Difference between revisions of "Gargoyle Beast"
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| − | '''Gargoyle | + | '''Gargoyle beasts''' are a species of animal closely related to [[gargoyle]]s. They are generally found living with gargoyles, as companions and "watch-dogs." |
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | {{CIT|Gargoyle beasts originally lived in the wild, but at least by A.D. 1 they had been domesticated, and lived among gargoyle [[clan]]s.}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The earliest known historical gargoyle beast is the "[[Hound of Ulster]]," a companion to the ancient Irish hero [[Cu Chullain]] at the beginning of the 1st century A.D. Other known gargoyle beasts include [[Bronx]] of the [[Wyvern Clan]], now of the [[Manhattan Clan]] in [[New York]], and [[Boudicca]] of the [[Avalon Clan]]. {{CIT|[[Brooklyn]] will acquire a gargoyle beast from the [[Xanadu Clan]] on his [[Timedancer|Timedancing]] journeys, named [[Fu-Dog]], who will join the Manhattan Clan upon Brooklyn's return.}} There is also at least one beast known to live among the [[Ishimura Clan]], {{CIT|and at least two other beasts besides Boudicca dwelling on Avalon. However, the gargoyle beast species has suffered decline over the centuries alongside the gargoyles. The general evidence that we have indicates that beasts are even rarer than gargoyles, and in greater danger of extinction. They are already extinct in the wild. Fortunately, the Xanadu Clan have taken it upon themselves to protect and breed these rare animals, and their work may prove critical to saving the species.}} | ||
==Characteristics== | ==Characteristics== | ||
| − | {{CIT| | + | {{CIT|Although gargoyle beasts look roughly dog-like in appearance, they are not dogs at all. They are, in fact, about as closely related to gargoyles as chimpanzees are to humans. Gargoyles and gargoyle beasts are the only living members of the biological class of "gargates."}} |
| − | + | Gargoyle beasts are quadrupedal and wingless, {{CIT|though they may retain some vestigial wing bones not visible on the surface}}. They cannot speak, communicating only with animal vocalizations, particularly barks and growls. Unlike gargoyles, they have white eyes, without visible irises or pupils. Both males' and females' eyes glow white. | |
| − | Though not quite as intelligent as gargoyles, gargoyle beasts appear to be pretty smart. Bronx has demonstrated the ability to understand simple commands that can mean different things under different circumstances ("help" someone, for example). Bronx is also perfectly capable of assessing a situation himself and deciding on what action to take without being told. Additionally, he seems to be able to determine what levels of force are necessary, attacking robots and more | + | Though not quite as intelligent as gargoyles, gargoyle beasts appear to be pretty smart. Bronx has demonstrated the ability to understand simple commands that can mean different things under different circumstances ("help" someone, for example). Bronx is also perfectly capable of assessing a situation himself and deciding on what action to take without being told. Additionally, he seems to be able to determine what levels of force are necessary, attacking robots and more monstrous foes at full force, while holding back with more vulnerable targets. His intelligence has its limits, though. In "[[City of Stone Part Four]]", Bronx did prevent [[Demona]] from smashing the stone [[Elisa Maza|Elisa]], but he backed off afterwards and made no attempt to attack Demona again, even as she explained her intention to kill the rest of the clan and Xanatos. What she said was beyond Bronx's understanding, and since her tone wasn't hostile and he couldn't tell that she was doing anything wrong, he didn't try to stop her. |
| − | Like gargoyles, beasts turn to stone by day and come in various colors, and their appearance varies somewhat between individuals {{CIT|Also like gargoyles, the females are fertile once every twenty years, and each lays a single [[egg]] at a time, which takes ten years to hatch. They reach maturity more quickly than gargoyles, but otherwise enjoy the same life-span, and can lay more than three eggs in a lifetime.}} They are loyal, formidable animals, who battle devotedly alongside their clan in its defense, and can strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. | + | Like gargoyles, beasts turn to stone by day and come in various colors, and their appearance varies somewhat between individuals. {{CIT|Also like gargoyles, the females are fertile once every twenty years, and each lays a single [[egg]] at a time, which takes ten years to hatch. They reach maturity more quickly than gargoyles, but otherwise enjoy the same life-span, and thus can lay more than three eggs in a lifetime.}} They are loyal, formidable animals, who battle devotedly alongside their clan in its defense, and can strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
It is likely, judging from the reports of the "Hound of Ulster," that gargoyle beasts are in some way the original of the "black dog" legends of the British Isles, but further data on this is as yet unavailable. | It is likely, judging from the reports of the "Hound of Ulster," that gargoyle beasts are in some way the original of the "black dog" legends of the British Isles, but further data on this is as yet unavailable. | ||
Revision as of 22:09, 18 December 2007
Gargoyle beasts are a species of animal closely related to gargoyles. They are generally found living with gargoyles, as companions and "watch-dogs."
