A study on the origins of Myrddraal
In recent years, developments along the Blight have shown the Borderlands that more knowledge of Trollocs and Myrddraal is imperative to the fight against the Shadow. Developed in conjunction with the Cairhein Library.
During the War of Power, the forces of the Shadow found themselves outmatched. Unable to entice men to their banner as easily as Lews Therin, a dangerous experiment was undertaken by the Forsaken known as Aginor. Although he had never seen actual combat, Aginor dreamed of creatures that would be the "perfect soldier". Using technology and a power source, Aginor mixed animals and humans on what is only referred to as a "genetic reprogramming." The result was what is now called Trollocs. Trollocs often top eight feet, appearing humanoid with animal parts (such as the head of an eagle or hoofed feet) and possessing enormous mounts of physical strength.
Soon after their creation, the tides of the war changed. Trollocs were bloodthirsty beyond anyone's expectations, often slaughtering and consuming all residents of an area they conquered. The mere threat of Trolloc invasion was at times enough to convince entire provinces to join the Shadow. Male Trollocs died in the thousands, and for a time it was debated whether only male Trollocs existed. A raid led by Lews Therin answered that question. Female Trollocs do exist, but spend all of their time mating and producing offspring. Their minds are wholly centered on this, to the point of not even reacting to obvious physical threats. Although the "burrow" that Lews Therin discovered was entirely destroyed, many more existed far enough behind the lines of the Shadow that extermination seemed impossible.
The forces of the Shadow stalemated briefly after Lews Therin manages to unite the remaining provinces against the Shadow and established a quick response system consisting mainly of armored jo-cars and hoverflies, as well as Traveling Aes Sedai. For a time, the two powers strengthened their grip on the lands they held. Help for the Shadow occurred unexpectedly when a genetic throwback occurred among some Trolloc offspring. The throwbacks leaned towards the human side, but the taint of the Dark One was stronger within them. Mutated by the conflicting genes, every single "Myrddraal" was uniform in appearance. Stronger than humans, but weaker than Trollocs, Myrddraal had other abilities that made them valuable to the Shadow. Although they have no eyes, Myrddraal can "see" like hawks. Another ability possessed by the Myrddraal is "shadow-shifting", a process by which Myrddraal step in-between the "edge of one shadow and the start of another." Rarely used en masse, the ability defies logic. Anecdotal rumors suggest that Aginor at one point tested nearly one hundred Myrddraal to death in an attempt to determine how they shifted. Almost never the equal of an Aes Sedai, Myrddraal were used by the Shadow as the ideal shock troops, heading detachments of Trollocs. Some "bound" the Trollocs to them as a method of control. Allowing the Myrddraal greater control over the Trollocs, it also had a weakness. If the Myrddraal were killed, the Trollocs bound to it would die as well.
After the War of Power, Trollocs and Myrddraal existed for a long time confined to the area known as the Blight. They would raid the countries to the south time after time, only truly venturing forth one two occasions: the Trolloc wars, which resulted in the loss of much historical knowledge; and against Artur Hawkwing, resulting in the largest defeat for the Shadow since the War of Power. Reports from the Borderlands suggest that the raids are dying down. Although the Border Lords appear confident that this is a result of the massive defeat recently at Tarwin's Gap, they would be well advised to remember that a similar lull occurred immediately before the Trolloc Wars.
In light of the Lord Dragon's stated goal in defeating the forces of Shadow, the Library has decided that this report should include some of the notes from the late Herid Fel. Herid Fel was found dead in his study, killed by an unknown Shadowspawn.
What did Aginor use to create the race of Trollocs? If we are to believe the accounts remaining from the War of Power, genetic technology played a large part in their creation. This alone cannot explain the Trollocs. The height changes and grafting of animal body parts are far more than the result of unscripted genetic engineering. A Power source would be ideally compatible, allowing for general changes without having to constantly refine the chromosomes. I believe that the "power source" that Mierin Eronaile was looking for when Collam Daan exploded was the Dark One, or a byproduct of his. Most likely the Power source used by Aginor was the same. Being of the Dark One, it would possess (or be made of) a "taint" similar to that described by that young man I chat with. The Power would of necessity leave a taint within the Trollocs, warping that which the Creator initially had made.
This in of itself would explain the existence of the Myrddraal. As the genome drifts further back to the human side of the spectrum, the taint perhaps strengthens, giving the new creatures additional strengths and powers. Myrddraal are sterile, however, and therefore we cannot test the results even further.
