In the late 1980s the Japanese agency for paranormal and supernatural affair, Bureau 17, established an observation outpost here. Named “Echinocos Shores” because of the discovery of some highly unusual species of indigenous worms, the neighborhood recently became the home of a different sort of worm, the Elder Worms, an ancient, evil race of annelidoids devoted to the annihilation of mankind. Bureau 17 scientists believe the Elder Worms are searching for a lost Elder Worm artifact that’s been lost and buried for untold millennia, from back when the planet was still young and primal and the Elder Worms ruled the Earth.