Khergud

The khergud are biologically augmented Shu Han soldiers designed to capture Grisha. Created by Fabrikators dosed with jurda parem, khergud are constructed from the bodies of those who have died. They are heavily modified, the most notable addition being rapid-beat wings made of metal and canvas, as well as increased senses and a layer of metal skin.

History

"There was talk that the process did something else, that the soldiers brought into the program emerged changed in terrible ways, that the khergud lost some fundamental part of themselves through the conversion, as if the pain burned away a piece of what had made them human." — The consequences of becoming khergud, Rule of Wolves

The Queen of Shu Han, Makhi Kir-Taban, and her adviser, Minister Yerwei, created what is known as the Iron Heart program. It entailed the recruitment of soldiers to unknowingly become khergud. However, the government never acknowledged the program in any way.

One of the khergud laboratories was located in a former slaughterhouse and divided into three areas: a dormitory for the Grisha, one for the khergud, and a last section for the transformation. Later, the khergud soldiers from this laboratory join forces with Bergin and Tamar Kir-Bataar to locate the others and save the Grisha inside.

The bodies of two khergud soldiers were taken from Ketterdam and brought to the Little Palace for study. There, the Ravkans discovered that the metal used to plate khergud bones was a combination of Grisha steel and ruthenium, an extremely rare and more durable metal.

Transformation

The process of becoming khergud is incredibly painful. As a result of the process, the soldiers who undergo it are permanently changed into something other than human. The process involves having Grisha steel fused to the bones, and some have mechanical wings attached to one's back. Each khergud is paired with a Grisha Fabrikator under the influence of jurda parem, although they sometimes die before their work is complete.

Metal horns were attached to the forehead of one khergud soldier. In the same facility, Reyem Yul-Kaat was given metal pincers as a new experiment.

Abilities

Smell

Khergud possess an incredibly powerful sense of smell, able to effectively track the scent of Grisha from a distance. However, a more powerful scent can sometimes irritate their senses, such as when Jesper Fahey and Nina Zenik applied coffee extract to themselves, causing a tracking khergud to become confused.

Strength

They are stronger than the average human, likely due to their metal implants. They also have brass knuckles implanted into their hands.

Flight

They use large metallic wings to fly, with flight resembling that of a hummingbird.

Intelligence

Khergud have a certain amount of intelligence and are capable of speech and speech recognition, as shown through a khergud soldier's interactions with Jesper in the cathedral. After Bergin brings Reyem Yul-Kaat back to his senses, he is able to think for himself and make decisions like before.

Known Khergud

• Harbinger
• Locust
• Nightmoth
• Scarab

Trivia

• Despite being known as the Kherguud in Crooked Kingdom, their name is changed to khergud in King of Scars, dropping the second "u".
• Ruthenium, the metal the Grisha steel is alloyed with to enhance the khergud skeleton, comes from Ruthenia, the Latin word for Russia, the country which most of Ravkan culture is derived from.