It is almost funny how dragons seem to always be the go-to example when people talk about scary and dangerous things. It is like a knee jerk reaction whenever the subject comes up. People always be like "oooh I sure hope we don't run into a dragon!" or "imagine what would happen if a dragon wound up in our village!" To them, it is the worst possible thing to happen, until you actually start talking about other options. Is a dragon worse than an infestation of vampires? Maybe, but there is certainly an argument that could be made there. What about an angry troop of Eyahs? Oh but those are smaller, we are talking about big scary things! Nothing large could be scarier than a dragon! But then you ask "what if it was a giant bug?" and then suddenly a lot of people be changing their answers! It appears that once you start adding more limbs, people get more terrified. I don't quite understand it myself, but that is probably because I am a dryad. It is just humorous to me that the first answer to what would be the worst monster to run into is always a dragon, when there are plenty of options to pick from. Maybe people simply don't know the other beasts out there, so then perhaps this entry could help in educating others! Here is a new option for you to pick when you are faced with that question! You all like centipedes? How about REALLY big centipedes?
The sight of a real deal Omukade is one that really changes your perception of reality. You think you know everything, think you've seen everything, and then you come across a centipede that is practically the width and length of a road. I could bust out the measurements and tell you in detail how big they get, but it would never truly sink in. You have to see these things for yourself to truly comprehend it, and then immediately run somewhere else. The Omukade is a species of centipede that is found in mountainous regions, though its travels can take it into surrounding forests and it may build lairs in dark caves. The Omukade start their lives much smaller of course, emerging from their eggs at around a foot long. However, it appears that this species does not have a limit to how big they can get, continuing to grow as long as they are alive. And research is still struggling to figure out how long their lives are exactly, as we know specimens that are decades old but some folk suggest they could be reaching the century mark. And with each passing year, they get bigger and bigger. How can they do this, you may ask? Well, by eating everything they come across.
It should be no surprise that a massive centipede like this dines on whatever it feels like. Their size dictates what prey they go after, but outside of that, meat is meat. If it is something that they can catch, then they will eat it. When they are on the smaller side, Omukade will be active hunters, scouring the mountains and forests for food. Sensitive antenna and sensory organs help them track down prey, and they will go after any strong scent trails they come across. When food is in sight, they keep low and move slow, looking to surprise their target. If they are long enough, they may quietly circle prey and then thrash their tail as a distraction. Prey that falls for this ruse will turn to run, and wind up galloping straight into waiting jaws. Like all other centipedes, they sport a nasty pair of "fangs" that are actually modified legs. These contain a powerful and painful venom. While this venom does not paralyze limbs or screw with your blood, it does a good enough job of debilitating prey by filling them with agony. Omukade venom has been compared to the sensation of having molten metal injected into your veins, searing hot pain that never stops burning. While the long lasting effects can lead to extreme swelling and maddening itching, most don't live long enough to experience that. If an Omukade is close enough to "bite" you, then escape is near impossible. Their sharp legs will act as a cage of knives, impaling prey and pinning them. Then the powerful mandibles come in and tear through your flesh, and it is all over.
When Omukade start getting really big, these active hunts become too taxing. So instead, they go the route of ambush, laying their entire body out like a road of bear traps. They hide their body under brush and dirt, with their belly pointed up. This allows their legs to attack prey that wanders by, almost acting like they have a mind of their own. Their serpentine form has patches of black setae that act as feelers, letting them know what is happening from tooth to tail and everything in between. The steps of prey create vibrations these hairs can feel, and it lets their segments know when food is getting close. When they walk atop the hidden centipede, the legs burst from the ground and impale them. Death may not be instant or guaranteed here, but their main goal is to trap you. If you cannot escape their grip, then the dagger-like legs will continue to hold as one or two more start stabbing violently. They aim to let blood loss do all the work, and once prey is weakened enough, the legs will start moving them down towards the head. The stopping point of this grueling series of hand offs (or, foot offs) is the waiting jaws. Prey is quickly devoured and the legs return to their hiding place.
