Deryni
Encyclopedia
The Deryni are a fictional race of humans who possess a variety of psychic and magical abilities in the Deryni series
of historical fantasy
novel
s by Katherine Kurtz
. The political, social, and religious conflicts that surround the Deryni, particularly in the Kingdom of Gwynedd
, often serve as major plot points throughout the novels.
of Corwyn.
accidentally discovers a new Healing talent while attempting to Heal Earl Gregory MacDinan of Ebor. While deeply immersed in a Healing trance, Rhys successfully blocks all of Earl Gregory's Deryni powers. After further research, Rhys discovers that he is capable of blocking the powers of any Deryni with a simple touch, regardless of the strength of his subject. While their powers are blocked, these Deryni subjects function as normal humans, displaying absolutely no signs of any arcane abilities. Although Rhys attempts several times to teach this talent to other Healers, his efforts ultimately fail, and it is determined that the ability to block is as rare to Healers as Healers themselves are to the general Deryni population. Later research indicates that the Deryni masters of the past were aware of this ability, but knowledge of its existence became lost over time. While a few Healers are later found to possess this ability, knowledge of its existence once again disappears when the rest of the Healing arts are lost in Gwynedd.
and Duncan McLain
) display significant levels of arcane strength. An appendix to one of the early books speculates that the usual Deryni powers are carried on the X-chromosome (thus explaining why Morgan and Duncan, who have Deryni mothers, can have full powers), while the "Haldane potential" (also seen in several other families), is carried on the Y-chromosome. However, this is not borne out by later genealogies and seems to have been dropped as an explanation by Katherine Kurtz.
In addition to their genetic basis, most Deryni abilities must be trained and developed. While basic arcane skills can be often be mastered during adolescence, more complex abilities and talents may require constant study and practice throughout the adult life of a Deryni. Deryni adepts such as Camber MacRorie and Wencit Furstán of Torenth
continue their arcane studies throughout their lives, enabling them to wield powers far beyond the abilities of many of their contemporaries. Conversely, Queen Jehana of Gwynedd, a full-blooded Deryni from an ancient and powerful lineage, is barely able to perform the most basic of Deryni talents, due to her lack of training throughout much of her life. Regardless of the inherent strength of a Deryni's natural powers, proper training is essential for those powers to be of any practical use.
While other humans are later shown to acquire such powers, this human ability to wield Deryni powers becomes known as "the Haldane potential." Similar to natural Deryni powers, it is hereditary within the Haldane line. However, unlike Deryni powers, the Haldane powers require no training. Once the powers are activated (usually through a magical ritual), they are fully accessible, as the knowledge of how to use them is automatically included with the powers themselves. In general, the reigning Haldane king sets the potential in his heir at a young age (using a ritual he designs), leaving the heir's powers dormant until he ascends the throne himself. A second ritual (distinct from the coronation) fully activates the potential in the new monarch. Various forms of these rituals have been depicted in the novels, and they may or may not include the participation of other people. It is thought that the ritual variations serve to prevent other Haldanes or other Deryni from usurping the powers and the throne itself.
To date, all of the Haldane kings specifically depicted in the novels have wielded at least some of the Haldane powers. However, whether or not any of the other Haldane kings had their hereditary powers activated is unknown. During the two centuries of Deryni persecution in Gwynedd, the Haldane kings justify their arcane powers by claiming that such powers are part of their Divine Right
, a sign that they have been chosen by God to sit upon the throne. For much of this time, it is also believed (specifically by the Camberian Council
) that only one Haldane can wield the power at a time, and that right is reserved for the reigning king. However, this belief is disproved during the reign of King Kelson Haldane, when several members of his immediate family hold varying levels of arcane power at the same time.
. During the eight decades that follow, most of the positions of power in Gwynedd (both secular and ecclesiastical) are held by Deryni. Although there are numerous humans who still manage to rise to positions of influence, many Deryni clearly enjoy privileged status simply because of their race. Human resentment toward the ruling minority is one of the factors that eventually leads to the Haldane Restoration in 904.
Following the return of the Haldanes to the throne of Gwynedd, a backlash against Deryni soon begins to manifest itself throughout Gwyneddan society. Shortly after the death of King Cinhil I Haldane in 917, a violent explosion of anti-Deryni fervor sweeps through the kingdom, fueled by the human lords and bishops who now control both the Crown and the Church. Over the next two centuries, the number of Deryni in Gwynedd shrinks dramatically, as many Deryni flee the realm to escape the dangerous persecutions. Those who remain are stripped of most of their legal rights, and forbidden to use their powers by a Church that declares them to be evil heretics.
By contrast, Deryni are openly accepted and respected in the neighboring Kingdom of Torenth. The royal family of Torenth is not only Deryni, but they are acknowledged as being among the most powerful and highly-trained Deryni adepts in the Eleven Kingdoms. As a result, Deryni are an integral and established part of all aspects of Torenthi society. The differences between the social standing of Deryni in Gwynedd and Torenth are one of the factors that has contributed to the constant state of antagonism between the two lands. To date, the status of Deryni in the other realms of the Eleven Kingdoms has not been clearly established.
s. However, there are also several notable Deryni that plainly serve as antagonist
s in the novels, displaying motivations and actions that establish or complement the main conflict. Similarly, human characters are depicted as both antagonists and protagonists, further underlying the theme that the characters in the novels are neither "good" nor "evil" simply based on their race. Regardless of whether the character is human, Deryni, or a mixture of both, it is ultimately his/her unique personality and history that determines their actions. This theme is a recurring motif throughout the novels.
