#Opinicus

[a-sketchy-a-day]

Surprise! It's Apex Calamity Anne using the power of all 3 stones.

[askponyinuyasha]

Astro: Pardon me for prying, but what sort of creatures are you protecting the forest from?

Astro: Or do I have it backwards, and are you protecting the outsiders in the forest from the creatures inside the forest?

Inuyasha: Well, it's both, really. This forest isn't exactly the safest place for just anyone wandering through.

Inuyasha: But there're also ponies who would try to take advantage of this place and only end up tearing it apart.

@ask-wizard-sunburst: What are you protecting the forest from? Do you get many bad ponies or monsters?

Inuyasha: Sure, bandits try to come through here sometimes looking to cause trouble.

Inuyasha: Mostly I end up dealing with-

(Offscreen): HEY!!

~~To be continued...~~

<Next>

(High-res transparent PNGs below the cut)

These guys were super fun to draw and I ended up really proud of the way they both turned out! This is the first time I've ever heard of an opinicus, let alone draw one, so that was fun! And Sunburst is one of my personal fave canon ponies in terms of design and personality.

I could have broken this one down more than I did, instead of making it so much flipping text at once, but... well it flowed nicely in my head... Plus I know where it's going next! And it's going to be a more art intensive micro-arc so it might take me a while to churn out. We'll see!

[flamsinger]

Emin fanart

Fanart of a character from Vale's book series, gryphon insurrection. This is Emin after becoming a seraph!

Posted using PostyBirb

[curiousnaturestudio]

Just a little Gryphon~

[kvalenagle]

For the beautiful interior graphite pieces by Brenda Lyons for the GryphIns series, the plan was to keep them as a perk for buying copies of the books. As more and more fans are experiencing the series on audio, I've been a little happier to show them on social media, just to make sure the audio listeners get to see them, too. The first piece for Eyrie was a deliberate choice: Reeve Brevin, the antagonist, in all her snake-themed peacock glory. While the series has gryphons that are more traditional (Zeph matches the traditional Egyptian gryphon pretty well as a hawk, Cherine matches the traditional Greek gryphon pretty well as a golden eagle), I'd noticed that there were some fans who wanted gryphons to be specifically a North American bald eagle + lion gryphon. While I love all gryphons, I didn't want someone to pick up this story and be disappointed. The choice to go with a green peafowl was intentional, especially as Zeph was on the cover, to let readers know from the outset that you were going to get interesting gryphons in interesting locations with this series.

The interior art pieces were set in the front instead of inside the text so if you picked up the book, you'd see Brevin and Hatzel (another non-traditional gryphon, saber-toothed tiger and the extinct Haast's eagle) first. If you wanted traditional (or bald eagle?) gryphons only, you knew this was a series to skip. But if the idea of interesting gryphons captivated your imagination, you were in.

Later editions would move the interior art pieces into the, well, interior of the novel, near where you meet each of the characters. Zeph and Kia, as the protagonists of Eyrie, also received interior art pieces. The reasoning there was that, once a few books were out, it was clear the series really lived up to its "interesting gryphons in interesting locations" mantra. Zeph may look boring (I'd argue he's interesting and pretty) on Eyrie's cover, but the next few books gave us snowy owls, shrikes, Peruvian diving petrels, European starlings, hooded pitohui, hoopoe birds, snow leopards, great blue herons, and white-tailed kites front and center.

Here at the beginning, however, in March of 2019, we wanted to set an expectation. And while Hatzel did some of that on her own, the choice of Brevin specifically let us show off the harnesses and jewelry the opinici in the series wear. It set an expectation: you won't get gryphons with laser guns, but there's some kind of society here.

I've always been grateful that we met Brenda Lyons. My husband came across her work at local conventions, and came home with one of her pine phoenix pieces for the office. She was working on a cover for another of my books when we all got to talking, and when you have three gryphon fans together, the topic often turns to The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. And how much we all loved Larry's interior art pieces for the series, how they shaped many artists and authors today. Though the first review copies of Eyrie had gone out, there was a moment where we realized there was just enough time before the print files were finalized to do interior art. And the rest is history.

(The choice of Brevin also hinted at the origins of the gryphons and opinici in having a female character with male bird plumage. Growing up with peacocks and peahens guarding the nearby orange groves, I do know the difference between peafowl. But in addition to the nature angle, it foreshadowed the queerness of the characters. With Pridelord's release, it's probably the series with the most trans gryphons in it.)

[rainbowfeatherreplies]

"ALL STATIONS! Drop what you're doing, and STOP RAINBOW FEATHER!"

.....

"Her?" "Wait, you?" "Is it me?" "Him?" "Her?"

Art by @ghoul--doodle!

Featuring Robo Feather aka Featherbot, ol' Lady Feather, Nightmare Rainbow Feather, Medic Rainbow Feather, Rainbow Power Rainbow Feather, Princess Feather, Cyberpunk Feather, Ninja Opinicus Feather, aaaand Cowgirl (boy?) Feather!

