Slime

Slimes are a race of liquid creatures and are the third oldest race in existence, after devils and angels, and followed by dragons. They were the first non-immortal organisms on earth, born from a sort of primordial slush. Slimes come in all shapes, sizes, colors, materials, and varieties, and their intelligence greatly varies. Some have human intelligence or higher, and are capable of speech. Some are less intelligent or not sapient at all.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Slimes can take any form. They are entirely made of a thick, sticky material, which varies from slime to slime. They come in three documented categories:

• Category 1 slimes do not have the presence of mind to decide on a form, and are usually amorphous blobs. 
• Category 2 slimes have tiny, glowing eyes of varying color. They rarely decide a form, but they have the capacity to do so if they wish.
• Category 3 slime forms are highly variable, but the most common form is decidedly humanoid.

Biological Traits

Slimes do not age, and can live indefinitely. The only way to kill a slime is by destroying it completely, and leaving no trace behind, which is extremely difficult. A list of common slime species is as follows.

• Alcohol slime: These are slimes that are popular at bars and other such locations. They can come in whisky, ale, beer, wine, rum, and vodka varieties. Their alcohol content is slightly higher than the non-slime drink they're made from. Alcohol slimes' temperament varies a bit, but they're usually very cheerful and are always willing to share a drink with someone.
• Blood slime: Blood slimes are rare, but they do appear from time to time. Blood slimes' temperament is foul, and they're usually aggressive, if not outright vicious.
• Bubble Slime: Bubble slimes can be easily identified by the large air bubbles present in their hair or in the trail they leave behind. Bubble slimes are cheerful and upbeat, and enjoy blowing and playing with bubbles. They will often blow bubbles that encase a target, as if playing and toying with them; usually no harm is intended.
• Candy slime: Candy slimes are slimes made from some kind of candy or something sweet. Varieties include taffy, honey, caramel, pudding, syrup, chocolate, and gum. Candy slimes are especially loved by children. Candy slimes' temperament is usually sweet, affectionate and loving.
• Dark Slimes: Dark slimes are usually all black with a weakly glowing membrane around them, of various color. They are either just barely see through or are solid black the whole way through. Dark slimes feed from moonlight, and as such are usually only seen at night. Their temperament significantly differs from individual to individual, making it impossible to predict their behavior or intent. Some dark slimes are merely mischievous, others are blatantly evil and cruel. Because of this, most races simply avoid dark slimes altogether, seeing interaction with them as simply not worth the risk.
• Elemental slime: Elemental slimes are slimes born from the elements. There are only four types that exist so far: fire/lava slimes, cold slimes, electric slimes, and mud slimes. Their temperament depends on the variety.
• Flavored slime: Flavored slimes are slimes that come in varying flavors, and are often more brightly colored than their standard counterparts. Orange, apple, banana, grape, green apple, and watermelon are some of the flavors one can expect. Their slime is safe to consume and they will gladly give a small portion of their slime to other people as a snack. Temperament depends on the flavor.
• Gem slime: Gem slimes are slimes that are deeply colored, and seem to shimmer or glitter in the light. Varieties include ruby, emerald, sapphire, topaz, pearl, diamond, and onyx. Temperament depends on variety.
• Metal slime: Metal slimes are comprised of metal that stays liquid at most temperatures. A few varieties are gold, silver, mercury, and copper. They are sought after by thieves and treasure hunters alike. Some will not give up a piece of themselves so easily, and will defend themselves violently. Temperament depends on variety and the individual.
• Poison/Acid slime: Poison and acid slimes are dangerous to touch and imbibe. Some poison or acid slimes glow. They are valuable to assassins looking for poison. Poison and acid slimes' temperament is generally vitriolic.
• Soda slime: Soda slimes are the product of human experimentation efforts before the war. Their experiment was eventually a success, but after the war started, they were chased away like all other slimes. Soda slimes' temperament is usually happy and optimistic.
• Standard slime: These are the slimes that are born from primordial ooze of varying color, and cannot reproduce. They are the most common slime species, and every slime starts out this way. Temperament depends on the individual.
• Tar slime: Tar slimes aren't all that common, but the tar slimes that existed helped humans build several of their roads. After the war they were chased away. Tar slimes' temperament is generally that of a hard worker, and once they've started a job, they'll do their best to finish it right.

Genetics and Reproduction

Standard slimes are born in underground cave systems or places that have been sealed off from the world for centuries, where there are primordial pools of slime from the very beginning of time. In these cave areas, magic has begun to condense so much that it appears in liquid form. A slime creature is created when this liquid magic mixes with its pool.

• One drop of liquid magic will give birth to a Category 1 slime. These slimes are little more than mindless blobs guided by heat and light. They have no higher brain function, and many of the abilities that slimes are known for are moot with Category 1 slimes.
• Two drops of liquid magic will give birth to a Category 2 slime. These slimes are more intelligent, but only to the level of a domestic cat or dog. They can knowingly use some of their abilities, but lack the intelligence for any potential malice.
• Three drops of liquid magic will give birth to a Category 3 slime. These are the "sapient" slimes, unique individuals with higher brain function and consciousness. They are able to engage in conversation and think using logic and rationality. They have full and knowing control of their abilities, and at this point, the morality will depend on the individual.

Slimes cannot physically absorb more than three drops of liquid magic. The reason for this is unknown. Any further drops will simply roll off of the slime and be wasted. After a slime is born, they can change their diet as they wish. They then gain the ability to reproduce via fission; eating an excessive amount of their chosen food will result in the slime splitting apart and giving birth to an entirely new individual with their own mind and personality.

