Allanon
From The World of Shannara
Allanon during his time is the last remaining Druid and self-proclaimed protector of the Four Lands. Terry Brooks describes him as "most enigmatic character"[1] Living for nearly five hundred years due to the help of the Druid Sleep, Allanon called on the help from the legacy of the descendants of Jerle Shannara to protect the Four Lands. First Shea Ohmsford to wield the Sword of Shannara against the Warlock Lord, then Wil Ohmsford to help protect the bearer of the Ellcrys seed, and finally Brin Ohmsford to use the magic of the Wishsong against the Mord Wraiths.
A hidden and reserved character, Allanon was known to keep important pieces of information from those help asked for help from, believing that to know would inhibit free will and the change the course of events. However this often left the people feeling lied to and manipulated.
| Allanon | |
|---|---|
 Allanon by David Cherry | |
| Race: | Man |
| Gender: | Male |
| Hair color: | Black |
| Eye color: | Black |
| Loyalty: | Four Lands |
| First appearance: | First King of Shannara |
| Birth: | 12 years before the Second War of the Races |
| Death: | Unknown |
Contents |
Description
As a youth Allanon was described mostly by his eyes, "eyes so intense, so penetrating that they seemed to strip away skin." [2] with a sharply angled face. Bremen described his personality as...
| “ | Allanon was fierce in this as in all things, single-minded almost to a fault, driven to succeed. He was smart and intuitive, and his prescience did not diminish with his growth. Frequently Allanon saw what was hidden from [Bremen], his sharp mind grasping possibilities that even the Druid had not recognized. | „ |
| -- First King of Shannara (1996), pp. 484 | ||
As an adult, Flick sees Allanon as:
| “ | He was at least seven feet tall, but exceptionally lean, though ti was difficult to be certain about this, since his tall frame was wrapped in a flowing black cloak with a loose cowl pulled close about his head. The darkened face was long and deeply lined, giving it a craggy appearance. The eyes were deep-set and almost completely hidden from view by shaggy eyebrows that knotted fiercely over a long lfat nose. A short, black beard outlined a wide mouth that was just a line on his face - a line that never seemed to move. | „ |
| -- The Sword of Shannara (1977), pp. 5-6 | ||
When his eyes where visible they were merely black slits beneath the shaggy eyebrows. His hair was was cut shoulder length, long and black.[3]
Origin and History
Allanon's parents and history are not known as he does not talk about it. At the age of twelve, he is one of the sole survivors of the sack of Varfleet by the Northland army during the Second War of the Races. He survived as he was elsewhere when the attack occurred, but close enough to watch terrible atrocities occur that he has never spoken of.
Second War of the Races
He was discovered by the Druid Bremen on his way through the town to the Arborlon. The boy followed Bremen out of the destroyed town, eventually taking up with Bremen.
Early Allanon stated that he wanted to be taught to use the Druid magic and to be a Druid like Bremen. Given small tasks by Bremen, Allanon mastered them with great ease, agility and single minded determination. Allanon used his fledgling magic to save Bremen during a battle in the Battle of Rhenn. Bremen was being grabbed by the forearms by a creature from the netherworld. Being overpowered, Allanon leaped on the creatures back, put both hands over its eyes and and Druid fire exploded from his hands, wild and uncontrolled. In pain the creature let go of Bremen and he killed the creature.[4] At another point Bremen used Allanon to channel his own magic. Holding the boy, the Druid fire raced through him to the boy and then to his outstretched hands. Druid fire arced forth burning the siege machines that the Northland army had brought up. It completely burned up the towers and weapons, and their handlers. Then the magic moved to the troops of the Northland army, causing such destruction that they routed from the Valley of Rhenn.[5]
After the war, Allanon went with Bremen to Paranor and studied with him. For three years they closeted themselves away from the world and Allanon worked till he was nearly Bremen's equal in Druid magic. During this time Allanon began to call Bremen father. When Bremen slipped from this world to the other world at Hadeshorn, he entrusted with Allanon the protection of the Four Lands from the inevitable return of the Warlock Lord and the dark magic of the Black Elfstone.[6]
War of the Warlock Lord
War of the Forbidding
Quest to Destroy the Ildatch
Epilogue
References
- ^ MacRae, Cathi Dunn (1998). Presenting Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. New York: Twayne Publishers.
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 376
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1977). The Sword of Shannara pp. 18
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 443
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 448-449
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 484-489
| Druids in Shannara |
|---|
|
Allanon · Athabasca · Bremen · Brona · Cogline · Galaphile · Grianne · Kahle Reese · Mareth · Risca · Tay · Walker Boh |
| Major Characters in First King of Shannara |
|---|
|
Bremen · Jerle · Kinson · Mareth · Risca · Tay · Minor Characters |
| Major Characters in The Sword of Shannara |
|---|
|
Allanon · Balinor · Dayel and Durin · Flick · Hendel · Keltset · Menion · Palance · Panamon Creel · Shea · Minor Characters |
| Characters in The Elfstones of Shannara |
|---|
|
Allanon · Amberle Elessedil · Ander Elessedil · Changeling · Dagda Mor · Eventine Elessedil · Reaper · Stee Jans · Wil Ohmsford · Minor Characters |
| Characters in The Wishsong of Shannara |
|---|
|
Brin · Jair · Allanon · Cogline · Kimber · Rone · Garet · Mord Wraiths · Minor Characters |
