Shannara creatures
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of creatures appearing in the Shannara series of novels by Terry Brooks.
Contents |
[edit] The Races
[edit] Men
The Men, who live in the Southland, are the primary race of the Shannara novels. Most of the other races evolved from the Men after the Great Wars. Men were descended from some of the lucky ones that did not alter or mutate from the effects of the Great Wars, which Men started in the first place. A history of the race of Man can be found here.
[edit] Dwarves
The Dwarves, who live in the Eastland, were one of the races that evolved from Men. During the time of the Great Wars, the Men who would later become Dwarves hid underground to avoid the devastation above the ground. Centuries of living in caves before finally re-emerging made the Dwarves shorter than Men and gave them a great dislike of caves, as they vowed they would never live underground again. A history of the race of Dwarves can be found here. The Dwarves also fought the Federation shortly before the events of The Heritage of Shannara took place. The Federation was kept at bay by the Dwarves, as the latter employed guerilla-style tactics. However, the Federation defeated the Dwarves by sending in Creepers. In months, the war was over. The Dwarves were then enslaved and put to work in mines for the Federation. When the Federation armies were defeated at the battle of the Valley of Rhenn, the Coalition Council withdrew from the Eastland, prompted by a revolt of the Dwarves.
[edit] Gnomes
The Gnomes live in the Northland and Eastland. They are short, twisted and yellow-skinned, quarrel often, are very superstitious, and are united only under a chieftain, one for each clan. Gnomes tend to side with the Enemy, as shown when they sided with the Warlock Lord during the time of The Sword of Shannara, and when they sided with the Mord Wraiths during the time of The Wishsong of Shannara. However, not all Gnomes choose to go along with this, as seen by the Gnome character Slanter in The Wishsong of Shannara. A history of the race of Gnomes can be found here.
[edit] Spider Gnomes
The Spider Gnomes are a small group of Gnomes who live in the Darklin Reach. They are more primitive than the other Gnomes and bear an uncanny resemblance to spiders in the way they move. Superstitious in nature, they present sacrifices to the Werecreatures who live in certain areas around their village. In the series 'The Scions of Shannara', they are also seen to be helping the Shadowen. The Spiders, one of the groups of mutants in the Genesis of Shannara trilogy, are very similar in both beliefs and appearances.
[edit] Stors
The Stors are a race of Healers, considered to be the best in the world. Unlike the other Gnomes, the Stors never sided with the Enemy. Their small town, Storlock, is located in the Eastland. Wil Ohmsford is considered to be the first human to tutor under the Stors.
[edit] Urdas
Urdas are half-gnomes, half-trolls that live in the Charnal Mountains, in the Northland. They are very tribal and although they are small, in large numbers they can be very dangerous.
[edit] Trolls
The Trolls also live in the Northland. Like the Gnomes, they sided with the Enemy several times, though they helped fight against the Enemy several times also. They are territorial and have many disputes. The Trolls are very large, strong and rough-skinned. The other races tend to leave them alone. A history of the race of Trolls can be found here.
[edit] Mwellrets
The Mwellrets are a species of Troll who adapted to live in the swamp land. They are mostly resistant to magic. They returned to civilization much faster than the other races, and subjugated the Gnomes of their homeland. During the Race Wars, the Mwellrets bargained with the Warlock Lord to provide some of their Gnomes for his army in exchange for their power remaining untouched. However, they later fell prey to the Mord Wraiths, who caused them to sicken to a handful. A number of Mwellrets later served as aids to the Morgawr.
[edit] Rock Trolls
During the time of the new druid council this race of Trolls serve as Guards for the druids. They are ousted by Shea'da Ru after the Ard Rys was banished to the Forbidding.
[edit] Elves
See main article
The Elves live in the Westland. Unlike the other races, the Elves did not evolve from Men. In reality, the elves existed during the Time of the Faerie, but lived in hiding when Men came into power. The Elves only came out of hiding after the Great Wars. Many of the events during the time of Allanon concerned the elves. The Elves were always allied with the Men and Dwarves in their fight against the Enemy. During the time of the Federation, the Elves used an elfstone to move the entire city of Arborlon and the elven nation to the island of Morrowindl, until Wren Elessedil found them and brought them back to The Four Lands. A history of the race of Elves can be found here.
[edit] Half-Elves
Some Elves fell in love with humans and married, and their children were born with both human and elven blood in their veins. The most notable Half-Elf was Shea Ohmsford, the last descendant of the Shannara royal lineage. Most of Shea's descendants had some elven blood in them, but as the majority of them had children with other humans, that elven blood would be further diluted with each successive generation.
[edit] Sky Elves
The Sky Elves were a group of Elves who migrated at some point to Wing Hove, in the Westland. There they found the rocs, large birds, and were able to tame them. The Sky Elves consider themselves a different race from the land Elves. A history of the race of Sky Elves can be found here.
[edit] Ethereal creatures
[edit] Banshees
The Banshees reside in the Hall of Kings, near Paranor. It is said that their voices can turn people insane. The only people known who have been able to get past the banshees were Allanon, Shea Ohmsford, Flick Ohmsford, Balinor Buckhannah, Menion Leah, Hendel, Durin, and Dayel in The Sword of Shannara, and Walker Boh in The Scions of Shannara.
