They resemble elk, but larger, broader in the chest and legs, powerfully built, yet they also have the appearance of an agile, quick animal. Their coats appear short and thick, mostly a dark grey, but with a silvery shine down the neck and chest of the animals, and along the shoulders and backs, with a white stripe from the tops of their heads, over their eyes, and down the tops of their muzzle. All have a large array of antlers pointing up and outward from the tops of their heads when full grown, with the males even more so. The elves often use them as mounts, but no other people has ever ridden one. The roa'an 'choose' them, they say, yet they must first catch it. There is no breaking process, as with training a horse... when they catch it, they simply mount, and the roa'an let them ride. But will normally allow no other to ride. There have been some instances when an elf rode a roa'an that had 'chosen' another, but that is very rare.

Any thoughts?

So they are basically a larger, cognizant elk?

Very cool race. I have one comment: It would be more interesting if their coloring were more unique from each- other. Could you imagine if EVERY single dog in the world was white with a brown tail and ears? Maybe you could have gray and white be common colors on them, and maybe have one as a character with your described markings, because that IS beautiful.

Well.... yeah! lol. Elk, as we know them, are themselves majestic creatures. I hope to build on that with the larger, cognizant (I really like that word lol) or sentient even, roa'an.

I don't know... The markings and colors I described are part of what is separating them from elk as we know them. I could however, add differences to individual roa'an, so that a uniqueness can be described about an individual. I would like to keep the markings I mentioned as primary markings of their species though. I could always add... perhaps a flash of white behind the ears and reaching down the back of one's neck to it's shoulders... or perhaps one that had a black stripe on it's face rather than the white (I kinda like that one hehe). Perhaps markings on their lower legs could set them apart as well.

I love that word too! But you guys already know how much I love words. So are you planning any personality differences in the Roa'an that is different than elk? Are they less standoffish and more people friendly?

I'm not completely certain... I want a level of mysteriousness with them, although of course they're more people friendly with the elves. I think they feel a level of security however due to their location and therefore not hunted by mankind, and I'm certain they could protect themselves well in the wild, with their massive antlers. They will of course be wary of certain predators. I'm actually introducing them into the story next chapter which I'm certain you will see, and will get a bit more of an idea I think of their demeanor.

Sounds good *rubs hands together eagerly* I love stories!

Or you could make that coloring very common among them...just like tabby is common among cats. It's just odd for distinct markings like that to be present in every member of the race.

not necessarily. there are many deer like animals that have distinctive marking to their species.

Yeah, I suppose. Like the whitetail. Ignore me.

Does the ro'an simply 'choose' the elf who gets on it first? If not how do they figure out who is chosen?

Well... since you asked, the roa'an simply carries a squishy fruit or vegetable, like a tomato for instance, and walks up to the elf chosen, and spits it in the elf's face. Thus angering the elf with squishyfruit dripping from it's chin and nose, who gives chase, until he captures the roa'an, jumps upon it's back, and puts it in a sleeper hold until the creature submits.

Just kidding lol. It is like a challenge. The roa'an will appear alone, pawing at the ground, and rearing up on it's hind legs and giving a call (similar to an elk's call) The 'chosen' elf must then try to catch to the roa'an as the animal leads him or her on a chase through the forested lands. The elf must act alone in pursuit or the bond will be broken, and usually will not return. The act can often times prove dangerous for both roa'an and elf, as the sounds of flight and pursuit can attract predators within The Forever Lands. When caught, it is usually a close face to face meeting. However sometimes the roa'an will have a more aggressive personality and will force the elf to have to struggle to mount it. Whether it is an easy mount, or a struggle, once on the roa'an's back, there is no breaking process. The roa'an will simply accept the elf as its rider.

lol yes and deer species have other features as well, such as facial markings and the like. There are many antelope species for example that have some really cool markings. Take a look at this fella... http://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/253 ... lope-0.jpg
although, these guys I believe can vary in the shade of their coat. Man.... I almost wish I'd modeled the roa'an after these lol.

lol
How do the roa'an know who to pick as their rider then? Do they just know on instinct or maybe they watch the elves? They must be pretty intelligent.

You had me going for a moment 6strings. I was trying to figure out in my mind how I was gently going to tell you you had just lost all the majesty and grandeur you had instilled in your Roa’an by including the whole squishy fruit idea. Then I got to the LOL part and did just that. I was glad I didn’t have to tell you that was a really cheesy idea.

I couldn't follow the link...it said it was forbidden.

bummer.. well just look up sable antelope images. You'll see some cool ones i'm sure. While you're at it look up Oryx antelope... those are pretty nifty looking as well

hehehe I totally couldn't help myself lol

party instinct I'll say. And they watch the elf unseen for a while, deciding at some point they would be a suitable rider. They are intelligent.

Do they have the ability of mind speaking? Can they communicate in any other ways?

I'm not going to search those, we only get a small amount of internet each month and we try to limit web browsing. But I get the picture.

It's funny you ask, actually.You know. I've sort of toyed around with the idea of mind speak, or telepathy, between the roa'an and its rider. I think it would be a cool addition to the animal, yet I'm not certain, as a christian, if that is something I want to portray in my story. I'm kind of torn between the idea that it may be a natural skill of the mind, or is it a form of occult practice. I would definitely like to hear some opinions on this from some of you. Perhaps I'll start a new thread on this in "Magic." I know it's not technically magic but I guess that would be the best place to bring it up.

Well, if you wrote that they could mind-speak and mentioned that they were the only race that had that ability, then I'd assume that they were born with it, especially if EVERY single one of them could. You could make it that they could only 'speak' with someone who is touching their antlers, therefore only the chosen elf.

well the ideas i've had for them, touching the antlers to speak with them wouldn't work. I was wanting them to be able to communicate with their rider even from a long distance.

Do you mean they could even be on the other side of the planet? Another question that popped up: Can they mind-speak to eachother?

perhaps the ability will fade over distance. I'm not sure about communicating with each other in this manner though. It seems more interesting to me if they only communicate telepathically with the 'chosen.'

You also said earlier that very rarely another other than the 'chosen' will ride them. Could they communicate with this exception?

lol I don't really know about that yet to be honest. I think it would be ok either way really. Probably better if they cannot though.

Yeah, which makes yet another reason why that rarely happens.

one of those thing I'll save for *does his best old wise sage voice*"times of great need."

lol . btw, how do you pronounce their name?

well a slight roll of the tongue on the "r" Row. soft "a" and a slight hesitation before "an" pronounced like "on" but with a slight "ah" sound. LOL I don't remember how to write out pronunciations like in a dictionary so I hope that helps.

Yes, I think I understand. Your readers will probably slaughter it though.

I'm always dismayed by how readers pronounce my lovely names.

eruheran

lol maybe. As long as they enjoy the story though, I'm happy.

You can't be too picky. I try to pick easy-to-pronounce names, but I normally fail.