# Ghak — At the Earth’s Core character guide

> Ghak in At the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the taciturn Ghak

**First appearance:** 0003-iii-a-change-of-masters

## Snapshot

A taciturn Sarian warrior whose quiet strength and unerring sense of direction make him an invaluable ally in a world without stars.

## Who they are

Ghak the Hairy One is a captive among the Sagoths, but his bearing marks him as a leader of his people. He watches David's actions closely, and his approval or disapproval carries weight among the prisoners. When David proposes escape, Ghak's willingness to risk death for a chance at home makes him the kind of companion the inner world rewards.

## Relationships

### [Dian the Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/dian_the_beautiful)

_friendship_

Dian and Ghak are close allies and fellow Sarians, sharing mutual respect and loyalty.

### [The Sagoths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_sagoths)

_rivalry_

Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.

### [Hooja the Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/hooja_the_sly_one)

_rivalry_

Ghak distrusts and opposes Hooja, seeing him as a traitor to their people.

### [The Mahars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_mahars)

_rivalry_

Ghak is a primary leader in the rebellion against the Mahar rulers.

### [Hooja the Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/hooja_the_sly_one)

_rivalry_

Ghak distrusts and opposes Hooja, seeing him as a traitor to their people.

### [Dian the Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/dian_the_beautiful)

_friendship_

Dian and Ghak are close allies and fellow Sarians, sharing mutual respect and loyalty.

### [The Sagoths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_sagoths)

_rivalry_

Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.

### [The Mahars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/the_mahars)

_rivalry_

Ghak is a primary leader in the rebellion against the Mahar rulers.

## In the story

### [IV: Dian the Beautiful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/iv-dian-the-beautiful)

Chained ahead of Dian; reveals that Dian is his niece and explains the custom of releasing a slave by raising a hand; warns that escape from Phutra is nearly impossible.

### [Slaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/v-slaves)

Reluctantly agrees to escape plan; demonstrates homing instinct for navigation.

### [The Beginning of Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/vi-the-beginning-of-horror)

Accompanies David and Perry; separated during the stampede.

### [VII: Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/vii-freedom)

Briefly recalled as the one to whom David passed the eyes and entrails of a fish, highlighting their shared experiences.

### [IX: The Face of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/ix-the-face-of-death)

David remembers Ghak fondly and wishes to reunite with him.

### [XI: Four Dead Mahars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xi-four-dead-mahars)

Awaits with Perry, ready to assist in the escape.

### [Pursuit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xii-pursuit)

Leads the group out of Phutra and toward Sari; refuses to abandon Perry, carrying him in his arms to speed their flight.

### [The Sly One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xiii-the-sly-one)

King of Sari; carries Perry to safety up the left canyon while David leads the Sagoths away.

### [Back to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/chapters/xv-back-to-earth)

Commands the right flank of the battle line against the Sagoths and Mahars, leading Sarian archers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters/ghak
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/at_the_earth_s_core_se/characters