The Veruul is a name given to a creature in ancient Vulcan mythology that, ancient legend stated, stalked prey within the Womb of Fire in Vulcan's Forge on Vulcan. It was said that none survived an encounter with the beast. The creatures reproduced by laying eggs. The early Vulcan people that would become the Romulans encountered these creatures during the initial survey of the world with a loss of an expedition member. One of the survivors of the survey party decided to name the creature a veruul after the ancient myth. (TOS - Vulcan's Soul novel: Exiles)