The Arctic and Northern Oceans
The Arctic
These frigid waters are nevertheless rich and productive, many sea creatures prey upon this bounty and each other.
Thizeruk, a serpentine seal reminiscent of a Leopard Seal, but twice as big. Commonly preys on other seals and sea-birds. 6.5 meters long, 1 ton. Phocidae.
A-mi’-kuk, this large octopus has 4 large arms and 4 reduced. It is a denizen of both shallow cold waters and the deeps, and can travel between. It will commonly catch seals, sharks and occasionally people. 13 meter arm-span, 300kg. Octopodidae.
Az’-i-wû-gûm Ki-mukh’-ti is a large and formidable predator, related to the Each Uisge. Sheathed in blubber and thick warty skin, it is able to hunt both in and out of the water. Its large tail serves for swimming and also as a defensive weapon. 4.2 meters long, 800 kilograms. Pakicetidae.
Shores and bays of europe
These creatures are common around shores, bays and sea-lochs.
Each Uisge is the most archaic kind of whale known, able to run around on land like a horse or hound. It is a good swimmer and forages underwater, it has been known to attack humans. 1.7 meters at the shoulder, 160 kilograms. Pakicetidae.
Sarmatian Sea Snail, this large sea snail is common in the Baltic, and will sometimes be found stranded in the shallows or washed up on the beach. Shell diameter 70 centimeters, 60 kilograms. Tonnidae.
Boobrie, these large shags are commonly found in bays and sea lochs, though they will fly and forage further out to sea. Feeds mainly on large fish and other seabirds, but have been known to take calves and small children. 1.6 meters long, 3.5 meter wingspan, 40 kilograms. Phalacracoracidae.
Sea Dog, Onchu, Enfield, these large otters are ferocious and able to pursue prey on land, they vaguely resemble large dogs. 2 meters long, 45 kilograms. Stem-Lutrinae.
Throughout Northern Oceans
These creatures are found throughout the northern oceans, both Pacific, Atlantic, and in parts of the arctic.
Polypus are very large lobsters which are common in temperate northern waters, feeding mainly on bivalves, snails, crabs and carrion. 1.5 meters long, 75 kilograms. Nephropidae.
Rosmarus, a rather typical walrus apart from its size, it feeds almost exclusively on clams that it sucks from their shells. 6 meters long, 3 tons. Odobenidae.
Hippocamp, Hrosshvalur or Cadborosaurus. A large variety of seal that does not come ashore to pup or moult, they prey mainly on squid and fish but will sometimes take sea birds. 6 meters long, 2 tons. Phocidae.
Stökkull, sperm-whales which are ferocious in temper and take joy in ramming ships that annoy them. 18 meters long, 100 tons. Physeteridae.
Selamóðir or Seal-mother, the largest species of true seal, their spring haul-outs are dangerous in the extreme as aggressive males are common. 7 meters long, 4.5 tons. Phocidae.
Marine Ox or Sea-cow, related to the dugong, these creatures graze on various kinds of sea-weed including kelp. They are apathetic about ships and humans, and will sometimes roll and gambol in the waves. 5 meters long, 3.3 tons. Dugongidae.
Skeljúngur or Shell-whale, much like a hump-back in appearance save for its bodily covering of tough horny calluses, it is usually curious about ships, and will repel most harpoons. 16 meters long, 30 tons. Balaenopteridae, very similar to Megaptera.
Sverðhvalur, cousin to the orca, they hunt in packs and will commonly catch and kill other whales. 12 meters long, 13 tons. Genus Orcinus.
Skötumóðir, Rockas, or Skate-mother. A large bottom-dweller, this fish feeds mainly on whelks, octopus, crabs and other benthic organisms. 7 meters in span, 3 tons. Rajidae.
Taumafiskur or Bridle-whale, boisterous and of a fair size, they are often curious about boats and will sometimes capsize small ones. 7 meters long, 4 tons. Delphinidae.
The North Atlantic
These denizens are found only in the North Atlantic, where the often figure in rich local folklore.
Swamfisk, a common coastal fish, their skin is very oily and rich smelling, and comes off constantly in small tendrils. This serves entirely to attract smaller fish, which it eats. 40 centimetres long. Scorpaeniformes.
Múshveli, common, inquisitive about boats and aggressive towards people, this archaic whale feeds mostly on cuttlefish, octopus and slow-swimming fish. 8 meters long, 2.1 tons. Basilosauridae.
Katthveli, these very large sea otters can be extremely aggressive towards sailors which have fallen overboard, or indeed towards anyone who intrudes on their territory. 4 meters long, 900 kilograms. Lutrinae.
Raudkembingur, these whales are solitary hunters and known man-eaters. They are often curious or aggressive towards boats, and have a distinct profile. 9 meters long, 10 tons. Physeteroidea.
Flyðrumóðir, Halibut-mother, giant predatory flatfish that are relatively common, they can be found at a variety of depths. 5 meters long, 2.7 tons. Pleuronectidae.
Sea Rhincoeros, relatively rare archaic sharks that feed mainly on crustaceans in near shore waters, their horn gives a distinctive profile. 3.5 meters long, 150 kilograms. Hybodontidae.
Muirdris, very large stocky jellyfish that can sting fiercely, their sting is very painful and is said to resemble being stabbed with thorns, but much worse. 3.5 meters diameter, 270 kilograms. Rhizostomatidae.
Sea Swine, commonly found near the shore, these small walrus feed mainly by uprooting clams and whelks from the seabed before crunching them up with their heavy molars. 2.3 meters long, 200 kilograms. Odobenidae.
Bishop Fish or Sea Monk, a species of guitarfish whose face viewed from below gives it the appearance of a grimacing monk or bishop. 2 meters long, 120 kilograms. Rhinidae.
The North Pacific
These waters range from subtropical to quite frigid. There are a variety of monstrous creatures inhabiting this large swath of ocean.
San-Francisco-Bay Serpent, this large kind of eel are usually found deep in the Monterrey Bay Trench, but occasionally individuals venture into shallower waters to be sighted. They have an unusual undulating method of swimming. 25 meters long, 14 tons. Congridae.
Isonade are large placid sharks which are sometimes involved in maritime incidents. Their long muscular tails and spiny-scaled skin make them common scapegoats for sailors falling overboard, and indeed when individuals are hooked on lines, they can knock people overboard with a sweep of their tail. They feed mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates, and are most common off the coast of Japan. 15 meters long, 18 tons. Ginglymostomatidae.
Shen are impressive as far as clams go, but are relatively placid. These very large bivalves are common in coastal waters off China, Korea and Japan. Their flesh is slightly toxic, and consuming it will cause mania and hallucinations for a few days. 60 centimetres wide, 35 kilograms. Veneridae.
Umibozu, or giant octopus are common throughout the North Pacific, and will sometimes attack boats, dragging people out and consuming them. Usually they feed on sharks, eels, large fish, crabs and other cephalopods. There is a rich tradition of myths surrounding this creature in Japan and some Pacific Islands. 23 meters arm-span, 20 tons. Octopodidae.
Atui Koro Ekashi are rather unsettling to look at, large rubbery sea slugs which regularly exceed ten feet long. The myths of Japan blame them for whirlpools which drag under ships and sailors to be swallowed. Looking at how they feed, it is easy to see how this myth arose, they open a large bag-like hood to envelop and swallow even relatively large prey such as lobsters, small sharks and big fish. They are usually bottom dwellers. 3.5 meters long, 700 kilograms. Tethyidae.
