PITFALL JELLIES: A primer
By Limewah
Patron Reward for Sanmer (July 2023)
Featuring art by https://skeb.jp/@zanbrdobra  
18+

Pitfall Jellies are native to a few small forests in the greater United States. We estimate that around 500 exist in the wild, and we have reason to believe that population may grow rapidly given the right circumstances, and without our efforts to keep the population under relative control until a proper utility can be deduced. In the mean time, we have cordoned off their current habitat from the public, with very strictly enforced borders. However, we have had some intruders, who have proven to be very useful for testing the capabilities of these specimens.
We are including several sub-species within this particular genus, each of whom have rather distinct difference. However, there are several specific commonalities between them, namely:

●	Pitfall Jellies are subterranean creatures, preferring areas where the soil is softer, ie. rainforest or swamp environments. 
●	They capture live prey primarily through specialised cnidocytes, akin to jellyfish tentacles. Their cellular structure is also quite similar to Jellyfish, including the lack of a brain, heart, or robust nervous system.
●	While they generally prey on mammals, they are not specifically carnivorous, deriving their sustenance through extraction of fluid and nutrients akin to the vampire bat or mosquito (however, they do not extract blood.)
●	Their methods of reproduction vary, but ostensibly do not require sexual contact with another Pitfall Jelly; rather, they range from asexual reproduction via spores, or, in some cases, oviposition into a host. 

While every individual Pitfall Jelly is unique, we have been able to deduce three specific primary types, which we will outline in the following three case studies, collected from three separate intruders to our research grounds.

Case Study 1 - Basic Pitfall Jelly

These are the least common specimens, comprising approximately 20% of the specimens within our care; this is primarily due to their slower reproductive rate compared to the other types. We hypothesise that they reproduce through spores, but we have not been able to confirm this.
However, aside from their low birth rate, their durability and lifespan is notably longer than the other types.
It is useful to start with this one to establish the commonalities between all types of Pitfall Jelly.
Firstly, it attracts its prey by simply blending in, creating a facsimile of solid ground over a pit that it has dug in soft soil. Subtle pheromones will guide potential prey towards it, and they are often completely unwitting - as this particular subject was. Note how the large, muscular mouse is buried up to his mid-section in the supplied imagery. Later tests of this subject upon capture revealed that they have a level of physical strength well above the average individual; therefore we can surmise that the Pitfall Jelly’s ability to subdue and hold a creature in place is quite high and robust.
Upon capture, the Jelly’s insides emit a secretion that coats the lower half of the prey’s body in an invisible enzyme that dissolves any clothing and bonds tightly to the flesh. This serves both as an adhesive and as an anaesthetic, causing the lower body to become completely numb. If we can synthesise or extract this enzyme in a sustainable manner, it will prove invaluable as a tool for our agents.
From there, further compounds are introduced to the prey’s body through orifices - the anus and urethra being the primary entrance points. These compounds seem to heighten sexual arousal to a significant degree, as well as inducing an erection. Note, also, the growth of sexual organs - when this image was taken, the subject’s penis had already quintupled in size, and would continue to do so.
From there, semen extraction becomes the priority for the Pitfall Trap, as this is its primary food source. Interestingly, each subsequent ejaculation from the subject is more productive than the last, along with a marked reduction in the refractory period between each orgasm. The subject experienced no fewer than 35 orgasms in the space of a thirty minute period, more than half of which took place in the last 8 minutes.

Note, as well, the expression on the mouse’s face, and the apparent frustration and annoyance. This is not atypical - questioning of the subject with the aid of our Interrogator-Screens confirmed that he had feelings of total numbness below the waist - ie. every part of him that was in contact with the insides of the Pitfall Jelly. The secretions remained stuck to his lower half still present upon his extraction, and would persist for several days after; once feeling and sensation returned to him, the subject had a greatly increased level of libido, and with it, suggestibility. This proved useful for further conditioning.

