In Lady Eruwaedhiel's "Very Large Wolves" thread I mentioned these...
Well in my adventures through the world wide web, I came across a picture of a wolf with batwings... can't say for sure if it was huge wolf or a normal sized wolf, but I decided someone's already using that idea for something, it seems. So I came up with a new concept. I'm not sure if want to use the name "walven" for certain or not, that's just what I'm naming them at present, and I think it's kind of cool. I'm open to suggestions. Ok... I'm keeping them as large wolves, with eyes that appear as glowing, green flames, or lights, that will stand shoulder to shoulder with a large warhorse, but wider and more powerful in stature. However, I'm taking away their wings, so they will be a strictly land-based creature. In place of the wings, protruding from the sides of their heads are going to be large, twisted, ram like horns, that twist outward and forward from their heads. I honestly think it would be cool to make these changes AND keep the wings, but keeping the land based has a bit of a sinister feel to it I really like. Imagine for instance one or more of these great beasts tracking you through a dark forest. Still... suggestions are welcome. Let me know your thoughts

The Walven sound very interesting. I could see these creatures stalking someone in your story. *Shiver* I like the glowing eyes remark. My brothers were watching a movie called Moonachre last night that had a black lion (so awesome looking!) that had red glowing eyes. It was so awesome looking. The black and red were so striking!

What color are you planning on them being (the fur I mean). I think the black would add to the sinister nature of the creatures. In the dark of night or the cover of the forest underbrush these creatures could be extremely elusive.

Black has already been decided, Airianna It just seemed like a given. I am kinda toying around with the idea of the ability to breath fire as well. Not certain yet. I like the idea of tongues of flame and black smoke escaping their mouths as they breath. possible example: 'Kendrick watched as the torch moved through the forest around him, appearing and disappearing between the trees and vegetation,seemingly drawing closer. He gave in to the fact that he had been found by the Blackwood elves that pursued him. He stopped and put his arms to his sides ready to surrender. From behind the trees, the torch stopped moving, and Kendrick peered uncertainly into the darkness at what appeared to be two large, green glowing , eye shaped orbs beyond the torch. A dark mass of flame and black fur suddenly sprang from the trees, leaves and branches flying out before it, and entangled in two large twisted black horns. "Run! You fool!!!" he thought to himself, but was frozen in fear as the beast bore down on him.'

That would be so cool in your book! I like the smoke and fire breath! It blends well with other elements of your story.

Lol, yeah I wrote that on the fly, just to give an example. As soon as I posted it, I was telling myself I'm going to have to work that in somewhere I also, although I'm deciding to go ahead and leave the wings out, am thinking that perhaps one might have them. I'm not sure though. I really think I like them as land-based.

Wings are okay for some stuff, but I think I personally would prefer these creatures without them. I like the whole sinister stalking image I have in my mind. If you were to add wings I think that stalking feel would be minimized. It just depends on how you want them portrayed. However, you are the writer, and I merely have a small glimpse of your work.

Sounds great! When you mentioned them breathing fire at first, I was thinking maybe something more original, but when you put the scene down I decided that fire was great!! Could they be ridden by other evil beings?

Lol, that's what I thought when I first thought of the fire, but now I have a hard time thinking of them without it Yes. The will act as a mount for some.

Airianna... I completely agree. I going to leave them strictly earthbound.

I love this creature! You could potentially have a related species that has wings, the one that is the natural enemy to griffins. I like your writing, or what I've seen of it so far. I like the idea of the black coat, it adds all the more to their stealthy feel. Wish I had thought of this!

Oh I'm sure their stealthy when stalking you through a dark forest... but when they've given chase and are plowing down everything in their path to reach you is another story altogether *hides behind his chair* "Yikes!" I made them and they scare ME! Lol, glad you like them Elanhil

Yikes! Those things are scary. (I used to have this thing about wolves...) Giant wolves that are dark, evil, and breathe fire are unique and intimidating. Wow. I think I'll go hide now...

I'm so reading your story if everything in it is as cool as these guys.

Awesome, you can actually read what I've got so far if you go to the To The Valley Of Dragons thread in Story Excerpts you'll have to go to the archives on the left of the page to read the prologue and first two chapters

Ok! *runs over to story excerpts*

I hope you like it, Elanhil.

Well, it may be awhile before I get around to it, I haven't even had much time to think about my own story what with the community story and editing Luke the Mindwielder's book and reading LotR (yes, for the first time ). But I'll get around to it eventually. Just so you're not wondering why I'm not giving feedback!

lol well enjoy the story that has inspired so many

Ok, thanks!

I almost started a new thread for this, but it concerns the walven so I'm keeping it here. So now that Walven have been pretty much set in stone.... what sort of people or things should I make their riders? I love the dark cloaked rider idea that's playing in my head, but one thing stops me from that idea... it just screams LORD OF THE RINGS! Soooooo.... I can't do that. Just normal human warriors? Evil elven warriors? I like that idea a little bit because it kind of ties in with the good elves riding the roa'an. Human scouts and trackers? Elven scouts and trackers? Minotaur? er.... no that would be lame. Or should it be an entirely new kind of thing that rides them? Orcs are out... no orcs in my world. Some kind of troll? No..... I could use some help here folks.

I kinda like them as just a lone 'work alone' kind of beast. I like the idea best of Humans or Elves ridding them.

And work alone they will often do. Some will use them as mounts though. Being such a powerful, fierce creature, I want a special kind of rider for them though. I like the idea of some kind of scout or hunter riding them. Or perhaps a type of special forces unit. As hunters by nature themselves, I think some kind of hunter riding them would seem fitting... I'm just torn as to what that should be. Maybe just that. A special unit of men and elves maybe?

