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Description
An undead monstrosity born from some unknown magic, the Cage Knight is a rather strange opponent. Those who find it on the battlefield may be baffled by its purpose, as it seems like a useless fighter. Its skeletal appearance and gaunt frame may suggest a quick foe, but it is quite slow and awkward in its movements. The thin legs that carry it stomp about with lurching, stiff movements, while its top-heavy body seems to teeter with each step. Save for a few exposed muscles, the rest of its body is coated with a strange metallic substance, which can repel sharp blades and heavy blows. Despite this impressive armor, it lacks any weapons of its own. Its long arms are fused to its rib cage, making them useless in combat. A sharp crown of spikes and a heavy body could possibly do damage, but its slow and loud gait makes it easy to outmaneuver. Warriors may try to topple this odd beast, but their weapons shall fail to scratch it. Once they see how awkward and clumsy it is, though, many choose to simply ignore it. Unfortunately, this is a poor choice. For this odd metal creature may not be dangerous in itself, but what it can unleash is truly devastating.

When it chooses to activate, it shall anchor itself to the ground and the Cage Knight's head will slowly begin to twist around. It creaks and clicks as its head spins on its neck, as if it was a mechanical owl. At some point it will have wound itself up to its limit, and the whole thing will thrust itself downward. Its head and neck will plunge into its body, like a turtle in its shell, and its arms will wrench its rib cage open. They will reveal only darkness, one that cannot be dispelled by light or torch. Those who gaze into it claim that it is a bottomless chasm, one that could not possibly exist. Yet, the Cage Knight wields this strange portal, and once the prison doors open, the inmates shall run riot.

From this opening shall burst forth a group of bizarre creatures, ones that are not found in this world. Their bulky body and squat form gives the impression of an ape, but that is where similarities end. They have no head on their shoulders, and the only semblance of a face are four eyes upon their chest. Their forearms split in two at the elbow, each ending with nasty crab-like claws. These forked limbs can swivel about and move independently, giving them a wide range of motion. There is currently no information about these monsters, as no one knows where they come from or what they are. Due to their appearance, they have been referred to as "Simians." When Cage Knight rips its chest open, eight of these Simians will come spilling from the portal. With warbled hoots and insectile screeches, they will charge forth into the fray. When they were first encountered, many feared magic and otherworldly abilities. Much like the things beyond, surely these abominations would possess cruel powers that defied mortal understanding. It didn't take long before people realized that the Simians had no magical powers. No beams to vaporize foes, or psionic waves to melt faces. All they had was their strength and physical prowess, which seemed like a relief at the time. Close combat was something any warrior could face, so these creatures would be easy to overcome. The poor souls that face these Simians, however, quickly realize their mistake.

While they have no magical abilities or eldritch powers, Simians do possess three devastating traits. They have an extraordinary strength, an impossible level of indestructibility and are one of the nastiest little turds you will ever encounter. A single forearm is capable of yanking an armored soldier off their feet, and one Simian can flip a laden carriage with ease. They have been seen ripping opponents apart limb by limb with hardly any effort, and fleeing combatants have found them capable of charging through brick walls. Those who have tried to fight them will find that they stand no chance against these beasts. Though they are made of fur and flesh like any animal, their bodies appear to be indestructible. Blades dull and bend themselves on their hide, and arrows shatter on impact. Those who have attacked a Simian say that their bodies are impossibly dense, and that striking one is like punching a boulder. Even when struck by a catapult's missile, a Simian will just tumble across the battlefield and then get back up without a care. Magic has been shown to slow them, but even the strongest of bolts and flames seem to just temporarily knock them down. Such strength and endurance already makes them powerful opponents, but what makes them even worse is the fact that they love being the rottenest lil' terrors alive.

