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Description
The Manticore. One of my all-time most favourite fantasy animals. I finally got to draw one properly and introduce them here.
Truth be told, it's very possible Manticores are in the top five of creatures of all time I've drawn the most, though most of that was ages ago. But really, since my drawing life began, back when I was a kid, with drawing lions from The Lion King, that was the natural evolution for me - at the point I started drawing fantasy, the lions I was most used to magically transformed into manticores. Of course, to me they have always been much more purely lion than their actual mythological image. As such, I was introduced to them by Heroes 3 of course ( trepanddoc.files.wordpress.com… ), but to me they always looked like just normally lion, only with leathery wings and a scorpion tail. Later when I explored the internet and learned that the original Manticore from the Persian mythology had a human face, that felt like an abominaton. Naturally, I kept mine as they always had been. I don't intend to ever change them, either.

So here it is, the latest, advanced (regarding my skills), Manticore of my world. Hell, I'd wanted to draw one for a long while. I say that a lot lately.... But enough about me, let's give them the attention and love they deserve.

Manticore
(Leotherion leo)

The Manticore is one of the most dangerous and ferocious beasts of the tropical deserts. Although relatively small, compared to other renowned monsters of their class, Manticores have earned their fame by their strength and agility, deadly weapons and fearless, fierce character. Although phylogenically very distant to felines, they bear a lot of resemblance to them and they well illustrate the phrase "cat reflexes". Compared to many other therids, a Manticore's body is light and supple as it mostly lacks the heavy body cover, which is abundant in their class. Together with their relatively small size, this makes them surprisingly swift and nimble. They use that advantage without hesitation, often times attacking aggressively and immediately upon encounter. Now let's examine some of the more characterizing traits of the Manticore.
- Light, sand-colored body cover, as already mentioned, makes them agile and contributes to them blending in the sand and rocks of their natural habitat.
- A lion-like mane, both in males and females, protects the nect in fights, and can be more or less bristled up as a territorial display. It is typically greater in males and is also used in courtship.
- Large retractable claws are a versatile weapon. In addition to that, they can be used for digging in the sand - a frequent hunting tactic of Manticores is to partially bury themselves and wait in ambush.
- Wings are not too large, but are strong and make the Manticore an agile flier. They are also relatively heavy compared to the body, which allows for special weight-based flight techniques, very useful in aerial fight.
- The resilient, sturdy wing skin is resistant to penetration, making it difficult to bring a flying Manticore down. In addition, they occasionally use their wings as a shield against attackers.
- A strong, moderately flexible tail with a venomous stinger is the Manticore's primary and most deadly weapon. The venom quickly causes paralysis turning any enemy into an easy prey for the Manticore.

Manticores are solitary wanderers, they spend most of their life roaming vast regions of their prefered habitat which they consider their land, and every now and then settling more or less for a while. They are somewhat territorial, although of course, since they wander, their territory is not a fixed area, but rather an undefined region they currently consider their own, while the longer they linger in a given place, the larger the territory they defend. Their territoriality manifests mostly in that they don't allow for other individuals of their own species to enter their vicinity, but are also very aggressive towards any invaders approaching their current lair. As a rule they are hostile and prone to attack potential enemies or just any being who approaches them too closely. Upon encountering their own kind, Manticores attack on sight, but they don't aim for the kill. Such fights are territorial and rarely end up with serious injury or a killing - the losing Manticore will retreat and migrate to another area and settle there a new territory. However, Manticores tend to be much more unforgiving towards competitors who are not of their own species.
Although ferocious and aggressive, Manticores are actually not impossible to reason with. They are highly intelligent and as a matter of fact, some indigenous desert societies have even made alliances with local Manticores, an agreement of mutual benefit and respect. However, they do not yield to taming since they are far too wild and independent. About the only way to get through to a Manticore is to demonstrate strength formidable enough to earn their respect. For that reason friendships between Manticores and local Dragons are not rare in the wilderness.

The Manticores are native to the deserts of Central Arachys and are nowadays spread throughout most of the continent's deserts, desert highlands and arid mountains. They also inhabit the desert lands of North-Western Heraldia as well as the southernmost areas of Enderia. Though they are very cunning and adaptive, thus wandering Manticores occasionally can be found in other areas as well. They are completely solitary and remain so during their breeding times as well - the female usually chases away the male after successful mating and raises her young alone. Despite their adaptivity and cunningness, they remain relatively rare, mostly due to their very solitary way of life, vast territories and scarce reproduction.

