Schrecken

Schrecken are half-sentient invertebrate, resembling a large, wingless love-child of a locust and a cicada - with a face on their back that looks like a tortured human soul. Although not all Schrecken look exactly the same - which is what makes them creepy. They don't seem to be able to agree how many limbs they are supposed to have, and don't get me started on the eyes! 

They are dual in nature which means they are beasts that exist in the Meta-Realm in the same capacity they inherit the worlds beyond the veil. In fact, Schrecken are a solid sign of something being afoot in the AEther department; large quantities of them will casually gather before huge temperature shifts in resonance, the appearance and/or disappearance of phenomena and in places that are haunted. Their colors shape and form seem to be influenced by the resonance of AEther present in the area (or the phenomenon).

If you want to predict what the next AEther swing will bring, you should read into the Schrecken's appearance and behavior like others predicting the weather by the flight of swallows. They aren't inherently dangerous by themselves, but are seen as a pest as they can suddenly gather in large quantities and become a problem for the environment. Also, a skilled alchemist can make many a concoction from their bodies - some of them very deadly.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Schrecken are invertebrates, mostly insectoid, sometimes arachnid in appearance. Their morphology is strongly influenced by the AEther resonance in the area they inhabit. Their colors usually resemble aura colors in this regard. Schrecken are only present when and where the veil is thin, and live on each level of reality, comfortably and seemingly unbothered by the madness that usually befalls meta-beings when they enter the otherrealms. They have four to six limbs, a stocky appearance with thick chitin plates covering their thorax. The number of eyes varies, and symmetry isn't a necessity in their design, it seems. A Schrecken can have three eyes and eight legs or eight eyes and five legs - you get the gist. Every Schrecken seems to possess very strong mandibles, though, which are clearly visible and seem to be always busy.
Schrecken are large insects. The largest one ever found had the size of a sheep dog. It was found deceased, though, in the vicinity of the Wormwood exclusion zone, and its origins where unknown. The regular size you'll find Schrecken in will comfortably fill the palm of a grown man's hand.

Genetics and Reproduction

Little is known about how Schrecken actually reproduce. They don't seem to have any gender morphology and even dissected, they seem... weird inside. So far, no study has rendered clear results over what inside a Schrecken could hint to be their reproductive organs. If you ask the people in town, they will tell you that Schrecken come from 'the other side' and simply 'multiply'.

Growth Rate & Stages

Attempts have been made to breed Schrecken in captivity - but it's really hard to actually hold them captive. As they seem to pass through the veil with ease, keeping Schrecken in a cage, terrarium or box simply doesn't work. Well not if the Schrecken doesn't want to be kept, anyways. So scientists keeping colonies of Schrecken to conduct experiments have detected varying numbers of animals each day, but have never been able to witness any of them leave, die or, well. Spawn.

Due to their strong aura, Schrecken cause technical devices of high complexity to fail. They simply cause short circuits or white noise or even small sentient phenomena, so it has never been successful to monitor Schrecken via a video camera for example. And believe me, the Greys have tried. And going all old-school on them and paying (or threatening) poor interns to stay awake and watch them 24/7 has only lead to these people passing out at some point and waking up to more or less Schrecken in their environment.

Ecology and Habitats

Schrecken live in areas where the veil is thin. Other than that they do not seem to have any requirements for living. They simply are. You can find Schrecken cozily scuttle along under water, or in a sewer, or in the fields, the ruins of a burned down building or high up on a tree top. And they can simply be there and not do anything. Sometimes for years. And then, something happens and they start 'eating'. And that's when all hell breaks loose.

Dietary Needs and Habits

While it isn't clear if they actually take nourishment from 'eating' their environment, when they start gnawing on something, they will simply destroy it. And there is little you can do about it. Not that they bite, sting or fight back if you kill them. Schrecken are harrowingly slow and don't seem to know any state of emergency. But no matter how many you kill, when Schrecken decide to eat something, they simply will.
Some people swear to have rituals that can scare or drive Schrecken away, but it isn't quite clear how that works. The most plausible explanation is that Schrecken get irritated by AEther fluctuations and by reducing the AEther friction in an area, you can calm them down and eventually make them leave in peace. But there isn't an infallible method to get rid of them.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Schrecken are powerful conservers of AEther. They soak it up like a battery and their bodily fluids are like battery acid after a good night's soaking in the desired resonance(s). So Schrecken are a very sought after and cheap component for many alchemical potions, concoctions and poisons. Releasing or simply touching the fluids of a Schrecken can lead to hallucinations or small phenomena to occur, which is why you need to be very careful when trying to kill them. Just make sure you check which resonance they currently have, first and then be ready for the blow.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Schrecken can be found anywhere the veil is thin.

Average Intelligence

Schrecken are half-sentient; which means they seem to possess some swarm intelligence and can 'learn'. But they aren't able to express themselves above and beyond high-pitched screeching sounds in a spectrum humans cannot hear.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

It is a matter of debate if Schrecken do actually see the world as regular animals do. Some experiments with Schrecken colonies conducted by the Ordo Scientifica have concluded that Schrecken only possess aura vision. But you will hear other voices if you ask around. The animals themselves have a strong aura considering their size. Stronger as other animals in fact. It is a theory that Schrecken actually nourish themselves on raw AEther, but they will happily chew on anything.
And with that I mean. Everything.

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Uncomfortably common.

Average Length

3 - 20 centimeters

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The color of a Schrecken seems dependent on the resonance in the area it inhabits and the markings on their wingless back-shield eerily resembles a humanoid face or skull.