Skull Bearer
From The World of Shannara
Skull Bearers minions of the dark Warlock Lord during the First and Second War of the Races, and the War of the Warlock Lord. The Skull Bearers were Druids once upon a time, but they were subverted by the Ildatch along with Brona, who would later become the Warlock Lord. They "sacrificed their humanity" to become "winged black destroyers"; but in doing this, they tied themselves to their master, the Warlock Lord, and became his "dread minion[s]". As a result, when he died as a result of Shea Ohmsford using the Sword of Shannara, the Skull Bearers were slain with him.
| Skull Bearer | |
|---|---|
| |
| Race: | Formerly Man |
| Gender: | Male |
| Hair color: | Unknown |
| Eye color: | Red |
| Loyalty: | Warlock Lord, Ildatch |
| First appearance: | First King of Shannara |
| Birth: | Unknown |
| Death: | When Brona died, War of the Warlock Lord |
Contents |
Description
Like Brona they where consumed by the magic of the Ildatch. They became corrupted creatures of dark magic. Their shapes became twisted till they wear no longer the Men their originally were:
| “ | Hunched ad massive within its black cloak, claws extended before it. All sharp edges and flat planes, all hardness and bulk, it filled the corridor and seemed to suck away the very air. Red eyes burned into the three who cowered before it... Leathery wings beat softly. | „ |
| -- First King of Shannara (1996), pp. 80 | ||
Elsewhere more description is offered:
| “ | ... The hand was gnarled, and the fingers were clawed... his eyes gone as red as blood, fangs showing behind a smile as wicked as a snake's strike | „ |
| -- First King of Shannara (1996), pp. 80 | ||
Skull Bearers can fly with skill. They have been have the ability to shoot fire from their eyes, as one did when it burned out Athabasca's eyes out.[1] It is known that they possess incredible swiftness and speed in their movements that would not be apparent given their size and form. The Skull Bearers themselves generate incredible fear in a large radius from themselves on most normal men. [2]
Origin and History
The Skull Bearers where originally Druids part of the First Council of Druids. They believed as Brona did that the use of Magic is what could bring answers to the pressing questions of the Druid Council. As Brona dived further into the magic, they followed more closely with Brona. Just like Brona, as the master and group of followers delved deeper into the magic of the Ildatch the more they began to get subverted. Eventually Brona and they were Banished from Paranor with their refusal to following the dictates of the Council.
The Skull Bearers wear a silver skull pendant that they have as a symbol of their status as captains within the armies of the Warlock Lord. It became their badge of rank, and to those others in their service, the name by which they wear called.
First and Second War of the Races
During the First War of the Races, Druids that became the Skull Bearers still held onto a semblance of their humanity. As such stories and confirmation of what their parts where in the war remain difficult to locate.
During the Second War of the Races, the Skull Bearers took a more prominent role and in the form they became greatly feared for. Skull Bearers where assigned command of the most important tasks set by the Warlock Lord. A number of Skull Bearers where present at the fall of Paranor, responsible for the killing of the Druid Guard. One of the Skull Bearers killed Athabasca, the High Druid.[3][1] Another Skull Bearer lead the group of Gnome assassins that was responsible for the killing of nearly the entire Elven Royal Family, though it lost its life a battle with the Druid Tay Trefenwyd.[4] Two more of the Skull Bearers where in charge of the seeking out and finding of the Black Elfstone.They where nearly successful and would have taken it from Tay and his companions. But where thwarted as Tay used the Black Elfstone himself on these Skull Bearers and annihilated them.[5] The Skulls Bearers figured prominently in the battles with the Dwarves and the Elves. At another time, a Skull Bearer cloaked itself as a human and deceived Mareth in Culhaven, Kinson Ravenlock was able to break the magic spells of illusion, but it was Mareth's magic that destroyed the creature.
All the Skull Bearer's bodies turned to ash [6] on the defeat of the Warlock Lord at the hands of Jerle Shannara and the Sword of Shannara.
War of the Warlock Lord
Epilogue
References
- ^ 1.0 1.1 Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 86
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 180-181
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 80
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 138-143
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 243-245
- ^ Brooks, Terry (1996). First King of Shannara pp. 480
