Several fantasy creatures make an appearance in my fantasy world Erde, but some of them have quirks specific to my universe. I thought I'd post this here to solicit y'all's opinion... if you visit my blog post on the subject, you'll see a beautiful photomanipulation of a dicorn by BushMaid.

http://aubreyhansen.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... -erde.html

***
Phoenix
The legendary phoenix exists in Erde. In accordance with traditional myth, there is only one of these majestic birds alive at any one time. When young, the phoenix’s plumage, which can burst into flames at the bird’s will, is various shades of gleaming gold and red. However, like all objects in Erde, the phoenix fades into grayscale as it ages. At the end of its approx. 500-year lifespan, the bird self-combusts into ashes, from which a young phoenix rises. The current phoenix is a talking being about the size of a hawk, able to perch on a human’s shoulder.

Dragons
Dragons were the primary mode of transportation that carried many of the pioneers to the planet, and they continue to inhabit most regions of Erde as domesticated beasts of labor. Most dragons are tame and born in captivity; only a handful of wild dragons lurk in uninhabited mountains, keeping to themselves. Dragons come in a variety of sizes and fanciful color combinations, but all share the characteristics of having fire-breathing snouts, one or two pairs of bat-like wings, and a long, slender tail. Dragons are employed in a diverse range of jobs – including war, transportation, and farming – depending on their size and whether they walk on two legs or four. As all dragons are sentient beings with the ability to talk, they also serve as pets and companionship for humanoids.

Pegasi
Winged horses were the second most common mode of transportation that brought the original settlers to Erde. As Erde had no native animals, all horses on Erde were originally winged. The first giants to arrive on Erde brought a few wingless horses and unicorns with them in their dragon-leveraged ships. The giants bred these wingless beasts with the pegasi, giving rise to a variety of mixed breeds. Winged horses, some with horns, are still prevalent, though they are most popular in the north where their ability to fly helps them traverse the mountains. Pegasi come in a variety of colors, but the most common are black, white, light blue, and assorted shades of brown. Their wings and, if they have any, horns are the same shade as their hide. Depending on their size and training, pegasi can either be docile companions or fierce war beasts. A few pegasi roam wild as untamable monsters.

Unicorns
Unicorns, along with their two- and three-horned cousins dicorns and tricorns, were brought to Erde with the first giant settlers. Like the pegasi, the unicorns were interbred with other horses, making horns a common trait amongst all species. Unicorns come in the same assortment of colors that pegasi and horses do. Most unicorns have the same color horn that they do hide, but some purebred unicorns (unicorns that have not been mixed with pegasi or standard horses) can have a horn that is a different color. These special horns are almost always an unusual color not normally found in horses, such as yellow or purple. As purebred unicorns are extremely rare, a two-color unicorn is a highly-prized sight. While most unicorns are the size of a standard horse, best suited for riding and basic work, pigmy unicorns (always without wings) are bred in scattered regions. Occasionally, the larger breeds of pegasi will inherit horns.

It would be neat to see a colorful dragon with two pairs of wings, or a pegasus with a horn.

These are really cool Miss Phili. I love how you were able to use your world's history and your own versions of these animals without having them be the cliche creatures.
I have some questions.

You said the Dragons and Phoenix are able to speak, do they speak in a manner similar as trained birds on earth or more intelligently?

You said most dragons are tame, are any dangerous and are there any wild dragons?

Great job with these animals!

-Aeleknight

Thanks, Jonathan! I might see if I can get a photomanipulator to help me visualize those two creatures later. Dragons will be worked into the story, and I hope at least one "war beast" pegasus (perhaps with a horn) will make an appearance, but I don't know for sure yet.

Thank you so much, Aeleknight! I like questions.

In my world, all talking animals (as I have thus far developed) speak intelligently like humans.

There are a few wild and reclusive dragons - or I'm leaving that possibility open, anyway. I don't have any specific use for wild dragons yet, but I want that to be an available option. Most tamed dragons are safe around humans, unless they are trained to attack. It depends on how they were raised and trained.

