Dormian Butterslug

Despite not being native to Ludwag, the Dormian Butterslug remains as one of its most common gastropods. It was willingly introduced by Dormian migrants when they first arrived as it was both culturally endearing and useful in quelling pests. However, without the Dormian Butterslug’s natural predators, their population blew out of control. Today they’re one of Ludwag’s most devastating invaders, contributing to the extinction of three species of amphibian, two species of bird, and one species of mammal. They’re widely viewed as a pest to both agriculture and the continued survival of the native ecosystem. Despite this, many are still captive bred for their innate medicinal uses.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

The golden coloration through which the slug earns its name is not intended to be welcoming. Far from it. It is a warning to predators that it holds a potent weapon. That eating it will spell their doom. Butterslugs secrete a potent slick substance in their mucus which when ingested directly can cause devastating health effects. A powerful narcotic, it is able to cause severe fatigue and loss of motor functions. In some cases, undiluted ‘slug butter’ can be almost fatal. Curiously, its third most common trait -numbness- is not affected by dilution through water. Slugbutter, when diluted, can act as a painkiller when applied to the specific area of injury.

With weak, permeable skin, butterslug cannot hope to lose water. Despite constant secretions there’s comparatively little water in the liquid they expel. Instead, water is housed and concentrated in internal sacs as a long lasting reserve, enabling the slug to survive in surprisingly dry climates. Their ability to colonize extends to their method of producing young too. As slugs, they’re hermaphrodites, producing as many as forty eggs every wet season. To keep their eggs moist, Butterslugs will carry them under the folding wrinkles of their water reserves until they eventually hatch. Buttersluglets are unable to produce their own toxins so often roll themselves in their parents before leaving them.

Omnivorous, Butterslugs will feed on anything they can ingest. Their mouthparts are best equipped for soft things like leaves or the rotting carcasses of small animals. They often prefer crops like lettuce, kale, and other green vegetables for their broad leaves. Butterslug can quickly devastate a garden should they be allowed to do so. In their native range on Trepheon their populations were controlled. Without many natural predators, the only thing Butterslug need worry about are sapient races. Most predators are still unfamiliar with Butterslugs so it is not uncommon to find them poisoned by attempted predation. Further destruction they cause may lead to widespread collapse of small-time agriculture and biotas.

#### Psychology

Solitary and nocturnal, Butterslug live lonesome lives. They are unintelligent and instinctive, showing little fear of predators. The only thing that Butterslug seem innately frightful of is the sun, or perhaps the fear of drying out. As the sun rises, the slugs make a slow mad dash toward the safety of shade. They can and will dry out very quickly if caught in its direct rays. They appear to be partially afraid of light produced by Luxomancy and Brightblooms also, mistaking them for sun bodies. As briefly mentioned, Butterslug partake in minimal childcare. They do not protect their young whatsoever.

Though untamable, they’re kept in cultures across Ludwag for their butter.