[Image Description: A reference sheet for a fantastical creature called a "Moon Whale", the original waterbenders. They are a combination of an orca, a seal, and a wolf, with some extra purely fantasy elements as well. It is very large: the human drawn for scale is only about as long from head to toe as the creature's snout. The creature's body is whale-like with three dorsal fins shaped like crashing waves, and crescent shaped tail flukes. Its head is more seal like, though it has the nose and ears of a wolf, and long flowing whiskers with small tufts of blue fur on the end. Its flippers are long, with distinct elbows and wrists, as well as paw pads and long white claws at the ends. The Moon Whale is deep blue and white, its markings closely resembling those of an orca. However, it also has star-shaped markings on its forehead and ches, and white crescents behind each dorsal fin. Its eyes, nose, and paw pads are blue. End Image Description.]
For many years, it has bothered me that water doesn't have an "original bender" like the other three elements do. I know the idea is that the Moon herself is the original water bender, but I really want there to be a Creature, you know?
The basic concept of the Moon Whale has been bouncing around in my head for a long time, but this is the first time I've ever drawn one. It turned out basically exactly how I envisioned it, and I think it would fit right in to the world of Avatar.
I plan on rolling these into a bigger AU I have planned for some point in the future. I like them a lot.
Lore below cut:


















