Thanks everybody for the comments; lets see what I can do:
michelcote: Thanks!

don't worry, it's a bit over my skill level too x]
Probo: Yeah I think I need to man up, my programmer has it tough as it is!!
Mathias: I'm so jealous of people who can animate.
32: There will be multiple animations of this boss, but you're right; the time it would take to do that would be about the same as me just doing it the old fashioned way.
As for the raven knight, thanks for the crits; I'll get to them on her second pass :]
PixelPiledriver: Can I pay you in ramen and art to be my mentor?
Yeah the chains are a bit flat, but so is the general plane of the form they're on- in my head at least. I think they'll come alive once I make them dance.
for now, here's the rough:
