She set the chalk down and returned to her desk, stepping over Snow to do so. The wolf pups were getting big. They now stood just above her knee at their shoulder. She sighed as she sat down and awaited her students to arrive.
'Lina looked at her students as they settled down. She waited until it seemed that everyone had arrived before standing. She idly wondered if she should sit on her desk or just stand in front of the board. She finally decided that the board would be better.
"Alright, class," she said over the din. The class quieted and gave her their attention. "I am now going to go over the course of this class."
She began to write on the board as she spoke, "The class will cover the various shadowspawn. Trollocs, Myrddraal, Draghkar, Dark Hounds, and Gray Men. We will also touch on the spies of the Shadow a well, shadow-linked rats and ravens."
She turned back to the class, "Are there any questions so far?"
She turned to the class, "List five ways that these vermin can be used by the Shadow."
Response:
Ellisande paused for a moment, looking down at the black sheet of parchment that she had selected from her folder. She dipped her quill into her pot of glistening ink and then began to write.
Ellisande Alendar
Uses of Spies of the Shadow
Ellisande shivered slight and then stood and walked towards 'Lina's desk with her paper. This was far from a pleasant topic so far.
'Lina pinned up a carefully drawn picture of a trolloc. She had spent a couple of hours on it the night before. The picture was of one that had come from bear stock. The trolloc was holding a crudely made axe and wearing just as crudely made armor.
"Now we begin out lesson on the foot soldiers of the Shadow, the trolloc. Aginor created these beings in hopes of making the perfect solider. He used human and animal stock for his experiments. Trollocs were the result. They were not a successful result though.
"Trollocs fulfilled part of Aginors desires in that they are large and strong. They were stronger than either the human or the animal half of their heritage and they were almost faster than a horse. They were vicious by nature, killing for the sheer pleasure of killing. This combined with their size and strength make them extremely hard to kill.
"Thankfully, they do not have the necessary discipline or ability to take orders that marks an efficient solider. Nor do they have the intelligence. During those times, their lust for killing made it hard for them to be commanded, especially when they needed to take live prisoners or discern between enemy and allies. It was generally easier to just point them in a direction you wanted them to go and let them lose. They usually killed and ate whoever or whatever they found. While they are omnivorous, they prefer meat, be it human, trolloc, or animal. Human seems to be their favorite though.
Over time, it was discovered that Fades could control the trollocs with ease. It was the only thing the trollocs feared. With the Fades controlling the trollocs, the Shadow now had the fighting force it needed. With the Fades in control, the trollocs could be directed to do just about anything, including take live prisoners. They were soon organized into deadly fists consisting of one Fade and anywhere from 100 to 200 trollocs.
Outside of the military organizations, trollocs arrange themselves into tribes. They are the only constructs from the War of the Shadow know to develop a social and tribal structure. Only the males fight. The females are essentially breeding stock, but they like being pregnant. They can interbreed with humans, but simply prefer eating them to mating with them.
The trollocs also fashion their own crude weaponry and armor.”
‘Lina turned to her class, “Now, I want you to tell me what are the throwbacks of trollocs, what are three animals human were mixed with to create trollocs, and what is the only other thing that Trollocs fear almost as much as they fear Fades?”
Response:
Growing up in Cairhien, Havelocke had only ever heard about Trollocs as myths, fairy-stories to frighten children into obedience. However, his own research, and what he had seen since he had left his home led him to believe that to discount Trollocs as mere fables would be a fatal error, but he knew from experience that people in general often ignore things that frighten them, even if the danger is right before their eyes.
