Sloads

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:27 am

i think they should include sloads into this because i have sen numerous pictures of sloads but bethesda must of skipped it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:07 am

I think there are going to be sloads in summerset and mabie a few loan travelers in the rest of the world.

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 12:49 pm

Sloads weren't forgotten by Beth. They aren't intended to live on Vvardenfel so there aren't any.

Lord_Gallant · Post by **Lord_Gallant** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:29 pm

Noirgrim was working on the sload race when I suggested adding sloads last spring. I'm not sure what became of them, but you could ask him. Sloads frequently visit Tear for purchasing slaves (for necromantic purposes, I hear), so I think it would be nifty to see a few of them there at the docks.

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:34 pm

Lord_Gallant wrote:Noirgrim was working on the sload race when I suggested adding sloads last spring. I'm not sure what became of them, but you could ask him. Sloads frequently visit Tear for purchasing slaves (for necromantic purposes, I hear), so I think it would be nifty to see a few of them there at the docks.

Empire said to report of any known Sload so I don't think they'll just roam around.

Lord_Gallant · Post by **Lord_Gallant** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 2:41 pm

From the book "On the Preparation of Corpses":

"The Sload are the most famous Necromancers, but little is known of their native Thras. In Tamriel, Sload only practice Necromancy on other races. It is uncertain whether this is true in Thras as well. If so, it would explain the number of slaves that are purchased in Tear by Sload merchants and the rumors of Sload airships carrying corpses from Senchal."

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:40 pm

Lord_Gallant wrote:From the book "On the Preparation of Corpses":

"The Sload are the most famous Necromancers, but little is known of their native Thras. In Tamriel, Sload only practice Necromancy on other races. It is uncertain whether this is true in Thras as well. If so, it would explain the number of slaves that are purchased in Tear by Sload merchants and the rumors of Sload airships carrying corpses from Senchal."

OK. Than read this:
From TIL "Sadly, it has been reported that Thras has risen again, and that its masters, the Sload, have recently been seen in various areas of Tamriel. Citizens are encouraged to avoid these beasts, and contact the nearest Imperial authorities when they learn of one's existence. Much is remembered about the slugmen, and has been collected for you in the nearby sidebar. Be vigilant."

Legolas55 · Post by **Legolas55** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:47 pm

Well, think about it. If they go to Tear, the Dres capital, do you really think the Dres would report them to Imperials?

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:49 pm

Well,

the empire is corrupt, and Tear is a Dres city, which is a house that doesn't give a damn about what the emperor wants. The empire has little to no control over things there.

Sload airships? Can one suppose that, if Morrowind's answer to the hutt has airships, the imperials, and maybe the dwemer (once), have airships too?

Mmmh ... airships ...

evilgreebo · Post by **evilgreebo** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:52 pm

Didn't you find the crashed airship on solstheim?

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:06 pm

evilgreebo wrote:Didn't you find the crashed airship on solstheim?

Yeap there's one + Dwemer Dirigable. So maybe Sloads met Dwemer once and using their incredible memory they made an airship ? Ot at least smthing like it.
And Dwemer HAD an airship. As the Imperials did. Remember Stros M'Kai ?

Assassinace · Post by **Assassinace** » Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:52 pm

I agree a sload or two in tear would be a good idea. After the sinking of Thras I would think most of any remaining airships would be pulled back to wherever the sload are rebuilding. (The sload are very megically able) so I think thier floating ships would operate differently then the dwemers.
Also the sload that noir made had some of the animation done so if we could find it we would be most of the way there. (Can creatures teleport well with scripting?)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:04 am

what about a sload ranch to make a sense that its not up to two sloads to make thousands of sload soaps

just a thought

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:58 am

http://morrowind.free.fr/Archive/Concept-art/Images/sload.jpg

concept of a sload

plz ignore my last post i did not read ur raplies thoughrully so i thought that sloads are wild beasts.

Assassinace · Post by **Assassinace** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:02 am

I thought so. Also Noir made a animated sload so we actually have them we just need to put them in.

vorrheis · Post by **vorrheis** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:27 am

I thought that for the sload airship we could use something similar to a hot air balloon instead of something propeller driven.
On the other hand, since sload can't use tools very well, I guess the airship would have to be entirely magical. Meaning it wouldn't need an obvious means of propulsion. We could just make something that resembles a ship and have it float around. It could also be submersible and we could have it on ocean bottoms.

