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Description

While many Illhveli are proud to show their ferocity and strength, not all members of this group are famed for their offense. In this case here, this particular Illhveli is known for its incredible defense! Yes, tooth and tusk are imposing weapons, but such intimidating tools are worthless if they cannot pierce such an impenetrable hide! The Skieliungur boasts such armor, and it is certainly what draws so much attention to this particular species.

Despite its appearance, the Skieliungur is indeed a whale. It is just hard to recognize it underneath that impressive armor! The other name this species goes by is "Shell Whale," which should tell you all you need to know! This whale is heavily plated with keratin armor, from snout to fluke! Though they are strong, they are highly articulated to allow this beast to properly swim through the ocean. In a sea filled with hungry predators, which often includes other Illhveli, such a defense is crucial! No tooth or claw can break through these shells, making adult Skieliungurs practically immune to predation! Not only is it good for protection, but these same shells can be used for communication. The sound the plates make when rubbing together can be used as an identifier for individuals of the species, as it is supposedly unique for each one. By making purposeful motions, they can practically stridulate! This is how they talk to one another, rattling their own shells to say hello and goodbye! They can apparently say way more than that, but researchers have yet to fully decode such a strange language. One particular thing that is known about their communication is that they may have a word, or sound, for death. We can never be sure of the true word for this kind of language, but it seems certain that this noise is meant to warn of danger. Folk have equated the sound to that of iron being grounded and filed, a rather grating noise. When this sound is used, it gets them all in a panic, desperate to flee from this mentioned danger. It honestly makes me wonder what would get them so scared, especially since they have more armor plating than a paranoid knight!

Their armor protects them from being eaten, but what protects the other sea creatures from the Shell Whale? The answer: not much. Skieliungur are ravenous eaters, devouring anything they can get down their gullets. Their mouths are an odd combination of that of a toothed whale and that of a baleen whale. They have a huge gaping maw that can suck in gallons of water, but instead of those hairy bristles, they have teeth! When they open their mouth, they suck in anything in front of them and then shred them in this toothed chamber. The pieces are swallowed while the water is flushed out, preparing their deadly jaws for the next feast. This type of feeding allows them eat anything that fits, be it fish, seals, unwary swimmers and more! Most of the time, they target schools of fish, looking to swallow the entire group in one gulp! They are big beasts, and thus have large appetites! Some have suggested that this shredding maw could be used to envelope larger prey and slowly grind them to paste, but this seems unlikely. First, their actual throats are quite small, so food needs to be cut down to a particular size. And second, such a feeding method would be very awkward and cumbersome. You would first have to deal with a huge thrashing beast trapped in your mouth, and then take the long time to slowly whittle away at them. Gives plenty of time to get hurt by struggling prey and one terrible time trying to swim or stay afloat with such a weight in your mouth! So I think they just stick to a regular diet of fish and the occasional piscivore that might get sucked in along with them.

As a member of the Illhveli, you should already know what people think of this whale. They are hated and feared, but honestly some of this animosity isn't their fault. As a species with a big mouth and big appetite, they tend to eat a lot of fish, which already makes fishermen hate them. When one of these whales is on the prowl, know that every school that hasn't vacated the waters will probably be in its stomach soon. The other thing that makes this species an "evil whale" is that people kind of keep running into them. Literally. The Skieliungur tends to float near the surface as they travel or hunt for food, meaning their bulky mass can get in the way of ships. The armor that protects them from predators also makes them a bit uncaring when something approaches them. They assume that their thick shell will easily protect them, and they are often right! The issue is that boats don't deal with this armor so well, and they don't really have the chance to stop or take evasive action when they realize they are headed straight towards a lazing Shell Whale. Striking the whale will cause it to react, which often involves it thrashing or trying to throw the "attacker" off. So those who crash into a Skieliungur and don't immediately capsize will only get a brief moment of relief before the angry whale tries to finish the job. It is unfortunate that this species was given the "evil" label, as these interactions seem to be the result of "wrong place, wrong time." Unfortunately, once the whale gets mad about getting struck, it comes across as the aggressor to those aboard the ship. Most stories suggest that these "accidents" or actually purposeful, and thus why it is an "evil whale," waiting to knock over ships and devour the sailors. I honestly think it is just a misunderstanding of a terrible situation, as I don't see the whale getting much from eating a couple of fishermen. Not to be rude, but I don't think that is a whole lot of meat, and this whale has a big ol' belly to fill!

Speaking of eating, a strange fact about the Skieliungur is that it is the only Illhveli that does not have that special poison in its flesh. This means that the Shell Whale is edible! How bizarre! This strange exception has made many researchers wonder the reason, as how could such a toxin be absent when the other sea beasts seem to be rife with it? I have heard theories suggesting its diet as the culprit, while others think the armor shell eliminated the need for such a poison. No real definite answers have been found, but we do know that it can be eaten! Good luck trying to find Shell Whale on the menu though, as eating it also means having to hunt it. With armor plating like that, no harpoon will ever have a chance at downing this beast. Whalers don't even look at this whale when they come across it, as it is a lost cause trying to down one of them. So honestly your best bet of tasting Shell Whale is carving a chunk off of a washed up carcass! This is still not recommended, and not just for sanitary reasons. If you know there is a Skieliungur corpse there, then there is a high chance that the Skeljaskrímsli know it is there too, and you don't want to be anywhere near such a thing! There is a reason why research of a washed Illhveli carcass is so quick and sloppy, as you got to get your samples and notes as fast as possible before the feeding frenzy starts. You get too close to the main course and you will wind up as a surprise appetizer!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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

Back to the Illhveli! Turns out I still got a ways to go, so might be picking up the posting pace!

