The "Larva Saint" is the creation of The Waxen Scrivener, an embodiment of the insects which feed upon the sacred texts that the Scrivener's followers create or collect and then allow to rot away in their collections.
Detailed Physical Description[]
The Larva Saint is described as a "colossal white larva that’s sprawled and writhing across a shattered writing desk, the rows upon rows of tiny pincer limbs rolling down its belly... its naked flabby skin conjoined with the shimmering chitin of its back." Although it is huge and ungainly, when motivated, it can move very quickly with its many insectoid legs. [1]
It has a long, flopping neck, but its face retains some aspects of humanity, in the form of "two squinting, pale eyes", wet lips, and a mouth with "distinctly human molars." [1]
Behaviour[]
This Saint is encountered once in the story, and is described as "wetly scrawling black ink across the scattered papers and the floor." Carpenter, who encounters the beast, takes note that the papers the saint is writing don't appear to have any meaning, commenting: "Perhaps these things are only visible to the truly faithful." [1]
Those who encounter the saint don't have too long to examine its work, however, as it dislikes being interrupted and will attack when disturbed. In the story, shortly after the door to its room is opened and it notices onlookers, the beast screams, drops to its many legs, and charges. It's unclear what it does once it catches its prey, as in the story, the door is quickly shut, and the saint thuds heavily into it.
Context in the Story[]
The "Larva Saint" is the creation of The Waxen Scrivener, seen in Chapter 2 in the form of Abel, the hallowed brother of Peterson the bookseller, who keeps him in the attack behind a door with many locks. [1]
"A fast and furious scratching sound can be heard from above.
Quiet at first. Growing gradually louder and louder...
...We can already hear the clicking lips of something great and huddled
and inhuman as the old bookseller fumbles with the chains and
pushes the door ajar, ushering us forward."[1]