Hellworms: Difference between revisions
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''"Hellworms. One must admire the advertising enterprise of giving them such a name."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_the_Jovial_Contrarian|Persuade the Jovial Contrarian|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote> | ''"Hellworms. One must admire the advertising enterprise of giving them such a name."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_the_Jovial_Contrarian|Persuade the Jovial Contrarian|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
'''Hellworms''' are | '''Hellworms''' are a remarkable species that originate from the lands of [[Hell]]. | ||
== Behold the Worm == | |||
Bred and marketed by devils,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Debating_Matters_of_Business_with_the_Board/Descriptions|Debating Matters of Business with the Board/Descriptions|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the board acquire Hellworms (at a considerable expense, and richly compensating the Devils who would make them available)."''</ref> hellworms are massive beasts that contain law-furnaces within their bodies.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_Hellworms|Help with the Hellworms|Fallen London|}} ''"The Hellworms work very quickly: they swallow rock, and the law furnaces within convert it into something that will not be in your way. They leave a tunnel through the mountain whose walls glow too hot to touch, that are still molten."''</ref> They are employed to drill tunnels through normally impenetrable land,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Debating_Matters_of_Business_with_the_Board/Descriptions|Debating Matters of Business with the Board/Descriptions|Fallen London|}} ''"The Railway has encountered a barrier of impenetrable rock. The proposed solution is that the board acquire Hellworms [...]"''</ref> leaving behind molten rock in their wake.<ref name=":0" /> They are also useful for mining ore containing impossible materials.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_her_to_help_with_research_into_the_Red_Science|Ask her to help with research into the Red Science|Fallen London|}} ''"Need a Hellworm to mine the ore. It doesn't lawfully exist yet."''</ref> | |||
Miniature hellworms fetch a very high price;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Very_Own_Miniature_Hellworm|Your Very Own Miniature Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"Your Very Own Miniature Hellworm [...] It can be purchased from Extramural Trading Company [...] Buying [...] 200000"''</ref> these smaller specimens may be ridden using a nevercold brass saddle and a bridle engraved with the Correspondence... each purchased separately, of course.<ref name=":1">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Purchase_a_hellworm_saddle|Purchase a hellworm saddle|Fallen London|}} ''"Ah, d__n – of course it wasn't included in the original purchase. [...] The saddle itself, made of infernal brass [...] The 'bridle' is simply a sigil of the Correspondence, finely inscribed [...] onto a single strand of the hellworm's hair. [...] your hellworm is ready to ride. [...] "One simply climbs aboard and learns if one is worthy.""''</ref> The sigil on the bridle allows one to simply hop aboard to learn if they are worthy of being able to ride the hellworm.<ref name=":1" /> For the truly dedicated hellworm owner, there are specialized riding boots available as well,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Purchase_a_pair_of_Hellworm-Riding_Boots|Purchase a pair of Hellworm-Riding Boots|Fallen London|}} ''"'INDISPENSABLE to the DISCERNING HELLWORM OWNER', [...]"''</ref> complete with their own polish.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Purchase_an_amount_of_Hellworm-Riding_Boot_Polish|Purchase an amount of Hellworm-Riding Boot Polish|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] 'ESSENTIAL to MAINTAINING the VITAL FORCES of your new BOOTS'."''</ref> | |||
== Biology == | |||
Hellworms are serpentine, fur-covered,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Very_Own_Miniature_Hellworm|Your Very Own Miniature Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"Entirely covered in luxuriant fur."''</ref> eyeless creatures<ref name=":2">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Very_Own_Hellworm|Your Very Own Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"If it had eyes, it would stare at you in adoration. "''</ref> with fiery maws.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offices_of_the_Tracklayer%27s_Union:_Station_VIII_Branch|Offices of the Tracklayer's Union: Station VIII Branch|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] a painting [...] The Hellworm's fiery maw has been rendered in loving detail by someone who has obviously seen it close-up."''</ref> It is unclear how large they are when fully grown, but an entire locomotive can fit inside their tunnels.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Onward|Onward|Fallen London|}} ''"No one speaks much on the train back to London. [...] when it passes through the tunnel dug by Hellworms [...]"''</ref> They are capable of moving extremely quickly, applying tremendous force to anything in front of them, and can even jump.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ride_your_hellworm|Ride your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"You cling to dear life [...] it gives you more: more speed, more force. [...] Leaping over the locks at Jericho. [...] Carving a deep furrow through the [..] mud of Moulin."''</ref> Their diet includes hellish wine and ancient, whispered proto-law.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Fuel_the_excavation_with_hellworm_food|Fuel the excavation with hellworm food|Fallen London|}} ''"An [...] Handler cares for the hellworm. It feeds on Muscaria Brandy and ancient proto-Law – the latter, you must whisper [...]"''</ref> Juvenile hellworms are called Wyrmlights; they have gold carapaces, and until they mature, they cannot survive if their "parent" law-furnace is disabled.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Upwards_(Story)|Upwards (Story)|Fallen London|}} ''"Hell [...] Maybe they could loan you one of their rock-eating worms. [...] Wyrmlights [...] A [...] Menagerie-Keeper arrives [...] bearing a brass cage of crawling grubs. [...] golden carapaces cannot hide the burning glow from inside [...] "Child law-furnaces," [...] "They'll thrive so long as their parent does. Should it be extinguished, these little grubs will go out like lights." [...] You set the grubs to work on the rock of the roof. They take to their task hungrily, converting what is rock to what is not."''</ref> | |||
