MAoI - Braktaroid

Name: Braktaroid

Environment: Swamps, Bogs, Marshes

Diet: omnivore

This elegant predator is the scourge of the marshes. The Braktaroid belongs to the largest carnivores in the Ileyehen swamps and is a fast, powerful and intelligent hunter. Its slightly webbed body is adorned with a back and tail fin, which - in combination with the clear protective eye lids - allows it to hunt in the murky waters, too.



Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_harvester.jpg

MAoI - Harvester Beast

Name: Harvester (Beast)

Environment: Swamps, Bogs, Marshes

Diet: herbivore

The wings of these critters have shrivelled over the centuries, leaving the Harvester Beast unable to fly. It does use the wings as diving aids though. Despite its great size the Harvester is usually a calm animal. It grazes on the bottom of bogs for algae and lives in family packs of up to a dozen individuals. The boned end of the tail serves as a defence mechanism.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_honeycomb.jpg

MAoI - Honeycomb Monkey

Name: Honeycomb (Monkey)

Environment: Rainforests

Diet: omnivore

There are rather few simian creature on Ileyeah, but the Honeycomb Monkey is one of them. Male and female Honeycombs differ in the way the colour flows in their coat: females have yellow and and white fur, while males are yellow and dark gold. They are highly social and live in large family groups.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_doncar.jpg

MAoI - Doncar

Name: Doncar

Environment: Rainforests

Diet: mainly herbivore, with occasional insects thrown in

This critter is purely nocturnal and rarely ever sees the ground of the forest it lives in. Doncars live in the tops of trees where the additional paw at their tail tip makes for an excellent climbing aid. The Doncar‘s huge ears and keen sight make it difficult prey for even the wiliest predator ... and, if
caught, it will defend itself fiercly with its strong beak and claws.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/1324946864.bloodhoundomega_maoi_devilgoat_devilram.jpg

MAoI - Devilgoat & Devilram

Name left: Devilgoat

Despite being an ungulate the Devilgoat is carnivorous. It is a solitary critter living in the rocky outskirts of the desert that lead into the mountains. It hunts by stealth, although it stalks its prey on hooves rather than paws it is
an extremely successful hunter.

***

Name right: Devilram


Unlike its cousin the Devilgoat, the Devilram is rather social and lives in large herds. They are by far more ferocious though and are usually a danger to any other creature that they encounter. An exception is a special clan of Bloodhounds which shares a mysterious bond with the red beasts of the sand.

Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_antassia2.jpg

MAoI - Antassia

Name: Antassia, "Jungle Shark"

Environment: Rainforests

Diet: carnivore

The so called “Jungle Shark” is a swift hunter that roams the jungle alone or in small packs of up to four animals. Rudimentary webbing indicates that the Antassia once was a water dwelling creature. The byname “Jungle Shark”
derives from the fact that the spikes on the hunched back appearing between bushes is often the last thing an unsuspecting prey animal sees.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_swampaloe.jpg

Flight Lessons

I was given green light to publish my piece for the upcomming 2012 Rare Antho Calendar - Mythical Creatures.

I was thinking of an interesting way to display gryphons, tried to think of different cultures in which they appear to limit ideas down, but gryphons are basically known all over the world in one form or the other, so that was not a helpful concept. Somehow I then got the idea of a family-orientated piece; a grown up gryph assisting its offspring during a first flight lesson and this is what I came up with. :)

The piece was challenging, as was taking part in this project, and I certainly hope I managed to live up to everybody's expectation. 8x

Pre-Orders for the calendars are open! --> http://www.ashalind.com/anthrocalendar/ordering.html

MAoI - Swamp Buffaloe

Name: Swamp Buffaloe

Environment: Marshlands, Swamps, Bogs

Diet: herbivore


Although equipped with a multitude of horns, spikes, claws and teeth the Swamp Buffaloe is a rather gentle critter. It lives in herds of 6 to 8 individuals, led by an experienced adult couple. The coat of the bulls is more colourful than that of the cows and increases in luminosity when the bull is in any state of arousal.
While not looking like it the buffaloes are excellent swimmers and even manage to dive short distances to graze on the ground of bogs and quagmires.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_bambtoo.jpg

