Allanon

Shannara character


name=Allanon
nickname=
race=Human
gender=Male
hair=Black
eyes=Green
loyalty=Druids
appearance="First King of Shannara"
magic=Druid Magic
birth=Unknown, adopted by Bremen
death=Killed by a Jachyra in "The Wishsong of Shannara"

Allanon is a fictional character from the epic fantasy [cite web |url=http://www.terrybrooks.net/novels/index.html |title=Terry Brooks' official website|accessdate=2008-05-02 |last= Speakman |first=Shawn |authorlink= |year=2008 |publisher= ] "Original Shannara Trilogy" and the trilogy's prequel, "First King of Shannara"; all four are by Terry Brooks. Described as Brooks' "most enigmatic character",MacRae, 99.] Allanon is very secretive and appears only when needed. He is never completely honest, telling many white lies or half-truths, and informs others with information only if it includes possible risks, if the information is crucial to the task at hand or if the situation calls for it.MacRae, 73.] Allanon considerably lengthened his lifespan through a form of suspended animation called the "Druid Sleep".

Allanon often called on the aid of the Ohmsford family in the novels, as they are descendants of Jerle Shannara and therefore the only ones who can use the Sword of Shannara. He called upon Shea Ohmsford in "The Sword of Shannara", Wil Ohmsford in "The Elfstones of Shannara" and Brin and Jair Ohmsford in "The Wishsong of Shannara". In "Wishsong", he was killed by a Jachrya.

Appearance

As an adult, Allanon is described as seven feet tall and as having a formidable appearance consisting of shaggy eyebrows, a "long flat nose", and penetrating eyes. The impression of him as forbidding is often exacerbated by the long, hooded black robe he commonly wears. He is the adopted son of Bremen of the Druid Order,cite web |url=http://www.alitheia.org/shannarafiles/Sword_ABC.php |title="The Sword of Shannara" Character List |accessdate=2008-04-08 |last= Gong |first=Minnie |authorlink= |year=2007 |publisher=The Shannara Files ] and carries on his father's legacy as last of the Druids, preserving the knowledge of ancient times, despite the obvious dangers that threaten him.

Personality

Allanon's personality as a child is somewhat innocent and ambitious, but he is also pragmatic and respectful of necessity as a priority superseding his own life. As an adult, the high estimation of necessity remains; however, his behavior is almost entirely different. As a rule, Allanon possesses a tremendous arrogance that is implied to co-operate with his massive figure and impressive physical presence. Despite this arrogance, he is not reluctant to acknowledge his own mistakes or to obey the counsel of others when it seems wiser or more necessary than his own, whereas his knowledge and power often appear to justify his immense pride. He is sometimes choleric, but may at other times be very calm, and is almost never mistaken in his judgments. He is exceedingly intelligent, can at times be ruthless, and occasionally displays great compassion and affection for his charges (the Ohmsfords and their friends). Overall, his black beard, his fierce personality, and his behavior toward his companions resemble those of Professor George Edward Challenger, a central character of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "The Lost World".

Biography

"First King of Shannara"

Allanon first appears as a 12-year-oldcite web |url=http://www.alitheia.org/shannarafiles/First_King_List.php |title="First King of Shannara" Character List |accessdate=2008-04-08 |last= Gong |first=Minnie |year=2007 |publisher=The Shannara Files] boy in the prequel to "The Sword of Shannara", "The First King of Shannara". He meets Bremen as the aged Druid is wandering through the ruins of Varfleet, and the two become attached. Allanon seeks to become a Druid like Bremen, and the old man teaches him the Druid arts. Allanon participates in the Second War of the Races, and afterwards studies in Paranor for three years until Bremen's passing.

"The Sword of Shannara"

In "The Sword of Shannara" he calls on Shea Ohmsford to retrieve the lost Sword and use it to destroy the Warlock Lord. By this time, Allanon represents all remaining knowledge in a living person from before the Great Wars, as he is the last of the Druids. The Druids were a group based in Paranor that advised and helped the Four Lands improve the quality of their lives through through the teaching and application of technology and magic.

"The Elfstones of Shannara"

In "The Elfstones of Shannara", the Four Lands came under attack from Demons. Allanon appeared and sent Shea's grandson, Wil Ohmsford, on a quest with the King's granddaughter, Amberle Elessedil, to recreate the magic tree (the Ellcrys) that had held the Demons back. After journeying to Paranor to find the location of where the two needed to go (a place named Safehold), Allanon escaped the Dagda Mor and a few of his minions. He later battled the Demon hordes at Halys Cut, Worl Run and Arborloncite web |url=http://www.alitheia.org/shannarafiles/Elfstones_ABC.php|title="The Elfstones of Shannara" Character List|accessdate=2008-04-08 |last= Gong |first=Minnie |authorlink= |year=2007 |publisher=The Shannara Files ] along with the Elven army, a Troll army and the Free Corpscite web |url=http://www.alitheia.org/shannarafiles/Elfstones_Timeline.php|title="The Elfstones of Shannara" Timeline|accessdate=2008-06-24 |last= Gong |first=Minnie |authorlink= |year=2007 |publisher=The Shannara Files ] in an attempt to slow the Demons down to give Wil and Amberle more time.

"The Wishsong of Shannara"

Now getting quite old, even with the use of the Druid Sleep, Allanon goes on one last journey with Wil's daughter, Brin Ohmsford, to stop the Mord Wraiths and destroy the Ildatch, a malevolent spellbook, that apparently controls the Mord Wraiths. He is mortally wounded in battle with an ancient creature called a Jachyra and dies soon after. At the time of his death, he was about 582 years old.cref|a Brin succeeds in giving Allanon his peace by destroying the Ildatch, the Druid's final task.

Post-"Original Shannara Trilogy"

Allanon's spirit comes to dwell in the Hadeshorn along with the spirits of his predecessors, the Druids of the past. He later summons the descendants of Brin and Jair Ohmsford to him and charges them with saving the Four Lands from the threat of the Shadowen. He dispatches Par Ohmsford and his brother Coll Ohmsford to recover the Sword of Shannara, Wren Elessedil to find the Elves, and Walker Boh to bring back Paranor and the Druids. Walker also becomes Allanon's successor, absorbing his spirit through the power of the Black Elfstone.

Later still, Allanon serves as a guide to Walker in his duties as High Druid, and again to his successor Grianne Ohmsford. Like Bremen's had for him, Allanon's shade bears Walker Boh to the afterlife.

Sources

*cite book| last = MacRae| first = Cathi Dunn| title = Presenting Young Adult Fantasy Fiction| publisher = Twayne Publishers| date = 1998| location = New York| isbn=0-8057-8220-6

References

Notes

*cnote|a|1500-2070 is 570 years, but you must add 12 more because Allanon was 12 years old at the time of "First King".
*cnote|b|It was about three years after Allanon was found that Bremen died and Allanon truly became the High Druid; therefore the year would be 1503.