Musings by the Author
Shaidar Haran is an unusual Fade. We know from Crossroads of Twilight that he is essentially a conduit for the Dark One, a living avatar possibility. He is taller than Fades, able to block out the One Power, and can go beyond the Pattern. Because of this, I theorize that he is able to channel the True Power. So, he breaks many barriers Myrddraal have had in the past. How?
Well, one theory is that SH is a creation of the Dark One for this particular Age. In other words, take one ordinary Myrddraal, stick him in the Pit of Doom, and watch him become a Superfade! I discount this on the fact that SH appears to be bound to the Pit much as the Dark One himself is. If he were a creation, why would he be bound much as Ishmael was?
Another theory is that SH is the DO, at least as far as possible. You will note that this is different from the "avatar" theory listed below. The main flaw underneath this system is that we know the Dark One is still bound. If he was able to be free for a time, I doubt that he would waste it beating up his own Forsaken.
A third theory, and the one I ascribe to, is that SH is an "avatar" of the DO. Because of his basic nature (described below), SH is able to open a conduit for the DO. This explains the individual thoughts he appears to have, as well as the scene of confrontation between him and Mesaana. Only active occasionally, the avatar nature of him explains why he is so trusted by the Dark One.
What is the nature of SH? Simply put, he is second generation Myrddraal. Somewhere along the line, a Myrddraal either was born potent or was made potent by the Dark One. When bred again with a Trolloc, the result was SH. Most likely sterile again, it would explain his unusual abilities. If shadow-shifting, binding and eyeless sight are effects of the Taint being made stronger within the average Myrddraal, then when the taint increases again, more effects appear.
One last concept. SH's bond to the Pit exists because he was created well in advance of the sealing of the Bore. Kept a secret even from the Forsaken, he was an attempt to create a tool that would make the Forsaken obsolete, removing the danger they posed. When LTT sealed the Bore, SH was trapped very deep. Still bound, he is in a state of existence similar to that of Ishmael, able to move about for periods of time but not indefinitely. Right now he is being tested, his abilities keeping the Forsaken in line. If he succeeds… the Forsaken are no longer the Chosen, but the Failed. Perhaps we will see power struggles in the future, the Light willing.
In recent years, developments along the Blight have shown the Borderlands that more knowledge of Trollocs and Myrddraal is imperative to the fight against the Shadow. Developed in conjunction with the Cairhein Library.
During the War of Power, the forces of the Shadow found themselves outmatched. Unable to entice men to their banner as easily as Lews Therin, a dangerous experiment was undertaken by the Forsaken known as Aginor. Although he had never seen actual combat, Aginor dreamed of creatures that would be the "perfect soldier". Using technology and a power source, Aginor mixed animals and humans on what is only referred to as a "genetic reprogramming." The result was what is now called Trollocs. Trollocs often top eight feet, appearing humanoid with animal parts (such as the head of an eagle or hoofed feet) and possessing enormous mounts of physical strength.
Soon after their creation, the tides of the war changed. Trollocs were bloodthirsty beyond anyone's expectations, often slaughtering and consuming all residents of an area they conquered. The mere threat of Trolloc invasion was at times enough to convince entire provinces to join the Shadow. Male Trollocs died in the thousands, and for a time it was debated whether only male Trollocs existed. A raid led by Lews Therin answered that question. Female Trollocs do exist, but spend all of their time mating and producing offspring. Their minds are wholly centered on this, to the point of not even reacting to obvious physical threats. Although the "burrow" that Lews Therin discovered was entirely destroyed, many more existed far enough behind the lines of the Shadow that extermination seemed impossible.
The forces of the Shadow stalemated briefly after Lews Therin manages to unite the remaining provinces against the Shadow and established a quick response system consisting mainly of armored jo-cars and hoverflies, as well as Traveling Aes Sedai. For a time, the two powers strengthened their grip on the lands they held. Help for the Shadow occurred unexpectedly when a genetic throwback occurred among some Trolloc offspring. The throwbacks leaned towards the human side, but the taint of the Dark One was stronger within them. Mutated by the conflicting genes, every single "Myrddraal" was uniform in appearance. Stronger than humans, but weaker than Trollocs, Myrddraal had other abilities that made them valuable to the Shadow. Although they have no eyes, Myrddraal can "see" like hawks. Another ability possessed by the Myrddraal is "shadow-shifting", a process by which Myrddraal step in-between the "edge of one shadow and the start of another." Rarely used en masse, the ability defies logic. Anecdotal rumors suggest that Aginor at one point tested nearly one hundred Myrddraal to death in an attempt to determine how they shifted. Almost never the equal of an Aes Sedai, Myrddraal were used by the Shadow as the ideal shock troops, heading detachments of Trollocs. Some "bound" the Trollocs to them as a method of control. Allowing the Myrddraal greater control over the Trollocs, it also had a weakness. If the Myrddraal were killed, the Trollocs bound to it would die as well.
