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Patrick Toman writes...

Hi, Greg.

I guess this is sort of a combination ramble and question, growing from a discussion that got started in the TGS comment room.

First, the ramble that explains the origin of my question. I recently saw part of a documentary on PBS about birds (David Attenburough's "Life of Birds" series) and a segment was shown about endangered species of birds being raised by humans from eggs to be released into the wild later. Part of it showed how whooping crane chicks raised completely by humans were being taught how to fly. It was really rather comical... the people were running about flapping their arms, but in the end by mimicing the gestures the young cranes caught on and were able to get into the air for their first flights.

So now to the question... would Katharine, Tom, and the Magus have applied anything similar to help the Avalon hatchlings learn how to glide, or did they simply leave the young gargoyles to their own devices and instincts?

And also related to this... how old must a gargoyle be before it's ready to begin gliding? Does it vary from individual to individual, or does a rookery all mature at about the same rate?

Greg responds...

1. Both, I think. If for no other reason than it would be fun to show in flashback someday.

2. I bet it varies a bit. Just as walking and talking, etc. varies among human children. Even between siblings.

Response recorded on July 05, 2000

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A Fan writes...

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the accuracy of my hypothesis. I know you are likely to be cryptic, so I promise to be only somewhat annoyed it you are, although I'd prefer if you weren't.

About time travel, why is the Phoenix Gate the only time travel device out there? Or is it?

It is likely the only magical way, because if not, why would Oberon want it so badly? Unless it is like a washing machine. You can wash it by hand but you'd rather use a machine.

You've established that the past cannot be changed, and that Xanatos's current position in society is solely because of his little trip to the past.

Establishing that the Phoenix Gate is gone, except for its little TimeDancing trip, does that mean that time travel in the gargoyles universe is now totally impossible?

the final question would have to be, since you don't believe in a changable past, does the Gargoyles universe contain parallel time tracks, entire other universes with a different version of events.

Finally, I apologize if I missed previous answers to these questions. I have been reading the archive since it started, but my memory is a little bad at times.

Greg responds...

1. I didn't say that the Gate is the only device out there. Depending on your point of view, one could say the Grimorum acted as a one-way time travel device for Goliath et al. And for the Coldtrio as well.

2. Who said Oberon wanted it so badly? Puck thought it would make a good bribe. Who knows if he was even right?

3. I wouldn't say "solely" but sure, what's your point?

4. Not necessarily. But I'd never make it easy. (And calling TimeDancer a "little...trip" is the understatement of the day, at least.

5. Ehhh.... Those things tend to be abused whenever they're introduced. Look at the X-Men. That book became unreadable to me eventually. As I've said before, I'm open to thinking about parallel universe/tracks etc. But I tend to think I'll end up saying no.

6. S'O.K.

Response recorded on July 05, 2000

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Joxter the Mighty writes...

A couple of questions about, of all things.... Shaving.

1. Xanatos- Electric or old fashioned razor?

2. Owen- Does he need to shave at all, or is a side effect of the "out Vogeled vogel" character include always being clean cut?

The gargs- In the past whenever anyone assumed that Hudson is odd because only has a beard and that the other gargs don't shave, you've basically responded "Who said they didn't". So...

3. *DO* the other gargs need to shave?

4. If so, what do they shave with, particularly Goliath on the Avalon tour?

5. Would Brooklyn ever seriously consider growing a beard, since it'd probably look rather akward on his beak?

6. COuld Brooklyn grow a beard even if he wanted to?

Just an odd tangent I was suddeny inspired to ask. Thanks for your time Greg.

Greg responds...

1. Ask Fox.

2. He shaves.

3. Not Angela.

4. Superman checked in periodically, and volunteered his heat-vision.

5. Would you in his circumstances?

6. Only a Goatee.

Response recorded on June 26, 2000

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Lexy writes...

Hey Greg.

Did Lex hatch after his Brothers Brooklyn and Broadway?

If so round about how meny? (if you answered this..Ill understand)

People seem to that his hatching later plays a role in his size and personality..like it made some big difference..can you tell me if that is true or if that is how he is regardless of a few lousy days?? IE: he's less mature or short? *L* I dont think it does..but I realized I never really asked the man so here it is

Thanks again:)

Greg responds...

They all hatched about the same time, give or take a few hours.

How many what?

It's got nothing to do with anything. Don't you know two people who have close to the same birthday who are different heights? What does date of birth have to do with size?

Response recorded on June 23, 2000

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Doug writes...

