The Antosian dryworm or dryworm was a giant silicon-based invertebrate animal lifeform native to Antos IV.
Specifics[]
Several species of dryworm existed, including some with vestigial gills. (TOS novel: Gemini)
The giant dryworm of Antos IV grew up to 20 feet long and was able to redirect outside energy sources into a specific target within a range of 20 meters. (Heritage Models RPG module: Adventure Gaming in the Final Frontier)
Its redirected energy discharges could be quite strong, able to kill a creature up to its own size with no harm to itself. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Original Series Core Game Book)
The silicon-based, unintelligent lifeform was nourished by absorbing the energy from static electricity produced as it burrowed in desert terrain. It was anaerobic, not requiring surface oxygen to breathe. Capacitor chambers within its body were able to store and discharge energy. Generally, they ignored surface activity, but when attacked they respond with energy discharges before retreating underground. (Decipher RPG module: Creatures)
Antarean glow water was produced from a liquid containing dryworms. (ST references: Star Trek Maps, The Worlds of the Federation)
History[]
By the 23rd century, few had been able to capture or export giant dryworms, despite some criminal attempts to use them as a living energy source. (Decipher RPG module: Creatures)
In 2267, Pavel Chekov compared Apollo's capacity to absorb and channel stored energy to similar abilities in dryworms and electric eels. (TOS episode & Star Trek 7 novelization: Who Mourns for Adonais?)
Also that year, while making some evolutionary observations, Leonard McCoy cited dryworm gills and the psionic abilities of historical tribesmen on Nador as examples of traits lost over time to some species. (TOS novel: Gemini)
In 2270, the USS Enterprise discovered dryworms seeded by the Providers living near a Slaver outpost. (Heritage Models RPG module: Adventure Gaming in the Final Frontier)
Appendices[]
References[]
- TOS episode & Star Trek 7 novelization: Who Mourns for Adonais?
- TOS novel: Gemini
- Heritage Models RPG module: Adventure Gaming in the Final Frontier
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Original Series Core Game Book
- Decipher RPG module: Creatures
- ST reference: Star Trek Maps
- ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation
External link[]
- Antosian dryworm article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.