Cool, I like the idea of having a dragon that never really thought of violence. Of course it is good to have some that do but having a peaceful dragon would be new and exciting. Get me one!

There's one that plays a strong secondary role in the book. He's a coworker of one of the MCs, and he has to tag along on their quest. He's a bumbling complainer that wouldn't hurt a fly.

Haha! I'll ask Carter to drag a few back with him when he comes home from the fantasy world.

Pegasi-with-horns (except I called them "winged unicorns") are the one creature that I've come up with for my series-in-preparation, the Shine Cycle (that's not simply borrowed from one myth or another). This is the first time I've ever seen someone else using something like them.

In the Shine Cycle, at least by my original conception (when I was in seventh grade?), winged unicorns are (at least practically) invulnerable and can form an empathic/telepathic bond with a companion, who then shares (a somewhat weakened form of) that invulnerability. And I made their horns ignore armor when used as a weapon. (I'm likely to drop most of that, as somewhere along the way the invulnerability of my then-main-character from his bond with his winged unicorn got turned into a racial trait instead. And telepathic bonds are so overdone.)

That is very interesting, KingJon! I'll note that even though we both have the same concept, we're applying it in different ways. Our "winged unicorns" are different in expression. That's the fun of creative writing! Nothing new under the sun, but everything is just a tiny bit unique.

It will be interesting to see where you take the racial trait. I'm not doing any telepathic bonds in my story. None of my creatures have mythic invulnerability, either, except perhaps the Phoenix. My unicorns and pegasi are simply horses with a special physical feature.

"Racial trait" in this case meaning that I decided to make him one of that universe's angel-analogues, who are nearly impossible to kill and impossible to kill permanently until the last task God has set before them is done. (This is why he's my "then-main-character"; I got over 50,000 words into a novel draft with him as protagonist and main viewpoint character when I realized that because he's practically invulnerable and then some the novel's Main Problem could never be big enough---which explained why I kept going off on tangents---so I needed to do a wholesale revision from the beginning with a different main character.) I think I'll still make winged unicorns very resistant, as they're incredibly rare and for one to leave their home to partner with someone is almost unheard-of, but it does need to be toned down somewhat.

All of that makes sense. (Now I want to read your book...)

Yay! But there's not much to read, I'm afraid; besides my tendency to procrastinate, mostly I'm working on background material. I only have one completed piece of prose and a couple of WIPs/drafts that I think are really at all presentable. (Though those could certainly use readers' thoughts, as they're not much beyond merely "presentable" yet.)

And "the Vaynar invulnerability," because it is such a powerful trait, rarely comes into it; like that 50,000-word draft I mentioned, an invulnerable or invincible character is usually bad for a story's narrative tension. So except for the first few (planned) stories in the first arc (when they're dealing primarily with a similarly overpowered opponent before he's been worn down enough that mortals can can live on the same continent in something approaching safety), I'm making the Vaynar be supporting characters, veiling their true power and with a tendency to get summoned away at inconvenient moments.

Well, if you post your excerpts on these here forums (or post a call looking for volunteers, if you'd rather send the excerpts via email/PM), you will get people that can offer their thoughts!

I definitely agree on the invincible quality of characters. I think that comes because we, as humans, want to read about characters that are flawed like we are. We want to see the characters struggle. We don't enjoy the invincible characters as much, because we can't relate to them. At least, that's my theory; I think that applies not only to physical invincibility, but emotional stoics as well. I actually detest a lot of elves because they are so calm and emotionally stable. There is no drama in their existence, and I write and read for DRAMA!

I don't mean to sound snobbish or condescending but shouldn't we try to keep on topic?

*big grin* You're not being snobbish or any of that other stuff, Aeleknight. You're right, we're rambling... but I let him. My fault!

That's fine Miss Phili, as long as I don't come off wrong.
Just trying to remind you lovingly not judgmentally. Don't worry about it.

Just don't do it again!

I'd tell you that your post made me laugh, Aeleknight, but that would be an almost pointless post that had nothing to do with the topic at hand, so I won't.

