The Sluds

## **Summary**

The Sluds are a race of humanoid creatures that almost look like a mix of a hunchback, and a goblin. They are mostly suited to the fringes of the deserts, and are primarily miners and creators of fine jewels/jewelry/lavish clothes.

## **Culture**

Sluds have a culture that seems strange to most outsiders. However, they have a very hard work ethic, and as far as different races in Aemoth goes, they are some of the most friendly and welcoming. Sluds will walk on both feet, upright when around non-slud company, however when among their own kind, or outsiders they trust, they will often walk on all fours, in sort of a hobble half using their arms as this is much more comfortable to them. You would be hard-pressed to find a slud walking on all fours in a big city, or especially in the presence of royalty.

Every once in awhile, with no rhyme or specific reason, a child will be birthed by these creatures that is considered beautiful beyond compare to all members of all races. So beautiful that the Sluds will keep them covered so as not to encourage a kidnapping, or vile act towards the beautiful children. The ugly race keeps the beautiful ones safely guarded all the time except on certain occasions, and nobody knows where they are kept except for those of their species that are a part of The Protectors.

The Protectors are the sluds that have volunteered to serve a term of usually 5 years to protect The Beautiful Ones. They are characterized by their specialized armor which takes advantage of their humpback. The armor looks similar to a turtle shell, with a big heavy plate on their back. Some of them have mounted crossbows attached to the top of the big back plate with large arrows that they can aim and fire by leaning forward.

### **Fashion**

Sluds realize that they are not the best-looking race in the world of Aemoth. This, coupled with the fact that they have a high level of respect and welcoming to outsiders, leads them to place a large amount of consideration and effort into their clothes and the way they adorn their bodies.

They are the main producers in Aemoth of fine clothes and jewelry, and walking through their cities, you can definitely tell. They do not hold back with showing off their best clothes and jewelry.

Female sluds will wear a garment called a kro. It is a long gown that will cover their entire body, including a hood to cover the majority of their head minus the face, and has slits cut into it for their arms to hang freely. On the large patch of fabric tasked with covering their hunch, there will often be designs, patterns, and sometimes even artwork sewn into it. The females are not known to wear quite as much jewelry as the men, but when they do, it will mostly consist of bracelets, and a circlet or tiara.

Male sluds wear something similar to the females, however on their most commonly worn garment which is called a vlost; there will not be a hood, it will end around the base of their head. Instead of slits for the arms there will be sleeves that go to the wrist. Occasionally it will continue into a glove all attached to the same. Finally, instead of a gown, it will simply be loose pant legs that end at the ankle, where they will be wearing either boots, or fancier shoes depending on the occasion, and their position.