Description

While many Illhveli are proud to show their ferocity and strength, not all members of this group are famed for their offense. In this case here, this particular Illhveli is known for its incredible defense! Yes, tooth and tusk are imposing weapons, but such intimidating tools are worthless if they cannot pierce such an impenetrable hide! The Skieliungur boasts such armor, and it is certainly what draws so much attention to this particular species.

Despite its appearance, the Skieliungur is indeed a whale. It is just hard to recognize it underneath that impressive armor! The other name this species goes by is "Shell Whale," which should tell you all you need to know! This whale is heavily plated with keratin armor, from snout to fluke! Though they are strong, they are highly articulated to allow this beast to properly swim through the ocean. In a sea filled with hungry predators, which often includes other Illhveli, such a defense is crucial! No tooth or claw can break through these shells, making adult Skieliungurs practically immune to predation! Not only is it good for protection, but these same shells can be used for communication. The sound the plates make when rubbing together can be used as an identifier for individuals of the species, as it is supposedly unique for each one. By making purposeful motions, they can practically stridulate! This is how they talk to one another, rattling their own shells to say hello and goodbye! They can apparently say way more than that, but researchers have yet to fully decode such a strange language. One particular thing that is known about their communication is that they may have a word, or sound, for death. We can never be sure of the true word for this kind of language, but it seems certain that this noise is meant to warn of danger. Folk have equated the sound to that of iron being grounded and filed, a rather grating noise. When this sound is used, it gets them all in a panic, desperate to flee from this mentioned danger. It honestly makes me wonder what would get them so scared, especially since they have more armor plating than a paranoid knight!

Their armor protects them from being eaten, but what protects the other sea creatures from the Shell Whale? The answer: not much. Skieliungur are ravenous eaters, devouring anything they can get down their gullets. Their mouths are an odd combination of that of a toothed whale and that of a baleen whale. They have a huge gaping maw that can suck in gallons of water, but instead of those hairy bristles, they have teeth! When they open their mouth, they suck in anything in front of them and then shred them in this toothed chamber. The pieces are swallowed while the water is flushed out, preparing their deadly jaws for the next feast. This type of feeding allows them eat anything that fits, be it fish, seals, unwary swimmers and more! Most of the time, they target schools of fish, looking to swallow the entire group in one gulp! They are big beasts, and thus have large appetites! Some have suggested that this shredding maw could be used to envelope larger prey and slowly grind them to paste, but this seems unlikely. First, their actual throats are quite small, so food needs to be cut down to a particular size. And second, such a feeding method would be very awkward and cumbersome. You would first have to deal with a huge thrashing beast trapped in your mouth, and then take the long time to slowly whittle away at them. Gives plenty of time to get hurt by struggling prey and one terrible time trying to swim or stay afloat with such a weight in your mouth! So I think they just stick to a regular diet of fish and the occasional piscivore that might get sucked in along with them.

As a member of the Illhveli, you should already know what people think of this whale. They are hated and feared, but honestly some of this animosity isn't their fault. As a species with a big mouth and big appetite, they tend to eat a lot of fish, which already makes fishermen hate them. When one of these whales is on the prowl, know that every school that hasn't vacated the waters will probably be in its stomach soon. The other thing that makes this species an "evil whale" is that people kind of keep running into them. Literally. The Skieliungur tends to float near the surface as they travel or hunt for food, meaning their bulky mass can get in the way of ships. The armor that protects them from predators also makes them a bit uncaring when something approaches them. They assume that their thick shell will easily protect them, and they are often right! The issue is that boats don't deal with this armor so well, and they don't really have the chance to stop or take evasive action when they realize they are headed straight towards a lazing Shell Whale. Striking the whale will cause it to react, which often involves it thrashing or trying to throw the "attacker" off. So those who crash into a Skieliungur and don't immediately capsize will only get a brief moment of relief before the angry whale tries to finish the job. It is unfortunate that this species was given the "evil" label, as these interactions seem to be the result of "wrong place, wrong time." Unfortunately, once the whale gets mad about getting struck, it comes across as the aggressor to those aboard the ship. Most stories suggest that these "accidents" or actually purposeful, and thus why it is an "evil whale," waiting to knock over ships and devour the sailors. I honestly think it is just a misunderstanding of a terrible situation, as I don't see the whale getting much from eating a couple of fishermen. Not to be rude, but I don't think that is a whole lot of meat, and this whale has a big ol' belly to fill!

Speaking of eating, a strange fact about the Skieliungur is that it is the only Illhveli that does not have that special poison in its flesh. This means that the Shell Whale is edible! How bizarre! This strange exception has made many researchers wonder the reason, as how could such a toxin be absent when the other sea beasts seem to be rife with it? I have heard theories suggesting its diet as the culprit, while others think the armor shell eliminated the need for such a poison. No real definite answers have been found, but we do know that it can be eaten! Good luck trying to find Shell Whale on the menu though, as eating it also means having to hunt it. With armor plating like that, no harpoon will ever have a chance at downing this beast. Whalers don't even look at this whale when they come across it, as it is a lost cause trying to down one of them. So honestly your best bet of tasting Shell Whale is carving a chunk off of a washed up carcass! This is still not recommended, and not just for sanitary reasons. If you know there is a Skieliungur corpse there, then there is a high chance that the Skeljaskrímsli know it is there too, and you don't want to be anywhere near such a thing! There is a reason why research of a washed Illhveli carcass is so quick and sloppy, as you got to get your samples and notes as fast as possible before the feeding frenzy starts. You get too close to the main course and you will wind up as a surprise appetizer!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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

Back to the Illhveli! Turns out I still got a ways to go, so might be picking up the posting pace!