Artic Tunneler

Artic Tunnelers are titanic arthropods that dwell in glaciers and tunnel through thick ice like an earthworm through loose earth using a heated horn. These massive creatures don't have eyes, but instead sense vibrations in the ice. Snow cushions the vibrations of walking, so moving through snow is the best way to avoid them. They are highly aggressive and territorial and will attack and swallow any moving thing it detects on its glacier. Combat with these creatures is almost completely futile, ambushing its prey underneath the ice and bursting out with an explosion in the ice to make prey fall into its tunnels, making it an easy kill. The chemicals stored in its horn are very valuable materials, making the ensuing fight almost worth it.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Tunneler has a centipede-like body, a flat body with the sides covered in meter long barbs for traction in the ice. A two-meter-long horn protrudes from the skull, which is actually an extension of the skull. They have ring-like muscles that surround the central spine collum, often intersecting the ribs.

Genetics and Reproduction

Ice Tunnelers reproduce similar to snakes, although they are large arthropods. This act can be very destructive, especially if two alphas mate. Eggs are laid by both in about three months, each about 1-2 feet tall.

Growth Rate & Stages

When a Tunneler hatches, it's a fleshy white worm with an elongated beak used to push its way out of its egg and through thin ice. Over time, it grows its barbs and a longer horn to push through thicker ice, until it grows to its full length of 36 meters over a period of about six years.

Ecology and Habitats

Artic Tunnelers live on exclusively glaciers, tunneling through the ice and feeding on any animals that come within its territory.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Artic Tunnelers are purely carnivorous, eating anything moving that lives on its glaciers.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Two reservoirs in the base of the horn carry two unknown chemicals. When these chemicals mix, it creates an extreme chemical reaction that heats up the horn to over the boiling point of water, allowing it to melt through thick ice. These chemicals can be harvested, albeit a nearly impossible task, and are extremely valuable for their heating capabilities.

Facial characteristics

The head is mainly comprised of a single huge plate that tapers into a long, thick horn sticking straight out from the head. This horn is super-heated and allows the Artic Tunneler to melt through ice in order to burrow. Below the horn, the creature's four mouth-parts can be seen.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Artic tunnelers live exclusively in the glaciers north of The Spine of The World.

Average Intelligence

Artic Tunnelers are very simple creatures, thinking about food and nothing else. They are unable to strategize, and very easy to outwit.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Artic Tunnelers are completely blind and use hearing and vibration sensory to detect prey.

Scientific Name

Vermis Glacies

Lifespan

400 years

Average Height

1.56-2.3 meters

Average Weight

26-30 tonnes

Average Length

83-96 meters

Average Physique

Tunnelers are 60% muscle, 20% bone, 20% keratin, and 100% hungry.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The top armor plates of the Tunneler are a black color, while the softer belly is a light blue hue. The horn glows orange from the heat but is the same color as the armor plate on its back when not heated.

Geographic Distribution

• Outlands, The