Zori
An individual Zori is a worm-like creature no longer than the length of the average human hand. Alone, they have a rudimentary intellect akin to a particularly cunning animal, such as a raven, but when they gather or reproduce in the thousands, they form a bipedal hive with the intelligence of any other creature. These hives are what most refer to as Zori. The height, width, and weight of the Zori vary depending on the size of the hive and the preferences of it's united intellect. They consider themselves a single mind, not a mass of individuals, and do not age in a way other folk would understand. They are immune to a great many diseases, extreme weather conditions, and are able to navigate the deadly wastelands of the Shifting Sands. However, they have an ingrained fear of fire, and many a hive disperses itself at the thought of being set aflame.
The Zori reproduce asexually, with individuals budding off from one another over time, assuming that they are in a nourished and healthy state. If a Zori hive is broken up into individuals, it can scatter and eventually rebuild itself, but if enough individuals have died out or been lost, the resulting hive will have a different personality, even if it retains some memories. If a Zori hive lives for hundreds of years, growing through reproduction all the way, they form a mighty 'Sandwyrm,' a collossal hive the size of a warship. These Sandwyrms have been largely killed by the Ansharan military during the conquest of Olifia, but some remain, buried beneath the sands.
The Zori mainly populate eastern Olifia, with the largest concentration in the hilly country that has held out against the Protectorate of Anshara's forces. In the Westerlands, most Zori are used as manual laborers by the Eternal Lordships or colonial auxilaries. In Human lands, Zori are seen as freaks and monsters, and must often cloak themselves and wear masks to hide, or use magic to conceal their true forms.
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