Alright so I wanna get this straight. So if gargoyles don't age at all when they are "asleep" and when they are awake they age at half speed right? So they really only age at quarter speed of humans right which would have made goliath 29 as of the last episode of hunters moon thats human years which would mean he has actually been alive for 58 years total right? not counting the BIG SLEEP.

Greg responds...

No. They age normally when awake. They basically don't age when asleep. So all told, they age at half-speed.

And yet, because, frankly, your math is awful, you still basically you got the numbers right.

Response recorded on June 23, 2000

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Vashkoda writes...

1) Without stating my obvious suspicion lest it be interpreted as a new idea, who will Bronx's mate be? 2) What gender is/are the gargoyle beast/s on Avalon other than Boudicca? 3) Do you have any specific plans for that big red beast we saw in "Bushido", or was it just thrown in by the artists? 4) When the Guatamalan clan's eggs hatch, will there be any beasts? 5) Are all gargoyle beasts land-bound?

Greg responds...

1. Boudicca, of course.

2. Male and female.

3. We get to everything eventually.

4. Yes.

5. Pretty much. (If I get your meaning.)

Response recorded on June 23, 2000

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The mysterion writes...

Are gargoyles red blooded?

Greg responds...

Yep. (See "Awakening, Part One")

Response recorded on June 20, 2000

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Faieq Ali writes...

This question has been eating away at me for two years. I can't find an answer to it. So I decided to come and ask the man who helped produce the gargoyles themselves.

What happens to the pieces of stone skin that the gargoyles shed at sunset?. Something has to happen to it or else it would pile up on the battlements of the castle or fall on the streets below. In one episode , I can't remember it's name, the stone skin falls on top of a man who was walking under the clocktower. In 'The Price', Hudson escapes with the aid of his stone skin. So what does happen to the stone casing of a gargoyle, do they store it in the basement for some strange use? Do they eat it? Does it get absorbed by the ground? What's the answer, I need to know!!!

Greg responds...

They sweep it up and toss it in the dust bin.

Response recorded on June 14, 2000

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Scientific Addendum to Wind Ceremony

Even in peaceful times, Gargoyles -- even very old gargoyles -- all but never died in their sleep. Sleep for gargoyles is borderline suspended animation. If an old, weary Gargoyle actually made it to daylight and stone, that bit of sleep would tend to freeze the aging process, the deterioration if you will. Rejuvenate the gargoyle even just a little bit. They'd be much more likely to die after the sun went down, after transforming back into flesh. Even before the iron age, when Gargoyles had little to fear from most any species, when turning to stone was an excellent daytime defense and not a liability, most ancient Gargoyles died just before sunrise, after an exhausting night, rather than after the sun had risen.

So again, the disturbing notion of surviving gargoyle mourners having to pulverize a perfectly preserved stone corpse is a veritable non-issue. The practice of reducing stone remains to dust was a result of gargoyles having to come to terms with stone-sleep having become a vulnerability. If you're loved one is already rubble, there isn't much reason to keep the rubble intact. That doesn't mean the process isn't emotionally painful. But not much more painful, I would think, then cremating a corpse of flesh. (Though of course it's more immediate. You are doing the damage, not the Fire.) At any rate, that was the custom that evolved.


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Joxter the Mighty writes...

I know you find this a silly question Greg, but I'm genuinely curious... I'm only looking for a simple "Yes" or "No" answer. In fact, I'll appeal to your logic. In this case, just answering the question "Yes" or "No" would be quicker than you typing out whatever reason you have for not wanting to answer the question.

So the question is, and I really am honestly curious...

Do gargoyles leave marks on hardwood floors when walking across them?

Greg responds...

Depends.

Response recorded on April 07, 2000

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Wing writes...

Can you define your idea of true sentience?

Greg responds...

Probably not. But I'd start with Descarte...

If you can say "I think therefore I am" and grapple with its meaning, as opposed to its mere pronunciation...

Well, that's a starting point.

Response recorded on April 07, 2000

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Zeliard writes...

Hi mr. Weisman! Yet another ASK GREG question...

I was wondering about what Sevarius said in Metamorphosis. He says that a geneticly engineered creature will take years to develop, so he created a mutegen to inject on human host.

1.Just how long does it take to create genticly a creature?

2.Did you ever plan to have artificial creatures created by mankind in Gargoyles?

Thanx, and have a nice day!

Greg responds...

1. As I've said before, I'm not big on quantifying things.

2. Eventually. The clones were a first step.

Response recorded on April 07, 2000

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Kevin writes...

