Depiction of a Shadow-Forger.
Shadow-Forgers are man-shaped entities which work in the forges of Thakan'dar. Demandred refers to them as forgers (lower case). It is assumed, though never stated, that they were also created by Aginor.
Appearance and Abilities[]
They are man-shaped and seemingly made of stone, having skin hard enough to turn aside swords.[1][2] They move extremely slowly and are very strong. Demandred is not able to tell one forger from another.[1] They have dead eyes and cannot speak.[2]
They are not truly alive.[1] and are rumored to become fierce when provoked. This may not be true as they do not appear to show resistance against Aviendha and her group of channelers when they storm the forge, showing only "a hint of confusion".[2] Aviendha, by her own admission, did not wish to wait to test that rumor.
Transported any distance from Shayol Ghul, they simply turn to stone or dust. They can also be killed by the water in which they quench their blades, which is poisonous enough to kill anyone who touches it. Demandred notes that they take great care in not touching it.[1] Aviendha kills one by decapitating it with a weave of Fire, after which it turns to dust.[2]
We do not know how they are made, nor how, or even if, they reproduce.
Thakan'dar blades[]
It is known that they forge the black-bladed swords used by Myrddraal.[1] Moiraine also says that Trolloc weapons are also made there, presumably also by Shadow-Forgers.[3] Avienda recalls being told that they "worked the Shadow's forges", so it's reasonable to assume all weapons and armour are their work. The forge itself is described as "massive".[2] Demandred thinks that he had never seen less than fifty prisoners waiting to give themselves to the Great Lord of the Dark.[1]
The process of making the black blades involves quenching the steel, then tempering it by dipping the blade in the waters of Thakan'dar and finally commiting human sacrifice with the new blade. The sword is a pale white color after quenching, but the waters turn it "dead black".[1] The final stage "finishes" the blade, but it is not certain how. It may be to do with the soul of the victim. It is also not known if only the forger can complete this process and they have abilities similar to other constructs like the Nym, albeit for a darker purpose. Moiraine says that the weapons "make wounds that will not heal unaided, or cause deadly fevers, strange sicknesses that medicines cannot touch". This, or so Moiraine claims, is due to the taint of Shayol Ghul, but it is not clear if this comes from the water or the final act of killing committed by the forger.
Thakan'dar-wrought blades dissolve away after some time.[verify]
Parallels[]
The Shadow-Forgers resemble Golem from Jewish folklore, animate beings moulded from clay which can become dangerous under certain circumstances. Jordan also uses the name with the Gholam and the Gho'hlem Trollocs, although the Shadow-Forgers are closer in appearance.