Sturmavthdur (Stir-mav-th-door)

The Whaler's Woe

Sturmavthdur is a sea beast off the western coast of Eldurgrund known for destroying ships, ports, and wildlife. Many theories of the beast's origin have arisen, with many believing it is either a vengeful devil, demon, or nature spirit from the outer planes. With the local Threadweaver and Heisel cultures being steeped in folklore, the most common theory lends to being a spirit akin to Both the Bonsai (often viewed as an antagonist to humanity).
Due to its prolific presence across the coasts of Urrlógun, it has become a notable problem for any outgoing trade, resulting in a complete halt of exports during the spring and summer seasons. Stories of the creature's profound power were initially discounted, though its increasingly brash behavior made it impossible to ignore. Originally claimed to have swallowed rafts whole, Sturmavthdur eventually escalated to the destruction of fishing nets and docks. Merely a decade after the beast's first sightings, it beached its first Galleon; none of the crew remained, but the ship was recovered with a gargantuan gash in its hull.
While its prior destructive accomplishments were impressive for a sea beast, ongoing activity has eclipsed its history (ca. 1947 NG). In the year 1932 NG, Govenor Hellstrom placed a bounty on the creature for 1800 marks (equivalent to 1800 Augury gold). The bounty was later recalled after nine ships were destroyed by the creature. Several groups claimed to strike Sturmavthdur with ballistae or arrows, though no mortal strikes have been confirmed.
In the year 1947 NG, Sturmavthdur performed its greatest accomplishment: drowning a ship. While it had sunk plenty of vessels in the past (not uncommon in other parts of the world), Sturmavthdur managed to pull a ship into the ocean by gripping the anchor and swimming downward. Considered impossible by any mortal beast, the drowning of the Goading Eel turned most scholars to the idea that Sturmavthdur was a nature spirit or demon.
While several incredible tales of Sturmavthdur's accomplishments have spread, many smaller stories continue to go unnoticed. Dozens of rafts disappear every year thanks to Sturmavthdur. In the warmer seasons, whaling ships are practically unable to perform their task due to antagonistic behavior; given whale fat is the most important export from Urrlógun, meddling with ships has become a pressing topic for Eldurgrund. Currently, all coastal trade has been suspended in favor of using Augury roads.

Sightings

1904 NG, 18th of Feimber: Southern coast of Urrlógun. Report from Lord Heisel of Urrlógun
1907 NG, 8th of Taober: Western coast of Urrlógun. Report from Lady Threadweaver of Peatwood.
1911 NG, 15th of Taober: Eastern coast of Ghei Wyl. Report from Scout Ilsivaar of the elvish military.
1915 NG, 6th of Mitember: Northern coast of Caripreet. Report from Cardinal Merchant Anumar.
1922 NG, 30th of Mitember: Western coast of Peatwood territory. Report from Lord Heisel
1927 NG, 4th of Naiber: Southern border of the Fingerless Gulf. Report from gnome peasant 'Gerian Ingivar.'
1930 NG, 4th of Silber: Eastmost coast of the Fingerless Gulf. Report from orc peasant of Orc-Urr Aegis.
1932 NG, 8th of Taober: Western coast of Urrlógun. Report from Captain Edmure of the Overbarreled (Galleon Class)
1933 NG, 8th of Silber: Western coast of Peatwood territory. Report from Eldur Monk Gerdur Erntrude
1935 NG, 3rd of Naiber: Western coast of Peatwood territory. Report from Both the Bonsai at request of Monastic Order of the Eldursteries: report acquired through divination
1938 NG, 12th of Silber: Southern coast of Urrlógun. Report from Governor Hellstrom
1940 NG, 20th of Mitember: Redacted
1947 NG, 5th of Naiber: Fingerless Gulf, West of Urr Island. Report from Captain Orvis of the Goading Eel (Galleon Class)

Orkangunderr and the Identification of Sturmavthdur

"I seen it, greater than any boat on the sea! Greater than a war ship: my fishing cog and crew hadn't a dream of escaping. The rain was harsh but the moon was full; I saw its swimmin' in the white light, three humps across the water, each one a mountain of scales. We turned t'shore, but it'd coiled 'round the ship. Its size was a bow shot, at the least.
My father shared the stories and drew me pictures when I was a lad and the likeness weren't coincidence: the beast was Old Orkangunderr. The tradesmen tell tales of Sturmavdthur, the Whaler's Woe, but hear my word that they're same as one! Though old wise Orkangunderr hadn't a word o' wisdom for my crew; he came with a wrath of the old gods, the spirits o' the sea and forest. The old beast clashed on our ship, rockin' us like a hurricane. Weren't long 'fore we heard the flood o' water from hull to hold.

Water from below and pourin' rain above were enough already, 'fore Orkangunderr blew a gust of boiled steam: a guiser of sulfur. The rotten stench stained the ship and crewmates fell blind off the deck, skin boilin' from its breath. We hadn't but a single raft that three rats of the crew took in the madness. Rest o' my men drowned that night and I was cast to the water. Last thing I 'member is the hull splittin' in two and the rearin' beast in the thunderlight: an angry god with a grudge against man.
Next day, I woke on the coast of Urrlógun; rest o' my crew weren't ever found, not even the rats in the raft. The Heisel's got me warm and fed but not a word o' mine got across to 'em, expect that our ship sank with the tradable fish. I told 'em they best retire them waters if they don't want the wrath of Orkangunderr upon their shore... When they said they was gonna send me to cap'n a new ship, I took up the lumberjack's axe."

