December Custom Contest Poll - CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEWK



The entries have rolled in, as expected. However, more entries than ever before rolled it! We got 19 entries, more than 10 more than we've ever had (with the previous record being 8, if memory serves). Woo-hoo! In any case, that means the competition should be fierce this time around, just like many of your manticores.



Please select up to 3 of your favorite s , and feel free to post explanations for why you did or didn't vote for some. You can even post your complaints about which ones didn't make it into the top 15 (as 4 still needed to be cut).



Also remember that if you are one of the finalists you must vote, but cannot vote for your own creation (I know, I know. It's blatantly superior to all the others. Get over it).



So, without further ado, here are the finalists, in no particular order (I will try to add synergy lists to each of them in the next few days):



#1 The Dewk's Tarkus



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert! Synergies Received: - ARROW GRUTS : Beast Bonding



Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

"Why do we now head northeast? I'm no tactician, but isn't it common knowledge that the most direct route to The Quilato Range is through The Narrows?"



"It is. But have you not heard? General Ironwill, who is a tactician, and shared your opinion, returned last night, badly wounded, with only a third of the advance party he departed with."



"I don't understand; is it not solely Fianteeth who guard that area? While relentless guardians, they are not terribly difficult foes to fell."



"I wish it were so. No, our enemies have summoned a new monstrosity that patrols the air. Ironwill described it as a winged beast, with sharp quills along its body and tail, yet possessing the twisted face of a man. We all know the fearless reputation of the Axegrinders of Burning Forge, but even they could not constrain, much less slay, the terrifying beast amid its flurry of feathers, teeth, and quills. The latter of which they say pierces through armor as if it were cloth! So for now, we trod over the sharp rocks and stench-filled swamp of Malodorr. And I am satisfied with that order."



"As am I!"





#2 DewNoHarm's Crimson Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received: - DUMUTEF GUARD : Devourer Attack Enhancement

- ORNAK : Red Flag of Fury Aura



Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

“Humans! So weak, so worthless, so egotistical!” General Utgar spat as he turned his back on the battlefield.



“So infuriating?” A wounded Taelord murmured as he caught up to Utgar.



“Don’t tempt me to finish what those blasted humans started.” Utgar snarled.



Taelord checked himself and flew a few paces behind his master. General Utgar almost never lost control; even in defeat, the Archkyrie was usually cool, collected, and working on his next strategic move. When Utgar was angry there was not telling what he might do – even to a trusted lieutenant. Given the outcome of the battle, Taelord wished that Utgar had selected Runa for this particular battle instead of himself.



Taelord turned and looked at the battlefield one last time. The mangled bodies of many gruts littered the battlefield. There were some dead humans as well, but not quite as many. Marcus Decimus Gallus was reorganizing the few remaining Roman Legionnaires into files while Sergeant Drake Alexander mustered a larger group of 4th Massachusetts Line soldiers. Although the battle had been close, and not many of the humans had survived, the allied humans now controlled a key passage to a new wellspring.



Knowing that he needed to redeem himself for the loss, even though it was not his fault, Taelord considered the "human situation". Utgar had hardly any humans in his army, considering them generally weak and often disobedient to commands (the ninja Isamu was a notable and celebrated exception). Yet the other generals had successfully utilized human heroes and even organized humans into squads. Utgar would likely not appreciate that particular observation. Suddenly Taelord hit upon a solution.



"My Lord?” Taelord began tentatively after many minutes had passed.



“Yes, Taelord?” Utgar was back in control.



“My Lord, what if – given your prodigious summoning abilities – you found a creature that was a natural enemy to those miserable humans? Something that would strike so hard that it would make the humans fear to take the battlefield? Something so primal and destructive that they could not understand it or even find a strategy that would work against it?”



Utgar did not answer for a long time. “Your idea intrigues me, Taelord.” Utgar finally agreed. Taelord breathed a silent sigh of relief. Then, almost half to himself, Utgar said, “That would let me punish that traitor Einar, especially. Nearly all of his army is composed of humans.”



Two months later, the Archkyries allied against Utgar began receiving reports of a new monster. The reports spoke of a hideous combination of bird and beast that even had a human face. It focused almost exclusively on humans on the battlefield, consuming them even before the battle was over. It was deadly when it took the offensive. When it was backed into a corner, there was still a chance that combatants would be wounded as they struck it. Utgar had found the legendary crimson manticore.









WarBeast's Jungle Beast



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Syergy Benefits Received - FYORLAG SPIDERS : Predator Bonding

Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Fyorlag Spiders took dead wyverns & dead lions that ended up in their webs to concoct their perfect Hero. Much like his kin, Lions, the Manticore hunts best in packs, making alliances with the Fyorlag Spiders and Wyvern. The Spiders find him prey and hold it down while the Wyvern places prey adjacent to jungle trees where the manticore lurks, offering two stinging options.





