Copper Worm Larva

Copper worms are enigmatic, yet curious, aberrations that originate from the maddening Far Realm. As their name suggests, they are gargantuan eel-like worms that are lathered in a copper sheen that covers their skin. Copper worm heads have two, relatively tiny eyes that become overshadowed by a mass of pink, translucent tentacles that act as their primary method of feeling and feeding.

Unlike most other creatures from the Far Realm, copper worms have a strong distaste for enslavement and destruction, rather, they are tormented by a deep desire to learn about the inner workings of other creatures. They often only interact with a creature if it’s to learn about its physical and mental capabilities, or if they need a host for one of their many children, otherwise they leave other creatures to their own devices.

Morbid Researchers. Despite their distaste for violence, copper worms often use less-than honorable methods when performing their studies. Copper worms use a combination of both psionic and biological abilities to subdue and manipulate the bodies and minds of various creatures to see how they respond.

Their tentacles are able to sap a creature’s body of energy, which they use to sustain themselves, as well as observe a creature’s ability to withstand lethargy. They can also produce a copper-hued cloud that is often used to limit a creature’s language and visual capabilities. To ensure that they can properly perform their tests, copper worms use psionic and telepathic powers to restrain or track reluctant participants. After they receive satisfactory results, they will return their test subjects to their original states, left physically unharmed, and then send them on their way. While they never intend to due long-lasting harm, many of their willing and unwilling participants are left mentally scarred from the process.

Parent to Thousands. While copper worms are mostly emotionally mute, they have incredibly strong bonds with their offspring. Each worm can produce a clutch of up to a thousand eggs, after which they become completely infertile. They guard these eggs ferociously until they hatch. When a copper worm larva hatches, it creates an immediate bond with their parent that somewhat resembles the relationship between a cleric and their deity. These larvae fervently follow and listen to their parent’s every command until the cusp of their adulthood, after which they leave to fend for themselves.

During a copper worm’s larval stage, they have a chitinous beak that they use to burrow into dirt and stone, as well as to penetrate the flesh of sentient creatures. Due to having small and soft bodies, copper worm larvae burrow into the bodies of creatures to both travel safely and to absorb nutrients from their hosts. Once they reach adolescence, a copper worm exits its host and uses its own abilities to protect itself.