Havelocke drunk in the information Sheralina gave on the Trollocs, then, to answer her questions, thought back to what he knew of Trollocs. In answer to her questions, he wrote on his paper:
"Aginor formed Trollocs by mixing humans with animal stock, which included, but was not limited to eagles, bears, and wolves (which is one of the reasons that people believe that wolves are creatures of the Shadow, although in fact, they are not). Occasionally, instead of giving birth to Trolloc children, Trolloc parents will birth a throwback to either the animal or the human side of their ancestry. The animal throwbacks are not equipped to survive, and die quickly, while the human throwbacks are markedly more sinister. They are the Myrddraal. Finally, the one thing that Trollocs fear as much as their Myrddraal commanders is the dead city of Aridhol, known today as Shadar Logoth. Toward the end of the Trolloc Wars, and entire army of Trollocs mysteriously disappeared within the city ruins. Since that time, no Trolloc has entered the city, which makes Shadar Logoth a refuge from Trollocs, thought what does live there is rumored to be even more sinister."
Havelocke looked over his work, and nodded once, satisfied, before handing it in to Sheralina.
‘Lina turned to the class, “Today we are going to go over the Myrddraal. The Fades look remarkably like men safe for a few very distinct differences. The first being that their skin is not pink, like ours, it is the dead fish belly white of a slug found under a rock. Their hair is a black that lacks the shine of human hair as well as the texture. They do not have facial hair.
“The most distinct difference is in their face. They have no eyes. In fact, where the eyes should be, there is nothing but a flat space. There are not even any depressions where the eyes should be.”
She turned back to the board and began to write as she spoke, “Fades are the human throwbacks of the Trollocs. Due to the taint of the Shadow, they all look as I described. There is no variation that is known. They all look alike.
“Even though Fades have no eyes, they have the site of an eagle in the brightest sunlight or the darkest shadow. In addition to sight without eyes, the Fades can move great distances through Shadows. No one knows how this is accomplished.
“One theory is that due to their manner of creation, they exist only partly in this world. Evidence to support this theory is that Fades only show up as a misty form in mirrors and their cloaks are never disturbed by the wind, not matter how strong it is. It seems that a Fade’s only weakness is a fear of running water. They avoid crossing rivers, streams, or channels whenever possible. Only great need will force them to cross running water, but that is not proof against them. If it is only a casual pursuit, meaning they are not actively hunting you, it will generally stop them.
“Possibly the greatest weapon of the Fades is their eyeless stare. The stare can cause even the most powerful of warriors to be paralyzed with fear.
“This, however, is the only thing that keeps the Trollocs in line. It was also discovered that Fades could link with a large number of trollocs, creating the fists. This allows the Fades to completely take over the trollocs’ minds and wills. This created the deadly fighting units that the Shadow had originally hoped for in the trollocs.
“The Fades’ fighting style, armor, and weapons are more sophisticated than those of their parents. They were black articulated plate designed in multiple overlapping strips over black gambeson and breeches. This gives maximum protection and freedom of movement while enhancing their serpent like demeanor.”
‘Lina again turned back to the class. Snow had walked over to sit at her feet. All the wolves seemed to be a bit restless with the topic of this lesson.
“Now we come to the sword of the Fades. These are unlike most swords. They are carefully forged by shadow-forgers. These beings were created just to forge these awful blades. The weapons are forged of high quality steel. The weapon is carefully crafted, quenched in ink-dark, tainted streams of Shayol Ghul, and ‘seasoned’ with a human soul.
“The smallest scratch from one of these dark blades brings slow and painful death to the victim. The wounds fester and will not heal without the aid of the One Power. Even in the hands of a trolloc, these blades are dangerous, but with the training of a Fade, they are doubly so. These black blades make them practically invincible.”
She turned back to the board to write out today’s assignment. “I want you to tell me at least three other names for Myrddraal and why the Fades are considered the weak link in a fist of trollocs.”
Response:
Liam was highly uncomfortable with the subject of this lesson. He hated and feared the Myddraal. It was scary to think of the way they could travel by shadow. Living close to the Blight he had learned more than he wanted to know about Shadowspawn, but at least he knew some of their weaknesses. He quickly wrote down his response to ‘Lina’s assignment. He enjoyed her class, but he wanted to go down to the Channeling Yard after this.
