Slimes
Slimes | |
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Slime, from Ultima VII manual | |
First appearance: | Ultima IV |
Last appearance: | Serpent Isle |
This article is about the creature. For the Ultima VI spell of the same name, see Slime (spell).
Slimes are green viscous organisms whose bodies emit a venomous toxin. They appear in Ultima IV, Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, and Ultima VII Part Two.
Description[edit]
Slimes are often found in swampland or dungeons, preferring moist dark environments. They attack by ejecting part of their envenomous flesh at their victims, and are capable of extremely rapid asexual reproduction – a process which may be instigated when a slime is struck with a weapon. As a result, large swaths of slime can easily overwhelm an ill-prepared adventuring party, especially one that is vulnerable or at rest. Most wayfarers, however, can protect themselves against such assaults by keeping a watch during the evening hours, and by equipping themselves with flame-based weapons or torches, which are effective against such beasts.
Given the ease with which slimes may be dispatched given appropriate precautions, during the years of the Gargoyle War a spell existed which would transmute more threatening enemies into slime, although this cantrip eventually fell out of favor with the the magical community.
Lore[edit]
“ | Dungeon walls fairly ooze with slime. Most slime just sits there, this evil variety comes after thee! – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)
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“ | In appearance, slimes are gooey green splats. They are weak, clumsy, and not very damaging, individually. But they almost always travel in schools and, when a slime is hit, it is apt to split into two healthy, hostile slimes. If the slime does not split, it succumbs quite easily. Slimes carry no booty. – from Book of Lore (Ultima V)
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“ | This shimmering, amorphous mass seems more an oddity than a threat when first encountered. Constantly dividing and recombining, it seeks to surround the traveler who happens upon its swamp or dungeon lair. Though susceptible to damage from ordinary weapons, the experienced adventurer is always ready to use fire against the ooze's subtle maneuvers. – from Compendium (Ultima VI)
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“ | This grotesque gelatinous mass lives in the depths of a dungeon or the murkiest corners of a swamp. It reproduces by dividing itself and grows through the absorption of other slimes. Slimes attack by hurling foul blobs of slime at their intended victims. Fire is known to be a very effective weapon against them. – from The Book of Fellowship (Ultima VII)
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“ | It is difficult to describe these creatures in any way other than to repeat their name. They reproduce through division, sometime initiated by opponents’ blows; they can quickly increase size by melding with other slimes. A useful tool for combating slimes is a lit torch, for fire hampers their ability to divide and, therefore, to reproduce. |
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Gallery[edit]
A slime (Ultima V, cave)