#kyln

Kylns are a naturally curious species. Even though they can feel emotions and are intelligent, they have not achieved sentience, albeit some of them that will come some time later. The Kylns are naturally passive, meaning they’re not dangerous or threatening as long as they feel safe or they’re not actively threatened. 

As long as a Kyln feels safe, it will always approach and try to observe, perhaps comprehend, something that is new to it. Young Kylns are particularly curious, much to the annoyance and worry of the parents and other members of the pack when they get in danger because of that curiosity. 

But how does a Kyln looks like? Next we’ll talk about physical traits of the Kylns.

Generally, a Kyln grows up to two meters and a half tall, meaning they’re incredibly tall for their environment. However, height is something relative for the Kyln species. Some Kylns can be smaller or bigger, ranging from the smallest one known measuring 70 cm, up to the biggest one recorded, a “Hero” Kyln (We will talk about them later), towering every other of it’s kind at 20 meters tall. 

Various informations on the Kyiln. Next, we’ll get to specific parts of the bodies, starting with the most important one : The head.

Eyes : The eyes of the Kyln are a formidable asset, used in both vision of the surrounding and social interaction. First of all, the eyes of the Kylns always go by three (Except sometimes for a “Hero” Kyln). Starting from the left, the first one is always long and large, the second is smaller, and the last one is the smaller one. The eyes are always following a slight curve in their placement.

The Kylns have a really good vision, and can see colors invisible to the human eyes, and, more importantly, they can see “Energy” or “Magic”, if you’d like. Since they have three pair of eyes, they have a strong capacity at focusing on multiple things at once. You never really know where a Kyln is truly looking, because their eyes are insect like, with no pupil or iris, and they also never close, they don’t need to.

Apart from using it for vision, the eyes are also a social tool. They can indeed take three different colors, each of them translating a principal emotional state of the Kyln. The antennaes of the Kyln indicate a “secondary” state further specifying the accurate emotional state or thought of the creature, we will talk about them shortly after. The colors the eyes can take are as follow :

♦Blue/Light Blue : Calm/Neutral. This color is the default color of a Kyln eye when his emotional state is nothing of the other two principal state. Most of the time, blue eyes means a positive or a neutral emotion, precised by the position and colors of the antennaes. It is used in the Kyln society to tell that the individual is fine and everything is normal.

♦Red : Anger/Rage/Mad. This color means the Kyln is angry and should not be messed with. A lot of violent and negative emotions, precised by the position and color of the antennaes, fall under this color. This bright color is used in the Kyln society to tell that the individual is angered and should be helped immediatly if an oustider force or a predator is involved, or shoud be avoided if the state is not caused by any danger, but rather a previous social interaction or something that is not a threat directly. Interestingly, when angry, the antennaes often form what looks like “horns” meaning this “form” represent a threat or something dangerous for them, enough at least that it has stayed in the social lexicon of the species.

♦Purple and variation : Fear/Problem. This color is a bit tricky, because it can be used to tell two different things. Either the Kyln is scared and anxious, the intensity and the precise emotion specified by the color and position of the antennaes. Or it is used to signify that there is a problem. Either the Kyln is sick, injured, lacking social interaction etc... the emotion or feeling is, here again, precised by the antennaes, their color and position. 

You can indeed say that the eyes and antennaes goes hand in hand together. The eyes and the antennaes are glowing, meaning it can be seen in the dark. It is also interesting to note that, sometimes, the more intense the feeling, the more intense the glow.

A Kyln can still see without one pair or even two pair of eyes, even though it will not see as good as before and will have trouble focusing it’s attention on things. It is theorized that the Kyln had more eyes in the past, but three pair was the most efficient way of keeping a good vision. However, when a Kyln lost the three pair of eyes, it can’t see anymore. It then relies on it’s antennaes wich slowly evolves to go to great lenght and can also grow multiple extensions in order for it not to “see” the world but rather “feel” it. Those kind of Kylns are called “Antlers Kyln” due to the fact their newly evolved antennaes often looks like strange and fascinating antlers. It is still possible for a blind Kyln to communicate with it’s kind through the antennaes, even though they will have trouble understanding the exact emotion they want to convey.

Speaking of antennaes...

Kyln antennaes are an important part of their species, both socially and naturally. 

The antennaes are solid extensions, soft to the touch and glowing. They are always placed between the first and the second eye.It is not clear what those are made of, because they have close to magical properties when studied. Those extensions are used by the Kylns as social tools, they can move around relatively freely, are incredibly flexible and can change colors. This as lead the Kylns to create a social lexicon of sort, where both the color and position of the antennaes means an emotion or a state of mind, precising the “main” emotion conveyed by the color of the eyes. There is hundred and hundred of positions and coloration, each meaning their own emotion or variation of an emotion. All of them forms the Lexicon of the species. Young Kylns are teached soon after birth this social particularity.

