As I said in my post about traditional artistic depictions of chimerae there was little doubt to the creature’s appearance, which remained iconic over hundreds of years. The written descriptions, however, differed in the particulars. Artists of the Medieval age and beyond, depending on which writer they had access to, created different beasts from the same elements of goat, lion, and snake, with the element of fire coming from one or all three heads.
Chimera, by Velinov
Goat and lion heads sit side by side, both horned and outrageously fanged, and the snake has horns too and thorny protrusions on its scales. The legs are a mix of goat and reptile and it has fiery-colored fur. And it’s kaiju-sized! How can those tiny adventurers possibly kill it?
Chimera, by Arcovet
Just the head is shown here, but it’s more of a mix — lion mane, thorny goat horns, scaled serpent head with alligator teeth. It glows from the fires within.
Inktober October 8th, by Robbvision
The AD&D chimera: the three heads side by side, including a draon’s, all bellicose and snarling, bleating, or roaring. Lion body, dragon wings. But look out, it has TWO snake tails!
Wooded Chimera, by Javier Gonzalez
I’m including this one just because I like it. A North American chimera with grizzly, demonic elk, and condor heads. Wait, the condor doesn’t fit. Perhaps a gila monster or alligator would have been better?
