#keythong

Malinois/Canada goose griffon...

Obviously, there are species out there that aren't that well known. Some because of their remote location, or rather mundane looks. Some, however, get cast aside from the public mind purely because their brethren shine so much brighter. Relatives that have flashier looks, cooler abilities or are just straight up bigger, causing the others to be lost in their shadow. For example, if I were to say the word "basilisk" what would be the first thing to come to mind? Would it be a big serpent with a deadly gaze? The Grand Basilisk? In most cases, yeah, people are going to think of that one, not the lowly swamp basilisk or cave basilisk. That isn't to say that those are any "worse," it is just that people focus on the bigger and badder members of their family. For this entry, I point to the griffins. I say "griffin" and you think of those proud and noble birds, of the greatest traits of lion and eagle fused into one magnificent beast. Those wings! Those claws! No wonder they are on so many banners, shields and crests! And then I say to you "keythong" and you say "what?"

To be fair, keythong don't get brought up a whole bunch because of their odd name. It is not a common one heard around the taverns or schools, so when someone actually says it, folks think their tongue just slipped. And if it doesn't have "griffin" in the name, then how can it be a griffin?! Well, in truth, it isn't exactly a true griffin, but a close relative to them. Their lack of big ol' wings kind of makes that a bit obvious, and another reason people don't think about them a whole bunch. Birds as a whole get a lot of love for their wonderful wings, and losing those means losing points for some people. I don't agree with those people in the slightest, but I can't ignore the fact that that is kind of a thing. Flying? Now that is wonderful and special! Walking? Everyone can do that! And indeed, the keythong is a walker and not a flyer. Their third set of limbs that were once wings have long since been lost. Like griffins, they do still look like the fusion of a cat and bird, but one without wings. A beaked head, fore legs with talons, feathers and down so fine it looks like hair. And a whole lot of spikes. If keythongs lost their wings, then they made up for it in spikes. Bony spurs running down their backs, erupting from their shoulders, lining their legs and even barbed feather shafts giving their tails a spiny look. They bristle with this weaponry, making a pretty iconic look! At least to me!

This species lives in grasslands and savannas, stalking through the fields in search of prey and making nests from gathered grasses. They live in groups, with typically six to ten individuals in them. Keythong are highly social with each other, working together to hunt, raise their young and even partake in social grooming. When resting, they have been seen cleaning each other's spines, taking care of areas the individual cannot reach. When on the prowl, they act much like wolves, coordinating their attacks and ambushes. Low clicks and quiet whistles are how they communicate with one another, arranging the perfect trap to corner prey. When the time is right, an individual will rush out to scare their target and flush them into the waiting talons of the others. Sharp beak and claws tear at prey, and they will even use their large bladed shoulder spines against larger animals. A frequent strategy is for them to slow their target and then dash under the prey's stomach to gut them. When prey is brought down, the group will finish them off by clawing open the throat.

The hunters shall dine upon their kill, eating as much as they can. When they are satisfied, they will usually have meat left on the carcass. Rather than protecting their kill or abandoning it for scavengers, they will tear off the big chunks and spear them on their spines. This is typically done with teamwork, with one standing still while the others load them up with pieces of meat. This is all carried back to the nests, for either later consumption or to feed their young (typically called "cubs). The newborns will be fed regurgitated meat, since they are not strong enough to tear through flesh. The slightly older ones will feed on the brought back meat, picking it off the adult's spines so that it is easier for them to tear off pieces. Once all is consumed, then the social grooming and preening begins. Best to clean off all that blood and viscera! 

While their sharp spines can be used to help hunt, many folk are surprised to learn that they are mainly for defense. Surely such a wicked looking creature doesn't have many enemies? Well, actually, they do. There are plenty of large predators out there, especially those that would happily take a vulnerable cub. A coat of spikes makes it hard to get a bite, and a spiny tail to the face can discourage a lot of venturous eaters. Interesting thing to note, though, is that the orientation of their spikes and the way they move to defend themselves suggests that their main fear comes from above. Those shoulder spines are perfectly oriented to impale anything dropping from the sky. Since they live in wide open grassy areas, they can be spotted from above, and there are large meat eaters that soar the skies. Pterorcus, dragons and even their own cousins! Indeed, griffins have been know to attack keythongs! What a betrayal! And to think people once thought keythongs were male griffins, and this was just violent courtship! But their spines and numbers work to ward off these attackers and keep their cubs safe. Even then, it isn't uncommon to find one on another beast's menu, especially if they are an individual with no group to call their own.         

Though the popularity or knowledge of the keythong is not nearly as widespread as griffins, on a local level they do have some fans. Coat of arms and crests carry their visage, and their spiny appearance gives off an intimidating impression. Their feathers are loved for clothing and decoration, while their spines are valued for sharp hardy tools, like sewing needles, fish hooks and awls. Keythong eggs are considered a delicacy, though good luck getting your hands on one of those! Trying to raid what you think is an unsupervised nest will result in you getting a beak to the spine when the hidden watcher takes you down. Though folks can certainly gain a lot from a dead keythong, some folk have found a partnership with live ones!

The thing is, keythongs are incredibly smart and have a good memory, meaning they are excellent learners and can remember faces. Some folk have bonded with exiled individuals or have raised cubs from infancy. What forms is an incredible partnership, making them excellent hunting companions, trackers or just plain old pets. Writers especially love giving keythong companions to their lonely characters, as the symbolism of their spines and nature is perfect (though a bit on the nose sometimes). With their memory and smarts, they can learn a ton of commands and can even solve puzzles or figure out scenarios on their own. If you show them how to tackle a situation enough times, they can do it by themselves without prompting. They are very loyally and friendly, though you really need to watch those spines when they get close. Some folks trim these spines, but many argue that the spikes are the whole point (har har)! While I did make the keythong out to be incredible pets and companions, I should put out a warning. First off, keythong live for a looong time, way longer than your average cat and dog, especially when taken out of the dangers of the wild. So if you want a keythong, do know that they can live around forty to fifty years! And then add to that the fact that they are very social and very protective of who they bond with. 

Once you get close to one and develop a deep bond, they will never forget it and also never forgive you if it is broken. Getting one is a major commitment, because once you get familiar with one another, they will not take kindly to new pets or partners, and will go crazy if you try to hand them off to another owner. Those who are separated from their beloved owners tend to become incredibly agitated and violent, often killing the new master and tracking down the old one. And if they finally return home and find you with a new pet or spouse, then you are next on the hit list. Do recall that these very same smarts and memory can be used against you. Packs of keythong near towns can become menaces once they figure out where the food is kept and the patterns of day to day life. They are good at picking off livestock, and also the occasional person who takes a specific route each day alone. And when retaliation or hunting of their kind occurs, they get a grudge and don't let go. Those who have successfully taken eggs or killed a keythong best watch themselves when they are in the wilds alone...

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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