~Goennec~ Round: Closed

[Cirque]

*-* The new goennecs are gorgeous! I'll be going for Nix. :3



Goennec Pen #: Five
Name: Nyx
How would you use her: I would definitely order art of Nyx and give her a home in my goennec character thread, I plan on possibly using her in the rp and creating a background for her. I will draw up some pictures of my own of her and make sure that she is put to good use.
Define Your Goennec:
Well, Nyx's personality develops throughout the story, so I'm going to tie it into the story and hint more and more of her personality as the story goes on...

Underneath the frothing waters of the sea, a creature slowly continued its wander. It observed its surroundings with its eyes. Its serpent head waved in the water like a forgotten hand, waving at what was and what will be, beholding the future. It tramped over patches of kelp, which were miniscule compared to its five horse-like legs, each tipped with a eagle claw, each beholding three talons sharper than the mind. All along, its dragon body preparing itself for a battle. The battle. This monstrous beast created by Fate and Time, was Caohehm.

"It's coming."
There, atop three great thrones, sat the gods of Osirus, Vienne, Fierus, Oceanus, and Cumicus. All of them had grim expressions on their faces. "We can't fight Caohehm, but who else has the power to even come to the creature? Fate and Time have created something we can't fight." Vienne said grimly. "Nothing has the power, yet," Fierus answered. "We must create our warrior, just how Fate and Time have created theirs." "Exactly," Cumicus added. "We need to create a creature of our own for this battle." Vienne said, "Any input from you, Oceanus?" "Yes," Oceanus said. "We must create out warrior. Our hero."

And so it was decided upon by the great gods of Osirus that they would create a goennec. A new goennec with the power of the ocean and a soul of fire.

"So," Oceanus started. "This goennec needs to be precise and they need to be able to confuse Caohehm. To confuse Caohehm, I think this goennec should have feathers on it, so they distract Caohehm." "Yes, yes it should have feathers. Now, there shall be some feathers on its shoulders, ankles, by the tail, and in place of its horns. All agree?" Fierus said. "Agreed." The rest said in unison. "Now," Continued Cumicus. "The battle will be at sunset, so the goennec's fur should be red so it blends in with the sky during battle." "Agreed." Came a chant from the group. "This goennec will have to have a strong temper, but it must be able to accept the fact that it is different from the others." Fierus stated. "Agreed." "Now, Vienne, what's your input, you haven't any, yet." "My input?" Vienne inquired. "This goennec will be female, and her name will be Nyx." "Why Nyx?" Cumicus asked. "Her name will be Nyx, or night, because there is nothing mightier than the vast night." Now remember," Fierus added. "We can't straight on give her power, she must find it, and so her inner power will be in the shape of a black stone, agreed?" "Agreed." Came a chant. "So, then, it has been set upon, we have out hero." Added Oceanus.
"Yes." Vienne stated. "One of which can not fail, or if it does, its demise will be ours.

