An updated ref for Ravik! I've had this handsome devil for 6 years now and I figured it was time to make some changes to keep him fresh.
With 2024 being the Year of the Dragon this year will not only mark a new look for my handsome drake but also the start of a new chapter in his personal story that I shall call his cult leader arc
Since his inception Ravik has been an aggressive, territorial loner who would devour anyone unfortunate enough cross his path (or fortunately if being consumed was the goal). But with the alteration in his appearance also comes a change in his demeanor, going forward I aim to Ravik show with a greater degree of cunning, using manipulation to get what he wants, as would be expected of a cult of personality.

This isn't to say I will retire his iconic yellow stripes, that look is still far too dear to me to let go.
Don't be surprised if see the odd comm or two featuring his OG look going forward >u>

Species: Kayevra
Sex: Male
Height: 10 feet (at the shoulder)
Length: 44 feet

Bio:
Ravik is a composite organism whose genetic material was harvested from the mummified remains of three Kayevran lords who ruled their respective city states during the reign of the Akkadian Empire. It wasn't until the 22nd century, thousands of years after the death of Ravik's last genetic contributor and the subsequent extermination of the Kayevras, that a hyper-wealthy individual with a passion for trophy hunting and ancient history bought ownership of a genetics company by the name Dynamic Genetics (DyGen) with the aim of reviving the extinct Kayevra species in order to hunt the specimen for sport.

Using genetic information sourced from this individual's private collection DyGen geneticists used artificial intelligence to combine the DNA of the genetic contributors to create a stable and healthy organism and make other additions to the genome. Such additions included a supercharged metabolism to speed up development and the needed alterations to accommodate the heightened metabolic needs. A more acidic stomach would break down proteins more efficiently with modified enzymes able to survive the lower pH. The tissues of the digestive system have become infused with Fluoroproteins to provide better resistant to the acids with the added benefits of greater flexibility and durability.

As the embryo was gestating within its artificial womb the final appearance was able to be predicted, a tan underside with intriguing stripes along its flank and muzzle. The benefactor, however, was unimpressed. On a whim the benefactor demanded that the specimen be entirely black with neon yellow stripes and rings around the neck and tail. The genetics team dreaded the idea of starting the project from scratch, doubling the time and resources they had already spent, but fortunately a cheap but effective solution was found. Specialized plasmids were injected into the dermus overwriting original coloration as editing the embryo's genome directly could lead to disastrous or even lethal mutations. The solution would not be permanent however, as cellular division would eventually wear out the plasmids able to repair and express its information, such deterioration would take many years to become noticeable, far longer than the specimen was expected to live given the circumstances. Fortunately for Ravik, fate would intervene.

More info will be added later

This wonderful piece was made by the talented artist  pssina