The Malloreon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Malloreon is a five part fantasy book series written by David Eddings, which follows The Belgariad.
- Guardians of the West (ISBN 0-345-35266-1)
- King of the Murgos (ISBN 0-345-35880-5)
- Demon Lord of Karanda (ISBN 0-345-36331-0)
- Sorceress of Darshiva (ISBN 0-345-36935-1)
- The Seeress of Kell (ISBN 0-345-37759-1)
While the story concludes in The Malloreon, minor events occur in the prequels Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress, which otherwise cover the history of the world.
See also: The Rivan Codex
Contents |
[edit] Setting
As the sequel to The Belgariad, The Malloreon is set in the same world. The following articles describe aspects of this shared setting.
The Malloreon greatly expands on several aspects of the setting, especially the eastern continent of Mallorea.
[edit] Series books
One of the criticisms leveled by some at the series is that it feels almost exactly like The Belgariad. Within the story, the characters notice that they seem to be doing the same things all over again, theorizing that this repetition is part of the battle of destinies that controls their world.
[edit] Guardians of the West
| Author | David Eddings |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Malloreon |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
| Released | 1988 |
| Media Type | Print ( ) |
| Pages | 448 (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-35266-1 |
| Preceded by | none |
| Followed by | King of the Murgos |
At the end of the previous series, The Belgariad, Garion has slain the evil god Torak and thinks that his major problems are over. Initially this seems true, with the first half of the book concentrating on the first eight years of Belgarion's reign, going through many minor problems including Queen Ce'Nedra's seeming infertility, a civil war in Arendia, and an assassination attempt. All of these problem sort themselves out without much trouble.
But the universe being what it is, Belgarion and his wife Ce'Nedra can't be left to live in peace for long. One day, the Orb warns him, "Beware Zandramas!" Their infant son is kidnapped, leading Garion, Polgara, Belgarath, and their other companions on a continent-spanning chase to recover him and save the world again.
Eventually Brand, the Rivan Warder, is accidentally murdered by assassins aiming to kill Ce'Nedra and her new son Geran. The assassins are traced back to the Bear-cult, who have taken over several cities as their base of operations. Riva and the other western nations take military action against the Bear-cult, but while Belgarion and the others are engaging in battles, Geran is kidnapped. Although Belgarion's suspicion falls upons the Bear-cult, it turns out the kidnapping was carried out by Zandramas, who is the new Child of Dark. Additionally, it turns out that the leader of the cultists is actually Harakan, who serves Urvon, a former disciple of Torak.
At this point they experience a visitation from Cyradis, the seeress of Kell and the one who will have to make the ultimate choice between the Light and the Dark in the last meeting of the two necessities. Garion is told who he is to take on his quest: Belgarath, Polgara, Ce'Nedra, Errand (later revealed to be Eriond), Durnik and Silk. He must also take some people who he has never met. He is given their descriptions: The Huntress (Liselle), The Man Who Is No Man (Sadi), The Empty One (Zakath), The Silent Man (Toth) and The Woman Who Watches (Poledra). With these companions he must travel to the Place Which Is No More for the final meeting. While at first they are confounded by going to a "Place Which Is No More" they start out on their quest.
[edit] King of the Murgos
| Author | David Eddings |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Malloreon |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
| Released | 1989 |
| Media Type | Print ( ) |
| Pages | 316 (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-35880-5 |
| Preceded by | Guardians of the West |
| Followed by | Demon Lord of Karanda |
In the King of Murgos, Belgarion and his fellow travellers take up the chase of his kidnapped son Geran. They find out more about Zandramas, such as her meticulously covering her tracks by killing those who transport her, and of her minion, a white-eyed Angarak named Naradas. During their stay in Nyissa they recruit Sadi the master of poison and medicine. Belgarion also finds out that Geran's kidnapper Zandramas is in fact a woman. During their pursuit of Zandramas, they are captured by Murgos and brought to their king, Urgit who turns out to be a half brother of Silk.
Urgit ultimately allows them to travel south, to the Isle of Verkat. However, Garion runs into Harakan once again, and duels him until he retreats. They sail south, but their ship wrecks and they travel the island on foot. They discover that they must travel to Ashaba next, but passing a Mallorean army camp, Cyradis has Toth alert the guards to their presence, and they are taken prisoner.