There, lay an awoken goennec. Not just any goennec, though, a young goennec with feathers and red fur. Dazzled, the small creature sat up. "Where am I?" It inquired itself. "Who am I?"
"You, young goennec, are Nyx." Came a feminine voice from above.
Nyx looked puzzled for a moment, then asked,
"Nyx, night. I am Nyx? Well, where am I? Where did I come from?"
"You are a creation, you came from what was, and you are what will be. Now, just think. Think of anything that comes to mind." The voice replied softly.
Nyx closed her eyes and thought. "Caohehm." She whispered. "Caohehm, the gods of Osirus, and me, Nyx battling Caohehm."
"Now, you have been created to fight and destroy Caohehm. It is your destiny. Would you like to know more?" The voice asked.
"Yes," Nyx stated. "But first, I want to see you, come here and reveal yourself."
"Your wish is my command." And with that, Vienne shifted out of the air and drifted down to Nyx.
"Who are you?" Nyx asked.
"I am Vienne, godess of equality." Vienne answered with a smile.
"Vienne, tell me more about yourself."
"As you wish." Vienne replied sharply.
"Now, as I said, I am the godess of shapeshifting and equality, otherwise know as revenge. I am one of the four gods of Osirus that live upon Goesphia. There are four gods of this universe, Fierus, who is also my father, is the god of fire and flame. Oceanus is the god of the sea and all water, and Cumicus is the god of the day sky and air. I used to live here, upon earth, or what's left of it, and i used to think I was a normal goennec, until, well, it's a long story. The gods of Osirus and I also have a messenger, his name is Gosirus, we've lived in peace, that is, until now. You see, Fate and Time, otherwise know as the creators of the universe, have created the one thing that the gods and I can't deafeat. This creature is Caohehm."
"Why can't you battle Caohehm?" Nyx asked curiously.
"Well, each of the gods has to make an oath. This oath is for one animal that they are not allowed to harm. Fierus took and oath to dragons, Oceanus took and oath to horses, Cumicus took an oath to eagles, and I, Vienne, took an oath to serpents. Caohehm is a combination of all of these creatures, therefore, we are permitted agasint harming it. So, we created you. You are our warrior."
Nyx looked up at Vienne with wonder in her wide eyes.
"I know, it's a shock finding out who you truly are for the first time, trust me, I've been through it.
Now, you must defeat Caohehm, but don't worry, you won't be alone. Our messenger, Gosirus will be able to aid you, and you will be able to have any friends you meet on your journey help you, but the gods won't be able to help." Vienne added.
"Wait, what journey?" Nyx asked worriedly.
"Ah, yes, I suppose you should know that you'll have to find your inner power." Vienne continued calmly.
Nyx replied with, "What?! What inner powers? I have powers?!"
"Yes," Vienne continued. "You are not at your full potential, yet, and the gods weren't allowed to give you full powers, so you must find your powers. Don't worry, though, Caohehm can't harm you until you reach the rock. Your inner power will be in the form of a black rock. It will glow red if you made it in time, but if it glows white, well..." Vienne trailed off and stared into the sky.
"Then may Caohehm take mercy on you, as there will be no one else left."


"Are you ready?" Vienne inquired Nyx.
"Yes, I think so." Nyx replied with a nervous expression.
"Well, then," Vienne added. "I want to remember one important thing my mother told me right before she died.
In time, you will discover who you truly are."
Nyx nodded.
"Also," Vienne stated while putting a red pendant around Nyx's neck. "This will glow brighter and brighter until you reach the stone, it will become darker as you venture further away from the stone, and, it is a magical item, only you, Gosirus, and the gods can see. It is invisible to mortal's eyes, but they will be able to see who you truly are, they can see your true form, so be careful."
Nyx nodded.
"Well, goodbye and goodluck, Nyx." And with that, Vienne drifted off into the air again.


So onward Nyx traveled, heading in the direction of the pendant's brightest glow. The pendant seemed to glow brightest when facing the west, but Nyx didn't know why the gods had chosen the west for the location of her powers.

So Nyx traveled in favor of the pendant until she came across a mother with her baby goennec.
"Mommy! Look at that goennec!" Shouted the youngest goennec.
"Why, honey, it's not polite t- Oh, um..." Said the goennec's mother.
Nyx thought, Darn, what the hell am I going to explain to people when they ask-
"Excuse me," Said the mother goennec while blushing. "But are you all right? You have feathers... Is that natural?"
"Uh... Yeah, I was a-a-a lab experiment! Yeah, these humans tested on me in a lab, and so I look like this." Nyx said in a rush.
"Oh, well, then, I was just making sure. Come on honey, let's go now." Said the mother.
And with that, the mother worriedly led her child away from Nyx.

"Yes!... The stone I fnally reached the sto- It's-It's-It's glowing white...
I didn't make it in time! I let the gods down! The demise of every living creature is my burden!
What's that?... What's that noise?... It's coming closer, it's Caohehm.!"
"Hahaha, Nyx, you have fgailed to save the gods, and thanks to you, I have defeated them, and the world is mine, but first, it's time for you to reach your demise!"
"No! No! Don't come closer, I-I-I-"