What's your theory on time/time travel. Do you believe that it is possible to go back in time and change history, or do you think that whatever was done in the past would have to contribute into the future because it has already been done. I don't know if I'm making sense anymore, but I think you get the general quesion here, oh well. Thank you for your time.

Greg responds...

If we're talking GARG UNIVERSE, obviously I believe in the closed system. History can't be changed. Any and all time travel has already been figured into the equation.

If you're asking me what I think... Well, I don't pretend to know. But a non-closed system doesn't make any logical sense to me. If one can stand outside of time to travel in it, then logically time exists. And I refer you to my first paragraph -- back in the past...

Response recorded on April 05, 2000

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The Gremlin writes...

Who is Desdemona and Iago? Why are desdemona's wings weird looking like she has four of them?

Greg responds...

You seem to know the answer to your first question.

Desdemona and Iago were off-camera names that we gave to Coldfire and Coldsteel, i.e. Coldstone's other two personalities, the other gargoyles that were used to make up his body.

And Desdemona simply has a different wing-type than most of the others. As does Lex. And Griff. Etc.

Response recorded on April 04, 2000

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Aris Katsaris writes...

Okay, let me ask the 'faster-than-light' question in a different way: As far as I know, current scientific theory holds that all faster-than-light travel is to some extent time-travel as well, which can lead to paradoxes, etc.

So... my question is: In your universe is there faster-than-light travel which is *not* time-travel in any sense?

Greg responds...

Even faster than light travel isn't instantaneous (though it may seem to be depending on the distance travelled). So by definition, any journey takes one not only through space but also through time. Forward, at least.

I realize that isn't the kind of answer you were looking for.

And that amuses me.

Response recorded on March 31, 2000

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Michael Norton writes...

You have stated that newly hatched gargoyles need to be nursed. How did Katherine, Magus, and Tom manage to handle that when the eggs hatched on Avalon?

Greg responds...

Good question. Somehow Avalon provided.

Response recorded on March 25, 2000

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Dr. Kerry Jackson writes...

Dear Mr. Weisman,

First, simply, thank you for your continuing effort to revive the Gargoyles series and the attention you pay to its fans. as a stockholder of Disney, I send my proxy ballot in with "Bring back the Gargoyles" written under my vote. My annual write in for Goliath as board of directors has failed so far, but there is always next year.

I am preparing a poster presentation on the evolution of gargoyles (lower case "g")for the Gathering 2000 as an art display. Let me apologize for the assertion that gargoyles, due to anatomical features such as otic (ear) structure, mammae, hair, and others are in the Class Mammalia. The oviparous (egg laying) character places them with the Subclass Protheria (1 extant and 3 extinct orders). Their Order, Family, Genus and species classifications are yet to be determined. My audacity is based upon the excess of letters which follow my family name.

Now the questions

1) Should apterylus (without wings) gargoyles be considered parthenogenic (lays fertile, viable eggs without a mate)?

2) Proposed Genus and Species name: Diurnosominus lapidermis (stone skinned day sleeper). Apterylus lapidermic for Bronx. Sound OK?

Your delightful characters have also resulted in a few stories of my own, but let's not go there.

Greg responds...

Uh, some of this is over my head, but...

As I've said before (see the Gargoyle Science Archive here at ASK GREG), Gargoyles aren't Mammals, though they share some traits in common. We've dubbed them Gargates. A whole other class. (Which frankly frees me to create them as I see fit.) Gargoyle Beasts are also gargates. Is that what you're referring to in your first question? Cause Bronx is a male, and would need to mate with the female Boudicca to have any offspring.

2. Uh, I guess it sounds OK, but I'm not going to accept it as canon without doing some research on my own.

Response recorded on March 24, 2000

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Pyro X writes...

Greg:

I collected some "Official" Gargoyles trading cards, and on the backs they gave the heights and weights in in stone and flesh, but they gave all these details sparingly. would you consider these weights, Etc. "Official"? If not, I guess I can discard these as not true.

Greg responds...

I just don't know. I'm not good with numbers. So they may be right, if, for example, Frank Paur provided them. But I don't know if he did.

Response recorded on March 22, 2000

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Ambrosia writes...

Hi Greg!
I was thinking about gargoyle aging... it's been well established that because gargoyles turn to stone during the day, they are ultimatey in stone hibernation for half of every year and so, age at one half the speed of humans. But here's a thought: humans grow physically while they sleep- all our bodily functions still operate- but we don't grow intellectually or learn anything, right? So, since humans age physically and not mentally while they sleep and gargoyles do not age either way, wouldn't a twenty-year-old gargoyle *look* like a ten-year-old, but be as developed and intelligent as a twenty-year-old?