After the War of Power, Trollocs and Myrddraal existed for a long time confined to the area known as the Blight. They would raid the countries to the south time after time, only truly venturing forth one two occasions: the Trolloc wars, which resulted in the loss of much historical knowledge; and against Artur Hawkwing, resulting in the largest defeat for the Shadow since the War of Power. Reports from the Borderlands suggest that the raids are dying down. Although the Border Lords appear confident that this is a result of the massive defeat recently at Tarwin's Gap, they would be well advised to remember that a similar lull occurred immediately before the Trolloc Wars.
In light of the Lord Dragon's stated goal in defeating the forces of Shadow, the Library has decided that this report should include some of the notes from the late Herid Fel. Herid Fel was found dead in his study, killed by an unknown Shadowspawn.
What did Aginor use to create the race of Trollocs? If we are to believe the accounts remaining from the War of Power, genetic technology played a large part in their creation. This alone cannot explain the Trollocs. The height changes and grafting of animal body parts are far more than the result of unscripted genetic engineering. A Power source would be ideally compatible, allowing for general changes without having to constantly refine the chromosomes. I believe that the "power source" that Mierin Eronaile was looking for when Collam Daan exploded was the Dark One, or a byproduct of his. Most likely the Power source used by Aginor was the same. Being of the Dark One, it would possess (or be made of) a "taint" similar to that described by that young man I chat with. The Power would of necessity leave a taint within the Trollocs, warping that which the Creator initially had made.
This in of itself would explain the existence of the Myrddraal. As the genome drifts further back to the human side of the spectrum, the taint perhaps strengthens, giving the new creatures additional strengths and powers. Myrddraal are sterile, however, and therefore we cannot test the results even further.
Musings by the Author
Shaidar Haran is an unusual Fade. We know from Crossroads of Twilight that he is essentially a conduit for the Dark One, a living avatar possibility. He is taller than Fades, able to block out the One Power, and can go beyond the Pattern. Because of this, I theorize that he is able to channel the True Power. So, he breaks many barriers Myrddraal have had in the past. How?
Well, one theory is that SH is a creation of the Dark One for this particular Age. In other words, take one ordinary Myrddraal, stick him in the Pit of Doom, and watch him become a Superfade! I discount this on the fact that SH appears to be bound to the Pit much as the Dark One himself is. If he were a creation, why would he be bound much as Ishmael was?
Another theory is that SH is the DO, at least as far as possible. You will note that this is different from the "avatar" theory listed below. The main flaw underneath this system is that we know the Dark One is still bound. If he was able to be free for a time, I doubt that he would waste it beating up his own Forsaken.
A third theory, and the one I ascribe to, is that SH is an "avatar" of the DO. Because of his basic nature (described below), SH is able to open a conduit for the DO. This explains the individual thoughts he appears to have, as well as the scene of confrontation between him and Mesaana. Only active occasionally, the avatar nature of him explains why he is so trusted by the Dark One.
What is the nature of SH? Simply put, he is second generation Myrddraal. Somewhere along the line, a Myrddraal either was born potent or was made potent by the Dark One. When bred again with a Trolloc, the result was SH. Most likely sterile again, it would explain his unusual abilities. If shadow-shifting, binding and eyeless sight are effects of the Taint being made stronger within the average Myrddraal, then when the taint increases again, more effects appear.
One last concept. SH's bond to the Pit exists because he was created well in advance of the sealing of the Bore. Kept a secret even from the Forsaken, he was an attempt to create a tool that would make the Forsaken obsolete, removing the danger they posed. When LTT sealed the Bore, SH was trapped very deep. Still bound, he is in a state of existence similar to that of Ishmael, able to move about for periods of time but not indefinitely. Right now he is being tested, his abilities keeping the Forsaken in line. If he succeeds… the Forsaken are no longer the Chosen, but the Failed. Perhaps we will see power struggles in the future, the Light willing.