Who is Meathe? Meathe is my character on the Time of Darkness MUD, an immortal, one of the characters who run the game (and write the code), all of whom have some floral or faunal totem. The guy puppeteering Meathe is an Australian who moved to New York, though this has little relevance to seals.

But why then, is Meathe's avatar a seal? There are many curious answers to that, none of which are correct.

The research team have discovered the first mention of seals in an message dating to 2002, and a further mention on March 14, 2004. No further information has been uncovered, though it is suspected Navarre has a penchant for clubbing.

Speculation, however, is rife. While some are possible others have been completely discounted.

It could be the guinness poster. This is the currently favoured theory.

It may be because penguins compose 87% of their diet (Leopard Seals) This is one of the lamest theorums to date. And I like Tux.

According certain shamanistic beliefs, the seal embodies contentment, lucid dreaming, protection from danger, creativity, listening to our inner voice, gentleness, adaptability, talkativeness and playfulness. One or more of these may even be accurate.

A freak smelting accident

Bitten by a radioactive seal

Because I have a pet seal

Juggling and balancing beach balls is fun

Abducted by aliens who decided I would better off a seal

Because I smell like one

Random mutations

I got drunk and went home walking like one

Bitten by a wereseal/sea lion

I came in late and seals were the only thing left in the pool

They are somewhat protected.

It could also be that they're just cute animals. But then, so are otters.

Until someone actually remembers or finds some sort of annotation, your guess is as good as any, and quite likely better than most.

Arf.

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Update: 1:46pm

Coyote knows. He has suggested that somehow it involves a PVC tunic. He is not, however, being more forthcoming than that and has refused to give any more details.

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Update: 1:48pm

I have a cunning plan.

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Update: 1:50pm

A bribe consisting of a large and juicy femur has broken his will, and he has divulged the whole sordid story.

You hold an elephant femur, full of juicy marrow in your hand.
Coyote drools all over himself -- making a TERRIBLE mess!
You say 'C'mon...'
Coyote gives you a PVC tunic.
You stop using an elephant femur, full of juicy marrow.
Coyote says 'Well, it came from a conversation that involved the PVC there.'
Coyote says 'Basically somewhere along the lines of you wore it and we were teasing you about it.'
Coyote says 'You of course were heavily resisting, and since PVC looks like seal skin....'
Coyote waves his hand in a magical fashion.
Coyote says '...and the seal was born.'
You say 'That's it?!'
You give an elephant femur, full of juicy marrow to Coyote.
You ponder the question
You say 'It was after one of those "dress up the link-dead and see how long it takes them to notice" things, wasn't it.'
Coyote says 'I'm fuzzy on that part.'
Coyote says 'Well, suppose I'm fuzzy in general.'
Coyote says 'Though who could resist the thought of a fuzzy cute coyote in full winter fur?'
Coyote says 'I think that's kind of funny. We forced the Treeman persona on Oaklore, and the seal on you. I'm not sure, but I'm one of the few that got to pick fully.'
Coyote happily gnaws on the femur.


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Update: 9:50pm

Kali is not convinced of this sequence of events. Perhaps the mystery is destined to remain unsolved.