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Post by Ilorin Sayre on Jul 13, 2009 8:21:09 GMT
The Old Kingdom Trilogy
Characters
Sabriel:
Sabriel is the daughter of Abhorsen Terciel. She's the character for whom the first book is named after and a key role in all three storylines. Young, spirited and pure of heart Sabriel is the classic heroine, thrown into an adventure. Her father has gone missing and she alone can find him. As the Abhorsen it is Terceil's job to fight the dead but with him gone, Sabriel faces challenging times fighting her way through the Old Kingdom in the search of her father's trapped spirit. After befriending Mogget, falling in love with Touchstone and defeating Kerrigor Sabriel slips into the background for the book Lirael. As the second book is set 14 years and then 18 years into the future Sabriel is then Queen of the Old Kingdom with Touchstone the King and has given birth to Ellimere and Sameth who becomes a main character in the next two books. Sabriel comes back into the foreground as the entire character list fights against Orannis aka the Destroyer in the last attempt to save the world, using the bell Saraneth
Touchstone:
The bastard prince of the Old Kingdom, Touchstone's true name isn't revealed till the end of Abhorsen. Due to failing to save his family from his evil half brother's massacre Touchstone takes his "fool's" name from Mogget without much complaint after Sabriel frees him from being imprisoned as a wooden figurehead on a funeral ship in HoleHallow. Touchstone claims to have forgotten his name like everything else until memories starts to return. Similar to Sabriel, after the death of her father, the defeat of Kerrigor and the near-death of Sabriel herself, Touchstone no longer becomes a main character but father to Sameth and Ellimere. He later appears again to fight against Orranis with Ranna, revealing his true name to be Torrigan.
Mogget:
Mogget, a Free Magic creature imprisoned within a red leather collar with a miniature Saraneth on. Mogget's true name is Yrael, and his blinding white light true form is destructive and evil. Mogget in cat form is the familiar of the Abhorsen, bound to be the current Abhorsen's servant until their death. Mogget does however reveal his true feelings and love of Life when he is freed by Sameth in the hope that he would be the small force needed to tip the balance and beat back Orannis. Mogget chooses the side of Life. Sarcastic, aristocratic and intelligent Mogget is a comical wise guardian of young and new Abhorsens.
Terciel:
Often known as Abhorsen through most of the first book Terciel is Sabriel's father and later revealed to be Lirael's also. Terciel dies in the reservoir beneath the city of Belisaere after Sabriel rescues his soul from Death. He dies in an attempt to stall Kerrigor by ringing Astareal.
Kerrigor:
Touchstone's evil half-brother, Rogirrek, bent on power and the destruction of the Charter Stones kills his own family before Touchstone's eyes. It is only later revealed that they are half-brothers and so the family is also Touchstone's. Touchstone himself is next to die when Abhorsen Terciel's ancestor and Mogget come to his rescue. The only way to save his life is to imprison him within a wooden figurehead which Sabriel later frees him from. Rogirrek is killed and sent into Death where he becomes one of the Greater Dead and changes his name to it's reverse; Kerrigor. He's the ultimate bad guy in the first book but is thwarted by Sabriel and Touchstone, only at the near expence of Sabriel's life and the massacre of many of her school mates and Magic teacher.
Lirael:
The main character in the books Lirael and Abhorsen, Lirael is brought up amongst her mother's people, the Clayr. At 14 with still no Awakening of the Sight (the ability to see the future), Lirael nearly commits suicide. Seeing her trouble Sanar and Ryelle the famous Sight twins appoint her as a librarian in the Great Library. This is where Lirael starts to stretch her wings. Reading book after book, she ventures further into the unchartered rooms of the Library, eventually facing a released Stilken. Accidentally Lirael discovers a room labelled "Lirael's Room" or in some translations "Lirael's Grave". In it she discovers a book describing the creation of Charter Skins and a Dark Mirror. It is later discovered at the end of the book Lirael that her difference in appearance, her inability of having the Sight and her unknown father all stem from her blood heritage of actually being the next Abhorsen. Terciel, is actually her father, having had a relationship with her mother shortly before he disappears in the book Sabriel, hence the large age gap between half sisters Sabriel and Lirael. After her accidental creation of the Disreputable Dog, Lirael no longer feels alone and sets off on a mission to fulfill a prophecy of her in a boat with a young man. She later meets this man, Nicholas Sayre, and fights to defeat Orannis, the Destroyer. Lirael is the first Remembrancer in centuries as well as the Abhorsen-In-Waiting; this is the occupation in which the Dark Mirror is used, and how she looks into the past to discover her true heritage.
