Slime Chimera by EvolutionsVoid on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Honestly, this entry is one that shouldn't really exist, as technically we are not talking about a different species or a unique species. The entities that are known as "Slime Chimeras" are actually just regular Slimes that have joined forces with each other. There is nothing much else to it, just two or more Slimes connecting their pseudobodies together and working as a team to hunt down food and fend off predators. Regardless, it is probably best that I do an entry on this, because a lot of folk seem confused about what Slime Chimeras are and tend to see them as a different subspecies.

Like stated before, Slime Chimeras are just two or more Slimes that have connected with each other. Due to how the Slime's heart controls the pseudobody, a Slime cannot grow too big of a form without running into issues. With only one heart in the center of a huge mass of slime, the controlling signals cannot properly reach every corner without fading, which makes it difficult to properly control and manipulate the pseudobody. One way to get around this size restriction is to add extra hearts to the mix. With more of these organs sending out and strengthening these signals, the large pseudobodies can function correctly and receive commands in real time. So if a Slime wants to be big and dangerous, they are going to need to work as a team. Not only does this arrangement help with controlling a massive quantity of slime, but it also allows them to have an easier time manipulating multiple limbs and focusing on several foes at once. When fighting a Slime Chimera, one must remember that there are two or more minds hidden within that mass, and that it can aim its attention towards multiple targets. Don't think a single decoy is going to make it an easy target, as the entity's backside can easily grow new limbs and attack those who come in from behind.

While many like to paint Slime Chimeras as horrible mutants or bloodthirsty beasts, these entities do not form without good reason. By itself, a single Slime is an incredibly efficient creature, and one that can easily fend for itself. One must only look to the Flayers to see how one Slime can be such a ruthless, and powerful, predator. So to think that Slimes form into Slime Chimeras as a step in their life cycle is wrong, as that is not a necessary part of their lives. Instead, the formation of a Slime Chimera is a response to environmental stressors, which can be one of two things. One is when local Slimes are having a hard time gathering enough food to sustain themselves. In time of famine, or when normal prey is replaced by hardier creatures, the Slimes will need to work together to find new food sources. Often this new massive body is used to bring down larger, more aggressive, animals, or for them to lay siege on a farm or village in order to nab some of their hidden food. When hungry and desperate, they will do anything to feed themselves, which can lead to attacks or raids on settlements. Creatures that they would never consider as prey will suddenly make their way onto the menu, as the Slimes know that they have no other choice. The other reason a Slime Chimera may form is due to predatory pressure or frequent attacks on their hives or networks. When their habitat faces a lot of hostility, they will band together to make themselves more powerful, and so that they can defend their networks from invading forces. As one should know, Slimes are not the most accepted creatures, with some regions even seeing them as filthy pests. Warriors and adventurers love to use them for target practice, or seek to kill them for whatever goodies they have stuffed in their pseudobodies. When these areas face such cruelty and harm, the Slime Chimeras will form and be ready to dish out revenge on those who would harm their kind.

Since Slime Chimeras are mainly made of combined pseudobodies and collected materials, they can take on any form or appearance. Some may be humanoid, while some may take on a more bestial appearance. Others have just turned themselves into blobs of arms and tentacles, but it really just depends on what the Slimes agree on. To aid with their transformation, the Slimes will use whatever materials they have collected to add to their appearance. As I mentioned in my previous entry on Slimes, they love to collect things and hoard whatever objects they fancy. When it comes time to form a Chimera, their goodies will join the fray. Ever seen a giant slime humanoid with a wardrobe for a face? Well if you hang around junkyards or garbage dumps long enough, you may just see something like that.

While these massive creatures are intimidating and have the potential to be dangerous, one should remember that they are still Slimes. Despite what some people would like to believe, they are not dumb, mindless creatures. They are a sapient species that can be talked to and reasoned with (most of the time), which means that one does not need to slay these Chimeras to be rid of them. Since most of these entities form due to violence aimed towards their kind, a show of peace and friendliness can calm them and give you time to explain yourself. During my studies of Slimes, I have run into many of these Chimeras, even some that were ready to turn me into mulch. By setting aside any weapons I had and making a peace offering with a bit of food, I was able to disarm this situation almost every time (There was one time that didn't work, but that was due to a translation error, a rather pudgy mule and old cornbread, but that is a story for another time). With this, the Slime Chimeras did not see me as a threat, and allowed me to explain my intentions. If they formed from violence, my show of peace calmed them and I showed them I meant no harm. If they formed out of hunger, my offering of food would give me time to think about their situation and lead them to other sources of nutrition. Once these things are out of the way, the Slime Chimera will act just like any other Slime (though their speech may be a bit hard to understand with multiple voices talking at once). Yes, they will still look scary, but don't let that bother you. As long as you show you are a friend, they will not resort to such bestial violence. In some cases, they may even lend you a hand! In one case, I even got to ride one! I would never have thought I would ride on a Slime Chimera before, but that was mainly because I had lost my previous transport to a misunderstanding. Oh, Dobbie, you were a chubby, little mule, but a good one....

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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More Slimes! And more goop I have to outline! Yaaaaaa!