C.O.W. - #119: Unicorn Hunter - Voting!

[Fozzybar]

ROUND #119 VOTING

Topic: Unicorn Hunter


Deadline for the voting: Saturday, 09 August 2008

Posting thread (closed):
http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=132109


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OK - before voting/posting read this!!!

1. Please give c&c or a reason why you voted for the image!

2. Feel free to comment on any or all entries, the artists will appreciate it!

3. No voting for your own entry!!! If a participants votes for his own entry, every member has the right to call him a stupid lame moron in this thread! And i will delete his/her vote anyway...

4. The poll is public. Your vote will be seen.

[Orion9282]

Artist: Orion9282

Concept: Unicorn Hunter
I felt the unicorn hunter should have some mystical qualities to it since it's hunting a mystical creature. It's coloration hints at the ability to "camouflage" itself (become somewhat transparent) before striking. Its face and head have protective layers to counteract the Unicorn's supposed 'telepathic' abilities and offers protection from attacks. It's horns are utilized in place of its reduced senses underneath the head protection.

[Pixelestial]

Artist: Soulweaver

Concept: Hackerjack
Hackerjacks are small, hyperactive predators that hunt in packs of up to 500 members. They prey exclusively on unicorns, but there's one problem; a unicorn is nearly impossible to catch in its native forest. Unicorns personify the ancient magic of the woods, and at a moment's notice, they can disappear into the trees without a trace. The hackerjack's solution to this is to leave the unicorn without a forest to hide in. When a pack of hackerjacks catches the scent of their quarry, they fan out and form a wide circle around it. Then, they get to work.

These destructive creatures can deforest an area at an alarming rate. They hammer their axe-like heads into a tree, woodpecker-like, until it falls. Within an hour, they create a barren perimeter of stumps around the unicorn. Unicorns are strongly tied to their forests, and they are unwilling or unable to venture out into this wasteland. Once the unfortunate creature is trapped in this way, the hackerjacks are free to swarm it their leisure.

Hackerjacks have a curious way of replenishing the forests they so wantonly destroy. Since they only eat unicorns, hackerjack droppings act as a kind of "magic fertilizer". This strange stuff allows the forest to grow back within mere months.

[gnahz]

Artist: gnahz

Concept: Usui

Ancient mythical creatures which are foes to the unicorns. Hunts in packs (like wolves), its hooked tail is to hold down the unicorn whilst its struggling and to injure the unicorn during the chase.

[banhatin]

Artist: banhatin
Concept: OYLANTOS
The dark god - Tartarus, the dispatch of his monster (OYLANTOS),
to the Licorne frequented the sacred forest eradication Licorne, as Licorne have the ability to heal,
so Tartarus beast must kill them all, OYLANTOS Licorne not often appear in the preparedness of the moment,
the tragedy has started ...

[Relic]

Artist: Relic

Concept: SHADOW BLADE
As we know, unicorn as the purest being that live in the Fairy,usually in the forest,representing the bright side of the world.But there's no brightness without darkness,like there're always Yin and yang being all together.So along with the creating of unicorn by the divine force,in the shadow of the brightness,we got Shadow Blade.
In the fairy forest, shadow blade alway hide on top of enormous trees.They have no eyes,but they move swiftly and silently in shadow.Shadow blade hunt down unicorn not for food,they just kill them with the blade on the forehead,it's just an instinct. When a shadow blade has killed an unicorn,the hunch on its back will darken,and then explodes,the shadow blade also dies.Thereby the balance between bright side and the dark side.

[benu]

Artist: benu

Concept: Keythong


A remote relative of the gryphon, the keythong is a wingless, forest-dwelling creature of the size of a wolf, and not unlike wolves, they hunt large prey in pack of three to ten individuals. Like their grander relatives, they have an immense appetite for equine flesh, and thus, are the only natural enemy of the unicorn, which they do not only hunt for it`s tender flesh - the sight of the unicorns blinding white fur, which shimmers pinkish-silver even in the darkest nights, hurts their light-sensitive eyes and makes them aggressive.