MAoI - Bambtoo Ram

Name: Bambtoo Ram

Environment: Plain Lands

Diet: herbivore

Bambtoo Rams are large herbivores that have long since been domesticated by Bloodhounds. They live in a semi-wild stage, allowing Hounds to use them as mounts and lending them their strenght for agricultural or other physical work. Bot genders have the long twisted horns, but only males have the mane like ruffled fur around their neck.
Bmambtoo Rams can be very attached once they decide to show affectuin. This can include another ram, a Bloodhound or something completely different. Nonetheless Rams are brave fighters and defend themeselves and their herd against predators if necessary.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_twye.jpg

A Dish of Dragons

Looks like Maki has some friends over for dinner. *g*

I got the idea for this piece while working in the last Pocket Dragon and I simply _had_ to put it on paper.

The Utlah II

This picture has been rummaging in my head for a while now. It's a remake of this piece I made 8 years ago.
http://bloodhound-omega.deviantart.com/art/The-Utlah-1741673

Even though I like my original piece from back then I felt it lacked … something. The Utlah was just standing there like a big chunky gorilla, watching emotionless to the left. I felt like improving the piece, conveying more of his social position through his posture, his facial expression a.s.o.

I left out a background and positioned him in the left lower corner to have the white empty space as an oppressive element, hovering over him. That way it's up to the viewer's imagination what he's really scared of.

MAoI - Twye

Name: Twye

Environment: Crystal Forest

Diet: unknown

Few animals of the Crystal Forest have been catalogued, but one of them is the Twye. This huge bird, although capable of flight, mainly moves on foot. Their strong legs make the excellent runners and climbers. Male and femals Twyes cannot be differed from their looks nor most of their behaviour. Since no nests or egg shells have ever been found the odds are high that Twyes are actually giving birth to living offspring.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/MAoI_blarf.jpg

MAoI - Blarf

Name: Blarf
Environment: Plainlands
Diet: carnivore

Blarfs are intelligent, friendly and very social. Nonetheless they are carnivorous and hunt for their food, having specialized on a diet that consists mostly of fish. They use their huge middle claws to throw the fish out of the water. The very same claws are also used for digging up juicy roots and fighting.
The coat of an adult Blarf is black and white, usally with a black facial mask and saddle. Variations are possible though and range from albinism to melanism. Anything in between in matters of amounts of black and white in the fur is possible.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_pokilothos_epiticus.jpg

MAoI - Pokilothos & Epiticus

Environment: Swamp
Diet: carnivore

What appears to be veins on top of this creature's skin are actually channels of poison and mucus. One is used to kill prey as well as enemies, while the other keeps the skin constantly moist. It's poison is very potent and usually deadly. It can even injure plants and temporarily contaminate soil and water.

---

Environment: Plainlands
Diet: carnivore

The Epiticus is a low and stury critter, that might remind of a cross between a crocodile and a Bulldog. Despite it's short stubby legs it's surprisingly fast. The enourmously strong neck in combination with a teeth bristling jaw makes them very dangerous "little" hunters.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_dreamdancer.jpg

MAoI - Dreamdancer

Name: Dreamdancer

Environment: Deserts

Diet: carnivore


Like the Blackheaded Harpy the Dreamdancer belongs to the ancient and mythical beastiary of Ileyeah. These giant insect like creatures live deep in the desertes, where they move and live underneath the sand.
They onlycome towards the surface to mate, hunt or die, of which the middle occasion is the most common one.
Dreamdancers are known to have telepathic abilities, but the only ones who have ever been involved in a non-lethal encounter with them are the Clan of the Unseeing.

Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_munpak.jpg

MAoI - Bearded Munpak

Name: bearded Munpak

Environment: Plainlands

Diet: omnivore


Munpaks are monkey like creatures that, in one shape or the other, can basically be found on any of Ileyeah's continents.
Bearded Munpaks live in the Plainlands, where they have adapted to the changing seasons. They are shy, but friendly and live mainly on a vegetarian diet, which they occasionally replenish by insects or smaller animals.
As males and females alike have a beard the genders are hard to differentiate at first sight, especially as males, too, take care of the offspring by carrying it around and grooming it.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_twistbeak.jpg

MAoI - Twistbeak

Name: Twistbeak

Environment: Deserts

Diet: omnivore


Twistbeaks belong to the most common birds in the Ileyehen deserts. These, for human standards, huge birds are soaring in the desert sky, using the thermal updrafts during the day to fly effortlessly on their search for food. They will eat anything from small animals over carcasses as well as seeds and fruits, if there are any to find.
In order to intimidate other birds or enenmies Twistbeaks can create a loud gritting noise by rubbing the edges of their cocked beak against each other. It's a sound that is probably as pleasant as fingernails on a chalkboard.



Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_cliffer.jpg

MAoI - Velveteen Cliffer

Name: Velveteen Cliffer

Environment: Beaches

Diet: herbivore


These slender ungulates live close to the shores all over Ileyeah. It doesn't matter if it's tropical beaches or rough cold cliffs. They inhabit caves that were hollowed out by the tides and feed on grass and algea. Even though they appear fragile through their light weight they can climb their home cliffs safely even in the strongest storms.
Once a Cliffer has found a partner it is faithful to their partner for a lifetime.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_tidae_camu.jpg

MAoI - Tidae & Camu

Name: top: Tidae
Environment: Plainlands
Diet: carnivore

Tidae are large felines that are strong and tall enough to be an actual threat to Bloodhounds. As excellent hunters they are natural food competitors.
Females ar bigger and stronger than males and their fur is more purple, while males are more of dark blue colour.

---

Name: bottom: Camu (original design by Sanguisa)
Environment: Plainlands
Diet: omnivore

These critters live in small family groups of several males and femals with their youngs. They come in a huge variety of colours such as this orange variant.
While they ressemble ungulates in their anatomy they cannot be clearly classified.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_harpy.jpg

MAoI - blackheaded Harpy

Name: blackheaded Harpy
Environment: mountains
Diet: carnivore

The blackheaded Harpy is one of the mythical creatures on Ileyeah. They have been living on the planet long before any Bloodhound.
Their dimension is similar to that of the Bird Roc, meaning they are feathered giants. Only few of them are known to be still around. But of those who still breathe it is said that they have been living for such a long time that they forgot how to die.
It is told that the harpys have the ability to speak, but no Bloodhound ever remained in its presence alive long enough to find out for sure.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_lemur_chib.jpg

MAoI - white muzzled Lemur & Chib

top: white muzzled lemur

White muzzled lemurs are small simians of Ileyeah's deep rainforest areas. They live in huge family groups, consisting of mainly females and their youngs and only a handful of males, of which only one is fully grown up. Adult males can be recognized by their full white mane.

---
bottom: Chib

Having the size of a Maine Coon cat the Chib nonetheless belongs to the smallest grassland dwelling critters of Ileyeah. They can be compared to squirrels, only more stocky and heavy. Also Chibs don't have their nests on trees but inside thick bushes, where they will form a nest of moss, grass, fur and other soft things they find.


Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_kubi_korukan.jpg

MAoI - Kubi & Kuro-Kan

left: Kubi (by Balorkin )
right: Koru-Kan (by Leundra )

Environment: Rainforests

Diet: insectivore/ usually herbivore, occasional predators

Kubis are nimble and swift little critters that dwell in the tropical forests of Ileyah. The males bear a bright and colourful coat that reminds of paradise birds.
Having an oposable thumb they are dextrous and skilled little hunters.

---

Koru-Kans are four legged birds (or tiny gryphons, if you wish) that live in the tops of Ileyeah's jungles. Grown up males turn slightly more blueish, while females keep a more yellowish green coat and grow additional red tail feathers, that attract males during the mating season.

