Sea Bishops are a strange kind of Bygone that were first discovered by fishermen near the Italian shore around the 12th century.
Overview[]
- The very deep did rot: O Christ!
- That ever this should be!
- Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs
- On the slimy sea.
- — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
The Order of Hermes theorizes that sea bishops may be related to a mythical race called "tritones", but there is no real evidence of a connection. A creature with fins and a fish-like crest, they are passionate preachers about Christianity and know the Scripture without fail.
The first discovered Sea Bishop was brought before the Pope, who found no fault in his preachings and even praised its learning as exemplary. When the Bishop demanded to be returned to the sea, he was escorted back. The Sea Bishops are dedicated Christians, having difficulties to understand that the fact that they have fins and breathe underwater is as miraculous as the fact that Jesus died on the Cross for the sins of Men. Cosmologically, the creatures occupy an uncertain niche.
They do not seem to practice any sort of magic, nor do they possess technology or social trappings, even though they are otherwise intelligent and communicative. Indeed, they have little desire to impose themselves on their surroundings. Sea bishops show a complete disinterest in human technology and craftsmanship, yet they have an absolute fascination for intellectual and philosophical concepts.
With the following encroachment of the seas, the sightings of Sea Bishops become less and less. While they understand that humanity must be taught the gospel – did Christ not tell that the Lord will provide, so what is the reason behind environmental despoilment- they bid they time in hidden bases beneath the Sea, far away from the stifled Consensus.
Legendry[]
In the 12th century, a small group of fishermen discovered a strange being washed up on the shores of Italy. Disturbed by the sight of the humanoid creature with fins and a fishlike crest, they sought to slay it as an aberration — but were stayed when the bizarre entity spoke, reciting Scripture perfectly to the astonished seamen.
Disturbed by the implications of the aquatic entity’s existence, the fishermen decided to bring the creature to the attention of the local clergy. The being was quickly dubbed the “sea bishop” for both its extensive knowledge of Scripture and its appearance, which seemed reminiscent of a bishop’s robes and miter. Unable to find fault with the sea bishop’s interpretations of Scripture, the clergymen sent it to the Vatican to be judged by the pope.
Although discomfited by the prospect of a lengthy overland journey, the sea bishop acceded to these requests. It traveled with one of the fishermen and several suspicious guards and priests, arriving at the Vatican to be questioned intensely by the pope (and, some say, by the Celestial Choristers who had secreted themselves in the Vatican). After two weeks of closed discussions, the sea bishop emerged.
The pope himself could find no fault with its knowledge of Scripture, and indeed praised its learning as exemplary. Though many desired to learn of the sea bishop’s ways and uncover its secrets, it requested that it be allowed to return home. Surprisingly, the Vatican agreed to the request, and the sea bishop was taken back to the coast where it slipped into the waters, leaving only the strange tale of its existence behind.
Description[]
The elusive “sea bishop” is an enigma. Discovered when one was beached, these entities hide from humanity beneath the waves, shunning contact with the surface world. Only chance seems to draw any of them to human lands. Since the initial stunning meeting of a sea bishop with the pope, some sailors have reported encounters with other similar creatures, but such incidents are rare.
Clearly, sea bishops are well-adapted to their watery homes. They can breathe underwater, and have no problems adjusting to various depths, diving further than the best-trained unprotected human. They swim with grace, using long patagia under their arms to glide on currents while kicking with their legs. Their nimble hands are capable of catching and skinning fish with amazing efficiency. They eschew use of tools, as their natural abilities are quite satisfactory for survival.
Some members of the Order of Hermes speculate that sea bishops must have a community of some sort under the sea, as they are clearly intelligent and communicative. The truth, it seems, is that they are individualists, rarely gathering in groups numbering greater than a half-dozen.
They do not seem to possess any common goals or organization, instead finding their own ways across the oceans and living on the bounty of their endless home. They occasionally stop to communicate with each other, but there seem to be no meeting practices for the race. They are certainly gregarious creatures when they meet, trading stories eagerly with anyone, but they feel no need to seek out company, most likely a development of living in such a huge and varied realm as the ocean.
