A massive creature that lives in deserts. Their size varies greatly, from a few feet to over a mile or two long. They are blind and hunt by sensing vibrations in the sand and following them with pinpoint accuracy. They also absorb water into their bodies and form a narcotic substance called
Melange, or 'spice' for short. The substance has many uses as well, and is highly sought after. The worms are very territorial as well. Since they absorb most water, they are known to be responsible for causing desertification, sometimes turning whole planets into deserts. They do not survive long in captivity. There is evidence to suggest that they are intelligent, perhaps more so then humans, though it is not strong enough to be considered solid evidence, and you would never think it if you came face to maw with one. They are called Shai-Hulud by the natives who live on their home world and are worshiped as gods. They are also used as a means of transportation by a group of desert-dwellers called Fremen, but I don't suggest trying this. Sandworms also cause rapid desertification. They can turn an acre of lush forest into desert within a month.(tan text)
Seaworms
There was also a genetic experiment done to sandworms to create 'seaworms'. This species is known to be more violent and aggresive then sandowrms, and produces a concentrated form of Melange referred to as 'Ultra-spice'. (blue text)
The Melange (Spice)- The Melange is a very valuable commodity. It is produced by sandworms when they filter toxic water in their body and turn it into spice, which is expelled through an unknown process. It is used as medicine, as a pain reliever, a narcotic, and the spice can be woven into threads like sugar to make anything from bread to paper. It is also said to greatly enhance the mind, often causing magical or prophetic beings to see glimpses of the future and enhance their minds. One side effect of becoming a spice addict is a permanent blue tinge to the eye color.
There are no bad side effects however, so long as you do not try creating a container and inhaling only spice-gas. This will cause inhuman transformations, and you will never be able to live outside the tank again. However, you will become a human computer, constantly seeing visions of the past present and future. However, the more one would evolve, the less they would remember how to communicate with those who are not like them.
Full transformation
Replicating the chemical is also impossible. That much has been learned from thousands of generations of people attempting to replicate it, all attempts leading to disaster. It is capable of being an antidote for nearly any poison, excluding the ones a sandworm produces upon death.
Part of
Tra_Feral_Alts.
Pics, links and stuff:
Riding the sandworms
This picture, this picture is just adorable, 'nuff said.