A Study on Gholam
Recent reports from Ebou Dar have led to a request for this study. The Lord Dragon, may he be blessed by the Light, has requested that the Cairhein Library assemble all knowledge on a reclusive Shadowspawn known only as a "gholam." Fortunately a new scroll has been discovered that may shed some light on this creature.
"Gholam" has no known meaning within the Old Tongue. Before the scroll was unearthed in Tear, only two men had ever spoken of it. One was the Lord Dragon, the other Lord Matrim Cauthon. Both were unavailable for commentary. If not for their words, or for the scroll, "gholams" would be unknown. Not even the Aes Sedai have records of their existence. Due to the nature of this Study, what follows should not be taken as empirical fact, but rather as a series of logical deductions.
Shadowspawn were tailored for their uses. Trollocs were creatures of brute force, Myrddraal the intelligence behind them. Draghkar can lure in anyone without access to the Power. Records of "jumara" show creatures with an ability to shift forms at will, and mentions of "cafar nests" are always soaked with the writer's own blood. As useful as they were, each fell short of the ultimate goal during the War of Power. None were a challenge to an Aes Sedai of significant strength. At some point in time, Aginor decided to make a concentrated attempt to fashion a creature that could do so.
The challenges inherent within such a process are readily apparent. Such a creature would need immunity to a wide variety of flows. It must be able to perform on other levels (speed, strength and dexterity) to such a degree that no guards around the Aes Sedai could stop it. The creature would need to be able to sense its target within a wide area. The ultimate challenge was to keep it within control. If such a being ever slipped loose from the Shadow's control, slaughter would follow.
Aginor, as always, delivered. The result is the creature called Gholam. Able to move faster than any ordinary man, flows of the Power "slick" right off. A deadly killer, it can track users of the Power for miles.
Other than that, next to nothing is known of these creatures. Six were made, three males and three females. All were sterile; to prevent breeding that might result in unmanageable numbers. One Gholam is known to be active at the moment, though the scholars of this Study doubt all six are still active. The known Gholam is of average height and slender build, and tends to wear gray. Unfortunately, that is all the Cairhein Library knows.
How to Spot a Gholam
Keep alert for any unusual fluidity. Gholam are made without bones (see Theories below), and as such can move in ways impossible for any human to match. A rash of unexplained murders may also show a Gholam on a hunt. Although single-minded in pursuit, a Gholam needs to feed off of fresh blood. Ripped out throats, combined with bodies drained of blood are a good sign that a Gholam is in the region. Any man with an unusually circular scar in the shape of a medallion is suspect.
How to Fight a Gholam
Run.
Theories
Reports from Ebou Dar indicate that one Gholam is currently on a hunt. The target is apparently still alive, as the rash of murders has yet to subside. The murders are not equaled anywhere else at the current time. Therefore, the scholars contributing feel that only one Gholam survived into the present day.
Gholam are said to have no bones. While this would explain the fluid nature they show at times, it does not explain the time where they are upright. Several answers present themselves. One is that the Gholam is a shapeshifter, akin to what the jumara were rumored to be. The problem with the theory is that Gholam are universally described as appearing a certain way. The scroll recovered is quite specific that there were three fashioned in the shape of each gender. The reference would be incongruous if the Gholam could assume any shape they wished.
Another theory is that Gholam have bones, but are able to break and repair them at need. While possible, it seems unlikely. Gholam have been known to escape through a chink in a brick wall after making a kill. Even broken bones might impede progress.
The third theory is the most sound. While Gholam have no bones, they may have a substance known as "cartilage" forming structures within them. Found within all mammals, cartilage comprises of the connectors between one bone and the nest. The best example of cartilage is the nose. From the point where the nose meets the skull, trace down until the bone gives way to a hard substance. Press down or waggle as needed to feel the cartilage shift. Unlike bones, cartilage can shift and change shape as pressure deforms it. Once the pressure is released, the cartilage snaps back into place. A creature whose skeletal structure is composed entirely of cartilage is possible, but unlikely. It would explain how the Gholam could squeeze under doors and through cracks.
Victims
Apart from the nameless deaths in Ebou Dar recently, the Gholam has killed the following:
Janira of the Kin
Melore of the Kin
Wat of the Red Hand
Corevin of the Red Hand
Lawdrin Mendair of the Red Hand
Tad Kandel of the Red Hand
Lord Nalesean of House Aldiaya
It also has recently been announced that a Gholam killed our college, Herid Fel. The Light guide his soul to rest.
One final speculation: Lord Barthanes of House Damodred was found murdered in his room, torn limb from limb. The death bears the trademark signs of being Gholam induced. Lord Barthanes left the Library a sum in excess of ten thousand gold in his will.
