Huge,
aquatic animals found exclusively on the
Plane of Water, whales hold a semi-mythic quality in the
Palimpsest zeitgeist. Since summoning spells generally only allow the summoning of creatures that could survive in the summoning environment, Whales are practically impossible to summon to Palimpsest, meaning that only wealthy interplanar travellers would have any chance of encountering one. Even then, whales are mostly found in the deepest oceans of West Star, meaning that even those who make it to West Star are not guaranteed a sighting of these magnificent, illusive creatures.
Resources
Despite, or perhaps because of, the hassle required to access whales at all, the
Honourable Company still imports the resources harvested from whales. Whale oil is used for lamps, while whalebone is used for a variety of purposes, including the construction of furnishings, clothing, and other musical and magical instruments. Whale flesh is considered a delicacy by the city's
nobility and wealthy commoners, making it a sought-after commodity.
In Mythology
The whale holds great significance in the
Sailorite faith, embodying the
Sailor's ideals of exploration, adventure, and discovery. As an aquatic animal that lives in the deepest waters of West Star, the Whale represents the unknown and unexplored, which the Sailor and his followers seek to uncover and understand. The whale's elusive nature and connection to West Star, which is close to the Sailor constellation, make it a symbol of the Sailor's spiritual and philosophical quest for knowledge and experience.