---Eyeless; The Myddraal---
The Myddraal are also known as Fades, Eyeless, Shadowmen, Lurks, and many other names. Fades are the weak links in a trolloc fist because if one kills the fade who leads the fist, all the trollocs will die as well. This is due to the bond between both the trollocs and the Fades.
She sat on her desk as she waited for her students to arrive. She did not have long to wait. She smiled at them all. Some were her friends while others were people she hoped to get to know better.
When everyone had found their seats, 'Lina stood and unrolled a fresh picture. This she put up to the two already on the wall. It was a carefully drawn picture of a Draghkar. It appeared to be a tall, thin, pale-skinned man with a long leathery looking black cloak. She pinned up a second picture with the creatures wings unfurled. Its human looking hands were tipped with sharp talons and it's feral grin showed sharp teeth. The creature's face was gaunt with large dark eyes. Eyes that were larger than any human's. Its mouth was a brilliant blood red.
She moved to the board and began to write as she spoke, "Today's class is on the Draghkar. These are the Shadow's silent airborne assassins. They were created by Aginor about the same time that he created the trollocs.
"Now, the Draghkar does not fight very well. With his thin lightweight body, it is not really suited for it. Many feel that this is the most feared of the Shadow's creatures. This is because the Draghkar has the ability to lure its prey into its lethal grasp.
"It does this with a song. It is like a siren whose song leads sailors to their death on the rocks. Its song is a soft, irresistible crooning that compels its victims to approach. Its touch is not fatal, but survivors are usually better off dead."
She turned back to the class, "Now, today, I want you to tell me first what does a Draghkar do to its victim before it kills them, and second, how would you fight such a creature?"
Response:
Draghkar 'kiss' their victims before they kill them. A draghkar's kiss sucks the soul out of a person leaving only the shell of a body. The body dies soon afterwards and while alive exists in a zombie-like state.
The best way to fight a draghkar would probably be with by attacking it from behind if it is occupied with a victim. Swords, a well aimed spear, or arrows would work nicely.
Sheralina looked around at her class. They seemed to be enjoying the lessons, or at least she hoped they were. She smiled softly, though still nervously as she pinned up the picture of today's discussion. It was a picture of a large dog.... thing. It was vaguely hound shaped, but much larger and very black. She has bemoaned the fact that she did not have a black dark enough to capture the true color of the Darkhound.
She again turned to the board, as was her custom. She found that it made things easier if she wrote down what she was saying. It also meant she did not have to look at everyone in the class. It made her nerves a bit easier to deal with.
"Today's lesson is on the Darkhounds. Not every creature was made to resemble humans in some way. The Darkhounds were created as guard beasts around the time of the War of Power. In later years, they were used to hunt down the enemies of the Dark One. They are quite large, weighing in at around 250 to 300 pounds and are as large as ponies. They hunt in packs of ten or twelve. They are usually only sent out in single packs as they have a tendency to turn on one another.
"It is thought that they were shifted a bit in reality when they were created. This seems to explain why they leave no mark of their passage on the softest ground, but leave prints in the hardest stone. Often they smell of sulphur.
"Darkhounds are poisonous. Their blood as well as their saliva carries the poison. The slightest bite kills. One drop on the skin can kill. It is not pleasant as it is both slow and very painful.
"Darkhounds are notoriously hard to kill. Since the Breaking, and the loss of the Age of Legends technology, only the 'surest hand with bow or sword has any chance.' The problem is, this may not be true any longer. There are rumors of a new breed of Darkhound that can only be killed by the One Power."
She turned once again to the class, "Today's assignment, tell me the weakness of a Darkhound and tell me if you think the reigning theory that they exist slightly in this reality is true or not."
Response:
Liam wrote down some quick notes. He adored the class despite the fact that shadowspawn, the creatures of nightmare, were its topic. Liam scratched his head in thought before answering
"A darkhounds weaknesses, are technically none, although, a Darkhound will stop if you cross running water. Still, I think it could continue to pursue you since most rivers have bridges," Liam said. "I think that they exist only partially in this reality because, like Myrddraal, they seem to go against what is normal in this reality by leaving footprints in stone, but not in something typical like soft earth."
