Auction End Date: February 17th
All auctions will close around 5pm (EST) on the specified date unless otherwise stated.
Index:
Rules and Pricing
Pens and Bids
Owners and their Arbex
Events and Contests (Closed)
Custom Arbex (slots closed)
Arbex are a new found species, that are closely related to Goennecs. However there are some major differences between the two.
Appearance
All auctions will close around 5pm (EST) on the specified date unless otherwise stated.
Notice:
I'm now open again, Huzzah!
Make sure to brush up on the rules and species info, not too much has changed, but as I was last open in 2011, it'd be a good idea to brush up on the old info.
Index:
Rules and Pricing
Pens and Bids
Owners and their Arbex
Events and Contests (Closed)
Custom Arbex (slots closed)
Arbex are a new found species, that are closely related to Goennecs. However there are some major differences between the two.
Appearance
Male
(Belongs to Red October)
Female
(Belongs to Lady Masquerade)
Males and females are about the same size. Each grows to an adult height of about 2 feet.
Unlike their Goennec cousins, there is much less variety in their general appearance.
Males have longer horns than females and sport a small goatee.
An Arbex will always have only one pair of hooves and one pair of paws. Hooves always on the hind, paws always on the fore. The forepaws aid in scraping through ice and snow to get to the shoots buried underneath. and the hooves, built like an Ibex's give an excellent hold on steep rocky slopes.
They have three tufts of longer fur, reminiscent of their relatives' full mohawks. One running from between the horns to the base of the skull, a second at the shoulders, and a third starting at the hips that runs into the tail. Very rarely one will be born without this, though those without it will often be found less desirable as a potential mate.
The tail is short, but full.
The ears are goat-like.
In the winter, the Arbex will grow a thick, warm coat to shield it from the elements.
The body build is much like an Ibex with a compact, round torso and strong hind legs built for jumping, but the neck, and forelegs are like an Arctic fox with a thicker, stocker feel and lobger fur even in warmer months. It's head and face are a combination of the two, goat-ish, but very short like the muzzle of an arctic fox.
Arbex will always have a light base (usually grays and browns, though non-neutral bases do sometimes occur), but not pure white. Arbex with pure white bases are very prone to weather damage. Markings can be any color, but never lighter than the base color and can be anywhere and in any pattern.
The eyes are a darker shade of the base color.
Most of the time, the fur tufts will be the darkest of the marking colors and the horns, nose and hooves the brightest, though deviations from this happen from time to time and aren't considered rare.
Variations are very rare, but can occur. They include:
Dark base with light markings (Inverted colors)
Pure white base
Eyes that do not match the base (odd eyes)
no tufts ('bald')
full bob (rather than the characteristic longer bob)
Behavior
As a youngster, an Arbex will stay with it's mother until it is weaned at six months old. from then until it reaches it's full maturity at two years, it will behave much as the does of the herd do, not taking much interest in the struggle to reach dominance as the adult males do. When they do reach maturity, the does will continue to stick with the older does. Males will start competing with each other, slowly working their way from younger rams to the older, more dominant rams. Unlike Goennecs who usually only fight during the breeding season, an Arbex will be on the lookout for a challenge all year round, though the matches are generally spaced fairly well and once two males have fought, they will not challenge each other again. The one who lost their first match will always submit to the ones who've defeated him.
Because of this way of life, herds consist of groups of harems as well as the unlucky bachelors who have failed to catch any female's attention. Herds are rarely smaller than 20 individuals and can expand to nearly 50, though herds of that size often do not maintain that size for very long.
Arbex are migratory creatures. Summers are spent in the far north, on the tundra. Winters are spent in the mountains, further south. They only live in the northern hemisphere, near the arctic circle. An Arbex will never be found further south than 60 degrees latitude.
Migratory paths are instinctive, though if a road block occurs, the more dominant males in the herd will together decide on how to go about getting back on track.
There is no one dominant leader of the herd. Decisions are made based on the input of five or so of the most high up rams. These rankings have no official title within the herd as the positions change easily and frequently, but they are most often referred to as simply 'Dominants'.
Arbex do not live solitary lives. They must be in a herd or they face certain death by predators, starvation, injury, or disease.
Lifespan is usually about 40 years for males, 45 years for females.
Unlike the Goennecs, they do not have anything like Haniscon's Disease, but they are not as immune to illnesses commonly found in nature.
