Centipedes were a type of small, insectoid Beast found in dark, damp places. Elongated arthropods that more resembled Worms than insects, their bodies were flattened and divided into many segments, each bearing a single pair of long, jointed legs. The head carried strong mandibles and a pair of modified front limbs that delivered venom. Their antennae were long and sensitive, suited for probing tight spaces and reading vibrations through soil and stone. Their eyes were simple and weak, and most species relied on touch and chemical cues.
Centipedes were solitary predators that hunted on the ground and within crevices. They moved with a rippling gait that let them turn quickly and climb uneven surfaces. When prey was detected, they surged forward in a short, sudden rush, seized it with their venom claws, and held it until movement stopped. They fed on smaller insects, larvae, Spiders, and other small burrowing creatures, and they could go long periods without food. They avoided larger threats by retreating into cracks, under bark, or deep leaf litter, where their flat bodies let them vanish from view.
Reproduction occurred in hidden spaces, where males deposited spermatophores rather than mating directly. Females guarded their eggs in small chambers, coiling around them and cleaning them to prevent rot and mold. The young hatched with fewer segments and legs and gained more with each molt. Their presence often marked places that were moist, shaded, and rich in small life. In settlements, an increase in centipedes usually meant unchecked damp and decay, while their absence suggested dry ground or frequent disturbance.