Editing Hellworms

{{spoiler}}
{{Character|title1=Hellworm|image1=Hellworm.png|caption1=A Hellworm.|location=[[The Hinterlands]]|allegiance=[[Hell]]}}<blockquote>''"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. The art of Hellworm management is to encourage them in the proper direction, and then to be a great distance away."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_Hellworms|Help with the Hellworms|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

'''Hellworms''' are a remarkable species reared by [[devils]].__forcetoc__

== Behold the Worm ==
<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>
[[File:Lawfurnace.png|alt=A furnace.|thumb|A [[Law-Furnaces|Law-Furnace]].]]
Bred and marketed by [[devils]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_Virginia/Tables|Persuade Virginia/Tables|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] I have a few reservations about the particular set of Devils who breed the Hellworms."''</ref><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 monstrous creatures with [[Law-Furnaces]] in their bodies.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_Hellworms|Help with the Hellworms|Fallen London|}} ''"The Hellworms work [...] they swallow rock, and the law furnaces within convert it into something that will not be in your way."''</ref> They are used 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><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Help_with_the_Hellworms|Help with the Hellworms|Fallen London|}} ''"The Hellworms work very quickly: [...] They leave a tunnel through the mountain [...]"''</ref> and can mine ores 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 can be bought for 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 companions may be ridden with a brass saddle, along with a "bridle" consisting of a [[Correspondence]] sigil inscribed on a single strand of the hellworm's fur.<ref>{{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> For the truly dedicated hellworm owner, specialized riding boots are 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 boot 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> Each sold separately, '''''no refunds'''''.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Purchase_a_pair_of_Hellworm-Riding_Boots|Purchase a pair of Hellworm-Riding Boots|Fallen London|}} ''""No refunds""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Purchase_an_amount_of_Hellworm-Riding_Boot_Polish|Purchase an amount of Hellworm-Riding Boot Polish|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] he locks up the shop and walks away as soon as you leave."''</ref>

== Biology ==
<blockquote>''"An Isopteran Handler cares for the hellworm. It feeds on Muscaria Brandy and ancient proto-Law – the latter, you must whisper into its ear yourself, though the worm's featureless body makes it difficult to ensure you have the right orifice."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Fuel_the_excavation_with_hellworm_food|Fuel the excavation with hellworm food|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>''"You have acquired a reasonably-sized hellworm. If it had eyes, it would stare at you in adoration. Its fur is richer than veils-velvet; its soothing, cooing noises are a balm for the soul."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Your_Very_Own_Hellworm|Your Very Own Hellworm|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Bottlegreen.png|alt=A bottle of wine.|thumb|Muscaria Brandy]]
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 = "loyal">{{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 featureless bodies<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Fuel_the_excavation_with_hellworm_food|Fuel the excavation with hellworm food|Fallen London|}} ''"[...] you must whisper into its ear yourself, though the worm's featureless body makes it difficult to ensure you have the right orifice."''</ref> and 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> They can move extremely fast with tremendous force, 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> It is unclear how large they are when fully grown, but an entire locomotive can fit within 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> Their diet includes hellish wine and ancient 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>

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> weigh 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> and 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 = "loyal"/> 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> Juvenile hellworms are called '''Wyrmlights''' and have gold carapaces. They are considered "child law-furnaces;" they cannot survive if their "parent" [[Law-Furnaces|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>

== The Hellworm Gamble ==
<blockquote>''"Righty then. I've a cheese ripening cave down in Spite. A year of sitting there collecting the right kind of spores and we'll have a beauty of a cheese wheel, you'll see."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Offer_a_pail_of_Hellworm_Milk|Offer a pail of Hellworm Milk|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Cheese.png|alt=A wheel of cheese.|thumb|A Ripened Wheel of Hellworm Cheese.]]
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> miniature 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 liquids 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 stranger, like [[Cantigaster]] venom or the blood of a [[Master]].<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><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Examine_its_contents_17|Examine its contents 17|Fallen London|}} ''"Master's Blood [...] How?"''</ref>

A hellworm's most unique product is a sweet substance called '''Hellworm 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> not suitable for human consumption as even droplets can corrode stone. This milk can be made into '''Hellworm Cheese''', though the ripening process takes an entire year.<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> When prepared, 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 membrillo and cured meats. In large doses, one of the very worst ways to die."''</ref>

==References==
{{Scroll box|text = <references/>}}

[[Category:Creatures]]