#calopus

These are my pets!

They are all Calopuses 

A calopus is a creature from European mythology and heraldry that has the head of a cat, horns of a goat and body of a wolf. As you can see here they exist in many different forms around the world.

Cinder and Ember are both girls whereas Ash is a boy. Cinder is the youngest, Ember is the oldest

“Skolh” © deviantArt user Exileden. Accessed at their page here

[According to @abookofcreatures​, the calopus was originally an antelope, but is frequently interpreted these days as a horned wolf, in part because of a weird translation in Carol Rose’s Giants, Monsters and Dragons. There’s no evidence to suggest the above art was meant to be a calopus, but I think it fits well. Reminds me of a speculative creodont, and thinking along those lines led me to make this an animal instead of a magical beast.]

Calopus CR 3 N Animal This creature looks something like a monstrous antelope. Its long horns curve over its head and bear dozens of sharp prongs. Its long supple legs end not in hooves, but short sharp claws.

The calopus is a pack-hunting carnivore of the plains that is related most closely to the hooved beasts, such as antelopes and gazelles. They may be mistaken for these harmless creatures at a distance by unsuspecting travelers, but they travel in single-species packs unlike the large herds of antelopes that travel with zebra, wildebeest and other animals. A calopus pack is a savage and well-coordinated unit in combat, tearing apart creatures as large as elephants if given the opportunity. They have little fear of humanoids and may attempt to kill and eat them if they outnumber such prey.

Calopuses live in packs comprised of multiple males and females—the sexes both bear horns and are difficult to tell apart except by experts. Fights for status in the pack are common but rarely lethal, resembling wrestling matches that end when one combatant is thrown to the ground. Calopuses are good parents, digging dens to shelter their calves and weaning them quickly by giving them small game and wounded larger prey to practice killing.  They prefer drier climes with sparse bushes and trees, as their oversized horns become tangled easily in thick vegetation.

A calopus stands about three feet high at the shoulder and weighs approximately 150 pounds.

Calopus as Animal Companions Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 50 ft.; AC +1 natural armor; Attacks gore (1d6), 2 claws (1d3); Ability Scores Str 11, Dex 19, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 8; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent

4th level Advancement: Size Medium; AC +2 natural armor; Attacks gore (1d8 plus maneuver), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex -2, Con +2; Special Attacks maneuver, powerful charge (gore, 2d8)

When I went to kumoricon last year, I heard a song during the AMV contest. I was absolutely obsessed with the song, and eventually had developed a story based on it. I'll have the song linked down at the end.

Calopus and Fengshuang have come to terms that it is no longer safe for them, and they must run away to the mortal plane to hide.

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Story that I'm currently writing based on this song. This will come in multiple parts with the tag "red string"

    "See this string?" The Dragon Fenghuang wrapped it around the Calopus' ring finger. "This will help us find each other again, it's our promise to each other"

    The Fenghuang wrapped the other end of the string around his own finger.

    "What if it doesn't work? What if...what if I can't find you" The Calopus' eyes were brimming with tears that threatened to fall.

    "My starlight, I know it will work. We're gods after all" The Fenghuang gave him a smile, holding his face while wiping the tears away with his thumb.

    "I don't want to go" The Calopus' voice was wavering. "Why does the universe hate us? Why can't we stay here"

    "Shh" The Fenghuang pulled him close, wrapping his arms around and holding tight. "We'll go together ok? I'll hold you"

    The Calopus could only nod, tears had started to fall from his eyes. The Fenghuang tilted his lovers head up to his, pulling into a kiss. When they finally pulled away from their final kiss, the Calopus buried his head into the other's chest, tightly holding his eyes shut.

    There was a sensation of falling.

    And then nothing.

(Song below the cut)

Name: Calopus

Alternate Names: Aptaleon, Horned Wolf

Mythology: European Heraldry

Size: Medium, much like a real wolf  

Environment: Any forest, not in jungles

In Mythika: They aren’t in Mythika yet, but if they are they probably end up as early-encounters, much like the replacers of the common wolf enemies you see in every RPG game, but these wolves have dangerous goat-like horns and spikes running over their spines.