Sludge Elf

Sludge elves are a somewhat degenerate subspecies of elves. They are mirror images of normal elves in some respects: they have no special proficiency with bows or swords (long or short), nor do they have any aptitude in the traditional areas of high elven magic (enchantments and conjurations). On the other hand, they are superlative transmuters, and are comfortable dabbling in necromantic, poison and elemental magic. As Fighters, they are often more dangerous unarmed than armed. They advance in level faster than their High Elven brethren.

Innate abilities

• Sludge Elves get a small bonus when using elven weapons and armor.

Preferred backgrounds

Sludge Elves are among the most versatile species in the game. They can excel as Monks, Hunters, Assassins, Healers, Transmuters, Stalkers, Wizards, Summoners, Necromancers, Fire Elementalists, Ice Elementalists, Air Elementalists, Earth Elementalists, and Venom Mages.

Level bonuses

• Sludge Elves get an Intelligence or Dexterity (equal chance) increase every 4 levels starting at level 4.
• Sludge Elves have 10% fewer HP than average.
• Sludge Elves have 10% more MP than average.
• Sludge Elves gain 4 magic resistance per level.

Starting equipment and skills

Sludge Elves start with the equipment and skills listed for their background, with the following exceptions:

• All equipment is "elven" in quality, where such variants exist.

Difficulty of play

Sludge Elves are a moderately difficult species to play, because of the complexity of the most effective playstyles. Sludge Elves are excellent fighters with Unarmed Combat, but they lack the Unarmed damage bonuses that other specialists like Trolls and Ghouls have. However, their excellent aptitude for Transmutations remedies this, due to its many Unarmed Combat boosting spells (Blade Hands, Statue Form, Dragon Form, Necromutation, etc).

Skill aptitudes

The higher the value, the better the aptitude.

Skill	Aptitude	Skill	Aptitude	Skill	Aptitude
Attack		Miscellaneous		Magic
Fighting	+1	Armour	-2	Spellcasting	+2
Short Blades	-1	Dodging	+2	Conjurations	-2
Long Blades	-1	Stealth	+1	Hexes	0
Axes	-2	Stabbing	0	Charms	-2
Maces & Flails	-2	Shields	-2	Summonings	+1
Polearms	-2	Traps	0	Necromancy	+1
Staves	0			Translocations	0
Unarmed Combat	+1			Transmutation	+3
		Fire Magic	+1
Throwing	+2	Ice Magic	+1	Invocations	0
Slings	0	Air Magic	+1	Evocations	0
Bows	0	Earth Magic	+1
Crossbows	0	Poison Magic	+1	Experience	120

Strategy

Elynae's Sludge Elf/Merfolk Transmuter guide