Bestiary
Sea Serpents
Lore written by MetaphysicalMonsters.
Sea Serpents are massive, snake-like creatures with immense ivory tusks and webbed fins. They are typically between 25-40’ long, though they can grow to be much larger. They are carnivorous and notoriously dangerous, especially to human ships.
Sea serpents live in shallow water and near the surface of all seas and oceans during the spring, summer, and early fall, though are rarer in the northern seas. In the fall and winter they migrate to deep waters and are very rarely seen by anyone but abyssal Tidekeepers. Their eyes are not adapted for such low light levels, however. So, in the fall they develop fat deposits on their snouts and jaw, which aid them in the use of sonar. When they lose them again in the spring some of the bone structures of their sonar systems can be faintly seen underneath their skin. Though, it is generally ill-advised to get close enough to observe this. Since they are usually only seen when being hunted or hunting, sea serpents have a reputation for being stupid, thoughtless killing machines. Only those who have an affinity for quietly watching the happenings of the sea know anything more about them. |
A sea serpent. Artwork by MetaphysicalMonsters. |
Danger
Sea serpents usually aren’t overly aggressive, but when provoked can be incredibly dangerous to both humans and dragons - especially considering their tusks can easily grow to be more than a foot long. Unfortunately, provoking them can mean just approaching them.
The real danger of sea serpents comes from their opportunistic hunting habits and curious natures. If a human or dragon is small enough to eat, it is likely a serpent will attempt to eat them. Otherwise, serpents often aren’t actually attacking when it seems like they are. The problem is that when they're curious about things, the best way for them to figure out what it is is to bite it. Or, in the case of smaller human ships, attempting to climb on top of them and sinking them. In these cases people, understandably, will try to defend themselves, which will then cause the serpent to attack in earnest. Juvenile sea serpents are especially notorious for this. They are much easier to scare away than older serpents, though. So, if a ship has the proper guides or long-ranged weapons they are usually safe from overly curious youngsters - as long as they spot them quickly. |
A sea serpent’s skull. Artwork by MetaphysicalMonsters. |
Cultural Relevance
Sea serpents are often hunted for sport by trophy-seekers of all species and ethnicities, but are primarily hunted by Tidekeepers - both saltwater and abyssal - for their tusks. Their tusks are a part of traditional saltwater Tidekeeper armor and weaponry, and makes for practical armor/weaponry/intimidation for abyssal Tidekeepers. Saltwater Tidekeepers even have a unique name for the most massive of serpents: Greater Serpents.
There’s a specific method for hunting sea serpents that is passed down by saltwater Tidekeepers, and is viewed as the most respectable way to kill a sea serpent, both for its efficiency and the skill required to pull it off.
The technique is to goad a serpent into lunging at oneself, then dodging at the last second and smacking the top of the snout as hard as possible. This damages the sensitive sonar organs there and stuns the serpent for a short amount of time.
Most teachers emphasize the need to slay the creature swiftly after this for two reasons. The first is that most sea serpents will flee upon recovering. This not only loses the trophy, but also just makes the entire fight an unnecessary cruelty. The second reason is that all other sea serpents will become enraged and will flail wildly until they recover their wits enough to skewer you.
Abyssal Tidekeepers have an entirely other method for hunting sea serpents, one that usually must be learned due to the nature of their culture.
Because sea serpents have fat that helps protect their sonar organs while in the deep, dark waters abyssals call home, abyssals cannot employ the same methods to hunt them as their pelagic counterparts. Instead, they make a horrible cacophony of sound to interrupt the sea serpents’ sonar, and attack while the creature is distracted. This is still rather difficult, as some serpents are able to parse the sounds an abyssal makes and pinpoint their location anyway. The most skilled of hunters are capable of throwing their voices and using echoes to their advantage to completely disorient even the most experienced of sea serpents.
Sometimes, when greater serpents terrorize the deep abyssals will band together for a rare stint of collaboration and take down the creature together. With multiple dragons screeching at the sea serpent, hunting it becomes much easier.
Though their tusks are most valued by Tidekeepers, sea serpent ivory will fetch a pretty penny in most places that value such a thing. So, Merosians and southern Shipwreckers often hunt them as well. Sea serpent eggs are also considered a delicacy in Meros; and basically only Meros because of their extremely salty flavor, and their tendency to pop and spill sea serpent juice everywhere.
Sea serpents overall have a rather bad reputation. They’re thought of as mindless, hyper-aggressive killing machines who attack indiscriminately. While it is true that they can be aggressive and are rather stupid, the reality of their natures is much more complex, though often overlooked or misunderstood.
Despite all this, sea serpents are often viewed with somewhat morbid awe. Their immense size, graceful swimming, and striking patterns have captivated many seafarers and there are ample shanties, songs, poems, and illustrations detailing encounters with them, even if it was just a distant sighting. A Stormherald poet who was on a ship that was attacked by one described the serpent as having a “horrifying beauty” and likes to show off the dent on her scales that she received from its tusks.
Sea serpents are the zodiac sign for April. Read more about the Realm of Serpents zodiac here.
