Native to the coastal seas and estuaries of Nova and western Asivis, the Ochre Leech is one of the most common sources of ochre dye on Xothu. Averaging 5-10 inches long and 2-3 inches in diameter, they resemble nothing more than a large, slippery, yellow-brown worm with a round, toothless mouth at one end.

In the wild, the Ochre Leech tends to live in large groups at the edge of the water, making swimming a high risk. When feeding, the Ochre Leech will attach its mouthparts to its prey and siphon their blood, injecting them at the same time with its ochre dye. The raw dye has a soporific effect when it enters the prey's blood stream, making it easier for the leech to feed. Ochre Leech victims can be identified by numerous round sores on their skin and a decidedly yellow hue.

To extract the dye, live Ochre Leeches are simply placed upon a wet sponge, mouthparts downwards. The blind leech will immediately latch onto the sponge, attempting to suck it dry, and simultaneously secreting its dye into the sponge. When the leech is exhausted, the sponge is removed and the dye squeezed into containers.

The Ochre Leech is prized not only for its dye, but also for its medicinal value - a salve of crushed Ochre Leech and Amrans petals when applied to an open wound will stop the bleeding immediately and prevent infection, although it will leave the skin around it with an unpleasant yellowish hue for days afterwards.