Sameth:
Son of Sabriel and Touchstone, Sameth is thought to be the next Abhorsen when his sister Ellimere rapidly shows her abilities of becoming Queen. Terrified of Death and the Book of the Dead however Sameth is incredibly scared of the prospect of being the next Abhorsen. Sameth runs away, followed by an annoyed Mogget and sets out to meet with his friend Nicholas Sayre. This is how he meets Lirael, in fact floating in the River in a bathtub. Lirael takes him on board her ship and he takes a liking to her instantly, at first in male appreciation and later in respect for her strength and courage against Dead creatures. After Lirael's heritage and destiny are revealed it's shown that Sameth was never destined to become the next Abhorsen and he breathes a sigh of relief, free to follow his own path, which is revealed to be that of a Wallmaker. He later merges the blood of all the Defenders with Lirael's sword and the Panpipes at the end of the book Abhorsen, and stands as a Defender himself. It is he who takes the risk in releasing Mogget.
Ellimere:
Sameth's sister and daughter to Sabriel and Touchstone, Ellimere is the obvious choice for the next monach of the Old Kingdom leaving Sameth with the position of Abhorsen (a position later taken by Lirael). Ellimere is not portrayed as a main character in the story but does join the group to fight against Orannis.
The Disreputable Dog:
Created by Lirael accidentally from a statue found in the Library, the Disreputable Dog is the loyal friend of Lirael from that moment on, following her through her journey against the Destroyer. It is revealed at the end of Abhorsen that the Disreputable Dog is actually the re-incarnation of the original blood line Kibeth, one of the seven now infused in the Abhorsen's bells. Capable of shape-changing the Disreputable Dog's bark has the same affect as the Kibeth bell, the walker. She also bites off Lirael's hand when fighting Orannis to stop the pain she receives and brings Nicholas Sayre back from Death as a Charter Mage, where she then proceeds to stay.
Hedge:
The evil necromancer bent on setting free the Destroyer by bringing the two buried Hemi-spheres together and using Nicholas Sayre's plan of a lightening farm as the power to release Orannis. He meets Sameth in Death and nearly kills Sabriel's son, increasing Sameth's fear of everything evil. He later meets Lirael in the last Precinct of Death and is unable to stop himself floating up past the last Gate. Lirael however survives with the help of the Disreputable Dog.
Orannis (The Destroyer):
The evil and ultimate Destroyer of the Old Kingdom, enclosed within seven barriers under the ground in two hemi-spheres later brought together by the necromancer Hedge and infused with lightening. Escaping from his prison Orannis is only overcome by the entire cast of the books fighting against him. |
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Post by Ilorin Sayre on Jul 13, 2009 8:28:02 GMT
The Bells
The bells are the instrument used by Necromancers to raise the Dead. Each has a specific purpose. They are also used by the Abhorsen for the opposite effect. A Necromancer's bells are made of only Free Magic, which is evil and dangerous, but an Abhorsen's are instilled with Charter Magic to control those dangerous forces. If anyone is seen with bells they are assumed to be Necromancer as these are more common than the one Abhorsen.
Ranna:
The Sleeper. Used to put to sleep anyone who hears it's sound. In Orannis Binding it's rung by King Touchstone.
Mosrael:
The Waker. Used to awake Dead creatures by throwing the ringer further into Death. In Orannis Binding this bell is rung by the Clayr twins Sanar and Ryelle.
