Goennec
Announcements:
Coming Back!
I've been really busy with life lately. Between Classes, two jobs, a house to keep clean, and animals to care for, I've had almost no free time at all.
I really want to be able to do something with the goennecs, so I'm going to be mixing things up a little bit. For the time being, new rounds will begin and end on the first and third Sundays of each month. If there is a fifth Sunday, then I may put up one of two for that week, or just leave it empty depending on how much time I foresee having.
We have an official RP
Official Goennec RP
you may not create your own RPs for the species, if you wish to RP your Goey, do so on the site
Oh look, Fanclub! Please chat in the fanclub rather than here please. C:
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[url=http://www.chickensmoothie.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=118117][IMG]http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af174/Kamaliah_Growables/My%20Species/Goennecs/Goennec%20Promos/GoennecPromoSephnis.png[/IMG][/url]
This is the original Goennec, Sephnis, the Pioneer of his species and spokes-goat for them as well.
He is not, nor will he ever be for adoption. He belongs to me.
The species is (C) me, June Bug. No one may claim any part of it as their own creation
I do take color/design suggestions, just post them here
You may not make you own Goennecs! This is rule one. Please don't break it~
Appearance
Goennecs are small creatures, only slightly larger than a newborn fennec at birth and standing only two - two and a half feet when fully grown.
Because of the goat in them, they are stockier than fennecs as well as larger. A female will usually weigh around 40 lbs while a male around 50 lbs, though there are some small males and large females that deviate from the standard. Their weight is due to their muscle mass. While small, they are strong runners, therefore having dense leg and core muscles.
Males are larger than females and have the large curling horns of the bighorn ram. Females also have horns, but like on bighorn ewe.
The two genders both have the same color range. Almost always a natural base with either natural colored markings, or earthy/dull unnaturals. Some may have bright accents.
Most Goennecs are born with two hooves and two Paws paired on the fore and hind. They can be born with all of one foot type, but it is very uncommon. There are a very small few that have diagonal pairs. These are often a result of an activated latent gene from far back in their ancestry.
Each has a 'Mohawk'-like mane of scruffy long fur running from the top of their head all the way down the center of their backs to blend into the fluffy tail. Manes are usually short enough to stick up like zebra manes, but can vary in length. Occasionally there will be a goennec born with either no mane, but this is about as rare as the diagonal foot pairs and has the same cause. Often these goennecs will also be blind or deaf, due to genetic linking complications, and require extra care.
Behavior
Goennecs are omnivores, but behave much more like prey animals, grazing for most of the nutrients in their diet, but supplementing with small rodents, fish, and insects.
They are herd animals and enjoy the company of others, preferably other goennecs, but they are compatible most other friendly species as well. They do not feel comfortable with many predators around if there are no other herders to gather with. They do not survive alone or in very small groups. They are small, easy pray for large predators that share their habitats and need the safety of a herd.
When migrating, mothers will often hide their young by either finding or creating some sort of shelter. Usually bushes do the trick, but if there isn't much in the way of plant growth, they will attempt to dig small, shallow burrows.
Their first instinct is to flee rather than fight, but some males can be daring enough to attempt fighting off even large canines and felines, though even the bravest have an inset fear towards bears. A goennec that attempts to fight a bear is a dead goennec and those brave enough to attempt the other predators would be lucky to get away with it's life.
Males are Rams, females are does, and young goennecs are kids.
The mating season is known as the ‘Siv’. It takes place from late summer to late Autumn or Early winter. Most goennecs will, like most herd ungulates, mate once and move on, but only for a limited time.
Males fight for a harem of females during the siv and, once the season is over, disband these groups to go back to normal herd life.
When they reach the age of about 35, they begin to lose the drive to participate in siv. At this point, some may pair off, but this isn't considered the norm.
Once weaned, kids may remain with the mother for another year before they begin to join in the mating seasons. It is unusual for them to stick around longer. Kids will always recognize their fathers as being their sires, but they don't have the same sort of familial bond with them as they have with their mother. The bond with the mother is close and, even after leaving the mother, they will have a family-bond.
They live in a complex hierarchy consisting of six tiers, or levels.
Tier 1: Prime
At the head of the herd is the leader Goennec, called the Prime by research circles. Typically, the Prime is the strongest male, though particularly clever, strong and dominating female leaders have been recorded. The Prime protects the herd from predators and rouge Goennecs, challenging any unwelcome visitors to the herd’s lands, or giving the command to run when the invader is too large. It is also his or her job to keep order in the herd, resolving small and large conflicts alike. The Prime may be assisted by his or her primary mate in this responsibility. Rarely, two Goennecs- be they siblings or mates- will lead jointly. In this situation, one Goennec is usually an Affected, while the other is mentally challenged but physically endowed.
Tier 2: Prince
The next strongest male Goennec is called the Prince, because his duty is similar to that of human princes. In return for getting first pick of mate during the season, called a siv, and being next in line to take the Prime’ place in case of death or weakness, he has to round up the herd when danger approaches, giving the leader(s) time and space to challenge any adversaries as well as becoming a second line of defense against the herd. The Prince must be prepared to give his life, if needed. In times of distress, he must also lead a group of strong herdmates into battle over disputed land.