"Excuse me, are you all right?" Asked a worried voice.
Nyx sat up, dazed by her sudded awakening. "Wha-? I had such a nightmare!"
"Yes, I heard you screaming, and I came, then I woke you." Said the voice.
"Oh, why thank you." Said Nyx.
Nyx looked up at the goennec who had awoken her. He was a male goennec, about Nyx's age, and Nyx took a personal liking to him the second she saw him. His fur was mangled and dissheveled, but it was like shiny bronze rippling along his slim body. Two ivory horns were atop his head, matching his diagonal hooves. His ears were floppy, which made him look more apleasing to Nyx. She looked into his eyes, they were as black as the night and she could see her reflection in them.
"Who are you?" He asked.
Nyx replied, "I am Nyx, who are you?"
"I," He started. "Am Nacrossis."
"Nice to meet you, Nacrossis." Nyx said.
Nacrossis said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nyx. Now, not to be rude, but you have feathers. Why?"
"Oh... I was a lab experiment..." Nyx lied.
"Oh... Er... Interesting." Nacrossis said with a hiding smile.
"Yeah, so, anyways, I have to get going, I have a long way to travel." Nyx got up and looked at her pendant for direction.
"What's that?" Nacrossis said, pointing a paw at her pendant.
"It's my pendant, but it's a magic item, it's supposed to be invisible to mortals..." Nyx said confused, forgetting Nacrossis.
"What? Magic? Mortals? Would you mind telling me who you really are, Nyx?" Nacrossis said with a plea.
"Yes, sit down, it's a long story..."

[Desmond]

And now, destruction. I'm still editing this with more story, etc.

Goennec Pen #: 5
Name: Naiv/ Farrell
How would you use him/her: He'd be one of the Elders of Cass's first herd. He'll be the oldest and wisest, revered almost as a god in the herd, especially as an ex-Prince that never saw Primacy. He will have a special place in my story, counciling Cass and Auss when they are in need. I would also RP him alongside my other Goennecs, and give him a special place in my art.
His story will be the strangest of all of my characters. He will most definitely be treasured.

Define your Goennec:
I don't remember much, but I remember my mother. I remember seeing her, red fur glistening in the sun. I remember thinking that I was going to find someone just like her, because she was perfect and beautiful in every way. I remember how bright her eyes were, and her laugh... oh... that laugh. She loved birds, loved how soft the feathers were when they fell to the ground. Her cove was full of them, of all different sizes, shapes and colors. Some were smooth, others were so incredibly light and soft that I never had trouble sleeping, snuggled up next to her, the light of the moon striking the silky wing-feathers mesmerizingly.

I remember my father, too. I remember how strong he looked, silhouetted against the sun, the glows of his Primacy almost visible. How I yearned to exhude that much power and strength! He was the reason I fought my peers, trying to gain enough dominance to become a Prince. And I did; I was a strong Prince, even though my horns never grew more than short spikes on my head. I ruled under a great Prime that had to deal with boundry disputes more than any other Prime I have seen since then. Under his rule, feathers were given out in reward for bravery, and I have kept every single one.

I remember the great dispute over the southern bend of the river. I remember charging over those waters, bellowing a challenge to those that dare cross out boarders. My tail was streaming behind me, the force of the river pushing my legs farther along, then my feet reached the opposite bank and my horns met Goennec flesh. This feather right here? On my shoulder? I got that in this battle. I saved a kid that got caught up in the fight, before she was trampled by enemy hooves. I don't remember her name anymore. Her dark fur and red mane have stuck in my old, tired mind, though. I still bear the scar from a sharp hoof in the hip as I helped her away, though. And oh, it hurts when it rains.

Then there was this time that I had to defend the pack from wolves. Back then, we didn't have these mangy hyenas roaming the lands, no; packs of bloodthirsty wolves hunted all around us, their long, shining teeth glinting in the moonlight. Beasts, they were, so ready to kill us all and rip the flesh from our bones. And I and my soldiers chased them out, screaming and yelping. Very, very few from our pack were killed thanks to my army. I earned these feathers- the ones on my legs- for all of the times I chased them away. A few of them were almost shredded when I wore them into battle, but they've lasted all of these years, all the same.

I earned the feathers on my head, covering my horns, when I took care of the Prime when he was ill. Even though others though his disease was contagious, I stepped up for him, carrying water in my mouth from the river to his cove for him to drink and gathering food for him to eat. I nursed him to health, and, in return, he surprised me with these, the longest feathers I have ever seen. How I love them so. They were once on my tail, so I could continue to use my horns in battle, but I have since moved them. Perhaps that was when I let that young one- Aussie- take my place.

The two others on my tail were earned after my Prime was defeated. Though the current brothers- fiends that they are- do not use the feather system, the older members of the herd bestowed these upon me after I performed one final act of bravery- in the face of certain death by Lazuli's horns, I fought back, dodging blows as much as I could and yet still suffering from multiple wounds in the end, when Lazuli's brother called for him to cease.

