Leviathan
<infobox>
<title source="title1"> <default>Leviathan</default> </title> <image source="image1">
</image> <group> <header>Vital Information</header> <label>Status</label> <label>Population</label> <label>Region(s)</label> <label>Habitat</label> <label>Type</label> </group> <group> <header>Characteristics</header> <label>Diet</label> <label>Lifespan</label> <label>Intelligence</label> <label>Maturity</label> </group> <group> <header>Appearance</header> <label>Height</label> <label>Weight</label> <label>Color</label> </group> <group> <header>Misc. Information</header> <label>Magical</label> <label>Variants</label> </group> </infobox>
Description[edit | edit source]
Gargantuan sea monsters of myth and legend, leviathans are easily the most feared of the sea creatures plaguing the seas near Granthel. Fortunately for sailors, leviathans are also the least active, only ever nearing the surface when they’re disturbed - or hunting. Widely renowned as the top of the food tree, Leviathans are the natural predators for Krakens. During hunting seasons, sailors often return with tales of enormous jaws suddenly opening and shutting around a threatening Kraken. However, most that see Leviathans do not live to speak of it. Incredibly hostile and unintelligent, Leviathans will consume anything big enough to register to them, leading ships to be prime targets. Despite their inherent lack of intelligence, they’re still formidable foes. Even by moving, they displace large enough amounts of water to capsize boats, and their massive jaws can splinter wood as easily as a Kraken’s bones.
Leviathans typically inhabit the deepest depths of the ocean, far from any shore. Most go their whole lives without even nearing the surface, making them a rare sight indeed, although it’s theorized that there are quite a few in existence. Nearing the surface is rare for them, but there are a few reasons one would near the surface. A few include: a sudden change in temperature, whether it be a sudden warming or cooling of their inhabitance, sending them searching for a more comfortable place, usually ending with a nearing of the surface. Another such reason is an excess of noise - they will be drawn to it, as things tend to be mostly silent in their grottoes. The final, most common reason, is mating season. Leviathans tend to stay alone, meaning that during mating season they need to migrate to find a mate. As a last resort, Leviathans travel to the surface to locate other desperate Leviathans. During the worse times, up to ten Leviathans can be spotted within five miles of each other.
The Leviathan mating season towards the beginning of Bright Dawn, when the waters begin to warm enough for them to travel in search of mates. A Leviathan male mates multiple times a season, with the impregnated females settling down to lay their eggs. Leviathans can lay up to ten eggs, although due to their size, most are lost. It’s not uncommon for a female Leviathan to go years without any eggs successfully hatching.