Alias: None
Origin: Berinu (river deltas, wetlands)
The Hedgethorn is a tiny, swarming insect native to the river deltas and wetlands of Berinu, often mistaken for a plant due to its name but notorious for its painful, thorn-like bites and stings. Encountering a swarm feels like running into a thicket of thorns, as these nearly invisible insects deliver sharp, annoying attacks that irritate the skin and invade ears and noses. Though not life-threatening, their bites cause intense discomfort, historically exploited by Berinese tribes during the Era of Early Dominion (~6,000–3,500 years before modern Geba) to torture enemies without causing death. Their faint bioluminescent glow, visible in dense swarms at dusk, aids their navigation in humid environments. Their presence indicates nutrient-rich, waterlogged ecosystems, but their swarming behavior poses a significant hazard for expeditions.
Hedgethorns thrive in Berinu’s river deltas and wetlands, favoring waterlogged, silty soils near tidal zones where humidity supports their swarming behavior. They congregate in dense, low-lying areas, often near standing water, and are absent in arid deserts or dense forests due to their need for moist, open environments.
Found at low elevations, typically from sea level to 0.3 km, Hedgethorns dominate Berinu’s deltaic and wetland ecosystems. They are rarely seen above 0.5 km, as higher elevations lack the saturated, humid conditions required for their survival.
Berinu’s warm temperate to subtropical climate, averaging 15–30°C, supports the Hedgethorn’s lifecycle, with high humidity from southern stellar influences fostering ideal swarming conditions. They thrive in moist environments but struggle in dry or cold biomes.
Hedgethorns are adapted to seasonal rains and tidal surges that maintain Berinu’s wetland saturation, with swarms most active during humid, dusk periods. They withstand mild winds but disperse during rare stellar disruptions (Izhara’s plasma storms), which disrupt their bioluminescence. Their small size makes them resilient to most weather but vulnerable to heavy flooding.
Hedgethorns live 1–2 months, with rapid reproduction cycles producing multiple generations per season. They reach maturity within days, swarming to reproduce in humid conditions.
Hedgethorns are nearly microscopic, measuring 0.5–1 mm in length, making them invisible to the naked eye in most conditions. Their faint bioluminescent glow is only noticeable in dense swarms at dusk.
The Hedgethorn’s painful bites made it a feared tool during the Era of Early Dominion (~6,000–3,500 years before modern Geba), with records of its use in interrogations. Its role in wetland ecosystems is minimal, as its primary impact is as a pest. Overuse in historical conflicts reduced populations in heavily trafficked deltas during the Warlord Eras (~500–17 years before modern Geba). Expedition teams should carry antihistamines and protective gear to mitigate stings, as irritation can persist for days. Their exclusive range to Berinu’s river deltas and wetlands limits their impact to humid, low-lying biomes.