Calopus

The aptaleon or calopus is a goat-like creature with serrated horns. The calopus was sometimes used in for symbolic purposes in medieval heraldry, the practice brandishing armor with an insignia.

A calopus

Origin

The first known depiction of the Calopus was found carved into a block of wood in Norfolk England’s Raveningham Church. The church its self was erected sometime around 1383, and although this carving is the first known physical representation of the Calopus, a similar beast existed in ancient Babylon, where it was sometimes called the Chatloup or the Aptaleon.

Description

The Calopus is described as having a large, wolf like body, a felid face, a boar like snout and a beard like that of a goat. Said to support its self on cloven fore hooves, and a reptilian like hindquarter, the Calopus was sometimes used in for symbolic purposes in medieval heraldry, the practice brandishing armor with an insignia.

Heraldry

The Calopus was chosen as an armor brand for its feared reputation as a fierce predator, warriors brandishing the insignia of the Calopus hoped to instill fear in their eyes of their enemies. The Calopus’s most notable feature were its two, huge, serrated horns, which eyewitness claim where so strong and so sharp that they could cut down trees, a skill which came in handy when the creatures prey would use their climbing skills as a means of escaping the voracious predator.