The Hungry Dunes
It is dangerous to cross the Eni Belul. You're at risk of heat stroke, dehydration, or starvation. You must trek over sand dunes 50 feet high, every step dragged down by the deep sand.
And sometimes, those sand dunes try to eat you.
Hungry dunes are not well understand by the people who live around the desert. What they know is that when an animal, from something as small as a lizard to as large as a Camelops, sets foot on certain dunes, the sand erupts in a flurry of movement and the animal is dragged deep into the sand. With larger creatures, the sand above continues to churn with movement underneath for several minutes, until it finally grows still. Anyone who tries to help a comrade who's been dragged down risks being taken as well.
There are some who claim to know the truth. Throughout the Kingdom of Tanish, you can find weary old travellers who have made the trek across the desert dozens of times and claim to have seen the real monsters. Some of them say they were close enough to catch a glimpse of spindly legs and crushing mandibles before their friend disappeared, and a few others claim to have been rescued by quick-thinking friends who tossed them a rope before they vanished, and they even have the scars to prove it. According to them, it is not the dune itself that attacks, but the swarm of cat-sized insects lying in wait.
And sometimes, those sand dunes try to eat you.
Hungry dunes are not well understand by the people who live around the desert. What they know is that when an animal, from something as small as a lizard to as large as a Camelops, sets foot on certain dunes, the sand erupts in a flurry of movement and the animal is dragged deep into the sand. With larger creatures, the sand above continues to churn with movement underneath for several minutes, until it finally grows still. Anyone who tries to help a comrade who's been dragged down risks being taken as well.
There are some who claim to know the truth. Throughout the Kingdom of Tanish, you can find weary old travellers who have made the trek across the desert dozens of times and claim to have seen the real monsters. Some of them say they were close enough to catch a glimpse of spindly legs and crushing mandibles before their friend disappeared, and a few others claim to have been rescued by quick-thinking friends who tossed them a rope before they vanished, and they even have the scars to prove it. According to them, it is not the dune itself that attacks, but the swarm of cat-sized insects lying in wait.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Hungry dune bugs resemble large ants. They have a segmented body with 6 legs, 2 antennas, and large mandibles.
Each mandible is about a foot long, curved inward, and lined in inch-long spikes to aide with grasping prey. The spikes are hollow, and when the mandibles snap shut, they inject a paralyzing venom that breaks down flesh.
Each mandible is about a foot long, curved inward, and lined in inch-long spikes to aide with grasping prey. The spikes are hollow, and when the mandibles snap shut, they inject a paralyzing venom that breaks down flesh.
Ecology and Habitats
They live underground in sandy deserts. Their true home is a system of tunnels dug under the sand, but the hunters leave the nest and position themselves throughout a dune that sits above their nest to hunt. It is very difficult to tell if a dune is infested. The only sign are the tips of antennas protruding through the sand, but because they are the same colour as sand, it is difficult to see this until you're too close for the warning to matter.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They eat anything that walks across their dune. When one bug senses movement of something large, it sends out a pheromone signal to the others to swarm. Smaller prey like lizards are snapped up by single bugs.
When a creature is midway up a dune, dozens of bugs burst out in a flurry of sand, snapping at their limbs and dragging them back into the dune. Each bite injects paralyzing venom, hindering the creature's attempts at escape. Inside the dune, the prey struggles as it chokes on sand and the bugs begin to eat. It takes several minutes for paralysis to kick in completely, stopping the heart and lungs. Once the prey is dead, the bugs use their mandibles to begin cutting it into smaller pieces and carry the meat down into the nest to feed the queens, larva, and other workers.
The bugs are incredibly strong for their size, able to take down prey much larger than themselves.
When a creature is midway up a dune, dozens of bugs burst out in a flurry of sand, snapping at their limbs and dragging them back into the dune. Each bite injects paralyzing venom, hindering the creature's attempts at escape. Inside the dune, the prey struggles as it chokes on sand and the bugs begin to eat. It takes several minutes for paralysis to kick in completely, stopping the heart and lungs. Once the prey is dead, the bugs use their mandibles to begin cutting it into smaller pieces and carry the meat down into the nest to feed the queens, larva, and other workers.
The bugs are incredibly strong for their size, able to take down prey much larger than themselves.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Throughout the sandy portions of the Eni Belul desert
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The have compound eyes that easily detect small movements but have poor resolution.
Their antennas are lined in tiny hairs that transmit information about wind, chemicals, and vibrations.
They also have a highly attuned sense of smell.
Their antennas are lined in tiny hairs that transmit information about wind, chemicals, and vibrations.
They also have a highly attuned sense of smell.
Lifespan
1 - 3 years
Average Height
1 foot
Average Weight
10 lbs
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Pale yellow to beige. They rarely see sunlight and are camouflaged with the sand.
