Kludd

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Kludd is a character from the Guardians of Ga'hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. He is a Barn Owl, and also goes by the names Metal Beak and High Tyto.

Kludd is the brother of Soren and Eglantine. However, unlike the other two, Kludd was always a violent hatchling who disobeyed his parents rules and was rude to Mrs. Plithiver, their nest maid. Kludd was fascinated by the concept of battle and by battle claws, and was soon recruited into the foul organization known as the Pure Ones. Kludd rose quickly in the ranks, and proved himself both by offering Soren and Eglantine for his Special ceremonies, which resulted in Eglantine's capture by the Pure Ones and Soren's by St. Aggie's.

Kludd continued to rise through the ranks, until finally he challenged the former High Tyto for dominance. Kludd was victorious, but his face was badly wounded. Undaunted, he turned his disfigurement into an advantage, having a Rogue smith replace his face with a metal mask and taking the name Metal Beak. His new name began to strike terror into the owl kingdoms, and he set about fulfilling the goals of the Pure Ones.

Kludd's plans were thwarted time and again. First, a St. Aggie's patrol abducted many young Pure One recruits, including Eglantine. When the Pure Ones pursued, the resulting battle ended up exposing the existence of Kludd's group to the Guardians. Again undaunted, he captured the revered Ezylryb, hoping to use his knowledge to take over the owl kingdoms. Once again the Guardians intervened, and Kludd did battle with his own brother. Soren's flaming branch weapon knocked off Kludd's mask, and his identity compromised, Metal Beak flew off, swearing vengeance.

His mask still damaged, Metal Beak lands on the shores of a lake, and faints. A fishing owl named Simon comes by and takes Kludd into his hollow. Over the next few days, he nurses Metal Beak back to health. In return, Kludd murders Simon and flys off from the hollow. Kludd decides to go seek a rouge smith and gets a new mask. Metal Beak goes off, with a new mask and renewed strength, to rejoin the Pure Ones.

After rejoining the Pure Ones, Kludd planned an attack on the Great Ga'Hoole tree with his mate, Nyra. They attacked with thousands of Pure Ones and hireclaws, but were repulsed. Seeking another advantage, Kludd led an army of Pure Ones to attack St. Aggie's, taking it over. The organization began plans for another attack, only to find themselves under siege by the owls of Ga'Hoole and their allies from the Northern Kingdoms. During the fighting, Kludd battled Soren, but died when Twilight sliced through his spine with an ice splinter.

Kludd's bones were later burned in the fashion of great warriors, a ritual called the Marking ceremony. His scroom would return to haunt his son, Coryn, urging him to return to the Pure Ones.