Regardless, though, "stay on topic" prods are usually welcome around here. We try very hard to stay on topic - it just doesn't always work!

Well, with over fifty fantasy writers on one forum it's bound to happen.

P.S. I'm picking up on the sarcasm.

-Aeleknight

Who me? Using sarcasm. Never!

(You'll notice we're still off-topic? )

I had a long reply to the invincibility question, but yes, we should try to stay on topic. I apologize for drawing out the tangent. (If anyone's interested in continuing the tangential discussion, I may post my reply in its own new thread in a few days, or feel free to PM or email me.)

To try to get on-topic discussion going again: First, what kind of wings do your pegasi have? You said that dragons' wings are specifically "bat-like", but didn't specify for pegasi. The traditional conception, I think is of feathered wings, but that might pose problems for a mammal. And second, you said dragons are used as "beasts of labor"; how strong are they?

I think the invincibility topic definitely warrants its own thread. If you start a separate topic, Jon, feel free to post the link here if you want!

My pegasi have the traditional feathered wings. Looking at some pictures, the feathers are typically large - you can pick out each individual one on the wing, as opposed to bird feathers, which are often small and closely layered.

Dragons vary in strength depending on their size and training, but the average working dragon would be about as strong as two to three horses, able to pull a large wagon by themselves. I think dragons would also have great flight strength - meaning they could carry even more weight if they were lifting it while pumping their wings.

Don't worry about it. You are new and I should not expect you to hold that responsibility without completely knowing about it.

*chuckles * No, three horsepower won't do. I want my dragon to have 5 horse power.

I couldn't help it. When you were talking about they are as strong as____, it made me think of the old horsepower measurements farmers used to use. Which, incidentally, is why/where the term horse power is still used/comes from for engines.

Haha, Airianna! There are definitely dragons out there with 5 horsepower and beyond - just not the average small(ish) and docile one you'd find a farm. Seriously, though, do you think, for a horse-sized dragon, 3-horsepower pulling strength and 5+-horsepower lifting strength is reasonable?

I do. I think your assessment of them being able to lift greater weight, due to their wings, is an accurate assumption. So long as their distance is affected by the extra exertion.

I like your dragons, they remind me of mine. Though I only have one breed of dragon able to speak.

Agreed, Airianna. Thanks!

Thanks much, Joe! You should post about your own dragons, too.

I think he has....

Yes I did indeed. http://www.holyworlds.org/fantasy/viewt ... =13&t=2148
I need to post some more details...

Ah! Thanks!

Thanks, Inesdar!

No, horses and their winged/horned cousins cannot talk. Unicorns and pegasi are essentially horses with an extra physical feature.

The phoenix is a secondary character, so I'll be developing him separately.

Most of the dragons that appear in the book are domesticated beasts of labor, so they follow the culture of their human owners, playing a role between animal and human. The primary dragon-character in the book is the peer and coworker of one of the MCs.

Domesticated horses and their cousins are just horses. The few wild ones are solitary, vicious monsters, similar to reclusive dragons.

I like your phoenix a lot, Philli Also, it's cool that ash is coincidentally colorless; that fits in to your story very well

So, there is only one of them at a time. If the new springs from the old, what happens if the phoenix is killed, say, in flight? Won't the ash scatter? Can the phoenix even be killed at all?

I like the fact there's only one of them at a time; that's a route I didn't go with mine. I'm guessing that would make them...valuable? I mean, in the sense of knowledge? Does the phoenix have any particular allegiance? What does he do?

I also like the idea of wild horses Because wild horses are...wild. That just makes sense, and comparing them to the wild dragons just makes them seem so much cooler Wild horses can be domesticated, though, right?

eru

Thanks much, Andrew! That is neat, about the ashes; I hadn't thought of that, actually.

Having only one phoenix at a time is traditional myth, actually. Some sources say the phoenix represents immortality, hence the continual regeneration. As such, I would say it's effectively impossible to kill a phoenix. And should it die, it can regenerate from whatever ashes are left. 'Tis "magic," after all.