Kibeth:
The Walker. One of the two that were created by one of the magic bloods without infusing the blood's entire self within the bell. Kibeth's true spirit is later revealed to be the Disreputable Dog. The Disreputable Dog barks rather than ring a bell againt Orannis in his Binding.
Dyrim:
The Speaker. Used to loosen a stubborn tongue or to silence one forever. This bell is rung by Ellimere in the Binding of Orannis.
Belgaer:
The Thinker. Used to make someone think for the first time or to loosen them of their ability to do so. This bell is rung by Prince Sameth.
Saraneth:
The Binder. One of the strongest bells, it binds the listener to the ringers will. This is also the first bell that held Mogget captive before Ranna. This is rung by Sabriel in the Orannis Binding.
Astarael:
The Weeper. Those who hear this bell are all sent past the Ninth Gate unless powerful Greater Dead. Including the ringer. This is the death of Terciel and for the purposes of this site Sabriel. It is also the bell rung by Lirael in the Orannis Binding, however does not kill her due to it fighting against the Destroyer. |
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Post by Ilorin Sayre on Jul 13, 2009 8:31:25 GMT
The Charter/Bloodlines
The Charter Rhyme:
Five Great Charters knit the land, (five bloodlines of magical power)
Standing together, hand in hand,
One in the blood that wears the crown, (the royal bloodline)
Two in the men that keep the dead down, (the Abhorsen bloodline)
Three and Five are in stone and mortar, (the Wallmaker bloodline- the Charter Stones and Wall)
Four sees all in frozen water. (the Clayr bloodline)
The Royals:
This family was cut short when Kerrigor became one of the Greater Dead and then proceeded to kill the rest of his (the royal) family. Touchstone only escapes at the rescue of the current Abhorsen and Mogget, and the fact that his bloodline was only revealed later due to being a bastard Prince. He is the only bloodline left and then marries Sabriel and produces two heirs in the forms of Ellimere and Sameth.
The Abhorsens:
Little is told of the heritage of this bloodline, generally because it's so simple in only having one Abhorsen and one Abhorsen-In-Waiting. At the beginning of Sabriel the Abhorsen is Terciel who goes into death to rescue the soul of a still-born Sabriel. Sabriel is then the next Abhorsen after her father's death. Sameth seems to be the next choice of Abhorsen until Lirael blood is revealed to be Terciel's second daughter and the Abhorsen-In-Waiting.
The Wallmakers:
The Wallmakers have not existed since near the beginning of time. They are said to have poured their blood, souls, and existence into the Charter Stones and the Wall (Three and Five in stone and mortar). However it is revealed at the end of Lirael that due to not being the heir to the thrown or the next Abhorsen Sameth is actually of Wallmaker blood and can create things with Charter Magic.
The Clayr:
The Clayr are a bloodline of many women who are able to see visions of the future. Some have very strong abilities while others have very little, but the larger the group the better the chance of seeing a vision. This is where Lirael was brought up, miserable to the point of suicide when the Sight, the meaning of life for a Clayr, does not awaken in her, due to her (at that point unknown) Abhorsen blood. The twins Sanar and Ryelle are known to be the two most powerful of the Clayr and stand against Orannis for their bloodline.
The Bloodlines and Magic
The History:
In the beginning of the Old Kingdom there was only one kind of Magic. Free Magic. This was a dangerous and unpredictable type of magic, and the Nine Bloods decided to create order from the Magic and created the Charter. Two Bloods disagreed with this and refused to take part. It is my personal belief that one of these Bloods is Orannis. However these two Bloods are never explained. The remaining Seven decided to create the Charter. Five of these Bloods poured their heart and souls, similar to the Wallmakers, into the bells. Two however did not. One is Astarael, a womanly spirit who lives in the well of the Abhorsen's House. Kibeth is found to be the Disreputable Dog.
Necromancers:
Necromancers are the evil version and sworn enemy of the Abhorsen. They use Bells similar to the Abhorsen but their's are only Free Magic bells as opposed to the Abhorsen's which are also infused with Charter Magic. Necromancers' goals are to raise Dead spirits. Not to lay them to rest.