Since I left my Princehood, I have been here, among the Elders. They love and admire me here, even though the ones that I fought with have died, and I am left with my younger peers. I'm loved here; I live in the softest bed, woven with feathers- lust like my mother made. And every morning, they see me stand, silhouetted against the sun as I watch it rise over the land, just as my father did when I was younger. But I have made my own name in the modern herd, as the advice-giver. Goennecs young and old seek me out for council, and I offer my thoughts to them as needed. I have assisted the current Prince, Aussie, as he sought the affections of that young Goennec kid that I saved so long ago. I have, in turn, councelled her as she trudged through life, restrained by the herd's laws. She's gone, now, run off after she was found breaking the law and "fraternizing with a rival herd's member," whatever that means. Lazuli himself looked confused with the order, but it's not my place to question a Prime.

Every now and again, I wander back to the place my Prime came to in order to die. When it's my time, I think I'll go there. Yes, after all, wouldn't it be fitting for a son to peacefully pass on in the same place as his father?

---

Farrell's life dream is to emulate both his father- his Prime- and yet let the memory of his mother live on through his own love and in his actions. He succeeds in this, though he never gets the title of "Prime."

---

They say old soldiers never die. That's certainly the case for Farrell, who has been around so long that even his name is antiquated. He doesn't remember all of the times he nearly died, when his heart all but stopped after battles. The story he tells, though accurate in a sense, is not the entire story, and can be construed as untrue.

From birth, Farrell- originally named Naiv by his mother- had a hard start. He was stillborn, and lay curled up for three days between his mother's front paws as she cried over his body until, miraculously, his body shuddered and his lungs started to work, and the previously dead Goennec began crying for milk and nourishment. It was because of this event that Naiv’s horns did not grow beyond the small spikes that they are; his body’s priorities diverted from the norm, and the nutrients he received went more into keeping his body alive rather than making him a highly attractive mate, though the latter did occur.

Naiv’s rebirth inspired his mother, reminding her of the phoenix guardian of the North, Phi. She hoped that the legend was watching over or inhabiting her son, and so she exposed him to all kinds of feathers, just in case. She also secretly took bark from scented trees, in case he was to build a pyre to fulfill the phoenix legend with. However, this bark was discovered by the Prime, and tossed out so as to “not encourage the poor kid.”

During his adolescent months, Naiv’s life force didn’t get much stronger. He nearly died again, when an eagle swooped down and skewered his sides with its talons, then picked him up and flew several feet before he put up a big enough fight to cause it to drop him, luckily not from a great height. When he hit the ground, his bodily functions had ceased to be; and yet, when his mother reached him, he was struggling to rise, the wounds starting to heal.

He matured like most Goennecs did, though his horns only grew to be slightly larger and sharper than a female’s. Despite this, his bravery and penchant for survival earned him the right to be titled Prince by his own father, the Prime of the herd. He had learned how to use his short horns like rejecting females did during the Siv, lowering his head close to the ground and using them like small twin daggers on his opponent. His other favorite weapon of choice, his hooves, gave a sharp, powerful kick to anyone he could swing his rump on. It was at this point that he changed his name, and all but forgot his given name in favor of being called "Farrell."

During his Princehood, he “died” no less than twenty times, and each time, his wounds began healing as he got back to his feet. The more serious wounds left scars; the wound he received as he was rescuing the then- day-old Celestina came from a particularly large Goennec that had poisoned thorns wrapped around his hoof. He was left weakened for several days after the incident, and the pain never really faded away. It also became apparent that, as he aged, his healing started to slow, and became more and more incomplete, resulting in numerous scars from smaller and smaller incidents.

His father began utilizing the “feather system” at the request of his mother, who wanted to see her son, the phoenix in her eyes, earn a feather for every brave act, and slowly become like the magnificent bird he seemed to model. He agreed, if only to find a way to quiet her and hide his son’s stunted horn growth. And so, Farrell began wearing feathers, dyed with the juice of a berry that could be easily smashed underhoof in a method devised by one of the Affected. After being raised in a bed of feathers, he eagerly agreed to the decoration, and wore each and every one with pride.

One fall, his father became ill. Too weak to fend for himself, he lay in his cove, unable to move. Farrell, despite whispers that the disease could spread and wipe out the herd, tended to him, carrying water and food up in an attempt to keep him nourished. This alone would not have saved him. When it appeared that he was on his last leg, Farrell stayed with him, and his presence reversed the illness like it was merely another wound on his flank. When the Prime woke up the next morning, he found that he was strong enough to stand and walk on his own. His son slept for three days, after which he received his head-feathers.

