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Description
The flooded caverns and underground lakes are where the Aegleus resides, as its large size makes traversing the small chutes and streams difficult. Bodies of water that are expansive and deep are perfect for these beasts, as they need plenty of space to swim and find food. Their anatomy should obviously show that these are purely aquatic creatures, as they possess flippers and a streamlined form. Though they are not fast swimmers, they are quite graceful if you watch them! Their many paddles give them a wide range of movement, as they can use them to perform quick turns and spiraling dances. Combined with their long tail and serpentine neck, they can seem to slither through the water with ease! It is an enchanting sight to see! I got the chance to take a boat onto one of these deep lakes, as my guides knew this spot was a favorite for Aegleus. At first I worried about seeing anything in the dark waters, as the caverns were not artificially lit and there were no natural growing lightstones. Once we started paddling into the deeper sections, I found the answer to my question right below us! The waters were filled with tiny glowing creatures who lit up when the water was agitated. Each stroke of our oars sent swirls of starlight through the water, making such a simple task breathtaking and beautiful! I have seen stuff like this in the surface oceans, but the darkness and silence of the caverns made it even more impressive! I didn't think it could get any better until we spotted the Aegleus! They soared and danced through the waters below us, churning up storms of starlight. To see such a leviathan surrounded by swirling light! No painting or description could do such a sight justice!

Though their appearance may be intimidating, there is little to fear with these creatures. Aegleus are filter feeders, using the curtains of baleen that hang from their heads to sieve out food. The swirling dances I saw that day was them feeding on the tiny critters that filled the waters. They use their graceful movements to snare any food bits that cross their path, the morsels getting caught in the straining hairs. This means that these beasts essentially feed themselves by swimming, though it isn't a short process! A creature of this size needs lots of food, so they must target nutrient rich areas to get a substantial and efficient meal. The glowing swarm is a good example of this, as the waters were packed with food that day! Aegleus will also use different tricks to snare a meal! With their long necks, they can reach places that other aquatic creatures cannot. Nearby pools and algae-rich shallows are often unreachable for a creature their size, but their necks allow them to stretch over these difficult areas. They can then just dip their baleen into these shallow places and get a whole load of food, all while their bodies remain in the deeper water. They can also use their necks to reach places that are above the water's surface. Waterfalls rain nutrients from the sky, their powerful currents sucking in small morsels and then spewing them out. Aegleus will raise their heads out of the water and place them vertically in the waterfall's shower. This allows them to catch any falling bits, as the water will strain itself as it rushes past! Quite ingenious! Just let the food fall into your mouth! This is another wonderful sight to experience, as you get a nice clear look at these feeding beasts. There was one massive fall that we passed by that had five of them feeding at once, and there were even more in the water! I had to ask how such a place could sustain so many Aegleus at once, as that calls for a lot of nutrients! Vespar told me that the river that formed this waterfall connected to several huge sources of food for tiny critters, thus the water was packed with them. The waterfall was essentially spewing a rich soup and the Aegleus gleefully ate it up. I found this explanation interesting, but a bit vague, so I asked for more details. Valac was all too happy to fill in the gaps. The river flowed far beneath a populated cavern, and it passed right below several waste chambers. There were apparently small streams and cracks that leaked the collected filth into the water, and the little critters loved it. So this gorgeous waterfall and rich habitat were essentially connected to a city's sewer system. Interesting. Well, the nutrients have to get recycled somehow!

While these creatures are quite peaceful and calm, they are prepared to defend themselves if danger arises. Aquatic predators are one thing to worry about, and hunters from above are another! They protect themselves with thick armored plates, which also boast some nasty spikes! Their tails are covered in these, which turn them into powerful clubs! Like a hefty mace, they can swing this appendage around and crack a foe right in the noggin! Their other end is just as dangerous, as it ends in a sharp point. They can use their heads like lances, jabbing and spearing those who dare attack them. With a powerful thrust from their flippers, they can surge forth with great power and speed, impaling any who are in front of them. Those who float in boats or rafts must be careful not to earn the ire of these beasts, as their size and weaponry can easily capsize you! Tales of hunters being flung into the water as their craft is impaled upon the snout of an angry Aegleus are not uncommon, and they serve as a warning to those who wish to prey on them. Aegelus are indeed hunted, but this is not a widespread thing. There are many caverns and groups who view the Aegleus as familiars of Ostranel, and no one wants to anger the Keeper of Worlds! It must be their presence in nutrient-rich areas that give this impression, as where else would the emissaries of the Goddess of Life reside? Stories say that they carry messages down to her and this is how she watches her precious waters and keeps them thriving. If one were to hunt these beasts until they were gone from their waters, then Ostranel will be blind to this place. Since she cannot see them or check up on them, then the waters will be neglected and left to stagnate. The fish and creatures will vanish, leaving a sludgy lifeless pool for the greedy people. So though the Aegleus may be hunted in some regions, everyone is sure to keep their populations healthy, as they fear being abandoned by Ostranel and the misery such a thing will bring.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-------------------------------------------------

Back down in the Underworld for another beastie! There is always room for one or three dozen more!

