Ishmana
Ishmana is known across the Quatrica Islands as the legendary Serpent of the Sea. For centuries up until its discovery in the 2nd Age, fishermen would return from sea telling stories of this legendary sea serpent. But many thought it to be nothing more than a myth, a story passed down by generations, and from fisherman to fisherman. Then again, the Sabertooth, when their tribe used to live on Parooma, would also tell stories of the 'Chapa'sin', the Serpent Destroyer. In their oral mythology, it was thought that these creatures were dangerous and that their coming signaled the end of times. The Alopeke of Ka'ili believe something entirely different, that these creatures are instead protectors, sent by the Gods to protect us all. In any case, it was found in the 13th century in the 2nd Age that this myth was in fact a real creature, flesh and blood. As for their behaviour towards fishing ships, they have on occasion attacked fishing vessels. Whether they mean harm or they are merely trying to get the fish, no one can truly say for sure.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Ishmana is a huge 15 meter long serpent-like creature with no limbs, save for two massive rainbow coloured webbed frills along its back, which it seems to use to glide short distances.
Biological Traits
Colour
Water-Hydro
Growth Rate & Stages
Ishmana Evo's from Ishma.
Ecology and Habitats
Ishmana live out at sea. Once in a while they come within sight from shoreline of the Quatrica Islands, but for the most part they live out there lives in the open ocean.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Ishmana feed on small fish, and in fact this is thought to be the reason why Ishmana will once in a while attack fishing vessels, in order to get to the fish they are carrying. They mean the people no harm and seem to take great care to not harm the people.
Behaviour
From the observations of Doctor Ivan Sanderson and that of others, it is thought that Ishmana are indeed curious of people, and that they don't mean to harm people at all. Once in a while they have been blamed for attacks on fishing vessels. However, it's been noted each time that they seem to actively avoid harming the people on the vessels at all costs and are only interested in the fish the vessels are carrying. This seems to align more with the protector visage the Alopeke attribute to it than the destroyer visage of the Sabertooth.
Additional Information
Social Structure
From all who have ever observed it, it appears that it is strictly a solitary creature. Every time it has been seen, only one has ever been seen in the vicinity. Never another.
Facial characteristics
Ishmana has a long serpent-like head, with bright green eyes and turquoise webbed frills on either side of its head.
Discovery
From the notes of Doctor Ivan Sanderson.
"When first I observed the Ishma in the Quatrica Islands, I also learned of these stories told by fishermen of gigantic sea serpents out at sea which would pass by or even attack their vessels. Of course I had to go out there and take a look. I couldn't help but wonder, if the myth of the Ishma were in fact real, could this one be as well? As always, I go with an open mind. So Jane and I immediately chartered a vessel to take us out to sea.
Three days and nights we spent out there, with nothing by water everywhere the eye could see. We instructed the fishermen to simply do as they normally would, and not deviate from their daily tasks. If we were to observe these creatures, it was imperative that we recreate the conditions precisely.
On the third day, with a storm rolling in and us about to call it quits on this expedition, promising that we would return the following year, it finally happened. At first it appeared that the ship rocked over to the side for just a moment. Then the fishermen on the deck called down they had seen something, some large shadow. We rushed up onto the deck to get a look. It was that moment when this creature emerged from the water and leapt clear over the ship! Once it had crashed back down into the water on the other side, it came up and stared at us for a good long moment. It looked at us with bright green eyes, with webbed frills on either side of its serpent-like head, and massive wing-like webbed frills along its back, rainbow coloured. It was a spectacular sight indeed! My hands shake just writing this. Know this. These creatures are to be respected, but not feared. I do strongly believe from my observations that they mean us no harm. If it wanted to attack us, it would have. It did not. I think it was more curious of us than anything. I saw a spark of intelligence in those bright green eyes. Could they indeed actually understand us?"
1.2 metric tons
9 to 15 meters
Light to dark blue.
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