Slan

Slan is also the name of a character in Berserk (manga).

Slan is the name of a type of fictional race of superbeings in the 1946 novel of the same name by A. E. van Vogt. They are named after their alleged creator, Samuel Lann. The protagonist of the novel is Jommy Cross, who is a Slan.

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Slans are the product of human evolution and have the psychic abilities to read minds and are super-intelligent. They possess near limitless stamina, "nerves of steel", & superior strength and speed. When they are ill or seriously injured, they go into a healing trance automatically.

There are two kinds of Slans. One has tendrils and can read the minds of ordinary humans and telepathically communicate with other Slans. The tendrils are hidden but rise when the Slan is engaged in telephathic activity. The Slans are hunted to near extinction. The other type of Slan is tendrilless. They are still super intelligent but do not have psychic capabilities, only the ability to hide their thoughts from the first type of Slan. Kier Gray is the leader of the human society and promises to exterminate the Slans. The novel opens when Jommy Cross, who is a telepathic Slan of the first type, is brought with his mother to the capital, Centropolis. They are both discovered, and Jommy's mother is killed before his eyes. Jommy is only 9 years old and manages to escape. Jommy Cross is not only the heir to the brilliant inventions of his father, but he represents the last hope of his race to save it from genocide. Because of the importance of his mission, he is deterred by various enemies. Jommy seeks to destroy Kier and in confronting him discovers a terrible secret.

Currently Kevin J. Anderson is writing a sequel to Slan entitled Slan Hunters based on Vogt's unfinished draft.

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