Liam sat down and hoped that 'Lina accepted his answer. He wasn't so sure that he was right.
'Lina got to class just before her students arrived. She had left the wolves in her room as she had run in to get her notes. Her training class had lasted a bit longer today to go over a couple of more difficult forms. Her hair was still dripping slightly from the quick wash she had given herself at the well. She had just enough time to pine up a picture of a fairly nondescript man before her class arrived.
She turned immediately to the board and began writing. Once the class settled down, she began to speak. "Today's lesson is on the Grey Men. These are the Shadow's favored assassins. They are also one of the Shaodowspawn we have the least amount of information on.
"Unlike everything else we have spoken of so far, Grey Men were not constructs or breeding projects gone wrong. Grey Men were ordinary men and women who pledged not only their life to the Dark One, but their soul as well. Unlike regular Darkfriends, they actually gave their souls to the Shadow. The people, to all intents and purposes, are dead. They move around and think, but the no longer truly live.
"The Grey Men are extremely effective assassins. For some reason, their lack of a soul seems to give them the ability to hide literally in plain sight. Most searchers gazes look right over them. In most cases, their victim does not even notice them until it is far too late. There have been many cases where witnesses have seen the victim fall, but failed to see the attacker.
"The Grey Men are primarily men, though there are a few women. As far as anyone knows, they were primarily used as assassins during the War of the Shadow and still are today. No one knows what induces these people to give up their very souls to the Dark One, though the number discovered shows that the promise must be very powerful indeed."
She turned to face the class, "Now, I want you to give me another name for these assassins as well as how you would defend against them. I also would like your speculation on what could possibly be worth giving your soul away."
Response:
Liam's head jerked up when he heard the assignment. It was going to be a challenge and require some research, but he was always up for a good challenge.
__Gray Men__
Gray Men are also known as the Soulless. There is no true way to defend against them, but if you get close enough to confront one *shudder* you can kill them the same way you would another person, although it the One Power can kill them as well.
The promise of protection under the Dark One or Immortality might be enough for some to sell their souls.
When everyone had arrived, she stood and smiled, "Today is our final day together. I hope that you have enjoyed my class and have learned something from it. Today is also the dreaded final."
She smiled as she heard everyone groan as she passed out the test.
1) What are the weaknesses of the various Shadowspawn we talked about today? Name at least three different Shadowspawn.
2) What is the best way to defeat a fist of trollocs?
3) Who was the creator of the Shadowspawn?
Extra Credit: What is a gholam?
Response:
Liam received the test from Sheralina. He could sense the anxiety of the students in the room. It was good that he had studied his notes and taken some out a book from the library on Shadowspawn before this.
1)What are the weaknesses of the various shadowspawn we talked about today? Name at least three different Shadowspawn.
2)What is the best way to defeat a fist of trollocs?
3)Who was the creator of the Shadowspawn?
Extra Credit: What is a gholam?
_______________________________
Test answers
1. A Fade's weakness is running water. Only under extreme circumstances will a Fade cross it. Trollocs' weakness is that their fist dies if the fist leader Myrddraal is killed. Darkhounds are weak against running water like Myddraal. Finally, Gray men have no known weaknesses although they can be killed by normal weapons and the One Power.
2. The best way to kill a trolloc fist is to kill the Myddraal leading the fist. All the Trollocs will die if the Lead Myddraal is killed.
3. The Forsaken, Aginor, was the creator of all the Shadow spawn except for the Gray Men.
Extra Credit: The gholam are the most dangerous of the Shadowspawn. There were six that were created. Three were made in made to look like women and three to look like men. They were designed to kill Aes Sedai and they cannot be hurt by the One Power. Gholam caanot be harmed by normal weapons and can slide into rooms by going up drainpipes or oozing under doors since they are boneless. Once set on their quarry they persist in pursuing it. One gholam is known to have survived the Breaking of the World.