Case Study 2 : Ovipositor Pitfall Jelly

Here we find a very fascinating variation in the Pitfall Jelly physiology; rather than simply producing through asexual means, this creature has reproductive qualities that are very similar to parasitic insects.
These qualities are quite apparent from the imagery attached. Firstly, the similarities for the Pitfall Jelly must be noted; once again, upon capture of the prey, the PItfall Jelly immediately produces a numbing secretion which keeps the prey held in place. However, rather than inducing sexual arousal through its enzymes, it does so through physical contact. The tendrils of the Ovipositor jelly are far firmer than their sibling species - more akin to a silicone sex toy. The tendrils wrap around and stimulate any erogenous zones that the creature has, inducing arousal for the primary purpose of muscle relaxation. This is to facilitate the appendage that gives the Jelly its namesake; an ovipositor is inserted into the creature’s back passage, and eggs are introduced. These eggs are quite soft, resembling the texture of fish eggs, and are immediately incubated within the subject. At this moment, a much smaller tendril connects into the base of the subject’s spine, introducing small amounts of a chemical compound into the spinal column leading to the brain. This is a crucial element to the Ovipositor Jelly’s reproduction.
Upon the subject’s release. They are compelled to lay said eggs in a wide-spread area, which we believe contributes to the high population of this particular species(more than 50% of the known population). Upon oviposition, the Pitfall Jelly dies shortly afterwards, allowing for the subject to escape.
This particular subject, once captured, had an intense compulsion to escape into the open in order to lay, and showed a great deal more resistance due to the aforementioned compulsion. However, leading him into the Mind-Scrub chamber was able to induce a state of docility, allowing us to further examine the eggs upon laying.
Testing is ongoing, and more details on these eggs will be explored in a future report.

Case Study 3 : Metamorphic Pitfall Jelly

This is perhaps the most unique of all the types we have studied, due to the radical physiological changes it induces in the subjects and how this is used to propagate the species.
Once again, the primary method of capture and initial elements remain the same ; however, the enzyme secretions are far different. Note the opaque green colour, first; this coats the prey in a rapid manner, and immediately begins to alter the lower half of the prey’s body on a cellular level.
Note how the lower half of this captive’s body has taken on a translucent green colour - the flesh and blood has been entirely replaced with a gelatinous substance that is non-newtonian in nature. It can shift to a level of density resembling normal flesh, all the way down to almost as thin as water. These changes and transformations can be done at the will of the subject, which made capture extremely difficult compared to the others. In fact, this particular change is notable in that anyone captured and released by the Metamorphic Pitfall jelly leaves with a compulsion to lead other potential prey into the same jelly that captured them.
Upon release from the Jelly after several extractions of semen, the prey is released, and the gelatinous transformation spreads to the rest of their body, completely replacing all organic matter to the point that their genetic makeup resembles the Jelly (though, interestingly, the personality, intelligence and memories of the subject persist, even in spite of no longer having a brain.)
It is notable that this subject attempted to use physical seduction as well as more physical methods of restraint when those initial overtures did not work. Two employees were lead into the same Pitfall Jelly as this subject, and while we were able to extract one in time, the other was fully processed, and is now a gelatinous life form. However, as aforementioned, this employee was still, ostensibly, an individual, though with the same compulsion as this subject.
The compulsion does fade over time, and this individual, along with the intruder, have been promoted to field agents. The temptation to send all our personnel into this processing is present, but we require more long term study - how long the structural integrity lasts, if it is permanent or not, etc.
Further study will reveal this.

Conclusions

These three species of Pitfall Jelly all pose significant advantages if we can cultivate them and figure out a useful method of transportation to other zones outside their usual climes - not merely as simple defense traps against intrusions or spies, but also as a resource for anaesthetic for our agents and perhaps even further enhancements of their physical capabilities. Whether we drop an oviposited agent into a desired zone and allow them to spread Pitfall Jellies and sow chaos within enemy organisations, or send in Metamorphosed agents to overpower an enemy compound, we will find a great deal of usage for these beings.

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