Shannara artifacts
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There are many magical artifacts appearing in Terry Brooks's epic fantasy[1] Shannara series.
Contents |
[edit] Books
[edit] The Druid Histories
| The Druid Histories | |
| Books | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To chronicle the history of The Old and New Worlds |
| Used by | The Druids |
| Magical properties | Each book will return itself and its holder to Paranor if threatened |
| First appearance | First King of Shannara |
| Creation | Written by the Druids |
| Destruction | Still intact and housed in Paranor (As of the end of High Druid of Shannara: Straken |
The Druid Histories, kept in Paranor, chronicle the complete history of the Old and the New Worlds, with particular focus on magical, supernatural and mystical phenomena. All Druids are historians, and one of the jobs of the Druid Order is to continuously update these histories. The Druid Histories are also protected against danger: when threatened, they immediately return to the vault where they are stored. Anyone in contact with one when this happens will also be transported, as illustrated by Cogline's escape from the Shadowen.
[edit] The Ildatch
| The Ildatch | |
| Book | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Presumably, to take over the world |
| Used by | The Warlock Lord followed by the Mord Wraiths |
| Magical properties | Various dark powers |
| First appearance | The Wishsong of Shannara |
| Creation | Unknown |
| Destruction | Destroyed by Brin Ohmsford, using the Wishsong |
The Ildatch is a book of dark magic. It is an ancient tome, first recovered in the Four Lands by the Druid Brona, who used its powers to become the nearly invincible Warlock Lord. After the Warlock Lord's defeat at the hands of Shea Ohmsford, the Ildatch disappeared, only to be found by the Mord Wraiths. In The Wishsong of Shannara, Brin Ohmsford, guided by Allanon, finally destroys the Ildatch. The Ildatch (or rather, a page from it) appears in both the graphic novel the Dark Wraith of Shannara and the short story "Indomitable." Jair Ohmsford is tasked with destroying the single page that the siblings apparently failed to destroy a few years earlier.
[edit] Elfstones
| Elfstones | |
| Purpose | Various |
|---|---|
| Used by | Elves |
| Magical properties | Different colored elfstones had different purposes, but all could be used to protect the user against magical creatures |
| First appearance | The Sword of Shannara |
| Creation | Unknown |
| Destruction | Unknown |
Elfstones are powerful magical artifacts, usually found in groups of three, to symbolize the user's body, mind, and spirit. There were many of them during the time of Faerie. Most of the Elfstones were lost after the Faerie creatures were gone. Each color of Elfstone had a property that made it unique. The user must be an Elf for Elfstones to work, and use by someone who is part-Elf can have mixed results, as shown when Wil Ohmsford, who was one eighth Elvish, used the Blue Elfstones, resulting in his descendants inheriting part of the Elfstones' magic in the form of the wishsong.
[edit] The Blue Elfstones
The Blue Elfstones, or seeking stones, were given to Shea Ohmsford by the Druid Allanon, for guidance and protection whenever all else failed. They were meant as a last resort, for when the magic activated, beings of magical power could sense their use and location. Shea used them several times, though he lost them temporarily twice: once to a patrol of Gnomes and the thief Panamon Creel, and next to the Northland while he fled Skull Mountain, but he recovered them again both times. The Elfstones were later given to Wil Ohmsford, who used them to aid the Chosen Amberle in the search for The Bloodfire. He succeeded, but the effect of his thin Elven blood resulted in part of the magic being transferred to his descendants. After several decades, almost all the Elven blood was bred out of the Ohmsfords, making it impossible to use the Elfstones. The current generation decided to return the stones to those who could use them, and they passed to the parents of Wren Elessedil. When Wren was to be left with the Ohmsfords, she was given the Elfstones, but they were disguised to look like painted rocks. She later discovered their nature while battling a Shadowen, and used the stones in the war against the evil magic. The stones were later taken on an expedition to the land of Parkasia, where they remained for years until their recovery by Ahren Elessedil. They later passed to his niece, Khyber Elessedil and used in the quest to find the missing Grianne Ohmsford.
When used as a weapon, the stones create a blue flame, whose form and strength is controlled by the wielder, and can instantly destroy all but the largest magical creatures and spells. Like most forms of magic, they exert a great toll on the wielder and when using them, the wielder must always be on guard against their destructive powers. Furthermore, against non magical foes (like soldiers or airships), they are nothing but a distracting light show with no tangible damage inflicted, as Ahren Elessedil discovered when attempting to use them versus a flock of quite normal Shrikes. One way that this may be circumvented is if the wielder uses the stones to attack a large group of magic and normal foes at once, the sheer strength of the elfstones may destroy the normal opponents as well. Also, if shielding spells are placed on something, like the Druid Warship Galaphile, the stones can be used against the guarding magic, as well as the protected artifact.
