Tunneler Worms

Tunneler worms also known as "Rock-worms" are a species of giant Invertebrates found in the underground of many worlds.

Description

Tunneler worms dig through the rock of a world in the search of organic material and trace minerals. Using an innate form of magic they turn solid rock in front of them soft and and can crawl through it at tremendous speeds. They leave behind tunnels of smooth stone, as the previously softened rock hardens behind them.
They naturally produce tunnel systems that are an integral part of the subterranean ecosystem.

Rock-worms spend almost all their time looking for food. Their diet consists of plants, animals, Rockshrooms and certain minerals. They consume large amounts of rock as part of this constant hunt for food and their droppings are as such often rich in indigestible materials such as metals or gemstones.

The worms are constantly covered in a thin layer of mucus which prevents them from drying out. They are sensitive to sunlight and high temperatures, avoiding those at all cost. They are also completely blind and deaf, but they have an excellent sense of smell and can sense vibrations in the ground for incredible distances.

Life cycle

Tunneler worms only reproduce once they accumulate a certain amount of fat reserves. Once they have enough energy stored they produce eggs and exude certain pherhormones which attracts other tunneler worms. After the eggs are fertilized, the worm returns to its search for food, spreading its eggs along the way.

Hunting strategy

Tunneler worms will try to avoid the surface of a world as much as possible; The sunlight burns them and the winds dry out their protective mucus layer.

Tunneler worms can be lured using certain alchemical mixtures as bait, and they will swarm such bait in droves. Equally they can be kept away by the use of similar concoctions. The Dvuergr commonly use these mixtures to corral and domesticate Tunneler worms as livestock.

A worm will try to eat any creature small enough to fit into their maw. If its attack is unsuccessful or the worm is sufficiently wounded, it will attempt to flee.

Appearance

Tunneler worms are usually of a grey, purple or pink colour and are usually large enough to swallow a man whole.