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Giant Cephalobe — Description

As many have learned through experience or legends, the seas are filled with a wondrous variety of life, both big and small. Though the littler beasts of the fluids are incredible in a number of ways, it is an obvious fact that the massive monsters are the ones that get most of the attention. Encounters with them immortalized in stories, their visages carved into ivory, and their power seen upon every scarred vessel and lost limb. Even for those who remain inland and never see the vast oceans, there is a high chance they have heard of the leviathans in one way or another. But it should be pointed out that while the leviathans are the most famous of giant sea monsters, they aren't the only ones out there. There are many other massive beasts that haunt the depths and besiege ships, yet they fall outside of the realm of "leviathans." This may be a tad disappointing, as such a title is pretty cool sounding and adds a lot to their reputation, but that doesn't dampen their power. While the Giant Cephalobe is by no means a leviathan, the sailors aboard any ship will find fear in their hearts as they call to arms when its horrid tentacles begin to strangle their vessel.
The Giant Cephalobe earns its title with ease amongst the other cephalobes, as it is the largest of the family. A massive invertebrate of green flesh and swollen brain, it tends to hang around Sluggish Seas and nearby waters that carry a hint of Phlegm. It spends most of its life far below the waves, pulsating slowly through the depths as its long tentacles snare prey. Though their appearance has been seen as goofy to some, due to its huge and wild eyes, the Giant Cephalobe (like all cephalobes) possesses an incredible intellect. They are smart, clever, crafty and they know how to use it. They typically use their tentacles in tandem to confuse and corner prey, exploiting blind spots or using distractions. Hiding places or solid defenses can work to avoid being dinner, but typically these tactics are only successful the first few times. After a failure or two, this Cephalobe learns from its mistakes and finds new ways to tackle the same problem. This is good for the creature, but terrible for the things that don't want to be eaten by them. Because it means that they keep getting smarter with age, creating incredibly clever giants that can do some serious damage when they want. Thankfully, there is something that keeps them in check, and it is the fact they aren't at the top of the food chain.
Giant Cephalobes are powerful and smart, but that doesn't spare them from being on the menu. As it turns out, certain leviathans do feed on them, even when they have grown into a crafty adult. One may wonder what strange abilities or tactics these leviathan use to best such smart and dexterous creature. They may be disappointed to hear that the answer is: none, they are just bigger and stronger. The man who said that "brains beat brawn" was a wise one indeed, but it probably wasn't penned while being in the ring with a pugilist. Indeed, clever tactics and smart planning will win the day many times, but one cannot deny that pure brute force can still royally mess things up. A hungry leviathan is a dangerous foe, and if the two are in the middle of the empty ocean facing off, the leviathan is often the winner. Pure strength smashes through smarts and once powerful jaws bite down on squishy brain, the battle is over. However, this does not mean the Giant Cephalobe goes down easy, as they always fight with everything they got. Whipping tendrils and crushing grip are their go-to, but they also have another trick that can aid in the fight. It is an ability that many whalers and sailors have had to suffer.
Giant Cephalobes don't hang around the surface often, but when bigger predators are about, they may be flushed upward. When forced to ascend, they go into defensive mode and pump up their aggression, as they are expecting a fight for their life. This means they are ready to lash out at anything that looks like a threat, and a mighty galleon may fit that bill. Giant Cephalobes may attack ships in this state, thinking it a predatory leviathan trying to eat them. However, with some recent details about attacks, some believe that other assaults are because the Giant Cephalobe is starting to see these vessels as potential food sources. Plenty of leviathan meat, caught fish and little sailors running about, just waiting to be plucked like fruit! Regardless the reason, when a Giant Cephalobe latches on, it is time to grab the harpoons and sabers.
Obviously, their tentacles are the main threat, as they grab and crush everything they can. Even if they aren't snaring crew members and pulling them overboard, a single tendril can swing around wildly and knock people about. The key is to hack away at these tentacles, but it can be dangerous getting close due to its secret weapon. A way that Giant Cephalobes disable prey or defend themselves is emitting "brain pulses," potent throbbing energy that courses through their internal system. It runs through their flesh, emitting a weak aura around their body that causes headaches and blurry vision. A distracting and miserable effect for sure, but its real danger comes with making contact with its flesh. Or more so, being grabbed by a tentacle. When in contact with the Giant Cephalobe, the brain pulses run directly into you and cause your brain and entire nervous system to pound and throb. Survivors say it feels like your nerves are trying to pull free from your flesh, while your brain is swelling til one wonders if your skull is going to explode. There is no physical harm actually done, but the horrid feeling it causes is enough to distract and disarm. Folks caught in its grip will be weakened by this energy, blinded by pain and a heavy, sluggish mind. It is the same weapon it uses against the leviathans that try to eat them, clinging to their hides as teeth tear into their soft flesh. The pulses may be enough to temporarily disable the predator, but often when battles get this physical, the Giant Cephalobe is pretty much doomed.
If one's ship is attacked by one, it is a bad day. But if you succeed in slaying it, than things will start looking up! Their flesh is rife with Phlegm and their brains are considered a delicacy. While painful in life, in death, this massive organ creates dishes that relieve most head pains and can alleviate the mind. Some claim that consuming it grants a blessing of clever thinking and a sharper mind, able to solve problems that previously frustrated. Perhaps it does grant such wisdom, or maybe when the mind isn't bogged down by anxious thoughts and worries, our real intellect can shine.
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Oh we ain't done yet! Indeed, the Father of Bloom and an actual mermaid would have been a fitting way to end the month but.....well whatever! I got more sea monsters so we are posting more sea monsters! Lets go!