At the Earth’s Core · Character

The Sagoths

Ape-like huntsmen in the Mahars' service, shrieking and relentless, who would rather leap from a cliff than face a cave bear.

supporting

Also known as Sagoths, relentless Sagoths, Shrieking Sagoths, the foremost Sagoth

First appearance: A Change of Masters

As a supporting figure in At the Earth’s Core, The Sagoths is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The gorilla-like guards who capture David and Perry and chain them with the human prisoners; they speak a pidgin language.

In the storyA Change of MastersOpen this moment free

The Sagoths serve as the Mahars' armed hands, tracking escaped prisoners across Pellucidar's cliffs and canyons with brutal efficiency. Their terror of the ryth, the great cave bear, exposes them as bullies rather than true warriors, and their panic turns a hunt into a rout. As David's most immediate physical threat, they embody the everyday violence that keeps Pellucidar's humans in chains.

See The Sagoths in A Change of Masters Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how The Sagoths sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Pellucidar's Human Allies

+4 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of betrayal and desp…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ghak
rivalry · negative
Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors. How this plays out →
The Mahars
professional · negative
Hooja the Sly One
professional · negative
Ghak
rivalry · negative
Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors. How this plays out →
Hooja the Sly One
professional · negative

Ghak
Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.
The Mahars
The Mahars command the Sagoths as their enforcers and soldiers, maintaining control through fear.
Hooja the Sly One
Hooja collaborates with the Sagoths as a guide and informant, serving their masters.
Ghak
Ghak leads the Sarians in conflict against the brutal Sagoth warriors.
Hooja the Sly One
Hooja collaborates with the Sagoths as a guide and informant, serving their masters.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See The Sagoths in A Change of Masters

In the story

The Sagoths appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

A Change of Masters
The gorilla-like guards who capture David and Perry and chain them with the human prisoners; they speak a pidgin language.
IV: Dian the Beautiful
Guard the slave gang; one is intimidated by David's bluff about Perry's prayers; they treat David and Perry with respect afterward.
The Beginning of Horror
Guard the slaves; drive the crowd to the arena; flee in panic when the thag leaps the barrier.
VII: Freedom
Mentioned as guards fleeing during David's escape from the amphitheater; their demoralization aids his flight.
The Mahar Temple
Mentioned as former captors of Mezops; now in truce.
Phutra Again
Guard the entrance to Phutra and capture David upon his return.
XI: Four Dead Mahars
Guard the prisoners and escort David to the experimental pits.
Pursuit
Pursue the escapees; a guard notices David's bleeding foot but is deceived by the Mahar disguise.
The Sly One
Pursue David, Ghak, and Perry; most are killed by the cave bear (ryth) after David escapes.
Back to Earth
Form the main enemy force in the battle, are defeated by David's army, and many are taken prisoner.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Sagoths unlock in the free preview.

See The Sagoths in A Change of Masters