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spiralofvertigo — Swifthorn Ref 2017

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Published: 2017-02-12 12:43:56 +0000 UTC; Views: 3379; Favourites: 95; Downloads: 12
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Description

FINALLY GOT THIS DONE.

The 2017 Swifthorn ref basically a higher quality version of last years.

Here’s the relevant info yet again:

Environment: There are many known subspecies of Swifthorn which have developed different characteristics depending on where they reside. They live in large groups of either All Swifthorn; or mixed in with every other race that resides in Laynair. A very diverse group. Found in both the lawless and the cities they are one of the most common races in Laynair.

Type: Mostly bipedal with the ability to run on all fours; though it is not very common for them to do so unless they are traveling the ‘old fashion way’

Ancestor: Archwing

Life span: The average individual may live from 100 to 150 years. Depending on the region and gender. Females tend to live longer.

Markings: The colors on the cave Swifthorn are very bright like parrot’s feathers. The bright colors come from chemicals in their environment. The illuminated hairs are hollow allowing the bright skin to shine underneath; most do not have fur all over their body however. When out of the cave environment the luminescence is no longer very visible, therefore these spots react to the area they are currently in. The purpose of the colors is to illuminate in the dark regions of their homeland, and to distinguish authority. The desert variety are earthy colors with pale skin. The tundra subspecies are very pale colored and normally white with few black markings. The aquatics come in a large range of blues and greens. Others have dulled but very diverse markings; the cave and tropical are the brightest. Face markings usually consist of stripes, sometimes with a “tear-drop” shape like that of a cheetah. The eye markings on other subspecies are used to block UV rays in harsh desert climates. Patterns have a very wide range but stripes and long thick brighter lines layering over large dark portions are common. Swifthorn of one color are possible but very unlikely.

Diet: The diet of the Swifthorn consists mainly of fish. Local fruits are considered a delicacy; the consumption of other sentient races is highly frowned upon due to the fact that they intermingle with other races often.

Culture: The Swifthorn are very scientific and industrial; and are the makers of many of the weapons and technology around Laynair.
The Swifthorn culture is very diverse as many individuals joined the mixed race cities and are referred to as 'modern Swifthorn’. Some however still live in their home areas. The city dwelling Swifthorn tend to customize their appearance much more than other races. Docking tails and having horns trimmed down and blades/spikes removed is fairly common. They also have surgeons that specialize in making custom shaped horns using chemicals to sculpt and cause the horns to grow a certain way. Male and female Swifts are equal in all ways in society; there is no discrimination based on sex.

Government: The leader of the Swifthorn is called the “elder”. They are voted in by majority vote and their term usually lasts until death. The “elder”; if they break major laws, will be exiled. Elders may be voted in as early as 25 years old.

Personality: Normally the Swifthorn are very competitive, they love to engage in sport like activities, or just a good one on one fight. Under stress they tend to have a hot temper, but are; most of the time, calm and passive. Traits really depend on the individual.

Anatomical details: With a layered plate resting over the top of the horns with their very large distended craniums underneath; they look as if they are wearing their faces as a mask. The horns are normally long and relatively smooth on the female they can however be slightly curved upward or downward. On the male the horns are either curved and twisted into strange shapes. Usually with crystal like spikes adorning them; the females horns may be made completely out of crystal as well as huge parts of the males horns.Rough feather like protrusions have been reported on some specimens along the shoulder blade or spine. Their hands are very human like with claws, feet are two thick claws with one long dew claw on the side. The tail is long and lizard like at times bare but usually covered with fur. The females normally have the blades close to the middle of the tail, and the males have spikes, normally at the base, and sometimes at the tip or both. Their jaws are best described as crocodile like. With a permanent smile. Their nostrils are near the top of the snout and are very avian like; as is how they walk. Small bone like bumps are near the base of the snout; some subspecies have up to four nostrils. The blades are able to push down and be hidden; some individuals actually have their tails docked or blades removed if they join other societies.
All species of Swifthorn have specialized organs that emit immense waves of electricity. These organs are located along the jaw; neck and in the hands. They are capable of unleashing deadly shock waves into enemies as well as crackling bolts from their palms that snap across the ground like lightning. They use these abilities in both construction and warfare.
Females have 'breast pouches’ on their chests which they use to nurse their young. From the outside it looks like two horizontal slits across the chest.
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Comments: 13

SiriusFlux [2018-03-19 00:01:49 +0000 UTC]

Can I make one? Girlfriend told me about one and told me she got the ok from you <3 and that they are asked to make. I would love to make one!

Also your artwork is amazing unf, real hot stuff

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spiralofvertigo In reply to SiriusFlux [2018-03-19 08:22:21 +0000 UTC]

Hello! Yes of course! I would be perfectly fine with that. I just want to see what you come up with when you're both done.

Aww thank you so much I'm glad you enjoy it!!

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OneCallGat [2017-03-04 19:50:54 +0000 UTC]

Tails might be a bit too long but so far pretty cool designs.