Charter Mages:
Charter Mages are recognisable by their Charter Marks on the forehead. The way to tell if a Charter Mark is pure rather than a necromancer sign is to touch it with your finger. Charter Mages can range from great skill to barely existent. People from the Old Kingdom are generally strong in magic whereas Ancelstieans aren't. The Bloodlines are even stronger. |
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Post by Ilorin Sayre on Jul 13, 2009 8:34:23 GMT
Precincts of Death
First Precinct
The First Precinct is merely a river, with all of the usual characteristics of Death as mentioned in previous posts. The water only rises to one's knees, making it easy to wade through. This is where the border between Life and Death lies. When a human or animal dies, one can travel into Death and find its soul, although this is not generally advised. Sabriel does so in Sabriel to revive her friend's rabbit, and Lirael also does so in Abhorsen to figure out how a royal guard had died.
The First Gate is a waterfall, also spanning the horizon. The appropriate Free Magic spell makes the waterfall thin out until a passage through it can be seen.
Second Precinct
The Second Precinct has stronger currents than the First, and also has holes in its riverbed. Previous Abhorsens and necromancers have mapped out a path to take that is free of holes.
The Second Gate is a vortex that becomes a long spiral path when the Free Magic spell is spoken. The spell stops the water from flowing temporarily, revealing terraces where the water flowed. While it seems that it would take hours to walk down the Second Gate, it is implied that time is deceptive in Death. As the traveler walks down, the water starts flowing behind them.
Third Precinct
The Third Precinct has better visibility, is slightly warmer, and the water is shallower, only ankle-deep. Foolish, inexperienced necromancers might rest here, but that would be quite unwise. The Third Precinct has waves which will stun any swept up in one. They are kept in check by the same spell that allows passage of the Second Gate. It is the only precinct that requires haste. You must run from the Third Gate to the Fourth as fast as possible before the wave catches up with you.
The Third Gate appears when the correct spell is recited, appearing as a mist doorway. It protects the traveler from the waves as the path to the Fourth Precinct appears.
Fourth Precinct
The Fourth Precinct is fairly straightforward. The current is stronger than in the First Precinct, but the only threats are wandering Dead.
The Fourth Gate is a deceptive waterfall; it looks like a drop of a few feet, and the river continues on afterwards. It is advised to step a good deal back before reciting the Free Magic spell. It makes a solid ribbon appear, described as "made of solid night," about three feet wide, spanning off into the distance. This allows one to travel over the Fourth Gate.
Fifth Precinct
The "ribbon of night" spell is not only the way over the Fourth Gate, but the way over the Fifth Precinct. The water here is too deep to wade, and has a strong metamorphic effect: anything spending time in its waters would soon not resemble its previous body. The ribbon of night is often favored by the Dead as a way to get through the Fifth Precinct. Dead often rush along the path, hoping to surprise the necromancer or Abhorsen who summoned it, throwing them into the river and rushing towards Life.
The Fifth Gate is the opposite of a waterfall - a "waterclimb." The river hits an invisible wall and floats on upwards. The spell causes a tendril of water to reach out from the waterclimb and wrap around the traveler without touching them. This tendril then brings them up the waterclimb. After a few minutes, the tendril stops and snaps through the waterclimb, taking the traveler with it.
Sixth Precinct
The Sixth Precinct is a lake, inhabited by many Dead. The Sixth Gate may open randomly, or it may be summoned. When summoned, it takes the form of a dry circle that sinks through Death into the Seventh Precinct. When the gate is summoned, the current pulling towards it increases drastically.
Seventh Precinct
The Seventh Precinct is not described, but the Seventh Gate is described as a wall of fire. When the correct spell is spoken, an archway forms, allowing the caster to pass through unscathed.
Eighth Precinct
Patches of smokeless fire erupt randomly from the surface of the water in the Eighth Precinct. A spell will ward off individual patches of flame, but the area is generally dangerous.
The Eighth Gate is a wall of darkness that shuts off external stimuli. When passing through, however, an experienced Abhorsen or necromancer will cast a spell that dissipates the darkness around them, allowing them through to the Ninth Precinct safely.
