Slimes
"The globule of green, sticky, viscous sludge is covered in the dirt and detritus from rolling around on the floor. Loose leaves and tiny twigs stuck upon its surface seem to jut from the rippling sphere. It bounds and plops, leaving splatterings of slime to coat the surfaces.
Slimes are creatures that belong to the "Amorpho" genus of creatures and are scientifically classified as "Amorpho Glop". A Slime is a type of creature that resembles a pool of animate, liquid. Ranging in shape, size, and color, these gelatinous creatures spend their time seeking matter to consume. Whether it is organic, inorganic, or other Amorpho, these ravenous balls of squishy material have survived by consuming and expanding their size. It does so by engulfing and dissolving it's preferred prey, other Amorpho, gaining mass over time.
As a Slime's mass increases, so does it's intelligence. Though Slime remain simplistic creatures, the Slime (and by extension the Blob), are capable of overwhelming, crushing force. Though Slime have lost their ability to evolve over time, it is believed that all other Amorpho creatures evolved from the surprisingly adaptive Slime. It can survive in almost any environment, adapting elemental resistances from Source. The Elemental Slimes are able to channel magical effects, such as Fire and greater Acid while Arcane Slime may use certain spells and abilities commonly possessed by Casters. Of the Amorpho, the most common of the genus to adapt these traits are the Slime.
It is believed that many other basic forms of Life started as Slime and evolved through the Ancient Eras. A Slime is a single- celled organism that is either asexual (reproduces through budding) or hermaphroditic (reproduces through fusion/ division).
Slimes commonly appear as Yellow- Green, but can appear in any color. The Elemental Variants are given the color to the associated element in their name (Red Slime, Fire Slime, for example).
This Article will further explore Amorpho Glop, the Slime, Ancestor and living fossils of the Ancient Eras.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A Slime's exterior is protected by a thick, sticky membrane. Examination has provided that there are multiple layers of Slime that makes it's body. Of the 3 layers, the "eyes" of the Slime, which appear as 2 black ovals, are protected between the 2nd and 3rd layer, which stretches around the body. The eyes can roll anywhere on the body, orienting the body even when spinning or rolling. Other methods of Slime locomotion includes sliding, bouncing, and slithering. The internal organs may appear as darkened color areas from the outside of the Slime, but the organs are also part of the Slime's form. They appear as masses of formless gelatin. The properties of formlessness defines the Amorphous genus.
Genetics and Reproduction
A Slime can't reproduce unless it has become a Blob. Slimes reproduce through asexual budding, but this can only occur once a certain mass has been reached. Once a Slime has metamorphosed into a Blob, it can reproduce more Slime. Once the Blob has reproduced, it will have distributed itself between 8-15 Simes. The Blob is consumed in this process.
Growth Rate & Stages
For a Slime to gain the mass it needs to become a Blob, it needs to either cannibalize a large proportion of other Slime or Amorpho creatures equal to or greater than its size or until it has grown over 10 years or more. Slimes can force their maturation to Blob by consuming others like itself.
Ecology and Habitats
Slime prefer dark, damp places. Since they don't breath, they can remain hidden underwater or in caves. Subterranean areas provide the best kind of environment for a Slime but they can be found most places.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Slime need to eat constantly to develop strength in their cellular wall. As a single celled- organism, the Slime is unique in this manner as it of the few Amorpho that retains this feature. Other Amorpho evolved to be multi-cellular, Its singular structure is adaptable, allowing it to secrete digestive enzymes when engulfing matter. Burning the prey with this acidic juice allows the Slime to feed on the boiled material.
Biological Cycle
Slimes mature through 3 different Size categories- Small, Medium, and Large. Small sizes represent young Slime of 3-5 yrs old. Medium Size at about 6ft. represents Slime of 6-8 yrs of age or a Slime that has consumed roughly 3-5 other Slime. Large Slime are around 8-10ft in diameter and represents a Slime that is around 9-12 yrs old and is quickly approaching the Blob stage at 10-15 Slimes roughly consumed.