Diet
Arbex, like Goennecs, are omnivorous opportunists. Much of the time, they forage for shoots and leaves, but the occasional rodent or two is a welcome treat they won't hesitate to go for.
Favorites are usually wildflowers, but they're known to get by on just roots through the harshest of the winter.
Bonus Species:
Insolitus Cornuum (Soli)
Basic info:
Males of this species are around 4'6" tall at the shoulder (not including the blunt spikes), females are around 4'.
Coat coloration is always in the neutral range (browns and grays). The only features that can, and usually do, stray from this are the eyes, 'beast eyes', and stone, which all correspond.
They are neither strictly monogamous nor polygamous, it really depends on the individual. It is uncommon to find one alone, they usually travel in pairs or small family groups and they frequently gather into larger friendly groups around common grazing grounds and watering holes.
Though they are most closely related to cliff-dwellers, they find it difficult and unnecessary to climb like them as they have virtually no natural predators. Instead, they live in mountain valleys and foothills in various cold-weather climates.
Some Soli have marked horns. This is a very uncommon occurrence, the gene controlling such designs is linked to a fatal disease that takes hold only days after conception and most often kills the fetus before it is even fully developed so many females won't even realize they are pregnant before their calf dies and is reabsorbed.
For this disease to be able to take affect, a Soli must be homozygous for the marked horn gene, which is also the only way for a Soli to have marked horns. This is why they are rare. Only 10% of Soli who are homozygous are lucky enough to survive and exist. In 5%, the disease has not taken hold strongly enough to doom the animal. In the other 5%, they have inherited a rare, mutated version of the marked horn gene that doesn't include the disease.
Differences:
Male
(This Soli belongs to me. He is not for auction or for you to use without my express permission.)
1. The ends of the horns grow into a shape resembling the rounded snout of a serpent-like creature. The hair that sprouts from the 'mouth' is the first part of the growth to appear and is fully grown out before the horns begin to sprout at a year old. The 'eyes of the beast' are genetically designed to be the color of it's holder's eyes, giving the illusion that there are three entities rather than one.
It is thought that these unique horns are used to confuse and scare potential predators as well as to intimidate rival males.
2. The bulk of the horns have a strange structural build to them. The segments are each hollow and separate from each other. They have joints that keep them securely attached to each other, but allow the units to sway, adding to the illusion of life and giving the animal a distinctive, elegant, swaying gait. The animals have a remarkable balance and grace that allows them to carry these horns without trouble.
Unlike it's relatives, these animals do not butt heads in disputes, but instead engage in a complex intimidation battle, proving themselves to have better breeding. Size is usually not a factor, but instead, individuals with superior abilities to make their sets appear more life-like combined with the details (symmetrical spiking, more realistic 'eyes', better subtle 'head' shaping, etc.) and the quality of their stone (see point # 8), are more successful than others.
3. The head shape is reminiscent of the wild goats it is related to.
4. Has very large, wide ears.
5. Has a thick, strong neck, ideal for holding it's somewhat heavy head. It's beard grows long and continues down it's neck to shorten under it's belly, then to grow slightly longer once more before finally ending by it's hind knees.
6. One blunt, bony spike rises from each shoulder blade. The precise purpose of this is unknown.
7. Thick, sturdy legs hold it's considerable weight well.
8. A single Horn-like appendage sprouts from it's hind end, at the base of it's tail. It curls at the end to hold a stone. This stone is made of a very heavy mineral found in the hills of the animal's home. It acts as a balance for the heavy horns.
The mineral stone is found in many colors and each is chosen based on the eye color of it's holder (which is thought to be determined through reflection observation in water). At around two years, the horn has grown out and curved enough to place the stone in it's grasp for the rest of the horn to grow around and out with.
At a year old, individuals excavate rough chunks of the mineral in their color spend the next year wearing it into a smooth, round shape to be ready for placement (with the help of their elders) at two years. Those who do a better job of smoothing their stones are more patient and perseverant than those with rougher stones.
9. Has a long, flowing, horse-like tail.
10. Large eyes with rectangular pupils.
11. Three usable toes on each foot, five in total, each tipped with a hard, sturdy hoof.
Female
(This Soli belongs to me. She is not for auction or for you to use without my express permission.)
1. Stumpy horns are very hard, making them useful for defending themselves and their calves as they do not have the large, strange horns of the males to scare away enemies. They are solid as well, unlike the hollow male horns, making them heavier than a section of the same size of the male horns, though considering the size of male's horns, they are still lighter overall.
