Myrddraal

Myrddraal are accidental creations of Trolloc reproduction, throwbacks to the original human genetics. Where Trollocs are stupid, unskilled and undisciplined, Myrddraal are intelligent, deadly fighters capable of command.

Physical Appearance

• They have the appearance of an extremely pale eyeless man, wearing black clothes and a black cloak.

Fighting Skill

• Myrddraal are deadly, agile fighters, easily besting all but the very best fighters in single combat. Even then, the chance of a fatal injury off the Myrddraal’s Thakan’dar blade is highly likely. In the Borderlands, killing a Myrddraal in close combat is so rare that doing so earns one the title of Dreadbane, no matter how wounded the Myrddraal was beforehand.
• Has enough skill to fight almost evenly with a blademaster.
• Kills two Aiel fighting together.
• Kills seven soldiers experienced in fighting Trollocs and Myrddraal.
• Three Myrddraal fighting together is a roughly even match against seven Aiel.
• Fights an entire pack of seven wolves, and manages to kill six of them before dying.
• After being attacked by a dozen Trollocs, a single Myrddraal kills at least seven of them before dying itself.
• Two Myrddraal kill a hundred archers after catching them by surprise.
• A few hundred Myrddraal easily overwhelms pike square formations.

Strength

• Causes extreme pain by gripping a man’s arm.
• Picks up a man and throws him across a room.
• Almost strong enough to break out of significant amounts of steel chain.
• With one hand, casually lifts a woman.
• Rips a man’s face off with one hand.
• Snaps two necks simultaneously, using one hand each.

Speed

• Faster than a striking viper.
• Moves as fluidly as a serpent, striking quicker than a blacklance.
• Casually blocks a dagger throw from thirty paces.
• Dodges spear thrusts.
• Slides between pikes and whips deadly swords.
• Can stop moving instantly.

Durability

• No-sells multiple arrows, spear thrusts and a knife to the face.
• Can die to lots of arrows.
• Tanks two spears in the chest and a knife in the throat.

Intelligence

• Can speak.
• Capable of field command.
• Thought to be able to write as well as an educated human.
• Myrddraal successfully trick a great captain with their tactics.
• After becoming a target for the enemy, smart enough to disguise itself amongst Trollocs.

Abilities

• Exceptional sight in both day and night conditions.
• Takes a long time to die.
• Gaze of fear: Myrddraal cause overwhelming fear with their presence, enough to cause most people to freeze up and do nothing. It is less effective, but still works without eye contact.
• Shadow walking: Myrddraal can teleport between shadows, as long as they know where they are going. For reasons unknown, they do not use this ability while fighting.
• Trolloc Link: A Myrddraal can link with a number of Trollocs, completely overriding their bestial nature and taking control of their minds and wills, to create a deadly, well-disciplined fighting force. If it is killed, the Trollocs sharing the link die with it.
• Channelling sense: Myrddraal can sense channelling, with the range being based off how much of the One Power is being used.

Equipment

• Thakan’dar Blade: The blade is cursed and even a scratch will eventually prove lethal, causing crippling pain and death. Wounds caused by the blade require magic to heal, and will not heal normally. In addition, the blade is extremely sharp, able to treat layers of cured bullhide as if it were paper.
• Tooth and Nail: Myrddraal have extremely sharp teeth and nails, of comparable sharpness to swords.
• Articulated Plate: They wear black articulated plate designed in multiple overlapping strips over black gambeson and breeches, which gives maximum protection and freedom of movement while enhancing their serpentlike demeanor. A black cloak with deep cowl is worn over the armor and often covers the sword—their primary weapon—as well.

Weaknesses

• The most consistent way to beat one without taking a hit is all out offense.
• Deep running water: Trollocs and Myrddraal loathe deep water, Trollocs are terrified of it. Neither can swim. A Halfman will not wade anything more than waist deep, especially if it’s moving.

Miscellaneous

• Appears blurry in mirrors.
• A Myrddraal’s cloak does not move in the wind.
• A Myrddraal’s blood will etch metal if it is not cleaned off soon.