Reaper Worm
The Reaper Worm is a large, parasitic predator renowned for its horrifying feeding habits and devastating infestations. Roughly the size of a small snake, these creatures thrive in subterranean environments, where their stealth and venomous bite make them formidable hunters. Their segmented, cylindrical bodies are coated in a slick, mucus-like membrane, enabling them to move effortlessly underground. With a coloration ranging from pale, translucent white to earthy brown, the Reaper Worm is naturally camouflaged in soil and rocky terrain. At its head is a ring of needle-like teeth capable of injecting a powerful paralytic venom, immobilizing prey within moments. Tiny bristles along its body aid in burrowing and anchoring the worm during its feeding process.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Although the Reaper Worm hunts alone, it reproduces in massive swarms, turning infested areas into veritable death traps. A single region may house hundreds of thousands of worms burrowed into the soil, creating a severe hazard for wildlife and travelers alike. These creatures favor warm, damp environments such as caves, dense forests, and abandoned ruins, where they can proliferate unchecked. Despite their resilience, they show an unusual aversion to moving water, refusing to cross streams or rivers unless carried by an infected host.
Ecology and Habitats
The Reaper Worm plays a grim role in its ecosystem. While it helps control populations of larger creatures, its presence in overwhelming numbers can decimate local fauna, rendering entire regions barren. Over time, areas infested with these worms become silent, lifeless wastelands, avoided even by the most desperate of creatures.
Behaviour
A master ambusher, the Reaper Worm hunts by lying in wait just beneath the surface of the soil until it detects vibrations or heat from a creature resting above. Once the prey has remained stationary for up to an hour or more, the worm begins its slow, deliberate ascent. With a swift bite, it paralyzes its victim, leaving them defenseless. The worm then burrows into the torso of its prey and begins consuming internal organs while the host is still alive but unable to move, speak, or resist. The process is as gruesome as it is efficient, leaving behind an empty husk as the worm retreats underground, seeking its next victim.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
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