[mythozoological-pet-care]

A Guide to Gryphons Pt. 1

A brief introduction: There are several species of Gryphon but I will mainly be referring to the Anglo-Saxon Griffin ,the Opinicus ,and Morph gryphons.Morph gryphons are any combination of feline and avian that is not traditional.

Diet : A gryphons diet should be 55% red meat ,25% dietary supplements (cuttlebone & salt licks ) ,and 35% white meat & fish. Do not feed Gryphon pellets as they are based off of fraudulent research findings. Water should be provided via fountain or spring.

Enrichment:Gryphons require a lot of mental stimulation . So unless you want to say goodbye to your couch, a good reinforced kevlar scratching post is a good idea. Lures,treasure hunts,and puzzles make great enrichment and should be switched up regularly.

Shelter: For Anglo-Saxon gryphons, tall tower roosts work best . Morph gryphons typically prefer caverns with a nest . While Opinicus usually prefer large open nests.

[artblooger19moon]

Opinicus

An Opinicus has the legs of a lion and the tail of a camel. This is the beast that is frequently seen in heraldry, or coat of arms. Sometimes it is shown without the wings, and sometimes its name is spelt Epimacus. The Opinicus was related to the griffin but you could always tell them apart because the front legs were more like the legs of a lion than the legs of an eagle.

[paleoforest]

Barbary gryphon. Or just griffin with large mane, instead of just half-feathered body

Alternate variant of cock

[skindeepcomic]

What would Michelle look like if she was an opinicus instead of a Grecian sphinx?

I normally only take reader questions from patreon or the comments of the website because it's easier for me to keep track of them there, but this one was cute and I wanted to answer it! So it's today's reader question!

[willowwillowbun]

My idea of a seraph from @kvalenagle's Gryphon Insurrection Series

Drew this a while ago, I think while I was reading Opinicus. Not entirely happy with it but I mainly just sketch anyway and never finish anything lol

If you like creature fantasy and gryphons, highly recommend GryphIns! One of my favorite series!

[askponyinuyasha]

There's talk of giant spiders and other less natural monsters near the old fortress in the center of the wood; Be careful out there.

Zooks: There's talk of giant spiders and other less natural monsters near the old fortress in the center of the wood.

Inuyasha: What?!

Inuyasha: We'll have to finish this later!

Gad: Be careful out there!

Astro & Sunburst: ...

@ask-wizard-sunburst: Did he say 'giant spiders'?

<Previous> ... <Next>

~To be continued...~

(High-res transparent PNGs below the cut, and whoa-nelly there are a lot of them)

Thanks everyone for your patience! This bit took me a really long time because there were so many figures and new poses and effects to draw!

In the intervening time, I did really enjoy seeing everyone's speculations as to who the off-screen character was! Nobody managed to connect the dots that they'd seen this font and text color before!

Anyway I hope to do a couple more entries like this where I can sit back and let the story tell itself. I'll even try drawing some action sequences maybe but hopefully I can avoid drawing too many spiders.

[ivyprism]

Angels Fall AU: Horror AU Skeleton Boys (Info Dump)

Warnings: Death, angels, demons, etc.

Keeper - Horror! Angel Papyrus

Personality: He is a strict yet loving man who is willing to get his hands filthy to protect his loved ones. He keeps to himself and is an excellent listener. He has enormous admiration for Iyla and Pele. He's a flirt, but he's really nice about it. He has a no-nonsense approach to training trainees. When it comes down to it, he is extremely patient and calm. He takes his job very seriously, but not everyone does. When people don't take him seriously, he becomes agitated and frustrated. He has a strong and unwavering faith in others. He's a social butterfly, but far more extroverted than him. He is confident that people can change if they try.

Appearance: He has a slight scar on his cheek and has sharper canines than average. He has a large scar on his right eye. He has three sets of wings that no one ever sees. They're white with orange tinting.

Cerberus - Horror! Angel Sans

Personality: A lazy, funny skeleton who also happens to be an angel. He goes for the throat and is typically overly protective of his loved ones. He is not scared to kill people and frequently serves as a watchdog for Erebus and Catris. When he meets new individuals, he often appears nervous and silent. People love him because he's a socialite. He only takes his job seriously when absolutely necessary. He cares a little too much, to be honest, and he does his best to hide it. For unclear reasons, he does not trust any of the sinners in the care of several angels. He administers the most severe penalties and is not hesitant to kill someone without mercy.

Appearance: He has a large crack on his eye and slightly sharper canines than normal. He has a large skull in his head and it's connected to his crack on his eye. He has four sets of wings that no one ever sees, but they're white with a tinge of blue.

Magnus - Horror! Demon Papyrus

Personality: He goes for the throat and is really harsh. However, he strives to be a gentleman and proper. He's standoffish and doesn't hesitate to express his thoughts on issues without fear of repercussion. He is tolerant, yet he has a nasty temper and is not afraid to impose rules when dealing with tough people. He guarantees that his transactions are always completed and is exceedingly vigilant regarding the people with whom he conducts business. He has a soft place for youngsters and is willing to help others care for or babysit them. He is an adept in battle and fighting. He is absolutely honest and never conceals information or deceives people into making deals with him.

