The Tunnel Brood: Creatures of Romeria’s Underworld
This creature exists as a collective form rather than a single individual. It is observed from the mind’s eye while viewing into the underworld of Romeria, where it inhabits the tunnel systems that connect deeper regions rather than the surface world.
The body structure is heavy and fleshy, dominated by a large central mouth set into the torso. Multiple heads emerge from the upper body, functioning as sensory and communicative organs rather than independent personalities. These heads are constantly moving and vocalising, producing a low, chattering sound similar to speaking in tongues. Whether this is a structured language or instinctive signalling remains unclear.
There is a clear sexual distinction within the species.
The male forms are ground-based. They move on all fours using clawed limbs, scuttling through tunnels and cavern floors. Their movement is low, fast, and ambush-oriented. Males appear physically denser and are typically encountered emerging suddenly from darkness at close range.
The female forms are winged. They are capable of flight within the tunnel networks, navigating narrow vertical spaces and moving above or behind targets. Their heads show subtle differences in facial structure but remain bald and flesh-toned, maintaining the same biological logic as the males. Females appear more mobile and are often present before direct contact occurs.
At the deepest levels of the tunnel system exists a breeding form, referred to as the queen. This entity is vastly larger, largely immobile, and surrounded by clusters of red, translucent eggs. Smaller larval forms emerge from these eggs and later develop into the walking or flying variants. The queen possesses many heads with both male and female characteristics arranged in rows along her upper mass. Her function appears entirely reproductive.
The species does not display obvious emotion or intention beyond feeding, movement, and reproduction. Despite appearing mindless, their coordinated behaviour suggests a form of shared awareness adapted to the underworld environment.
This creature functions as part of the underworld ecology of Romeria — not a singular monster, but a hostile presence that occupies and controls the spaces between regions.
Fast image art of Deamons from visions.