Species: Massa'ormr
Homeplanet: Terra-Arc’lor
Life-Span: 400-600
Habitat: Underground Pockets/Caves
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Sexual Reproduction
Sexual Dimorphism: Males of the species are distinctly bigger in size, with some form of horns adorning the back of their heads. Females are smaller in size, and lack any kind of horns, having a smooth head.
Babies can be identified by the horns or lack of horns for their sex, they also start off with a single eye as they learn to dig around. The species can come in an array of metallic colours.
Behaviour/Bio: The planet Terra-Arc’lor has an inhabitable surface due to high levels of UV rays, the heat and light’s effects unbearable without the right equipment. But underneath the surface of what looks like a dusty desert planet is an underworld ecosystem, much similar to earth, but all hidden beneath the earth. The Massa'ormr are the dominant lifeform that have spanned their way across all pockets of environments, perfectly designed to dig and live in such a world. When their technology grew enough, they even began expanding to the surface with protected cities in safety domes from the harsh environment, which is how they got into contact with the Plumbers, who had been surprised to find sudden life forms appearing on what they thought to be a wasteland of a planet.
The world of living between and in earthy walls have built the Massa'ormr to be sturdy people, both physically and mentally. They evolved to have tough metal skin, that has the ability to be flexible based on how they shape their bodies. While some parts of their many cultures have things such as accessories, it’s common for them to discard such things given how easy it is to lose or get it caught up on a rock while tunneling around. Even off world they are just not used to wearing clothing, and are known to dig without thinking on other people’s planets. They’re so used to making the environment theirs, that they forget it’s rude to leave a hole in someone’s floor. They do like collecting what they find hidden within the rocks.
Many cultures within the species are also big on arena fighting, built from a time where males would get territorial or fight over the women back in primitive times. It’s a heavily male dominated field, and even to this day there is a lot of debate whenever a female wishes to join these events. It’s not helped that the species have a very ingrained “mate for life” instinct, men getting protective over their wives, and women feeling a sense of trusting their husbands to do what is right. So it’s very common to always see a pair together, as while kids always move out, a husband and wife and never far from each other.
Despite branching out into the space stage, there are a few isolated groups within the Massa'ormr that live very far down in volcanic areas. These members developed the sturdiest of metal skins within the species, and can live in such a hot environment. They tend to be hostile to outsiders, preferring to keep to themselves, believing their connection to the earth is all that matters, and that you are a fool to ever reach for the stars.
Inflate/Density Change - Massa'ormr have an unusual ability to switch between two forms that don’t behave the way you expect. They can inflate themselves to look like rather fat worms, like a metallic balloon, but their weight actually gets lighter than they look. They use this to help steady tunnels, look big to enemies, knock back pests, float out of water, or general socialising. In the reverse, when they thin themselves out, they become incredibly dense and heavy, one quick hit from their balled tail end shattering a human’s skeleton or their car with ease. The thinner body also allows for easier passage through smaller openings.
Metal Coat - They have a strong metal coat across their entire body, acting as an exoskeleton. It’s extremely tough and hard to break through, and not pleasant to be smacked by.
Constricting - Like most things with a serpent/worm body, they can constrict around things to hold them in place or squeeze the life out of them. They move with grace and ease with their long bodies.
Digging - With the use of their bodies and pincers, Massa'ormr are built for digging, able to produce tunnels very quickly through very tough surfaces.
Eye Protection - Given they spend a lot of time with their face in dirt, and don’t have eyelids, the species has a special lid that covers their eyes to keep them safe from such particles.
Vibration Sensing - When digging, especially through dark locations, Massa'ormr are able to feel vibrations through their metal skin, allowing them to sense things like nearby people, how stable a tunnel is, and even something like if they’re about to dig into a water system. The vibration is at its best when in tight places, and lessens in open areas.
Thick Spit - They can produce a rather slimy thick spit that is traditionally used to mold dirt and mud to their liking, adding to support in a tunnel. But they have been known to use this on people they don’t like, or prey they’re hunting.
Weaknesses: Those not belonging to the members living within the volcanic regions can find heat to be distressing, as their metal bodies can conduct too much of it and risk cooking their insides. Extreme sound vibrations and loud enough volumes can cause problems, disorienting them and basically rattling their body. While cracks on their body can heal over time, it does take a long while and can leave scars, though snapping off a decent chunk like the tail end or a horn can never be regrown, and can cause balancing issues. Big eaters, need a lot to intake everyday in order to keep moving.