I want to see the animated Sload!!! or at least a screen shot

Assassinace · Post by **Assassinace** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:38 am

I used to have the sload walking animation but I deleted it awhile ago. If noir shows up maybe he can provide a link. (Or you could do a search.)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 4:07 am

should their be a playable sload race?

vorrheis · Post by **vorrheis** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 4:16 am

Gasps in horror!!!!

Um... I don't think the emperor would send a sload to fulfill the Nerevarine prophecy.

But seriously, I'm pretty sure the sloads will have to be dialogued creatures. I don't see how they would translate into the bipedal body part system that is required of a PC.

Noirgrim · Post by **Noirgrim** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:17 am

Here's the sload L_G was talking about. It needs to be animated (which I can do) but it's at the bottom of my list.

Edit: yes, he does have a tail, and be kind, it was my first model ever.

Majra · Post by **Majra** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:37 am

i actually like it alot, I do have a couple comments

the arms look like they were sorta slapped on there, I like the claws at the end, but the arms look a bit fin like, they should still have a slight(all be it chunky) arm shape. the head is awesome, but the eyes need some slight modifications, i dunno, the shape or maybe just blend the texture to slightly change into a greenish color as it nears the face

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:57 am

Stalker wrote:
Lord_Gallant wrote:From the book "On the Preparation of Corpses":

"The Sload are the most famous Necromancers, but little is known of their native Thras. In Tamriel, Sload only practice Necromancy on other races. It is uncertain whether this is true in Thras as well. If so, it would explain the number of slaves that are purchased in Tear by Sload merchants and the rumors of Sload airships carrying corpses from Senchal."
OK. Than read this:
From TIL "Sadly, it has been reported that Thras has risen again, and that its masters, the Sload, have recently been seen in various areas of Tamriel. Citizens are encouraged to avoid these beasts, and contact the nearest Imperial authorities when they learn of one's existence. Much is remembered about the slugmen, and has been collected for you in the nearby sidebar. Be vigilant."

The "Thras risen again" quote comes from the Pocket Guide to the Empire, written in the early days of Tiber Septim's reign, early 3E, late 2E. Hundreds of years old.

The "Corpse Preparation" series was written in late 3E. At most, it is 28 years old. This is known because of it's reference to Orsinium being under the rule of Gortwog.

Corpse Preparation's quote takes priority, being more recent, which makes it more relevant. Also note, the PG quote only has the suspicion that Thras is risen, while it seems to be an accepted fact in the Corpse Preparation quote. So we can say that Thras is most probably risen, and the Empire -- or at least Necromancers -- are well aware of it.

vorrheis · Post by **vorrheis** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:50 am

Noirgrim, That's a wonderful model!!!! The textures look really good. It very closely resembles the art.

The only crit is that the mouth looks higher on the head than the concept art, but that could just be the angle of the pic. I think it's brilliant and I can't wait to see the animations.

Vorrheis

Noirgrim · Post by **Noirgrim** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:31 pm

This new talk about sloads got me excited, so my sload has moved up on my list of things to do. Here is a new pic. I still need to do some animation tests before I start animated him.

Majra · Post by **Majra** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:43 pm

the eyes look better... not sure if its just the angle or something,

I still think the arms and legs look a bit off, the legs are good, except at the toes... looks a bit funky, and the arm is the same way I think

needs a bit more form to it, right now, his feet dont look like they could support him when he walks

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:48 pm

It looks terrific, great work Noir!

Remember, when animating, though: sload are intelligent snails, they don't have bones. Thus, you may want to use more joints in animating than with standard creatures. So that it looks as if the sload indeed is a soft, jellyish critter instead of something like, say, an ogrim.

It's death animation could be it just collapsing into a pile of now inanimate tissue. If that's possible, that is.

Assassinace · Post by **Assassinace** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 6:52 pm

Yes Majra his feet aren't really supposed to support him. Except in 1 stage of thier life the sload can't walk and it is in the stage Noir has made that they can but even so not very well (Preferring levitate and teleport when the need arises. (They are very slow creatures)

Noirgrim · Post by **Noirgrim** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:30 pm

Should he sit on his underside and use his feet to propel himself over the land? Slugs use many little muscles to move themselves like thousands of little feet. Considering the sload have two feet, they could act as 'flippers' almost. I'm thinking the sload will kinda move like seals walking on land. Any suggestions?