Kylns Antennaes can go to great lenght, sometimes even exceeding their body size and height. The end of the antennaes is oval like, and is where the glow is more important.

The whole surface of those appendices are covered with almost microscopic receptors, wich means the Kyln can feel with it, like a cat whiskers. This sometimes lead the Kylns to touch each other or their environment with their antennaes when they’d like more informations, or just to “feel” and “touch”. 

Surprisingly, when a Kyln antennaes is cut off, it will rapidly crumble and disappear, like it is or was an ethereal material. Cutting off a Kyln antennae can cause great pain to the individual, due to the presence of nervous receptors inside of them. However, Kyln antennaes grows back in a day or two, no matter the reason of the injury caused to the antennae, be it physical removal, fire, ice... it will always grow back, there is no limit to the amount of time it can grow back, leading a lot of scholars to theorize that their antennaes are made of magic or linked to it in a way.

A Kyln without antennaes will have a lot of trouble communicating with other of it’s kind, and will often cut itself from the pack for a day of two, being unable to make itself be understand. Those Kylns are also really “grumpy” and it is advised not too bother them, due to the fact they can get really angry really fast.

A Kyln mouth always have a particuliar shape, with a wave like start and a straight line. The head of a Kyln, by the way, is always the same shape.Inside the mouth the Kyln are little fangs and teeth. Indeed, there are both carnivorous fangs and “herbivorous” kind of teeth. In a lot of ways, this kind of mouth and dentition is reminiscent of an aquatic life.

Kylns are omnivorous creatures, meaning they can eat fruits/vegetables and meat alike. However, they are a passive species and they always prefers to eat fruits and other food like this when they can. They only go for meat when there is no other option, and even then they tend to search for giant insects and such. A Kyln often reverts back to an herbivorous food behavior when it can.

A Kyln that hunts for meat will slowly evolve and have more sharp fangs. It’s physiology will also adapt for it to chase more efficiently. It is not yet known what is precisely the cause of this physic changes and fast evolution. 

Although pretty big compared to the size of the head, a Kyln jaw is not as strong as it seems. It can indeed cause a great pressure, but they tend not to chew on their food just gobble up a big lump of food at a time. If the food is too big for them to eat, they’ll try to break it into pieces before gobbling them. Their tongue is a long one, that can extend out of their mouth (An intriguing fact is that playful Kylns will sometimes stick out their tongue, much like a child would do. It is not yet known what cause this behavior)

A Kyln body can be of different colors, even though it’s usually white or a shade of light grey. The Kyln have a stripe on the lower part of their body. This stripe is the same color as the body, but darker.

Texture-like, a Kyln body is smooth and look almost slimy/wet. To the touch, it’s surprisingly lukewarm on the top, and a bit cold on the lower part. A Kyln body rarely changes shape from what is usual in the species, although some can be longer or shorter.

Interestingly, Kylns tend to form packs of the same color. Even though they have no trouble living with Kylns of different colors, it’s like they’re attracted to colors close to theirs. There are exceptions however, since the Kylns are particularly social creatures, packs of different colors can merge, and the reasons why a Kyln choose a mate among others are yet unclear.

The Kyln blood is usually red, like a majority of animals. However, it can be noted that the blood sometimes have a strange colored reflection of the body color. This strange reflection or secondary coloration is more visible in “Heroes” Kylns. It seems the coloration of the blood is directly linked to the amount of “power” or “magic” a Kyln have.

Strange rock/plate like things are on the back of the Kyln. It is not yet known what those strange details are. However, it is interesting to note that they tend to have absorbing ability when it comes to magic. However, contact with those plates is needed for someone to inject magic in them. This process seems to make the Kyln anxious...and nothing else.

Strange artifacts have been recovered depicting an intelligent species that used the Kylns as pets and even mounts. Maybe it has to do with this...?

Usually, a Kyln tail is pretty short. It has no particular properties except the fact it can be moved around and the ones that are long are sometimes prehensible, meaning they can wrap it around things.

In rare occasions, a Kyln is born with a tail that seems like a vestige of past ancestors. Sometimes it’s a tail with feathers and such, that can take various shape and colors, sometimes it’s an aquatic like tail, which can be used as a great help for swimming (Or smacking something or someone).

Scholars are trying to get their hands around an explanation for those “Vestige Tails” as they are called. Because it seems illogical that a species like the Kyln had both an aquatic and a bird-like ancestor in their close past evolution...since there are still vestige of them popping here and there.

