Coeurl
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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 short story Black Destroyer, included later in the novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle. Its resemblance is comparable to a large cat, except that its forelegs are twice as long as its hind legs, and he possesses tentacles (most likely two) attached to its shoulders. These tentacles terminate in seven finger-like protrusions. Its skin coloration is not mentioned, but it may be inferred from the title of the story that it is black. 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 phosphate.
It appears indifferent to environment and can survive in different atmospheres. It also has the ability to manipulate electric vibrations at will, and seems to communicate via these vibrations.
In "Black Destroyer", a creature that calls itself Coeurl lives on an alien planet, feeding on the "id" of local creatures. It is not evil, but it is sentient. When a human starship (the "Space Beagle") 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 he did it, and try to prove it by feeding him phosphates similar to the ones in the victim's brain, but Coeurl is smart enough to pass the test. Eventually however, he is found out and tries to escape, but it is no match for the human's technology, and in the end commits suicide.
[edit] Other appearances
Coeurl appear as common enemies in the Final Fantasy series.
The Displacer beast in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game is inspired by the coeurl.
The Dirty Pair have a coeurl named Mughi as a sidekick.