Morden · Post by **Morden** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:47 pm

I like the idea of him pushing his mass around with his feet as opposed to walking. His underside could be touching the ground like a snail, and his stubby feet could propell him forward. If he is actually a slug/snail thing.. then his underside would be slimey and could move in this fashion. I look forward to seeing some Sload in Tear

Legolas55 · Post by **Legolas55** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:07 pm

They really remind me of Jabba the Hut and that race from Star Wars. The sloads seem more like the necromancer type. not the underworld druglord type unfortunetly. I'm anxious to see them in Tear.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:22 pm

Looks good, perhaps you can give him more muscles, he looks abit cute

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:45 pm

Well, so he should be Arnold Schwatzenslugger? I don't think so.

I like the softnes of his appearance. Makes him all the more slimey. It should have a wetter, slimier feeling on the textures, maybe.

As for the "walking", I would really love to see the sload movuing a bit like a seal, or gliding on it's underside1 That would make them all the more sluggish and alien.

Earl · Post by **Earl** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 7:07 am

I was going to say his legs look too powerful. I'd pictured them with not legs so much as feet, their girth concealing the rest.

And as far as movement, they put me in mind of a heavy box. You know, too much weight to lift, so you just sort of tilt it one side at a time to "walk" it wherever. Ponderous and slow. Not exactly dragging, but depending on how high they lifted a leg, it might look like it.

And green is a funny color. It makes him look lizardlike. Wasn't N'Gasta a sickly brown?

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:21 am

Hmmm. "ponderous and slow" is a very good characterisation of the sload, both as a race and as individuals. Also, their amphibious nature would suggest they have a swim as well as a walk animation - is that possible with creatures?

Another thought, again I have no idea if this is possible, but since they lack bones, maybe their attacks could mean their arms stretch when beating the PC, giving them a very surprising attack range. Same could be done with walking; their body could deform while walking, their one leg stretching forward, dragging their bulky shape, while the other leg could shorten and form some sort of column on which the other side of the body rests.

Noir, please don't feel intimidated by our ideas, they're suggestions, not request.

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:43 am

hermit wrote:Hmmm. "ponderous and slow" is a very good characterisation of the sload, both as a race and as individuals. Also, their amphibious nature would suggest they have a swim as well as a walk animation - is that possible with creatures?

Another thought, again I have no idea if this is possible, but since they lack bones, maybe their attacks could mean their arms stretch when beating the PC, giving them a very surprising attack range. Same could be done with walking; their body could deform while walking, their one leg stretching forward, dragging their bulky shape, while the other leg could shorten and form some sort of column on which the other side of the body rests.

Noir, please don't feel intimidated by our ideas, they're suggestions, not request.

I don't think Sloads will attack using their hands if they'll ever attack. If they won't recall themselves back home they'll use some spells to protect themselves or just levitate somewhere high enough.

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:53 am

Okay, some sload facts. Noir, you will most likely have to do the other three forms too, I think, even if not for Morrowind, then for other provinces (such as Black Marsh).

Juvenile: Disgusting little amorphous grubs.

Adolescent: Soft, squishy octopuslike things that cannot emerge on land.

Adult: No outside limit to age or size. Individuals seen on land in Tamriel tend to be older, corpulent adults; the trait of greed is common in these individuals, and they excel as merchants and smuggling entrepreneurs. Younger adults lack essential surface survival skills, and are rarely seen on land. Older adults collapse under their own weight unless buoyed by water.

Also, here're some facts about sload and tool use (includes, I think, weapons):

Poor grasping ability, weak tool use. (Sload slowly adapt their outer integument to conform with surfaces and objects, permitting them to pick things up or climb things like disgusting slugs.)

Also note the climbing ability, would that be possible with the game engine?

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:03 am

Where they're going to climb ? I think most of the time they sit still or slowly levitate around.

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:07 am

In case they end up in Mournhold, where levitation (and recall?) doesn't work, they slime up the wall and escape before the fabricants make them into tiny weeny little pieces of slug meat.

Oh yeah. You gotta love slugs.

Does a salt spell deal double damage to them? Heh, okay, that was useless, and I apologise.

Stalker · Post by **Stalker** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:18 am

You know the true reason why levitation doesn't work in Mournhold so making climbing anim is just addition (and useless) work for modeller.

Hermit · Post by **Hermit** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:07 pm

Yeah, I know. I was just in a foolish mood.

In any way, looking forward to the release of the Evil Snail Men, but take your time noir - I'm sure we'd all rather wait half a year and get a top quality model than have it soon and maybe not as well done. Take all the time you need.