[scorge]

Artist: Scorge

Concept: Griblam
At the dusk they come, quietly to the river that has been known to give life, and also take it away. Drawn to the glowing depths, the unicorns find peace and comfort in the calming mist that flows from the river.
But not every creature is attracted to this mysterious place for the same reasons. Some travel to kill. And this is one of them. Actually, one of hundreds.
The Griblam.
Standing fifty feet high, this the most powerful of the centaur species, comes to hunt for the truest source of power and eternal life in the great forest, the Unicorn. And only this creature knows how to kill one of these majestic beasts. In an ironic twist of fate, the horn of the Unicorn is the only substance able to penetrate their magically protected hide, and must be attached to the body of its original owner in order to work. The Griblam uses its brute strength to overwhelm and destroy. But this is not its only asset. The eyes on this foul beings legs are for more than merely looking around, they can see the into the soul of the unicorns, allowing them to find the oldest, and most powerful of their most dreaded enemy. For you see, the hide of the griblam is hard as well. Harder than a Unicorns. And there is only one thing that can penetrate it. Can you guess what it is?

[abaker]

hey all...

my first time posting on this site... a friend put me onto this thread, and thought i would give it a go. sadly didn't have time to put the creature into an environment.






Artist: a.baker

Concept: dai cat
your-description

the idea behind the "dai" cat was that they were loners by nature...intelligent hunters, they'd just take the horse down with speed and strength... long saber teeth for cutting right through all the blood vessels of the unicorns throat, plates which are good against the ol horn... a bone plated head as well.
hope you likes

[ATAnderson]

Artist: ATAnderson

Concept: Lytaal
The Lytaal are a very territorial race. Even within their different troops they are known to fight and steal from one anothers dens. While any real use for the Unicorns horns, is yet to be determined they seem to have a huge significance to the Lytaal. The packs very rarely even feast upon the Unicorn, They usually waste no time in breaking off the horn and returning it to their troops den.

[Arteater]

Artist: Arteater

Concept: Birtch tiger
This creature hides in the shadows stalking unicorns. one of theses creatures can take out 2 to 3 unicorns in a sitting. Standing 8 to 14 feet tall and traveling at speeds up to 65 mph this cousin to the cat can outrun any pretty little horned horse.

[RichKid]

Artist:RICHKID

Concept:MONOHORN
a single creature born with the purpose of finding its counterpart and destroying it. this is the shadow to the unicorns light, the unicorn must stay one step ahead of the monohorn if its powers are to stay in this realm. once united the two will decide the fate of our world.

[Villa]

Artist: Villa

Concept: Unicorn hunter: Whiteback
Basic ideas:
-White Shell used as camouflage to blend in rock boulders and stone formations
-The shell covers more area in their body as they age and as they feed on unicorns. the more they feed, better the camo.
-They are born without a shell so they must rely on speed and strenght in their youth.
-They can pull back their necks just like turtles to help them blend in better.

[Spysheep]

Artist: Spysheep

Concept: Kraglemana
The Kraglemana roams the plains, devouring herds of unicorn. The Baleen filers the horns from the beasts where it then processes the magical energy into it's system. The unicorn goop from one herd can keep the Kraglemana energized for months at a time. The rest of the unicorn is then discharged from its blowhole.

[Ryn]

Artist: Ryn
Concept: Jellinkyr
The jellinkyr is a sea-dwelling creature that surfaces once a year to feed on unicorns. This whimsical creature floats as easily on land as it does on water, propelling it's lightweight body forward by powerfully whirling its colossal tail. It feeds only on the unicorn's horns, dissolving the horn into the creature's bloodstream through a mildly acidic sac on the jellinkyr's underside. The unicorn's horn contains the mythium, a rare mineral that provides the jellinkyr with powerful energies, allowing it to grow brightly coloured masses of horns. These hollow horns are essential in the jellinkyr's mating rituals, as they are highly attracted to vivid, shiny hues. Once the jellinkyr has successfully mated, it adsorbs the horns back into its own body, in an effort to regain energy until next mating season. The now anemic-looking jellinkyr returns to the ocean, burying it's vulnerable jelly sac in the sand to hide its bright colours from predators that lurk in the waters above. Here it waits until next year - next mating season, when the hunting will begin anew.