When Lazuli and his brother rose into power, Farrell was allowed to keep his post as Prince, though he continued to call the previous Prime “his” Prime. Because of his age and the fact that he followed orders just as he had always done, neither brother considered him a threat. Certainly, the fact that he kept to the feather system unnerved them, since the old Prime was content to give his son one last honor for defending him, though they ignored it, believing that they had enough control that any uprising could be quashed. Farrell’s father died the day after his son received his last feathers.

Farrell did not serve long under the brothers. He left his post and settled into the Elder’s dens after a couple of years and a few more brushes with death on his part, opening the spot for Aussie to take. Every now and again, young Goennecs come up to him, asking for advice on various topics, or perhaps an interesting story from the past. He always has something to say, be it something reassuring, discouraging, or just plain entertaining.

Farrell visits the rocky outcrop that his father stood on to watch the sun rise every morning. He keeps an eye on his father’s lands, reassured by the peace he normally sees. Sometimes, he can be found in the grove by the river, where his father went to die. Some say he is planning his own death, others say he is mourning. One, an animal that does not belong to the herd, knows what Farrell’s nature will cause him to do when the time is right, and he will be there, perched in the sycamore that bends into the water, watching. Waiting. And, most of all, singing.

---

Story excerpt

Laz, chest heaving, turned toward his feathered opponent, his horns glinting a deadly blue in the sunlight, all four hooves glowing with readiness. Farrell, on the other hand, stood proud, watching the battle-ready silver body before him. He noticed the scrapes he’d already gotten from the battle with his Prime, especially the heavy limp he had thanks to a hard blow to the hip. That, he decided, would be the perfect point to pummel.

The adversaries stood for a long moment, each silently daring the other to charge. Then Laz coiled and sprung, thrusting his head forward for a stunning blow to the skull. Farrell leaped aside, bleating and twisting to stab at the silver flank. One horn struck home, then blue hoof met red throat. He was kicked aside, then shoved down the side of the short cliff.

With a quiet bleat, Farrell struggled to get to his feet again, but collapsed back down. Lazuli started to follow, ready to finish him off, but halted at a word from his brother. Breathing heavily with pain, his red eyes watched as Lazuli obediently turned away and plopped down beside the cruel monster of an Affected. Spared, he closed his eyes and let his head fall to the ground with a quiet sigh.

---
Story excerpt 2

The Prince's light blue horns appeared over the rocks as he carefully picked his way up to the Elder's home. Feathers shifting softly, Farrell perked his head up, head slightly cocked, and idly twirled his tail. Aussie sat down, head hanging, and did not speak for a long moment. Finally, his voice low, he spoke.

"I think I'm in love."

Farrell smiled, his red eyes softening as he surveyed the younger Goennec's body language.

"And why is that so bad, young Prince?"

"She doesn't want me." Aussie's voice broke, and he whined as he knelt down and hid his muzzle between his forepaws. Dark blue mane-fur drooped sadly as Farrell witnessed the power unrequited young love had on the youth, breaking him down more easily than the snap of a bird feather.

"She has another on her mind." Aussie nodded vigorously at the elder's words, whining so loudly that he almost didn't catch his next words. "Do you think she is happy with him?"

Aussie's whining became soft whimpers as he considered this question. Was she happier with whoever she was leaving the herd to see? It certainly seemed that way. She was so isolated in the herd. "I...."

"If you truly love someone, you want them to be happy, even if they aren't with you. Let her know you love her, but don't force her to be your mate. If she chooses you, she's yours. If she doesn't she never was, and there is nothing you can do about it without making her unhappy and resentful."

"And if I can't stop wanting her?"

"That is a pain you must bear, my Prince. That is all you can do."

[June Bug]

O.o *twitch*

I hate you XD

oh shoot! I forgot again to put the name change note D:< bvhvfuvFfbhvhBFbngi! *goes to fix and kick self*
edit: fix'd and kick'd =D

[Desmond]

xD I warned you last week, Kam-Kam. <3 Five pages. Of Doom. Capitalized and all.

Silly goat. :P

Edit: Going ahead and posting this. It's quite unfinished, though. xD The cyclops appealed to me more than the chimaera, oddly enough. But he'll work beautifully, with some editing of the form.