Toogwick_tuk's Romitaen'c



Synergies: N/A

Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Romitaen'c meander's around his den, picking at the remains of an unfortunate knight, skewered by iron spikes. Biting through flesh and steel, he swallows, but is not satiated. The iron barbs on tail begin to regrow to full length. The Manticore has become restless, a new hunt shall begin.





Taeblewalker's Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received - FYORLAG SPIDERS : Predator Bonding

- DEATH KNIGHTS OF VALKRILL : Unholy Bonding

- KHOSUMET THE DARKLORD - Relentless Assault



Scytale's Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received: - FYORLAG SPIDERS : Predator Bonding





Sam's Ol' Scratch



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Received - ARROW GRUTS : Beast Bonding

- DEATH CHASERS OF THESK : Taskmaster Bonding

- ORNAK : Red Flag of Fury



ObfuscatedHippo's Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Received - ARROW GRUTS : Beast Bonding



- ORNAK : Red Flag of Fury



NecroBlade's Manticore



Synergies: N/A

Logical Explanation:

Spoiler Alert!

Uncommon Hero because there don't seem to by any specific manticore legends. Marauder because that's a synergy-less Class (see Hydra, Asterios). Speaking of Asterios, Legendary Creature seemed appropriate to borrow. Large 5 is hopefully the right size from the thread. Valkrill because the manticore seems a little more evil to me ("manticore" means "man-eater", after all) and again there were no specific examples like Asterios for Einar. Finally, Spike-Tail Shot is based off these passages:



"...and spikes at the tip of its tail with which it defends itself at close quarters, while it hurls them like an archer's arrows at more distant enemies"



"...while the tail of this animal puts out hairs a cubit long and sharp as thorns, which it shoots like arrows at those who hunt it"



So while it can shoot them, I wanted to represent it "defending itself" from "those who hunt it" by making it a defense trigger, and limiting the range to 4 is a nice medium between "close quarters" and "more distant enemies" while allowing some counter-play by the opponent.





Lazy Orang's Akul



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergy Benefits Received - ARROW GRUTS : Beast Bonding

- DEATH CHASERS OF THESK : Taskmaster Bonding

Bio:

Spoiler Alert!



Syvarris crept, three Aubriens at his side, stalking their quarry through the forest’s half-light. Reports had reached him of attacks on Elven travellers in this area, of a great winged lion with a man’s head. The beast sounded fiercer than most, and he could not afford to risk it finding the Home Tree. It must be hunted down and killed, without delay.

It was not hard to track.

‘Syvarris!’ one of his fellow hunters called. ‘I think I’ve found something.’

Syvarris made his way over, and the crouched archer handed him a thigh-bone. It was slight, delicate - it could only have belonged to an elf. Small patches of rotting, congealed flesh still clung to it, and he could detect a slight, acrid stench of stomach acid; it must have been regurgitated.

‘How old?’ Syvarris queried.

‘No more than three days.’

Syvarris tensed. He wasn’t certain what scared him more - the chance of encountering this beast, or the possibility it had flown to terrorise new hunting-grounds. 'Well found, Erolith.’

'Sir, look!’

Syvarris turned on the spot - one of his other men was pointing to the sky. He looked up, and

instinctively tightened the grasp on his bow.

The creature was gigantic - a great lion with reddish brown fur and a large, spined tail. Its wings were unfeathered membranes, resembling those of some giant bat, and its mane was lush and red, barely obscuring a face too humanoid to be that of a beast - too large, rough and bestial to be that of an elf.

'Take cover!’ ordered Syvarris.

Too late.

The manticore looked down, and began to swoop. The elves split up - Syvarris and Erolith to the creature’s right, the other two to its left, trying to outflank and outsmart it. They each strung their arrows, waiting for the right moment. When it landed, the forest shook to hear its primal roar - its voice sounding like the blasting of a thousand trumpets. Then came Syvarris’s order.

'Now!’

They each loosed their arrows, but the beast merely shrugged those of the Aubriens off, seemingly unharmed. When Syvarris’s arrows flew, however, they found their mark, deep in the beast’s flank. The winged lion roared in rage, its voice cutting through the forest once again; terrified birds began to take flight from the trees. Syvarris allowed himself a moment’s satisfaction.

Then - the beast turned left.

It lashed its tail over its head, gigantic spines detaching, flying at speed towards the archers who had split into the second grounp, impaling them against the trees. Blood trickled like bright red sap onto the forest floor as, in a split second, the beast turned again. It lashed its tail to the right this time, and more spines flew towards Syvarris and Erolith. The elves dodged, running in opposite directions as the barrage of spikes thudded into the trees. Syvarris could feel one spike slice into his shoulder, but somehow managed to miss the worst of it.

He loosed another arrow, and it embedded in the creature’s neck. He could see the beast buckle and stumble; it seemed close to death - but then its cruel yellow eyes gleamed with hatred. It lunged at Erolith.

