Sorms

Sorms are a fictional lifeform used in fantasy and science fiction settings. The term encompasses several worm- or eel-like creatures that share a soft, elongated body and a reliance on non-photosynthetic life processes. Because different authors and games reimagine sorms in varied ways, there is no single, canonical design.

Most depictions describe sorms as limbless, with gelatinous or rubbery skin, and a head bearing one or more sensory appendages. They often lack a rigid skeleton and move by undulation or crawling. Some species exhibit bioluminescent organs, luminescent tracers along their bodies, or corrosive secretions used for defense or predation. Size ranges from small verminous forms to large, eel-like individuals.

Sorms are typically portrayed as inhabitants of dark, nutrient-poor environments—underground cave networks, swamps, or alien oceans. They are usually present as detritivores or opportunistic predators, feeding on microbial mats, sediment, and small animals. Reproduction and life cycles are highly variable across works; some sorms reproduce by eggs, others by live birth, and a few are described as capable of regenerating from fragments.

In fiction, sorms frequently act as environmental hazards, mysterious maladies of a cave system, or enigmatic intelligent beings. They may form loose colonies or exhibit solitary behavior, and they can complicate exploration, mining, or underwater operations. The term remains a flexible label rather than a scientifically defined taxon, reflecting its role as a storytelling device.