Anemone
Contents
Anemones
Overview
The Anemones are a parasitic species associated with Jorogumo reproduction. They exist in a complex life cycle involving both a sessile adult form (the anemone) and a mobile larval form (the polyp). These creatures are responsible for some of the most horrifying examples of magical parasitism seen in the modern world.
Life Cycle
As described by Magda Magdalene in SLAY Season 3:
- “The polyps and anemones are part of how they reproduce,” Magda said. “Jorogumo are weirdly parasitic. They lay eggs. An egg can hatch into a baby jorogumo spider-thing, but those babies have no magical power unless their first meal is this nasty little critter called a polyp. Polyps are the larval stage of yet another beastie called an anemone. Anemones can’t move. Polyps can. They find a victim, stun it, then crawl into it and use it as their host. In that host, they transform into an anemone. That anemone grows until it reproduces by budding off little polyps that go out and hunt down the next host. Got me so far?”
Polyp Stage
Polyps are the mobile larval form of the anemone. Their primary function is to find a viable host—human or monster—and use specialized neurotoxic appendages to paralyze the target. Once the host is immobilized, the polyp enters the body and begins the transformation into the sessile anemone stage.
If a polyp cannot find a host, it will encase itself in a cyst. These cysts are structurally fragile—if cracked, the polyp dies. The cyst interior contains a narcotic, viscous substance referred to as "pus," which may have effects on magical systems or cause hallucinations.
Anemone Stage
The anemone is sessile and immobile, anchoring itself within the host. Over time, it buds new polyps that exit the host and begin the cycle anew. These anemones are extremely difficult to detect without magical intervention and are responsible for prolonged parasitism in Jorogumo-controlled territory.
Notes
- Polyps and anemones are critical to the empowerment of newly born Jorogumo.
- Some magical texts confuse the term anemone with plant life, leading to misidentification.
- The pus within cysts is rumored to have street value in underground magic markets.
