First King of Shannara
From The World of Shannara
| First King of Shannara | |
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| 1996 First Edition Cover | |
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| Author: | Terry Brooks |
| Cover Artist: | Kieth Parkinson |
| Series: | Prequel to the Original Shannara Trilogy |
| Genre(s): | Epic fantasy[1][2] |
| Publisher: | Del Rey Books |
| Publication date: | 19 March 1996 |
| Pages: | 489 pp |
| ISBN: | ISBN 0-345-39652-9 (First edition) |
| Purchase: | Hardcover Softcover |
| Preceded By: | The Gypsy Morph |
| Followed by: | The Sword of Shannara |
The First King of Shannara is a 1996 epic fantasy[1][2] novel by Terry Brooks. It is a prequel to Brooks' The Sword of Shannara, set during the Second War of the Races. The novel details the destruction of the Druids at Paranor at the hands of the Warlock Lord. The escape of a small band of Druids, lead by Bremen and how this band embarks on quests to find the Black Elfstone, forge a weapon to defeat the Warlock Lord, and assign the Elves and Dwarves in the defense against the massive Northland army lead by the Warlock Lord. Many ancestors of characters from other novels in the series appear in this story.
Although this is written as a Prequel to the Sword of Shannara, this book was written nearly twenty years and Shannara books after that first seminal volume.
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Synopsis
The First King of Shannara tells the tell of the Second War of the Races, and the forging of the Sword of Shannara. It starts with the unheeded warning of the Rise of the Warlock Lord to the Druid Council, followed by its destruction at Brona's hands. It follows the quest of Bremen and a few surviving Druids in their attempt to thwart the Warlock Lord. The Warrior Druid Risca helps the Dwarves stall the Northland army. The Elven Druid, Tay Trefenwyd, joins with Jerle Shannara and seeks out and finds the Black Elfstone to keep it from Brona, only to be killed as a result of using its power. Bremen's quest to forge a sword to use against Brona, by securing the Eilt Druin from fallen Paranor. Then getting the sword forged by a master smith in the Southland, to have it imbued with power by the shades of the dead Druids at the Hadeshorn. Finally the confrontation of the Warlock Lord as it tries to defeat the Elven army at the Battle of Rhenn, only to have his army and himself defeated by the new Elven King, Jerle Shannara, wielding the magical talisman now named the Sword of Shannara.
History
Three hundred and fifty years in the past, a Druid named Brona sought out all the magic that he could find, believing it a solution to the problems that faced the Druids and the world. In searching for answers in the ancient magic of faerie, he found the ancient tome, the Ildatch, a dark and evil artifact of incredible magic. In it he found the answers to his questions. However there where those among the Druids who fought with him over his quest for magic. In the end he and his followers broke with the Council.
In the end he and his followers where subverted by the magic of the Ildatch and desired power for the sake of power. They twisted the Race of Man and used them as their tool. Their armies where stopped by the Druid Council and the combined might of the other Races. Brona and his followers disappeared, it was believed that they have been destroyed by the magic.[3]
Plot Summary
The Fall of Paranor
Warning the Druids
The story starts with Bremen meeting up the the Borderman Kinson Ravenlock after having journeyed to the Northland to confirm for himself whether the old Druid Brona, now known as the Warlock Lord is in fact alive. Kinson finds out from Bremen that this is in the case. From their meeting in the Steleheim the journey together to the Druids Keep in Paranor. Bremen tried unsuccessfully to warn and get the support of the High Druid, Athabasca. From that meeting he is told to leave the keep, in keeping with his previous banishment from the keep.
During his visit to the Paranor, Bremen visited a few of the Druids to offer warnings. One was to the chief librarian Kahle Reese. Kahle refused to leave the keep, and so Bremen gave him some magic dust, and implored Kahle to use it on the Druid Histories to make sure they do not fall into the hands of the Warlock Lord. The other was to invite the Captain of the Druid Guard, Caerid Lock. Caerid also refused saying his place was with the Druids for good or ill. Bremen also snuck to the Druid Well, to make sure the magic in the Druid Well was active to be able to defend the keep for when the Warlock Lord comes to confront the Druids. On leaving the Keep he is joined by the Druids Tay Trefenwyd and Risca, and the Druid apprentice Mareth.