[edit] The Black Elfstone
| Black Elfstone | |
| Used by | Tay Trefenwyd, Allanon, Uhl Belk |
|---|---|
| Magical properties | drains the magic from others |
| First appearance | The First King of Shannara |
| Creation | Unknown |
| Destruction | Unknown |
The Black Elfstone is a large black gem, combining all the elements of three normal Elfstones into one talisman. The Black Elfstone is a powerful magic that nothing can stand against, for it has the power to negate other magics. However, there is a price to be paid, as the magics negated are transferred to the holder of the Stone.
This elfstone is also a potent weapon. Alone it undid a massive force (including several Skull Bearers) sent to capture it in The First King of Shannara, killing them all but inflicting terrible damage to Tay Trefenwyd, its user, as all their evil magic was transferred to him. He had to commit suicide to prevent himself from transforming into something terrible shortly afterwards.
Bremen recovered the elfstone and gave it to Allanon as a means to seal (and unseal) the Druid's Keep. At some point, Allanon hid it in the Hall of Kings. Uhl Belk later stole it from there to use against his son. Belk's use of the stone also transferred his son's magic into him, slowly turning him to stone.
After its recovery by Walker Boh, Morgan Leah, Quickening, Horner Dees, & Pe Ell in The Druid of Shannara, the Black Elfstone was the means by which Paranor was returned to the Four Lands by Walker Boh, when the magic of the Druid Well that had sealed away the keep was absorbed into him, transforming him into the next Druid.
[edit] The Loden
| The Loden | |
| Purpose | to mopve the entire city of Arborlon; was used twice. |
|---|---|
| Used by | Elves |
| First appearance | The Heritage of Shannara |
| Creation | prior to The Scions of Shannara |
| Destruction | The Talisman of Shannara |
During their later efforts to recover the magics of the Old World, the Elven people rediscovered enough magic to create an Elfstone known as the Loden. The Loden was made for the single purpose of transporting the city of Arborlon to the island of Morrowindl, where it also was used to ward off the horde of Shadowen monsters. It was then used to carry Arborlon back to the Four Lands, and after it released the city, its magic was expended, and it became a common rock.
[edit] Weapons
[edit] The Stiehl
| Stiehl | |
| Purpose | To assassinate leaders, no matter how much armor thay are wearing |
|---|---|
| Used by | Elves |
| Creation | Unknown |
| Destruction | Unknown |
One of the oldest and most feared weapons in the Four Lands, the Stiehl can kill anything and cut through any substance. It was forged in the time of the Old World, and has terrible magic infused within its blade. After years of dormancy, it was found by the young Pe Ell, who used its power to become an assassin for hire. He carried it until his death. It was not determined if Pe Ell died at the hands of the Koden, a giant bear mutated by Uhl Belk, the Stone King, or because of some after effect of Quickening's magic. The weapon was recovered from his body by Walker Boh, who locked it deep inside the Druid's Keep. It was later brought out by a treacherous Druid, who gave it to the assassin Aphasia Wye. He was later captured by the Tanequil tree, and it is unknown what happened to the Stiehl thereafter.
[edit] The Sword of Leah
| Sword of Leah | |
| Purpose | To defend the House of Leah |
|---|---|
| Used by | decendants of the Leah royal family |
| First appearance | The Sword of Shannara |
| Creation | Unknown |
The Sword of Leah is an ancient weapon carried by the family line it is named for. It first appeared in the books as being carried by Menion Leah, who used it during the search for the Sword of Shannara. Even then it was referred to as an ancestral heirloom. However, it did not qualify as a magic sword until the quest for the Ildatch, during which it was carried by Rone Leah. After repeated arguments between Rone and the Druid Allanon, Allanon decided to grant the Highlander's wish, which was to stand as his equal in protecting Brin. He had Rone dip the blade of the Sword into the waters of the Hadeshorn, changing its color to a deep black and infusing it with the magic of death. He then infused his own magic, that of life, into the blade, creating a weapon that could cut through magic. However, the Sword drew power from its user, who would became more dependent on it with every use. After the Ildatch was destroyed, the Sword was passed down in the family, its magic becoming dormant. However, it was reactivated when Morgan Leah used it against a magically sealed gate to escape from a horde of Shadowen. It was temporarily shattered, but later restored by the King of the Silver River's elemental daughter, Quickening, and was used in the final battle with the Shadowen. The Sword's magic lay dormant for another 150 years until Walker Boh came in search of Quentin Leah, the new heir to the Sword. He carried it to the land of Parkasia, and later back to the Four Lands, there to be handed down to the next son of Leah.
