Garthim
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The Garthim are accomplices to the Skeksis in Jim Henson's film The Dark Crystal.
Part crab, part spider, these vicious, black-shelled thugs were created by the Skeksis to hunt for food, to catch peasants for converting into slaves, and usually to hunt out the Gelflings.
They are described by Habidibad.com as "Armored warriors of destruction with unbounded strength and stupidity, they serve the forces of evil. Lacking hearts, or other internal organs, they require neither food nor drink. Their only nourishment is the pleasure they derive from destruction."
The Garthim are powered by the dark magic of the Skeksis (and are therefore not living beings); they lie dormant until summoned by their masters. When awakened, the produce a loud clicking sound and, from there, do what they are told to do. Being more like machines than animals, they mercilessly attack whomever they seek, claws snapping as they close on their prey.
The animals of Thra are very mistrusting of the Garthim. They have fought against the Garthim since the Skeksis created them. The Landstriders are the foremost of the Garthim's enemies. Intelligent animals, the Landstriders, with their speed and their slashing blows, are able to cripple a Garthim before the shelled thug even realizes that it has been attacked.
The Garthim were all destroyed when the crystal was restored.