The Hadeshorn and the Fall of the Paranor
The band travels south to the Valley of Shale to the Hadeshorn. There Bremen summoned the Druids from before. He spoke with the Shade of Galaphile asking for help on what they need to do to defeat Brona. He was showed four visions. One of the fall of the Druids at Paranor. One of the location of the Black Elfstone sought after by Brona. One of an elf wielding a sword with the Eilt Druin in a battlefield against the Warlock Lord. Lastly of him standing with a young boy next to the Hadeshorn visiting the Shades of Druid gone past. Afterwards the Band splits up. Tay heads to the Westland to seek out the Black Elfstone. Risca is to the Eastland to warn the Dwarves and prepare the defense against the Northland armies. Bremen, Mareth and Kinson are to journey back to Paranor to retrieve the Eilt Druin.
While at the Hadeshorn, the Druids Keep is betrayed by three from within who let the forces of the Warlock Lord into the keep. The defenders are quickly overrun, with Caerid and a small band putting up a heroic but futile resistance. Kahle uses the magic dust from Bremen to hide the Druid Histories. Brona has the surviving Druids brought before him, forcing Athabasca to call him master, but not before his eyes are burned out by a Skull Bearer, then afterwards his heart is ripped from his body. All the rest of the Druids are walled away alive in the lower depths of the keep. The three traitors are transfigured into something more powerful and hideous to deal with the possible return of Bremen. With that Brona and his forces left as the magic of the keep was responding to his presence.
On return to the keep, Bremen found Caerid barely alive, having dragged himself to the gate house, to warn the Druid that they where betrayed. And those that betrayed where still there, waiting for him. Bremen went searching for the Eilt Druin, telling the others to wait for him. Mareth and Kinson went after him anyway. Bremen retrieved the Eilt Druin and was ambushed in a stairwell. He killed one the creatures but was left drained. Mareth discovered him in time and used her magic and obliterated the two remaining creatures. And the group ran for their lives as the magic of the Druid Keep was awoken.
The Search for the Black Elfstone
Arborlon
Tay makes it to Arborlon on foot and meets up with his childhood best friend, Jerle Shannara cousin to the King of the Elves. Jerle sends Preia Starle, his partner and the one that Tay has loved since childhood, to Paranor to confirm the destruction of the Druids. On her return Tay and Jerle see the King, Courtann Ballindarroch to urge him to seek out the Black Elfstone and to send the Elven army to assist in Dwarves. That night they stand before the Elven High Council and ask for the support of the Elven nation. Surprisingly the quest is approved right away. Additionally support for sending help to the Dwarves is strong, though it is agreed that some thought needs to be placed in the matter. Tay and Jerle leave heady with success.
Walking through the palace grounds they discover a Gnome raiding party in the palace. They find all but two grandchildren are slain by Gnome hunters and a Skull Bearer. Tay battles the Skull Bearer barely saving the king. With the help of Jerle and Elven Hunters the Skull Bearer and all the Gnomes are slain. The Elven Court is in chaos, with hesitancy now to send aid to the Dwarves. Aside from the grandchildren, the only one alive is the son of the king Alyten, who was away on a hunting trip.
Ending the War Early
On Risca's way to the Eastland, he comes onto the great expanse of the Northland army. He decides to dispatch the Warlock Lord himself. He enters the camp of the enemy and travels all the way to the center of the camp where the tent of the Warlock Lord is. He pauses to ponder the reason for a lack of any guard around Brona's tent, but continues. He enters the tent and there realizes the power of the Warlock Lord, and nearly meets his death. A barely breaks the iron bands that are wrapping around him, and he flees. Creating enough confusion he manages to make it out of the camp and heads to the Eastland.
Quest for the Black Elfstone
Tay and Jerle, impatient to wait out developments at the court, gather a group of Elves to begin the quest for the Black Elfstone. Jerle hand picks 10 Elven Hunters. Preia and Retten Kipp come as trackers. And the last is the locat Vree Erreden to help in located the Elfstone. The travel on foot for the first three days, heading west to the Kensrowe Mountains. One the third day when they are reaching the outpost with horses, Retten and Preia disappear. Tay and Jerle find Retten nailed alive to the doors of the barn at the outpost. Tay uses magic to kill him and end his suffering. In their flight, Vree helps them find Preia with horses and they manage to outrun the Gnome Hunters. When entering the mountains they find the pass blocked by a party of Gnomes. They break through but not without losing half a dozen of the Elven Hunters.
