the list of possibilities when one can turn into practically anything! And yes, I am sure some are wondering, there are said to be some Mimics who partake in a certain....business...for folks who wish to indulge in particular...fantasies. Nothing more need to be said about that.

The talk of seduction does bring to mind the question of reproduction, which is a pretty straight forward process for Mimics. Due to their makeup, Mimics do not have a gender, which means any Mimic can breed with another. The act of reproduction is the two partners pretty much mixing with one another and then budding off an offspring. Think of it like kneading two balls of dough together and then pinching off a piece. Except in this situation, the two dough balls will separate on their own and go back to being two individuals! Young Mimics start off quite small, with them being about the size of your closed fist. At this size and age, they will stick to ambush hunting with simple disguises. Things like rocks, dirt clods or coin pouches is perfect for them, and they will patiently wait to nab a bite! As they consume and age, they shall gain more mass and become more experienced in shape-shifting. One interesting thing to note is that while young Mimics begin to grow, they also begin to develop cravings. What I mean by this is that each Mimic will go through a stage in their life where they become obsessed with a certain food item, to the point where it almost seems like an addiction. No one is sure what dictates the source of their craving, but some believe that these cravings are meant to guide the Mimic down a certain lifestyle or hunting behavior. In time, these addictions will pass, mainly when they become a full grown adult. The other thing that changes as they age is their speed of shape-shifting. While they are young, Mimics are able to morph quite quickly, but it takes them longer to get the little details right. For the adults and elderly, shape-shifting takes longer, but they often get the appearance right on the first time. Due to the time it takes to perfect their disguise, young Mimics will often keep a part of their body partially transformed into their desired disguise. That way if they need to hide quickly, they just have to compress and hide the rest of their body while their prepped part takes the stage. For the adults, who take longer to morph and change, they will remain fully transformed for most of their time. If movement is needed, they will only make small adjustments to make themselves mobile. Only in dire emergencies will they completely morph out of their main disguise and take on a different form. As adult Mimics grow past adulthood into their elder years, their ability to shape-shift will continue to slow and become more costly for their body. If a Mimic lives to such an old age, they will hardly ever shift from their common disguise, to the point where they are just as immobile and docile as a piece of furniture. To fully change their body takes a huge amount of energy from their aged form, as such a drain can actually kill them. If pushed past their limit during their elder years, the Mimic will lose all control and consistency over their body and fall apart into a puddle of lifeless goo. So to avoid this, they will remain in their chosen form for the rest of their years, simply waiting for the end to come to them. So perfect and peaceful are these forms, that some people have unknowingly kept elder Mimics in their house as furniture for years! There is a story that tells of a king who once bought an antique wardrobe for his personal quarters. He was quite fond of it and kept it for decades. One day, though, as he was changing, his wardrobe let out a calm sigh and simply melted into the floor!

Now I am sure the talk of the unknowing king and his secretly living furniture has some people worried. Many are when it comes to Mimics, and the most common question is: How do I tell if someone or something is a Mimic? While there are a few tricks and clues one can use, there is not one that is 100% foolproof. Mimics tend to have their own touch when it comes to shape-shifting, and they may use different methods to achieve the perfect look. The other thing to keep in mind is that Mimics aren't dumb. When word gets out that there is a way to identify Mimics, they are quick to listen in and change their methods to avoid this trap. Regardless, I will list a few here, as they can still be useful, but don't come crying to me if they fail to keep your "chair" from biting your bum off! Of course the most obvious clue when it comes to identifying Mimics are their tongues. Depending on their disguise, these can be cumbersome to hide, so keep an eye out for entities who cover their mouths or do their best to draw your attention away from them. Another trick is one that can be used for inspecting wooden objects or furniture. If you suspect a piece of furniture being a Mimic, take a look at the grain of the wood (carefully though!). Younger Mimics tend to overlook this detail, or they will find it too hard to focus on, so what often happens is that they take one pattern of wood grain and then copy it all over their body. If the grain on the furniture suddenly cuts off or keeps repeating, then that object is probably a Mimic. Depending on what a Mimic is copying, you might be able to take advantage of the limitations of their morphing. While Mimics can copy texture, shape, color, size, sound and smell, there are certain properties they cannot replicate. Powers, immunities and magic are not possible for them to copy. For example, demons are immune to heat and flame, but even if a Mimic takes on their appearance perfectly, they cannot possess this ability. They may find ways to work around it, but such efforts to do so may disrupt their disguise and expose them. Since Mimics cannot perfectly replicate magic, one merely needs to test to see if their subject can perform a complicated spell that cannot be organically reproduced. Another tip is to check the clothing and garb of the suspected person. When it comes to copying specific people, Mimics tend to grow their clothes rather than put them on. If a person is unable to remove their shirt or pants from their body, it might because it is actually a part of their flesh! This trick, though, takes some finesse to properly use, as many folk don't respond well to someone demanding they take their clothes off. And lastly, some have pointed out that Mimics rarely copy the internal structures of their targets. If they pretend to be human, they don't often go as far as to create lungs, hearts and other organs. Instead, their insides will just be that blank pale flesh. While this is indeed a way to detect a Mimic, I do not recommend following this line of thinking for obvious reasons.

One of the things that continues to be debated about Mimics is their origin. Due to their incredible shape-shifting abilities, many find it hard to believe that they are a natural species. However, we must remember the crazy types of magic that humans, dryads, fairies and demons can use. Then there are the shades who go against every rule in the book, yet we still believe them to be a natural occurring species. On the other hand, though, is the question on why their population is so small despite their fantastic powers. Beings who are capable of nearly perfect replication of other species should be quite dominant, but so far studies have found Mimics to be quite rare (unless they are better at hiding than we thought!) The other thing that brings their origins into questions are the Doppelgangers, a species of shape-shifter that has indeed been created through tampering and magical influence. Many folk believe there is a connection between the Mimics and Doppelgangers, but no one is truly sure what came first. Some suggest that Mimics were failed experiments that eventually found life, while others think they are the botched result of Doppelgangers breeding with other races. On the other side is the idea that Mimics were the foundation of the Doppelganger experiments, and the successful fusion of human and Mimic resulted in this artificial species. It is quite hard to say for certain!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

---------------------------------------------------

Can one write an obscenely long essay about one of the most basic and common monsters in fantasy? DARN RIGHT I CAN!