 |
| Starworm
harnessed to the raft. The starworm
is a "cephaglobinid," a family of species unique to Shora. The cephaglobinids
evolved from cephalopods (octopi, squid) but they developed an iron-carrying
blood protein, "cephaglobin," which provides highly efficient oxygen transfer,
like hemoglobin in vertebrates. Starworms propel themselves by pumping
water through their tube-like bodies. Sharers harness several starworms
beneath their raft, to propel the raft into favorable currents of ocean.
Related cephaglobinid monsters include the giant seaswallower and the shockwraith. The shockwraith hides beneath the raft, where arms can induce a high-energy electric shock. The arms are detachable; when stressed or threatened, the shockwraith can release its arm which thrashes toward the intruder and shocks it. But the shockwraith arm can be a valuable source of energy for lifeshaping. |