The Great Earthworm

You don't even hear the thing! It just goes about its business without much fuss despite the enormousness of its size!

— Ashe Ash, Farmer

Overview

A giant earthworm, commonly called simply as "the worm," traveling across the continent fertilizing loose soil in ways understood and not understood by present day minds. Accounts vary as to the exact size of the worm. Average estimates place it at several yards in length with the width of the worm similar to that of a tree trunk. The worm's passage is often unnoticed by most people as it tends to travel through the loose soil soundlessly. Only minimal disturbances to the loose soil itself can announce the presence of the worm. In certain cases, the worm's passing creates a small and shallow ditch that can become a new stream later on.

Worm? Not Worms?

Worm. Only one has ever been spotted at a time. Rangers who know their own lands have claimed to track the worm's progress and that they have seen no signs of any other. Perhaps it is the last of its kind.

Where?

The worm resides in the continental island of Lluvia, the southernmost continental island of the Quassus Continent. It is not clear if it is able to travel the seas. Some people believe it may be possible and that it could mean that someday the worm will leave Lluvia once it has finished its job.

Purpose?

Since only one would appear to remain, it stands to reason that more of these existed before the Great Collapse and that some survived during and afterward. One theory makes the claim that the worms existed after the collapse to fertilize and repair the soil that was ravaged by the collapse.
When the worm passes through loose soil it somehow enriches the soil as well as aerates it. Many farmers have attempted to study just what it is that the worm introduces to their soil that enriches it so. All they know is that their crop yields nearly double after the worm's visit. The leading theory is that the worm consumes certain nutrients deep underground and then excretes these closer to the surface. It's not exactly defecation that the worm engages to disperse nutrients if one is to wonder.

Dangerous?

So far, it seems that the people of the land are more dangerous to it than it is to us. Of course, only a fool would wish to harm something so beneficial to the soil of the land. Many farmers have the worm to thank for their unexpectedly bountiful harvests. Poachers have been spotted trying to hunt the worm as a trophy, but it seems the worm is elusive. It is not clear how it is able to sense when danger is nearby. Vibrations of the ground alone cannot completely account for this ability, though some say that it can and that most being's sense of touch are comparatively blind to that of the worm.

Does the Worm have a Name?

Alice.

Geographic Distribution

• Quassus Continent

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• Most recent sighting: Port Town of Espelhar. (1277 AGC)
• Sighting before: Silver City of Luna (1267 AGC)

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Note(s) from the Archivists:

All hail the worm! - Archivist Bob 
Why should we hail the worm? - Archivist Theta 
The worm knows all, and the worm gives us life. - Archivist Bob
Of course! All hail the worm! - Archivist Theta
I have no comment. - Archivist Enna