Goennec Pen #: Affected pen 1
Name: Polyphemus, 'Poly' for Lazuli.
How would you use him/her: Polyphemus will be the brother of Lazuli, named for the blue “eye” between his eternally closed natural eyes. He will be Lazuli’s puppeteer, guiding the better-formed Goennec through life. He will have a small role in the RP, always present when Lazuli is, and always with a snide/hurtful word to say.
Define your Goennec:

Have you ever been so jealous that your insides boiled and all you wanted to do was watch the other bleed under your hoof, red spreading under them and staining the rocks that so hold you high? Have you ever wanted, with all of your blackened, withered heart, for an eagle to take everyone around you and rip up their bodies as they scream, their skin hanging off of their muscles and bones as they are carried off? Or how about having them fall off of the small mountain, the sounds of their bones snapping and their screams, oh, the sweet sounds, echoing as they’re finally cut off as they reach the bottom, their legs bending in ways that they should never bend in any living animal?

I have. I’ve never wanted anything more. If only I could have heard their screams. No, I want to feel their agony as they die beside me.

I envy my brother. I hate him so much; He can forget. Not only can he forget, he forgets easily. He doesn’t remember much beyond three suns previous. Me? I remember everything. I remember how my parents frowned at me when I was born, instantly noticing the signs of my affliction. I remember how ashamed they were, having a son that was so weak and whose vision was already gone. They turned their backs when they saw how much even attempting to get up hurt me, and how I could do little more than slowly limp around while leaning heavily against a rock or some other Goennec’s body.

They hated me.

And then Lazuli was born.

Oh, how happy they were when he showed no signs of my sickness. They were so… happy with him. It was like I disappeared off of the map. Then his idiocy started showing, and they threw him away, too. But this… this moron was physically healthy. There was no reason he couldn’t get up on his four fragging hooves and stand like something that has any sort of pride. No; He would slip and fall, collapsing onto the ground with such a pathetic emotion that I wanted to hoof his head in. He gave up so easily, I wanted to leave him for some predator to take. It’d leave me with less misery, that’s for sure. But no. I have more pride than that. I taught the moron how to stand, ignoring the pain as I rose onto the two feet that could hold me, dragged my pathetic excuse of a body to his, and kicked his hooves into place. It was me who taught him how to take his first steps, though I could never on my own. It was me who would eventually train him to fight, even as my ‘vision’ got worse and worse. But no matter, he didn’t thank me. Why would he? I doubted he could remember my name, let alone the common courtesy in the face of some kindness.

The moron.

Not only that, but because neither of us could take care of ourselves, we were left in the nursery as our peers settled into their new homes, and more younglings came into being. And as they grew up, they rejected us. Hooves and horns slammed into our sides often, and I would have to clamber onto Lazuli as he scrambled sloppily away. Because we had no status in the herd, we were stuck sleeping in the grass, where anything could have caught sight of Lazuli’s stupid hooves and horns and killed us both. Better yet, he just had to grow to be the largest in the herd. So not only was he a moronic oaf, he was an obvious moronic oaf. Oh, how I wanted to hurt him.

And then I had an idea. Perhaps… perhaps he could be of some use, after all. I trained him harder. Made him the strongest one in the herd. Whatever shortcomings he had in that nonexistent brain of his, he more than made up for it in muscle, which he used under my direction. I had control. Oh, how I relished in it! I was the one that ordered him to fight the Prime, encouraged him to kill the aging fool. And yet he didn’t… he actually chose to obey the beg for mercy.

Fine. Whatever.

It wasn’t that hard to trick my bother into giving me the official title of Prime. Honestly, I could have just baited him with something. Food, maybe. Instead, I baited him with the title of Co-Prime, so that he could lead charges with the Prince. Maybe then, I could get rid of him. Maybe he’d get gored by some wandering antelope or something. That’d be nice. Lots of blood, nothing less than he deserved.

And then he brought that godforsaken outsider into the herd, right as whispers of mutiny started blowing around.

I could have sent my brother away myself. Smelling that obvious foreign scent… didn’t Lazuli know that bringing him in, no matter how little, was punishable by death according to the Goennec Law of the herd? No, no. Of course not. And I needed him to protect me. So what did I do? I saved the pathetic bit of hide and his even more worthless sidekick, and let this “Aussie” into My Herd. Mine. And then Lazuli had the gall to make his treason worse- he trained the small, shivering bit of flesh to fight and be strong, like himself. And oh, did he succeed. When the first Prince died from an attempt to charge a hyena, I had to retitle the strongest of the soldiers. And who would that be?

