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 Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:22 am
   The kyunru were the very first species to ever show up in ES. They're all but the perfect companions for a person- loyal, loving, and intelligent. And they're telepathic, able to share emotions and thoughts with their close ones.
Kyunru share a bond with their owners that is established at birth. Even if a kyunru was born alone in the wilderness and raised by wolves, they already know who their owner is, and will find them eventually. ^^ Read on to find out more about the devoted little fluffers.
The kyunru, like most residents of ElderSpark, are not a native species to Gaia. Many centuries ago, so long ago in fact that there is almost no mention of their true origins in any popular recorded history, they were smuggled into Gaia from their home world of Sabilasi.
There was once a secretive group of sorcerers who specialized in creating portals to other worlds with the purpose of locating things of magical interest. They eventually opened a portal into the world called Sabilasi and were very pleased to find that this was a place filled with eldritch creatures and possibility. Upon 'discovering' the highly intelligent, social (and not to mention telepathic) kyunru, the sorcerers knew at once they had found their fortune. They predicted the creatures would make for extraordinary familiars within the arcane societies once they were properly trained. It was only the next logical step to smuggle any and all eggs they could find back to Gaia. There was of course quite a bit of resistance from the parents of said eggs, but the sorcerers had no use for adult specimens and dealt with any interference with ruthless efficiency. They all but decimated the natural population before finally being ousted from Sabilasi by the infuriated kyunru gods.
After their narrow escape, the sorcerers went about transforming the kyunru into a more marketable species. For a while, the animals were a common sight. Domestic breeds were popular with lower-class citizenry and farmers, with the more flamboyant breeds being sold to nobles and high ranking wizards. It didn't last forever, though. After a few generations, the kyunru birthrate plummeted for unknown reasons and eggs refused to hatch. Soon after that, they fell out of favor. Eventually the kyunru boom was shrugged off as a passing trend and forgotten.
Their legacy survived the passing ages in the form of discarded crystalline eggs that lay utterly dormant. The eggs are scattered across Gaia, buried in one form or another- hidden in ancient ruins, nestled in deepest forests, submerged in cold depths, sometimes mistaken for artifacts or gems and assimilated into treasuries. Only in recent years have these forgotten eggs begun to hatch, seeking purpose and companionship.
As a matter worth mentioning, it is said that the group of sorcerers who originally stole the kyunru from Sabilasi later fell upon a bit of misfortune. It seems they opened a portal right into an Ursarin caravan and attempted to thieve some of the amazing wares they saw there. Needless to say, they were never heard from again.
Generations of contrived mingling with other species as well as magically induced evolution has produced a creature remarkable for the virtually limitless combinations of physical attributes and coloration. But it wasn't always so. Originally, the kyunru were a fairly ordinary looking creature with only three different breeds to their entire species. All kyunru of today can attribute their defining traits to these ancient predecessors.
Lei'shian: These kyunru had tall and slender builds. Their ears tended to be thin and fox-like and their coats were sleek, usually lacking the furry 'poofs' on the face and legs. They had sharp and thinly pointed hooves and petite forepaws. In color, they tended toward darker shading with dappled black or gray being the most common. The Lei'shian were the horned ones of the species, bearing antler-like crowns that grew to rather impressive proportions.
Sumaltei: On the opposite end of the kyunru gene pool were the Sumaltei. They were short, stocky, and … fluff. Their ears were stubby and thickly furred and entirely squishable. Their legs were short and sturdy all the way down to their blunted hooves and pudgy forepaws. An interesting trait of the Sumaltei was the dynamic nature of their coloration. Just by remaining in the same territory for a few generations, Sumaltei kyunru often adopted similar coloration to local flora and fauna.
Athelai: The Athelai kyunru were the original fliers of the species. Their wingspans were enormous, reaching well over eight feet at adulthood. When spread, their wings dwarfed their relatively small and unremarkable bodies. They were always some type of mild brown in color with little variation in shade or markings. Everything else about their physique fell right in the middle between the two extremes of the Lei'shian and Sumaltei.