[Snarfevs]

Artist: Snarfevs

Concept: Quoit-Faced Absalom (Metazelus avshaloma)

The Absalom is a heavily genetically engineered species based off a large and surprisingly agile terrestrial pseudocrustacean, Metazelus woroni. The Absalom was developed by the Federal Invasive Species Countermeasures Consortium (FISCC) in hopes of controlling feral unicorn populations that have been ravaging hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of pristine wilderness throughout the Northwestern Grabens. In stark contrast to their mythical allure, unicorns represent a significant threat to biodiversity as introduced species in a number of ecosystems, especially sphagnum moss bogs and delicate native grasses which are rapidly destroyed by trampling hooves. Unicorns are also notorious for property destruction and personal injury. Unicorn culls have so far proven ineffective and uneconomical. The Absalom is a specifically engineered to attack and kill unicorns by leaping long distances and throwing its toroidal body over the horn, clamping down tightly with strong peristaltic muscles and gnashing away at the eyes, mouth and neck of the unicorn. If the Absalom is killed, it will remain attached to the horn and begin to decompose, eventually posing an infection risk to the unicorn. If, however, the Absalom successfully severs a jugular vein, it will detach and others will move in to lap up the unicorn's blood, which contains a protein the species needs to moult. This is a precaution to prevent the species from becoming viable without unicorns.

The Absalom sometimes attacks other horned species, but this behavior is relatively rare. Within the last 5 years, feral unicorn encroachment has slowed by 85%.

[Kezrek]

Artist: Kezrek

Concept: Mouth Trap
It's a beautiful, glorious, sunny, meadow-y and such day. A herd of unicorns prances about a field. Unbeknownst to them, a killer lurks in the skies.
The Mouth Trap is a creature that feasts on the flesh and magic of unicorns. In order to take down its prey, the beast dives down to the ground, just in time for its 'head' - the part covered in poisonous spikes - to strike the side or butt of any unaware unicorn. Even with a horn, the prey cannot reach its side or buttocks to take a jab at the Mouth Trap. To keep the prey from kicking and screaming, the poison is a toxin that stuns muscles, preventing the unicorn from moving almost as quickly as it is stabbed by the head. In fact, the poison is so powerful that the predator uses the unicorn's magic to prevent it from suicide while eating. As the head is securely in place jammed inside the prey, the mouth of the Mouth Trap bends forward to delightfully feast on the reward. The wings' claws and the body's small stretchy feet hold the Mouth Trap in place as it eats. The unicorn is quickly torn to shreds. What cannot be ingested is promptly carried in the mouth and flown away; due to the smaller natured size of the Mouth Trap, this creature cannot fight off bigger predators and scavengers.

[3ciona]

[*COLOR=White]3ciona[/color]
[*COLOR=White]unigator[/color]
[/b]Unigatores lure unicorns using its virginhead shaped limb. Thanks to its bamboo shaped pokes sticking out of its back the unigator can wait under water and lure its pray with "sinking virgin" limb which it mimics perfectly. the worst part is that unigator doesen't know the differencr between unicorn, horse or zebra

[Azathoth]

COW#119



The malicious Ringlet Beasts hunt in packs. They surround a lone young unicorn,
then precede to play almost a hideous game with the poor animal. They run to and fro confusing and disorienting the unicorn. Once the prey is exhausted
they take turns jumping up and trying to hook their ring on the unicorns horn and neck. Once hooked they swing from the horn and gouge and gorge the unicorns throat and neck until the head is severed. The pack then disembowel
the unicorn and enjoy their bloody feast.

