Shadowspawn

Lore & Background

Originating in the Age of Legends during the War of Power, Shadowspawn were crafted using the True Power to oppose the Aes Sedai and the Creator. The Trollocs serve as the foot soldiers, bred with immense strength but minimal intelligence, while Myrddraal act as their officers. These pale, tall humanoids can sense channelers and strike terror into the hearts of men. Fades are another distinct type, capable of mimicking human appearance through illusion to assassinate or spy. Unlike Trollocs who cannot speak well, Fades communicate fluently but wear masks that hide their true faces. All Shadowspawn share a deep hatred for the Light and are bound by an unbreakable loyalty to the Dark One, making them relentless enemies. Their existence is tied to the strength of the Shadow's influence over the world. As the Bore was opened during the Breaking, their numbers swelled significantly. They cannot easily enter Tel'aran'rhiod without aid, yet they remain a constant threat in the physical realm, haunting forests and besieging cities until the final confrontation.

In Their Own Story

The forest floor trembled as the first Trolloc stepped from the shadows, its massive claws tearing through the underbrush. Behind it, a Myrddraal watched with eyes like black pits, sensing the faint warmth of living souls nearby. There was no speech between them, only a silent command flowing from master to beast. The moon above seemed dimmed by their presence, choked by the gloom they carried in their very skin.

Reader's Guide

The hierarchy of the Shadowspawn is rigid and absolute, flowing directly from the Dark One himself. At the apex stand the Forsaken, fallen channelers who wield the True Power to command these beasts. Below them lie the Myrddraal, twisted humanoids serving as officers and terrorizers capable of sensing the flow of the One Power. The bulk of their forces consists of Trollocs, mindless brutes bred for slaughter, alongside the deceptive Fades who wear masks and wield illusions. Their primary goal is the total annihilation of the Light and the victory in Tarmon Gai'don. They seek to corrupt all living things and spread the darkness across the world. Internal conflict is rare among them; fear of punishment from their masters keeps discipline ironclad. A Trolloc that disobeys a Myrddraal faces death, often at the hands of its own kin. Their impact on the world is catastrophic. They have razed cities, slaughtered armies, and poisoned lands with their very presence. The Shadowspawn represent the physical manifestation of evil, forcing humanity to unite against an existential threat that cannot be reasoned with or bargained for in any meaningful way.

Did You Know?

• Myrddraal were originally human beings before being transformed by the Dark One's power.
• Trollocs are unable to speak the common tongue fluently and often communicate through grunts.
• Fades wear porcelain masks that can be removed, revealing a faceless void beneath.
• The Gholam is a unique Shadowspawn capable of shifting shape but cannot channel.