Felarya: Tunnel Terrors

"I don't know where the damn thing came from! One minute the squad was catching their breath in a rocky outcropping, far from anythings sight, and the next it was just absolute carnage! It swallowed Micky and Daniel before we had a chance to react, and by then all hell had broken loose. We managed to drive it off with with flamethrowers and foul language, but we doubt it'll be gone for lo- [[Screams and the sound of earth splitting]] OH SH*T! IT'S BACK! PRIME THE FLAMERS AND AIM FO- [[More garbled curses and cries from elsewhere]] What the?! Oh sweet Urlas there's more than one of them!  RETREAT! Those things are too big to fit in the caves - we'll be safe once we're in there..." - Last words of Lieutenant Jarrad Boon - Recovered via Helmet Radio auto-log in what remained of his armour.

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In the dimensions of Felarya, there are many reasons to fear the jungle. However, a cunning jungle fighter can usually avoid most of these predators and threats through simple evasion. However, there comes a time when evasion is almost impossible, when the creature chasing you is un-hindered by rock and stone...

Tunnel Terrors as they have been named by the soldiers of the Deluran forces are one of the most tenacious and unstoppable predators if the option elected for combat is to flee.

These fifty foot predators are remarkably numerous in Felarya, though they are commonly never seen due to their feeding and sleeping habits. Tunnel Terrors hate sunlight, and although they can survive in it, it dazzles their senses, and makes them easy prey for larger predators or swarms of soldiers. However, when in their natural element - the underground - they are masterful hunters.

When first encountered by the Deluran's, the Tunnel Terrors were thought to be a smaller version of the common Naga due to their habit of feeding on humans and their snake-like appearance. However, study of a fallen Tunnel Terror has yielded further information on these predators. Their tails are in fact split halfway down the length into three tail, which seem to be covered in tiny hooks and grips, which scientists believe are used to propel them along underground. Although correct, the truth of the matter is that the Deluran's never figured out their more important function. The hooks are also used by the Tunnel Terrors to re-knit the ground behind them as they move, ensuring that as little damage is done to the world as possible, whilst at the same time covering their tracks.

Their skin is most commonly the colour of the soil in which they choose to make their nest, but newborns are all the same pale white colour. Their faces, like many predators in Felarya, are humanoid, and most commonly female. Though male Tunnel Terrors exist, they rarely surface as their function is primarily reproduction, and they are able to go for months without feeding. There are a few key differences between the facial features of Tunnel Terrors compared to the average predator.

Their tongues for example have a similar physical makeup to their tails - they are split into three, and they use the increased mobility to snare prey by preventing the use of their arms with two parts, and then pulling them into the mouth itself with the third segment. Their teeth are in remarkably good condition due to the nature of their method of movement and their preferred diet. (More later.)

They also have a node in their forehead which is much like that on a dolphin - when they send out a beacon from it, it can detect the subtlest movements of every creature within a two mile radius, and it uses this to track their over vast distances after a failed skirmish.

Their hands are also a marvel to the Deluran's, who felt that one mouth was bad enough. The tips of their fingers are coated in a type of bony compound which is able to withstand a constant barrage of plasma weaponry, and is probably the toughest part of the Tunnel Terror's body. The reason for this is that the fingers are used for digging rapidly through the ground. However, this isn't their only feature. A tiny slit was visible running from the base of the thumb to the opposite side of the hand, and the Deluran's at first passed it off as a war wound till one of them had the bright idea of opening it up to look.

They discovered that the Tunnel Terrors have additional mouths in each hand - making their prey that much easier to devour. However, the mouths also serve to ingest the soil, stone and rock which they tunnel through on a day to day basis. Not only do the nutrients in the soil make the Tunnel Terrors stronger, but their bodies filtering systems also have the effect of breaking down any toxins and foreign material in the soil and optimizing it, so that when it is recycled out the tip of each tail, the soil is often healthier than it was when it went in the Tunnel Terror's mouth. Their digestive system also ignores most weapons and armour from their prey - and often travelers can tell where victims have been expelled as they encounter random piles of abandoned clothing, weapons and armour.

However, despite their positive effect on the world around them, the Tunnel Terror's are still voracious predators. Their primary hunting methods differ depending on various environmental factors. Some have been seen to lie just beneath the surface of the ground with their mouths visible as craters in the ground. This method works best directly after it has been raining, as many of their human prey will see it as a small pool of water in which to bathe. They remove their gear and dive in, only to moments later find the water - and themselves - vanishing down the Tunnel Terror's throat.

A second method is equally devious, in which they break the surface of the ground with their hands and arrange their fingers to appear like the ground is strewn with rocks or boulders. When a prey approaches and attempts to use the fingers or palms for support to rest on, the hand-mouths open and the Tunnel Terror bursts through the ground to commence feeding.

The Terror's themselves derive a great deal of enjoyment from stalking their prey. They never see their actions as in any way malicious - it's almost like courting for them. They cannot seem to comprehend that humans don't want to be eaten when all the Tunnel Terrors believe is that humans are food - the way humans see cake as food.

Due their relatively low tolerance for pain, coupled with a distinctly high sense of self-preservation, they will flee the moment the odds seem against them - particularly if their enemies use flame-based weapons. However, even being assaulted cannot dampen their spirits, and even in the midst of a battle they will still enjoy the thrill of fighting for their food (though they prefer it the easy way).

Their constantly grinning and smiling faces are part of the reasons the Deluran's are so nervous around them - it's unnerving enough doing battle with something that is trying to eat you, let alone when it seems to be on the brink of laughter half the time.

Ultimately however - what makes the Tunnel Terrors so deadly is the small amount of phase-shifting ability they have. They are able for small moments of time bond their body with the rock and stone of the soil and move through it as if it weren't there at all. This allows them to access enclosed spaces like tunnels and caves which would otherwise be too small for them. In these circumstances their hands really come into play - blocking off the entrances to tunnels and ceiling off exits, then slowly bringing them together and devouring everything in between them.

This would make the Tunnel Terrors seem like a genuine threat - except that they are very slothful creatures when they aren't hungry, and one good feeding will usually satisfy the average Tunnel Terror for a good solid few months.

The Deluran's are often worried that Terrors will try to tunnel into their underground base, but they needn't worry in reality, because the Terror's refuse to go anywhere near it, so long as it keeps producing more food they can hunt the moment it leaves the safety of the base.


End of Bio - Sofar.