Sea Monster
The Sea Monster is a form that Grandmother occasionally takes.
History
When the World Travelers arrived off the coast of Queen Florence Island, they encountered the Sea Monster while still aboard their skiff. Crashing into the vessel, the Sea Monster threw its occupants into the ocean. The gargoyles attempted to fight off the beast, with Angela clawing at its hide and Bronx biting the creature's tail. In the skirmish, the Sea Monster damaged the skiff, forcing Elisa away in a wave, where she was later found on the island's shore.
The gargoyles continued to battle the monster both above and below the waterline before it dove into the ocean and swam away. When the World Travelers later confronted Grandmother, she admitted to shape-shifting into the Sea Monster in the hopes of using that form to (indirectly) convince Natsilane that creatures of myth exist. ("Heritage")
Appearances
- "Heritage" (First Appearance, No Lines)
Real World Background
While Grandmother's Sea Monster form as depicted in the series has no direct correlation to any one specific legend, there are First Nation stories of sea monsters found in the Pacific Northwest. One such creature is the Wasgo (also known as the Gonakadet) which, as told by the Haida and Tlingit peoples, is known to transform into a human. Spotting or hearing the Wasgo was considered a sign of good fortune. The stories behind the Wasgo may have been inspired by sea wolves, due to the mammals' semi-aqauatic lifestyle and marine-based diet. Another sea monster is the Sisiutl which, as described by the Kwakwakaʼwakw people, is a three-headed serpent (with its central head appearing humanoid). Similar to Grandmother's role in the episode, the Sisiutl is considered a mediator between the natural and supernatural worlds. There's also Haietlik that the Nuu-chah-nulth people describe as sea serpents with a heads sharp as knives and tongues that can fire lightning at its prey. They are said to be wielded by Thunderbirds like a harpoon to hunt and capture whales.