[edit] Demon Lord of Karanda
| Author | David Eddings |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Malloreon |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
| Released | 1989 |
| Media Type | Print ( ) |
| Pages | 316 (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-36331-0 |
| Preceded by | King of the Murgos |
| Followed by | Sorceress of Darshiva |
At the beginning of this chapter, Belgarion and his fellow travellers are brought up to Mallorea. Belgarion meets up with the Emperor of Mallorea, 'Zakath; they become great friends during their stay. However Belgarion and his followers, needing to continue their pursuit of Zandramas, start a plan to distract the Emperor. However, a plague spreads, allowing them to slip out of the city due to the quarantine.
After escaping, they join with a travelling jester, named Feldegast (actually Belgarath's brother Beldin incognito), and head towards Ashaba. However, problems arise; the reports of demons in the country are true, as is the report of a Demon Lord named Nahaz being summoned.
Reaching Ashaba, Garion believes that he sees Zandramas and his son meeting with Urvon, and charges in, only to find out that they were illusions. A battle ensues with Urvon's forces, which ultimately results in Harakan's death, and Urvon being carried away by Nahaz. Feldegast reveals himself as Beldin, and the group continues east.
Travelling through the demon-infested country-side, and seeing horrors such as women being impregnated by demons (the birth usually results in the mother's death), the group encounters Zandramas, whom Poledra (Polgara's mother) forces to retreat.
[edit] Sorceress of Darshiva
| Author | David Eddings |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Malloreon |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
| Released | 1990 |
| Media Type | Print ( ) |
| Pages | 384 (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-37759-1 |
| Preceded by | Demon Lord of Karanda |
| Followed by | The Seeress of Kell |
The party continues their pursuit of Zandramas into Melcene, and upon reaching the university, they discover that the Sardion was once kept inside.
Belgarath finds the unmutilated copy of the Ashabine Oracles and figures out that the party must go to Kell to learn of the location of "The Place That Is No More". Garion also finds the book, and makes a disturbing discovery; in a sole moment of sanity, Torak specifically addressed him, demanding that he destroy the world, and even kill his own son, rather than let Zandramas complete her plans.
The party is recaptured by Zakath, who threatens to take Garion back to Mal Zeth with his companions as collateral. Cyradis persuades him to release the party, offering herself as a hostage, and Zakath does so and joins them on their quest.
Shortly thereafter, a female wolf and an orphaned cub join them on their quest; the she-wolf is actually Poledra.
Urvon's Karand army and Zandramas' Darshivans meet each other, as do Urvon's ally Nahaz and Zandramas' ally Mordja. The demons go after Garion's group, sensing the Orb's presence, but Aldur steps in and infuses Durnik with his own powers to increase his size. His sledgehammer at this point is implied to partake of the power of the orb much as the sword of Iron Grip carried by Garion and the awesome power of the three defeats Nahaz, banishing him to Hell, and causing him to take Urvon with him. Aldur before leaving informs Belgarath, Beldin and Polgara that Durnik is "also my beloved disciple as he was the best suited of ye", an amulet (the only one not made by Belgarath and Aldur together) is bestowed by him, with that awesome sledge's image upon it.
[edit] The Seeress of Kell
| Author | David Eddings |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Malloreon |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
| Released | 1992 |
| Media Type | Print ( ) |
| Pages | 384 (paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-345-35266-1 |
| Preceded by | Sorceress of Darshiva |
| Followed by | none |
The group makes it to Kell, and meets up with Cyradis herself. The Holy Seeress surrenders herself to Garion's group as a "hostage" and tells them that the next stop of their journey is Perivor, an island to the southwest of the Mallorean continent. Here, they will find the last clue to their journey to the Place Which Is No More.
Garion's party and Zandramas's flunky Naradas attempt to find maps in Perivor, a kingdom of shipwrecked Mimbrates, that point the way to the Place Which Is No More. However, Naradas, who disguises himself as a court minister, delays Garion by sending him on quests, but Sadi successfully poisons him, and with the aid of a Necromancer, they expose his treachery to the King and find the map. The Place Which is No More is revealed to be the High Places of Korim, an ancient temple of Torak worship.