Oh. Yes. Right.

Having that little mongrel as Prince at least perked up my moronic brother, who was extremely pleased that he could fight right alongside his self-appointed son. But to me? Him being Prince meant that I was subjected to the embarrassment of having the status of the herd’s lands recited to me in that ridiculous accent, as if I could actually hear his voice. It meant that, as my handicaps grew more numerous and debilitating, he would be taking care of me.

And all I could think about was that nursery, and being taken care of by the few mothers that actually gave a hoof. Oh, how I hated that place. And oh, how I hated Aussie.

When I ordered the exile of that traitorous ewe, it only got worse. Foreign scent became hateful. I knew I couldn’t defend myself if the mongrel decided to attack; Lazuli wouldn’t dare hurt a hair on his mane. But the pure hatred in the Prince’s pelt made me wary.

But he didn’t attack me. No, he went after Lazuli, kicking and ramming as he gave in, unwilling to fight. Unwilling! I felt the rocks tremble during Aussie’s triumphant bellow as my brother gave in, and, with no defenses left, I backed down as gracefully as I could. What else could I do?

So the mongrel took my place. And I? I was the pitiful, dethroned Prime that was cast aside into the Elders’ cave. I didn’t bother telling my brother that he was no longer Co-Prime. I figured he’d eventually get it through his thick skull. But no… I’d feel his limping clip-clop as he’d return, kicked and beaten. I usually snorted and turned away, then scooted off a few feet as he tried to seek pity from me.

Then Lazuli left. He, Aussie, and anyone and everyone that could fight chose to gallivant off into some big battle that was supposed to take place in some godforsaken part of the North. Pfft. With all of the strong ones gone, I took control again. I demanded the respect I deserved once more. This herd, no matter how partial, was mine for the taking! Oh, how wondrous the feeling of elation was!

Talons. Daggers in my sides, scraping against bones and cutting into my muscles. And the feeling of the ground grew father and father as I rose, bleating and flailing. A razor-sharp beak dug into my neck….

And then I knew no more.

---

Though Polyphemus cannot see or hear, he can sense emotions with his powerful sense of smell. He has a mild clairvoyance sense as well that enables him to further sense emotions, centered in the eyelet on his forehead. He can somewhat identify his surroundings with this sense as well, using a system that is similar to sonar without having to make a sound. This sense would have further developed had it been able to function better in the negative energy that surrounds him, however, because of his hatred and jealousy toward others, this sense has been dulled to the point of an equivalence to nearsightedness. He notices this change in sensitivity, and it only serves to make him hate himself even more. He cannot feel anger, as per his condition, but his jealousy, resentment and hatred are not anger- spawned; they are a result of watching healthy Goennecs lead better lives than him.

He gets sick often, but doesn’t like to acknowledge it, least of all in his story, because it means accepting his status as an Affected. He fully rejects his shortcomings, physically wanting nothing more than to switch bodies with Lazuli and to give his lame body to a “lame” mind. He wants power more than anything, as revenge on the younglings that shamed him while growing up as well as an act of rebellion toward his condition. He considers even the mildest of illnesses- while it could still kill him- a sign of weakness that should be shunned and avoided.

Often, he will attempt to stand in the privacy of the Primes’ cove, leaning against Lazuli as he tries to get his legs to work, often falling with a sharp growl of pain. Once in a while, he can raise himself to two feet, often his front or back pair, and can slowly drag the rest of his body a very short distance forward, depending on the friction given by and angle of the ground. More often than not, though, he rides on Lazuli’s back, clinging to the blue mane with his teeth and with his legs hanging on either side of the silver body below him. When he is too ill or refuses to ride, Lazuli and Aussie supply with him weeds and grasses to eat, though Aussie eventually wants nothing more than to feed him a chunk of meat and be done with it. Lazuli accepts that his brother is a vegetarian with as much ease as he accepts everything else his brother says- with extreme naivety.

Polyphemus' condition has also stunted his growth to the point of locking him in the appearance of a juvenile, even as an adult. His growth as a youth was much slower than the growth of the other Goennecs, leaving him looking much, much younger than he actually is. He can feel the difference in size, and is resentful because of it, but sees a possible gain in that his body may not give up on him as fast as a normal Goennec's, giving him the possibility of living longer. However, his idea does not get tested, due to his demise at the talons of the eagle.

