evolutionsvoid:The Illhveli are massive and monstrous beasts of the sea, species that strike fear
evolutionsvoid: The Illhveli are massive and monstrous beasts of the sea, species that strike fear in hearts of every northern sailor. Thick armor, powerful teeth and bladed fins make for a powerful impression, but sometimes there is more to it than looks. Scars and tusks can tell you that you are in for a bad time, but sometimes the most vicious beasts are the ones you don’t realize are a threat. Not every danger has a set of fangs or claws, it could just be a random fuzzy animal that is hiding a blood lust behind those adorable eyes. In this case, it is not furry and soft, but one would find their appearance charming and pleasant still. They call it the Ox-whale, a beast that shares a striking resemblance to a friendly cow, although much bigger. You could call it by its true name, Nauthveli, but don’t let any sailors hear you say it. Though you may laugh at the idea of a “sea cow” or think it cute that such a beast looks like a peaceful dairy cow, know that this species belongs to the Illhveli, and they don’t earn that title through looks alone. The Nauthveli is a whale, who calls the frigid waters of the northern seas home. For this mammal, however, more folk tend to compare it to a different species, one that isn’t aquatic. Their hide has two colors, a light gray with large black splotches. Its head has a peculiar snout, one not normal for most whales. Atop this head are two nodules that sprout a short pair of bony “horns.” If the picture wasn’t enough to clue you in, the reason it is called an “Ox-whale” is because it looks quite like a bovine. Why it so happened to wind up like this, no one really knows, but the resemblance cannot be denied. This large whale species sticks to the higher zones of the ocean, keeping to the surface or the waters just below. They do communicate and hunt through echolocation, but their proficiency at it pales to other members of the Illhveli. Though they resemble cattle, they do not appear to travel in “herds,” instead these massive beasts live a solitary lifestyle. They may socialize with those they meet, and they do gather for mating season each year, but when all is done they go their separate ways. Some suggest that this species may have territories, with individuals staking out their own parts of the ocean. Not much research has been done in this area to confirm or deny this, but it wouldn’t surprise me. With their size and an ocean filled with plenty of hungry mouths, they certainly can’t afford to share with others. Oddly enough, it isn’t just their looks that bring to mind a cow, as they are an Illhveli that grazes! Kind of. It turns out that their diet is not just meat, as they do feed on the kelp that grows in the cold water. Floating through the kelp forest, their maw can snap up multiple stipes, chewing lazily as they coast along. Often, this feeding takes in more than just kelp, as many other creatures live amongst the fronds and tend to wind up being devoured alongside their home. Outside of these forests, the Nauthveli feeds on a wide variety of species, gobbling up fish, squid, shark, seal and other smaller Illhveli. Hidden in that harmless rounded snout are rows of short sharp teeth, perfect for snaring prey and holding tight. Their size allows them to swallow most meals whole, but for the larger prey, they thrash about to tear them into manageable chunks. The opening of their maw tends to create a suction, which pulls in smaller prey. For others, they use their brute force and powerful jaws to dispatch them. If their food puts up a fight, then their horns come into action. Launching their bodies through the water, they will ram this pair of blades into the sides and bellies of prey and predator alike. These attacks are brutal and can cause serious injury. Prey rarely survives long after being struck, and predators will do anything to not be on the receiving end of this battering ram. While one would think these weapons would be wielded by only the males, it turns out that the females of this species also possess horns. Only the calves lack these spikes, but they will grow in eventually, rupturing from the bumpy nodules on their head. These horns are highly prized and worth a whole lot, but getting your hands on them is no easy task. There is a reason that most Nauthveli horn is collected from washed up carcasses and sun bleached skeletons, after all, they are an Illhveli. Keep reading -- source link