Azmouf

The colossal Zaratan forming the firmament of the Wandering City is aged beyond all reckoning and has borne nearly as many names as there have been civilizations that cast their eyes upon her. “Azmouf” is the Fey name for her, and the Elves call her "Andua" in Sylvan. The Halflings prefer “Shelly” or "Shelton", conflating the creature with the city. The Tenths know her as “Aldua”, presumably a corruption of the Sylvan, and the Mauldeno language adopts the Yishanim term, developing it into the modern “Zaratani”. In the common tongue, “Zaratan” predominates and there is no word distinguishing the individual from her species, as they are one and the same.
Legend has it that the Zaratan was once in communion with the Elves in the Summer Age, or even earlier – but since that time only a select few have ever had the means and inclination to make contact with the epic creature. It is so enormous and perceives time so differently from other mortals that communication with her is exceedingly difficult. As a result, very little is known about her origins, character and wisdom.

Dimensions

Nearly 20 miles reckoned from snout to tail and with fins that might reach 25 when fully extended (if indeed they still can be), Azmouf dwarfs every other known creature living on Oa by multiple orders of magnitude. Even in the wildest recorded estimates no historian ever reckoned the Tarrasque as measuring more than two or three hundred yards in length.
The Zaratan’s height has never been properly reckoned as it is unsafe to dive in her vicinity, but the vertical from sea level to the lip of her shell at which point most neighbourhoods begin construction measures some 200-250 feet. One of the distinguishing features of this creature (who is comprised entirely of distinguishing features) is the peculiar bone spur forming a spire in the center of its shell. The spire, measuring well over 1000 feet above sea level, is sufficiently distant from the creature’s circulatory system and adequately exposed to swift winds and cloud cover to create a frigid microclimate at its peak. The snow that gathers near the top and melts as it approaches the body heat of the Zaratan serves as the primary basis for the Wandering City’s irrigation system.

Migration

Regular as clockwork, Azmouf migrates in the spring of each year to the cooler climes of Aildean and rests there for a lunar cycle before returning to the more temperate vicinity of Nessardine as winter approaches. A brief rest is also taken in the vicinity of Greater Shelton in the southernmost part of Hundred House both ways. This self-regulating climate is a boon for the residents of the Shell, who avoid the harshness of winter and never have to deal with snow.

A Unique Being?

Generally recognized as a unique or even divine being, the Yishanim believed that there were other such creatures in the world: a fact seemingly confirmed through Azmouf’s conversation with Ch--- / Chantrelle Pittypat / Charity Milkbath / Cherry Merrybottom though in the smallest possible quantum. The Zaratan mentioned having been alone for ages, but having at first known and travelled with her mother. Given the rare opportunity to commune with other beings, Azmouf took the opportunity to ask after her, but without success.
It appears, however, that the known population of Zaratans in the world is about to double. Azmouf confided in Cherry that she was expecting, with the birth anticipated shortly, upon landfall. The Wandering City does not actually make landfall in the course of its annual migration, which suggests the City residents are in for somewhat of a surprise upon their arrival in Nessardine or wherever Azmouf should deem fit to take to shore.

Relationship to Other Life

Far from being perturbed by the sprawling civilization buzzing about her shell and digging some ways into it, Azmouf takes unmitigated joy in the presence of other intelligent beings and considers the proliferation of life on her shell a blessing from the gods. (This, in itself, reveals something interesting about her perception of her place in the cosmos.)
Azmouf asked Cherry to convey her gratitude to the residents of the city for their company. She marvels at the boats, airships and other contraptions the intelligent races devise and cast about her, but laments that she is unable to engage with them fully as they fly about at a pace she cannot perceive.
The longstanding question as to why the Zaratan seems to keep such a steady pace and level attitude, and does not dive like other sea turtles seems to finally been answered in her conversation with Cherry: the first conversation instigated with Azmouf that has not been directed entirely at mortal affairs and exigencies in millennia. It seems that she does not naturally keep such a level bearing; rather, she cares for the creatures on the shell and deliberately takes great care not to disturb the little dears.

Knowledge of the Tarrasque

On a more disturbing note, Cherry probed the Zaratan’s relationship with the Tarrasque and learned that she had a recollection of her past encounter with it. She feared it and apparently altered her migration to the depths of the southern sea to put a greater distance between them. She mentioned that she can hear him still, his anguish as he wrestles with his bad dreams from deep inside the earth, and that she has great pity for him. She mentioned something more about the Tarrasque being cursed, to which Cherry helpfully replied that curses can be broken. Perhaps they can.

Interests and Aspirations

Azmouf enjoys music greatly, having just heard it recently for the first time. She enjoys batting at particularly shiny boats, toying with sea lions, and watching sunsets. She aspires one day to be a mother and to see a horse.