"That is the odd thing. Aside from the plants and the storm, there has been no sign of native life - certainly not any with the kind of intelligence to pull off such a plan. What everyone has encountered so far seems to be largely hallucinations."

The worms, in fact, are unusually real, in comparison.

"Ah - forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Iudex Neuvillette, Chief Justice of Fontaine, the nation of Hydro - and I do indeed have some ability in manipulating and understanding that element." That might be an understatement, really, but surely it's not important. "Unfortunately, my power is far more limited than usual - the storm raging around us isn't natural, and whatever cuases it in turn impacts my own ability to affect it."