The group sets sail to the Place Which Is No More, rests on the island, and confronts Zandramas. A battle ensues against her Grolim priests, as well as the demon Mordja, who resides inside the last dragon's body. Mordja kills the blindfolded Seeress's guide Toth, but Garion finishes off both the dragon and the demon.
The group then follows Zandramas into the Sardion's resting place, where Zandramas chooses Geran as the next Child of the Dark, while Garion chooses Eriond as the Child of the Light. Cyradis, unable to consult with her people, experiences panic until Polgara removes her blindfold so that she may see with human eyes. After a final challenge from Zandramas, Cyradis chooses Eriond, causing Zandramas and the Sardion to be turned into stars and be transported into outer space.
The Voice of Prophecy explains that the events of both books were the result of an ancient cosmic event that resulted in the Light and Dark prophecies, and that Eriond, the final Child of the Light, is not only that, but was actually the true god of Angarak all along; Torak was never supposed to be a god.
The adventurers return home, and Polgara gives birth to twins, which is ostensibly the last "repetition" that will ever happen.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Main characters
- Beldin (Also known as Feldegast when in disguise)
- Belgarion (Most often called Garion)
- Belgarath the Sorcerer
- Ce'Nedra
- Cyradis (Seeress of Kel)
- Durnik
- Errand (Later known as Eriond)
- Geran
- Kheldar (Also known as Silk, Prince Kheldar, Ambar of Kotu or Radek of Boktor)
- Liselle (Usually known as Velvet)
- Poledra
- Polgara
- Sadi (Also known as Ussa briefly near the beginning)
- Toth
- 'Zakath (Also known as Kal Zakath and later Zakath)
[edit] Important Characters
[edit] Royalty
- Anheg, King of Cherek
- Belgarion, King of Riva and Overlord of the West.
- Cho-Hag, King of Algaria
- Porenn, Queen of Drasnia. After she is widowed, she becomes the Regent of Drasnia and Co-Ruler, with her son Kheva.
- Kheva, King of Drasnia
- Drosta lek Thun, King of the Nadraks
- Fulrach, King of Sendaria
- Gethell, King of the Thulls
- Korodullin, King of Arendia
- Mayaserana, Queen of Arendia
- Oldorin, King of Perivor
- Nathel, King of the Thulls
- Salmissra, Queen of Nyissa
- Ran Borune XXIII, Emperor of Tolnedra
- Rhodar, King of Drasnia
- Urgit, King of Cthol Murgos
- Varana, Emperor of Tolnedra (Also known as Ran Borune XXIV)
- 'Zakath, Emperor of Mallorea (Also known as Kal Zakath and later Zakath)
[edit] Disciples of Aldur
- Beldin the Dwarf, considered the wisest of Aldur's disciples. Beldin is ugly and stunted, and enhances this image with his complete disreguard for his appearance. He dresses is filthy, patched, and stained clothes (which even conservative estimates put at several thousand years old); he does not often bathe and has an incredibly foul mouth. This is all subterfuge as beneath this exterior he is extremely intelligent and caring. Beldin has two preferred alternate forms, that of Blue Banded Hawk, and the Jester Feldegast.
- Belgarath The first disciple of Aldur. Like all of Aldur's disciples he was called (although he did not know it at the time) to the Vale of Aldur by the god and quite by accident discovers the power the Will and the Word. This was a trait that the God Aldur had long suspected the boy/man young Garath possessed. After his discovery of the Will and the Word Aldur takes him as his disciple, as the God Aldur did not have a people of his own. Belgarath has one preferred alternate form, that of the great silver wolf. This alternate form is fitting in that he has many wolfish characteristics to his personality. If those characteristics come from extended time in form of a wolf, or the choice of form comes from the character traits is a matter of debate. Belgarath is also considered by many the most powerful of Aldur's original disciples (Beldin, Belkira, Beltira, Belzedar, Belsambar, and Belmakor).
- Belkira One of the twin's, the other is Beltira. The two are so close that they rarely separate, and seeming share a mind as having a conversation with one is having a conversation with both. In fact most of the time one will speak the first half a sentense and the other the second half. The twins are the most gentle, patient and learned of Aldur's disciples.
