A Descent into Madness From the introduction: The whispering worms are a race of intelligent, subterranean non-arthropodal invertebrates. Decadent, cruel, and possessing powerful psychic abilities, the whispering worms abducted surface dwellers, bringing their victims down into their lightless realm as slaves and food. The reign of the whispering worms ended so long ago that most today believe the monsters to be little more than old wives' tales.