Tier 3: Elders
Elders of the herd are well respected among the herd. Although they have no leadership in the herd, they are often referred to for wisdom and counsel. Goennecs in this group are over the age of 35 and no longer fit for life as a soldier. Some may not retire until they are around 40-45, but it's very rare to see one retire too much younger than 35.
Many times Affected goennecs will be put into this group for extra care and, because of their increased intelligence, advice. They are one of the very few exceptions to the '35 and older' rule.
Tier 4: Soldiers
The next group of Goennecs is the young and strong males and females, called the soldiers. The males are the next-highest competitors to the Prince. The females are usually the most sought-after during the siv, because of their strength and promising genes. They follow the Prince into battle, and are the remainder of the herd’s third line of defense, in the case that the leader(s) and Prince fall.
Tier 5: Peasants
The rest of the mature part of the herd is composed of those who are not deemed fit for fighting as it is important for soldiers to be able to defend the young, old, and unable in the event of a predatory attack. Most often, the reason they have a physical or mental block that makes them ineffective in battle situations. They are the lowest in the 'pecking order', and are often the least attractive, gaining few, if any, mates during the siv. If they do happen to participate in siv, it's usually due to a desperate male looking to expand his harem or a female voluntarily choosing to join a male.
Tier 6: Kids
Lastly, the very young reside in their own tier, because they have yet to show any aspects of strength, and the fact that they have yet to be able to survive without constant care from others. Goennecs usually do not stay in this tier for too long, as they usually show signs of strength or weakness by the time they are old enough to begin play-fighting and establishing dominance over others.
Aging
A healthy Goennec can live to be 60 years old if they are well cared for. In the wild they have an average lifespan of 40 years.
They age quickly in the beginning, the first year they age the equivalent of 18-20 human years, much like dogs. The second to fifth years their growth slows to only about 3. Every year after is about 1.
This ensures that they grow quick enough to be able to outrun predators within a few months. and the slower growth after the first year keeps them healthier longer and from aging too quickly without reason.
Habitat
Goennecs are a widely spread species, though they are rare sights in any climate.
Primarily, your best bet of finding one would be in mountains, mountain valleys, or scrubby desserts. Anywhere with sufficient food sources and water can be adapted to.
Domestic Breeds
Much like dogs, there is a large community of people selectively breeding strains of goennecs, and again like dogs, these breeds have specific purposes with physical variations to accommodate them.
Draft Goennecs
These hearty goennecs are sturdy and stocky. They've been bred for hind hooves for better hind-strength, large, sprawling forepaws for good grip and traction, shorter tails for safety, and thick, strong legs and bodies. Most often, this breed is used in cooler and/or mountain climates for carrying or pulling resources in areas where other animal or mechanical means of transporting them would be difficult.
In addition to the features selectively bred for, this breed is also larger than wilds, standing at an average of 3' tall at the shoulder, has fully feathered feet, their muzzles are slightly shorter and more squared, males have elbow fluff and goatees, and females have slightly longer horns than wild varieties.
Hunting Goennecs
Lightweight and agile, these goennecs were bred to hunt all manner of small critters. They have very little excess weight on them and are often called the "thoroughbreds of goennecs", not only for their preferred shape, but also because they've been bred to sport four hooves. Another nickname is the "Fox Goat" for their fox-like faces. Their tails are much longer than the tails of other breeds, which they use to show location both to each other (when hunting in groups) and to their human trainer so they can be easily found in tall grasses or heavy undergrowth.
Hunters are a working breed and not usually kept as a casual pet due to their high energy needs and their tendency to find ways to occupy themselves by destroying homes if not given enough work to do.
Hunting goennecs are smaller than the wild variety, averaging only about 2' tall when fully grown. Both males and females have medium-length horns, used to defend themselves on the hunt.
General Rules
[~]You may change the sexes of the young goennecs only. Adults must keep their sex. I just don't have the time or patience to put a goennec design into another lineart. It IS alright, however, to change the gender and make a goennec transgender, just be sure to get permission for this first.
(A helpful hint for those who don't know the difference; Sex - between the legs. Gender - between the ears)
[~]Forms must be 100% your work. This means you may not collaborate.
[~]You may not order art of a goennec that has not been won. This goes along with the previous rule. Any art added to your form must be by you. Art ordered from anyone else will disqualify you. Until I officially give them out, they belong to me.
[~]There is an RP for them, posted up below the title. Use it, don't make your own.
[~]You may not give an adopted Goennec to anyone. If you no longer want or can't take care of your Goennec, bring 'em back here.
[~]Goennecs cannot be bred or created by anyone but myself. (breeding post located below)
[~]No pity posts or bragging. It's obnoxious to other people to hear about how much you need a character and equally as obnoxious to complain about losing.
[~]Goennecs are animals. Don't make them 'mystical' or add any paranormal abilities to them. They also cannot use weapons or tools. General rule of thumb: If it's not something an animal (specifically goat or goat-like) could or would do, it's not something you should add to your potential character.
Exceptions can be made, but must be approved.
Blacklist:
Clearing this. Fresh start for everyone~
