Being a peaceful race, the Gelflings were initially defenseless against the Garthim. The remaining Gelfling clans became nomadic, traveling long distances to escape from the Skeksis' clutches. A large number of survivors from different clans took refuge in the caves of the Namopo Valley, where the elders debated whether or not to continue running, or hold their ground. Among the survivors was Larh, a shepherd who became the first of his kind to have killed a Garthim in combat. When scouts reported large numbers of Garthim heading towards the Valley, Larh convinced the Gelflings to stay and fight.