One swipe of those mighty claws, and the elf was slaughtered. Syvarris,unsheltered and alone, and with trembling fingers, strung another arrow as the creature devoured his erstwhile companion whole, the beast gaining in strength with each gut-wrenching bite. Composing himself, his breath coming in short, sharp gasps, Syvarris loosed his arrow. It found its mark, cutting into the manticore’s back, and the creature turned, its rage palpable - its face visible. The elf reached for another arrow.

One more, right between the eyes.

He drew back the bow string and released. He could hear his arrow sing through the air.

He blinked; the beast was gone.





flameslayer93's Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received: - DUMUTEF GUARD : Devourer Attack Enhancement

- ORNAK : Red Flag of Fury Aura



Confred's Manticore



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert! Synergies Received: - ARROW GRUTS : Beast Bonding





capsocrates' Madyakhor



Synergies:

Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received: - DUMUTEF GUARD : Devourer Attack Enhancement





Astroking112's Manticore



Synergies: Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received - FYORLAG SPIDERS : Predator Bonding

- DEATH KNIGHTS OF VALKRILL : Unholy Bonding

- KHOSUMET THE DARKLORD - Relentless Assault

Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

In order to further the spread of carnage and destruction, Valkrill has summoned a beast of mythic proportions: the legendary Manticore has descended to Valhalla! With its fearsome wings, the beast can fly across great distances, letting it perch atop ledges and rain down poisonous quills on its prey below.



Only the SoulBorgs and Wulsinu seem to be impervious to these deadly quills, but most combatants aren't so lucky. Humans in particular have reason to fear the Manticore, as it savors the taste of their flesh so much that some warriors have even reported it healing itself while feasting on fallen comrades!



With the Manticore on Valkrill's side, the Archkyrie will need to plan carefully to avoid losing the war!





aksisu11's Manticore



Synergies: Spoiler Alert!

Synergies Received [B]- FYORLAG SPIDERS : Predator Bonding







Runners Up:

Spoiler Alert!

Most all of these I thought were good, but were similar enough to other entries that had similar ideas behind them with (arguably) better execution. Thanks for entering and good luck in the spring!



Tiranx's Ghand the Man Eater





JaesShurrig's Manticore of Temephses





HEROSCAPERMTL's Zarunak



Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Thought to be only myth, the manticore were wild beasts armed with razor sharp teeth and claws. They were known for unleashing frightening roars that rendered enemies defenceless. Getting too close to one was ill advised, as a single swing of it's barbed tail cleared countless openings on the battlefield. Though tough to defeat, one by one the manticore fell by the hands of men.



With the last manticore about to meet his demise by Parmenio and his sacred band, Utgar summoned him to Valhalla. Enraged by the virtual extinction of his kind, The manticore swore allegiance to Utgar and vowed vengence upon mankind. Utgar was pleased with his new warrior, and so forth Zarunak was born.





Dark_Stranger's Androphagos



Bio:

Spoiler Alert!

Thrilled by the ferocity of the chimera Racheim, Valkrill soon began scouring Feylund for more such mystical predators. He found what he sought in the form of Androphagos the Man-Eater, a ravenous killing machine whose deadliness--whether in melee combat or at a distance--is equaled only by his eternal hunger.



Most all of these I thought were good, but were similar enough to other entries that had similar ideas behind them with (arguably) better execution. Thanks for entering and good luck in the spring!Tiranx's Ghand the Man EaterJaesShurrig's Manticore of TemephsesHEROSCAPERMTL's ZarunakBio:Dark_Stranger's AndrophagosBio: CONGRATS DEWK! If Y'all are interested in who did all the entries, just be patient, they'll be up in a day or few.The entries have rolled in, as expected. However, more entries than ever before rolled it! We got 19 entries, more than 10 more than we've ever had (with the previous record being 8, if memory serves). Woo-hoo! In any case, that means the competition should be fierce this time around, just like many of your manticores.Please selectyour favorite, and feel free to post explanations for why you did or didn't vote for some. You can even post your complaints about which ones didn't make it into the top 15 (as 4 still needed to be cut).Also remember that if you are one of the finalists you must vote, but cannot vote for your own creation (I know, I know. It's blatantly superior to all the others. Get over it).So, without further ado, here are the finalists, in no particular order (I will try to add synergy lists to each of them in the next few days):Synergies:Bio:Synergies:Bio:WarBeast'sSynergies:Bio:Toogwick_tuk'sSynergies: N/ABio:Taeblewalker'sSynergies:Scytale'sSynergies:Sam'sSynergies:ObfuscatedHippo'sSynergies:NecroBlade'sSynergies: N/ALogical Explanation:Lazy Orang'sSynergies:Bio:flameslayer93'sSynergies:Confred'sSynergies:capsocrates'Synergies:Astroking112'sSynergies:Bio:aksisu11'sSynergies:Runners Up: Repaints My Maps Online Maps Customs

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in BLUE CAVE Dr.Goomonkey is Toril Elemental...in Last edited by Dr.Goomonkey; January 2nd, 2018 at 02:47 PM .