Maerad

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Maerad is the principle character of the first two books of Pellinor: The Gift, and The Riddle by the fantasy writer Alison Croggon. Maerad was born into the Inner Circle of the School of Pellinor. Her 'House' (Extended family etc...) was 'sacked' by a corrupt Bard aka a Hull. In the sacking, most of Maerad's family died, all except for her brother Cai and her mother. Cai was stolen by the Hulls and taken to an orphanage, where they attempted to corrupt him to the Dark, and be a Hull like them. They changed Cai's name to Hem, to better reflect the new place he lived.

Maerad and her mother lived at Gilman's Cot, as slaves. Her mother died before Maerad reached puberty, and she lived alone, fulfilling her duties from then onwards. When Cadvan of Lirigon came through the Cot, ensorcelled in a glimmerspell to hide him, Maerad saw him, and he realised that she was an untrained Bard.

After several months travelling, Maerad's power became known and led Cadvan to suspect that she was extremely skilled and powerful, even as untrained as she was.

She later rescued a small boy named Hem from some Hulls who were killing the Pilanell travellers who had rescued him. After much talk, they realised they are related, and that they belong to the illustrious house of Pellinor.

She is fated to become the Foretold One: she who will wrest the Treesong back into the Light.

[edit] Powers and Abilities

Some members of the House of Pellinor have Elidhu blood, and as such their skill, proficiency and raw power at Bardic Magic and Magery is extremely high. The power of Pellinor allows Maerad to have incredible strength at magery, and she has used her skills in several feats. She has:

Created a living lion from a rock (never before done by a mortal)
Held up against an attack from a pure Elidhu, the Landrost
Aided in the creation of powerful magics that was impossible before her arrival,
Seen through the Illusory Veil cast by the Ice King Elidhu,
Located lost family,
Killed a Kulag, and
Simultaeneously defeated several Hulls and a Wight of the Abyss single-handedly.

She can also speak Annaren, and both the Speech, and the language of the Elidhu.