FASA 365 Vol 3 Completed.
I start working on Vol 4 tomorrow, so thats the Book I will be working on at GenCon Indy in a few weeks.
I’m debating bringing ALL the Volumes with me to GenCon.
They won’t be on the booth table. There’s not really space for them. That, and they’re really not for sale.
Is anyone interested in seeing them, and talking with me about Creature Concepting?
FASA 365 Day 195, Cornus Spicati Nigralbi Leonus (Horn and Spiked Panda Lion) 12-15ft. for 1879
From the Journal of Joseph Derringer, Guide, American
Not the average tabby.
Black and White coat. Long sharp spikes littered through a thick black mane and tail. And of course, horns.
The nose is also an odd shape, the muzzle not as long as the average lions.
Stil, just as much the predator.
The scienctists and scholars that have made the trek to the Gruv; are having a devil of a time trying to classify all the new animals they’re encountering. Every one of these stupid, genius types sayin’ the same thing. “I must get a closer look”
Thats all well and good but If something eats ’em, I don’t get paid!
The whole bunch need to be put on a short leash. It’s the only way in can figure to keep em from serving themselves up as some hungry things lunch.
FASA 365 Day 194, Alvum Conscientia Fungorum (Hive Mind Mushroom) for 1879,
A Self-aware, organism.
Mistakes were made.
It was dismissed as any other mushroom, growing in the forest. Where the light is dim, and the humidity is favorable to fungus growth.
The Cooks assistant, Private Kitridge, tried to pick one. It released its spores, before it was harvested. The assistant then inexplicably “changed his mind” about that particular mushroom and began to pick the smaller, normal looking species.
Shortly after returning from the forest, the assistant was heard, mumbling “Leave me be” between coughing fits. A dull expression on his face. Private Kitridge died two days later. Apparently from a “unidentified” lung infection.
After the funeral, the cook, Sgt. Major Wills, went himself into the forest, and found the same mushroom patch. Harvesting the normal looking mushrooms he inadvertently picked up a smaller of the Alvum Conscientia, that was wedged in a clump of moss. Hidden and attached to the other “button” mushrooms. The whole clump dropped into a bag before it could release its spores.
Upon returning to his kitchen, and discovering the odd looking mushroom in his pack; he asked one of the locals, a Saurid Guide, who was hanging around the kitchen, if he knew
anything about the odd looking mushroom.
The guide, immediately covered the deadly little fungus in a wet dish rag that was lying nearby. The dish rag seemed to move slightly and quiver as the little mushroom released its deadly spores.
Pointing at the, now still, dishrag, The Saurid Guide quoted the dead Private Kitridges’s warning. “Leave it BE!”
After a quick telling of how the Saurid tribes learned to never pick, burn, or do ANYTHING. to the Alvum Conscientia. Just, “Leave it be”.
Upon further guidance from our Saurid friend, Private Kitridge was exhumed from his grave inside the fort. Evidence of mushroom growth already forming from his open caved in chest cavity. He was then summarily re buried next to the Mushroom patch that had claimed his life.
Sgt. Major Wills, gave the Largest of the Fungorum in the patch, a “nick name” or “honorary rank” of Major. Major Mushroom. Saluting the old gnarled fungus, he spoke to it, and said “Take care of the boy, he’s in your charge now”
He then, with full military decorum, did an about face and walked away.
One month after the transfer of the body, a new “member” of the Conscienctia Fungorum ranks sprouted from the still newly dug grave.
Horrifyingly, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the unfortunate Private Kitridge.
FASA 365 Day 193, Draco Spinosus Anguis (Thorny Dragon Snake) 12-15 inches
Eats small rodents and large insects. No fangs but rather a row of needle sharp teeth along the upper and lower ridges of the mouth. Coupled with paralyzing venomous saliva.
Once bitten the jaw locks. Add the venomous thorns aligning the snakes back, make grabbing or pulling the snake off near impossible.
So, a locked on Draco Spinosus can’t be pulled off because of the thorns. The spit spreading through your blood stream incapacitates you. Thus, becoming easy pickings for larger predators.
OR, the paralysis, eventually, spreads to your internal organs and stops your heart.
You then decompose and your carcass becomes a haven for insect life and other jungle based small scavengers.
The latest feeding ground for the Drago Spinosus Anguis.
FASA 365 Day 192, Ravus Aranea (Grizzly Spider) 20-25ft. Venomous from all muzzle fangs, both minor and major sets.
It does spin a web… of sorts. Strong enough to ensnare and stop a charging bull moose, It sprays its webbing rather than spinning. When it urinates, of course.
Unlike a spider, the Ravus Aranea, does not suck the blood from its victims. It devours its prey. Powerful jaws sever and crush the muscle, tendon, and bone. And the stomach acids are some of the most corrosive ever recorded.
Leaving only one question: With 10 legs, not 8, as a standard arachnid; does the Ravus Aranea truly count as a spider?
Artists Note: How’s THIS big hairy spider fit in the Spider-verse?