ENTITY NO. 404
THREAT LEVEL
3
Habitat:
Nearby entrances to glitched levels
Aggression: 1/5
Attacks if threatened
Intellect: 3/5
Problem solving ability
Danger: 4/5
Life-threatening
Description
Crunches, going by the scientific name of Detorqueris orisetii, are a species of unusual entities most recognized for being exceptionally adapted to glitchy environments in a biological sense. In terms of appearance, they are quadrupedal mammal-like creatures with a pair of insectoid mandibles adorning both sides of their jawless mouth. From ground to head, Crunches are 2.5 feet tall on average, commonly differing by about 2 inches depending on the individual. They primarily feed on severely glitched and corrupted matter, having an incredibly specialized digestive and mandible structure designed for their difficult diet. Many other characteristics of their bodies support their survival in environments containing their food, such as stocky squat limbs for remaining in place as they feed; smooth, elastic skin to minimize damage from its instability; and small eyes to reduce impact from bright, volatile eruptions from unstable matter. Crunches come in various hues of pastel colors, majorly depending on the level that they feed from.
Behaviors
As developed on their innate fearlessness and effective means of self-defense, Crunches typically display rather sporadic yet passive behavior. They are quite social among themselves, in which they can often be seen in groups of 6-7, either simply enjoying the presence of others or entering glitched levels to feed. Crunches gain their instincts towards other entities by genetic learning; if their ancestor were to encounter a Hound attempting to attack them, the descendant would associate Hounds with hostility. Peculiarly enough, Crunches show an enthusiastic curiosity towards humans; this can be exhibited through rubbing their heads against their skin, circling around them, or pinching their skin with their mandibles (which is not typically intended to harm, rather doing so as an entertaining behavior). Despite this, Crunches are psychologically unable to form proper bonds with humans.
Crunches also appear to have a "cycle" in which they feed, considering that they are not exactly fit to survive in corrupted environments for extended periods of time - such an environment could not support life as it is known to us. In short, the Crunch feeding cycle revolves around Crunches defending each other during points of vulnerability and grouping together to enter glitched levels at times of high instability. The following document goes into greater detail regarding the Crunch feeding cycle.
Document: Crunch Feeding Cycle
By: Gary Ruzer, B.W.O. Researcher
As many have noted, Crunches tend to have a type of "cycle" that they follow for feeding and resting. This cycle is mainly seen in larger groups, as smaller groups or lone Crunches seem to do their own thing. Nonetheless, the feeding cycle is based on outweighing their disadvantage of being vulnerable during the digestion of glitched matter. The cycle is as follows:
1. Certain "scout" Crunches will periodically check any entrances to glitched levels to determine if they are at high instability. Higher instability means more energy from food, and as such are the best times for Crunches to feed. Since they must stay on guard during the general group's resting time, they are able to eat at this moment as they check entrances.
2. After determining a greatly unstable period of their chosen "feeding level," the group will then enter as a pack. Sticking together, these Crunches will pick at the level's glitched matter with their mandibles to obtain sizeable yet manageable chunks which they can eat.
3. The Crunch group will then exit the level (preferably into the level they entered from) to rest. Digestion of glitched matter is heavy on energy demand, and as such requires plenty of rest during the process - which is, fortunately for them, rather short. During this time, the previously mentioned "scout" Crunches will stay on guard while the rest of the group is vulnerable.
4. Repeat cycle.
Biology
Crunches also exhibit unique methods of using the energy derived from glitched substances. Firstly, corrupted matter is exceptionally packed with energy, which results in the entities possessing biological capabilities not seen in any conventional nature. They are limited by one feature, however: the ability to contain this matter efficiently requires a significant amount of energy in and of itself. The only known example of this is the strong yet elastic fibers of a Crunch's digestive system and skin. In order to stay in place while feeding, frequent micro-contractions of the muscles are required in order to not be sporadically thrown around by the corrupted matter's unstable nature.
Aside from necessities, Crunches direct most of their excess energy into their primary self-defensive measure—that being the ability to eject exceptionally unstable glitches from their throat. Due to an unknown process, this glitched matter is similar to those found in The Broken; having far more severe effects when in physical contact with it. Should a threat be hit by this defensive glitched matter, it could cause major effects on their natural electrical systems, causing full paralysis to the victim for up to 3 hours. Victims often take about 5 days to completely recover from the attack.
Internal Biology[]
Crunches possess some of the most unique biological characteristics of any entities discovered in the Backrooms; given their extremely unique diet, several distinctive alterations have been observed throughout their biological structure. To begin with, the esophagus in a Crunch's digestive system is covered in thousands of rubbery papillae that assist in reducing damage from glitched matter and preventing it from being regurgitated. After passing through the esophagus, the Crunch's food enters an organ similar to a stomach, in which more of the aforementioned papillae surround the matter. These papillae are more sponge-like in texture, allowing it to absorb the liquid used for breaking down the glitched matter. This liquid is currently dubbed Object 64 with the name "Stabilix". After being properly broken down, it is stored in a smaller compartment adjacent to the stomach, in which the energy is extracted from the glitched matter for use in the body. The excess material is dumped through anomalous means, seeming to suddenly "spawn" from their back.
Etymology
Crunches acquired their name based on one M.E.G. employee jokingly describing them as "simply scarfin' down a piece of corruption like it was breakfast" before they were officially named. Prior to documentation, a play-on-words was used as a placeholder name; eating is, of course, crunching food, while a corrupted/glitched audio file could be described as having a "crunchy" sound. For the sake of convenience, this name was later made permanent.
Discovery
The true "first" documented discovery of the Crunch is unable to be properly traced.
Do's and Don'ts
Do's:
- Keep a safe distance from Crunch packs as they rest.
- Remain still if a Crunch is interacting with you. Sudden movements may startle them, causing them to scurry off or potentially bite you.
- Report any known regular Crunch habitats to the Database.
Dont's:
- Attempt to threaten a Crunch. If aggravated, they may eject glitched matter at the wanderer, causing full paralysis for extended periods of time.
Author: Lemonmuffinn
Audio: yoinked from level 595
Images: Background Image, all other images by author.
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