Ninth Precinct
The Ninth Precinct is described as an enormous lake illuminated by a star-filled sky. The stars are so close and so many that the sky itself is barely visible. In the Ninth Precinct, most of the usual attributes of Death are negated. The water is warm and visibility is better than perfect. The Ninth Gate is the sky, which calls all who see it to lead them to final death. Very few beings are able to resist this call, which physically raises them to this sky. According to the Disreputable Dog, few necromancers ever visit this precinct, since "their very nature is to deny its call." Because the Ninth Precinct is a lake, there is no current. This is where Hedge meets his doom after a fight with Lirael, and where Lirael nearly dies. She begins to float but it brought back down by the Disreputable Dog. Anyone who goes past the Ninth Gate cannot return. Full stop. No arguments. That's it. You're Dead. |
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Post by Ilorin Sayre on Jul 13, 2009 8:36:44 GMT
Creatures of Death
Mordicant
One of the Greater Dead. It is created by a necromancer by molding human blood, Free Magic, and a Dead spirit. It can pass from Life to Death at will. It is described as manlike, with eyes like fire, and grey-green flesh that dripped with flames and smoke. Sabriel defeated a weak Mordicant when she was fourteen years old. However, a very strong one pursued Sabriel through the door in the long cliffs and almost across Abhorsen’s Bridge. There it led Shadow hands and living human slaves to cross the Bridge until Sabriel called on the Clayr’s gift of water, which caused it to flee.
Thralk
A dead spirit that slipped out of Death after the commotion Kerrigor caused in breaking through all the gates single-handedly. It stayed in Life for decades, feeding off humans. It found Sabriel in Life on Cloven Crest while she was in Death, though surrounded by a diamond of protection. Sabriel sensed when the creature broke through her protection, and banished it to death with the Abhorsen’s sword and the bell Kibeth. Thralk died when a hunting javelin rebounded off a rock and cut his throat. Touchstone said that his father died in a hunting accident. This makes it possible that Thralk is the re-animated father of Touchstone.
Shadow Hands
Dead creatures controlled and created by a necromancer. Usually a skilled necromancer uses the heads of dead humans to bring back only their spirits, forming the inconsistent, dark and dangerous substance that is a Shadow Hand. Having no corporeal form, Shadow Hands cannot be stopped by mere force but can be forced back into Death by the bells of the Abhorsen. Sabriel suspects a necromancer of having formed Shadow Hands from the soldiers close to Cloven Crest. They attack Wyverly College after the Dead Hands are defeated by the soldiers and while Sabriel attempted to destroy Rogir/Kerrigor’s body.
Dead Hands
Corpses raised by a necromancer to do his bidding. They can be defeated by force, although with difficulty, since the magic in them keeps their limbs and flesh strangely intact. A horde of Dead Hands attack Wyverly College at the end of the book, but are defeated by the soldiers.
Mordaut
One of the lesser Dead, a parasite. It cohabits a human body, controlling and hiding in it, and slowly saps the life from it. It comes out at night and takes the life of any other human around it, but returns to its host after feeding. It has no definite form and moves like a pool of darkness. Sabriel encounters a Mordaut on the island of Nestowe, inhabiting the body of a fisherman named Patar. Once she sensed and nearly put it to sleep with Ranna, the Mordaut burst out and killed Patar. However, Touchstone stabbed it with his ensorcelled swords and Sabriel was able to banish it using the bells Saraneth (the Master), Ranna (the Sleepbringer), and Kibeth (the Walker).
Gore Crows
Ordinary crows trapped, killed with a ritual, and infused with a single human spirit by a necromancer. They disintegrate in the sun and wind, and if one makes contact with running water, all its counterparts will be forced back to Death as well. The fewer crows share the human spirit, the stronger they are, but they kill by strength of numbers. They fly seemingly without the use of wings or plumage and are easily suspended by the Free Magic that was used to create them. A horde of gore crows attacks Sabriel when she is flying in the Paperwing after escaping from Abhorsen’s house. |
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