An observation on the kyunru of today Written by Imriel de Corvide. Kyunru are quadrupeds, bearing the hind legs of a deer, and the forelegs of a cat. Their heads are also cat-like while being larger in size than most felines to accommodate larger brains. (It is worth noting that kyunru are capable of human intelligence, but their basic nature is still ruled by animalistic tendencies and instincts.) They are also telepathic, and can communicate without the need for physical speech (though they are perfectly capable of doing so). In physique, they're usually about the same height/weight as a medium-sized dog. Other physical traits (ears, tails, fur, paws/hooves) vary widely from case to case due to genetic diversity.
They are designed to be carnivorous creatures, as evidenced by their sharp canines and retractable claws, which are suitable for hooking and tearing prey animals. (I have yet to witness this, however, as most kyunru are rather docile creatures despite their capability to be predatory) It is also widely observed that, though their teeth are more suited for consuming meat, most kyunru are omnivorous and sometimes purely herbivorous.
Kyunru are almost always winged, though they are mostly flightless. I believe this is due to selective breeding during their early Gaian development that was designed to minimalize the appendages. (According to records, this was done purely for aesthetics, but I believe it may also have been done to keep the kyunru grounded so they could not easily escape their keepers.) Some kyunru possess wings that are just large enough or strong enough for gliding and limited flight. Usually the only kyunru capable of prolonged flight are those that are able to employ magic or telepathy to levitate themselves artificially. There are some cases of wingspans large enough to support true flight, though it is exceedingly rare. Kyunru are highly social creatures, tending toward lifelong family bonds. Mated pairs are unflinchingly devoted to eachother, and in most cases will not couple with any other partners for the rest of their lives.
Consort herds: It is possible though, if there are strong enough bonds present, for several adult kyunru to form a consort herd. These small herds consist of three or more mature kyunru who have established lasting and deeply rooted bonds with each other. The herds don't follow any of the normal rules one might associate with a family group and usually form by themselves over time as a result of familiarity and closeness. There is no alpha or any other dominant figure within the consort herd (unless there just happens to be a kyunru with that type of personality), neither are there any strict rules for dictating pairings. Of course, each group will have its own dynamics. One herd may appear to be perfectly content while another may seem to squabble due to conflicting personalities or apparent jealousy... but there is always an underlying harmony within the group that keeps everything in balance. Otherwise, there would not be a consort herd in the first place. It is of extreme importance to realize that the kyunru do not form these small families unless they actually care for each other- whether that caring is obvious to observers or not. Any children born within a consort herd are considered offspring of the entire group and are cared for and attended by all members equally. Fawns are still taught who "mother" and "father" are, though it's mostly a trivial distinction. As a rule, children are not considered part of the herd. (For obvious reasons)
Eggs: Though they are mammals, kyunru lay eggs. The mother will carry her young for a period of time as they develop, but after a certain point she will lay a clutch of two to four eggs- any more than that is rare. The eggs themselves are constructed of a sturdy crystalline substance that has some unexplained organic qualities that allows it to expand around a fawn as they grow. Initially the eggs are semi-transparent and about the size of a small ostrich egg, but they grow to the size of a soccer ball at full maturity. The crystal also enables the eggs to go into a hibernation state where the shell becomes opaque and all but unbreakable. This period of stasis can last for centuries, with no negative side effects on the baby within. It is currently unknown what exactly triggers the hibernation.
Kyunru hatchings are a very hazardous affair, both for the young and any observers. The crystal structure of the egg becomes extremely brittle at the time of hatching, and has a tendency to break into jagged shards. Another unusual point about the kyunru eggs is that they are filled with a very potent acid. It is assumed that this acidic substance is an evolutionary adaptation to discourage predation. So far it seems that kyunru are resistant to this acid, but everything else is most definitely not. It is unknown what kind of creature may have induced this particular defense mechanism. As of yet, there are no accounts of anyone being able to even crack the crystal shells before they're ready to hatch..
Misc: Kyunru babies are called fawns.
There are various records and legends that hint at some interesting things.
Kyunru are capable of reaching stages beyond normal adulthood.
It is said that their inherent compatibility with elemental magic comes from an ancient sun spirit blessing.
It is somehow possible for two female kyunru to produce a clutch of eggs. (a la immaculate conception xD)
...
Kyunru are very complex creatures. Each one has its own genetic traits, inherited from family lines and elemental influences. These traits are passed down through breeding, and are always present in later generations in some amount, regardless of whether the trait is visible or dormant. Here is a list of all known genetic traits and their corresponding tag symbol:
(Under Construction)
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