Devil Worm

Devil Worms are a parasitic lifeform that contaminated Earth after they were discovered frozen in the Pingualuit crater.

Overview
The Devil Worms were discovered in the Pingualuit crater in Canada, heavily implying their arrival to Earth via meteorite. Scientists who recovered the inert worms bought them back to Quebec city for study, but found that they were revitalised by the introduction of water. The Devil Worms breached containment and spread to the United States, contaminating both countries' water supplies. As a result, they began to infest the bodies of the population, taking control of them and turning them into cannibalistic creatures known as Ridden.

The Devil Worm infestation resulted in the collapse of Human civilisation, but was temporarily driven back by a specialist organisation known as the Cleaners, survivors tasked with protecting the remaining population and eliminating the Ridden. However, their efforts were undermined by a resurgence of Ridden aggression, including the extreme mutation of several Ridden and even the formation of biomass nests, from which infected bodies were reconstituted into larger, more powerful creatures. Due to the Devil Worms using the biomass of their hosts to create nests or more powrful Ridden, particularly those whose mutations seem almost strategic (Sleepers seemingly guarding enclosed areas, Snitchers and Reekers alerting other Ridden to the presence of prey, Hockers trapping survivors for other Ridden to finish off), the Devil Worms have been theorised to be actively cooperating with eachother, possibly even connected in a hive mind. If true, this would explain the synergy of Ridden mutations and the formation of larger Ridden from multiple infected bodies, such as the Ogres and Abomination.

Ridden
Ridden are former Humans infected with the Devil Worms. They demonstrate heightened aggression, cannibalism and a complete lack of cognitive function, effectively being regarded as Zombies. The majority of Ridden maintain their human resemblance, but will actively attack uninfected Humans in hordes, demonstrating no regard for their own survival. These common Ridden also show physical differences from Humans through their pale skin, red eyes and the disturbances created by the Devil Worms beneath their flesh, sometimes even penetrating outside the body in spike-like formations. However, other Ridden undergo dramatic mutations, developing new inhuman abilities to make them more efficient killers.


 * Reeker - Massively swollen Ridden which explode when killed. Humans splattered with their guts upon detonation are instinctively targetted by common Ridden, who are drawn to and agitated by them. Reekers have been theorised to be incubators for the Devil Worms.
 * Retch - Reekers with the ability to spew a corrosive bile from a considerable range. Upon detonation, they leave behind a large puddle of this bile. Wretches stand out from Reekers by the red cysts enveloping half of its head, as well as the additional three faces surrounding its head, presumably from other infected absorbed for the formation of this variant.
 * Exploder - Reekers who explode at will rather than upon death. Their detonation is also far more powerful than the standard Reeker. Exploders can be identified by their torn, charred-looking skin and spiked bone-growths.
 * Stinger - Ridden with four arms and the ability to leap great distances and cling to walls. Stingers are capable of spitting a globule of a mucus-like substance which can blind and slow down their prey.
 * Hocker - A variant of the Stinger with a more charred and malformed appearance, the Hocker's projectile mucus is capable of immobilising the target upon contact. The victim will not be able to escape without assistance.
 * Stalker - A close-quarters variant of the Stinger, the Stalker will leap at survivors and take hold, dragging them into danger. Due to their vulnerability while doing so, Stalkers will attempt to target stragglers separated from their group.
 * Tallboy - Ridden significantly taller than standard Ridden or Humans, Tallboys are also much more durable and attack with a malformed club in place of a right arm. This club is evidently made from the reconstituted biomass of another Ridden.
 * Bruiser - Resembling a more bloodied version of the Tallboy, the Bruiser is slower but more durable and can attack repeatedly with its club in a frenzy.
 * Crusher - A variant of Tallboy who used their mutated arm to grab their victims and crush them in their grip. In addition to the presence of fingers on their club-arm, Crushers also have a large growth overtaking their jaw.
 * Snitcher - Ridden with extremely elongated necks. Although blind and even harmless, Snitchers will scream in response to attack or loud noise, summoning a horde of Ridden to its position. There exists a mutated variant capable of summoning the horde immediately upon death.
 * Sleeper - Immobile Ridden who resemble half an emaciated corpse stuck within pods of biomass mounted on walls. When a Sleeper is disturbed, it will detach from the wall and launch itself at the intruder, pinning them down and mauling them.
 * Breaker - huge Ridden brutes coated in boney armour and boasting immense strength and durability. The Breaker is only vulnerable to damage inflicted on its exposed cysts.
 * Hag - A rare, solitary type of Ridden that does not actively engage with other Ridden. The Hag will surface from the ground in search of prey, aimlessly wandering in isolated areas. When provoked, the Hag will swallow its attacker whole, using a multitude of arms from its mouth to restrain its victim. Once the prey is trapped inside the Hag, it will attempt to escape by digging into the ground. Sufficient damage to the Hag will force it to eject its victim.
 * Ogre - A massive amalgamation of several infected bodies, the Ogre stands approximately the size of a small building and is capable of wreaking devastation on anything within arm's reach. The Ogre can also produce a large projectile from its chest, which it can throw at prey beyond its fists. An Ogre is vulnerable to damage inflicted towards its cysts, and will retreat after significant injury, returning later to challenge its prey again later.
 * Abomination - Resembling a giant torso with two arms, numerous tentacles and a monstrous head sporting four eyes, the Abomination is a massive monster capable of immense destruction. In addition to its incredible strength, the Abomination can also spew acid from the mouths of each tentacle. Only one Abomination has been documented.