Editing Slitherin (section)

==Redeemed Slitherin==
Much like the [[Manticora]], the slitherin were retconned in Scarred Lands 2nd edition. In this new version, the slitherin actually emerged during the Titanswar/Divine War itself, having first been created by Chern's foul vitality and desire for revenge. However, whilst initially frenzied beasts gripped with holy fury by the Titanic ichors coursing in their veins, as the titans fell, the slitherin's madness began to cool; whole packs at a time would suddenly find themselves stopping and thinking "hey, why are we serving these assholes anyway?" Whilst some tribes remained loyal to their creators, the majority of the slitherin ultimately fled the Titans' ranks to seek to elevate themselves above the barbarism of their birth.

Slitherin enclaves sprang up throughout Scarn, especially in cities near the Mourning Marsh, the slitherin birthplace. The divine races, for the most part, still occupied by the war, paid little attention to this diaspora at first. In some cases, the ratfolk were actually welcomed as a form of cheap labor. As a result, today the slitherin are probably the best assimilated of the Redeemed races, even if they are not always trusted on an individual level.

Like their 1e predecessors, Slitherin are human-sized rat people, but a bit shorter than most humans on average. Standing upright, most have a crouching posture that makes them seem even shorter than they are. Aside from their muscular legs, slitherin have a lithe, wiry build, particularly in the upper body, with relatively wide hips and narrow shoulders. A slitherin face is more ratlike than human, and a slitherin has a long, agile tail like that of a rat. Most of a ratfolk’s body is covered in short, coarse fur, which ranges widely in color from white and gray to black and brown; in some cases their fur is a patchwork of these colors. Ratfolk often wear clothing similar to that of humans, with some modifications to account for their tails - unlike their 1e predecessors, 2e slitherin are perfectly aware of what "cleanliness" is, and take great care in their personal grooming, at least those who have integrated into godspawn society. Slitherin pride themselves on their tails, adorning them with rings or other ornate decorations and tattoos.

The ratfolk have little culture or history of their own, and as a race, they are still adjusting to being more than slaves of the titans. As a result, many slitherin do not care much about order or structure. The prevailing theme among the ratfolk is novelty; theirs is a culture of the new. Slitherin are not ones to care about tradition, and their society reflects this worldview. Various enclaves of slitherin, therefore, may have wildly different approaches to government or economics, based on whatever concept is in vogue at the moment. Fashion trends, music tastes, and even fighting techniques come and go with a flurry. This attitude makes some slitherin seem disorganized and scatterbrained, but for the ratfolk, the expression of new ideas, discoveries, talents, and identities is the most important contribution to society. This attitude also gives each slitherin enclave its own unique identity, distinct and possibly at odds with other slitherin groups. From the outside, slitherin enclaves seem to be havens for chaos, with a mildly anarchist attitude. But for the slitherin, this way of life is efficient and honest. To foreigners, the Walled Warren — probably the most authoritarian slitherin outpost on [[Ghelspad]] — still seems chaotic and indulgent, especially for a supposedly military city.

The slitherin have established a notable presence in many nations across Ghelspad. Though not universally welcomed, they are at least tolerated by most major governments and societies. Because the ratfolk have very little in the way of their own culture, and they value new things and new ideas, they often find it very easy to acclimate to new ways of living and new social fabrics. In recent years, slitherin have become sought after for their engineering prowess and building skills, especially since their construction of the Walled Warren. Slitherin engineers count as some of the most advanced of the Scarred Lands, due primarily to their willingness to work with nontraditional materials or use unproven theories and practices. Even the dwarves have on occasion come to marvel at ratfolk engineering talent.

Slitherin fought alongside the titans during the Divine War, but they do not maintain any allegiance to the fallen ones. Their obedience was an accident of birth. In fact, many slitherin do not revere the Eight Victors, either — not out of anger or faithlessness, but out of pragmatism. If slitherin do embrace a god, they most likely choose Enkili for her ambiguous nature or Tanil, whose strength and courage in the face of adversity some find admirable. Other slitherin have chosen to follow Hedrada, the god of civilization, for his guidance in engineering and construction. Fierce individuality is normal among the ratfolk, and the typical slitherin is more likely to look out for herself than to worry about the common good. As a reflection of their ambivalence, many slitherin hold to chaotic or neutral alignments across the spectrum.

Not all slitherin have shaken off the titans’ yoke. Some wandering tribes of titan worshipers still infest the Mourning Marshes and even wander the Sorporata Swamp. Most of these tribes avoid civilized lands, and even other ratfolk view them as dangerous lunatics. Some have also found a home among the titan-worshiping sects of asaatthi in the Desert Paradise.

As a new race, ratfolk have been adventuring for almost as long as they’ve existed. Slitherin are skilled at entering places where other races have never even dared venture, particularly ruins, marshes, and swamps. In modern times, many adventuring parties relish the addition of the slitherin, especially those skilled in stealth and trap-finding. And the ratfolk are eager to oblige, particularly if doing so means personal glory or riches, both of which are highly prized in slitherin society.

Male Names: Abap, Dinesh, Gerdaht, Lashkim, Malakwar, Oprit, Sidatru, Varaj, Yurdet

Female Names: Balaka, Choonish, Garesh, Ithrin, Noomya, Rrdip, Sivun, Timprut, Wafek