[edit] Mord Wraiths
See main article.
[edit] Mutens
Mutens are creatures of dark magic who act as guardians. They first appeared at Skull Mountain, serving as sentinels for the Warlock Lord. Later, they were resummoned by the Mord Wraiths to guard the Maelmord. They have a vaguely humanoid appearance, but have dark skin, dead eyes and are incredibly resilient. Even during the time of the High Druid of Shannara Series they are still around.
[edit] Shadowen
See main article.
[edit] Skull Bearers
See main article.
[edit] The Warlock Lord
Brona, the Warlock Lord, was a Druid who found the lost book of Dark Magic, the Ildatch, and was turned into a powerful wraith through it. For more on the Warlock Lord, see his main article.
[edit] Creatures from the Old World
[edit] Creatures of Faerie
[edit] Elementals
Elementals are living beings, built from magic. Quickening, daughter of the King of the Silver River and the Maw Grint, son of Uhl Belk are examples of such creatures.
Elementals cannot be killed by normal weapons or old age, as described during the killing of Quickening by the hand of Pe Ell. She needed to be killed by a special weapon, for which Pe Ell was used unknowingly for the wielding of his weapon the Stiehl.
[edit] Jachyra
The Jachyra is a monster race of the old world, sealed away before even the war between faeries and demons. When the Mord Wraiths come to power in the Eastland, they use their magic within the Wolfsktaag to release the Jachyras again. One lays in wait for Allanon as he journeys through the Wolfsktaag, and he defeats it at the cost of his own life. Another does battle with Garet Jax at Heaven's Well, and despite the lack of proof and the body of the Weapons Master, Jair Ohmsford believes he has beaten it.
The Jachyra's appearance is that of a man shaped beast with red skin and a thick ruff of fur about its loins. It has a cry that sounds like laughter, and its poison damages the body and soul. It relishes pain, and feeds on blood.
[edit] Old World Demons
See main article.
[edit] Mechanical creatures
[edit] Creepers
Creepers are gigantic monstrosities. They were designed by the Men of the Old World, and were used in the Great Wars. They were originally operated by humans, but later became autonomous. Most were destroyed, but a few still survived.
In the New World, The Creepers were first discovered by Federation soldiers, who used it in their war against the Dwarves. Creepers are nearly impossible to destroy, and Padishar Creel was the only human who ever managed to kill one, by stabbing it with a ballista bolt. Several others were used in battle against the Elves. In addition, entirely metallic Creepers were found in the land of Parkasia. Shadowen Creepers had magic augmentation and needed magic to live, like their masters. (The Talismans of Shannara)
[edit] The Rake
The Rake is a gigantic Creeper that lives in Uhl Belk's stone city. It is bigger, stronger, and faster that regular Creepers. The Rake is killed by the Maw Grint, after being lured to him by Pe Ell and Horner Dees.
[edit] The Creature of the Wolfsktaag
During Shea Ohmsford's quest for the Sword of Shannara, the company led by Allanon travels through the Wolfsktaag. Allanon separates from the group to go ahead, leaving markers that indicated safety or danger. At one point, the path forks, and Allanon detects a dangerous creature. Allanon leaves the marks as usual, not considering the possibility of the creature's intelligence. The creature comes to the fork and removes the markers.
Later, the remainder of the company arrive at the fork, and take the path that leads to where the creature is. Taking them by surprise, it overpowers Shea and Flick Ohmsford and stings them. However, the creature is overpowered by the efforts of the remainder of the company, and flees before it can be killed.
The creature was created by Men of the Old World, but over time became an eater of flesh. It is a misshapen monster composed of metal and biological matter, and may have been a variation of the Creepers.
[edit] Sphinxes
The Sphinxes reside in the Hall of Kings, near Paranor. Sphinxes use telepathy to lure a passer to look at them. Anyone who looks at a Sphinx is turned to stone instantly. The only people known who have been able to get past the Sphinxes are Allanon, Shea Ohmsford, Flick Ohmsford, Balinor Buckhannah, Menion Leah, Hendel, Durin, and Dayel in The Sword of Shannara, and Walker Boh in The Scions of Shannara.
[edit] Miscellaneous creatures
[edit] Asphinxes
Asphinxes were created at around the same time as the Sphinxes, however, unlike the Sphinxes, asphinxes are biological creatures. They have the form of snakes, but when they come in contact with any creature, they turn to stone, turning their victim into stone as well. Also, asphinxes are actually demons who were banished to the Forbidding along with their demonic brethren. Walker Boh came in contact with an asphinx in The Scions of Shannara, but he managed to escape by cutting off his own arm. In the world of Jarka Ruus (the Forbidding), Grianne and Weka Dart stumble upon the nesting grounds of the asphinxes. Weka Dart lures the demon wolves of Tael Riverine into the nest area keeping himself and Grianne from harm.
