If you follow this blog, you’ve probably figured out that I enjoy imaginary animals. Particularly those of the ‘stitched together’ variety.

But you may never have heard of this one: A lamassu (or alad, or shedu or aladlammu) is a guardian deity from the area we now call Iraq. Different cultures depict them with slightly different iconography and with slightly different purpose, but perhaps the best known version is the one of the Assyrians, who put huge carvings of them at the entrances of their cities.

It is a silly little picture that takes itself entirely too seriously, but I was so pleased with the wings and background that I thought it was worth sharing. Unfortunately I couldn’t manage to get the head/neck attachment right. I think if the beard were not a requirement I could work something out with the primary muscles of the neck, but with them obscured there’s just not much I can do about it.

And now for something completely different.

It occurred to me that some of you might be interested in a guide to making stars like I did for the Diskworld post. It’s actually not too complicated. And besides, if you want apple pie you’ve got to learn to make a universe.

This tutorial has lots of pictures, so I’m putting it behind a cut so as not to clog up anyone’s RSS. It’s SFW, I promise!

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Nope, doesn’t have the same ring. Ah well. Have some fall leaves anyway.

Source photo taken long ago and far away by Thomas Mayfield.