A Kyln got four paws. Two front ones and two back ones, wich are composed of what can be considered as three “fingers”. The pressure is seemingly placed on the toes, making the Kyln movement graceful and kind of surreal some times. 

♦ The front paws : Those paws are pretty strong. They also are really flexible and can be turned around by the Kyln in sometimes “Ungodly” positions. Yes, basically their front paws are like a contortionist arms.

Those front paws have hidden claws that can burst out of small cavities in the three “fingers”. Those claws are pretty sharp, and sometime even cut through weak metals. Being also strong, they are use as a defensive and hunting mechanism when needed.

♦ The back paws : Have an L shape. They are specialized in running and bouncing, wich is further amplified by the fact they wield a great strenght. They can kick with their rear paws like a horse would do. A blow like this is powerful enough to shatter walls and break bones. When running, the Kylns may look like deers, because they’re paws physics are close to theirs, albeit a bit different.

(Design for the paws come from @ciphox 

That leads us to particular characteristics of the Kyiln species. Let’s take a look at what are the most important things that differentiate them from other wildlife

Singing is surely the most important thing in the world for a Kyln. Indeed, the species have very complex and intricate vocal chords wich can produce a near infinite variety of sounds and melodies. From sweet and angel like notes to real deep ones.

A Kyln can also produce high pitched or loud sound, even cacophonies, but it is mostly used as an intimidating and defense mechanism. A last resort of a Kyln is to produce a sound so loud it can cause the ennemy to go deaf and even dommage it’s brain. However, this often cause irreversible dommage to the Kyln vocal chords. 

This is often a death call. In fact, the Kylns often communicates with one another through their melodies, wich are accompanied by their antennaes and eyes to further convey a message. Singing is at the center of the Kyln social life. Without it, a Kyln can’t really communicate with other of it’s kind. This lead to reject from the other Kylns and depression. Due to this, the Kyln with damaged vocal chords often goes mad and angry or let itself slowly die, eaten by depression.

This behavior is really particular, because even though it can’t sing anymore, a Kyln is theoretically able to continue on living. It is almost like singing is what makes a Kyln mostly happy and healthy. Without the ability to sing, it’s almost like a Kyln doesn’t have a reason to live anymore. This fact lead to many artists singing and writing about the tragedy that befall a Kyln without the ability to sing, and further deepen the mistery around their nature. 

Kylns really likes to sing, and it is common for Kylns of a same pack to start singing together. Those choir of Kylns are usually regarded as the most beautiful ones in the animal words. Their chant are so exquisite and delightful they often have been considered as “Angels” singing in the past.

A Pack of Kylns is a neverending source of melodies and sounds, that is way they interest a lot of musicians seeking for inspiration.

Kylns are naturally sociable creatures. They never live alone, even though there are some rare exceptions in some “Heroes”. Kylns are always living in pack of two up to a hundred and more individuals. Each time a pack meets another, they merge, creating a greater pack. The greater the pack, the more complex the social system.

Each Kyln considers the pack and other Kylns very important. That is why a Kyln wil never abandon any members of it’s family or pack, even when confronted to a great danger.

The pack of Kyln is lead by an “Alpha”, that can give orders and control the whole pack. A “Hero” Kyln that decided to go with a pack is almost always the Alpha of the pack. Except for the Alpha, there is no real social status in the family. Every other Kyln is on the same level, and the whole family is regulated by the social interactions each of them have with one another, be it good or bad.

Every Kylns can mate with another Kyln. Interestingly, the Kylns don’t have any gender. It is only when a Kyln find a mate that it can be considered a “Male” or a “Female” even though it is still not true, because after mating, the breeding appendage crumbles away. The “male” of the relationship will see to the need of the “female” bearing the small ones.

Young Kylns are birthed through a birthing canal situated to the rear, just under the tail. They’re birthed like mammals babies. The young Kylns are very small, and comes in litter of two up to four. They have little limbs that are not yet fully developed and they need the protection and milk of the “mother” to grow.

Young Kylns are mind-blowingly curious, often putting themselves in danger, much to the annoyance and worry of their parents and other pack members. They’re also really playful.

In the end, Kylns need social interactions between them to be healthy. They are sociable creatures that are not supposed to live alone. As for their lifespan, usually, Kylns can live up to two hundred years if they’re not killed, if they do not die of a disease and if they’re healthy most of the time in an healthy environment. Usually however, a Kyln will live a hundred years before dying of old age, making the average age of the Kyln species around 140 years old.  “Heroes” Kylns seems to escape those bondaries, and seems to have no clear defined lifespan, making some believe “Heroes” are potentially immortal regarding aging. They can still be killed or die from a disease though.

Kylns possess strange dormant powers. Although this energy is close to Magic, it is not exactly like that. It’s a magic that is different from the natural one.