Yes, the phoenix's knowledge is highly prized, and his loyalty is a mark of power. To have the phoenix on your side would put you at a distinct advantage. However, the phoenix is a freelancer that chooses to give his loyalty only to those he deems worthy. When the phoenix decides to accompany one of the book's characters (not saying! Spoiler!), everyone thinks that person must be really special and starts paying attention to them. Most of the time, though, the phoenix keeps to himself, observing and helping on occasion, rather than associating himself with any one kingdom long term. Mostly because the average government only wants his loyalty for selfish reasons.

In theory, wild horses can be domesticated. But when you're talking about a massive pegasus that would try to kill you if you came too close, taming isn't easy.

This is really cool stuff Miss Phili.

Sorry, I'm a little confused. Do you mean immorality or immortality?

Oh, duh. Immortality. Thanks for catching that. *edits*

You don't have to tell me. Just let me read the book.

Nice one, Jonathan.

(Now howzabout you let me read your book and we'll be even, yes?)

(Yes, I'm playing nasty now.)

(Very nasty.)

Okay, now I understand.

There's a vast difference between "can be domesticated, albeit perhaps with great difficulty" and "cannot be domesticated no matter how hard you try". In our world, wild horses are in the first category, and zebras are in the second. I also remember that in the Greek legend of the pegasus, it took the hero (was his name Bellepheron, as leaps to mind? Or was that the name of the pegasus?) a magic bridle (I think given to him by Minerva) to tame it, and even then he had to sneak up on it as it was drinking, in an enclosed space, to catch it by slipping the bridle over its head.

With the additional motive force and mobility provided by a pegasus's wings, the traditional methods---tie the horse up with food and water just out of reach, for example---indeed wouldn't work all that well. But I gather from your description that your pegasi are still functionally horses with extra advantages, not incurably wild like zebras?

You are correct, Jon. In my world, they're all horses - just some have "extra features." All horses, winged and otherwise, were originally tame when they came to Erde. So any wild horses today are ones that escaped or were let loose. So, "hostile" might be a better word than "wild." Wild pegasi are typically very violent and dangerous, so trying to control them and bring them back into service isn't usually attempted. But I won't leave out the possibility... future stories, you know.

Thanks for the great thoughts!

Your phoenix has many differences than my elemental phoenix.
My phoenix are badly in need of better world building though so I wouldn't be able to give any specifics.

Thanks, Mark! *prods Mark to go develop his phoenix* An elemental phoenix sounds cool. I'm not doing anything elemental in my world... yet.

I really like your creatures, Phili. They're very cool and unique. I've been thinking about putting some mythical creatures in my book, maybe some dragons, but I haven't decided yet.
I do look forward to reading your book with all its wonderful creatures, Phili!

Thank you so much, Mae! I really appreciate that. When you decide on what mythical creatures you plan to have in your world, you should post about them.

I will post about them! So far I've decided I want to have a fairies, like the cute sparkly kind that fly (Although I suppose fairies count more as a human-like creature) And I'm thinking about dragons too. Although I don't want dragons to be a huge part of my book, and since dragons are so epicly cool and awesome, it's hard to have them but yet have them without taking up a huge part of my book.

I know what you mean about dragons. Funny - the role dragons play in the first novel set in Erde has been drastically reduced, so I'm not sure yet how much of a role they will play in Erde overall. I might yet make them non-sentient, since they are my only sentient animals right now... Well, no, that's not true. The phoenix is sentient, and I am keeping him. So, I'll have to mull over that.

Sorry for the ramble.

I don't have fairies, but I might consider them or something similar. They can be fun.

I'm hoping fairies will be fun. As long as they don't start to take up to much of the book.... when I actually start writing it....

Don't apologize. I enjoyed your ramble.

Heehee! Well, I'll ponder whether or not I want to do fairies while you figure out what you're doing with yours. Deal?

Deal! *shakes Phili's hand*

Hmmm.... now I actually have to decide what to do with fairies!

*offers cupcake as proof of deal* I shall meet with you later with results.

*takes cupcake* Sounds good to me!