2. Head size is the same in proportion to the body, but with a more pointed snout.
3. Females have no beard and shorter neck and belly fluff.
4. Thinner, more delicate legs and build. The thick legs of the males would be unnecessary for the female's lighter weight.
5. Like males, females also have a rump horn that holds a stone made of the hard, colorful mineral. However, considering the female's lighter head, the stone and horn are much smaller and the horn curls upward rather than downward.
Stone excavation, shaping, and placement practices are much the same as with the males.
6. Longer, fuller horse-like tail than the males.
Unlike their Goennec cousins, there is much less variety in their general appearance.
Males have longer horns than females and sport a small goatee.
An Arbex will always have only one pair of hooves and one pair of paws. Hooves always on the hind, paws always on the fore. The forepaws aid in scraping through ice and snow to get to the shoots buried underneath. and the hooves, built like an Ibex's give an excellent hold on steep rocky slopes.
They have three tufts of longer fur, reminiscent of their relatives' full mohawks. One running from between the horns to the base of the skull, a second at the shoulders, and a third starting at the hips that runs into the tail. Very rarely one will be born without this, though those without it will often be found less desirable as a potential mate.
The tail is short, but full.
The ears are goat-like.
In the winter, the Arbex will grow a thick, warm coat to shield it from the elements.
The body build is much like an Ibex with a compact, round torso and strong hind legs built for jumping, but the neck, and forelegs are like an Arctic fox with a thicker, stocker feel and lobger fur even in warmer months. It's head and face are a combination of the two, goat-ish, but very short like the muzzle of an arctic fox.
Arbex will always have a light base (usually grays and browns, though non-neutral bases do sometimes occur), but not pure white. Arbex with pure white bases are very prone to weather damage. Markings can be any color, but never lighter than the base color and can be anywhere and in any pattern.
The eyes are a darker shade of the base color.
Most of the time, the fur tufts will be the darkest of the marking colors and the horns, nose and hooves the brightest, though deviations from this happen from time to time and aren't considered rare.
Variations are very rare, but can occur. They include:
Dark base with light markings (Inverted colors)
Pure white base
Eyes that do not match the base (odd eyes)
no tufts ('bald')
full bob (rather than the characteristic longer bob)
Behavior
As a youngster, an Arbex will stay with it's mother until it is weaned at six months old. from then until it reaches it's full maturity at two years, it will behave much as the does of the herd do, not taking much interest in the struggle to reach dominance as the adult males do. When they do reach maturity, the does will continue to stick with the older does. Males will start competing with each other, slowly working their way from younger rams to the older, more dominant rams. Unlike Goennecs who usually only fight during the breeding season, an Arbex will be on the lookout for a challenge all year round, though the matches are generally spaced fairly well and once two males have fought, they will not challenge each other again. The one who lost their first match will always submit to the ones who've defeated him.
Because of this way of life, herds consist of groups of harems as well as the unlucky bachelors who have failed to catch any female's attention. Herds are rarely smaller than 20 individuals and can expand to nearly 50, though herds of that size often do not maintain that size for very long.
Arbex are migratory creatures. Summers are spent in the far north, on the tundra. Winters are spent in the mountains, further south. They only live in the northern hemisphere, near the arctic circle. An Arbex will never be found further south than 60 degrees latitude.
Migratory paths are instinctive, though if a road block occurs, the more dominant males in the herd will together decide on how to go about getting back on track.
There is no one dominant leader of the herd. Decisions are made based on the input of five or so of the most high up rams. These rankings have no official title within the herd as the positions change easily and frequently, but they are most often referred to as simply 'Dominants'.
Arbex do not live solitary lives. They must be in a herd or they face certain death by predators, starvation, injury, or disease.
Lifespan is usually about 40 years for males, 45 years for females.
Unlike the Goennecs, they do not have anything like Haniscon's Disease, but they are not as immune to illnesses commonly found in nature.
Diet
Arbex, like Goennecs, are omnivorous opportunists. Much of the time, they forage for shoots and leaves, but the occasional rodent or two is a welcome treat they won't hesitate to go for.
Favorites are usually wildflowers, but they're known to get by on just roots through the harshest of the winter.
Bonus Species:
Insolitus Cornuum (Soli)
Basic info:
Males of this species are around 4'6" tall at the shoulder (not including the blunt spikes), females are around 4'.
Coat coloration is always in the neutral range (browns and grays). The only features that can, and usually do, stray from this are the eyes, 'beast eyes', and stone, which all correspond.
