Trolls in Shannara

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the Shannara novels by Terry Brooks, there are several characters who fall into the Troll species. The main categories under this are Rock Trolls and Mwellrets.

Contents

[edit] Rock Trolls

[edit] Amantar

During the War of the Forbidding, Amantar is the Maturen of the Kershalt territory Rock Troll army. He comes to Arborlon to pledge his services to Eventine Elessedil, putting an end to centuries of conflict between Trolls and Elves. His army stood alongside the Elves, Dwarves, and Bordermen in the final battles of the War, and Amantar survived to depart Arborlon with pride.

[edit] Axhind

During the War against the Shadowen, Axhind is the Maturen of a Troll army who wishes to side with the Free-born. He and several of his advisors come to the headquarters at the Jut, where they help the Free-born battle a Creeper. Axhind's forces later join the Free-born and the Elves as they battle the Federation in the Valley of the Rhenn.

[edit] Keltset Mallicos

A mute Troll who befriends the thief Panamon Creel, Keltset is a Troll of high standing. He is a member of the Mallicos family, a very respected line in the Northland. He has also won the honor of the Black Irix, the greatest award any Troll can achieve. As such, he is considered incapable of treachery and the very height of what every Troll strives for.

Keltset's family was all but obliterated by the agents of the Warlock Lord. His family protested Brona's takeover, and as such all were killed except Keltset. Keltset managed to escape, but not before he was rendered mute to prevent him from spreading his story. Fleeing the Skull Kingdom, he came upon Panamon Creel, whom he befriended and accompanied for several years. Both knew sign language, but Keltset did not reveal his history to Panamon.

Keltset got the chance to return home when he and Panamon met Shea Ohmsford, and decided to help the young Valeman in his quest. His past became a matter of curiosity to the two men when the encountered one of the Skull Bearers, which recognized and feared Keltset. Pressing on, the were captured by a party of Trolls, and Keltset was judged for bringing Southlanders into the Troll territory. Keltset revealed his identity and his past, and his efforts allowed Shea to proceed to his confrontation with Brona, the Warlock Lord.

Keltset was unable to defend Shea against Brona, but survived the former Druid's wrath and fled Skull Mountain with his friends. Before they could escape, the mountain began to collapse. Keltset held the roof of their tunnel in place long enough for his friends to escape, but was crushed beneath the mountain.

[edit] Kermadec

In the years during which the Third Druid Council was organized, Kermadec became a friend and protector to Grianne Ohmsford. He served as the first commander of her Druid Guard, and selected his successors after his term was up. Kermadec alerted Grianne to activity in the Skull Kingdom, and they both witnessed the visage of Tael Riverine. Shortly afterward, Grianne disappeared, and the Trolls were banished from Paranor.

After the death of Ahren Elessedil, Pen Ohmsford and Tagwen came to Kermadec seeking help. Kermadec and a group of his Trolls served as escorts to the company in search of the mystic Tanequil tree.

[edit] Mwellrets

[edit] Cree Bega

Cree Bega is the direct subordinate of the Morgawr. He was dispatched as commander of a group of Mwellrets meant to serve under the Ilse Witch. The Witch particularly disliked Bega, because he was more resistant to her magic than most and considered her inferior. The tension between them continued until the Morgawr himself came and brought Bega back under his command.

Following the Jerle Shannara to its hiding place on the island of Mephitic, Bega accompanied his master into the ruins of the magic fortress there. He boarded the nearly abandoned Jerle Shannara, and there confronted Ahren Elessedil. However, thanks to his combat training from Ard Patrinell, Ahren overcame Bega, wounding him fatally with his sword.

[edit] Stythys

Stythys was a Mwellret living in the time of Jair Ohmsford. He was one of the few to survive the onslaught of the Mord Wraiths, who stole the former domain and subjects of the rets. Stythys was found by a Dwarf patrol near Capaal, and imprisoned in the fortress in case he could prove useful. That time came when Jair, accompanied by the Gnome Slanter arrived at Capaal on the way to Graymark, the former home of the Mwellrets.

The company's troubles with Stythys began after he detected the magic in Jair's voice, that of the wishsong. Using his natural shape-shifting abilities, he escaped his cell and kidnapped Jair during the confusion of a Mord Wraith attack. Taking the Valeman to the Gnome prisons of Dun Fee Aran, he attempted to obtain Jair's magic. However, just as Stythys was about to discover the magic Jair had obtained from the King of the Silver River, the Valeman was rescued by Slanter and Stythys was captured by Garet Jax.

Traveling towards Graymark, the company had Stythys guide them into the Caves of Night, where Stythys could summon magic to guide them through the dangerous Procks. However, Stythys' determination to possess Jair's magic led him to surprise the company and grab Jair, holding a knife to his throat. However, thanks to the power of Jair's wishsong, Slanter's quick action in attacking the surprised ret and Garet's severing of the rope that bound Stythys to him, Stythys fell to his death in the crushing jaws of a Prock.