Defense of the Eastland
Risca helps the King of the Dwarves Raybur come up with a preemptive plan to slow down the Northland army in the Wolfsktaag Mountains. The Dwarves set up defense in the Pass of Jade with the bulk of their forces, and have a smaller holding party in the more easily defended Pass of Noose. They lure the Northland army into combat into the passes, where their superior numbers cannot be brought to bear as effectively. Giving ground slowly the Dwarves hold for a few days. But eventually are pushed out of both passes. With no where to run and both forces of Dwarves getting pushed together, the Northlanders are eager for victory. But at the last minute, unbeknown to the enemy the Dwarves slip out and south of the passes by a route discovered eight years previously by a tracker named Geften.
Chew Magna
Vree reads Jerle's mind to find the mountain that matchs that which was in Tay's mind from Bremen's vision.
The Forging of the Sword
Storlock and Hearthstone
After retrieving the Eilt Druin, Bremen sends Mareth and Kinson to wait for him in Storlock and seek knowledge of where the once-Druid Cogline lives from the Stors. On the way there, Mareth tells Kinson more of the truth of who she is and what she comes from and what lead her to Paranor. [4] Kinson seems to accept what she says, and that he hid things without judgment. That night the two crossed the Rabb Plains in front of the Northland army and reached Storlock.
Once in Storlock, the city is investigated by a patrol of Trolls, from the Northland army. Mareth is able to get rid of the Trolls by using her magic to make her appear as a victim of the plague. They find out that Cogline is in Darklin Reach at a place called Hearthstone.
When Bremen shows up the group leaves in the morning for Darklin Reach. After a few days, Mareth shares her history with Bremen as he did with Kinson. It takes them the better part of a week to reach it. There they find Cogline. Bremen convinces Cogline to give him a formula from the old work for smithing a sword that is strong than steel and light than tin.
Forging the Sword
After Darklin Reach, the group heads to the Southland. Bremen leads them to Dechtera, an industrial city that holds some of the finest smiths south of the Trolls in the Northland. Bremen sends Kinson into city by himself to find the smith that they will use for the forging of the sword. Kinson leaves and does not return for a few days.
While he is away, Mareth tells Bremen that she believes it is he who is her father. Bremen accepts what she says, but let's her know that using the Druid Sleep has made him unable to sire children. In talking Bremen speculates that it might have been a Skull Bearer that was her father.[4]
Kinson returns to lead the other two to the smith Urprox Screl, the finest smith in the Southland. Bremen talks him into forging one last blade. Three nights later the sword is cast. Bremen imbues it with Druid magic, Kinson assists the forging, and Mareth guards the forge for the evening, likely with her magic.
Northwards
The three travel north to go back to the Hadeshorn. Bremen creates a staff from iron wood, and infuses it with magic. He gives this to Mareth for her to use to help control her magic. Upon crossing the Silver River, the King of the Silver River visits with Bremen, and Kinson learns that the Northland army believes they finished the Dwarves and now heads to war with the Elves. Bremen shared that he learned that the Ballindarrochs where killed, and that Kinson and Mareth need to go east to find and bring the Dwarves to the aid of the Elves. He will head north and bring the sword to the Hadeshorn.
The Hadeshorn
When Bremen reaches the Hadeshorn, he summons the Galaphile. The Hadeshorn reacts more violently than Bremen has ever experienced. Galaphile commands him to hold forth the sword. One by one all the Druids from the past come forward and touch the sword on the Eilt Druin. When it is done Galaphile tells Bremen that the Druids have imparted truth to the sword, to make it a weapon for use against Brona.
The Battle for the Rhenn
A New King
The party from the Chew Magna returns to Arborlon. They learned that Atylen had run off in search of the killers of his father. Jerle is in a depression having lost his best friend. Preia comes to Jerle and challenges him about his love for her. Vree comes to them both stating that he had a dream the night before where Jerle is made king and wields a sword of magic against the Warlock Lord.
Soon they learned of the death of Atylen, thus it was too Jerle's shoulder's to be King of the Elves. At Preia's suggestion, their married and adopted the two grandchildren of the Ballandarroh's as their own. He was happily supported by all. He put Preia on the High Council and made Vree First Minister. Then preparations for war began.