Greg responds...

Only experientially.

Response recorded on March 22, 2000

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Aaron writes...

Greg, thanks for taking these questions. I'm sure you've answered this before, but I can't find any mention of it in the archives.

You've stated that female gargoyles have a worldwide 20-year fertility cycle.

1. Does Demona conform to this cycle, or does her being forever 70(35) short-circuit that?

2. The last question applied for about nine hundred years. But now, what effect do Demona's daily transformations have on her reproductive cycle? I remember a question about this, but I think all you said was that Puck didn't design the spell with pregnancy in mind.

3. When Demona changes to a human, is it simply an exterior, cosmetic change, or does she become fully human internally? I'm betting the former, since she doesn't seem to have a belly button in human form, but that could be either an animation glitch or simply a detail too small to pick up.

4. If she does make a full change, does she have a human reproductive system, and all the monthly fun that comes with it?

Thanks again.

Greg responds...

1. Yes. She does. After all, until Puck, she conformed to the day/night cycle. But that doesn't mean she HAS to mate.

2. No. But as I said, I think the magic would compensate for a pregnancy... ON THE HUGE ASSUMPTION that she ever gets pregnant.

3. Fully human.

4. Yes, during the day.

Response recorded on March 09, 2000

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Aris Katsaris writes...

In "Hunter's Moon" one of the requirement for Demona's spell to work was that it should be cast in "holy ground". For that reason she uses an abandoned church... The question I'm going to ask is a bit vague, but hopefully you'll understand it: what does this place's "holiness" as pertaining to the spell, derive from? Is it something all places of worship would have, even "pagan" ones? Does it derive from people considering it 'holy' or is an objective "gift" (so to speak) from the deity in question and thus unrelated to belief?

It's almost certainly something which you couldn't answer within the series (I think), but perhaps you could answer it here... :-)

Greg responds...

I want to posit that some ground just is holy. Or perhaps more clinically, these locations act as a nexus of mystic energy. The fact that churches temples, etc. are often built on such spots is no coincidence. There may be a guiding force. A sense that this is a place of prayer. Of connection to God, or the Great Spirit or the Earth or WHATEVER.

Anyway, that's how I see the Gargoyles' Universe working.

Response recorded on February 25, 2000

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Todd Jensen writes...

You've stated that gargoyles, in your vision at least, came about naturally in the way that all other living things did, and were not creations of faerie or human magic. I certainly feel that that's the most probable explanation for them. But something that I would like to raise is this - in the Gargoyles Universe, would it even be possible to create a genuinely sentient race using magic?

My own feeling is that it isn't, based on what I saw in the series. Oberon, one of the most powerful magic-users in the Gargoyles Universe, animates a number of statues in "The Gathering Part Two" to aid him against Goliath and his clan, but the statues remained made out of stone rather than becoming flesh and blood, and showed no sign of true sentience in battling the clan, no more so than - say - the Steel Clan. The same thing was the case with Raven's "totem beasts" in "Heritage", who, when animated by him, remained made out of wood and also behaved more like automatons than like truly alive and intelligent beings. And in "Golem", the Golem that was created by Rabbi Loew likewise didn't come across to me as truly sentient, but just a walking clay statue - it never even spoke except when Renard was possessing it. (The Golem did show some dim signs of genuine awareness, but not on the level of a gargoyle, certainly).

So, what I'm basically asking here is - aside from your belief that gargoyles were not created by magic - would it even be possible in the Gargoyles Universe to magically create a truly sentient being or race? Or is such a thing beyond the capabilities of any being other than God?

Greg responds...

I think it would be basically impossible to create sentience from scratch. Which doesn't mean that someone like the Golem or Matrix might not evolve into true sentience. (Neither is there yet, in my opinion.)

Response recorded on February 23, 2000

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Jennifer writes...

Can a female gargoyle have a muzzle/beak, aka Brooklyn, or is it strictly a male characteristic? Thanks :)

Greg responds...

Yes, a female can.

Response recorded on February 20, 2000

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Michalene writes...

Hi Greg (and Gore),
I've never seen the Gargs shaving ;o). If they shed their skin every evening, they probably cannot grow any hair - then how come Hudson has a beard?

Greg responds...

You've never seen them spit either, but that doesn't mean they never do.

Response recorded on February 17, 2000

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Alan "Ordell" Coleman writes...

Does the Third Race see human science as a type of magic?

Greg responds...

I guess. Isn't it?

Response recorded on February 14, 2000


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