[Freha]

Artist: Freha

Concept: Unurg Beast
Unurg beasts hunt unicorns in order to grow and maintain their exoskeletons. Unurg are solitary hunters. They don't have eyes, instead there is a deep pit in their face where heat and "mystical" energy sensors "see" in the place of eyes. Since unicorns dissipate quickly after death, Unurg beasts swallow huge chunks of their kill all at once. Their lower "jaw" rolls backward toward their chest to allow them to grip massive pieces of flesh. Unurg then pull and tear away pieces to swallow. Their large chest area is not for lungs, since they take in oxygen through their skin and have no lungs, it is instead for their huge stomach. An Unurg can carry an entire dismembered unicorn in its stomach.

The air scoop in their chest funnels air through cavities that make a flute like noise. This noise serenades the unicorns and they sometimes move towards the "music", and their doom. Unurg can run at high speeds for long periods and not tire. Their muscles always have plenty of oxygen so there is no fatigue. Unurg beats often will run their prey into exhaustion. But this doesn't always go as planed since unicorns are far more agile and can run into water to escape. If an Unurg beast enters water deeper than its boney limb ends, it will start to drown/suffocate. Most often Unurg will use their very sharp front limbs to trip up and cut off a unicorn's limbs, stopping them in their tracks. Dinner is served.

[DefiledVisions]

Artist: DefiledVisions

Concept: Reolith

The Reolith are carnivorous creatures that mainly feed on unicorns. The unicorn's horn possesses some vital minerals that are necessary to produce the powerful exo-skeleton covering the Reolith. The exo-skeleton is thickest on the chest and the near the thighs, because of their peculiar feeding process.

They possess powerful arms and legs, each ending with a scythe-like claw, which is used to hunt pray with. They roam the tree-tops, well camouflaged and due to the lack of fingers and toes they've evolved an extendable neck that is very flexible. Because of the four scythe-like claws they are unable to feed in the "normal" four-foot position and have to bend upside-down when feeding, thereby expose their lower regions. It is when feeding that they are in their most vulnerable state. Attacking a Reolith, even in it's vulnerable state is not wise. Their protection is very endurable and their movement speed on, and above ground excels any man. Lack of vision have led them to find other ways of adapting. Evolution has granted them powerful sensors on top of their head that sense heat emanating from nearby living entitys. They also have good hearing.

*sidenote* I was planning on having a unicorn in the picture, and some smaller black'n whites explaning how this creature feeds. But time caught up to me, the last 20 minutes I had to wipe out the unicorn, crop the image, and add a the cliff to the right. It kinda ruined the depth of the piece, but anyhow, I finnished my first cow on time! was great fun, and there's been so many great pictures made. Good luck people.

and.. Freha I didn't know our creatures were so similar. I assure you I havn't done any attempt to copy it. Sorry for any inconvenience.

[Blackthorn]

Artist:Blackthorn

Concept:Unicorn Hunter

Able to disguise themselves as over sized pine cones, A colony of these creatures will hang in a tree for months awaiting the perfect opportunity for an ambush. They will remove the existing pine cones from the branches then drop down on to an unsuspecting unicorn has it passes below. Using powerful beaks underneath there main body mass, they will devour the creature and use the carcass as a breeding ground. Soon the offspring will emerge and join the adults as they set out to find a new tree.

[Michael Jaecks]

Artist: Michael Jaecks

Concept: Blight Fiends
No unicorn is safe, be they stallion, mare or even foal. Blight Fiends are their mortal enemies. The reason why these demons hate unicorns is a bit of a mystery, though some legends suggest the Blight Fiends were once unicorns themselves, ages ago. Blight Fiends, it is said, were created as foot soldiers for a long forgotten war by the corrupt and vile spell of an evil wizard. Though the bulk of them were destroyed during that battle, a few survived, to the deep chagrin of unicorns everywhere. The Blight Fiends are driven by a madness and jealousy to hunt down and destroy these beautiful creatures.