From time to time, sea bishops observe and learn from human culture, typically by studying treasures and artworks from sunken vessels. It is thought that the sea bishop that visited the Vatican may have studied the Dead Sea Scrolls, though the true source of its knowledge remains unknown. It is recognized, though, that they have a deep and reverent respect for life, which is easily misinterpreted as piety among humans. Of course, some people point out darkly that even the Devil can quote Scripture.
Students of nature and the occult are puzzled by sea bishops. Cosmologically, the creatures occupy an uncertain niche. They do not seem to practice any sort of magic, nor do they possess technology or social trappings, even though they are otherwise intelligent and communicative. Indeed, they have little desire to impose themselves on their surroundings. Sea bishops show a complete disinterest in human technology and craftsmanship, yet they have an absolute fascination for intellectual and philosophical concepts. Religion to the sea bishops is not simply a way of justifying existence or forming social castes, it is an intellectual exercise; a lens through which to perceive existence.
The methods of sea bishop mating and reproduction are a mystery. The creatures possess no discernible gender, though accounts of the one widely known sea bishop claim that they lay eggs in a fashion much like fish. Born intelligent and mobile, the young apparently fend for themselves, hiding from large predators while subsisting on what food they can catch. Sea bishops consider this a completely natural existence, and their world is one of ease.
The Order of Hermes theorizes that sea bishops may be related to a mythical race called “tritons,” but there is no real evidence of a connection. Ancient documentation of tritons is so sketchy that any observer would be hard-pressed to determine whether descriptions of that race actually correspond to sea bishops. Whatever their origins, sea bishops seem content to remain nomadic, leaving humanity to its own devices and retreating before the incursion of human progress (and pollution).
Future Fate[]
Encroaching humanity forces the sea bishops deeper into the sea. Yet they realize that this flight does not solve their problem — humans must be taught the errors of their ways, that the oceans must be preserved if life itself, in water or on land, is to continue. Sooner or later, the sea bishops will surface from their hiding places, but will it be to educate through words or actions?
Image[]
Sea bishops have a vaguely humanoid appearance, leathery-green skin, gill slits on the neck, and wide eyes. A large crest travels up the back and flares out above their heads like a bishop’s miter, and the large patagia under their arms give the impression of a flowing robe. The hands and feet of the creature are webbed. Long skinny arms and legs give the creature a light but wiry musculature. Its mouth is wide and thin-lipped, with sharp teeth and a black tongue. It has no ears, only small holes on the sides of its head. The nose is short, wide and flat. Although the sea bishop’s hands do not have claws, they do have strong, sharp nails that can be used to scale fish and whittle wood.
Despite their alien appearance, sea bishops have a seemingly regal carriage. Slender, with fluid motions and flowing crests and patagia, they are eerily compelling. They move with grace even on land. They do not have any obvious sexual characteristics, but humans of both sexes find the sea bishops’ smooth, clean features alluring. Sea bishops only rarely adorn themselves with any sort of garb. One of the creatures may carry an interesting item of study, or a particularly challenging puzzle, but they seem to have no need for clothing or possessions.
Roleplaying Hints[]
Why do humans carry such things? The world has all of the bounty one needs to survive. Is it not written that the Lord shall provide? There is no need to despoil the environment — even such a simple creature as you, unused to the ways of the land, can understand this truth. The needs of the body are easily sated. Discuss the needs of learning, the hungers of the mind, instead.
Character Sheet[]
Trivia[]
- A Sea Bishop is an example of a "jenny haniver," an altered skate or ray made to appear as something else (similar to a Fiji mermaid).
- The Sea Bishop is meant to be based upon the Bishop-fish legend, a type of sea monster reported in the 16th century. It was shown to a group of Catholic bishops appealing to be released from its imprisonment. When its wish was granted, it made the sign of the cross and disappeared into the sea.
References[]
- WOD: The Bygone Bestiary, p. 53-56
