Nurth had been thick through the middle for as long as he could remember. Notably stout, but with respectable strength and reasonably good hunting prowess despite his unusual proportions.
He didn't show the same aggressive or competitive tendencies as the other males in his clan. Nurth stood out as remarkably submissive, a self-described loner, and an obvious target for derision and rumors. Some said he selfishly hoarded or devoured the proceeds of his hunts, while others assumed his skills were overstated; that he must be stealing from clan mates to support himself.
Few thought he could ever carve out a claim for territory or mates, least of all his own dam and sire. He spent more and more time on his own. Entire days exploring, hunting, and generally just trying to say out of the way.
During one such day, he found a cave that offered a remarkable garden of mineral deposits, and possibly undiscovered gems. A natural spring trickled past his toes. Cascading beams of eroded skylight cast the chamber in eerie hues. He peered up, noting a hint of movement, squinting as a tumbling stalk resolved against the glare. Back and forth, floating, bumping the cave wall... drifting down. He reared on his hind legs, and met a dancing pink feather of unusual size.
"What manner of bird sheds such plumage?" he wondered.

*****
Thank you so much to  Altastria for this incredible YCH, with amazing attention to detail and some lovely customizations. I imagine this shape reflects Nurth at an early age, and the feather was a perfect touch.
Original submission: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/44767006/