The World Of Khoras - Fauna and Flora - Fauna - Jungle

Splinter Slug

Physical Description

The splinter slug appears as a two inch purple slug with four ruffled ridges running the length of its body and a visible jaw structure. It has eyes, antennae or other visible sensory organs.

Combat

In general, the splinter slug’s parasitic behavior (see below) is its only method of attack. Besides parasitic infestation, these creatures pose no threat and are easily crushed under boot.

Habitat

Splinter slugs are found only in warm, tropical climates where vegetation and animal life are abundant. They are typically found in coastal forests and swamps in the warmer southern regions and are abundant in Karth, the Pirate Isles and the Barakose Swamp. They are rare in temperate lands and do not exist in the north.

Ecology

This small slug-like creature burrows into the flesh of warm blooded animals. It uses a pain killer so the victim is usually not aware of the slug until it is well entrenched. It appears as a purple mark under the skin very similar to a large splinter (hence the name). It moves very slowly, a few inches each day. It may go for weeks unnoticed. During the time that the slug is inhabiting a host, the host "regenerates". That is, the host recovers from fatigue and heals minor wounds more quickly due to a slug’s effect on the host’s metabolism and body chemistry. The host will feel more energized and will more easily fight infection. The slug does this to keep its host alive. The slug burrows slowly, but steadily, toward the host’s heart, all the while feeding on the flesh of the host and obtaining nourishment from the host’s body fluids. Once the slug reaches the host’s heart, it lays 30-100 eggs and dies. The eggs incubate for about a month and then all hatch at once. The host is usually still alive at this point and may even be unaware of the infestation. Once the young are hatched, they begin tunneling out of the host creature. Although this is a slow and painless procedure, this usually kills the victim who will begin to exhibit nervous twitches and extreme fatigue. Death usually occurs about the same time as the young slugs erupt from the skin. Seeing splinter slugs erupt from the flesh of a living person is quite an unsettling sight. Fortunately, these creatures are rare. Scholars suspect that the splinter slug was created as a biological weapon during the Great War. However, it would seem that the slug did not turn out to be as effective as a weapon as was hoped.

This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.

Contact Webmaster