Breathtaking Wire Sculptures Capture the Fluidity of the Human Body
English artist Richard Stainthorp captures the beautiful energy and fluidity of the human body using wire. The life-sized sculptures feature both figures in motion and at rest, expressed in the form of large-gauged strands that are densely wrapped around and through one another. By doing this, he gives the work an undeniable presence. Stainthorp also allows the bent wires to shine by keeping their metallic appearance free from any obvious painting or additions.
Yesterday was the 10 year anniversary of my webcomic, a very special thank you to everyone who’s supported my work for a decade now ;_;
I’ve started streaming my art on twitch where you can watch my VTuber and make webcomic panels, work on book stuff, make other art, or sometimes play games. Follow me there and tune into the streams for the most updates on everything I’m making.
“…and there I wonder if the great warriors on Mount Celestia, revering their everlasting masters upon that great bulwark, truly dobelieve that creatures of innate goodness are not capable of great evils. I have seen the darkness among the light and there is no turning back from the truth of the universe - that even those who believe in the greatest of goods are desperately evil, and will put their beliefs above the lives they swore to protect. They call me a monster, now, for what I have seen, said, and done, but they cannot see the monstrousness inherent in their own grotesque, diabolical faith.” - Excerpt from “Seven Treatises on Good and Evil”, written by the zyranis Tau.
Fallen angels and ascended devils. The story of Zariel, the angel who fell, is known widely amongst the universe and told as a warning story to celestials that might follow her path. But few know of the fate of the zyrani - at creation, either devilish or celestial, but given a new turning point to ponder: free will. Scholars throughout the ages have wondered whether creatures of absolute law such as celestials and creatures of absolute evil such as devils have free will to govern themselves - at least the followers of true gods and true devils seem to simply follow orders. Zyrani either attain or are created with true free will, and all choose the middle path, essentially estranging them from both sides of the war. Their free will allows them to realize the horrible truth that neither devil nor angel wishes to accept: that there is no true good and no true evil, and that the grey in between stretches to encompass everything.
Dethroned generals. Zyrani of either devilish or celestial side that choose the middle path are generally destroyed by other members of their circle in an attempt to stop the perceived “wrongdoing” of the zyranis. Those that survive this ordeal or who manage to escape have punishment placed upon them threefold: celestial zyrani have their wings torn from them and their healing powers removed. Devilish zyrani have their regeneration stripped, and their devilish eyesight reduced. Both parties lose a majority of their abilities and are reduced to lesser creatures of their type, but a zyranis who chooses this path becomes a new being and gains strength from their choice. They themselves become the in-between: a strange, otherworldly amalgamation of devil and celestial that is simultaneously both beautiful and horrific.
A new life. Zyrani that are removed from Mount Celestia or the Nine Hells settle in between: they find their place on the Material Plane, usually passing as high-ranking generals of armies or royal advisors, using their ability to change their physical shape in order to pass as a humanoid creature. Those who can count a zyrani amongst their allies has a powerful force behind them, as a zyrani isn’t tied to any particular way of life or code of behavior, and will fight for whatever cause seems best at that moment. The zyrani’s neutrality allows for them to see from a new point of view, and they rarely choose sides in humanoid conflicts such as wars, unless the conflict may be a personal attack on the zyranis’ place in the world.
Friends and companions. Because of their neutral stance and their willingness to live amongst humanoids without detection, zyrani can become allies with nearly all neutral-aligned parties. They may pass as a druid protecting a grove that represents the circle of life, or they may live as a scholar amongst men, studying the works of history. Some zyrani choose to live as powerful, legendary beasts, in seclusion, and others may instead seek fame as a master thief, talented artist or intelligent sage. Zyrani avoid companionship with celestials and devils out of fear of detection or out of disinterest, and they shun causes that are outright evil or outright good, such as cults or religious sects.
Hybrid nature. The zyranis has two creature types: celestial and fiend (devil). It can be influenced by an effect if it works on either of its creature types.
“It was the steed of devils, torn straight from the bowels of the Nine Hells, screeching all the while as it fired nauseatingly powerful balls of fire and destroyed everything that surrounded it in a feat of absolute annihilation and strength. It was beastlike, but not in the same way that an animal is beastlike - it was imbued with demonic energy, and burst into flames and breathed cinders through its deformed muzzle.”
Devilish mounts. Helhests are somewhat equine or goatlike creatures from the Nine Hells, where they largely function as fiendish mounts for devils of higher ranks, such as commanders or generals. Their split hooves thunder across the plains of the Hells, and a helhest’s presence is often felt before it even appears - it imbues those around it with a sense of discomfort and breathlessness. Only devils that can truly control other devils around it will be able to ride a helhest, as these creatures often have a mind of its own, and will do anything in their power to destroy a rider they do not accept.
Infernal harness. Helhests carry a saddle- and bridle-like harness on their bodies that are encrusted with red, fiery gems bound together with dried leather made from demonic hides. The crest around a helhest’s head, which is part of its harness, allow it to exploit the innate power of the gems and release bolts of energy from it that it can use at a range. A helhest that has its harness removed from it cannot use this ability.
Friends and companions. A helhest is almost always found in the company of a high-ranked devil, such as an erinyes or orthon, and usually comes with a league of other devils under its master’s command. Helhests can also be found roaming free on the plains of the Nine Hells, most commonly on Avernus, Dis, and Malbolge.
Are you also bored with the current limited number of official familiars, whether you get yours through the find familiar spell or by befriending every imp that the DM throws your way? This should help! This collection contains eight new, unique familiars that are made distinct to fit every type of character that should want one. Additionally, each familiar has a trait or two that it can share with its bonded friend - but you may have to work for that.
For better, full-page high quality imagery, take a look at the Collection: Arcane Familiars at the Homebrewery here!
Enjoy this progression of me realizing how sweaty the werewolf from Howl-O-Scream’s Fiend show was last night. #howloscream #redhead #fiend #fiends #werewolf
