Leeches

## General

Leeches are a very diverse race of intelligent and semi-intelligent beings that have a notable appetite.

## Info & History

Many many years ago, a Wyrm referred to as Sweef, had a dalliance with a strange beast far out in the West, likely beyond the Great Frontier. From the beast's womb came the first generation of ancient leeches. Sweef and his kin decided to migrate towards the kingdom of Hallownest. When their journey was finished however, an Apex attacked Sweef in a hole while he was asleep - mind you Sweef was in his giant wyrm form. And thus, the Wyrm hath died in a hole. (See: Leech Lore Tablets for more info.)

Since the average lifespan of a leech does not exceed that of 10 years, they went through multiple generation, each generation resulting in new types of leeches. The Leeches made a monument for their creator above the hole - however, Sweef's spirit was still clinging onto his body and someone needed to get a certain charm to free him. When the Leeches went to pray and heard his powerful essence's cries, they tried to free him but sadly couldn't manage to do so. It should be noted that it was around these times that the Leechmother - a very important Leech Empress - was born.

It was also around this time that Mahyvvos started his cult.

The Leeches migrated to Deepnest where they lay for many many years and spread throughout the various regions of Hallownest and made various small settlements. One such settlement was located in the Fungal Wastes. Molten had accidentally stumbled onto this settlement with his mech when suddenly he was attacked by a group of Terrorleeches. They wrecked his mech and Molten barely escaped with his life. He found himself deep into the Fungal Wastes and "went nuts for some time". He promptly went back into the Leech nest to recover something that had caught his eye to find out that it was a charm called the Leechmaw (and three bottles of brine). Molten decided to bring it to the Leechmother and discovered that the Leechmaw was a very important part of her and the fact that it was lost made the Leeches significantly dumber and caused some leeches to become Feral Leeches. Since the Leechmaw allowed the bearer the ability to speak with Leeches, Molten struck a deal with them that decreed that Leeches would be his voluntary minions and join the Molten Legion. It should be noted that despite the returnal of the Leechmaw, some Feral Leeches still remained.

After the Flukes in the Royal Waterways migrated to their mother, the sewerway was left vacant and the Leeches decided to claim it as their new official land. The Leechmother also made the Junk Pit her official nesting ground. During the Smiling War, the Leeches participated in a war happening between the Refuge and the Husks - where they significantly damaged a very powerful husk warrior Kynigos under the command of Lytchior.

During the 7 Year Timeskip, Lytchior perished - leaving the position of Leech Commander vacant. It was promptly claimed by Gwylth. During this period, many faces started showing up - including soon-to-be-prisoners Lygno and Lashen, and a young Naki who was trained by Lytchior himself. During a raid by Nevan into the Black Spire; Lygno, Lashen, and a leemic were captured and put in the Husks prison. Lygno immediately became insane, Lashen was trying to be calm, and the leemic tried to mimic a husk (which promptly failed). During the Third Husk v Refuge War, they'd be broken out (alongside Mijo the "Leech") as the Husk Refuge would be demolished.

Gwylth and several other Great Leeches made camp near the Dashmaster Statue to hunt down Feral Leeches. They saved Spilo's ass as well.

The Leeches just kinda lived on, some residing in the Waterways and some in the Black Spire. Until the Nadir, of course.

## Types

Lesser Leeches:

* Creeleech - Most common and weakest. Wounds made by its jaws notably hurts a lot.
* Volatile Leech - Leech that got into symbiosis with a lightseed. Very explosive and commonly used as a throwable weapon by the Terrorleeches. Despite its appearance, isn't actually a Husk. (see: Feral Leeches for more info.)
* Lifeblood Leech - Leech that got into symbiosis with a lifeseed. Instead of acidic puke, it drools Lifeblood.
* Leechfey - Flying leech variant. Generally used for distraction, or to transport messages.

Great Leeches:

* Leemic - A larger, four-limbed leech with a mask that resembles a normal bug. It is used as a basic spy unit. Behind that mask are very sharp teeth.
* Terrorleech - Rather large leech, probably the smartest. Can climb, walk on ceilings and throw stuff.
* Greater Leech - Giant fat leech and the final growth stage for some Creeleeches.
* Shredder Leech - Basically a Greater Leech but giant mouth that can shred anything.
* Leech Empress - Gods and birth-givers of other leeches. The only Empress seen in the RP is the Leechmother.

## Abilities

All leeches can latch onto people, spit out very corrosive vomit, and claw people (except for leechfeys for obvious reasons).

Leech arms have three clawed fingers. The Great Leeches have a opposable clawed thumb as well as two clawed fingers.

## Habitat

Royal Waterways of Hallownest and formerly Deepnest. They prefer caverns with darkness.