There’s a specific method for hunting sea serpents that is passed down by saltwater Tidekeepers, and is viewed as the most respectable way to kill a sea serpent, both for its efficiency and the skill required to pull it off.
The technique is to goad a serpent into lunging at oneself, then dodging at the last second and smacking the top of the snout as hard as possible. This damages the sensitive sonar organs there and stuns the serpent for a short amount of time.
Most teachers emphasize the need to slay the creature swiftly after this for two reasons. The first is that most sea serpents will flee upon recovering. This not only loses the trophy, but also just makes the entire fight an unnecessary cruelty. The second reason is that all other sea serpents will become enraged and will flail wildly until they recover their wits enough to skewer you.
Abyssal Tidekeepers have an entirely other method for hunting sea serpents, one that usually must be learned due to the nature of their culture.
Because sea serpents have fat that helps protect their sonar organs while in the deep, dark waters abyssals call home, abyssals cannot employ the same methods to hunt them as their pelagic counterparts. Instead, they make a horrible cacophony of sound to interrupt the sea serpents’ sonar, and attack while the creature is distracted. This is still rather difficult, as some serpents are able to parse the sounds an abyssal makes and pinpoint their location anyway. The most skilled of hunters are capable of throwing their voices and using echoes to their advantage to completely disorient even the most experienced of sea serpents.
Sometimes, when greater serpents terrorize the deep abyssals will band together for a rare stint of collaboration and take down the creature together. With multiple dragons screeching at the sea serpent, hunting it becomes much easier.
Though their tusks are most valued by Tidekeepers, sea serpent ivory will fetch a pretty penny in most places that value such a thing. So, Merosians and southern Shipwreckers often hunt them as well. Sea serpent eggs are also considered a delicacy in Meros; and basically only Meros because of their extremely salty flavor, and their tendency to pop and spill sea serpent juice everywhere.
Sea serpents overall have a rather bad reputation. They’re thought of as mindless, hyper-aggressive killing machines who attack indiscriminately. While it is true that they can be aggressive and are rather stupid, the reality of their natures is much more complex, though often overlooked or misunderstood.
Despite all this, sea serpents are often viewed with somewhat morbid awe. Their immense size, graceful swimming, and striking patterns have captivated many seafarers and there are ample shanties, songs, poems, and illustrations detailing encounters with them, even if it was just a distant sighting. A Stormherald poet who was on a ship that was attacked by one described the serpent as having a “horrifying beauty” and likes to show off the dent on her scales that she received from its tusks.
Sea serpents are the zodiac sign for April. Read more about the Realm of Serpents zodiac here.
Intelligence
Many people have no idea sea serpents have any sort of capability for problem solving, or intelligence at all. This is mostly due to their horrible reputation, but also due to the fact that sea serpents are usually only seen when hunting or being hunted. In reality sea serpents have an intelligence level similar to that of most snakes and sharks; meaning they aren’t particularly bright, but can surprise you sometimes.
They have been observed using their coils to manipulate food, mostly to pull it off of their tusks and consume it. This is definitely a learned skill, though, as the few times this behavior has been documented the serpents were all adults. Of the stories that can’t be verified, some do include younger serpents, though they were reportedly very clumsy. There is evidence that sea serpents are smart enough to recognize individuals, and even ships. If someone routinely feeds them they often approach that person (or their vessel) when they don’t approach others. Tidekeepers have the special opportunity to interact with these creatures in close quarters, and while most use this opportunity to study them under the lens of hunting them, some do not. It’s not common knowledge across the realm, but some Tidekeepers have found that, like sharks, so long as you’re calm and know when to gently push a sea serpent’s mouth away they can be safely interacted with and even pet. Some say that the best time to do this is right after the sea serpents return from migration, as though they might be more easily agitated at this time, the fat on their heads remains and is fun to squish. |
In fall, sea serpents grow extra fat on their faces to aid in the effectiveness of their sonar. Artwork by MetaphysicalMonsters. |
Life Cycle
Sea serpents hatch at a length of about 5’ from surprisingly small, spherical eggs, only approx. 10” in diameter. Their clutches are massive and layed communally, so upon hatching sea serpents are surrounded by their kin. Since they are so small and numerous their clutches attract predators, and become a feeding frenzy for a number of sea creatures, sea-faring birds, and occasionally humans and Shipwreckers looking to easily restock their food stores or sell to Meros and other curious nobles.
As such, the survival rate of newly hatched sea serpents is rather low. Though, due to the size of their clutches, this still means a very large number of sea serpents manage to escape.
In their first year sea serpents stay near the surface and do not migrate. They grow incredibly fast, often reaching around 15’ by the time they become a year old. They will eat anything they can fit into their mouths during this time, regardless of if they should. Once they hit a year, though, their growth slows a bit and they become more curious as well as start to migrate with their elders. They grow about 2’ a year for the next 5 years. Though their rate of growth slows after their 6th year, it never truly stops, which is how you get the massive serpents of legend. Most sea serpents range from about 25-40’ long, but Greater Serpents have been reported being more than 50, or even 100’ long! Due to the bragging nature of many sailors, though, it’s hard to tell how big they can actually get.
