The Elder Scrollsincludes many different races beyond the playable ones, andThe Elder Scrolls 6has the chance to showcase more of them in the mainline series. One such example are the Sloads, one of the oldest races who haven’t yet featured in any of the mainThe Elder Scrollsgames yet, but could have a part to play ifThe Elder Scrolls 6takes part in Hammerfell.
One of the most famous Sloads, N’Gasta, who was an ally of Mannimarco, lived on an island close to Stros M’kai, placing the Sloads in proximity to Hammerfell. The Sloads appeared inThe Elder Scrolls Onlineas antagonists, and inThe Elder Scrollslore, they once wiped out half of Tamriel’s population. WithThe Elder Scrolls 6possibly being the first game set in proximity to the Sloads in such a long time, it may be time for them to appear in a mainline game.
Justifying the Appearance of Sloads in The Elder Scrolls 6
Sloads are an odd-looking, grotesque race that are fiercely intelligent. So far, they’ve been mentioned in most ofThe Elder Scrollsgames, but have only actually appeared inThe Elder Scrolls: RedguardandThe Elder Scrolls Online. Despite the fact that they appear to be a “joke” race, with the appearance of giant slugs crossed with toads,Sloads inThe Elder Scrollsloreare deep thinkers and are experts in necromancy. This is an area of magic that is severely limited inThe Elder Scrollsand could use the development that Sloads could potentially bring.
One of the reasons Sloads haven’t appeared inThe Elder Scrollsmainline games yet is because their homeland is not on Tamriel’s mainland. Instead, Sloads come from an island located in the Abecean Sea, which is located on thewestern side of Tamriel, alongside the provinces of the Summerset Isles, Cyrodiil, and Hammerfell. This proximity to Hammerfell, including Stros M’Kai, is one of the reasons why the Sloads may make an appearance inThe Elder Scrolls 6if it’s set in Hammerfell, particularly if Stros M’Kai is included.
Implementing Sloads In The Elder Scrolls 6
Culturally, Sloads focus heavily on both seafaring and magic, particularly necromancy. Sloads are also proficient in teleportation spells due to their limited mobility on land. Both teleportation andnecromancy magic were underdeveloped inSkyrim, and including Sloads would be a chance to develop them under the school of conjuration. As masters of necromancy, it’s unsurprising that, despite their relative isolation, they’re also associated with one of the most famous necromancers inThe Elder Scrolls, Mannimarco.
The Sloads' isolation may be partially due to their troubled history with the rest of Tamriel. Aside from the general distaste most of Tamriel has towards necromancy, the Sloads were responsible for engineering and unleashing a plague on Tamriel in the First Era. Known asthe Thrassian Plague, it resulted in the deaths of half of Tamriel’s population.
In response, Tamriel’s forces sunk Thras, the Sload homeland, into the ocean using magic. Thras and the Sloads eventually recovered in time, but the two groups haven’t been friendly since. This animosity could be a source oftension inThe Elder Scrolls 6, particularly along the eastern coastline of Hammerfell. Despite this, player characters could also perhaps learn necromancy and teleportation from a couple of friendly or neutral Sloads, which would add variety while still being true to the lore.
