Post by Vet on Aug 6, 2013 0:33:50 GMT -5
Cygnia
Cygnias are a common omnivorous mount on the forested planet of Achernar. They stand on four muscular legs capable of propelling the thousand pound creatures thirty feet in a single bound from a stand-still. At full gallop, they are capable of reaching lengths of seventy feet in a well-timed jump. With faces that seem to be some mixture between bird and canine, they can be quite expressive and endearing. Their noses end in a sharply rounded snout similar to a bird's bill. Following the length of their muzzle, one would reach a definite stop like that of a dog before the shape of the skull arches up once more to the forehead. Intricate scales cover and protect the cygnia's face from any foliage that may whip in their face during a run. Similar scales adorn their chests and legs with believably similar purpose.
The fastest cygnia has been clocked at speeds of two hundred and seven miles per hour on open terrain and one hundred and thirty-two mile per hour in the midst of densely crowded forest. Their incredibly athletic ability has led to their common use by locals as mounts. They stand being saddled quite well if introduced at an early age with continued training as they mature.
The body shape of a cygnia may be compared to that of a Greyhound. Barrel-chested with a tiny waist, the cygnia is streamlined for agility in crowded conditions. A graceful arch of their neck as well as the tops of their heads are adorned in brightly colored feathers. It is believed these feathers serve to help sense subtle changes of the wind at such high speeds so that the animals may adjust their speed and direction accordingly. Further along their body, their skin is smooth and sleek to help keep them as fast as possible.
Not only are the cygnias capable of great speeds, but they are known for their fierce fighting ability. Their feet end in rather prehensile pads that allow for impressive climbing, but the most notable feature is the backward projecting spur coming off their equivalent metacarpal bones close to the carpals. If angered, a cygnia will rear up and can gore a potential rider or injure a territorial male vying for mating rights.
Outside of domestication, wild cygnias have a strict hierarchy system similar to that of wolves. Tamed cygnias must learn to see their rider as Alpha. If this bond of trust is not present, the rider is opening themselves up to being brutally maimed and even killed without the proper training.
Their lengthy tails are quite prehensile, too, but have multiple purposes including serving as a rudder and in the cases of males, attracting a mate. The tips of males' tails end in a fan of feathers. Generally, the larger and more brightly colored the fan, the greater chance of being more dominant and thus being granted mating rights.
Cygnias are a common omnivorous mount on the forested planet of Achernar. They stand on four muscular legs capable of propelling the thousand pound creatures thirty feet in a single bound from a stand-still. At full gallop, they are capable of reaching lengths of seventy feet in a well-timed jump. With faces that seem to be some mixture between bird and canine, they can be quite expressive and endearing. Their noses end in a sharply rounded snout similar to a bird's bill. Following the length of their muzzle, one would reach a definite stop like that of a dog before the shape of the skull arches up once more to the forehead. Intricate scales cover and protect the cygnia's face from any foliage that may whip in their face during a run. Similar scales adorn their chests and legs with believably similar purpose.
The fastest cygnia has been clocked at speeds of two hundred and seven miles per hour on open terrain and one hundred and thirty-two mile per hour in the midst of densely crowded forest. Their incredibly athletic ability has led to their common use by locals as mounts. They stand being saddled quite well if introduced at an early age with continued training as they mature.
The body shape of a cygnia may be compared to that of a Greyhound. Barrel-chested with a tiny waist, the cygnia is streamlined for agility in crowded conditions. A graceful arch of their neck as well as the tops of their heads are adorned in brightly colored feathers. It is believed these feathers serve to help sense subtle changes of the wind at such high speeds so that the animals may adjust their speed and direction accordingly. Further along their body, their skin is smooth and sleek to help keep them as fast as possible.
Not only are the cygnias capable of great speeds, but they are known for their fierce fighting ability. Their feet end in rather prehensile pads that allow for impressive climbing, but the most notable feature is the backward projecting spur coming off their equivalent metacarpal bones close to the carpals. If angered, a cygnia will rear up and can gore a potential rider or injure a territorial male vying for mating rights.
Outside of domestication, wild cygnias have a strict hierarchy system similar to that of wolves. Tamed cygnias must learn to see their rider as Alpha. If this bond of trust is not present, the rider is opening themselves up to being brutally maimed and even killed without the proper training.
Their lengthy tails are quite prehensile, too, but have multiple purposes including serving as a rudder and in the cases of males, attracting a mate. The tips of males' tails end in a fan of feathers. Generally, the larger and more brightly colored the fan, the greater chance of being more dominant and thus being granted mating rights.
