Chronario
Very few creatures in the Yonderverse have innate chronomagical powers, chronarios being one of them. These tiny slugs use their long antenna to reach into the Time Dimension and slow down the flow of time. It allows them to escape predators by slowing down their existences, so the slugs can slither away at their own pace.
Chronarios are native to Ivucarro, a planet inhabited by hyper-adaptive sophontic snails, metraphites. This species is rare, a single sighting made a big deal in the scientific community.
Taxonomy
Chronarios are in the genus Ariolimax, alongside banana slugs. Chronarios are sometimes referred to as time-stealers, or time-warpers.
Anatomy
You're blind if you can't spot a chronario hanging out in the forest.
Chronarios measure ten centimetres in length on average, rarely exceeding more than fifteen centimetres. They are easily recognisable thanks to the bright yellows and pinks of this species.
Older slugs start to turn a more pale-ish colour, and in some cases the slugs turn almost a complete white.
These slugs have long feathered antenna growing from behind the eye stalks. A small blue bulb floats around the end of the antenna, similar to their floating eyes.
The tip of the tail also features a floating bulb, used in mating practices. The tail bulb is soft and squishy, made of fat.
Diet
Chronarios have no use for organic matter, instead obtaining energy from the Time Dimension. As they pierce through reality using their antenna, the bulbs vibrate which generates energy necessary for the slug's survival. It is a very efficient process and it allows the slugs to survive for eternity, provided a predator doesn't kill it.
Reproduction & Growth
Mating Rituals
Chronarios flash their antenna bulbs at desired mates, using bright colours to woo another slug. They also wiggle their tail and vibrate their eyes.Why can't my boyfriend wiggle his tail at me? Are you telling me this slug is more romantic than him?
The average batch of chronario eggs is between six to seven hundred. These miniscule eggs are a bright yellow and pink, the two colours morphing into one another, writhing inside the egg.
The batch forms one large clump and can be found hanging off tall trees and giant flowers. Baby chronarios struggle to manage their time-bending abilities, often disrupting local timelines as they learn to follow the Natural Order. Most chronarios are wiped out by metaphysical entities in order of maintaining the Natural Order of all things.
Habitat
Chronarios are found in the vibrant rainforests of Ivucarro. The Liadin Rainforest has the largest population of chronarios, estimated to be around six thousand. These slugs are semi-arboreal, mating and laying eggs in trees but typically navigating the thick groundcover of the rainforests.
They actively seek shelter during periods of rainfall, often gathering together in large tree cavities. The proximity of so many chronarios amplifies their time-bending abilities, which can result in dangerous situations.
In Culture
Chronomancers across the galaxies are well acquainted with this species. Their power and rarity encourages many amateur chronomancers to seek them out, in the hopes that they will be able to take advantage of these seemingly primitive creatures. Most underestimate the intelligence of these animals, and few people can even get close to the slugs withuot experiencing temporal stasis, cast upon them by said slugs.
While it is yet to be confirmed, many believe DeoVita to be studying this species, honing in on the genes that allow these slugs to wield time itself. Some pets manufactured by Pawfect Pets supposedly have passive time-bending abilities undisclosed by the company itself. Several reports have been publicised, but lawsuits have fallen through thanks to air-tight non-disclosure agreements written by the organisation.
A handful of illicit organisations operating in Razhea Capita's Underworld own, or have owned, chronarios. The Furnace Keepers once had a cornucopia of slugs, for an undisclosed reason, but all of them escaped. As a result there is now a small population of wild chronarios roaming around the Underworld, completely free of predators.
I was trying my hardest to sneak up on this weird yellow slug... and then I just seemed to slow down. The leaking pipe besides me was dripping as normal, drip, drip, drip, but I couldn't move. I tried to reach out, but it took what felt like an hour to just get my hand above my head. I saw someone walk past me from a distance and he was walking as normal. Never in my life had I felt so vulnerable. All while this was happening, the slug was just slowly slithering away. Could've sworn I heard it humming to itself. Freaky thing.
Where is the article about banana slugs, please? I mean, those time-slugs are also fascinating, but now I want to learn about banana slugs :D
The banana slugs mentioned are the real life banana slugs! I could always whip up a little article on the genus, and talk about slugs found on other planets though!