After many days, Bremen appeared to the new King with Urprox Screl's sword, which Jerle is expecting based on Vree's vision. Bremen tells Jerle that the weapon will use Truth against the Warlock Lord, and that he must use it against himself first and confront the Warlock Lord. Jerle is doubtful it the weapon's and his ability to do so.
Finding the Dwarves
In Culhaven Mareth and Kinson encounter a man claiming to be Mareth's father. Kinson is able to see through the ruse and attacks. The man turns out to be a Skull Bearer, whether encountered by chance or deliberately they do not know. Kinson is nearly killed by the Skull Bearer, but is saved when Mareth uses her magic to annihalate the creature. They see that the staff protected Mareth. Mareth ends up kissing Kinson.
Many days later they discover a Dwarf scout in the Ravenshorn to the East of Culhaven. He takes them to see Risca.
The Begining of the End
The next day the King marches out with the rest of his army, to the defensive positions in the Valley of Rhenn. The Northland army is camped at the foot of the valley making preparations. Upon surveying the enemy forces Jerle decides on a night time sneak attack.
The following evening a very small Elven force strikes at the Northland army, hitting it in many places. They manage to scatter the horses for the cavalry, burn many of the siege engines, and destroy much of the baggage train. Casualties are very light, and the attack is a great success. The success greatly boosts the morale of the Elven army, and delays the Northland army for ten days as they have to rebuild the engines, gather the horses, and get more supplies from the Northland. The Elves use the time gained to create many more defenses within the valley.
Defense of the Rhenn
Desperate Night Attack
After the battle with the destruction of the enemies siege weapons, scouts had reported to the Elven King that smaller enemy forces were heading both north and south working their way around the flanks of the Elven defense. The Elves had only a few days before they were surrounded. They were also nearly pushed out of the defense of the Rhenn itself in any case. Jerle decided on a desperate course of action. To attack the Northland army during the night, and hopefully breech deep enough into the enemy camp for Jerle to reach the Warlock Lord and bring the war to a conclusion one way or another. He approached Bremen asking him for magic to mark his Elven Hunters so that they may distinguish friend from foe, to which Bremen agreed.
That night the Elves began a sudden attack with very little warning. They were able to drive very deep into the enemy forces. Preia was severely injured as they made their way to the center of the camp, but urged Jerle on.
On the other side of the enemy camp, Risca, Mareth, and Kinson appeared with a scouting party of two hundred Dwarves. Originally sent to find the position and strength of the enemy forces, then find a way around to make contact with the Elves. They quickly determine that an attack by the Elves is under way. Not wanting to be left out of a good fight, Risca orders the attack.
Quickly the Dwarves are set upon by large forces. Little did any of the Elves or Dwarves know that the enemy forces were severely demoralized. As such, the night assault was having very successful results. The Dwarves had run right into the retreat line of the enemy army. In the ensuing struggle Mareth, Kinson and some Dwarves where separated from Risca and the main force.
In frustration Jerle surges forth, realizing that the Warlock Lord is retreating. He desperately tries to reach Brona before he retreats without success. In fact the Dwarven force with Risca is right in line of the Warlock Lords retreat himself. In the fight to halt him, all the Dwarves around Risca are slain, he survives but the Warlock Lord has managed to escape.
Battle on the Streleheim
After the nights fight, Jerle gave no thought and immediately took up the chase of the Warlock Lord with those Elves under his command able to join the pursuit. Preia, barely able to ride, accompanies him, Bremen in a greatly weakened state, Mareth, Kinson, Risca, Allanon, and as large an Elven force that could be mounted on horse. In all less than nine hundred joined Jerle in the chase. My midafternoon they caught up with Brona and less than a thousand of his former grand army. They were blocked in their retreat across the Streleheim by the Dwarven army under Raybur and had already attempted unsuccessfully to break through the Dwarven lines.
After a short discussion, Jerle was keen and decided to attack immediately. Jerle was able to advance on the Warlock Lord untouched as the battle began to rage around him. At first Preia was by his side, but soon she could nto continue any longer with the wounds that she had sustained from the previous night. Jerle continued on himself alone to the Warlock Lord, who beckoned him on.
