2025 Jun 8: Parasites From Beyond the Stars

 Many strange creatures inhabit the bogs of the Starfallen Beast, but none are stranger than the alien creatures known as the parasites from beyond the stars. As the name suggests, they were most likely parasites on the body of the fallen behemoth, not unlike lice or ticks. However, with the death of their host, they were forced to adapt to a more terrestrial lifestyle. A change, which they have successfully made, despite some difficulties. Nowadays these parasites fit well into the ecosystem of the bogs, functioning as large carnivores, that are still kept in check by crocodiles, and other apex predators. While not sapient, these creatures do show signs of intelligence, as they are capable of working together, and form packs of up to ten individuals, which sleep, move, and hunt together.

The outward appearance of the parasites leaves no doubt about their alien origins. They look like a curious mix of a tick, a spider and a monkey, completely hairless, and covered in white skin, which while able to protect them from cosmic radiation, doesn't offer much protection from physical attacks. Their ten thin legs allow them to scurry quite fast, as well as to climb trees. While not very stealthy, they can still sometimes surprise prey by jumping at it from above.

Because their skin was never meant to endure sunlight for long, these creatures are mostly nocturnal, spending the day in burrows, or caves, where those are available. Because they do not need to breathe, they can make use of underwater caverns as well to make their nests, however his leaves their eggs vulnerable to getting eaten by fish, which they have difficulty to catch underwater.