Worm Gods

The Worm Gods are ancient parasitic entities from the gas giant Fundament who serve The Witness. Six are known: Xol, Akka, Yul, Eir, Ur and Xita. They struck a bargain with the proto-Hive, offering larvae in exchange for eternal life; every Hive is bound to such a worm, which drives them to conquer or consumes them. Another source counts five Worm Gods, so the number varies by source. Xol, defeated on Mars, later became Whisper of the Worm.