This mod adds slime creatures to Dwarf Fortress. Slimes are a collectible pet that come in a variety of colours and shapes, collect them all!
Introduction
Slimes (known by dwarves as Rilem-igang or "youthful goo") are an amorphous subterranean non-toxic cousin of the cave blob known for their hardened cores and array of different colours. They exist entirely underground in caverns, and are sometimes seen being led by greater slimes known as Slime Queens (called Relon-igang, or "royal goo"). The average slime is roughly the size of a housecat, with females growing to be the size of a dwarf. Much different are the greater Slime Queens which grow to be slightly smaller than a troll. They come in a variety of colours and some eccentric dwarves have been known to breed and trade slimes to collect a pleasing rainbow of different colours.
Wild cavern slimes are not known to openly attack unless provoked and are relatively slow-moving, meaning they don't pose much of a threat to cavern explorers and are easily spotted due to their bright colour. However, they are known for their spectacular feats of regeneration thanks to the hardened core found at the center of every slime. This core allows them to completely rebuild their body even if they have otherwise been destroyed. Defeating a slime in combat is not particularly difficult compared to other cavern beasts, but putting it down for good means destroying the core which can prove tricky thanks to its small size and density. Hostile beasts have been known to exhaust themselves trying to tear through a slime's thick goo, allowing it to escape when the attacker passes out from exhaustion.
Personality
Slimes are known for their easygoing and curious nature, making them popular pets for those able to catch them. Most slimes avoid combat if possible, preferring to stick to others of their kind and avoid confrontation. A slime easily makes friends with dwarves and will happily follow one around if shown the right amount of attention.
In the wild most slimes will attempt to retreat if dwarves wander too close, but will defend themselves if attacked or cornered.
Biology
Slimes come in a variety of shapes, but common to all slimes is the slime core. This hardened gem-like organ found at the center of every slime has a similar function to the brain and heart of other creatures. The core is the source of the slime's regenerative abilities, meaning the slime's entire body is expendable and can reform so long as the core remains intact. Slimes also appear to feel no pain, meaning they will continue to fight back despite catastrophic damage so long as they have energy to move. All of their energy comes from the core, meaning slimes do not eat and are biologically immortal so long as their core is undamaged. They are noted cousins of cave blobs, but lack the noxious secretion the cave blob is known for.
Dwarves have discovered that when a slime is killed, the cracked outer shell of the core can sometimes be recovered. This cracked shell is edible, offering a small fraction of the slime's healing power to the one who eats it for a short time. Culinary-minded dwarves describe the core as sweet and crunchy, as well as combating indigestion. The hard inner section of the core can be used as a precious gem, and any congealed remains can be eaten.
Anatomy
Slimes can be narrowed down to three basic categories: males, maidens, and queens.
A male slime is no larger than a small dog or housecat. They are peaceful creatures composed of a blob of slime, and are otherwise unremarkable beyond their regeneration abilities.
A female slime is known as a slime maiden, and grows to be the size of the average dwarf. A maiden has a more defined body and head with two eyes, with two grasping tentacles.
The slime queen is the largest and rarest slime, growing to be four times larger than a dwarf. A queen has a defined upper and lower body, a head capped with a small crown, and two grasping tentacles. The queen is considered more dangerous in combat, as it is able to lash with its tentacles causing significantly more damage. A young queen is known as a princess.
Female slimes are more numerous than male slimes, but they require each other in order to reproduce. All slimes grow to full size within a year of being formed.
Gameplay
Slimes are a tamable creature found in all cavern layers. To tame them, you need to catch them in cage traps and begin training. In order to breed slimes, you'll need to get a smaller male slime as well as a maiden or queen. Maidens only produce one baby, queens will produce one to three.
When butchered, slimes will drop a membrane which can be used as leather, a variable amount of congealed slime which can be eaten, a cut slime core gem which can be used like any other gem, as well as the broken exterior of the slime core, which can be eaten for a regeneration effect that can heal all types of wounds including nerve damage. The effect lasts a month. Getting the right dwarf to eat the core will require micromanagement but it's edible raw which should make it easier (i.e. dumping it into a room, then confining the target dwarf to that room). The edible portion of the core doesn't always drop from male slimes and children, so let them grow if you're looking for cores.
In combat, the male slime is almost completely useless with only the default push attack. Given its small size, it's unlikely to damage anything bigger than small birds or lizards. Larger female slimes have a melee attack comparable to a punch from regular dwarves, while queens have a high-velocity lash attack that can break bones and can attack with both tentacles at once. All slimes are weak defensively and will get torn to shreds by most creatures, but a slime can completely regenerate from just its core. Tearing off its limbs and even its head won't permanently injure it so long as the core remains to reform its body. This creates a dichotomy where it will usually get beaten up and torn apart, but will probably survive in the end. They make good meat shields, in other words. Being made of slime, combat naturally makes a mess of goo everywhere. The core's material is equivalent to bronze, so it's tough but not invincible.
