Pitiful Demon Character in Rolara | World Anvil

Pitiful Demon

The Benevolent Specter of Emerald Bay

(a.k.a. Ol' Pitiful, The Toothless Guardian, The Corpulent Wanderer, The Emerald Phantom)

In the iridescent waters of Emerald Bay, where the sun casts golden threads upon the surface and the depths hide secrets untold, there exists a creature of paradox and wonder—the Pitiful Demon. This Great White Shark, robbed of its predatory prowess by a toothless maw, has become an enigma that defies the natural order, yet enriches the tapestry of local lore.   As fishing boats cast their nets under the watchful gaze of Tatharia Capitolina's towering spires, the Pitiful Demon emerges from the depths. Its corpulent form glides effortlessly through the water, a spectral presence that seems to absorb the bay's emerald hues. Fishermen, upon recognizing the familiar dorsal fin breaking the surface, cease their labor for a moment. With a sense of ritualistic reverence, they toss scraps of fish into the water, offerings to this unlikely guardian spirit of the bay.   The Pitiful Demon approaches, its Gaping Maw opening in what almost seems like a smile of gratitude. It consumes the offerings with a gentleness that belies its fearsome appearance, its actions imbued with an air of dignified grace. As it retreats back into the depths, the fishermen resume their work, their hearts lightened by this brief communion with a creature that exists at the intersection of nature's cruelty and humanity's compassion.   Scholars from the Laboratorium of Tatharia Capitolina have often ventured into Emerald Bay, their boats laden with arcane instruments and scrolls of ancient lore. They seek to unravel the mystery of the Pitiful Demon, to discern whether its condition is the result of arcane affliction or divine intervention. Yet, the creature eludes categorization, its existence a riddle that perhaps defies mortal comprehension.   In taverns and market squares, bards sing tales of the Pitiful Demon, its story a poetic allegory that captures the imagination of both young and old. It has become a symbol, a living parable that challenges the boundaries of natural law and speaks to the boundless capacity for empathy that resides in the Human heart.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

A grotesque parody of its once-majestic species, the Pitiful Demon is a corpulent Great White Shark, its girth bloated by years of handouts from sympathetic humans. Its skin, a mottled gray tinged with the sorrowful hues of Emerald Bay, clings tightly to its distended body, revealing a creature robbed of its natural agility and fitness. Most pitiable of all is its gaping, toothless maw—an unsettling void that speaks to a life of unnatural dependency and unfulfilled predatory instincts.

Identifying Characteristics

The Pitiful Demon of Emerald Bay has become a subject of local folklore, scholarly inquiry, and cultural symbolism in Tatharia Capitolina. This unique Great White Shark, distinguished by its lack of teeth and unusually large girth, is a living testament to the complexities of nature and the compassion of human society. This guide aims to provide readers with comprehensive instructions on how to identify this enigmatic creature should they find themselves sailing the emerald waters near Tatharia Capitolina.  
  1. Physical Characteristics

     
    • Coloration: Look for a mottled gray skin that seems to absorb the emerald hues of the bay. This unique coloration often makes the Pitiful Demon appear almost ethereal, blending seamlessly with its aquatic environment.
    •  
    • Size: The Pitiful Demon is notably corpulent, a result of years of being fed by empathetic locals. Its size is significantly larger than the average Great White Shark, making it easily distinguishable from other marine predators.
    •  
    • Toothless Maw: The most striking feature that sets the Pitiful Demon apart is its gaping, toothless mouth. This is the definitive characteristic that confirms the identity of this unique creature.
  2. Behavioral Traits

     
    • Non-Aggressive Approach: Unlike typical Great White Sharks, the Pitiful Demon approaches boats in a non-threatening manner. It has been observed to swim close to vessels without displaying any signs of aggression.
    •  
    • Sound Recognition: The shark has shown an uncanny ability to recognize the sounds of specific boats, particularly those of fishermen who have been known to feed it. If you notice a shark approaching upon the sound of your boat's engine or oars, it may very well be the Pitiful Demon.
    •  
    • Dorsal Fin Signal: When the Pitiful Demon is near, its dorsal fin often breaks the water's surface in a manner that almost seems like a greeting. This is another behavioral trait that can help in its identification.
  3. Time and Location

     
    • Emerald Bay Proximity: The Pitiful Demon is primarily found in the waters of Emerald Bay, near the port of Tatharia Capitolina. It rarely ventures far from this area.
    •  
    • Daytime Sightings: Most sightings have occurred during the daytime, particularly in the late morning and early afternoon. This is the best time to venture out if you wish to catch a glimpse of this legendary creature.
  4. Cultural Markers

     
    • Local Artwork: The Pitiful Demon has been depicted in various forms of local art, often as a toothless shark surrounded by an emerald aura. Familiarizing yourself with these depictions can aid in visual identification.
    •  
    • Fishermen's Tales: Listening to the accounts of local fishermen can provide valuable insights into the creature's habits and frequent locations. These firsthand accounts are often rich in detail and can serve as a practical guide.
     

