Sload
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The Sload are a race of sluglike beastmen in the fictional universe of The Elder Scrolls. They live in the Coral Kingdoms of Thras, southwest of Tamriel.
[edit] Biology
It is unknown exactly how Sload reproduce. Adult Sload have never been seen to involve themselves in such things, and seemingly have no interest in the fate of the young. Sload begin their lives as "disgusting little amorphous grubs" according to Bendu Olo, leader of the punitive expedition sent by Tamrielic nations to Thras after the Thrassian Plague. As they age, these grow into a purely aquatic stage that is described as "soft", "squishy" and "octopuslike". Upon reaching adulthood the Sload becomes amphibious and has an appearance similar to a large slug as seen here. While young, adults generally lack many of the skills to survive on land. As they age, Sload tend to grow in size and corpulence, and many older Sload would collapse under their own weight if not bouyed up by water. There is no known limit to either the age or the size of an adult Sload. Understandably, this limits their activities on land. When on land, their default mode of travel is magical teleportation, especially the Recall spell, which they instinctively use when greatly distressed.
Adult Sload have four appendages which behave partially as pseudopods, in that they mold themselves around whatever the Sload is grasping. This takes some time but allows them to attain a very good grip on practically anything, allowing them to climb things many other races can't. Despite this, their ability to use tools is limited.
Sload are highly intelligent and have perfect recall of practically anything they have ever seen or heard. They are quite skilled at magic, particularly necromancy and teleportation magics.
[edit] Character
Sload are innately cautious and careful. In their mythic traditions, all heroes spend years planning, considering and consulting with wise Sload before taking the correct action and achieving their goal. By contrast their villains all act quickly or rashly and always fail. The Sload language has no word for 'adventure', and the closest equivalent more accurately means 'tragic disaster'.
Sload apparently do not experience emotions as the Tamrielic races do, but are often skilled at acting and may exaggeratedly simulate them for the benefit of more emotive beings.
They will honor laws, loyalties and friendships only as long as they calculate it to be in their best interests to do so. They also have no compunctions against genocide, murder, theft, kidnapping, blasphemy or anything else that may help them reach their goals.
Sload are apparently not religious in any recognisable sense, but will willingly serve Daedra if they benefit from it. Some, in particular the famed Second Era necromancer N'Gasta, also follow the King of Worms.
[edit] History
The Sload Coral Kingdoms have generally followed an isolationist policy, with only limited contact and trade with Tamriel. Therefore their history is not greatly known. The most important event known is when they released the Thrassian Plague upon Tamriel in 1E2200, killing more than half of the population. In response, Tamriel assembled the All Flags Navy that ravaged Thras, killing all the Sload it could find and finally sinking it with unknown magics. The Sload, however, survived, and Thras has since risen again.
| Races of The Elder Scrolls | |
|---|---|
| Mer (elves): | Altmer | Bosmer | Dunmer | Dwemer | Orsimer |
| Human: | Breton | Imperial | Nord | Redguard |
| Beast: | Argonian | Khajiit | Sload |
| Divine: | Aedra | Daedra | Dremora |
