Grievers

Grievers are fictional creatures featured in James Dashner's young adult novel series, "The Maze Runner." Within the context of the story, Grievers are the primary antagonists and guardians of the Glade, the central area of the Maze. They are mechanical monstrosities, described as large, metallic beings with sharp claws, tentacles, and stingers capable of injecting a deadly venom.

These creatures are programmed to patrol the Maze during the night and are extremely dangerous to the inhabitants, known as Gladers, who are trapped within it. The Gladers' primary objective is to survive the night by returning to the safety of the Glade before the Maze doors close. Encountering a Griever in the Maze is almost always a fatal experience.

The Grievers are not solely designed for aggression; they also serve a function in the Maze's ecosystem. They collect the bodies of Gladers who have been stung or killed, disposing of them. This serves to maintain order and perhaps to gather information for the creators of the Maze. Their design is complex, with various modifications and capabilities that are revealed throughout the series. The Gladers' efforts to understand and eventually overcome the Grievers are central to the plot of "The Maze Runner."