Polyphemus has several life dreams, the most prominent of which is to conquer his condition. In a way, he succeeds in this, because not many Affected become Primes. He was lucky in the fact that he had his brother to fight for him, or he would have been a peasant all of his life. Another of his life dreams is to get revenge for his pathetic youth. He wants his soldiers to know just how uncomfortable it was to be him when he and his brother were kicked out of the nursery area, sleeping unprotected, where predators could easily reach them. He does not succeed in this; Lazuli, with his kinder heart, lets them return midway through the night, or doesn't chase them off at all.

Polyphemus' name is from Homer's Odyssey; He is named after the cyclops that Odysseus encountered during his travels, though the story is vastly different in Goennec terms. In the Goennec story, Polyphemus, the one-eyed son of the unnamed devil figure of the land and a lioness, was guarding a mountain that the famed wandering Goennec Ulysi visited during his many travels. The tale has been changed throughout the ages, however, and now nobody knows just what happened between the monster and Ulysi, just that Polyphemus was never seen again.
---

Pic One: Brotherly Love- er, right? [Slightly sketchy drawing]

---


"Poly? You good?" Lazuli shifted his shoulders, glancing back at his brother as he rearranged himself onto the larger, silver back.

'Poly' kicked his little brother's hips, hating the concern radiating from his brother. He most likely would have hated the nickname as well, had he been able to hear it. "Let's move. I've no idea why I'm putting myself through this; there's just no point to it all, and it means I have to be near those moronic slogs. How on earth am I supposed to know who won, anyway?! Don't bother answering."

Laz blinked, confused, then started trotting over to where the small battles were being held. Here, the Prince was to be chosen, after the last one had been killed in the last hyena charge. Polyphemus took hold of the blue mane in front of him, being none too careful of where his teeth went, not like Lazuli would really care. He knew his brother had troubles, so any unnecessary roughness on 'Poly''s part was an accident to him.

When Laz stopped, he looked down from the ridge overlooking the valley. Aussie was there, battling two larger Goennecs. He appeared to be winning the competition, and blue eyes looked proudly on his adoptive son. How he wanted Aussie to be a Prince!

"Young. He's fighting two older ones. Whoever he is, he's Prince. Let's get out of here."

Laz jumped, unbelieving. Aussie? Polyphemus' whine pulled him out of his stunned thoughts.

"Move! I'm starting to overheat."


(Editing still)

[Princess Luna]

Mmm... Can anyone tell me which are the most popular this week?
I love the unicorn, pegasus, and both fairies; but I'd rather go for the one with the least competition. Not that I'm afraid of competition, but I don't think I can compete with the kind of forms that the popular guys will be getting this week

[Desmond]

The Fairies and Griffin will have the least competition so far, as far as I can tell.

[Princess Luna]

The Fairies and Griffin will have the least competition so far, as far as I can tell.

Alright, thank you ^^

The griffon just doesn't do it for me, so I'll probably make a 'no specifics' form about a fairy goennec, and then closer to the date I can pick which one. Both are precious :3

[Desmond]

I think someone earlier said something about wanting the Griffin, but that was pages ago, and I don't remember who it was. I know iBrevity's going for the Pegasus and perhaps the Chimaera, Lirrie is after the unicorn, Cirque and I are fighting over the phoenix, I'm going for the Cyclops, and... that might just be it. xD I don't think anyone's said anything about the fairies, so you might just be safe from severe competition. :3

[EnergyRaptor]

Goennec Pen #:4
Name:Gryphon (Will have the nickname Gryph)
How would you use him/her: I will take him to my character thread, I will of course give you credit and link to this place. I will maybe participate with him in the rp.
Define your Goennec: Gryph is a tricky guy. He is sly, and watches everything with curiousness. He was one of his kind in his litter, and he was bullied by other goennecs, while he was adored by some goennecs. He has let go of all that, and now he just lives his life to the fullest. He helps those who he feel compassion for, and tricks those who are nasty.

I just have some questions. Is it ok if people do fan art of him? And is it ok if he is friends with my characters and fursona? Not mates, but friends?

(By the way, love your species!)

[Dradogo]

Goennec Pen #: Infected pen 2
Name: I'd change it to Gryblig
How would you use him/her: I am currently trying to set up a new character thread, so he would have her spot alongside Kora, Rettah and Thaw. He would be a good friend of Rettah's, from his own planet.
I am currently working on my art GCSEs, and Gryblic's design would be an excellent practice for me.
Define your Goennec: -Editing- ^^