Drode

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The Drode is a character in the Animorphs series by K.A. Applegate. He is an alien creature, described as being similar to a very dark purple dinosaur with wrinkled, pruny skin, and an oddly humanoid face. Little is known of him, but he serves Crayak, the evil being, and seems, like Crayak, to have certain supernatural powers---presumably lesser than his master, and probably given to him as a gift for service. Nothing is known of his species, except that in their language, "Drode" means "Wild card," a reference to the Drode's trickster personality. It is often implied that the Drode's first act of service was betraying his species to Crayak, so that he is now their only remaining member.

The Drode is evil, and is often sent on missions for his master Crayak. He appears to the Animorphs several times, playing mind games with them, and seems to hold a special "fondness" for Rachel due to her viciousness and drive (similar to Crayak's particular obsession with Jake, out of revenge for what Jake did to his Howler shock troops). He and the Ellimist often appear opposite each other, sniping at each other verbally and arguing with each other in attempts to draw one or more of the Animorphs to their side. Interestingly there seems to be no good equivalent to the Drode on the Ellimist's side, though the Ellimist, with his almost unlimited power, probably doesn't need one. (For that matter, there is no known reason why Crayak would need a servant either; presumably Crayak simply would rather send a messenger than directly show himself, as the Ellimist does.)

Though very powerful, the Drode has certain restrictions on what he is allowed to do, defined by the rules of Crayak and the Ellimist's "game." In The Exposed, for example, he says he is not allowed to destroy a sentient life form, including intelligent animals such as whales (it is unknown if he means for that particular mission or at all). However, he is able to find loopholes to these cosmic laws, such as destroying the Chee (who, while sentient androids, don't count as "life forms").

The Drode is similar to the trickster character in many legends, in that he has great powers and often uses them to amuse himself; however, unlike many tricksters, he is also truly evil, and has been known to express his desire for carnage and viciousness. In some ways the Drode is almost like a cartoon character---for example, pulling a giant watch out for comic effect, while giving the Animorphs a few minutes to decide to fate of the world.