Demons of the deep
Preamble
For thousands of years, the oceans of the world were host to countless myths of monsters lurking in the deep. Most of these myths turned out to be unfounded, but the ocean can still be scary and monstrous even today. But what if the myths were true? What if the oceans were teeming with many monsters that were actually unusual or monstrous animals of various kinds? That is the subject of this project. I have chosen over 70 monsters to represent as tangible, naturally evolved animals, with zoological affinities that are clear.
The World
It can be assumed that this project is set in an alternate earth timeline where many sea monsters are indeed real. We can imagine that this project is set in a modern day which has characteristics of the Victorian and Renaissance eras. Piracy and sea-trade is very common, most commerce, travel and trade takes place by sea between countries. This swashbuckling society would be all too familiar with sea monsters, and the emerging Victorian-era sciences of comparative anatomy and zoology would allow some significant recognition of the material, biological nature of these monsters. Attacks by monsters upon ships would be more common than in the real world, but still only common enough to give rise to the myths and culture of the time.
For thousands of years, the oceans of the world were host to countless myths of monsters lurking in the deep. Most of these myths turned out to be unfounded, but the ocean can still be scary and monstrous even today. But what if the myths were true? What if the oceans were teeming with many monsters that were actually unusual or monstrous animals of various kinds? That is the subject of this project. I have chosen over 70 monsters to represent as tangible, naturally evolved animals, with zoological affinities that are clear.
The World
It can be assumed that this project is set in an alternate earth timeline where many sea monsters are indeed real. We can imagine that this project is set in a modern day which has characteristics of the Victorian and Renaissance eras. Piracy and sea-trade is very common, most commerce, travel and trade takes place by sea between countries. This swashbuckling society would be all too familiar with sea monsters, and the emerging Victorian-era sciences of comparative anatomy and zoology would allow some significant recognition of the material, biological nature of these monsters. Attacks by monsters upon ships would be more common than in the real world, but still only common enough to give rise to the myths and culture of the time.
