29 June, 2012

Daedalus Creatures - Sifter


The Sifter is an omnivorous beast used predominantly as pack animals and for riding. Measuring 6' to the shoulder their long necks allow them to tower over their human owners but for the most part these creatures are quite docile.

The Sifter is named for its method of finding food. By dragging its lower jaw through the sand and then shaking its head side to side, the sifter can separate out edible insects and lizards to be consumed.

The bony ridges that protrude from either side of the Sifter's head protect its open airways, which are located down the side of its neck, from sandstorms and predators. This is why a Sifter in distress will lower its head.

Easily trained the Sifter makes for a loyal and trustworthy mount and they have even been known to perform well in combat situations. A unit of well-armed Sifter cavalry makes for a mobile and lethal shock-troop.

27 June, 2012

Daedalus Creatures - Basilisk


Tonight's monstrosity is the Basilisk.

A reptilian carnivore found throughout the desert the Basilisk is a wily predator that is known to hunt in packs. By spraying its prey with a paralytic venom the Basilisks are able to gnaw off chunks of meat while the victim is helpless. A membrane underneath the Basilisks jaw stretches to accommodate large meals and is filled with acidic chemicals which help to break down food. This process can take a long time, during which the Basilisk is lethargic, and it is at this stage that a clever hunter will strike.

The origin of a Basilisk can be identified by it's tail shape. The deserts around Daedalus are home to the Crescent-tailed Basilisk. It is theorized that the tail and head crests are used for courtship. While this remains unproven male Basilisks do boast much more impressive crests than their female counterparts which lends credence to this theory.

A male Basilisk can grow to be 3'5" in length while females grow up to 4' long.

23 June, 2012

Daedalus Creatures - Mollusk



Some concept work for one of the lower links in the Daedalus food-chain. It's a bit creepy I know, but that's the point.

The Mollusk is a spider-like parasite with ten legs that are each capped with a manipulating claw. It uses these to bring food up to its mouth which sits under the hard shell. While these critters can roam about scavenging for food they prefer to find a host that they can latch onto, curling in their legs so that they appear as a black-brown dome on the hosts skin.

Their meat can be cooked and eaten safely and once hollowed out their shells can be used for a number of things, namely as bowls. However, due to their strength they can also be used in the fashioning of armour.

A regular adult Mollusk will grow to about 4" in diameter but they have been known to get much larger when attached to a large host. The largest Mollusk found to date was 12" across.

More creatures to come.

16 June, 2012

Just Practice



Didn't have anything particularly exciting to comic up today, so instead I spent an hour or so practicing. I quite enjoy drawing eyes, especially in Photoshop because once you're done you can hue shift the iris and get all these cool colour surprises.

So I've noticed that a large portion of my views are coming from overseas and I have to wonder. Who ARE you people? How did you find my strange little corner of the internet?

Please, leave a comment and let me know where you are in the world. I'm most intrigued.

*Edit* Also, I'm moments away from hitting 30,000 total views. Thank you muchly.

02 June, 2012

Linath


Here's some commissioned map-work for a friend. I'm about to read the story she wrote that this belongs to...