Kylns are incapable of using the powers that are dormant in them except for one situation : When angry, the energy and emotion will merge and materialize as a threatening aura that can be literally “felt”. This is the only time a Kyln materialize it’s own energy or “Magic”.

Indeed, Kylns possess powers, but they cannot use them. Or don’t want to...it is not yet clear. The possibilities of this magic is unknown.

However, there are Kylns who are different from the rest. This is where the energy is used. The Kylns capable of using their powers or that have been changed by their powers are called “Heroes”.

“Heroes Kylns” are Kylns that are extremely different from the rest of their kind. They are often different in colors and size...but it’s not all. Some of them have physical particularities, such as other antennaes, more eyes, extra limbs, tails. Some of them are Highly intelligent, and can even achieve true sentience.

More importantly, almost all of them can use their powers in a way or another. Their aura is often visible around them when they’re actively using them. Each “Hero” got his own color and aura.

The powers of a Hero Kyln varies greatly between one another. Some of them can use magic of a specific kind and naturally cast spells without any chanting or material. Others can materialize a mirror image of them with their aura that is solid and can act as they order...there is seemingly no limit to the kind of powers a Hero kyln can possess.

However, they are limited to one type of power. No known “Heroes” as used their power in another way differing from their natural power. 

In short, “Heroes” are Kylns with a different appearance or colors, possessing powers and sometimes more intelligent than their counterpart. They also can differ in behavior, some of them living a solitary life, others only hunting preys...there is a lot of possibilities.

“Heroes” are often respected by other Kylns, who are at first intimidated by their aura and powers. It seems like “Normal” Kylns consider them as more than kin, but more like higher entities, and for the stronger ones, gods? If a Hero Kyln decides to join a pack, and if it acts friendly towards other Kylns, the fear will slowly vanish and it will be considered as a true member of the pact, often the Alpha, due to the power and intelligence a hero possess.

Thank you so much, reader, for your attention and interest in the Kyln species. This post is the main post with most of the references and informations. You can find it again by typing “Kyln Main post” in the search bar of my blog.

Creating this creature, I did not know it would have such an attention and success, I’m truly mind blown by the art friends and others did of them at the moment and I can’t thank you, all of you, for this. A big heart for you! This post may be updated with new drawings and infos, if it does, I’d be sure to make a post about it.

And now, I’ll put here all of the art that has been done of the Kyln Species, with credit to all the wonderful artists that have been inspired by them! (And sometimes words about it :3 ) Thank you to everyone!

@undertale-cat first tought the Kylns would have six paws/tippie toes. Turned out they were in fact BIG PUPPIES, PUPPERS LOVE. To be honest, I first imagined them with multiple limbs, but I found it was not right in my eyes and I just scrapped the idea and went for good ol four limbs...albeit with some particularities. Thank you @undertale-cat for this sketch! You can find the post here

A nice traditional art by @ds-comics featuring a pretty big Kyln and a human. There is a nice quote too! Pure white Kylns looks so beautiful and magical too QWQ. Thank you so much @ds-comics for this drawing!

Here we have two sketch from @ds-comics featuring a Kyln and the BIRBS...the Huaji if I’m not mistaken, wich are bird creatures of their imagination. As you can see, a Kyln is pretty chill, letting any friendly creature stay on it’s back if it wants to. And even when there is action around itself, it doesn’t mind, it’s amusing to feel all this commotion. Thank you @ds-comics for those sketches! If you want to know more about the birds creature, go check this post

Here, a possible predator of the Kylns, dubbed “Kyilns Curiosities” straight from @endermancomicfan ‘s imagination. They have natural abilities to help them hunt the formidable preys that are the Kylns. Go give them some love and if you want to know more about them, go check this post . Thank you @endermancomicfan for this drawing and idea! I’ll follow it’s evolution with interest!

@ciphox drawing of a Dark grey/black (A very rare color) Kyiln blew my mind. It’s so good, like, so freaking good. The design for the paws come directly from this drawing. Because I couldn’t have done them better myself, they look almost perfectly like I imagined them to be, almost scary perfect. So you can all thank ciphox for thos wonderful paws design, a million and billion thanks to her!

This Kyln seems angry, even though it’s antennaes are of a yellow color, meaning it’s either curious or happy. Is it happy to have find something to put all of his anger on? Uh oh... either way, they look so frickin nice. I even dare say they have the style of a Hero Kyln, don’t you think? Black is so unique in the Kyln species <3 . Thank a million @ciphox !

@dransnake made a clay Kyln! LIKE A REAL CLAY ONE LOOK AT IT IT’S SO FRICKIN CUTE OMG! Thank you very much for this @dransnake this looks amazing! Go check this post for more pictures of this wonderful creation!