Korinth Worm

A common Korinth Worm as found in the Terran Undercity

The Korinth Worm is a carnivorous, parasitic worm native to the Terran planet Korinth, though may be additionally found in the industrial undercities of Earth and Akari. Korinth worms are considered an invasive species in hyper-urbanized environments such as those on Earth and Akari, as the worms are capable of surviving in the extreme heat and humidity found in these environments. Additionally the Korinth Worm is considered a highly dangerous species as it is capable of killing and predating humans. Despite this the worms tendency for isolation ensures they rarely encounter human activity.

## Biology and apperance

Korinth Worms are large carnivorous worm-like creatures generally ranging from 1 to 2 meters in length. Korinth Worms have an armored exoskeleton which serves to protect them from predation by the small fauna native to Korinth. Generally considered an Apex predator on their homeworld, the Korinth worm hunts by stalking in shaded or otherwise hard to see locations in the deserts of Korinth. The Korinth Worm lunges at and attaches to prey by biting down with the long hook like teeth. From there the worm regurgitates stomach acid, melting away flesh and allowing an inner mouth with hundreds of smaller sharp teeth to tear away the melting flesh of its prey.

Korinth Worms have a larval stage, in which large pupae hatch from eggs implanted into living prey. Adult worms will burrow into the sands during breeding season and wait for some form of prey to wander over its burrow. When prey passes over the burrow, the Korinth Worm is shoot a long spike from its mouth, piercing into the host's body, and implating eggs. These eggs hatch over the course of a week, releasing pupae which feed on the flesh of their host eventually leading to its death. Upon the death of their host, the Pupae instinctually seek out caves or other underground environments. This instinct originally served to protect the pupae from the scorching heat of Korinth, though it has now led to the species infesting the lowest expanses of hyper-cities such as those on Terra and Akari.

## Behavior

Korinth Worms exhibit three notable life stages. The first life stage is as Pupae, where Korinth worms are highly independent. Korinth Pupae exhibit a strong inclination for descending as low as possible, and favor dark and warm environments. Korinth Pupae as such typically can be found in the deepest expanses of Korinth's extensive cave networks, or in the deepest survivable expanses of world-spanning cities such as Akari or Terra, where the local environment mimicks the caves of their homeworld. During this stage Pupae typically hunt small animals, usually insects or small rodents.

During their second life stage Korinth Worms reach their full size. During this stage Korinth Worms move up through the cave systems, and primarily begin hunting larger mamals, especially mole-like creatures which live in the upper cave systems. During this stage some Korinth Worms may occasionally hunt above ground, though only during the night when it is cooler. Adolescent Korinth Worms have not yet developed the fully protection exoskeleton which also serves to shield them from the sun's rays. During this stage Korinth Worms begin to hunt small packs of Moles or other burrowing aniamls.

During their third and final life stage Korinth Worms again become isolationary, and begin to climb to the surface of Korinth (Or upper levels of urban undercities). During this stage Worms engage in sexual reproduction, where the female's eggs are fertilized before entering a period of stasis. During this period of stasis the female worm burrows beneath the sands (Or finds other appropriate hiding spots in urban environments) and enters a state of hibernation. This period can last typically for weeks, but may stretch for as long as a year. During this period the worm's hibernation is only interrupted when it detects the sounds of vibrations of movement near it. When a sufficiently large animal or human approaches the worm, it lunges from its burrow, impaling the victim with a spike which implants its eggs in the host body, implating the next generation.

### Urban Populations

In urban environments such as those on Terra and Akari, Korinth Worms live generally similarly, though their adolescent stage is generally extended as there is no pressure to reach the surface. Korinth Worms can be found almost exclusively in undercity regions, and there have been no reported instances of Korinth Worms arriving to the surface of urban environments under their own power. Rather, Urban Korinth Worms have adapted to, and even begun to thrive as an entirely subterranean species.

In urban areas, Korinth Worms typically predate small mamals and rodents, such as rats, moles, stray dogs, cats, or even other Korinth Pupae, among other small animals which may live in the undercity regions. Korinth Worms have also been known to hunt larger animals from time to time, and have even begun to hunt in packs, a trait unique to urban Korinth Worms. When pack hunting, Korinth Worms will typically hide, with some hiding between pipes, in gutters, or even by ascending steps, ladders, or pipes to nest on the ceiling of small rooms. From there, the worms will hibernate until awoken by some large prey. The nearest worm will lunge at the prey, attaching to it with their teeth and attempting to slow or anchor it. The remaining worms begin to advance toward the prey, attaching to its limbs and pinning at in place as the pack begins to eat.

There are distinct striations in the distribution of Korinth Worms in urban areas as well, as Pupae still retain the strong instinctual urge to descend as lower as possible during their first life stage. As such the lowest stretches of urban undercities are typically devoid of Adult worms, while large nests of Pupae may be found. Middle levels see large concentrations of Adolescent worms -- those which typically hunt in packs -- and mature and breeding worms can be found in the upper reaches of undercities.

### Relationship with Humans

Urban Korinth Worms have been known to prey on Humans as well as implant their pupae into them. In both Terra and Akari where there are substantial populations, humans are advised against entering their cities' Undercity regions without valid reason to prevent humans from falling prey to Korinth Worms, and from bringing their Pupae to upper levels of the city. Because of how Korinth Worms hunt, it is unlikely for one to be spotted until after it has begun to stalk or ambush a person. Korinth Worm's exoskeleton makes them especially hard to kill -- it is virtually impossible to kill a worm with a bladed weapon. Firearms as well may prove unable to piece the exoskeleton depending on their caliber.

The government of Terra and the Arch-Duchy of Akari both employ exterminators, whose jobs are to keep the population of hazardous invasive species such as Korinth Worms down. These individuals typically wear specialized power armor resistant to the worm's acid, and usually utilize flamethrowers and blunt instruments to exterminate the worms. Some populations of worms have developed a fear of humans as a result of this, and avoid interaction, while others have adopted more cautious ambush tactics instead.