— Burkhard Schwaltz, Captain of the Bigger Fish

The beast they call Sturmavthdur is often compared with Orkangunderr, the Wise and Wrathful. Depicted as a serpentine spirit and referenced in ancient Eldurgrund folklore, he was equated with a monolith of Elduri values at the time, invoking themes of mysticism, nature, and justice. Many scholars who study the old tales of Orkangunderr also believe he was a representation of Eldurgrund, known for its brutal deliverance of justice and revenge in its early years (evident in the prefix Orkan, an outdated Elduri word for 'hurricane'). Although Sturmavthdur is, wrathful, destructive, and powerful enough to fell ships, most educated individuals find the Orkangunderr equivalency unconvincing.

While Orkangunderr is a spirit, Sturmavthdur remains uncategorized. There are points of evidence for a broad range of entities, including that of a spirit, demon, or sea beast but the truth continues to elude the governy. Its harsh nature leads many to claim it to be an Aufalten: a rebellious spirit forced into mortal form; in contrast, many think it may be an Ohdaufehl, a spirit retaining its ambiguous form and status as a servant of the gods. The Ohdaufehl claim holds credence, as Sturmavthdur has been described in several different ways, implying it changes form between attacks; however, this inspires the question as to why the gods wish wrath to be brought upon mankind. The discordance in its potential spiritual form with spiteful motivation is evidence for its allocation as a demon though its definite alignment towards chaos or law remains unknown, as no communication has ever been established. Lastly is the potential for Sturmavthdur to be a sort of beast but its display of boiling weapons and incredible strength (capable of sinking a ship by pulling upon the anchor) would make it an exceptional animal.

The Hunt of Sturmavthdur: 1932 NG

In the year 1932 NG, Governor Gunderr Hellstrom of Eldurgrund put a bounty on Sturmavthdur in response to commerce and travel complaints from nobles across Eldurgrund, most notably the Heisel Family who used the local waters to trade, travel, and reach their esteemed hunting island south of Urrlógun. Given that nobles travel from as far as Shellbay to hunt at Urr Island (and pay for the pleasure), the Heisels were given the opportunity to plead their case for the losses accrewed. The governor, wishing to keep all parties happy, offered to cover a bounty of up to 1800 gold on the lordship's behalf.
Word of the bounty traveled quickly due to the presses of Euvurcrest, resulting in a wide range of individuals attempting the job. Most individuals were captains of fishing boats who already had ships in their possession, though they took to hiring soldiers. Even an Eldur Knight took his leave in hopes of felling the indomitable Sturmavthdur and acquiring the glory that came with it. As many as forty fishing, whaling, and trade ships took to the Fingerless Gulf with all manner of weapons, including two J'barri fire magic weapons acquired by the Eldur Knight.
The hunt lasted a month with only sightings and muses of the creature's location, which was impossible to track through the water. Various crews congregated on the sea, sharing tales of what they had seen, including the destruction of other ships and damage to their own. One verified report described an abandoned ghost ship: a galleon with three decks and no crew members drifting on the open sea.
In the last week, nine verified attacks were reported, each of which sank the ships involved. Unfortunately, this includes Eldur Knight Euric Reinbach, though he had already been discredited of his position upon joining the hunt. Of the nine crews, eight individuals survived, saved by other hunters who abandoned their goals upon learning of Sturmavthdur's destructive path.

The eight survivors described the creature in a variety of ways, with the most dominant features including toothed tentacles, wings, and scales. Its speed and tactics were also described by the more educated crew members under their Eldur Knight captain, who described Sturmavthdur as using "guerilla tactics," including short bursts of attacking followed by rapid retreats. Allegedly, it could disappear into the ocean's void in the blink of an eye, even in broad daylight.
In the months following the failed hunt, the presses of Euvurcrest painted the event as a poorly planned slaughter; most blame was placed upon Governor Hellstrom for putting the task to bounty hunters rather than addressing it with military power. To preserve his own image, the bounties were retracted and thousands of Elduri marks were given to pay for damages (to both the Heisels and bounty hunters, which was afforded by selling a fire magic weapon to the eccentric Osman family). The event only harmed the image of the governy thanks to the press and selling of a sacred artifact to make up for financial losses.

Devilish Offspring?

To the right is an illustration by a monk of the Eldursteries. It depicts a large sea creature washed ashore and discovered dead by a local villager. It appears similar to a squid, often seen far north of Eldurgrund by independent fisheries. This creature, however, is 6 meters in length with several unique features compared to the foot-long species of the Northlends.
The creature has made many return to the idea that Sturmavthdur is an Aufalten, as they are able to reproduce through Budding. These offspring can take many different forms, but it is feasible that this creature budded from Sturmavthdur as it was found in the same territory.
What the offspring could be capable of is unknown, but it is certainly large enough to destroy a raft or small ship. The presses of Euvurcrest shared the story of the creature for weeks, heightening fear and paranoia around Sturmavthdur and the potential "army of the deep" that it could put upon the good people of Eldurgrund. The greatest concern is the possibility that Sturmavthdur could produce landborne offspring.
All research is inconclusive, but the creature was preserved and delivered to the Monastic Order of the Eldursteries for study; as biology is not a cornerstone of the local monks, it was sent to Euvurcrest in the year 1959 NG so that Rembrandt Armonis could expand on current findings.
Rembrandt Armonis was known for groundbreaking work in herbalism, plant taxonomy, and plant biology upon taking up the mantle of Sturmavthdur research. However, he has made great progress in studying the specimen, which he named "Sturma Inspidis."

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*All art generated by Smokingbat7906 in midjourney*