Black Demon

“*Can you kill something that big?*”
―Skelliger sailor to Putnam Pitch, during the Black Demon hunt in 1276.

**The Black Demon** *( Also know as Deamhan Dubh by the skelligers )* it is one of the immense creatures that lives in the seas of the world along with other creatures such as the sea serpent.

The Black Demon, how it was nicknamed by the sailors of the Northern Kingdoms during their various encounters with this creature is a monster, similar to a shark, but larger, more aggressive and with dark scales like a closed night.

It is supposed that originally it was the predator of the sea serpent, but the expansion of civilization led it to attack humans and other similar beings.

## Physiology

**Black Demons** are 20 meter long sharks with dark black dermal denticles, their eyes are blood red in color. They possess multiple rows of teeth and dermal plating on their fins and head.

They are incredibly fast and agile in the water, able to outmaneuver most boats and ships with ease. They are also incredibly strong, able to crush through the hulls of ships and overpower even the strongest of sailors.

One of the most unique characteristics of the Black Demon is its ability to survive in both salt and fresh water. This allows it to prey on creatures in both coastal and riverine environments, making it a formidable threat to both sailors and those living near rivers and lakes. There are stories of vodynaoi river warriors who have been seen riding these creatures on the Pontar is not a commonly seen occurrence and is often considered to be a legend or myth.

Some scholars believe that the Black Demon may have once been a normal shark that was exposed to some form of dark magic, causing it to grow to immense size and develop its unique black scales and red eyes Others speculate that it may be a previously undiscovered species that has always existed in the depths of the ocean. And the most daring say that its origin is in the Elemental Plane of Water.

## Behaviors

The Black Demon is a highly aggressive and territorial creature. It is known to attack ships and boats without provocation, and it is also known to attack and devour any creature that it comes across in the water. It is particularly feared by sailors and fisherman, as it has been known to sink ships and devour entire crews.

The Black Demon is also believed to be highly intelligent, and some sailors have reported that it seems to have a certain level of cunning and strategy in its attacks. Some sailors have reported that the demon will wait for a ship to pass by before striking, suggesting that it may have a level of patience and planning in its hunting.

The Black Demon is also known to have a strong sense of smell and hearing, which allows it to detect prey from great distances. This makes it difficult for sailors to evade the creature, as it can track them even if they try to hide.

Despite all its negative traits, some sailors and fisherman believe that the Black Demon is a demon sent by the gods to punish those who break their laws. This has led to a belief that the creature can only be defeated by those who have a pure heart and are blessed by the gods.

## Abilities

The behavior of Black Demons is highly aggressive and territorial, they are known to attack any vessel or creature that comes too close to their territory. They are apex predators, hunting and feeding on anything they can catch, including other sea monsters, whales, and even ships. They have been known to attack and sink ships, devouring the crew and passengers.

Black Demons are also known to be highly intelligent, able to outsmart and evade capture by witchers. They are known to use their massive size and strength to their advantage, ramming ships and using their powerful jaws to crush and break through the hulls.

Some sailors also tell stories of Black Demons exhibiting strange behaviors, such as seemingly playing with their prey before devouring them or even displaying signs of curiosity towards humans. This has led some to believe that the Black Demon may possess some level of sentience, but this has yet to be proven.

Despite the danger they pose, some sailors and fishermen will still venture into the waters where Black Demons are known to reside, in the hopes of catching one for its valuable scales and teeth, which can fetch a high price on the black market. But this is an extremely dangerous proposition as the Black Demon is a formidable opponent.

It is able to swim at incredible speeds, unrestricted by water resistance, making it a formidable hunter in the open ocean. Its dark black scales provide a level of armor that can damage foes upon contact, and its multiple rows of teeth and dermal plating on its fins and head make it a formidable opponent in combat.

One of its most unique abilities is its electroreception, which allows it to detect electric fields and locate prey, even in the darkest depths of the ocean. Its enhanced senses, including its night vision, powerful sense of smell and blood sense, allow it to track and locate prey with ease.

The Black Demon is also known for its ability to regrow lost teeth, ensuring it always has a formidable set of jaws to hunt with. Its feral mind allows it to react and hunt instinctively, without hesitation or mercy. It is said, that only the Black Demons have been seen to be surpassed by a Kraken considered to be the their predator. Although some sailors say that encountering a Black Demon is considered to be worse than encountering a kraken, as its intelligence and aggression make it even more dangerous.

Additionally, the Black Demon's territorial nature means that it is fiercely protective of its territory and will defend it at all costs. This includes attacking and driving away other sea monsters that may threaten its dominance in the area. This means that when you are in Black Demon territory, monsters such as Drowners and other smaller sea creatures are scarce, as the Black Demon dominates the food chain and eliminates any competition for resources. It is a force to be reckoned with, and one that should not be underestimated or taken lightly by sailors and witchers alike. With its powerful jaws, armored scales, and highly aggressive behavior, the Black Demon is a monster that can cause great destruction and loss of life if not dealt with properly. Many sailors and witchers have lost their lives trying to hunt or capture this elusive and deadly creature, making it one of the most feared monsters of the sea.

## Trivia

* In 1276, the witcher Putnam Pitch would kill one of these creatures which terrorized the waters of the Skellige Islands.
* Many of these creatures were reported during the Second Conjunction along with other sea monsters.
* The School of the Crane faced many of these creatures throughout its history.
* The Black Demon is based on a famous cryptid.