User:Ttb1990

Name
Ziphiicetos

Species
Unknown

Weakness
Fire: *** (wet: *), Water: x, Ice: ** (wet: ***), Thunder: *, Dragon: ** Paralysis: *, Sleep: x, Poison: **, Blast: ***

Size
1759.12 - 10824.97

Physiology
Our washed-up researcher dubbed it the Gulping Sea Beast. What it is exactly is still up for debate. Its vibrant plumage at his head, front limbs, hind fins and end of the tail suggest a Bird Wyvern ancestor, while its shape and affinity to water, feeling best at home in the deep while still able to manage on land. To add to the confusion, it has 14 breathing holes on top of its head and streaks of fur, seemingly marking it to be a mammal, like Pokaradon.

Ziphiicetos' leathery belly has nozzle like openings at both sides, allowing water to be taken in and expelled. It can swell up to a massive size, spreading the otherwise hanging fleshy hide on its back almost entirely. In this state it is sluggish and cumbersome. While deflated, it might still seem a heavy-weight, yet underneath its flexible hide hides an as flexible, serpentine spine supported by  powerful muscles, stretching over the breath of the underside of the hide.

The feathers are held together and strengthened by some kind of mucus, which is applied while grooming its plumage. This makes them very capable for propelling the sea beast through the water and executing sharp manouvers. In wet condition, this mucus protects the great feathers. Fire and extreme cold might influence its effectiveness. Ziphiicetos sheds its feathers as it grows.

Its beak has several sharp blades running along its length, cutting apart everything that slides down its gullet. The beak itself functions as a pair of scissors, with a spear-like point that doubles as a horn.

Usually you find this creature at the apex of the food chain. This is not strange, considering that this monster is known to grow on and on, as long as suffiecient food can be found to sustain its current size.

Abilities
Ziphiicetos' breathing holes along the spine on the back of the head are able to create a short lasting mist. This is possible short after surfacing due to water being present in small pockets beneath the external holes.

Holes at the lower side of the body connect to sacks that can be filled with water, for sinking faster while under water or creating small currents. Above water, strong muscles can expell this water from the sacks through slightly adjustable nozzles. This creates a range of possible attacks. Water can be fanned out as a high pressure water sheet, knocking you down, or as jets of water expelled with great power. These jets can even be aimed slightly. The same powerful muscles are capable of expanding the empty sacs while in shallow water, allowing for refillment on or near land. This takes a lot of effort from the monster, however.

In deep water, Ziphiicetos has internal channels which can be openend and sealed at will, allowing the monster to swallow down sea water through its beak and transfer it to the sacks, without much effort, in a single dive. When no water is available, it is unknown what it can suck in and expell with its sheer physical strength.

Finally, there are Ziphiicetos' razor-sharp beak with its spear-like point, two clawed fore-limbs and, not to forget, its feathery wings to contend with. These last ones are capable to throw you off balance with one great flap. When Ziphiicetos shifts its weight to its hind legs, better brace for the gale.

Behavior
At sea, these colossi are easily mistaken for peaceful giants. With their front wings spread, yet stretched along its body, it has all the appearance of an enormous migrating fish. To a degree, this is even true. That is, as long as Ziphiicetos believes you're not fit as nutrition. When it spreads its wings, however, you better swim like your life depends on it, because... well... it does. While hunting they glide below the waves like massive birds of prey. Fast yet elegant.

These monsters can be found beached and seemingly lifeless along the shores. This does not always mean that it is weak or dead, though. The unaware carrion eater may wel end up eaten.

When starving, they are known to be highly aggressive and leave their current territory in search for prey, even venturing on land, when no better option is left for them. Elder Dragons are known to avoid the territories of these great sea beasts. Only Kushala Daora, Namielle and Velkhana are known to seek out a Ziphiicetos of their own free will. While Zorah Magdaros might have the upper hand when facing this specific opponent, no encounters between them have been recorded, as yet.

Habitat
The smallest of these large monsters can be encountered at beaches or in watery terrain near coast or river. Its massive and ancient cousins are usually encountered in deep sea or on massive, ocean-bordering flatlands.