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spiralofvertigo In reply to OneCallGat [2017-03-04 20:30:38 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

And naw that's just how this species is.

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wisahkecahk [2017-02-12 21:39:12 +0000 UTC]

A very detailed,interesting and highly compelling reference sheet!!!
One of the better ones I have seen on DeviantART actually!!!
A fantastic race of biengs!!!!
RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

spiralofvertigo In reply to wisahkecahk [2017-02-15 00:46:55 +0000 UTC]

WHOA thank you! I'm so glad you enjoy it! I really wanted to make this years version of their reference nice I'm glad I succeeded.

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wisahkecahk In reply to spiralofvertigo [2017-02-15 11:24:29 +0000 UTC]

You certainly have!!!!

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Faullyn [2017-02-12 18:28:19 +0000 UTC]

I do always love seeing these guys, and of course learning more about them. ^^

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spiralofvertigo In reply to Faullyn [2017-02-15 00:47:06 +0000 UTC]

Thank youuu I can safely say there will always be more Swift to see.

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Vannjaren [2017-02-12 18:02:31 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work indeed - nice to see these guys again!
I like how this reference is not overcomplicated but still shows the species off very nicely, and demonstrates the dimorphism well - is it just me, or do the females seem to be slightly stockier and have slightly longer tails too?

I love how the species gives off an intelligent air but at the same time is still physically very atheletic and practical - giving the impression that they can live in civilised settings but are more than capable of coping in more wilderness-settings if they have to.
Love their long legs (I'm a sucker for long legs <3), and dang, the colours on that male on the left... The fur texture on their tails is really beautiful too, and wonderfully drawn. <3

In terms of running on all fours however, their bodies and arms seem a little bit short compared to their legs in order to do this very efficiently... that's the only real criticism I might give her (they seem like they could move more efficiently in an upright position with their body build - though lemurs also have longer hindlegs but move well enough quadrupedally, though their bodies are somewhat longer)

Anyway, fantastic work, really great to see these guys again, have to be some of my favourites from you!
I like the idea of the electric organs, and I really love the design of their faces. Also interesting how they may sometimes crop their tails or remove the spikes - is this partly to seem less threatening to allow easier integration with other species?

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spiralofvertigo In reply to Vannjaren [2017-02-15 00:50:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much! You always give such wonderful comments.

As for the running on all fours; it's more like a thing they use for dodging around. They'll drop down and use their back legs to leap up super high and at times they'll bound forward a few long steps. It's a way for them to get out of the way/get in closer to a target.

I'm so glad you like them it makes me super happy!

The tail cropping/spike removal is definitely used more in the places where they live with other species, especially the spike removal. An alternative for the spike removal are large rubber caps fitted over them so they don't look as intimidating with all that pokey stuff all over them.

Modern Swifts (modern swifts are basically mutts; they are mixes of many of the subspecies) tend to be very into customizing their appearance and tail docking is considered a fashion statement to some!

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Vannjaren In reply to spiralofvertigo [2017-02-19 13:59:09 +0000 UTC]

You're very welcome indeed! ^^

And ah, that makes sense! I get what you mean there, I just wasn't sure when I saw the bit that you just mentioned "running on all fours" - I wasn't sure if you meant that as more of a sustained gait(which I thought didn't seem convincing) or a few bounds - so now it's clarified as the latter I can see that indeed.
My Krovendraekk in bipedal form can also do something similar - using the arms and hands to balance before and after a long leap, and the Karstatt suspecies have longer arms and heavier-boned hands, so they can scramble on all fours lemur-style for a few strides, to help with difficult terrain (mountain and cliff specialists - so their bipedal forms basically have a "four wheel drive" mode as such. )

And OF COURSE I LIKE THEM. A lot!  

And yes, I can definitely see their reasons for doing so - and ah, the idea of putting rubber caps on the spikes reminds me of the "soft paws" claw covers you can get for cats - a humane way of preventing them from scratching things instead of the cruel practise of de-clawing. So it's a bit like a Swifthorn equivalent, almost. :'D 

And ah, fond of their modifications then? Krovens may modify their appearance too, depending on the culture, subspecies and also just the individual. One female that's newer to me, Nuri-Jaana, is fairly modified  (need to draw this lady properly soon) - her mane is held in a sort of spikey crest-like chaos with a mixture of pine resin and such as a sort of wax/gel, her tongue is bifurcated at the end to resemble that of a snake, she has multiple piercings, and both of her ears are cosmetically cropped to form a sort of two-pointed arc shape at the end. Her father, Morsan (who IS in my gallery) also happens to have... dreadlocks. KROVENDREADS. <3
So ha, Krovens can customise their appearances as well. ^^

Also, why do I now want to see a Swifthorn fashion parade? This needs to be a thing.

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Souvillaine [2017-02-12 13:24:05 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work!
 And breathtaking details in design too!

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