2B, technical pencil, fineliner, polychromos color pencils.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your time with my beloved Manticores. I know I did, even if I did struggle with the paws as usual.
Hopefully more interesting creatures to follow some time soon, stay in touch

Biology of Ætheris

Description
The Manticore. One of my all-time most favourite fantasy animals. I finally got to draw one properly and introduce them here.
Truth be told, it's very possible Manticores are in the top five of creatures of all time I've drawn the most, though most of that was ages ago. But really, since my drawing life began, back when I was a kid, with drawing lions from The Lion King, that was the natural evolution for me - at the point I started drawing fantasy, the lions I was most used to magically transformed into manticores. Of course, to me they have always been much more purely lion than their actual mythological image. As such, I was introduced to them by Heroes 3 of course ( trepanddoc.files.wordpress.com… ), but to me they always looked like just normally lion, only with leathery wings and a scorpion tail. Later when I explored the internet and learned that the original Manticore from the Persian mythology had a human face, that felt like an abominaton. Naturally, I kept mine as they always had been. I don't intend to ever change them, either.

So here it is, the latest, advanced (regarding my skills), Manticore of my world. Hell, I'd wanted to draw one for a long while. I say that a lot lately.... But enough about me, let's give them the attention and love they deserve.

Manticore
(Leotherion leo)

The Manticore is one of the most dangerous and ferocious beasts of the tropical deserts. Although relatively small, compared to other renowned monsters of their class, Manticores have earned their fame by their strength and agility, deadly weapons and fearless, fierce character. Although phylogenically very distant to felines, they bear a lot of resemblance to them and they well illustrate the phrase "cat reflexes". Compared to many other therids, a Manticore's body is light and supple as it mostly lacks the heavy body cover, which is abundant in their class. Together with their relatively small size, this makes them surprisingly swift and nimble. They use that advantage without hesitation, often times attacking aggressively and immediately upon encounter. Now let's examine some of the more characterizing traits of the Manticore.
- Light, sand-colored body cover, as already mentioned, makes them agile and contributes to them blending in the sand and rocks of their natural habitat.
- A lion-like mane, both in males and females, protects the nect in fights, and can be more or less bristled up as a territorial display. It is typically greater in males and is also used in courtship.
- Large retractable claws are a versatile weapon. In addition to that, they can be used for digging in the sand - a frequent hunting tactic of Manticores is to partially bury themselves and wait in ambush.
- Wings are not too large, but are strong and make the Manticore an agile flier. They are also relatively heavy compared to the body, which allows for special weight-based flight techniques, very useful in aerial fight.
- The resilient, sturdy wing skin is resistant to penetration, making it difficult to bring a flying Manticore down. In addition, they occasionally use their wings as a shield against attackers.
- A strong, moderately flexible tail with a venomous stinger is the Manticore's primary and most deadly weapon. The venom quickly causes paralysis turning any enemy into an easy prey for the Manticore.

Manticores are solitary wanderers, they spend most of their life roaming vast regions of their prefered habitat which they consider their land, and every now and then settling more or less for a while. They are somewhat territorial, although of course, since they wander, their territory is not a fixed area, but rather an undefined region they currently consider their own, while the longer they linger in a given place, the larger the territory they defend. Their territoriality manifests mostly in that they don't allow for other individuals of their own species to enter their vicinity, but are also very aggressive towards any invaders approaching their current lair. As a rule they are hostile and prone to attack potential enemies or just any being who approaches them too closely. Upon encountering their own kind, Manticores attack on sight, but they don't aim for the kill. Such fights are territorial and rarely end up with serious injury or a killing - the losing Manticore will retreat and migrate to another area and settle there a new territory. However, Manticores tend to be much more unforgiving towards competitors who are not of their own species.
Although ferocious and aggressive, Manticores are actually not impossible to reason with. They are highly intelligent and as a matter of fact, some indigenous desert societies have even made alliances with local Manticores, an agreement of mutual benefit and respect. However, they do not yield to taming since they are far too wild and independent. About the only way to get through to a Manticore is to demonstrate strength formidable enough to earn their respect. For that reason friendships between Manticores and local Dragons are not rare in the wilderness.

The Manticores are native to the deserts of Central Arachys and are nowadays spread throughout most of the continent's deserts, desert highlands and arid mountains. They also inhabit the desert lands of North-Western Heraldia as well as the southernmost areas of Enderia. Though they are very cunning and adaptive, thus wandering Manticores occasionally can be found in other areas as well. They are completely solitary and remain so during their breeding times as well - the female usually chases away the male after successful mating and raises her young alone. Despite their adaptivity and cunningness, they remain relatively rare, mostly due to their very solitary way of life, vast territories and scarce reproduction.

2B, technical pencil, fineliner, polychromos color pencils.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your time with my beloved Manticores. I know I did, even if I did struggle with the paws as usual.
Hopefully more interesting creatures to follow some time soon, stay in touch

Biology of Ætheris