Aragos, also known in ancient floppaic as Arga is a mythological entity believed to inhabit the mediterranean sea and the black sea. It is also the main antagonist of several old sailor stories.
History[]
The creature has a long history, dating back to the first floppaic writing of the early floppaic culture (EFC). In the 17th chapter of the Book of History, where supernatural and superhuman beings are described in detail, Aragos appears under the name of Arga. This is thought to be the original rendition of the name, which was subsequently corrupted in its modern form. An excerpt from the passages states as follows:
«[...] I told the sailors to beware of the waves, and pay attention to their movement. I put on each vessel the most saint of men, so that you would be leashed by my words. Each of these loyal men, is now spread amongst the people. This is not the case of those which have denied me. [...] These waters are infested with monsters, and for this reason they taste bitter and unpleasant. [...] From the chaos of monsters and clear beings, the one which we call Arga was created by nature to feed the sunset, and became lord of the harsh waters. [...] I know, and so do a number of sailors, that this creature resembles our food, more resilient to slaughter and a slaughterer itself. Our people, separating his soul from his body, could be fed for generations. But this is not to be attemped now.»
In these passages, some characteristics of the creatures are established. It appears to be extremely powerful and dangerous, to the point of needing precise guidance in order to avoid it or flee it. It appears to be of great size, and of similair look of a crustacean. Other clues are present in sailor stories from the mediterranean coasts. In one story it is described how the protagonist, a crewman hired by a venetic pirate, witnessed a serpentine creature emerge from the sea and attack a mercantile fleet. The fleet was completely wrecked and nothing could be salvaged.
This creature became a prime target for 18th century shrimpologists. According to the naturalist Jan Flop, 20 steel-reinforced whale hunting ships were bought by the Mediterranean Shrimpology Association, and sailed in 1768 at the pursuit of the beast. None of them returned, and no signs of wreckage were ever found.
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