Anatomically Correct Triskelion

Triskeles are popular Celtic decorative motifs. Everyone from modern day retro-Pagans to jewelry makers to Celtic bands uses them for the cool factor.

But there is a little known creature, possibly mythical, that is depicted on flags and coins from disparate island regions of Europe.

Flag of Sicily:

Isle of Man Penny:

So naturally, this got me thinking about the Triskelion as an actual creature. And, as it turns out, in my own World, there is such a creature.

It's not been properly studied and is not amenable to life with people. It's not cute & cuddly and is useless as a hunting beast. So no one really wants to have anything to do with the poor Triskelion.

• Here follows the best cobbled description I have of it:

  A rather odd creature is the Triskelion, the three legged runner of the wild marches of Eosphora, rushing & dashing about as it does upon its three legs. Triskelions are scavengers, generally eating dead rodents, small dragonets & evets, they have been known to almost merrily tread upon and gobble nadders as well.

  The anatomists tell us that the Triskelion is a most confounding creature. They have no lungs or heart or brain; and are mostly composed of muscle, bone and sinews. The singular eye, they say, is held in place by many strands of fine sinews. The cavernous mouth leads to a strange cavity into which many fine hairlike fingers protrude.

  While Triskelions do take somewhat the appearance of Men --- they have a single eye, often beautifully coloured, a nose, a mouth with crooked teeth and lolling tongue and a single ear as well as their characteristic legs & feet --- they have no language and no apparent awareness of their surroundings as one might expect of a person. They make no tools or houses. They wander the wildlands aimlessly, mostly alone, sometimes in loose gangs of perhaps a dozen. They are generally skittish; but when riled, their terrifying speed and ability to leap & kick make them formidable opponents to all but the bravest & boldest warriors.

  A Triskelion may stand upon one straightened leg, which it does, seemingly to gauge a sense of it surrounds. It may hop upon its toes to gain a little height. Triskelions have been known to stand or kneel upon two legs whilst leaning upon a tree or rock, as if propping themselves up for a well earned siesta! When resting, they seem to prefer folding up their legs and resting upon their knees.

• Query:

  Given the physical form of the Triskelion and what little is known of its anatomy, physiology and behaviour; how might such a creature evolve?

I'm looking especially at this creature's curious anatomy (some kind of "pouch", no apparent heart or brain, etc) and wondering how it might have come to be.

One of many queries in the Anatomically Correct Series.

posted about 6 years ago

elemtilas‭

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