If you have been venture to Arrakisyou’ve heard the whispers: Sandworms, the Maker, maybe you’ve heard by Shai-Hulud. You may know them as an existential threat, the kind of enemy you can’t kill, but also an ecological necessity – their existence creates the Spice Melange, which is our survival. dependent.
But the Maker is more than just a set of teeth that produce spices. It was the image of a god, a revered being, and – most importantly – a way to cross the desert of Arrakeen. Yes, Shai-Hulud can be ridden – but how is it actually ridden?
Full disclosure: The Fremen took me to Arrakis to try riding a sandworm. The Space Society provided my transportation, and the Fremen provided me with food, shelter, and precious life-giving water.
What’s new about Sandworm Arrakeen 10191?
Not much. Most sandworms old enough to ride are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old – very little has changed for them during their many years in the sand.
But if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Maker is reliable, predictable, and controllable transport — as long as you know what you’re doing. For amateurs, deworming can be a struggle, but with a little practice, it becomes second nature.
What are the specifications?
Sandworms can grow to be hundreds of meters long, and some say worms up to 1,000 meters long exist in the most remote deserts on the planet. My tester isn’t too big, somewhere within 250 yards, which makes it somewhat more agile than its larger brethren.
What does this look like?
I’ll be honest: Sandworms aren’t pretty. They are a design with more function than form, gray and dull with thick, plated leather. But every part of the Producer’s exterior serves a function—its mouth to absorb nutrients, its plates to drive the worm to your destination. Shai-Hulud may not be pretty, but it gets the job done.
How does it ride?
I said that my Maker is much smaller than most people, which makes it faster to move around. That’s faint praise, though – none of the sandworms are truly agile, all are slow to react and need full-body effort to move. Even with skilled riders behind, Shai-Hulud hasn’t hit the limit and every ride is more about getting you to your destination than enjoying any fun along the way.
Strength is enough; worm focuses more on torque than top-endThis can often be confused with “dyno butt” on higher reading is actually correct. The real trick with sandworms, however, is control—at first, the idea of controlling the Creator with your two little hooks seems absurd. With some practice under your belt, though, it all becomes second nature: The Maker hook falls easily into the hand, and scrambling for the steering wheel from left to right becomes a more purposeful dance. .
How’s the furniture?
I have not tested this. If you want to be eaten by sandworms to discover what it’s like, be my guest. I hear it’s hot.
How does it compare to the competition?
For long-distance travel on Arrakis, the closest competitor to the Manufacturer may be your norm raptor. But those need fuel and maintenance, and you’re unlikely to find another fueled and wait when yours falters. Worms, on the other hand, take care of themselves — and when one gets tired, you just have to find another ride.
For short trips, the ornithopter may be more convenient. But for the long hauls across the Arrakeen desert, the Maker is unbeatable. There’s a reason the Fremen, who are most adapted to desert life, don’t keep teams of ‘thopters at every sietch.
Final thoughts
Riding the Shai-Hulud was a rare opportunity, one that I am grateful for being given. Large, high-powered sandworms really look like the future of long-distance transportation in a way that makes ornithopters feel old-fashioned — limited in size, payload, and fuel range. The Fremen know the Dunes best, so it’s no surprise that they have chosen the ideal means of transportation through the open desert. Bless the Creator and His kingdom, bless His coming and going.