Ecology and Habitats

Slimes can live anywhere, but they are most often found in cave systems, not too far from where they are born.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Slimes are omnivores and have no preference either way. Most slimes feed by enveloping their signature food and dissolving it over a period of a few weeks. Slimes that have just been born via liquid magic subsist entirely on water, and usually only need a small amount to sustain themselves.

Additional Information

Domestication

Pet slimes are not uncommon. The more intelligent slimes prefer to be thought of as roommates rather than pets, however.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Slime samples are used in potions with varying effect.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Global

Average Intelligence

Varies depending on category

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Slimes are, perhaps, the most versatile mortal creatures on the planet. Barring any additional powers slimes have absorbed from unfortunate prey, their basic abilities are:

• Amalgamation: Slimes have the potential to merge with each other. This requires, however, consent from both slimes. If their viscosities and surface tensions are not exactly the same, the merge will fail. It is near impossible for slimes to separate after they have merged, so this is often a permanent decision and shouldn't be taken lightly.
  • Gestalt Mind: After two slimes have merged, both identities will share the new body. Only one mind can be "active" (that is, in control) at a time, and the two identities will need to negotiate on how this responsibility will be shared, if at all.
  • Power Sharing: After two slimes have merged, any powers they have gained via feeding on prey will remain, and the newly formed slime will have the respective powers of both of its predecessors.
• Diet-Based Adaptation: Slimes can actually alter their physical properties via their diet. This process is exceedingly slow, and takes, on average, several months. During this time, a slime will need to limit their diet to only a single material. An orange slime, for example, could turn into a chocolate slime, if they stopped eating oranges and ate nothing but chocolate for months. This also changes the "taste" or "flavor" of slimes that are food-oriented.
• Disease Immunity/Contaminant Immunity: There is no known virus or bacteria that can kill or even harm a slime. It is unclear whether this is due to their natural expulsion and filtration abilites, or is simply an innate trait.
• Expulsion: Slimes can, often violently, reject and forcibly expel objects and matter from within them. This ability operates similar to a high-pressure jet of water.
• Manipulative Puppetry: Slimes can control a person via first encasing them, then shrinking themselves down to a skin-tight layer. The slime can then puppet the victim around this way by exerting force on the desired body part.
• Mind Control: Although an unpleasant subject for both Category 3 slimes and other races, slimes possess mind-control ability. They exert this power via entering the ear canal, and making their way to the brain. They then envelop the brain (willingly pausing their digestive ability, usually). From this point on, the slime can intercept and redirect the bio-electrical signals in the brain however they wish, effectively enslaving the host.
• Near-Absolute Metabolization: Slimes can consume and digest any and all physical matter, and this is one of their primary abilities.
• Pain Immunity: As slimes have no brain or nerve endings, they lack the ability to feel any kind of pain. Slimes may gain the ability to touch and feel things by consuming any creature that possesses a sense of touch, alive or dead. Even so, slimes can turn off an absorbed ability at will, meaning many slimes are still pain immune.
• Power Absorption: This is the signature ability of slimes, and also their most potent. By digesting and breaking down their prey, whatever, or whoever it may be, the slime gains the abilities of that creature. Slimes' digestion, however, is incredibly slow. The caveat to this ability is that it takes roughly two weeks for them to absorb anything. If the prey escapes, the process is aborted, the slime gains none of the victim's abilities, and the digestion must be started all over again. In this way, it's difficult for slimes to absorb anyone powerful or otherwise important without notice.
• Self-Fission: Slimes can reproduce by fission. To do this, they consume an excessive amount of food, then divide. The original slime will remain and return to their normal size, whilst also giving birth to an entirely new slime with their own consciousness. As slime digestion is slow, this process will usually take weeks.
• Self-Hardening: Slimes possess the ability to solidify themselves, both partially and entirely. They can use this power to varying effect; e.g. making armor around themselves, creating sharp points like swords or axes, and heavy weapons like maces and clubs. It should be noted that this isn't the same as hardening via cold; they're changing the hardness of the liquid without changing its temperature. Additionally, since slimes possess the ability to reform and gather themselves, the edges of these constructs are usually self-sharpening to an extreme degree.
• Surface Tension Manipulation: Slimes have the ability to alter their surface tension at will. This effectively allows them to slow and even prevent any physical matter from passing through them, rejecting undesired foreign material.
• Trapping Body
• Transmutation: Slimes have the unique ability to ignore conventional melting points. This means that regardless of the hardness or durability of their food, they will remain liquid at almost any temperature (save for freezing temperatures). Even slimes that eat normally hard or brittle things, such as gemstones, will not become hard themselves. Instead, they turn into what are essentially "liquid gemstones"; for instance, a slime that consumes rubies will consist entirely of liquid ruby, maintaining its smooth and fluid state regardless of the surrounding temperature. The same principle applies for slimes whose makeup is that of any precious metal.
• Viscosity Manipulation: Slimes have the ability to alter their viscosity at will.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Poison dragons will take advantage of the less intelligent slimes and convert them entirely to poison, keeping them as pets. The slime isn't hurt by this process, but it becomes much more dangerous, if unintentionally.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Slimes have no need for any significantly advanced technology.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Variable

Common Taboos

Slimes stay away from large bodies of water; enough water will make them unable to hold themselves together, and they'll disperse and disappear. The standard, primordial slimes, that subsist off of water, require only a few drops every month or two to keep them alive.

Scientific Name

Gaea primum

Lifespan

N/A

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Varying