Sea serpents are completely solitary for most of their lives, only forming groups during breeding season and very occasionally during migration - though the latter is most likely just due to the fact that they were heading in the same direction. They don’t make much noise during this time (aside from sonar), only shrieking or whistling when injured or angered, though juvenile sea serpents are more vocal than adults.
Very little is known about sea serpent mating habits. It’s only well-known that they seem to disappear for an estimated week or two at the end of summer. Some have reported seeing sea serpents in massive groups on the surface at this time, though most of them wisely decided not to stick around. Curiously, those who were brave/stupid enough to get closer claim that the sea serpents whistle sonorously at and twirl around each other in what seemed to be an almost joyful manner. They seemed to even linger longer and sing louder with some individuals more than others. No one knows why they do this, but of the few people who have seen this, more than one state that it looked like they were greeting long-lost friends.
Though little is known about the adults, plenty is known about their eggs. They are soft-shelled and stick together, forming huge mats floating in the open ocean. The sheer number of eggs per mat suggests that serpents can lay hundreds of eggs per clutch. For the three months these eggs incubate, these mats become infested with a great number of other species. They’re eaten by many small sea creatures and birds. Other than their predators, very small sea creatures sometimes use these mats as shelter, similar to the way floating kelp becomes home to small crabs, sea horses, and cephalopods.
Sea serpents have a fairly short lifespan for creatures their size, only 8-12 years. This is likely due to high predation by large sea creatures such as bone leviathans and sea wraiths, and hunting done by dragons and humans. The presence of Greater Serpents suggests the age at which they naturally die is much older, though. It’s a bit hard to estimate the age of a creature who is trying to impale you with tusks as long as a human is tall, so it’s unknown how old Greater Serpents can be. Theoretically, one could probably figure this out if they were to keep a sea serpent in captivity, but this is a fool’s errand for a number of reasons.
First of all, very few have the means to make and maintain a tank big enough to house a 30’ long serpent for more than a decade. Second of all, who has the means to feed the darn thing for that long? Thirdly, due to their vast hunting ranges and migratory natures, it’s very unlikely a sea serpent would even survive in captivity.
As such, the survival rate of newly hatched sea serpents is rather low. Though, due to the size of their clutches, this still means a very large number of sea serpents manage to escape.
In their first year sea serpents stay near the surface and do not migrate. They grow incredibly fast, often reaching around 15’ by the time they become a year old. They will eat anything they can fit into their mouths during this time, regardless of if they should. Once they hit a year, though, their growth slows a bit and they become more curious as well as start to migrate with their elders. They grow about 2’ a year for the next 5 years. Though their rate of growth slows after their 6th year, it never truly stops, which is how you get the massive serpents of legend. Most sea serpents range from about 25-40’ long, but Greater Serpents have been reported being more than 50, or even 100’ long! Due to the bragging nature of many sailors, though, it’s hard to tell how big they can actually get.
Sea serpents are completely solitary for most of their lives, only forming groups during breeding season and very occasionally during migration - though the latter is most likely just due to the fact that they were heading in the same direction. They don’t make much noise during this time (aside from sonar), only shrieking or whistling when injured or angered, though juvenile sea serpents are more vocal than adults.
Very little is known about sea serpent mating habits. It’s only well-known that they seem to disappear for an estimated week or two at the end of summer. Some have reported seeing sea serpents in massive groups on the surface at this time, though most of them wisely decided not to stick around. Curiously, those who were brave/stupid enough to get closer claim that the sea serpents whistle sonorously at and twirl around each other in what seemed to be an almost joyful manner. They seemed to even linger longer and sing louder with some individuals more than others. No one knows why they do this, but of the few people who have seen this, more than one state that it looked like they were greeting long-lost friends.
Though little is known about the adults, plenty is known about their eggs. They are soft-shelled and stick together, forming huge mats floating in the open ocean. The sheer number of eggs per mat suggests that serpents can lay hundreds of eggs per clutch. For the three months these eggs incubate, these mats become infested with a great number of other species. They’re eaten by many small sea creatures and birds. Other than their predators, very small sea creatures sometimes use these mats as shelter, similar to the way floating kelp becomes home to small crabs, sea horses, and cephalopods.
Sea serpents have a fairly short lifespan for creatures their size, only 8-12 years. This is likely due to high predation by large sea creatures such as bone leviathans and sea wraiths, and hunting done by dragons and humans. The presence of Greater Serpents suggests the age at which they naturally die is much older, though. It’s a bit hard to estimate the age of a creature who is trying to impale you with tusks as long as a human is tall, so it’s unknown how old Greater Serpents can be. Theoretically, one could probably figure this out if they were to keep a sea serpent in captivity, but this is a fool’s errand for a number of reasons.
First of all, very few have the means to make and maintain a tank big enough to house a 30’ long serpent for more than a decade. Second of all, who has the means to feed the darn thing for that long? Thirdly, due to their vast hunting ranges and migratory natures, it’s very unlikely a sea serpent would even survive in captivity.