Slide

From Sword of Truth Wiki

A Slide is a magically altered wizard with the ability to seize a person's soul. They were used in the great war 3000 years before the series takes place. According to Ann, they were sterile, and thus were doomed to extinction. However, one named Nicholas was created by the Sisters of the Dark to aid Emperor Jagang in his war against the New World, and used his newfound power to absorb the souls and powers of five of them. It is unknown whether the absorption of this power proportionally increased his power (i.e. a ratio of 1:1) or some other fashion, since Nicholas only uses his Han once in Naked Empire; all other uses of magic by him involve his ability as a Slide.

Slide's have the ability to control a captured persons soul, manipulating it to a degree. They have the ability to project these captured souls into animals and other sentient lifeforms; however, it is unknown if a Slide can project his own soul in such a manner, or needs another soul to 'hitch a ride' on. There is no defense against a Slide's power. However, when a Slide is projecting his captured souls, he becomes vulnerable; at that moment, his mind is inside the creature he is controlling and his body remaining behind can be slain when it is discovered. Richard Rahl thus defeats Nicholas by suggesting a means by which he may be attacked, knowing that Nicholas is eavesdropping; while Nicholas waits for details on the plan, Richard finds his body and kills him.