Animal Type: Symbiotic parasite / cleaner organism World: Ruie wetlands Habitat: Wetlands, reed-choked channels, slow rivers, marsh megafauna hides Size: 5–30 cm Number Encountered: 2D on a host, or 3D × 10 in a breeding pool Speed: Swim 4m, crawl 1m Hits: 2 each, or 10 as a dense swarm Armour: 0 Characteristics: STR 1, DEX 8, END 4, INT 0, INST 8, PACK 8 Anaesthetic Bite: A Traveller who is bitten must make END 8+ to notice within the first minute. Otherwise, the leech remains attached until found by inspection, pain, or blood loss. Careful Removal: Removing one safely requires Medic 6+, Animals 6+, or Science (biology) 6+. Ripping it free causes 1D damage and requires END 8+ to avoid infection. Mirror Mucus: Their reflective mucus disrupts visual edges and heat patterns. In rain, mist, or swamp water, attacks against attached leeches suffer DM−1, and Recon checks to identify an infested host also suffer DM−1. Symbiotic Role: Mirror-leeches clean skin infections, consume toxic algal films, and regulate microbial growth on several Ruie wetland animals. Killing them all may save one wounded Traveller today while damaging the local ecosystem tomorrow. Holst Use: This is the “ecology is not morality” creature. A leech can be disgusting, helpful, dangerous, and essential at the same time.