If food wanders close enough to the head while the beast is hiding, then it may attempt to lunge forth and grab them. And if it is a big enough meal that is worth the effort, they may emerge enough to pursue or do battle. Massive Okumade can take on practically any foe, including the serpentine True Dragons of this region! The two seem to almost have a rivalry, as they tend to fight whenever they encounter one another. Either side has a chance to win, though it mostly depends on who is bigger or more experienced. Omukade chitin is very resistant to flame, and their armor wards off tooth and claw. Their thick black mane also has irritating hairs it can release as a defensive measure, causing much misery when it gets in the eyes, nose or mouth. Older Okumade have learned to use these hairs when their dragon foe seeks to breath flame, as their sharp inhale makes them vulnerable to sucking in these tiny barbs. Once in the throat, they torment and irritate, making it hard to use their fire breath and creating an opening for the centipede to strike. Omukade tend to go after younger dragons, even raiding nests if they can. These actions have made them life long enemies to the dragons, but honestly this species doesn't really make friends with anyone. Even the Pale Serpent doesn't like them, which is why their mountain is devoid of any and all centipedes.
Shock of all shocks, the locals hate them too. Okumade are a menace, be it the young who go after livestock, or the old who booby trap entire areas with their deadly bodies. Their hatching season is considered a time of great danger out in the wilds, as swarms of small venomous centipedes are out looking for their first meal. Those that grow up some will come to villages if times are tight, and it isn't uncommon for an Omukade to learn that man makes good prey. Large ones will take over busy roads, or areas with plenty of travel, looking to feed off of travelers and caravans. Some have been said to slither into farms at night, and empty the entire pasture in hours. Including the farmer and their family. Fighting them is a difficult task, and also a risky one. Giant Omukade sit still for long periods and use ambush hunting because moving their bodies uses up a lot of energy. If you were to disturb one and force it to expend too much, they they may go on a feeding rampage to try and make it all back up. If you thought it haunting the road was bad, wait til it starts tearing towards town!
Due to their aggressive nature and ravenous hunger, Omukade are seen as an "evil" species. This is compared to the heavenly dragons that the locals love, which means when these two titans clash, the people always root for the same side. Even then, the Omukade and its reputation makes it a fine specimen for art and culture. In the crime world, the centipede is a favored symbol, and many see primal ferocity and hunger in its image. Their chitin and claws are used in armor and weapons, and even ceremonial costumes are derived from their carcasses. During my travels, I saw a freaky oni costume that was made almost entirely from Omukade parts, utilizing its horned head and ebony mane. Obviously, the dancers in these costume are the bad guys in any tale. Eating them depends solely on their age, as folk will dine on their eggs or small baby forms, but will not touch the meat of a titanic one. It is said that the flesh of the ancient ones is corrupting and steeped in curses, while the young have not had enough time to infuse their meat with evil deeds. But even with this use of the centipede in art and dining, any appreciation of them vanishes when a giant one goes on a rampage.
When dealing with a massive Omukade, it turns into a war zone, as every part of them is deadly. Even trying to attack it from behind is futile, as its barbed tails can shred you as if they were bladed serpents. They plow through buildings with their armored bodies, and their legs skewer any who get in the way. Due to their incredible power and durability, the Okumade has been labeled a "dragon level threat." Which means they are as dangerous and deadly as a dragon! Don't get that confused with the fact that they are classified as "dragon eaters," which is an unofficial category of species that are capable of hunting and killing dragons. But that doesn't mean "dragon beasts," which some say the Okumade is, calling them "Centipede Dragons." No no, it applies to those who eat True Dragons! So keep it straight! The Centipede Dragon is a dragon beast that is known to be a dragon level threat and also a dragon eater that eats True Dragons. DO YOU SEE HOW THAT SOUNDS?! No, Chlora! Hold it back! Hold it back, Chlora! We can't keep doing this!
