Trollocs
The most common of Shadowspawn, Trollocs were created to become the ultimate warrior. A mixture of animal and human stock, Trollocs stand between eight and ten feet tall, towering over the humans they were designed to fight. Their mixed breeding produces interesting results, and most Trollocs retain some animal traits, most notably around the facial area. They walk upon two legs, but some have cloven hoofs or even paws. In most cases, their faces remains that of a predatory creature such as a wolf, bear or eagle, but rams, bulls and goats are not uncommon.
All Trollocs revel in killing, as they were designed. They use vicious weapons, designed to inflict as much pain as possible. However, they lack discipline, and when alone can be quite cowardly. Unless constantly watched, they will shirk their duties in favour of their own desires, be they sleep, food, or bloodlust. Their intelligence is minimal, and usually overwhelmed by their urges. A Trolloc will eat almost anything, including other Trollocs. The few times Trollocs take prisoners except when under orders to do so, it is to use them as a larder for future meals. A Trolloc would much rather kill now than eat later, so cases of them taking captives is extremely rare.
Trollocs usually belong to a set clan, although how their membership is determined is unclear. The clans have no specific traits save loyalty to itself, and it is possible that Trollocs are simply born into a clan. The known clans are Ahf’frait, Al’ghol, Bhansheen,, Dhai’mon, Dha’vol, Dhjin’nen, Ghar’gel, Ghob’hlin, Gho’hlem, Ghraem’lan, Ko’bal, and Kno’mon. Other tribes may exist but these are the only known ones to assail the lands of men.
Trollocs breed true, although the physical attributes which appear in offspring vary greatly. Female Trollocs are kept continually pregnant, and offspring too weak to survive are eaten. Throwbacks to the animal heritage of the Trolloc are also eaten, although they are usually stillbirths.
Myrddraal
The throwbacks to the human side of the Trolloc are something else entirely. Unfortunately for the Shadow, Trollocs proved inefficient as regular soldiers, lacking basic discipline and were very difficult to control. The appearance of the Myrddraal (unplanned, and unexpected) solved this problem.
Myrddraal appear to be extremely pale, thin humans, except for their faces, which lack eyes in any form. Smooth skin covers the area where eyes would be, but the Myrddraal are not blind. All Myrddraal appear the same, with little variation between them. They see just as well in darkness as in light. They move with a sinuous grace and can move over far distances by stepping into shadows. This appears to be some trait of the Myrddraal itself, rather than a specific power. It is possible that they move slightly outside the Pattern, as objects touching the Myrddraal are not affected by sudden movement or breezes. Myrddraal are also able to sense when the Power is being used, after a fashion, and their eyeless gaze strikes all who see it with paralysing fear. A Myrddraal cannot be killed by normal methods, as even a fatal blow will not fell one of the Eyeless. The corpse will continue to strike out, randomly at times, until the setting sun. Destroying the body completely will stop the Myrddraal before this. Myrddraal blood is acidic, and etches it any metal, given time.
If Myrddraal have a weakness, it is that they will not cross running water voluntarily, unless it is possible to simply step across. Even shallow streams more than a few paces wide will stop them, unless a great need forces them across. This does not mean Myrddraal will avoid bridges - their fear only extends to the possibility of entering the water.
Myrddraal are fanatically loyal to the Dark One and are intelligent enough to plan attacks and sieges without the aid of human Dreadlords or Forsaken. They often command large groups of Trollocs. In order to keep loyalty amongst their troops, Myrddraal can become linked to the Trollocs it commands. These Trollocs will fight with a greater degree of unity, but if the Myrddraal is killed, the Trollocs will also die. Myrddraal can operate alone, and are often used by the Shadow to infiltrate an area before a main attack. Their ability to walk through shadows makes them extremely powerful. They sometimes carry blades forged in the furnaces of Thakan’dar on the slopes of Shayol Ghul. These blades cause wounds that, if left untended, fester and eventually kill the victim. Slight wounds are difficult to heal, even using the Power. These blades are jet black, the same shade as the armour all Myrddraal are clothed in.
Draghkar
Similar but not identical in appearance to the Myrddraal, the Draghkar differs in two regards. It still has eyes, although these are completely black and no hint of either iris or pupil is apparent. The second are the pair of large, batlike wings that protrude from the Draghkar’s back. These wings can support the creature for long periods of time, and it can travel great distances without the need for rest. On the ground, the Draghkar lacks the grace of a Myrddraal and the brute strength of a Trolloc. Its main weapon is the crooning song which hypnotises its victims. This allows the Draghkar to approach close enough to use its secondary weapon. By placing its lips upon a human, a Draghkar can eat the soul of a person, leaving them as an empty husk. If the ‘kiss’ is sustained, the person will eventually die.
Breeding habits of Draghkar are unclear, but it could be assumed that they make their own arrangements and breed true. They were often used as assassins in battle, swooping down on their targets while a diversionary attack was made with Trollocs. There have been instances of Draghkar being used as scouts, but in most cases, the Shadow prefers to use vermin such as rats, as these creatures are much less noticeable.
