Kal
Whispers
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Most new forms of life are shaped by aeons of evolution, but the Antler-Owls have their origins in the mind of a singular being - Kal of Masque. An aspiring bioalchemist in his own right, the young Shadow nonetheless leaned heavily on the expertise of peers and subordinates for their creation, for it is no simple matter to drastically alter a lifeform, let alone create a viable genetic line more or less from the ground up.
In spite of similarities to other owls, such as the regal convor, there is little doubt that the Antler-Owls are unique beings in their own right; nowhere is this more obvious than in the mystically-potent antlers they use as conduits of their supernatural abilities. Why exactly they were made in this way is known only to their creator, but the fact that the horns retain their potency even if separated from the owner is surely noteworthy.
Given the recency of their creation, the rarity of their antler-shedding, and the aggressive policy taken by Greystone in response to violence against these creatures - at the request of their creator - very few such detached antlers are available for study.
- Intent: Magic birds make the best pets. It's true, Kal says so.
- Image Credit: The Watchers by Luke Harrington
- Canon: N/A
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: Starseer Jellyfish
- Name: Antler-Owls
- Designation: Semi-Sentient
- Origins: Kal of Masque's Laboratory
- Average Lifespan: Thirty Years (Unbonded)
- Estimated Population: Rare; rarely seen outside captivity.
- Description: Horned or more commonly antlered owls produced through mystical bioengineering and strange alchemies with the assistance of the Weavers, the Antler-Owls are outwardly unnatural yet more or less harmless. They are neither tainted by the Bogan nor of a ferocious disposition, unlike most Sithspawn created by traditional Alchemists. They are only very rarely seen in the wilds, being naturally tame.
- Breathes: Type One, natural or artificial.
- Average Height of Adults: 20-80 centimetres
- Average Length of Adults: N/A, normal for owls.
- Skin Colour: Pale, rarely seen due to feathery coat.
- Hair Colour: Golden, Brown, White, Black, Auburn, etc.
- Distinctions: As with many birds, Antler-Owl sexes can often be distinguished by their colouring, though the distinction tends to be lost to the layperson. They resemble normal owls in most regards but for their graceful horns or antlers, see below. They vary more significantly in size than other species, largely due to their artificial origins. Elderly specimens can at times be distinguished by a calmer disposition.
- Potent Antlers: Their eponymous antlers (or horns; they come in a variety of shapes and sizes) are mystically potent. If removed they can be quite useful to witches, sorcerers, and the like, though Greystone will harshly sanction any attempt at harvesting them from live specimens or killing Owls for their antlers/horns. Such sanctions may include market bans or Synox in one's toothpaste. At times they will cast their horns and begin growing a new pair, though this is a rare event - some specimens go their whole lives without doing so.
- Races: Antler-Owls come in various shapes, sizes, and shades, but the most significant differences are marked by the colouring of their horns. The three main races each have their own colour scheme - and their own mystical powers. These powers are intrinsically linked to the horns.
- Goldenhorn: Considered the kindest and gentlest of all the Antler-Owls, the Goldenhorns are gifted with impressive skill in the art of healing, a skill which they are more than capable of honing across a (hopefully) long life. Their horns glow with brilliant golden light as they do their work and they are generally eager to help - though even they can only do so much before succumbing to exhaustion.
- Silverhorn: The aloof Silverhorns are gifted with extraordinary perceptiveness and incredible attention to detail. Little of importance escapes their keen eyes; they have even been noted to see through personal cloaking devices. They possess an aptitude for foresight far in excess of most human Force Users - with time, some learn to share their wisdom with their owners through telepathic means.
- Bleakhorn: Grim or simply solemn though they may be, the Bleakhorn still retains an air of nobility. Under ideal circumstances its horn is a pristine white, though when death approaches it darkens, turning as black as night when someone is about to die. Some keep them for their warnings of impending doom while others insist that they are able to make them feel closer to their dead loved ones.
- Force Sensitivity: All Antler-Owls are Force Sensitive, though far from all possess the flexible skillsets of an average Jedi or Sith. Antler-Owls are innately capable of bonding to sentients. As with Sith familiars, this bond is close and subservient, though hardly unbreakable; while quite amicable, it is not in the nature of the Antler-Owls to suffer an abusive relationship for long.
- Antlered Mystics: Antler-Owls are innately able to channel the Force through their horns/antlers, see Races for the specifics.
- Bonded Life: Bonded Antler-Owls are able to exceed the usual lifespan of their species if their owners' is greater.
- Bonded Life: Bonded Antler-Owls almost always perish soon after the death of their owner.
- Forceful: Antler-Owls grow weak and lethargic if cut off from the Force.
- Diet: Omnivores; subsists primarily on fish, nuts, and invertebrates.
- Communication: Generic owl noises, may learn telepathy with practice.
- Technology Level: May learn to twist door handles, press buttons, and lift items.
- Religion/Beliefs: N/A, hampered by the absence of advanced communication (and sentience).
- General Behaviour: As a whole, Antler-Owls are peaceful beings - though ants and mosquitos might disagree. They can be playful or proud, depending on their personalities, but if bonded will generally feel quite close to their owner. It is common for bonded individuals to be able to read their owner's emotional state with a high degree of accuracy; what behaviour follows depends on their personality. While very much able to hunt at night, they often adopt a diurnal schedule to match their owners; this does not bother them overmuch, as they are fairly adaptable.
Most new forms of life are shaped by aeons of evolution, but the Antler-Owls have their origins in the mind of a singular being - Kal of Masque. An aspiring bioalchemist in his own right, the young Shadow nonetheless leaned heavily on the expertise of peers and subordinates for their creation, for it is no simple matter to drastically alter a lifeform, let alone create a viable genetic line more or less from the ground up.
In spite of similarities to other owls, such as the regal convor, there is little doubt that the Antler-Owls are unique beings in their own right; nowhere is this more obvious than in the mystically-potent antlers they use as conduits of their supernatural abilities. Why exactly they were made in this way is known only to their creator, but the fact that the horns retain their potency even if separated from the owner is surely noteworthy.
Given the recency of their creation, the rarity of their antler-shedding, and the aggressive policy taken by Greystone in response to violence against these creatures - at the request of their creator - very few such detached antlers are available for study.
