Barak (Belgariad)

Barak is a fictional character in the David Eddings book series The Belgariad followed by The Malloreon. An intimidating Cherek warrior, he is the Earl of Trellheim, a Clan Chief of the Chereks, and a cousin of Anheg, King of Cherek. He is known as the Dreadful Bear in the Mrin Codex and other similar texts.

He is tall and muscular with red hair. He has a luxuriant beard and extensive body hair, causing his friend Silk to remark that he must be the son of a bear. Despite his brutish appearance, booming voice, and love of good ale, he is a highly intelligent and emotional person. He usually wears a mail shirt and carries a war axe and broadsword, often using both weapons simultaneously in battle.

Barak is Belgarion's protector and turns into a bear whenever Belgarion is in danger. Although alarmed and confused at first, Barak eventually becomes proud of this interesting attribute. It is passed down to his son, Unrak, who transforms whenever Garion's son Geran is in danger during The Malloreon.