Despite its power, the Draghkar is quite frail and clumsy on the ground. It relies heavily on its song and kiss to overwhelm its opponents. However, it still has extremely sharp claws, and there have been rumours that the claws of some Draghkar are poisonous. Draghkar are often seen in the Borderlands, flying over the land hunting for birds, which they live off.
Darkhounds
Darkhounds were first created by taking wolves and warping them beyond recognition. They look like large black dogs and can grow to the size of a small pony. A Darkhound’s bite is poisonous, and even the smallest touch of the venomous saliva can kill a human. Darkhounds have served the Shadow since the War of Power, and many legends surround them. It was believed in many of the southlands that they ran to hunt led by the Dark One himself.
Darkhounds are most often used as hunters, but they make good scouts as well. They leave no trace on grass or soil, but their paw prints will appear in stone. Once a target has been assigned, the Darkhounds will continue to hunt until their prey is caught or they are killed. They rarely need to sleep and can run at the same rate of speed for days. Their only fear is of water, and they will refuse to cross running water even if it is only a few feet wide. Rain and thunderstorms also hamper their abilities to hunt, but they can find a trail no matter how well hidden.
It has been established in the years following Tarmon Gai’don that there are actually two distinct species of Darkhound. These species have been labelled Lesser and Greater Darkhounds.
Lesser Darkhound
For a long time, it was unknown how Lesser Darkhounds came to be, but new information, pieced together from various sources, including a Wolfbrother, has established their origin. Lesser Darkhounds are created when a pack of wolves has been defeated by a pack of Darkhounds. The remaining Darkhounds devour the souls of the dead wolves and the corpses rise anew after some time as a new pack of Lesser Darkhounds. Lesser Darkhounds are sterile.
Although named Lesser, these creatures are still just as fearsome as Greater Darkhounds. There is no discernible way to differentiate them, save in the way they are killed. Lesser Darkhounds have been known to be killed by mundane weapons such as swords and bows, and could feasibly be killed as easily as any hound.
Greater Darkhound
Greater Darkhounds are creatures who were created many years ago during the Age of Legends. They breed true amongst themselves but birth rates are low. They roam the Blight in packs and serve only the Shadow. Darkhound pups have never been confirmed.
Greater Darkhounds are much stronger than Lesser Darkhounds. They cannot be killed by anything save the One Power. Some of the older Darkhounds cannot even be killed simply by that and only died when a channeller uses the forbidden weave of balefire against them.
Gray Men
Not all Shadowspawn are constructs. The creatures known as Gray Men were once human but have pledged their lives and souls to the Dark One. It is unclear what they are given in return for their allegiance, as Gray Men have never been known to speak, either under questioning or in the course of their duty.
Gray Men are used primarily as assassins for targets too well protected to assign to a Draghkar. A Gray Man can slip past armed guards completely unnoticed to reach their target. People tend to pay little attention to what the Gray Man is doing until it is too late. Even when seeing them directly it is difficult to hold them in focus. Some have theorised that the material used to create a Warder’s cloak has been grafted onto the very soul of the Gray Man, allowing them to blend into the subconscious.
Despite the name, some Gray Men are women, but the term refers to anyone who has given their soul to the Shadow to become like this. Gray Men can work separately or in teams, depending on their target and availability. However, the Gray Men remain human enough to have the same weaknesses as most people – against weapons at least. In death, the Gray Men lose their ability to remain undetected.
Gholam
** Compiler’s Note: The details on the gholam are sketchy at best. All information comes from unverifiable sources, and no physical evidence of a gholam has been studied since before the Trolloc Wars. It is possible that they were active before this, but no books no the subject have survived the War of Hundred Years, and there were few enough before the war started. Most of this entry is speculation based on myths, unconfirmed sightings and stories from the last Age. **
Gholam appear to be human, and have a basic appearance. There are no distinctive features. Only six were created – three male and three female – but it has been indicated that they are sterile. Gender is only in appearance. These creatures were designed in the Age of Legends to specifically kill channellers. It has been said that they simply absorb any weave used against them. Gholam also possess great strength, able to tear through flesh like paper. They can manipulate their bodies to fit through any gap, and appear completely boneless. Conventional weapons have no effect on them. There has been no recorded instance of a gholam being killed.
The gholam lives for the slaughter of channellers, be they Aes Sedai, Asha’man, Darkfriends or those who walk in the Light. It is possible that they serve the Shadow due to some in-built command, or perhaps the Shadow offers the best opportunity to achieve their desires. The gholam lives on blood, human for preference, but will take any as long as it’s warm.
Fortunately, gholams remain a myth, and any sightings have been unverified. It is best not to speculate what crazed impulse caused the Forsaken to create creatures that could ultimately destroy all life in the world. Perhaps they knew how to control and even kill the gholam. If the forces of the Light ever had this information, it has been lost to the Ages. We can only hope that no gholam remain accessible to the Dark One.