[edit] The Sword of Shannara
| Sword of Shannara | |
| Purpose | To make people see the truth about themselves |
|---|---|
| Used by | decendants of Jerle Shannara (the Ohmsfords) |
| First appearance | The Sword of Shannara |
| Creation | The First King of Shannara |
The Sword of Shannara is a well-known weapon in the Shannara universe with a long history. It was forged by Urprox Screl, the finest smith in all the Southland, with aid from an Old World formula provided by the outcast Cogline and the magic of the Druid Bremen. The Eilt Druin medallion was forged into the hilt, and the truth of Druids past is infused within its blade. The Sword has the power to reveal the truth about anything, from a person to a magical force. It was first carried by the Elven King Jerle Shannara, who used it in the Second War of the Races against the Warlock Lord. He was unable to wield the talisman properly, and could not garner the Sword's full power. As a result, the Warlock Lord was beaten and the second War of the Races ended, but Brona escaped. The Sword was then placed in a block of Tre-Stone and taken to Paranor. It was later stolen by the Warlock Lord's minions, but then recovered by Shea Ohmsford, who finally defeated the Warlock Lord. Shea then gave it to the city of Tyrsis, where it was kept in a vault for the next 300 years. It later disappeared, to be recovered by Par Ohmsford, whose brother Coll used it to free Par from the power of the Shadowen. Par would later use it in battle with the Shadowen. The Sword was used next by Bek Ohmsford, who carried it during his journey to Parkasia. The Sword was then given to Grianne Ohmsford.
[edit] Miscellaneous
[edit] The Eilt Druin
The Eilt Druin is a medallion cast in the Druid insignia, that of a fist holding forth a burning torch. It is the symbol of office for the High Druid, or Ard Rhys, of Paranor. The Eilt Druin was worn first by Galaphile, founder of the order, and last by Athabasca, High Druid in the early stages of the Second War of the Races. After Athabasca was killed, Bremen returned and recovered it, and it was set into the hilt of the Sword of Shannara at its forging. It was the Eilt Druin that allowed the Druid shades, gathering at the Hadeshorn, to transfer the truth they had found in life to the Sword, giving it its awesome power. The words Eilt Druin are Elven and have two meanings: either "Through Knowledge, Power" or "Through Truth, Power".
Since the original was placed into the Sword of Shannara, upon founding the Third Druid Council, Ard Rhys Grianne Ohmsford made it her business to create a new medallion, which she carried as a sign of her high office; she carried it into her final battle with Shadea and her allies. It is unknown what happened to the new medallion after Grianne dispersed the council and gave herself over to the Tanequil.
[edit] The Phoenix Stone
The Phoenix Stone is a magical stone that was given to Bek Ohmsford by the King of the Silver River in Ilse Witch. The King of the Silver River told Bek to throw it to the ground when he was in danger, however, it would shatter on impact, thus it could only be used once. On the journey to Parkasia, Bek gave the Phoenix Stone to Ahren Elessedil because at the time Ahren had no magic of his own to rely on. Walker Boh warned Bek that he should not have done this and to try to get the stone back as soon as possible. However, Bek forgot about it and soon he and Ahren were separated. But in the end Ahren used the Phoenix Stone to save himself and the seer Ryer Ord Star from the maniacal computer entity Antrax. After Ahren used the Phoenix Stone a cloud of mist surrounded himself and Ryer, making them invisible and intangible, but the stone ceased to exist. Instead of escaping, Ahren and Ryer chose to look for Walker Boh and save him, and as a result, Walker was able to destroy Antrax.
[edit] The Ruhk Staff
The Ruhk Staff is a talisman that consists of a wooden staff with the Loden Elfstone fixed to its tip. It was used to carry the city of Arborlon to Morrowindl, and was passed down through the Elessedil family. The last to carry it was Wren Elessedil, and after the Loden became an ordinary stone, its magic expended, she broke the staff over her knee.
[edit] The Staff of Power
The Staff of Power was wielded by the Demon, the Dagda Mor. He always had it with him, and with it rivaled Allanon in magical force. It could burst flames from its tip, and also allowed the Dagda Mor to see what his minions, the Changeling and the Reaper, were seeing. Since the Dagda Mor had the Staff of Power, he could sense whenever Wil Ohmsford used the Blue Elfstones. The Staff of Power was destroyed at the final battle of the Demon Wars by Allanon. Using the Staff as a conduit, Allanon unleashed Druid fire in it that worked it's way to the Dagda Mor, killing it. Allanon then broke the Staff of Power in half.
Also, in "The Elves of Cintra", the staff held by a knight of the word was referred to as a staff of power, though because it was not unique, may have just been a term to describe the nature of the weapon, as more than just a symbol of office.
[edit] The Darkwand
Used by Pen Ohmsford to rescue his aunt, Grianne from the Forbidding. It was created from the magical Tree called the Tanequil. To make it he had to give up two of his fingers and the person he loved most, Cinnaminson, had to become an aeriad. The Darkwand responds to Pen's needs, and helped him on his quest into the Forbidding
[edit] References
- ^ Speakman, Shawn (2008). Terry Brooks' official website. Retrieved on 2008-05-02.