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born in the open ocean, the creature that would come to be known as the Pitiful Demon was once a fearsome predator, a Great White Shark designed by nature to be an apex hunter. Its early years were likely spent mastering the art of the hunt, its teeth sharp and its instincts sharper. But fate had a different plan. A mysterious affliction robbed it of its teeth, rendering it incapable of fulfilling its biological destiny.   Unable to hunt, the shark found itself on the brink of starvation, its once-mighty form reduced to a pitiable state. It was during this time of desperate wandering that it entered the waters of Emerald Bay, near the bustling port of Tatharia Capitolina. Here, it encountered local fishermen who, moved by its plight, began to feed it. What began as an act of spontaneous compassion soon turned into a regular affair, as the shark learned to associate the sounds of specific boats with the promise of sustenance.   Over time, the Pitiful Demon became a local legend, its story whispered in taverns and sung in ballads. It also attracted the attention of scholars from the Laboratorium of Tatharia Capitolina, who speculated on the cause of its toothless condition. Was it a divine curse, a magical affliction, or simply a cruel twist of fate? The answers remain elusive.   Today, the Pitiful Demon continues to haunt the waters of Emerald Bay, a living testament to both the compassion and the hubris of mankind. It is a creature caught between two worlds, neither fully wild nor fully domesticated, its existence a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between humanity and nature.

Social

Mannerisms

Few figures capture the collective imagination as vividly as the Pitiful Demon, the toothless Great White Shark of Emerald Bay. While its physical characteristics and the cultural impact have been well-documented, the creature's mannerisms—those subtle behaviors and quirks that make it uniquely fascinating—deserve a closer look. This article aims to delve into the behavioral traits that set the Pitiful Demon apart from its more ferocious kin.  

Approachability

  One of the most striking aspects of the Pitiful Demon is its approachability. Unlike the typical Great White Shark, which is often characterized by its predatory nature, the Pitiful Demon exhibits a docile disposition. Fishermen recount tales of the creature swimming up to their boats, its dorsal fin breaking the water's surface in a display that many interpret as a form of greeting. This behavior has led to a unique form of interspecies interaction, where the shark and humans share a moment of mutual acknowledgment.  

Acoustic Recognition

  Another intriguing facet of the Pitiful Demon's behavior is its apparent ability to recognize specific sounds. Fishermen who frequent Emerald Bay have noted that the shark seems to respond to the sounds of particular boats or even individual voices. This acoustic recognition suggests a level of learned behavior uncommon in marine predators, further endearing it to the local community.  

Non-Aggressive Posture

  The Pitiful Demon's body language also sets it apart. Observers have noted that it tends to swim in a relaxed, non-threatening manner when approaching boats. Its eyes, often described as "expressive" for a shark, seem to convey a sense of curiosity rather than menace. This non-aggressive posture has contributed to the shark's reputation as a benign, even friendly, creature.  

Feeding Etiquette

  When it comes to feeding, the Pitiful Demon displays a set of manners that are almost courteous. It waits for food to be tossed into the water rather than lunging at it aggressively. Some fishermen even claim that the shark appears to "nod" in a form of gratitude, although this interpretation is, of course, anthropomorphic.  

Social Interaction with Marine Life

  While its interactions with humans are well-documented, less is known about the Pitiful Demon's relationships with other marine creatures. Preliminary observations suggest that it maintains a neutral stance, neither attacking smaller fish nor being targeted by other predators. This unusual social dynamic within the marine ecosystem is a subject of ongoing study.
Alignment
True Neutral
Current Location
Children
Sex
Male
Eyes
Black, lifeless, like dolls' eyes
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Gray and mottled
Height
20 ft (length)
Weight
4500 lbs

Comments

Please Login in order to comment!