Recent reports from Ebou Dar have led to a request for this study. The Lord Dragon, may he be blessed by the Light, has requested that the Cairhein Library assemble all knowledge on a reclusive Shadowspawn known only as a "gholam." Fortunately a new scroll has been discovered that may shed some light on this creature.
"Gholam" has no known meaning within the Old Tongue. Before the scroll was unearthed in Tear, only two men had ever spoken of it. One was the Lord Dragon, the other Lord Matrim Cauthon. Both were unavailable for commentary. If not for their words, or for the scroll, "gholams" would be unknown. Not even the Aes Sedai have records of their existence. Due to the nature of this Study, what follows should not be taken as empirical fact, but rather as a series of logical deductions.
Shadowspawn were tailored for their uses. Trollocs were creatures of brute force, Myrddraal the intelligence behind them. Draghkar can lure in anyone without access to the Power. Records of "jumara" show creatures with an ability to shift forms at will, and mentions of "cafar nests" are always soaked with the writer's own blood. As useful as they were, each fell short of the ultimate goal during the War of Power. None were a challenge to an Aes Sedai of significant strength. At some point in time, Aginor decided to make a concentrated attempt to fashion a creature that could do so.
The challenges inherent within such a process are readily apparent. Such a creature would need immunity to a wide variety of flows. It must be able to perform on other levels (speed, strength and dexterity) to such a degree that no guards around the Aes Sedai could stop it. The creature would need to be able to sense its target within a wide area. The ultimate challenge was to keep it within control. If such a being ever slipped loose from the Shadow's control, slaughter would follow.
Aginor, as always, delivered. The result is the creature called Gholam. Able to move faster than any ordinary man, flows of the Power "slick" right off. A deadly killer, it can track users of the Power for miles.
Other than that, next to nothing is known of these creatures. Six were made, three males and three females. All were sterile; to prevent breeding that might result in unmanageable numbers. One Gholam is known to be active at the moment, though the scholars of this Study doubt all six are still active. The known Gholam is of average height and slender build, and tends to wear gray. Unfortunately, that is all the Cairhein Library knows.
How to Spot a Gholam
Keep alert for any unusual fluidity. Gholam are made without bones (see Theories below), and as such can move in ways impossible for any human to match. A rash of unexplained murders may also show a Gholam on a hunt. Although single-minded in pursuit, a Gholam needs to feed off of fresh blood. Ripped out throats, combined with bodies drained of blood are a good sign that a Gholam is in the region. Any man with an unusually circular scar in the shape of a medallion is suspect.
How to Fight a Gholam
Run.
Theories
Reports from Ebou Dar indicate that one Gholam is currently on a hunt. The target is apparently still alive, as the rash of murders has yet to subside. The murders are not equaled anywhere else at the current time. Therefore, the scholars contributing feel that only one Gholam survived into the present day.
Gholam are said to have no bones. While this would explain the fluid nature they show at times, it does not explain the time where they are upright. Several answers present themselves. One is that the Gholam is a shapeshifter, akin to what the jumara were rumored to be. The problem with the theory is that Gholam are universally described as appearing a certain way. The scroll recovered is quite specific that there were three fashioned in the shape of each gender. The reference would be incongruous if the Gholam could assume any shape they wished.
Another theory is that Gholam have bones, but are able to break and repair them at need. While possible, it seems unlikely. Gholam have been known to escape through a chink in a brick wall after making a kill. Even broken bones might impede progress.
The third theory is the most sound. While Gholam have no bones, they may have a substance known as "cartilage" forming structures within them. Found within all mammals, cartilage comprises of the connectors between one bone and the nest. The best example of cartilage is the nose. From the point where the nose meets the skull, trace down until the bone gives way to a hard substance. Press down or waggle as needed to feel the cartilage shift. Unlike bones, cartilage can shift and change shape as pressure deforms it. Once the pressure is released, the cartilage snaps back into place. A creature whose skeletal structure is composed entirely of cartilage is possible, but unlikely. It would explain how the Gholam could squeeze under doors and through cracks.
Victims
Apart from the nameless deaths in Ebou Dar recently, the Gholam has killed the following:
Janira of the Kin
Melore of the Kin
Wat of the Red Hand
Corevin of the Red Hand
Lawdrin Mendair of the Red Hand
Tad Kandel of the Red Hand
Lord Nalesean of House Aldiaya
It also has recently been announced that a Gholam killed our college, Herid Fel. The Light guide his soul to rest.
One final speculation: Lord Barthanes of House Damodred was found murdered in his room, torn limb from limb. The death bears the trademark signs of being Gholam induced. Lord Barthanes left the Library a sum in excess of ten thousand gold in his will.