Miniature hellworms are the size of draft horses,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Very_Own_Miniature_Hellworm|Your Very Own Miniature Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"The size of a warhorse."''</ref> and weigh in at two tons.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Play_with_your_hellworm|Play with your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"Your hellworm [...] it weighs two tons, [...]"''</ref> They are excitable,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Play_with_your_hellworm|Play with your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"Your hellworm rolls over and squirms like a manic puppy."''</ref> loyal pets<ref name=":2" /> that enjoy attention<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Play_with_your_hellworm|Play with your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] the cooing noises it makes seem to indicate that it enjoys the attention."''</ref> and adventure.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ride_your_hellworm|Ride your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"It is more than happy to accelerate to blistering speed on its own [...]"''</ref> When roused,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_Disposition_of_your_Hellworm|The Disposition of your Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"Your hellworm is becoming more accustomed to being handled. Perhaps. For now. [...] 1+: Your hellworm seems a little warmer, a little more attentive. [...] Decreases by 7: Your hellworm seems a little more lethargic. "''</ref> these hellworms build up liquids in their bodies that may be harvested;<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Milk_your_hellworm|Milk your hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"What liquid will come out of it this time? "''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Milking_your_Hellworm|Milking your Hellworm|Fallen London|}} ''"The process is rather difficult. [...] you have a flask full of... something."''</ref> the origin of these is unknown,<ref name=":3">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_25|Examine its contents 25|Fallen London|}} ''"Nikolas & Sons Instant Absolution Ablution [...] Identical in all regards to the commercial formulation, somehow."''</ref> but a hellworm may dispense quality wine,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_2|Examine its contents 2|Fallen London|}} ''"A fine old vintage; [...]"''</ref> commercial goods,<ref name=":3" /> or perhaps something<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_18|Examine its contents 18|Fallen London|}} ''"Cantigaster Venom [...] hard not to get a few droplets on skin, where they burn [...]"''</ref> stranger.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_17|Examine its contents 17|Fallen London|}} ''"Master's Blood [...] How? "''</ref> The most unique product of the hellworm is its sweet-tasting milk,<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_26|Examine its contents 26|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] unable to identify the liquid, you resort to tasting it. It is creamy and a little sweet. This is milk."''</ref> which is not suitable for consumption as even droplets of it can corrode stone.<ref name=":4">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_a_pail_of_Hellworm_Milk|Offer a pail of Hellworm Milk|Fallen London|}} ''"While it is not suitable for the Apicius Club's immediate consumption, [...] He takes the pail [...] sloshing a few drops onto the street. They [...] leave pockmarks in the cobblestones. [...] "I've a cheese ripening cave [...] A year of sitting there [...] and we'll have [...] a cheese wheel, you'll see." [...] A year."''</ref> This milk can be made into cheese; the ripening process takes an entire year.<ref name=":4" /> Hellworm cheese is edible and enjoyable in small quantities, but in large quantities, it is said to be "one of the very worst ways to die."<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ripened_Wheel_of_Hellworm_Cheese|Ripened Wheel of Hellworm Cheese|Fallen London|}} ''"In small quantities, a [...] delight best eaten [...] In large doses, one of the very worst ways to die."''</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Revision as of 16:55, 28 May 2023
"Hellworms. One must admire the advertising enterprise of giving them such a name."[1]
Hellworms are a remarkable species that originate from the lands of Hell.
Behold the Worm
Bred and marketed by devils,[2] hellworms are massive beasts that contain law-furnaces within their bodies.[3] They are employed to drill tunnels through normally impenetrable land,[4] leaving behind molten rock in their wake.[3] They are also useful for mining ore containing impossible materials.[5]
Miniature hellworms fetch a very high price;[6] these smaller specimens may be ridden using a nevercold brass saddle and a bridle engraved with the Correspondence... each purchased separately, of course.[7] The sigil on the bridle allows one to simply hop aboard to learn if they are worthy of being able to ride the hellworm.[7] For the truly dedicated hellworm owner, there are specialized riding boots available as well,[8] complete with their own polish.[9]
Biology
Hellworms are serpentine, fur-covered,[10] eyeless creatures[11] with fiery maws.[12] It is unclear how large they are when fully grown, but an entire locomotive can fit inside their tunnels.[13] They are capable of moving extremely quickly, applying tremendous force to anything in front of them, and can even jump.[14] Their diet includes hellish wine and ancient, whispered proto-law.[15] Juvenile hellworms are called Wyrmlights; they have gold carapaces, and until they mature, they cannot survive if their "parent" law-furnace is disabled.[16]
Miniature hellworms are the size of draft horses,[17] and weigh in at two tons.[18] They are excitable,[19] loyal pets[11] that enjoy attention[20] and adventure.[21] When roused,[22] these hellworms build up liquids in their bodies that may be harvested;[23][24] the origin of these is unknown,[25] but a hellworm may dispense quality wine,[26] commercial goods,[25] or perhaps something[27] stranger.[28] The most unique product of the hellworm is its sweet-tasting milk,[29] which is not suitable for consumption as even droplets of it can corrode stone.[30] This milk can be made into cheese; the ripening process takes an entire year.[30] Hellworm cheese is edible and enjoyable in small quantities, but in large quantities, it is said to be "one of the very worst ways to die."[31]
References
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