Description
The flooded caverns and underground lakes are where the Aegleus resides, as its large size makes traversing the small chutes and streams difficult. Bodies of water that are expansive and deep are perfect for these beasts, as they need plenty of space to swim and find food. Their anatomy should obviously show that these are purely aquatic creatures, as they possess flippers and a streamlined form. Though they are not fast swimmers, they are quite graceful if you watch them! Their many paddles give them a wide range of movement, as they can use them to perform quick turns and spiraling dances. Combined with their long tail and serpentine neck, they can seem to slither through the water with ease! It is an enchanting sight to see! I got the chance to take a boat onto one of these deep lakes, as my guides knew this spot was a favorite for Aegleus. At first I worried about seeing anything in the dark waters, as the caverns were not artificially lit and there were no natural growing lightstones. Once we started paddling into the deeper sections, I found the answer to my question right below us! The waters were filled with tiny glowing creatures who lit up when the water was agitated. Each stroke of our oars sent swirls of starlight through the water, making such a simple task breathtaking and beautiful! I have seen stuff like this in the surface oceans, but the darkness and silence of the caverns made it even more impressive! I didn't think it could get any better until we spotted the Aegleus! They soared and danced through the waters below us, churning up storms of starlight. To see such a leviathan surrounded by swirling light! No painting or description could do such a sight justice!

Though their appearance may be intimidating, there is little to fear with these creatures. Aegleus are filter feeders, using the curtains of baleen that hang from their heads to sieve out food. The swirling dances I saw that day was them feeding on the tiny critters that filled the waters. They use their graceful movements to snare any food bits that cross their path, the morsels getting caught in the straining hairs. This means that these beasts essentially feed themselves by swimming, though it isn't a short process! A creature of this size needs lots of food, so they must target nutrient rich areas to get a substantial and efficient meal. The glowing swarm is a good example of this, as the waters were packed with food that day! Aegleus will also use different tricks to snare a meal! With their long necks, they can reach places that other aquatic creatures cannot. Nearby pools and algae-rich shallows are often unreachable for a creature their size, but their necks allow them to stretch over these difficult areas. They can then just dip their baleen into these shallow places and get a whole load of food, all while their bodies remain in the deeper water. They can also use their necks to reach places that are above the water's surface. Waterfalls rain nutrients from the sky, their powerful currents sucking in small morsels and then spewing them out. Aegleus will raise their heads out of the water and place them vertically in the waterfall's shower. This allows them to catch any falling bits, as the water will strain itself as it rushes past! Quite ingenious! Just let the food fall into your mouth! This is another wonderful sight to experience, as you get a nice clear look at these feeding beasts. There was one massive fall that we passed by that had five of them feeding at once, and there were even more in the water! I had to ask how such a place could sustain so many Aegleus at once, as that calls for a lot of nutrients! Vespar told me that the river that formed this waterfall connected to several huge sources of food for tiny critters, thus the water was packed with them. The waterfall was essentially spewing a rich soup and the Aegleus gleefully ate it up. I found this explanation interesting, but a bit vague, so I asked for more details. Valac was all too happy to fill in the gaps. The river flowed far beneath a populated cavern, and it passed right below several waste chambers. There were apparently small streams and cracks that leaked the collected filth into the water, and the little critters loved it. So this gorgeous waterfall and rich habitat were essentially connected to a city's sewer system. Interesting. Well, the nutrients have to get recycled somehow!

While these creatures are quite peaceful and calm, they are prepared to defend themselves if danger arises. Aquatic predators are one thing to worry about, and hunters from above are another! They protect themselves with thick armored plates, which also boast some nasty spikes! Their tails are covered in these, which turn them into powerful clubs! Like a hefty mace, they can swing this appendage around and crack a foe right in the noggin! Their other end is just as dangerous, as it ends in a sharp point. They can use their heads like lances, jabbing and spearing those who dare attack them. With a powerful thrust from their flippers, they can surge forth with great power and speed, impaling any who are in front of them. Those who float in boats or rafts must be careful not to earn the ire of these beasts, as their size and weaponry can easily capsize you! Tales of hunters being flung into the water as their craft is impaled upon the snout of an angry Aegleus are not uncommon, and they serve as a warning to those who wish to prey on them. Aegelus are indeed hunted, but this is not a widespread thing. There are many caverns and groups who view the Aegleus as familiars of Ostranel, and no one wants to anger the Keeper of Worlds! It must be their presence in nutrient-rich areas that give this impression, as where else would the emissaries of the Goddess of Life reside? Stories say that they carry messages down to her and this is how she watches her precious waters and keeps them thriving. If one were to hunt these beasts until they were gone from their waters, then Ostranel will be blind to this place. Since she cannot see them or check up on them, then the waters will be neglected and left to stagnate. The fish and creatures will vanish, leaving a sludgy lifeless pool for the greedy people. So though the Aegleus may be hunted in some regions, everyone is sure to keep their populations healthy, as they fear being abandoned by Ostranel and the misery such a thing will bring.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-------------------------------------------------

Back down in the Underworld for another beastie! There is always room for one or three dozen more!