Sword Whale

The Dreaded Wasters of the Frozen Sea

Written by David_Ulph

Basic Information

Anatomy

Sword Whales are large aquatic mammals similar in dimensions to a Sperm Whale. At full size, Sword Whales will be on average 52 feet (16 meters) long, however the Beast of Bloody Bay was said to be up to 67 feet (20.5 meters) long. The distinct feature of the Sword Whale is the sharp bony fin which protrudes from their back like a dorsal fin which is, at full size, around 5 feet (1.5 meters) long. This fin is serrated and used as the main weapon of hunting. A Sword Whale's face is owlish in features, sporting pointed snouts and large jaws filled with rows of sharp teeth.
Depending on where in the Frozen Sea, the colours of Sword Whales range from brown to grey.

Biological Traits

Sword Whales have powerful tails, being able to speed with ease through the icy waters. When agitated, they will use their tails to beat at the water and warn any other species that approach them.

Ecology and Habitats

The Sword Whales, being highly predatory, will lurk and patrol their territories, often relatively near some coastline. This also means a Sword Whale may be found near small islands found in the Sea.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sword Whales hunt by using their speed and size to stalk other large aquatic animals in the Frozen Sea, their preferred hunt being other whales especially Blue Whales. Sword Whales kill their prey by using their bladed dorsal fin to cut slashes across their undersides and following them till they bleed out. This savage way of killing has led to other whales, especially Blue Whales, to beach themselves rather than be hunted by a Sword Whale.
Sword Whales are also very wasteful eaters, hunting larger prey but only requiring small amounts of the carcass to feed upon. Sometimes, all that the Sword Whale will eat is the tongue, leaving the entirety of the body to rot or be consumed by other scavengers in the Frozen Sea.
Sword Whales may also be a threat to ships that attempt to sail near the coasts of the Frozen Sea. They will become confused and see ships as being the whales which they hunt and similarly attack. Many ships dock at port will holes and slashes in their hulls and even severely injured sailors unlucky for being in the wrong place at the wrong time when a Sword Whale's dorsal strikes through the vessel.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Sword Whales are usually solitary animals, being highly territorial. This changes when a female gives birth and the young will accompany their mother and feed on leftovers and scraps until they are strong enough to form their own territories.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The skin and meat of Sword Whales are highly poisonous for humans and most other land races, and so once killed their bodies will be discarded. However, because of their reputation and infamy throughout the Frozen Sea, they are hunted for both increasing safety for trade and travel routes, as well as to collect their highly valuable dorsal fins to hang as trophies in a nobles' manor.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Sword Whales are native to the Frozen Sea.