History
Gargoyle beasts originally lived in the wild, but at least by A.D. 1 they had been domesticated, and lived among gargoyle clans.
The earliest known historical gargoyle beast is the "Hound of Ulster," a companion to the ancient Irish hero Cu Chullain at the beginning of the 1st century A.D. Other known gargoyle beasts include Bronx of the Wyvern Clan, now of the Manhattan Clan in New York, and Boudicca of the Avalon Clan. Brooklyn will acquire a gargoyle beast from the Xanadu Clan on his Timedancing journeys, named Fu-Dog, who will join the Manhattan Clan upon Brooklyn's return. There is also at least one beast known to live among the Ishimura Clan, and at least two other beasts besides Boudicca dwelling on Avalon. However, the gargoyle beast species has suffered decline over the centuries alongside the gargoyles. The general evidence that we have indicates that beasts are even rarer than gargoyles, and in greater danger of extinction. They are already extinct in the wild. Fortunately, the Xanadu Clan have taken it upon themselves to protect and breed these rare animals, and their work may prove critical to saving the species.
Characteristics
Although gargoyle beasts look roughly dog-like in appearance, they are not dogs at all. They are, in fact, about as closely related to gargoyles as chimpanzees are to humans. Gargoyles and gargoyle beasts are the only living members of the biological class of "gargates."
Gargoyle beasts are quadrupedal and wingless, though they may retain some vestigial wing bones not visible on the surface. They cannot speak, communicating only with animal vocalizations, particularly barks and growls. Unlike gargoyles, they have white eyes, without visible irises or pupils. Both males' and females' eyes glow white.
Though not quite as intelligent as gargoyles, gargoyle beasts appear to be pretty smart. Bronx has demonstrated the ability to understand simple commands that can mean different things under different circumstances ("help" someone, for example). Bronx is also perfectly capable of assessing a situation himself and deciding on what action to take without being told. Additionally, he seems to be able to determine what levels of force are necessary, attacking robots and more monstrous foes at full force, while holding back with more vulnerable targets. His intelligence has its limits, though. In "City of Stone Part Four", Bronx did prevent Demona from smashing the stone Elisa, but he backed off afterwards and made no attempt to attack Demona again, even as she explained her intention to kill the rest of the clan and Xanatos. What she said was beyond Bronx's understanding, and since her tone wasn't hostile and he couldn't tell that she was doing anything wrong, he didn't try to stop her.
Like gargoyles, beasts turn to stone by day and come in various colors, and their appearance varies somewhat between individuals. Also like gargoyles, the females are fertile once every twenty years, and each lays a single egg at a time, which takes ten years to hatch. They reach maturity more quickly than gargoyles, but otherwise enjoy the same life-span, and thus can lay more than three eggs in a lifetime. They are loyal, formidable animals, who battle devotedly alongside their clan in its defense, and can strike terror into the hearts of their enemies.
It is likely, judging from the reports of the "Hound of Ulster," that gargoyle beasts are in some way the original of the "black dog" legends of the British Isles, but further data on this is as yet unavailable.
