The Flying Trigofox

Deep in the Forests of Realm-R finds the Ancient Moss Forest where the Flying Trigofox resides. They glide gracefully between the towering moss trees, tails shimmering with geometric precision. This mischievous monster is a master of trigonometry, effortlessly navigating its environment using angles, distances and the secrets of sine, cosine and tangent.  

CHARACTERISTICS

by AvalonCollierArt
A mix between bat, butterfly and hyena.
— A Traveller lucky enough to see one.
  • Rune pocket, hidden on their front body
  • Four wings sprouting from back, inner side covered in triangular patterns
  • Tail with wings on end
  • Blues, greens, and orange colouring
  • Back of wings, body and top of feet covered in a moss-like fur, so they can camouflage themselves within the mossy trees
  • As they are so closely entwined within the Ancient Moss Forest that they can manipulate the forest around them, the Ancient Moss Forest is known as enchanted
 

BEHAVIOUR

Mischievous and playful, the flying Trigofox adapts its surrounds as an act of play. Within the Ancient Moss Forest, there are many trigonometry math challenges that take place, set up by Trigofoxes. There are many runes throughout the Forest. Were they left by World Builders to let the monsters play with? Or were they created by the Trigofoxes to move the Forests to their will?   Whenever a Trigofox leaves the Ancient Moss Forest, they will carry a rune (or multiple) in their hidden rune pocket. Covered in the same fur as their body, their rune pocket seamlessly fits on them, unseen unless the Trigofox is actively pulling out or putting in a rune. They may do this to show off, or highlight their ability to manipulate the world around them via this rune and their attachment to it… As they are mischievous though, the ‘fact’ that they need this rune could simply be a multi generational ploy to fool the Lakamhaans and any others exerting the Forests. The only ones who may know the right answers to any of these questions would be the Mossy Shrooms, but entering into any kind of conversation is a feat in itself … and that's provided you can find one.   Trigofoxes love children. Partly because they are more likely to play with them, and partly because they are easier to carry. Children are also more likely to take challenges given by Trigofoxes seriously, as well as see the Ancient Moss Forest as a secret wonder. However, most Lakamhaan children are taught not to go to the Ancient Moss Forest. Thus, the Trigofoxes are mostly left to play with Shrooms and Hunters. They loved Cualli - a respected Hunter from a young age. Cualli has recently been given jurisdiction of the Ancient Moss Forest - playing with Trigofoxes, completing their challenges, reporting to Shrooms, and checking for food source dangers and kidnapped children brought in by the Evolved Trigofoxes.   Flying Trigofoxes nest in the trees of the Ancient Moss Forest. Their nests are filled with the moss of the trees, allowing them to look as branches from above when they sleep, as they sleep covering themselves with their largest wings. They tend to nest closer to the ground when young, and higher up when older. Family units will have multiple nests in a single tree (or cluster of trees), with the older members in the high branches and babies quite close to the ground. Their nests are built up as the grow, often decorated with colourful flowers and vines unique to each Trigofox. As the tree grows, the Trigofox ages and the nests rise up. Whether Trigofoxes are as old as the trees look, or the trees are enchanted to grow at the Trigofoxes whim is another question for the elusive Mossy Shrooms.  

Food

Trigofoxes mostly eat berries and meat. The younger they are, the more berries in their diet, the older they are the more meat. Some flowers (like the Pimly Daylilies) and the Runatell Flower (only grows around runes) are also part of their diet. Young Trigofoxes have much amusement playing with and eating Prickle Berry Bush Monsters.  

FOREST ENCHANTMENT

If you thought the ‘trigo’ in trigofox relates to trigonometry you would be correct! The Trigofoxes' favourite challenges to give to forest visitors and residents alike are math challenges on trigonometry. The Flying Trigonometry especially likes Trigonometry A and B from the Stage 5 NSW Math Syllabus - finding angles and side lengths of right angled triangles using sine, cosine and tangent ratios, finding angles of elevation & depression and using bearings. They have such fun using their tails to create and measure angles.  
by AvalonCollierArt (TF) & TaraFaeBelle (stone)
In sections of the Ancient Moss Forest, the trees' branches have grown into the ground to make right angled triangles with their trunks and the ground. There are often runes and stone tablets in these areas set up by the Trigofoxes for riddles and challenges. One section even has a pigpen cipher carved into a large stone platform Trigofoxes use to add an extra depth to their challenges.  
by Tara Fae Belle
To leave the forest, a code is needed to be placed into the Forest Gateway. The code is created by writing angles or distances on the stone tablets provided by the Trigofoxes (same type of stone they carry with runes on it), and then placing those stones onto the gateway puzzle.

 

EVOLVED TRIGOFOX

The oldest of Trigofox may evolve into an Evolved Trigofox. Evolved Trigofoxes live higher in the branches of the tallest trees as they fly further and have more strength and endurance. They are also much bigger and more likely to be involved with puzzles to do with Trigonometry C or D (3D trigonometry, trigonometric functions, the unit circle and exact values). There are less Evolved Trigofoxes than Flying Trigofoxes.

Cover image: by AvalonCollierArt

Comments

Author's Notes

The Flying Trigofox is a math monster first appearing for my Patreons on Jan 2025. It also plays a large part in my Trigonomety Escape Room on TPT.


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Apr 2, 2025 03:44 by Valentine

The art reminds me of neopets!

Apr 2, 2025 07:11 by Tara Fae Belle

XD