[edit] Caulls
Caulls are creatures who have been altered from their original form by magic. This is often used to create trackers. The first caull encountered by the heroes of the Four Lands was a Parkasian wolf turned into a Jachyra by Grianne Ohmsford, the Ilse Witch. Other caulls were brought to Parkasia by the Morgawr, and were used to track the company of the Jerle Shannara.
[edit] Gnawls
Gnawls are ferocious wolf-like creatures that live near the Wolfsktaag. One is encountered by Par Ohmsford and his companions and is described as "having the look of something that didn't have any friends."
[edit] Kodens
Kodens are very large animals that are of the same family as bears.
Walker Boh and his party encountered one on their journey to recover the Black Elfstone in The Druid of Shannara. It had been magically warped by the Stone King and made to guard the pass to his kingdom. It was blind, but its other senses made up for that. It lived in a valley strewn with boulders, and its grey fur allowed it to blend in perfectly with its surroundings. According to Horner Dees, he and a group had managed to get past the Koden once before, by running faster than the members of the party the Koden managed to catch. However, this time around Walker Boh calmly walked up to the Koden while his friends looked on in terror, and used his Druid powers to speak to the bear, telling it he would find a way to heal it if it would let him and his party pass.
Walker eventually made good on his promise, and the Koden was free. Before it left however, it chased down and killed Pe Ell, who was attempting to flee after killing Quickening, the daughter of the King of the Silver River.
[edit] Kraken
A Kraken is a large sea creature, seen in The Wishsong of Shannara. It was summoned by the Mord Wraiths in order to defeat their enemies, but was killed by a large force of Dwarves and their ally, Garet Jax.
[edit] Moor Cats
Moor Cats are large cats that can blend in perfectly with their surroundings. Several of them have been associated with Cogline: Shifter and Smoke, sibling cats belonging to Cogline during the time of Bremen; Whisper, a moor cat that answered to Kimber Boh during the time of the Mord Wraiths; and Rumor, a cat that came to belong to Walker Boh, Cogline's student. In the High Druid of Shannara series, Bandit is a moor cat that Pen Ohmsford and his company find in the Slags, and who sacrifices himself by slowing Aphasia Wye long enough for them to escape.
[edit] Tree Squeaks
Tree Squeaks are tiny creatures about one foot tall. They are extremely fast, and smart enough not to get trapped, which is what keeps them alive.
| Faun Shannara character |
|
|---|---|
| Race | Tree Squeak |
| Gender | Female |
| Hair colour | Unknown |
| Eye colour | Unknown |
| Loyalty | Wren Elessedil |
| First appearance | The Elf Queen of Shannara |
| Birth | Unknown |
| Death | Sacrificed her life to save Wren from Shadowen assassins. |
One of the Tree Squeeks, Faun, "adopted" Wren Elessedil when she visited Morrowindl, and journeyed to the Four Lands with her. Faun was later killed in an attempt on the Elf Queen's life from Shadowen assassins.
[edit] Rocs
Rocs are large birds that are flown by Sky Elf Wing Riders. The Wing Riders and their rocs came to the aid of the Elves during their final battle against the Demons. Afterwards, One Wing Rider flew Wren to the island of Morrowindl and back. In addition, Wing Riders and rocs accompanied Walker and the crew of Jerle Shannara in the Voyage of Jerle Shannara.
[edit] Sirens
Sirens are a species of tree like creature that lures travelers to within their reach with illusion and song. They attack with poison tipped claw-like appendages. Menion Leah was almost killed by a siren in The Sword of Shannara but was rescued by Hendel the Dwarf.
[edit] Splinterscats
The Splinterscats, one of the first creatures that the Elves created, resemble giant porcupines. They were created by to guard Elven farms, but after the Demons emerged, the Splinterscats lived in the wild. Like many of the creatures created by the Elves they had powers of speech and reason. One even becomes a good advisor and trustred friend of Wren Elessedil, Stressa.
[edit] Serpents
[edit] Valg
Valg, The Guardian of the Dead, is a gigantic serpent, the third guardian of the Hall of Kings, near Paranor. In The Sword of Shannara, Allanon and his friends had were forced to pass through Valg in order to continue to the other side of the Hall of Kings. It is unknown whether the Valg is still alive.
[edit] The Creature of the Mist Marsh
Some species of Kraken.
[edit] Things
Things are gigantic creatures that live in the Matted Breaks. Wren Elessedil was able to kill eight Creepers by luring them into the Matted Breaks, where they were destroyed by the Things.
[edit] War Shrikes
War Shrikes are hunting birds. They are usually small, but can grow to gargantuan sizes.
They are the natural enemy of Rocs, and were often used by villains in the Shannara series, such as Tib Arne and the Ilse Witch.
[edit] Werebeasts
Werebeasts are malicious beasts who have a resemblance to the Drakuls of Morrowindl. They appear at first as a thick mist and settle over their victim. They then lead their prey into a state of delusion by reading their prey's mind and taking the shape of a friend or familiar face. They quickly resume their mist form and repeat the process. The victim eventually is lost and tired and the Werebeast then attacks. Par Ohmsford fell victim to Werebeasts and was saved by Walker Boh and Rumor.
