Coeurl
Encyclopedia
Coeurl is a fictional alien
race of predators created by the late science fiction
novelist A. E. van Vogt
(1912-2000) and featured in his first published short story "Black Destroyer" (1939), later incorporated in the novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle
(1950). Its resemblance is comparable to a large cat
, except that its forelegs are twice as long as its hind legs, and it possesses tentacles (most likely two) attached to its shoulders which terminate in suction cups. Its skin coloration is not mentioned but, in addition to the story title, is also depicted as black in the cover art for the original magazine appearance. It sustains itself by feeding upon a substance it calls the Id of other beings, which is not related to the Freudian concept but is actually organic
phosphorus
, most probably as the phosphate groups bound in ATP
.
It appears indifferent to environment and can survive in different atmospheres. It also has the ability to manipulate EM radiation
(referred to as "electric vibrations" in the story) at will, and seems to communicate via this method.
In "Black Destroyer", a sentient creature that calls itself Coeurl lives on an alien planet, feeding on the "id" of local creatures. When a human starship
arrives on the planet, they find Coeurl but assume it is an unintelligent animal, and even allow it to come onboard. Coeurl realizes it can feed on humans but plays along in order to learn more about them and their ship. Eventually however, it gives in to hunger and kills and feeds on one of the ship's crew. The crew suspects the Coeurl did it, and tries to prove it by feeding the creature organically-bound phosphorus similar to that in the victim's bones, but Coeurl is smart enough to pass the test. Eventually however, it is found out and tries to escape, but it is no match for the humans' technology, and in the end commits suicide.
When "Black Destroyer" was incorporated into The Voyage of the Space Beagle
, several changes were made in Coeurl's anatomy and physiology-- for example, Coeurl's tentacles originally ended in tentacled fingers, but were changed in the novel to suction cups, and the dietary chemical was changed from phosphorus to potassium. In the novel, it is theorized that the members of Coeurl's race were pets or servants of the original inhabitants of the planet.
series, usually with enlarged tentacle-like whiskers.
The displacer beast
in the Dungeons & Dragons
role-playing game
was inspired by the coeurl—the two have the same idea of tentacles coming from the shoulders, as well as a feline appearance, and the displacer beast uses "vibrations" to confuse its enemies.
The Dirty Pair
have a coeurl named Mughi as a sidekick.
Coeurls inhabit Mount Zoaka in the MUD Lusternia.
A combat droid used by the lead character in David Gerrold
's novel A Season for Slaughter is similarly catlike and vocalises the word "Coeurl" when it is on standby and awaiting further orders.
The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
was able to secure permission for a single use of Van Vogt's original coeurl in the adventure booklet The End of Eternity.
Extraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
race of predators created by the late science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novelist A. E. van Vogt
A. E. van Vogt
Alfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century: the "Golden Age" of the genre....
(1912-2000) and featured in his first published short story "Black Destroyer" (1939), later incorporated in the novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Voyage of the Space Beagle is a classic novel of science fiction by A. E. van Vogt in the space opera subgenre.The novel is a "fix-up" compilation of four previously published SF stories:...
(1950). Its resemblance is comparable to a large cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
, except that its forelegs are twice as long as its hind legs, and it possesses tentacles (most likely two) attached to its shoulders which terminate in suction cups. Its skin coloration is not mentioned but, in addition to the story title, is also depicted as black in the cover art for the original magazine appearance. It sustains itself by feeding upon a substance it calls the Id of other beings, which is not related to the Freudian concept but is actually organic
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
phosphorus
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is the chemical element that has the symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidized state, as inorganic phosphate rocks...
, most probably as the phosphate groups bound in ATP
Adenosine triphosphate
Adenosine-5'-triphosphate is a multifunctional nucleoside triphosphate used in cells as a coenzyme. It is often called the "molecular unit of currency" of intracellular energy transfer. ATP transports chemical energy within cells for metabolism...
.
It appears indifferent to environment and can survive in different atmospheres. It also has the ability to manipulate EM radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space...
(referred to as "electric vibrations" in the story) at will, and seems to communicate via this method.
In "Black Destroyer", a sentient creature that calls itself Coeurl lives on an alien planet, feeding on the "id" of local creatures. When a human starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
arrives on the planet, they find Coeurl but assume it is an unintelligent animal, and even allow it to come onboard. Coeurl realizes it can feed on humans but plays along in order to learn more about them and their ship. Eventually however, it gives in to hunger and kills and feeds on one of the ship's crew. The crew suspects the Coeurl did it, and tries to prove it by feeding the creature organically-bound phosphorus similar to that in the victim's bones, but Coeurl is smart enough to pass the test. Eventually however, it is found out and tries to escape, but it is no match for the humans' technology, and in the end commits suicide.
When "Black Destroyer" was incorporated into The Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Voyage of the Space Beagle
The Voyage of the Space Beagle is a classic novel of science fiction by A. E. van Vogt in the space opera subgenre.The novel is a "fix-up" compilation of four previously published SF stories:...
, several changes were made in Coeurl's anatomy and physiology-- for example, Coeurl's tentacles originally ended in tentacled fingers, but were changed in the novel to suction cups, and the dietary chemical was changed from phosphorus to potassium. In the novel, it is theorized that the members of Coeurl's race were pets or servants of the original inhabitants of the planet.
Other appearances
Coeurl appear as feline enemies in the Final FantasyFinal Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
series, usually with enlarged tentacle-like whiskers.
The displacer beast
Displacer beast
A displacer beast is a fictional creature from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.-Publication history:The displacer beast was inspired by the coeurl, a feline-like creature from the 1939 science fiction story "Black Destroyer" by A. E...
in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
was inspired by the coeurl—the two have the same idea of tentacles coming from the shoulders, as well as a feline appearance, and the displacer beast uses "vibrations" to confuse its enemies.
The Dirty Pair
Dirty Pair
is a series of sci-fi comedy light novels written by Haruka Takachiho and illustrated by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko that was later adapted into anime and manga versions....
have a coeurl named Mughi as a sidekick.
Coeurls inhabit Mount Zoaka in the MUD Lusternia.
A combat droid used by the lead character in David Gerrold
David Gerrold
Jerrold David Friedman , better known by his pen name David Gerrold, is an American science fiction author who started his career in 1966 while a college student by submitting an unsolicited story outline for the television series Star Trek. He was invited to submit several premises, and the one...
's novel A Season for Slaughter is similarly catlike and vocalises the word "Coeurl" when it is on standby and awaiting further orders.
The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game
The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is a fantasy role-playing game first published in 2009 by Paizo Publishing...
was able to secure permission for a single use of Van Vogt's original coeurl in the adventure booklet The End of Eternity.