#ahuul

Today I was reminded of my long defunct Tyrantis ask-blog, which, while ultimately a failed experiment (’cause if I couldn’t keep up with it back then, I sure as fuck can’t now that I’ve got carpal tunnel syndrome), produced some really good pieces that I’m still proud of today despite their shortcomings.  Also it helped flesh out my second novel, which you can buy now BTW.

ATOM Stop Motion Models: Tweaks and the Gang So Far

I decided to refurbish Tyrantis and Gorgolisk’s models a bit while I was making new ones. I made Tyrantis’s eyes a little larger and gave them some skin around their sides to show that he’s a creature with forward facing eyes and, y’know, make them look less buggy.  Gorgolisk’s modifications were more extensive - I replaced her old neck and tail armature pieces with a series of smaller ones, making her far more articulated and capable of coiling.  I would have done that in the first place but I wanted to save those small pieces in case other armatures needed them.  I also gave her a complete set of dorsal plats and a better rattle, because I half assed it the first time and she deserves better than that.

Ahuul’s greatest flaw as a warrior is often the reason he starts a fight in the first place: he is a sadist, and most of his blows are meant to be painful instead of lethal.  Ahuul spends so much time hurting his enemies that he often lets his guard down, carelessly ignoring the actions and plots of his foes until it is too late. This, combined with the beast’s cowardice, means he rarely wins a fight.  Then again, victory is also rarely his goal – Ahuul fights to for the sake of violence itself, not to win.

Once the novel came out, Ahuul while terrifying in his capacity for revenge, and able to equate physical and emotional pain and try for the latter when former fails...

Ahuul when we got a look into his thoughts in Tyrantis Walks Among Us seemed driven mostly at his core by insecurity and a desire for safety. 

Ahuul soared high above the island and let himself get lost in thought. While usually a chaotic and violent creature, the flying monster enjoyed the peaceful moments the great altitude could bring. There was something comforting about being literally above all the petty problems on the earth below. Here he was safe, and here he didn’t have to proves mettle in combat with the others.

He had taken quite a thrashing below, by several different monsters in quick succession. Ahul fumed at this thought. Others would think he as weak for his failures, which in turn would mean that they would feel bold enough to challenge him. That would be trouble. He would have to redouble his efforts and get even more vicious. Then he would be safe. When all the others feared him, he would be safe below as he was above. 

Still a sadist, but this reminds me of a unpleasant dominance obsessed people rather than cartoony chaotic evil...or the mindset of an “alpha personality” in a group of monkeys. 

It feels more like while Ahuul would consciously love to kill more quickly, the combat related instincts that got magnified in the kaijuification of him or his ancestors were those of dominance duels and social dynamics. His social instincts tell him to make an example of a foe, even though there is often no other peers around to see the example. Its like a violent form of talking to himself. 

I guess this sort of thing happens when a bios is written before the book comes out.

Name: Kongamahuul

Aliases: Mistress of Despair, The Cruel Ruler, The Draconian Enforcer, Ahuul’s Evil Bitch Mother

Date Discovered: December 26, 1956 Place of Origin: The Chasm of Sorrow Stomping Grounds: Is seen sporadically through the northern hemisphere. Not contained aside her home in the Chasm of Sorrow Height: 100 feet, 110 with the crest Length: 190 feet Wingspan: 300 feet Biology: Kongamahuul is one of the largest known specimens of the Flying Retrosaurs, and stands terrifyingly as tall as the largest land dwelling predators. Though it seems she is some demonic evolution of them, possibly even a mutant among mutants. As unique abilities almost unheard of. Super Strength Enahanced Healing Parthenogenetic Immunity to Radiation Harmonic Yamaenon Communication Refined Telepathy

Personality: Ahuul’s progenitor is the dominating force of nature of the land, sky and sea. She is most at home in the air, for sure, but is far from helpless on her legs or beneath the sea of she needs to be.

She was discovered far into Canada’s wilderness, in a deep chasm that dove into a dark hollow that was discovered to be mostly lifeless, no doubt to its intimidating mistress that destroyed all that was in it when the power shift came with the Superquake of 54. It was desolate, a complete mess after the underground atomic testing had resulted in a high amount of damage in this particular hollow. Those who came near it were not heard from again, and it became clear why once the quarantine zone went up to keep anywhere from going near some time later after Typhon Island was discovered. The tenant of this territory took offense, and made a statement in action and word. Kongamahuul is one of few Kaiju that can fluently communicate with humans with a Psionic ability. She did not understand humans at first, but she experimented with her captors before ending their lives for trespassing upon her world without permission or any formal apology. It is also from her personal interrogations that she learned of how the world was actively coming along with contemporaries, and she took to the south to gather more information, leading to many grisly killings and fierce battles with other kaiju. Through those encounters, her ability to control other Kaiju became clear. The study of using unheard frequencies was not just something humans could abuse, but also by her. Her shrieks and roars register upon such instruments, and the Kaiju without the fortitude and willpower to resist her commands tend flee, obey or find themselves frozen in fear. The only other Kaiju she shown any respect for are other top tier predators or powerful herbivores. Her interactions with Tyrantis and his family have shown that, much to Tyranta’s apparent hatred for her. She has also shown a curiously soft side toward young offspring and juveniles of Kaiju, hinting at a softer side behind this cruel ruler. Kongamahuul was a name given by a combination of Lerna and Eric, but mostly Eric as he blatantly named it Ahuul’s mom and surprised to find out that she literally was his parent. The interactions between Ahuul and Kongamahuul are tense to say the least. Ahuul is fearfully respecting of his mother, but also despises her rule over him. Anytime he ever has anything to squawk about, she will remind him what happened to his siblings who attempted to usurp her powerful position. With what few times she has spoken to humans, she was quite polite and freely gave information that some would use against her, such as her lineage with Ahuul. She even was proud to boast of her collar of teeth and claws, which she explained are a warning to all of her bloody history of overpowering those who tread on her hospitality and forgo her kindness. She also made it clear she has no qualms mass murdering many, many humans if she deems it necessary. After some time she returned to her mostly barren kingdom in Canada, deep underground and on her throne crags, as if waiting for something interesting to be worth her attention.

ATOM Stop Motion Models: Ahuul and Promythigor