How about giving it a passive "terrifying presence" ability that panics the sailors and maybe the players? Set it about a mastery above the player's resistance, and explain that this is 'two or three masteries' below its main abilities? Or else have it wade through teh ocean in the distance, creating waves that almost wreck the ships a kilometre or two away?
Basically, barely let them get away in one piece from merely seeing it in the distance. They'll know that with preparation they could better survive at that level, but they should also realize that up close it will be all the more awesome.
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> Well, in my humble opinion it's the other way around. Ability values give the impression something is possible. Why else would you need it for? Maybe I am too German for it, but if I tell my players "it is impossible" it is exactly that.
> /// Ah, I love comparing cultures - this is so german ! And one of the biggest differences between our folks. If you tell a french he can't (SOLL NICHT) do something, his first instinct is to find out how he can do it anyway. It's deeply ingrained in us. I'm not saying it's a good thing, it just is. In RPG as in the rest.
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> And by the way, I have absolutely no intention to have them fight the MoMs. They'll see it from their ships and quake in their boots, is all. Part of the scenic pamaltelan tour ! Besides, there's plenty of baddies to fight already.
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