Simians do not seem to follow any orders and they don't take anything seriously. They are less like hardened fighters and more like rambunctious toddlers running rampant in a toy store. From the moment they emerge, they immediately start spreading chaos, smashing everything around them and chasing down anything that catches their interest. They care not for the battle around them, as they are interested in amusing themselves and finding fun things to break. Unfortunately, other living beings are seen as sources of entertainment, and Simians play quite rough with their toys. The more one runs and fights them, they more determined they become in their efforts. Unleashing these terrors onto the battlefield is guaranteed to cause chaos and destruction. Fortifications will be barreled through, platoons will be thrown about like rag dolls and siege weapons will be torn into toothpicks. Simians function as a group, though some may run solo in pursuit of something shiny or screamy. Together they love to wreck and play, reducing buildings to rubble and brigades to bloody chunks. At times individuals may squabble or fight over a trinket one has found, but these petty brawls do not harm them. Most of the time, these fights will be more dangerous to the victim that is caught in the middle of it. Simians that are arguing over a cool helmet they stole from a solder may decide that the poor soul is hiding more of them, which can result in being bludgeoned to death or ripped into pieces as they violently search for hidden goodies.

Though Simians can cause untold destruction and mayhem, their reign does not last long. It seems that they can only exist on this plane as long as the portal is open, and the Cage Knight cannot maintain it forever. The second it opens its prison and unleashes the Simians, one can hear a metallic ticking come from its mouth. The clacking of its teeth is a timer, its frequency increasing the closer it gets to the end. After about five minutes, a droning cry will be emitted to signify that time is up. Its head will shoot back up into place and its ribcage will slam shut. The moment this happens, the Simians will dissipate and their essence will be sucked back into the cage. Only when the portal is opened again will these monstrosities run rampant, but this action is taxing to this automaton. After the time has ended, the Cage Knight will not have the strength to open its prison for an hour, giving the world a brief reprieve. Some may think that five mere minutes is hardly enough time for the Simians to cause problems. All one has to do is avoid them and survive until the time is up, and then they are gone. Such beliefs are quick to fade when one stands before the Cage Knight as its strength is nearly returned. The clambering of claws and the angered hooting that comes from its prison chills one to the bone, as these eager monstrosities yearn for the moment they are unleashed once more...

---------------------------------------------------------------

This is an old concept that has been on my "To Draw" List for quite some time. For some reason I could never get the drive to draw this, until I finally decided to just hammer it out and be done with it. I don't know why, but I absolutely love the Simians. Something about immortal, headless chimpanzees running rampant just seems wonderful to me. I mean, yeah, that is a living nightmare in my eyes, but I just love the idea. Magic spells and evil powers can be scary weapons, but nothing beats the terror and power of an angry ape.

Description
An undead monstrosity born from some unknown magic, the Cage Knight is a rather strange opponent. Those who find it on the battlefield may be baffled by its purpose, as it seems like a useless fighter. Its skeletal appearance and gaunt frame may suggest a quick foe, but it is quite slow and awkward in its movements. The thin legs that carry it stomp about with lurching, stiff movements, while its top-heavy body seems to teeter with each step. Save for a few exposed muscles, the rest of its body is coated with a strange metallic substance, which can repel sharp blades and heavy blows. Despite this impressive armor, it lacks any weapons of its own. Its long arms are fused to its rib cage, making them useless in combat. A sharp crown of spikes and a heavy body could possibly do damage, but its slow and loud gait makes it easy to outmaneuver. Warriors may try to topple this odd beast, but their weapons shall fail to scratch it. Once they see how awkward and clumsy it is, though, many choose to simply ignore it. Unfortunately, this is a poor choice. For this odd metal creature may not be dangerous in itself, but what it can unleash is truly devastating.

When it chooses to activate, it shall anchor itself to the ground and the Cage Knight's head will slowly begin to twist around. It creaks and clicks as its head spins on its neck, as if it was a mechanical owl. At some point it will have wound itself up to its limit, and the whole thing will thrust itself downward. Its head and neck will plunge into its body, like a turtle in its shell, and its arms will wrench its rib cage open. They will reveal only darkness, one that cannot be dispelled by light or torch. Those who gaze into it claim that it is a bottomless chasm, one that could not possibly exist. Yet, the Cage Knight wields this strange portal, and once the prison doors open, the inmates shall run riot.