A Metamorphoses occurs once the Slime is large enough. They go into a torpor for 1 month as their coloration becomes murky and their bodies change, emerging as a Blob by the end of the month. Slime typically dig a hole through the earth to make a suitable nest for this event.
Behaviour
A Slime is a simplistic creature- it exists to consume, expand, metamorphose, and divide into Slime once again.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Slimes are solitary creatures by nature and tend to avoid other Amorpho unless it is actively hunting them.
Domestication
Surprisingly, Slime would make excellent pets- if they didn't grow into ravenous monstrosities. The Blob has a reputation for aggression. Slime, on the other hand, tend to be much more docile. They make excellent guards and are easy to condition with food and rewards. It is generally accepted that the smaller the Slime is, the less aggressive it tends to be.
[quote]"He's so squishy and cute! Look at how its googly eyes spin around when I poke it! I'll name him Wiggly!"| a Gnome explorer upon finding an A. Glop (Slime)
Uses, Products & Exploitation
"Slime Jam" is a byproduct created by Slime when they perish. Alchemically, it is used in the craft a variety of potions, as many Slime can be synthesized into curatives and infusions.
Slime Jam also has elemental properties when obtained from "Color Slime" and arcane properties when obtained from an "Arcane Slime".
Blobs also produce 2-3 Vials of quality Slime Jam.
Other uses are for cosmetics, hair products, facial cleansers and moisturizers, bases for salves and balms, and an edible jelly, which creates interesting textured dishes. "Slime Jam on Toast" is a favorite breakfast dish that absorbs whatever flavor it is synthesized with- especially fruits.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Slime can be found all over the world, in many different habitats.
Their favored locations are dark, musty places, such as waterlogged basements and flooded passages. Signs of a Slime's territory are usually evident by trails of sticky secretion.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The two dark ovals that serve as sensors are sensitive to light. As such, a Slime may attempt to hide from a light source or "close" its eyes by absorbing them into its body. The Slime has been known to attack great light sources as well.
Slimes mainly sense vibrations through the sensitive membranous sac that forms their bodies. If they are in touch with the ground, they can sense creatures within 20ft.
Slimes also have refined digestive systems, able to consume most materials, organic or inorganic. They usually depend on inorganic consumption as a survival technique.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
"Color Slime" or "Amorpho Glop~Prisma" are known to hunt Slime and other Amorpho near exclusively. While their diets have proven to consist of other materials, the Color Slime will choose the "Amorpho" over other prey items. Like their normal counterparts, they grow by consuming and growing in mass, until they make a "Color Blob".
"Arcane Slime", on the other hand, form symbiotic relationships with other Amorpho creatures and tend to possess a cunning intelligence. "Amorpho Mana-Jam" will invade the territories or colonies of other Amorpho to feed on the weak and bolster the strong. Once it has formed a strong enough colony, it then performs a gorging, until it becomes an "Arcane Blob".
Civilization and Culture
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The Slime is a pop culture icon, appearing as the mascot for several companies.
Common Taboos
It is generally considered bad luck to keep a Slime as a pet.
History
Though it is difficult to determine given the Slime's genetics, but it is a popular theory that Slime have been around since Creation, living in the sea and appearing on land with the first signs of Life. Many of its later adaptations and evolutions prove this as the divergence of Slimes as a species into Vertebrate and Invertebrate phyllum. As many of those species rose and fell throughout the ages, the Slime is said to have survived by having the best adaptation to hunt others of its kind. Since it is driven to consume to divide, it inherently has a killer instinct that lacks in other Amorpho species.
Another theory for the origin of Slime and all other Amorpho is blamed on the Eidolon, Osmos. As an ever-shifting, formless being of color and undefinable shape, many believe that Osmos is associated with Amorpho creatures.
Common Myths and Legends
There are Myths that describe a kingdom of Slimes with a Blob as the King of all the Slime- though most believe this to be a folk tale of an event involving a particularly old Blob that had grown to immense proportions and terrorized the landscape of that region.
"King Blob" is also seen as a pop culture icon based on the legend.
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