[Rizza]

Artist: Angela Rizza Rizza

Concept: The Red Backed Forest Thistle
The Red Back Forest Thistle is a spined serpent that has been known to grow up to 30 feet in length. The creature has an enormous poison sack on the top of its head which directs a lethal toxin to whatever pierces its many sharp spikes. The creature's main prey is the unicorn and hunts it by digging shallow burrows under the ground. It then senses the unicorns hoof beats through the vibrations striking his thorns and attacks the unicorn from below. Once capturing it, the creature will quickly inject it's poison then pound the unicorn to death with his tail and drag it back underground to eat.

[longshao]

Artist: longshao

Concept: lazumel


This creature haunts the misty, dark forests and pursues any prey it can bring down and kill. Its favorite prey is the unicorn, which is pale and easy to spot and stalk during dusk and dawn.

[artiphats]

[B]Artist: Artiphats

Concept: Giant Zorju Bat
The Giant Bats of the Zorju sit on the edges of cliffs overlooking the plains, swooping down on unsuspecting unicorns who come to eat. These bats have no legs, but post themselves up on their massive arms. After a successful kill, the bats use these powerful arms to pull the unicorns body back up the cliffs, aided by the equally powerful wings they have.

[corspufo]

Artist: Corspufo

Concept: Mayalka Hound The Unicorn Hunter
Unicorns are known for their elusiveness and their incredible speed. The Mayalka Hound is a close relative of the Thestral, reptilian in appearance and mannerisms. The Hound maintains the same abilities of it's cousin, invisible to all except those who have witnessed death. This sole characteristic allows the Mayalka hound to get close enough to strike down it's prey. Unicorns are creatures of such purity, that rarely are they able to see their attackers until the moment of their own death is upon them.

The Mayalka tribesmen are hunters and poachers that procure all manner of materials for the dark mages and sorcerers of the area. The Mayalka hound are mainly wild and roam in small packs, but the Tribesmen have managed to domesticate these creatures and use them to fulfill their greedy ambitions. Unicorns are valuable beyond measure, and the Hound is one of the few creatures to bring it down.

[Fozzybar]

Artist: Fozzybar

Concept: Obscurnium

Good versus Evil. Light versus Shadow. White versus Black. Life versus Death.

There are many metaphors used for this encounter: Unicorn versus Obscurnium.

People tend to associate Unicorns with the good side and Obscurniums with the evil side. They judge by tradition, tales and ideals. In fact both creatures are neutral beings - yes, beings with magical abilities, but at the end still on the same level. There is no side, no ideal, no choice, when both encounter: There is only the drive to survive.

Obscurniums live in the same habitat like Unicorns. Mostly dense lush forests. They are masters of camouflage and they use confusion as their weapon. Obscurniums use the magic which they absorb from the horn of unicorns to create glowing, fog and irritating smells. They appear in front of Unicorns and start their show of confusion to have a good chance of attacking and overpowering its victim. When they are succesful they use their powerful pincers on the upper jaw to cut the horn and eat it.

While eating the Unicorns horn, the magic which is concentrated on the horn, adds up to the Obscurniums energy. The organic part of the horn is used to build up the mass of the Obscurniums sting on the back. Beside the use for generating more light and confusion it is used as a symbol of power when it comes to mating or marking territories. The longer and thicker the sting the older and stronger the Obscurnium is.

Now, is it Good versus Evil or is it only Unicorn versus Unicorn Hunter?

[Fozzybar]

Failed quality check (sloppy/rushed/unfinished artwork and/or insufficient artistic quality)

IsrafelX, Demo, markey2d



other not accepted entries:

Lege1
As i told you already in the posting thread...no plants allowed

zanzan
As lovely the artwork and composition is, COW is about the creature and its design and concept, but there is too less visual appearance of your creature. Please focus on the creature next time



close to rejection:

banhatin
Your creature is a character. It is about an individual and not the species in general. Still since your skills are worth any respect and the fact that the creature looks like a species you're in



special notes:

Ryn
I am not sure if you shoed only a part of the creature or the whole creature itself...first case means rejection, second means acceptance...and there is a third case: uncertainty of a mod, which means poll this time

[Fozzybar]

The next round will start tomorrow, too late now, have to go to bed