A Rational Response to Fish Tales

Much ink has been spilled on the subject of Perronelle le Noir’s alleged arch-nemesis, Gladys. Based on her mood, the time of day, and how long she’s been out in the sun, her description of the mythic creature ranges from 20 feet tall to 200. It has fiery eyes that can incinerate you with a glance. It teleports from sea to pond to tea cup. It is borne forward by the monomaniacal purpose of terrorizing Perronelle. Now, let it be stated for the record that there is no one on this island I respect more than Perronelle. She has elevated the plebian’s craft of fishing to a true art form. The way she tracks tides, selects bait, expertly casts her line, is nothing less than true master craft. However, I have seen many strange things on Aeternum, but I am remain steadfastly a man of science. No one has witnessed 'Gladys' save Perronelle. There are no fauna such as she has invented. No creature, Lost, Corrupted, Angry, or otherwise, can teleport from one body of water to another. That is pure fantasy, and it has no place in the rational, grounded world we aspire towards. While I admire my captain, I put no more faith in her nautical ramblings than the fishwives’ tales back in Heian-kyō. We should strive to leave such superstitions in the old world, where they belong.