They are neither strictly monogamous nor polygamous, it really depends on the individual. It is uncommon to find one alone, they usually travel in pairs or small family groups and they frequently gather into larger friendly groups around common grazing grounds and watering holes.
Though they are most closely related to cliff-dwellers, they find it difficult and unnecessary to climb like them as they have virtually no natural predators. Instead, they live in mountain valleys and foothills in various cold-weather climates.
Some Soli have marked horns. This is a very uncommon occurrence, the gene controlling such designs is linked to a fatal disease that takes hold only days after conception and most often kills the fetus before it is even fully developed so many females won't even realize they are pregnant before their calf dies and is reabsorbed.
For this disease to be able to take affect, a Soli must be homozygous for the marked horn gene, which is also the only way for a Soli to have marked horns. This is why they are rare. Only 10% of Soli who are homozygous are lucky enough to survive and exist. In 5%, the disease has not taken hold strongly enough to doom the animal. In the other 5%, they have inherited a rare, mutated version of the marked horn gene that doesn't include the disease.
Differences:
Male
(This Soli belongs to me. He is not for auction or for you to use without my express permission.)
1. The ends of the horns grow into a shape resembling the rounded snout of a serpent-like creature. The hair that sprouts from the 'mouth' is the first part of the growth to appear and is fully grown out before the horns begin to sprout at a year old. The 'eyes of the beast' are genetically designed to be the color of it's holder's eyes, giving the illusion that there are three entities rather than one.
It is thought that these unique horns are used to confuse and scare potential predators as well as to intimidate rival males.
2. The bulk of the horns have a strange structural build to them. The segments are each hollow and separate from each other. They have joints that keep them securely attached to each other, but allow the units to sway, adding to the illusion of life and giving the animal a distinctive, elegant, swaying gait. The animals have a remarkable balance and grace that allows them to carry these horns without trouble.
Unlike it's relatives, these animals do not butt heads in disputes, but instead engage in a complex intimidation battle, proving themselves to have better breeding. Size is usually not a factor, but instead, individuals with superior abilities to make their sets appear more life-like combined with the details (symmetrical spiking, more realistic 'eyes', better subtle 'head' shaping, etc.) and the quality of their stone (see point # 8), are more successful than others.
3. The head shape is reminiscent of the wild goats it is related to.
4. Has very large, wide ears.
5. Has a thick, strong neck, ideal for holding it's somewhat heavy head. It's beard grows long and continues down it's neck to shorten under it's belly, then to grow slightly longer once more before finally ending by it's hind knees.
6. One blunt, bony spike rises from each shoulder blade. The precise purpose of this is unknown.
7. Thick, sturdy legs hold it's considerable weight well.
8. A single Horn-like appendage sprouts from it's hind end, at the base of it's tail. It curls at the end to hold a stone. This stone is made of a very heavy mineral found in the hills of the animal's home. It acts as a balance for the heavy horns.
The mineral stone is found in many colors and each is chosen based on the eye color of it's holder (which is thought to be determined through reflection observation in water). At around two years, the horn has grown out and curved enough to place the stone in it's grasp for the rest of the horn to grow around and out with.
At a year old, individuals excavate rough chunks of the mineral in their color spend the next year wearing it into a smooth, round shape to be ready for placement (with the help of their elders) at two years. Those who do a better job of smoothing their stones are more patient and perseverant than those with rougher stones.
9. Has a long, flowing, horse-like tail.
10. Large eyes with rectangular pupils.
11. Three usable toes on each foot, five in total, each tipped with a hard, sturdy hoof.
Female
(This Soli belongs to me. She is not for auction or for you to use without my express permission.)
1. Stumpy horns are very hard, making them useful for defending themselves and their calves as they do not have the large, strange horns of the males to scare away enemies. They are solid as well, unlike the hollow male horns, making them heavier than a section of the same size of the male horns, though considering the size of male's horns, they are still lighter overall.
2. Head size is the same in proportion to the body, but with a more pointed snout.
3. Females have no beard and shorter neck and belly fluff.
4. Thinner, more delicate legs and build. The thick legs of the males would be unnecessary for the female's lighter weight.
5. Like males, females also have a rump horn that holds a stone made of the hard, colorful mineral. However, considering the female's lighter head, the stone and horn are much smaller and the horn curls upward rather than downward.
Stone excavation, shaping, and placement practices are much the same as with the males.
6. Longer, fuller horse-like tail than the males.
