The Slykk were a race of small and slimy frog-like amphibians which dwelt in many places across Allansia and elsewhere.
Description[]
Several slykk warriors.
Slykk stood on their hind feet, and could grasp with their hands, but they still bore a marked resemblance to frogs. They communicated in patterns of stilted croaks, and had powerful legs and webbed feet for swimming. They have a frog-like head and a prehensile tongue. The tongue was used for snatching small water creatures and insects to eat, although it was useless against larger beings. The patterns and colours of a slykk's skin depended on which tribe it belonged to, and varied from green and yellow to brown and black.[1]
Bizarrely, some sightings of slykk showed each of their fingers ending in a single sucker, similar to that of slime eater.[2] In other depictions however, the picture of the slykk showed its fingers to have small nails, similar to those of humans.[1]
Prior to engaging into combat, slykk would perform a threat display that consisted of strange facial gestures, croaking sounds and brandishing their weapons. This would be followed by them shouting "Arark!" - a noise which was something more than a croak but not quite a word. If their foe did not retreat immediately at this point, the slykk would charge.[3]
Society[]
As mentioned, slykk lived in different tribes, each with its own distinguishing skin patterns and colours. The tribes were always feuding with one another, for a variety of petty reasons seemingly incomprehensible to non-slykk. Armed slykk warriors could sometimes be encountered on patrols on the edge of their territory. Their inability to unite into one race had proved very costly to the slykk, and the weakened tribes suffered badly from the ravages of many predators, including giant leeches and kokomokoa. The tribes were ruled over by strong, often over-proud chieftains, who often paraded in their finery, decorated with jewels and gold.[1] Slykk spoke their own Languages of language, Slykk-Speak; their shamans and chiefs would often be able to speak the Common Tongue.[4] Some slykk would leave the swamps to work as fishermen, diplomats, or adventurers.[4]
The slykk chieftain from the River Sardath tribe was no different to this, being heavily laden with jewellery and other plunder, however, he did appear more intelligent than most despite not speaking Allansian. His negotiating gestures consisted of handing his spear to another slykk, and drawing his sword, which he then would point at the ground and make some croaking noises. The chieftain then gestured first at his potential opponent and then at himself. The correct gesture at this point was for the negotiator to lay their weapon down. The chief would then stab his weapon into a clump of reeds, and negotiations, via a translator, could begin.[5]
Each slykk tribe might have a shaman or witch-doctor of some sort. These were usually distinguished by their long robes and a ceremonial chain of dried fish-heads or a similar badge of office. Their magic must have some degree of potency, as one of them - Rurkk of the River Sardath tribe - was capable of identifying and defeating a magic-using dark elf or black flyer infiltrator.[6][4]
Some slykk worshipped Aqualis, the God of the Rivers.[4]
Combat[]
Slykk had been known to use throwing spears or javelins in combat, in addition to crude hand-held spears and swords. If an unfortunate traveller found themselves the target of a volley of Slykk javelins, they could often be overwhelmed.[7]
In addition, a group of Slykk acting together were capable of overturning small boats and canoes. In this case, the victim(s) would have to have fortune on their side. If they were lucky they manage to keep their boat upright until they break free of the Slykk blockade. However, sometimes their boat would be upended and the victim(s) will find themselves flailing about in the murky water, completely at the mercy of the slimy frog-people.[7]
Origins and Distribution[]
A hidden Slykk.
They needed to live close to water, and could be found in marshland, rivers, and damp caves - anywhere they could keep their skins moist and slimy.[1][4]
In particular, an extensive slykk community had been encountered in swamplands bordering the River Sardath. This tribe was engaged in trading between the town of Grimmund and the city of Sardath.[8]
Also, four slykk were members of the Riddling Reaver's Powdered Creature collection at his retreat in south-western Allansia, near Arantis. This suggested that slykk captives were originally taken from rivers or caves nearby.[9]
These details, together with the appearance of the slykk in Allansia in some Marshes and Rivers/Lakes, pointed to a potential distribution across Titan, throughout their preferred habitats.[10]
The origins of the slykk were unknown, although they are supposed to have frog ancestors.[1] Interestingly, similar humanoids have been found in other parts of Titan, such as the chrabats of western Khul and the grupplers of Solani Island. Perhaps these creatures are related to the Slykk and their mysterious predecessors.[11]
Further Notes[]
A Slykk chieftain.
- Since Slykk were able to move about freely in the cold climate of the Forest of Night, this suggests the species may actually be warm-blooded, unlike most amphibians.[12]
Further Information in Canon[]
More information can be found at:Source[13]
Out of the Pit
(Large) (pg106#*, pg127)
Allansia
(pg157, pg172)
Siege of Sardath
(pg6*, pg21, para52, para55*, para64, para67*, para88#, para90, para115, para125, para132, para137, para138#,
para147, para178, para201, para207#, para234#, para294, para297, para342, para355, para371, para380, para397)
The Riddling Reaver
(pg216#)
See Also[]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Magazines
Sourcebooks
- Advanced Fighting Fantasy – The Roleplaying Game (mentioned)
- Créatures de Titan
- Encyclopedia Arcana Vol I - Treasures (mentioned)
- Out of the Pit
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Out of the Pit - p.106
- ↑ Siege of Sardath - 55, 67
- ↑ Siege of Sardath - 115, 125
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Olivier Monseur and Julien Ribeyron - "New Races: Slykk and the Rhino-People"The Warlock Returns Issue 4, (pg. 38-40)
- ↑ Siege of Sardath - 52, 67
- ↑ Siege of Sardath - 52, 67, 355
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Siege of Sardath - 147
- ↑ Siege of Sardath - 6
- ↑ The Riddling Reaver - p.216
- ↑ Allansia - p.157, p.172
- ↑ Non-canon
- ↑ Non-canon
- ↑ Complete list of references catalogued by FF Titan Bestiary