- Beltira The other of the twins.
- Belmakor (deceased) Little is known of Belmakor, except that he tired of endless existence several thousand years ago before he ultimately willed himself out of existence.
- Belsambar (deceased) See Belmakor as his story and circumstances are pretty much the same.
- Belzedar (Traitor, now known as Zedar the Apostate. Currently residing in solid rock.)
- Polgara Daughter of Belgarath and Garion's "Aunt" Pol. She is the fraternal twin sister of Beldaran, Mother of the Rivan line of Kings from which Garion is descended. Polgara spends many many years (thousands) protecting and watching over the heirs to the Rivan line after Nyissian assassins attempt to end the line. She is an accomplished user of the will and the word and rivals her father Belgarath's knowledge and skill. She is also skilled in medical and herbal lore. Polgara is also an accomplished cook of great skill. Polgara prefers the form of the Snowy Owl, which was one of her mother Poledra's preferred forms. She also takes the form of a grey wolf (her mother's original form!) from time to time.
- Poledra Wife of Belgarath, Mother of Polgara and Bedaran. Poledra is the only of Aldur's disciples that was not originally human, as she was born a wolf. She falls in love (perhaps takes an interest in is a better term) with Begarath when he is on a mission for Aldur to find the God Belar, and is in the form of a wolf. She finds Begarath interesting and his ability to become a "man thing" - "remarkable". She decides to stay with him, and continues to love him. Realizing that Belgarath preferring the human form will only mate with another human, and after much observing for Belgarath's transformation from wolf to human and back, she transforms herself into a human. Begarath meets her in this form and falls in love with her. After she reveals that she is the wolf (whom Belgarath had a great affection for and had been missing while she was gone), and Begarath comments on it, she remarks that it did not seem that hard to do. Poledra's original form and the preference of wolves to mate for life might explain his preference for the form of the great silver wolf. Poledra appears to die after the birth of Polgara and Beldaran, however she did not truly die and has been on a mission for the Gods to insure the final meeting of the Child of Light and the Child of Dark takes place, that the destinies will no longer be divided. Poledra has two preferred alternate forms: the snowy owl, and human (or wolf depending on which you consider an alternate form given her unique circumstances).
- Durnik The Man with Two Lives. He is killed before Belgarion's final confrontation with the Dark God Torak. He is brought back to life by the Gods after Torak is slain. He is brought back because Polgara loves him and asks this of the Gods. Aldur points out that if she and Durnik are to be together they must be equals, and asks Polgara if she would make this sacrifice to be with Durnik. She agrees, Durnik is returned to life. What she does not know for a short time is that equality has not been achieved via loss of her powers, but rather by Durnik gaining the ability to use the Will and the Word. By the end of the Story he is really "Beldurnik" in a more correct sense. After the battle with the Demon Lord Nahaz Aldur officially declares his acceptance of Durnik as one of his beloved disciples.
- Belgarion While he typically only goes by his more simple given name "Garion", his correct name is King Belgarion of Riva, Overlord of the West. He is an accepted disciple of Aldur as well. There are hints throughout the Epic that Belgarion might be the most powerful of Aldur's disciples. There is some debate of this the argument against which is that the essence of the "Prophecy of Light" enabled him to do things beyond his natural capacity for sorcery. Belgarion's ultimate Grandfather is Begarath, Belgarath's daughter Beldaran was the wife of King Riva Iron Grip, founder of the Rivan line of Kings of which Belgarion and his son Geran are the surviving heirs. Belgarion has one preferred alternate form, that of a Grey Wolf, similar to, but smaller, than that of Belgarath's Great Silver Wolf form.
[edit] Gods
Also see: Deities in The Belgariad
[edit] External links
| Garion novels | The Belgariad • The Malloreon • Belgarath the Sorcerer (prequel) • Polgara the Sorceress (prequel) • The Rivan Codex (supplement) |
|---|---|
| Sparhawk novels | The Elenium • The Tamuli |
| Other fantasy novels | The Dreamers (series) • The Redemption of Althalus |
| Other works | Regina's Song • High Hunt • The Losers |
