Slithzerikai

Slithzerikai (abbreviated Slith) is the name of a fictional lizard race in the Avernum and Exile computer role-playing game series published by Spiderweb Software.

As reptiles, the Slithzerikai are cold-blooded creatures and therefore require warmth to remain active. Cold environments cause them to become extremely sluggish, which is made evident in Avernum 3. Sliths are known for their strength and intelligence, as well as their resilient skin and skill with pole weapons.

Brief summary of their role in the storyline of the game

"Note: Due to a naming conflict between the Exile and the Avernum series, the name "Exile" is used below to indicate the geographical place, and the name "Avernum" to indicate the nation. In practice, the names are interchangeable."

The majority of the Slithzerikai population dwells far below the subterranean caverns known as Exile, in a land unaccessable to humans which known as 'Bahssikava'. The Sliths who live in Exile itself were exiled from their homeland in much the same way as Avernite humans were exiled from the surface above. As legend goes, the Slithzerikai of Bahssikava were a highly civilized and cultivated race (who still lived in tribal societies). Fighting was rare and actual wars were a totally alien concept to them. From what records tell, they were a highly religious people who valued spirituality. They were also great artisans and skilled in the making of stone statues, which also played some role in their faith.

Then, some of the tribes rebelled, under the leadership of a cruel warlord named Ssss-Thoss. These became a war-like people, cruel and bloodthirsty. It is now believed that they also turned from the true Slith deities to worship demons. After causing great unrest in their home country of Bahssikava, the Slith people sentenced them to exile. Banished to caverns far above their country, the Sliths continued to worship darkness, though some repented and began searching for ways to return to their homeland of Bahssikava (these Sliths now live in Gnass and worship a Mother Goddess).

Centuries later, when the humans discovered Exile and explored it during the famous First Expedition, the Slithzerikai were one of the menaces that decimated their explorers. When the exiled humans founded their subterranean nation of Avernum and began to call themselves 'Avernites', they had great troubles defending themselves against the Sliths, who were united under the grandson of Ssss-Thoss, a Slith named Ssss-Thsss. Ssss-Thsss was later slain by adventurers at the request of Avernum's King Micah. Most of the remaining sliths chose to make peace with humans

lith culture

Sliths are excellent smiths. In Avernum 4 they can be found in several smithies across Avernum, rather than being present in only the important cities. Sliths favor pole weapons (spears, staves, etc.) in combat, and have a special variety of two-pronged spear that strikes fear into their enemies. They are extremely skilled fighters and are masters with pole weaponry. Their strength and resilience make them deadly and powerful fighters. Slithzerikai are also talented in the ways of magic and are excellent mages. In Avernum and Avernum 2, the civilized Sliths rarely leave their city of Gnass in the Great Cave.

liths as characters

From Avernum 2 onwards, users can create Slith characters. A Slith character receives a penalty for gaining experience, but has a bonus to pole weapons and a resistance to fire to offset this. Spiderweb Software actually recommends a Slith character, as the default group features one. In Avernum 3, certain characters are terrified of Sliths and will attack the player's party if it contains a Slith character.