Flaen worms
A tiny worm that latches on to the back of the eyeball of creatures (mainly humans) and drinks the host's blood. This results in the whole surface of the host's eye becoming bloodshot.
Purchased worms are transmitted to new slave hosts by slavers--the blood red eyes of hosts being a quick and easy way to discern slave status. Slavers introduce the worm by placing one onto the eyeball of a new slave. It then crawls/swims to the back of the eyeball before latching on. The worm will live at the back of the eyeball for 5-15 years before dying.
Effects
Apart from film of blood covering and discoloring the eyeball, there is a slight chance that an infected person will go blind, and a much larger chance that he/she will lose color vision. After the worm dies it will detach from the eye and its body will be expelled naturally, and often painfully, from the host.Origins
Sold by the fanatics of the Kingdom of Rai'El, no-one really knows the true origin of Flaen worms. The Rai'El claim that the worm is a miracle of their god-king. Rai'Set, given as a 'gift' to humanity. The reproduction (production) and nurturing of Flael worms is tightly kept secret of Rai'El priests, who allow jars of adult worms to be sold to slave traders.Reproduction & Transmission
There is no known way for this worm to naturally either reproduce or acquire a new host. Unlike other parasites, Flaen worms do not seem to either produce eggs/larvae or even reproduce. Artificial introduction directly onto the host's eye is only known method of transmission.Purchased worms are transmitted to new slave hosts by slavers--the blood red eyes of hosts being a quick and easy way to discern slave status. Slavers introduce the worm by placing one onto the eyeball of a new slave. It then crawls/swims to the back of the eyeball before latching on. The worm will live at the back of the eyeball for 5-15 years before dying.
Flaen Worms & Slavery
As agreed to in the Tyrkal Accord, the Tyrkal Syndicate has a monopoly on the 'implantation' process thus giving the syndicate a large degree of control of the slave trade. Flaen worms are deliberately introduced into both eyes of all slaves. The resulting bloodshot 'red-eyes' are recognized as a symbol of slave status in all major countries.
Lifespan
10 years
Average Length
1 cm
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This was quite the uncomfortable read. Well done at evoking emotion from the readers. I'm afraid to ask, but how does the parasite get to the back of the eye? For example, is it injected in the ear? Does it grow in the bloodstream? I look forward to seeing more.
Thanks so much for the feedback. I have rewritten the article, and hopefully it answers your questions better. Although the transmission / reproduction method is not as gruesome as your suggestion (As an avid follower and fan of your world, I know you have a very 'dark' imagination!!! :D) Essentially this parasite is just a way for me, as a GM, to give slaves in my world red eyes as a means of showing their status. I wanted red-eyed slaves partly because it was 'cool-looking', partly because it was different from the normal branding with a hot iron and partly because it gives a way for me to have a shady syndicate control the slave trade. Therefore I don't want the worm to transmit to non-slaves naturally. You feedback is greatly appreciated, as are new articles on your own world. :)
Great idea and I like your methodology behind it. I did sort of the same thing with my Rageleaf Madness ( https://www.worldanvil.com/w/ayn-working-title-aevri/a/rageleaf-madness-article ) article where I gave them red eyes, but they become more like enraged zombies (Like 21 days later) rather than a slave. I really enjoyed the idea you portrayed.