Seregahl

The Seregahl, also known as the Wrath Wielders, were the five Toblakai gods of the Tarthenal.^[1][2] They were not worshiped by the Tarthenal to draw their attention and blessings, but instead sacrifices were performed to turn their gazes away and keep them from manifesting.^[3] When the Tarthenal were conquered by the Kingdom of Lether, their last acts were to die defending their shrines, terrified not of the attackers, but of the unleashing of their own gods.^[4]

In Midnight Tides

The Seregahl were imprisoned within the Azath Tower of Letheras since the time of the K'Chain Che'Malle.^[5] When the tower began to die near the time of the Seventh Closure, they began killing their fellow prisoners while warning Kettle, the Azath House's guardian, that they would kill her when they escaped.^[6][7] Despite their power, they avoided the furious Sheltatha Lore while the god of the Jheck, known as The Pack, escaped the slaughter because of its speed.^[8][9]

Kettle told Bugg of the Seregahl's plans and Tehol Beddict's manservant tried to think of a way to stop their escape.^[10] The House itself worked on releasing the bonds of Silchas Ruin, a powerful captive but one who might help its cause.^[11] On one of Bugg's visits with Kettle, the Seregahl spoke to him and attempted to dominate his mind. But they were appalled by what they found there and quickly relinquished. Bugg called the gods Toblakai and warned them that killing Kettle would unleash the Forkrul Assail hiding within her.^[12]

On the day of the Seventh Closure, Bugg secured the help of Iron Bars to face the Seregahl. The Crimson Guardsman arrived just in time for the Seregahl to emerge from the ground. They were described as five huge figures, their flesh darkened by peat and their skin mapped by the tracks of countless roots. Their dangling hair was the colour of copper and their skin was hard thick over muscle that was tough as wood. They each carried massive two-handed swords of black, polished wood.^[13][14] And their blood was black.^[14]

When Iron Bars faced the Seregahl, he told them that he had already killed the Pack that day. They let slip that the Pack had previously escaped their own efforts due to the Pack's speed.^[15] Having been diminished and held at bay by Iron Bars and Corlo, the Seregahl were eventually killed by Silchas Ruin and the half-Tarthenal, Ublala Pung.^[16]

In Reaper's Gale

Ublala Pung witnessed the arrival of Karsa Orlong to Letheras and rushed to tell Tehol Beddict. He described the Teblor as one of the pure bloods, like the Sereghal. But whereas the Sereghal were fallen pure bloods, Karsa was worthy of worship. He predicted that once the Tarthenal learned of his arrival, they would gather in the city.^[17]

In Fall of Light

It was revealed that the Seregahl had been Thel Akai warriors who had foresworn all family ties and who were held in contempt by other Thel Akai who felt that the Seregahl had 'slain their own honour' . They demanded to be the vanguard of the army against death. It transpired that they had faced Haut a number of times sharing, as Haut put it, 'opposing victories' .^[18]

In order to possibly get rid of the unwelcome Seregahl whilst at the same time providing necessary power to an Azath House, Hood challenged them to enter its yard to prove themselves worthy of the vanguard. The Azath had already claimed nine of Haut and Hood's kin in the past and they hoped that their kin would deal with the eleven Seregahl.^[19]

The Seregahl were severely mauled in the attack on the Azath with five of them being claimed by the Azath and another one slain by Siltanys Hes Erekol as they re-emerged. One of the previously trapped Jaghut, Gethol, escaped and told Hood that he thought the five would be enough.^[20]

Notes and references