Join US
Do you want to build the fantasy world you’ve always dreamed of?
Subscribe to receive notifications when a new post is out and for our monthly newsletter!
You can always unsubscribe anytime.
The Fantasy Chimera: A Powerful And Vicious Beast
Sunfire
CONTENTS
The Premise
The fantasy genre is replete with many beasts, each one wondrous in their own way. They bring something to the table that the others don’t which only makes them more interesting when it comes to learning about them. Nowhere is this more evident when it comes to that of the fantasy chimera, one of the most unusual beasts that appear in the genre.
What sets the chimera apart from all the others is its appearance. Unlike all others that have a consistent appearance from head to foot, the chimera is a fusion of entirely different animals. For example, it is commonly depicted in various media as having the head of a female lion, a goat’s body, and a serpentine tail. Seeing one in person is certainly an experience that people will remember for the rest of their lives.
Despite its interesting appearance, the fantasy chimera is a dangerous beast. It sports several powers and abilities that it won’t hesitate to use when it senses danger or when attacking its prey. Experienced travelers strive to avoid getting close to such a vicious beast but should they cross paths with one, it’s imperative to recognize what it is capable of so that they can move to defend themselves.
A fascinating tidbit about the chimera is that there is no specific location that it can be found in. Unlike many other beasts that live in certain locales such as the forest or mountains, the chimera doesn’t appear in just one place, it appears in many others. The place it calls home depends on what it is searching for and sometimes it doesn’t stay in one place long. It’ll move elsewhere if it feels like it needs to.
This is article number fifteen in the fantasy creatures series. For more, take a gander at our blog page where there’s many fantastic articles you can check out!
The Unusual Appearance of the Fantasy Chimera
The chimera has long been part of the fantasy genre, appearing in various media over the decades. It commonly shows up in novels, graphic novels, and video games. Its exotic appearance enables it to distinguish itself from the numerous creatures that populate the genre, making it hard for people to forget about it long after the story’s moved past it.
The one aspect about the fantasy chimera that makes it unique amid a crowded field of beasts too many to mention is the fact that it looks like a hybrid of various creatures. Practically all other animals are consistent in terms of their appearance. For instance, a dragon has wings, sharp razor claws, and a tail and one look at it tells you everything you need to know about it.
Across different fictional realms, the chimera is presented as having a female lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a snake’s tail. The fusion of different animal parts to make such a beast makes for an appearance that is hard to forget, both for the characters who interact with it and the audience as well.
What makes the fantasy chimera so intriguing is that you don’t necessarily have to follow conventional standards when creating your own version. You can incorporate different parts of different animals to come up with one that people won’t forget. For example, you can opt to have a dragon’s head with a horse’s body and tail or a horse’s head with a dragon’s body. There is no shortage of the possibilities that exist here!
Should you deign to make your own, don’t forget to make the transition between different parts feel smooth. Though it may be a mishmash of various animal body parts, the chimera should still look and feel like a creature. That is, its rough edges should be smoothed out instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. For instance, a Pegasus just doesn’t hit right if it has an outstretched neck or abysmally small wings. Work to ensure that the transitions feel organic and smooth.
The Fantasy Chimera and Its Powers
For a creature as mysterious as that of the chimera, it has a bevy of powers and abilities at its disposal that it makes extensive use on, especially when it senses danger or is hunting for prey. These powers make it very dangerous for inexperienced travelers who suddenly find themselves facing a creature who can and will kill them if they deem them a threat.
One power the fantasy chimera wields is the ability to breathe fire. While this doesn’t necessarily apply to every member of this species, an overwhelming majority of chimera spit fire. Besides having this power, it can also shoot out ice and water. While these two aren’t as dangerous as their fiery counterparts, they can inflict great damage and freeze their target in place or a powerful blast of water can knock him off his feet.
There are cases where the chimera can converse with humans using the power of communication. Many have an ill disposition towards humans and whenever they cross paths with one, they suggest that they leave the area immediately if they know what’s good for them. The chimera prefers to be left alone and live in places far removed from civilization.
Depending on what type of fantasy chimera it is, its tail is one of its greatest weapons. Those with a dragon-like tail can easily send someone flying across a great distance with just a mere swish. It uses it to get rid of pesky nuisances or get a predator out of its sight so that it can get away from it.
Some chimera wield magical powers though they are elemental in nature. The type of magic they use is influenced by the area they live in. For example, for one that resides in an icy environment is likely to use ice and snowy magical powers against its prey and predators. Not a whole lot of animals know magic, making the chimera only a handful that can do it which makes them far more dangerous than many of their fellow creatures.
Areas the Fantasy Chimera Calls Home
The chimera is interesting in that there is no specific area that it appears in, regardless of the world it appears in. Unlike many animals who live in certain spots, the chimera is flexible in that it can appear just about anywhere, even in the most unexpected areas. Thus, it is important for travelers to be constantly on the guard, for they could stumble across one at any moment.
Just because the fantasy chimera has no particular domain it calls home doesn’t mean there are areas where one is more likely to be seen. It favors places filled with wildlife like forests where it can hunt for prey and seek shelter from the elements. In the forest, it prefers the innermost part which is considered its heart and claims it as its own territory. As long as the other animals stay out of its way, it is content with sharing the forest with them.
Sometimes a traveler might cross paths with a chimera in the middle of the desert, especially if an oasis is nearby. The chimera could be going through the desert or has decided to live around the oasis since it offers it everything it needs to survive. It enjoys the coolness of the water and the shade from the trees that give it respite from the sweltering heat.
One area the fantasy chimera is quite fond of is the highlands or the mountains. Their high elevation enable it to see many objects from a distance and the ubiquitous rock structures serve as excellent spots in which to pounce upon an unsuspecting enemy or retreat if it is in danger. There are a number of ways the chimera can use the rocky terrain to its advantage both in battle and out.
Since the chimera can be found in many parts of the world, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can live in icy and cold environments. The remoteness of these places means it sees little to no human contact which it likes though it has to do a great deal of hunting since not a whole lot of wildlife dwell there.
The fantasy chimera is a stellar addition to the world, whether it appears in the jungle or in the dark lands. It boasts a number of powers that uses to full effect, making it one of the most dangerous beasts a person might face out in the wild. Regardless of it i plays a prominent role in the plot or not, it is sure to leave an indelible impression on both your characters and the audience alike!
Let me know what you think in the comments below. (Note: this is an account-exclusive feature).
If you don’t have one, you can register here. It only takes a few moments of your time!
Liked this article and want to subscribe? All you have to do is fill out the form below and that’s it!
Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
DON'T MISS A POST!
Subscribing means you receive:
- notifications when a new post’s up!
- our monthly newsletter!
You can always unsubscribe anytime.
Share
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Print
Subscribe
Login
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Most Voted
