Art by Terry Maranda

Sometimes you just have to draw fish…and then get bored and start drawing evil-looking crustaceans, octopi and humanoid fish/frog things. Anyway here’s some stuff I did a little while back, nothing too new. I’m still on the Paradise Lost illustration, it’s going pretty slow since it’s not my thing, but I’m still going at it.

– Update –

Well, I can’t seem to sit idly by and post Daedonas creatures without telling backstories.

Saikreen – A deep dwelling solitary hunter that preys on almost all large aquatic creatures off the coasts north of Forest Cairnus. ( ref. The Crescent Lands ) Although it is classified as a squid, the Saikreen propels itself much like a nautilus, using a powerful siphuncles on the top of it’s body to siphon the water and uses the sphincters on its underside for jet propulsion to maneuver quickly. At a maximum length of six feet including tentacles the Snareskeen is by far not the largest of underwater beasts, but it’s characteristic natural weapons make up for that fact greatly. With six writhing stalks ending in sharp barbs the Saikreen can retract and launch them at any larger target using strong muscle spasms. Once embedded the barbs are extremely difficult to remove and the Saikreen can feast on the much larger sea creatures parasitically for days until it’s hunger is sated.

Tadivol – Although these creatures have an intelligence as basic as the marsh dwelling Mou’yyp ( ref. Mou’yyp ) they are a peaceful amphibian race who excel as hunters and in times of need have been allies to the Grungi. Leading them to underwater air filled caverns for safety during war and gathering deep exotic resources from the ocean floors. Living a nomadic life the Tadivol travel near the coasts of the Crescent Lands feasting on the fish and crustaceans of the North and South depending on season. The life cycle of the Tadivol is a treacherous journey, during mating season they will swim up the rivers to the Illiak Lakelands to breed, leaving the eggs among the many dangerous and predatory creatures of the lakes. Once hatched from their muddy burrows the young Tadivols are born much different then their aquatic forebears, with thickset legs and a short tail they crawl and walk in the high grasses of the marshes. Keeping distance from the Mou’yyp they eat and grow, and as their legs atrophy and shrink their tails grow long and powerful until they are strong enough to eventually to swim out to sea and reach their kin.

Na’Ghauls – Scavengers and marauders of the deep, these nocturnal fish creatures prey on all matter of beasts and People by the coasts. Preferring the warm waters above the Southern Crescent Arm they are the bane of all fisherfolk and are the naturally enemies of the Tadivol, attacking them on sight. Although sentient, the Na’Ghauls possess only a base savage intelligence, living only to feast and breed. Rising from their depths in the night they creep onto the shores and cliffs, stealing away the young and any easy prey they can lay their clawed hands on. Being able to hold sea water in the hanging bladders around their neck, they can use their gills to breath for hours while still on land, although rarely do they leave their waters for more then a quick raid. Many coastal People guard their villages by night and keep a wary eye for their souless white eyes under the waves.

Cairphian - Living among the teeming hordes of crustaceans in the southern Crescent Arm can breed some of the most deadly efficiant and monstrous horrors of Daedonas. And the Cairphian is by far one of the deadliest, this water-based arachnid is at home in the shallow waters and the sharp cliffs of the Arm. Being able to scale most rock walls, and swim great speeds with it’s soft-skin tail the four to six feet long Cairphian is a top predator and even the most wary fisherfolk have a hard time defending themselves from this beast.