Deepsea Leviathans

Tales of Deepsea Leviathans are spoken of across the world. Reports say that they are over 120 feet long, have a massive crocodile-like head, a large tail like a whale, and highly destructive. Not only this, but they often have a light-absorbing cells in their scales, allowing them to pass through waters almost completely visible to the naked eye. When they find a ship that captures their eye, they latch on and drag it to the bottom of the sea, drowning all unfortunate enough to be dragged down with it.

Summary

Leviathans reside at the the bottom of the ocean, where they compete with other massive creatures. When they are unsatisfied with their battles, they rise to the ocean's surface to either find more prey, or easier prey. Should they find a boat or ship, they swim towards it, and clamp down their massive jaws on it. From here, they dive underwater and drag the boat to the bottom of the ocean, near their nests. Often times they appear at complete random, though some have claimed that they target ships that are larger or more opulent, perhaps being a greater challenge.

Historical Basis

Though there is no strict history within these creatures, skeletal records of some larger sea creatures have been found in sedimentary banks in northwestern Telondra that slightly resemble leviathans, though much, much smaller. Not only this, but carbon dating has shown that they existed several million years before any known human activity. Additionally, Megeri refutations have proven that these creatures do not exist in the waters that the sapient sea race live in, but that does not rule out entirely the possibility that they could reside elsewhere.

Spread

Because the tale was kept in the hearts and books of sailors, the spread of these mythological creatures is far-reaching. Nearly every society on Folterra has heard of the tales of Krakens, though not all believe them as strongly as other nations.

Variations & Mutation

Some sailors claim that these beasts are even larger than their common length - reaching massive proportions up to over five hundred feet long. They also claim that they live in deep sea trenches, gorging on other giant lifeforms. Additionally, some tales say that these leviathans are distant ancestors of the Drakkon, though they deny these claims vehemently.
In ancient Golvtharian religion, Keata is the guardian deity of water and the seas. She is depicted as a massive leviathan that has a fierce temper, and requires constant appeasement. It is unknown if she is related to these mythological creatures, or even perhaps inspired them.

Cultural Reception

Many human settlers near coastal cities have heard these tales, often being the first to hear such things from sailors, merchants, and/or pirates. As such, Irongate, Plenn, Naea, Arlyia, and Aldren are the largest example of cultures who still believe them to this day. Areas that remain in contact with Megeri, such as Ilysia, Moongrin, Lahas, Iolas, and Arcadia do not believe in any of these tales - since the Megeri have refuted the myth of the massive sea creatures, but do admit that there are very large deepsea creatures.

In Literature

There are several books written on these creatures, with two of note being Above the Shadow of the Sea and The Sea's Vengeance, two extremely popular books that were written during the 10th century AV, and have subsequently have had fan-created sequels, plays, operas, and more, created in the wake of their success.

In Art

Several antique paintings depict these creatures, and even to this day, sculptures, paintings, and other medium capture the idea of what a leviathan could be.

Date of First Recording

806 AV

Related Species

• Human
• Megeri