From this opening shall burst forth a group of bizarre creatures, ones that are not found in this world. Their bulky body and squat form gives the impression of an ape, but that is where similarities end. They have no head on their shoulders, and the only semblance of a face are four eyes upon their chest. Their forearms split in two at the elbow, each ending with nasty crab-like claws. These forked limbs can swivel about and move independently, giving them a wide range of motion. There is currently no information about these monsters, as no one knows where they come from or what they are. Due to their appearance, they have been referred to as "Simians." When Cage Knight rips its chest open, eight of these Simians will come spilling from the portal. With warbled hoots and insectile screeches, they will charge forth into the fray. When they were first encountered, many feared magic and otherworldly abilities. Much like the things beyond, surely these abominations would possess cruel powers that defied mortal understanding. It didn't take long before people realized that the Simians had no magical powers. No beams to vaporize foes, or psionic waves to melt faces. All they had was their strength and physical prowess, which seemed like a relief at the time. Close combat was something any warrior could face, so these creatures would be easy to overcome. The poor souls that face these Simians, however, quickly realize their mistake.

While they have no magical abilities or eldritch powers, Simians do possess three devastating traits. They have an extraordinary strength, an impossible level of indestructibility and are one of the nastiest little turds you will ever encounter. A single forearm is capable of yanking an armored soldier off their feet, and one Simian can flip a laden carriage with ease. They have been seen ripping opponents apart limb by limb with hardly any effort, and fleeing combatants have found them capable of charging through brick walls. Those who have tried to fight them will find that they stand no chance against these beasts. Though they are made of fur and flesh like any animal, their bodies appear to be indestructible. Blades dull and bend themselves on their hide, and arrows shatter on impact. Those who have attacked a Simian say that their bodies are impossibly dense, and that striking one is like punching a boulder. Even when struck by a catapult's missile, a Simian will just tumble across the battlefield and then get back up without a care. Magic has been shown to slow them, but even the strongest of bolts and flames seem to just temporarily knock them down. Such strength and endurance already makes them powerful opponents, but what makes them even worse is the fact that they love being the rottenest lil' terrors alive.

Simians do not seem to follow any orders and they don't take anything seriously. They are less like hardened fighters and more like rambunctious toddlers running rampant in a toy store. From the moment they emerge, they immediately start spreading chaos, smashing everything around them and chasing down anything that catches their interest. They care not for the battle around them, as they are interested in amusing themselves and finding fun things to break. Unfortunately, other living beings are seen as sources of entertainment, and Simians play quite rough with their toys. The more one runs and fights them, they more determined they become in their efforts. Unleashing these terrors onto the battlefield is guaranteed to cause chaos and destruction. Fortifications will be barreled through, platoons will be thrown about like rag dolls and siege weapons will be torn into toothpicks. Simians function as a group, though some may run solo in pursuit of something shiny or screamy. Together they love to wreck and play, reducing buildings to rubble and brigades to bloody chunks. At times individuals may squabble or fight over a trinket one has found, but these petty brawls do not harm them. Most of the time, these fights will be more dangerous to the victim that is caught in the middle of it. Simians that are arguing over a cool helmet they stole from a solder may decide that the poor soul is hiding more of them, which can result in being bludgeoned to death or ripped into pieces as they violently search for hidden goodies.

Though Simians can cause untold destruction and mayhem, their reign does not last long. It seems that they can only exist on this plane as long as the portal is open, and the Cage Knight cannot maintain it forever. The second it opens its prison and unleashes the Simians, one can hear a metallic ticking come from its mouth. The clacking of its teeth is a timer, its frequency increasing the closer it gets to the end. After about five minutes, a droning cry will be emitted to signify that time is up. Its head will shoot back up into place and its ribcage will slam shut. The moment this happens, the Simians will dissipate and their essence will be sucked back into the cage. Only when the portal is opened again will these monstrosities run rampant, but this action is taxing to this automaton. After the time has ended, the Cage Knight will not have the strength to open its prison for an hour, giving the world a brief reprieve. Some may think that five mere minutes is hardly enough time for the Simians to cause problems. All one has to do is avoid them and survive until the time is up, and then they are gone. Such beliefs are quick to fade when one stands before the Cage Knight as its strength is nearly returned. The clambering of claws and the angered hooting that comes from its prison chills one to the bone, as these eager monstrosities yearn for the moment they are unleashed once more...

---------------------------------------------------------------

This is an old concept that has been on my "To Draw" List for quite some time. For some reason I could never get the drive to draw this, until I finally decided to just hammer it out and be done with it. I don't know why, but I absolutely love the Simians. Something about immortal, headless chimpanzees running rampant just seems wonderful to me. I mean, yeah, that is a living nightmare in my eyes, but I just love the idea. Magic spells and evil powers can be scary weapons, but nothing beats the terror and power of an angry ape.