Previous Card: --> http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_beradosnowbock.jpg

Somewhere far away

---------------------------------------------------------
Somewhere far away
there's a soldier boy who dreams a dream of home.
Where a nightingale
sings a promise to the ones who sleep alone.
Spring is in the air with scent of cherry blossom in the glen.
Whispering a prayer
saying bring our heroes safely home again.
---------------------------------------------------------

A collaboration between Foxamore (composition) Lilypad (vocals) and myself (artwork). It's a rendition of the theme from the film "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" (David Bowie ftw!). Leaned on traditional Asian paintings with my own style thrown in.

Check out the song that the artwork was done for: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6023478

MAoI - Beradeo Snowbock

Name: Berado Snowbock

Environment: Mountains, Galciers

Diet: herbivore

The Snowbocks are Ileyeahs answer to our Ibex. Swift and nimble they spend their entire life on rocky cliffs and withstand the heaviest of snowstorms.
They still among the main prey of mountain hounds, who process the fur, the meat and the bones. The horns are usually turned into jewelry or ornaments, as they have a wonderful metallic violet sheen in them. The older the bock the brighter the horns become.

Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_javinn.jpg

MAoI - Pjolk

Name: Pjolk

Environment: Mountains, Glaciers

Diet: Omnivore, but mainly predatory


Pjolks are very similar to bears, but probably with a weebit walrus thrown in. Short legged and with numerous layers of fat, they appear rather slow and clumsy. Nonetheless they are among the largest snow dwelling predators on Ileyeah.
In times when food is hard to come by Pjolks actually gather to live in small packs to increase their chance of hunting down larger prey.

Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_sickleback03.jpg

MAoI - Sickleback

Name: Sickleback or Silverback

Environment: Plain Lands, Steppes

Diet: herbivore grazers

Sicklebacks are named after the two rows of spicky hair that grows along their shoulders. Slightly smaller and less heavy than Nopeys they still are impressive in size and strength.
Having poor sight they are very short tempered and aggressive.
When courting for females the males pump blood into their head plates and make them shine in brilliant colours.
The intricate fur patterns only show on wild specimen and quickly fade on tamed or domesticated Sicklebacks.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_nopey03.jpg

MAoI - Nopey

Name: Nopey

Environment: Plain Lands, Steppes

Diet: herbivore grazers

Nopeys are huge hoofed critters that live in large herds on Ileyeah's grasslands. They are so tall and strong that even the heavy mountain hounds can use them as mounts.
Due to their strength and bravery Nopeys were and sometimes still are used as battle mounts. They could carry their rider as well as heavy armour and would usually fight alongside their Hound, by ramming, kicking or trampeling over opponents.
Wild Nopeys can easily be tamed and just as easily adapt to life in wildnerness again.

Previous Card: http://us-p.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_jungletaika02.jpg

MaoI - Jungle Taika

Name: Jungle Taika

Environment: Tropical Forests

Diet: mostly herbivore, sometimes completed by invertebrae

They are the tropical cousins of the Mountain Taika. Small and always alert they dwell on the ground of Ileyeah's rainforests, where they usually keep open an eye and an ear for possible predators.
And yes, their little antlers and their claws are indeed green.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_mountaintaika02.jpg

MAoI - Mountain Taika

Name: Mountain Taika

Environment: Mountains, Rocky Tundras, Glaciers

Diet: herbivore

Taikas are common all over Ileyeah in all different kinds of shapes. They have adapted to all possible kinds of environment and suited perfectly in each and every one of them.
Mountain Taikas are the bulkiest member of their family. Nonetheless they are extremely swift and skillful climbers, similar to the Ibex.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_leaper02.jpg

MAoI - Leaper

Name: Leaper

Environment: Plainlands, Steppes

Diet: herbivore grazers

Leapers belong to the fastest runners on Ileyeah. These swift and elegant creatures live together in large herds. Due to their thin limbs and light body structure Plainhounds cannot ride them. Tropical Bloodhounds though are known to be nimble and light enough to be riding those "antelopes of Ileyeah's Grasslands" and they do so superbly.


Previous Card: http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Bloodhound-Omega/maoi_omu02.jpg