When Jerle reached the Warlock Lord and he brought the sword up, the talisman activated and he was faced with the terrible truth about himself. Battered by he, he saw it, accepted it, and forgave himself for it, and grew stronger by it. Upon the first strike to Brona, the effect was immediate and obvious. The onslaught to Jerle's psyche began as the Warlock Lord sought to win and free himself. He struck at the King with words saying that he has abandoned Preia to die, like he abandoned Tay to die. In dismay and rage, Jerle began using the talisman as a weapon to kill Brona. Broma's form was destroyed in a dark heap, with a shadowy presence that fled into the mist.
During the fight Preia is nearly killed by a Skull Bearer, only saved by Jerle's defeat of the Warlock Lord. Kinson is badly injured, saved and severely scarred by Mareth magic. Risca was killed at some point during the fight, in a way not revealed. Bremen is severely over taxed by the extensive use of his magic.
With the defeat of Brona all the other surviving Skull Bearers disappear into a smokeless dark mist and disappeared. Skull Bearers turned to ash, netherworld creatures faded away and the wold ran howling across the plains.[5]
Epilogue
Mareth never uses her magic again. Kinson and her marry eventually moving to an island in the Merimdon River and start a trading post. This grows until it becomes the small village of Kern. Jerle and Preia rule the Elven nation justly and wisely. Jerle carries the Sword of Shannara till his death. Following that his son carries it for a time, and then gives it over to safe keeping in Paranor, in a block of tre-stone. Raybur rebuilds the Eastland following the devastation. He creates the Meade Gardens in central Culhaven and buries his friend Risca in the gardens. When he dies, he dies as the most loved dwarf monarch. He is buried next to his friend Risca.
Bremen and Allanon disappear from the world. Bremen spends the next three years imparting all the knowledge and skill he has to the young boy within the walls of Paranor. At the end of the three years, Allanon has mastered it all as Bremen's life is failing. They leave Paranor. As a last act, Bremen calls the magic of the Druid Well to take Paranor out of the world.
From there they go to the Hadeshorn. Bremen gives Allanon the Black Elfstone. He tells Allanon that Jerle did nto kill Brona, so he will return and Allanon must be ready for that. With that Bremen bids farewell, and summons the shade of Galaphile once more. The shade takes Bremen into the Hadeshorn.
Characters
Major Characters
- Bremen: Druid who survives Paranor and believes in the reclaiming of magic and the threat of the Warlock Lord
- Jerle Shannara: Military Court Advisor and cousin to the Elven king and best friend to Tay
- Kinson Ravenlock: Borderman tracker, scout, and warrior, friend and traveling companion to Bremen
- Mareth: Druid apprentice possessing powerful innate magic
- Risca: Last of the warrior druids, follows Bremen. Champion of the Dwarves
- Tay Trefenwyd: Elementalist Druid, follows Bremen. Recovers the Black Elfstone
Minors Characters
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References
- ^ 1.0 1.1 "Once Over" (Nov. 1977). The English Journal 66 (8): 82. National Council of Teachers of English.
- ^ 2.0 2.1 Speakman, Shawn (2008). "Terry Brooks' official website". Retrieved on 2008-05-19
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 8-9
- ^ 4.0 4.1 See Mareth's Origin and History within this site
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 466-480
| Major Characters in First King of Shannara |
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Bremen · Jerle · Kinson · Mareth · Risca · Tay · Minor Characters |
| Novels of Terry Brooks’ Shannara universe | ||||
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| Book I | Book II | Book III | Book IV | |
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| Word & Void : | Running with the Demon | A Knight of the Word | Angel Fire East | |
| Genesis of Shannara : | Armageddon's Children | The Elves of Cintra | The Gypsy Morph | |
| Legends of Shannara : | Bearers of the Black Staff | The Measure of the Magic | ||
| Prequel to Shannara : | First King of Shannara | |||
| Original Shannara Trilogy : | The Sword of Shannara | The Elfstones of Shannara | The Wishsong of Shannara | |
| The Heritage of Shannara : | The Scions of Shannara | The Druid of Shannara | The Elf Queen of Shannara | The Talismans of Shannara |
| The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara : | Ilse Witch | Antrax | Morgawr | |
| High Druid of Shannara : | Jarka Ruus | Tanequil | Straken | |
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| Shannara in The World of Shannara | ||||
| Characters — Creatures — Events — Places — Objects | ||||