Appearance: He has a scar on his mouth. He has sharp fangs. He has a large nasty scar on his left eye that cracks dow to his mouth. When he shows his horns, they are round like ram horns that curl downward.

Opinicus - Horror! Demon Sans

Personality: He's a flirty prankster. He is trustworthy in business, but he enjoys causing mischief and pulling pranks on others. He is a jokester who enjoys mocking his close friends and family. He is a very impatient person who is always eager to conclude a transaction and meticulously examines the fine print and minutiae. He guarantees that his transactions are always finished and is not scared to be carefree with the people with whom he conducts business. He excels at fighting and enjoys his work. He typically befriends individuals who agree to his terms. He assists Cerberus in safeguarding Erebus and Cartos. He is completely honest and never hides information or deceives others into doing business with him.

Appearance: He has a nasty scar on his cheek. He also has sharp fangs. He has a large crack in his skull that cracks through his left eye and in the scar.

Diaspore - Horror! Swapfell Angel Papyrus

Personality: He's hard and brutal, but incredibly lovely. When it comes to combat, he goes for the throat and refuses to back down. He is brutal and a force of nature. While he is not shy, he can be reserved around people he considers to be a threat. His biting causes more discomfort than his bark. He has a deep fondness and affinity for dogs. If someone pokes at him, he may get aggressive and nasty. He has slain individuals and shown little mercy to his chosen targets. He can be a harsh and cruel person when threatened, but he will relax when they prove they are not a threat.

Appearance: He's a skeleton monster who is an angel. He has a large painful looking crack in his skull that meets a large scar on his eye. He has three gold teeth (two for his canines and one for one of his back teeth.) His wings are hidden.

Albel - Horror! Swapfell Angel Sans

Personality: He is nasty, cold, and calculated, but he genuinely cares about his friends and family. He is willing to kill to protect those he cares about. He gets his hands dirty without hesitation. Only to his loved ones does he show his genuinely charming and cheerful side. He is very energetic and charismatic. He doesn't mind puns, but unless it's in private, he won't laugh at anything his brother comes up with. He's a harsh person who softens when he and his sibling are treated well. He is capable and willing to fight anyone who threatens him or his sibling.

Appearance: He is a skeleton angel monster. He has wings that are hidden. He has a large scar on his right eye.

Ermine - Horror! Demon Fellswap Carnelian Papyrus

Personality: He is a joker as well as a bright and cheerful person. He is an open flirt and lover. He takes his work seriously and is willing to protect his loved ones if necessary. He is really nasty and cruel, going for the throat and never backing down. When he is around someone he considers a threat, he behaves harshly and cruelly, but believe me, he is a good man. He may be a jerk to his brother, but he adores and admires him anyway. He is rude to those he perceives as threats, but when he is very close to or dating someone, he is affectionate and loving. He lunges for the throat and is quite violent.

Appearance: He is a demon skeleton monster with a large straight scar on his left eye that seems to crack a bit around the edges. He has a large skull crack on his head. He has one gold teeth. One of his horns is cracked and he keeps them hidden.

Rowan - Horror! Demon Fellswap Carnelian Sans

Personality: A bit aloof, gruff, and irritable. He is enthusiastic and courageous. He refuses to back down and will go to any length to protect his loved ones. He's an angry, feral cat, yet he's also really friendly. He may be unpleasant and abusive, but he is sincere. He is highly protective of his friends and will snarl at anyone who gets too close if he senses they are a threat. He is constantly throwing hands and starting fights, yet he is also severe and serious about following rules and laws. He's a jerk to his brother, but he responds, and they adore one another. To be honest, he is a serious individual.

Appearance: He's a skeleton monster who is a demon with hidden horns. He has a large, nasty gaping scar on his eye.

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[ha99yanniversry]

Emceed 🎙️🐈🌈 Monash Cup Opening Ceremony and designed house jerseys with fellow committee members very awesome experience very funnn :3🔥

Red - Manticore

Green - Culebre

Yellow - Opinicus

Blue - Leviathan

[kvalenagle]

Me trying to provide helpful clues for both myself and James Scott Spaid, the audiobook narrator, when it comes to which "a motmot" is which.

"Yes?" (Motmot who sings songs about Stripes' stripes) "No." (Motmot who solves all problems using strips of leather) "Brace yourself!" (Motmot who likes water slides)

🎨 @toadalled

[rainbowfeatherreplies]

"Hey, Rainy! It's been a while, huh? I've been a bit busy, going back and forth between the Opinician Republic and Equestria. I've got my own team in the Weather Patrol now, isn't that cool? Sometime, I've got to pay you a visit and give you a great big hug. Tell Gren and your parents hi for me, and I hope I can find time to see you, soon!" - Zephyr the Opinicus

A letter from Zephyr! Alright, I gotta right a good reply...

"Zephyr! Congratulations on your own team! I'm sure the skies of the Opinicus Republic are in good paws! I'll be sure to tell the fam, they'll love to hear it!

Quartz has joined me on my response team full-time, so I've been able to hang out with her more than ever, and I never know what adventures come next. I'd love if you could come along sometimes!

Hugs, Rainbow Feather!"

Art by chrispco