I was going to save this info in case anyone wanted to read it, but there's been a new development to the Walven. And I can't help it. I gotta share.... Their tail is striped in rainbow colors! Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, green, orange, yellow and red again and then the same once more! Wooooohooo!


Totally kidding lol The tails will remain as black as the rest of them. Actually the new developments are as follows:
They have the ability to "smell they stench of Jandrous" on those loyal to him. supposedly the stronger ones faith the stronger the scent. This works both ways, being able to smell those loyal to Xandrous as well. There is a rare neutral ground where no scent can be smelled by the walven. When communicating from afar, they let out a long mournful sounding howl, described as, "like the ghosts of many wolves."

I think this adds to the sinisterness (ok, I'd never have guessed sinisterness was an actual word, but since the spell check says it ok I have to assume it is....although my spell check says this.... christian... is spelled wrong, go figure) of the walven. I want them to be the scariest, most sinister, most frightening creature ever to grace the pages of a fantasy. Well I guess I can't top Balrog, but I can try. Well.... as long as they're mean I'm happy.

That seems to be a common goal. That's my goal for Merashath, anyway. And yet again, I was thinking, 'rainbow tail? Please no!' I thought you might be joking, but I couldn't be sure 'till I read the lol, like the squishy fruit.

But for the real additions, I actually like them. But what's Xandrous and Jandrous? Are they like the main evil and good guys? (My comment was assuming that.) Keep up the good work!

(I haven't quite gotten around to reading your story yet...I hope to soon.)

Ah... Jandrous is the One True King, and son of the One God. Xandrous is the ruler of the drayan'os, and Betrayer of the One God. I'm guessing it might be a good idea to start a topic on the drayan and drayan'os.

Oh, I got it. Maybe you should start a new topic...I smell a sidetrack close-by.

stick with Walven, good name, it's easy to say and has a logical root word.

I say give them wings but have them be too heavy to fly, it'll be great to play with things they can do with their wings without moving the domain.
Sounds like a really fun race to create

Hi Jasmina I sort of liked the idea of wings when I first planned them, but I honestly think they're better off without them now.

Oh, but come on, 6strings, that's such a good idea. Wings are so useful for things other than flying. But I agree. It may get in the way of their stealthiness.

They just seem to be more sinister looking, in my mind, without the wings. With the wings added they begin to get a little silly lol

Perhaps a bit too powerful. But maybe they could conceal the wings really easily? Oh well. It's your race.

they just seem scarier without them. I can see it now....

Kendrick backed slowly away on the seat of his pants, wanting to get away, but unable to tear his gaze away from the awful horned, firebreathing monstrosity before him. It stalked slowly, as Kendrick backed away, droplets of fire like molten iron dropping from its massive sharp toothed mouth. He choked on the smoke it released, and could feel the hot breath on his face. He couldn't get away and the beast stood over his body, ready to destroy him. Suddenly the black furred beast of terrible dreams spread forth two black wings, and let out a howl of victory. Kendrick's jaw dropped.

"Uh... really?" he said putting his hands in the air. "What are those? Wings? You've got to be kidding me!" he began to chuckle. "Big black fire breathing dog with twisted horns isn't enough?" He began to laugh, the walven looking at him questioningly now, no longer very sinister in it's attitude, but more... as it lowered its big horned head... embarrassed. "Hahahaa! Overkill don't ya think!" he exclaimed, pointing and laughing in tears, holding his side, at the big wings spread out behind the beast. "Oh goodness me... " he laughed. And slowly the walven backed up, turning to skulk into the woods and looking back every time Kendricks laughter gained in volume.

Okay, that was funny. Especially considering the character.

lol! Ok, I can see why you don't want the wings.

hehe, it definitely be a Kendrick situation if To The Valley Of Dragons were a comedy lol.

Entirely. You could adjust it for your Western Fantasy though...

now that could very well be a great idea!

Do it! Do it!

I might just for giggles, as a shout out to The Valley Of Dragons or something lol.

Oh, that would be funny, and anyone who had read your TtVotD would think it's hilarious. You could make it like a blooper on a movie.

lol that would be sweet!

Okay, I haven't been on much the last two days, so I'm seriously out of the loop! I think Jasmina had an amazing way to couple the wings with the Walven, I just don't think they would really go with 6string's story and purposes. However, that would be really cool to add it into your western fantasy.

Oh I agree. I'm just having fun In some ways the wings would be super cool, like her idea of them not being strong enough to lift the walven but still useful for other things. Being able to breath fire, the walven could then use the wings to fan the flames for instance, causing a large fire or something. They could perhaps use them to glide from a drop or a fall from high elevation. All in all though, with what I already have going on with them, I think the wings would be too much and take away from the sinisterness of them, I guess. But yes, just for giggles, it would be neat to bring a walven into the western fantasy with wings as a bit of a shout toward TVOD

Hmm, if they can't fly, maybe they shouldn't have wings. The idea of swooping down on victims as they run through a dark forest seemed cool. Maybe something other than wings then.

true, but not as scary as stalking them on the ground, as though hunting for prey.

Stalking on the ground can be really well done if you're a good writer =)

eruheran

The more you talk about it the more the wings seem to take away from the sinister feel. It also may make them too clumsy with these big wings in the forest.

I hope when I get them into the story the readers will pleased

Pleased, a.k.a. terrified?

ummm.... *thinking.... scratches chin... thinking some more* EXACTLY!