Deryni novels
The Deryni novels are a series of historical fantasy books written by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. The first novel in the series to be published was Deryni Rising in 1970, and the most recent novel in the series, Childe Morgan, was published on December 5, 2006...
of historical fantasy
Historical fantasy
Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy and related to historical fiction, which makes use of specific elements of real world history. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s by Katherine Kurtz
Katherine Kurtz
Katherine Kurtz is the author of numerous fantasy novels, most notably the Deryni novels. Although born in America, for the past several years, up until just recently, she has lived in a castle in Ireland...
. The political, social, and religious conflicts that surround the Deryni, particularly in the Kingdom of Gwynedd
Gwynedd (Fictional)
The fictional Kingdom of Gwynedd is the primary setting of the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz.There had been a historical Kingdom of Gwynedd, an important part of Wales with a long history of its own...
, often serve as major plot points throughout the novels.
Deryni powers
The novels include various examples of inherent Deryni abilities that are displayed by numerous primary and secondary characters. Deryni powers are closely interconnected with each other, since a Deryni's natural psychic abilities also give him/her the ability to perform magical rituals of varying complexity, but many of these powers can be divided into three basic categories: psychic abilities, magical abilities, and Healing.Psychic abilities
- Memory manipulation: The ability to retrieve, alter, block, or erase specific memories, either in the Deryni's own mind or in the mind of someone else.
- Mind-Seeing: The ability to completely enter a subject's mind, thus viewing the subject's memories, emotions, reasoning, and intellect.
- Shields: Occasionally described as the foundation upon which the rest of the Deryni powers are built, shields are mental barriers that a Deryni erects around his/her mind to protect it from attack or intrusion. The strength of a Deryni's shields is often a combination of his/her natural strength and the quality of their training.
- Telekinesis: The ability to manipulate small objects with only the power of the mind, such as moving the tumblers of a lock, igniting a torch, or altering the flight of an arrow.
- TelepathyTelepathyTelepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
: The ability to communicate mentally, including the power to share large amounts of information in a very brief period of time. - Truth-Reading: The ability to detect an intentional spoken lie. This power only reveals the presence of the falsehood, not the specific truth that is being concealed.
- Truth-Saying: The ability to force a subject to truthfully answer any question to the best of his/her abilities.
Magical abilities
- Minor spells: Trained Deryni are often capable of performing basic spells, such as spells to calm the mind, focus the mind, or temporarily relieve fatigue.
- Major spells: Those Deryni powerful enough to work more complex spells can perform feats such as manipulating the weather, changing their physical appearance, creating illusions, or summoning and controlling fire, water, or lightning.
- Ritual magic: Skilled Deryni adepts are capable of performing complex arcane rituals designed to accomplish a wide variety of effects. Such rituals often involve a great deal of magical power and can be quite dangerous to the untrained practitioner.
- Transfer Portals: A Portal is an artificially-created nexus of arcane power that is set in stone or earth. Deryni have the ability to access the nexus and use its energy to instantly transport themselves to other nexuses in other locations. Each Portal has its own unique energy signature (or coordinates), so a Deryni must be familiar with the coordinates of his/her intended destination to be able to use a Portal. (This is best accomplished in person, but it is also possible for highly-skilled Deryni to read the coordinates of a Portal from the mind of another person.)
Healing
A small percentage of Deryni are born with the natural ability to heal physical injuries, a power that goes beyond merely setting broken bones or sewing wounds shut. A highly-trained Healer can bring a seriously wounded patient back from the brink of death, repairing their injuries in a matter of minutes through a combination of arcane powers, extensive anatomical knowledge, and the innate ability to augment the wounded body's own natural recovery processes. Healers often study for years before completing their training, expanding their knowledge of the body and developing their own inner strength for the large amounts of energy that Healing requires. In the Kingdom of Gwynedd, the knowledge to identify and train Healers is lost soon after the Haldane Restoration in the early tenth century. For over two centuries, Healers effectively cease to exist in Gwynedd, until the lost Healing talent is rediscovered in the twelfth century by Duke Alaric MorganAlaric Morgan
Alaric Morgan is a fictional character in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz.-Character introduction:Alaric Anthony Morgan is the seventh Duke of Corwyn and Lord General of the Royal Armies of Gwynedd. He is a close advisor and friend of both King Brion Haldane and...
of Corwyn.
Blocking
In 917, the Healer Rhys ThurynRhys Thuryn
Rhys Thuryn is a fictional character in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz.-Character introduction:Rhys Malachy Thuryn is a highly-talented Deryni Healer and the son-in-law of Earl Camber MacRorie of Culdi...
accidentally discovers a new Healing talent while attempting to Heal Earl Gregory MacDinan of Ebor. While deeply immersed in a Healing trance, Rhys successfully blocks all of Earl Gregory's Deryni powers. After further research, Rhys discovers that he is capable of blocking the powers of any Deryni with a simple touch, regardless of the strength of his subject. While their powers are blocked, these Deryni subjects function as normal humans, displaying absolutely no signs of any arcane abilities. Although Rhys attempts several times to teach this talent to other Healers, his efforts ultimately fail, and it is determined that the ability to block is as rare to Healers as Healers themselves are to the general Deryni population. Later research indicates that the Deryni masters of the past were aware of this ability, but knowledge of its existence became lost over time. While a few Healers are later found to possess this ability, knowledge of its existence once again disappears when the rest of the Healing arts are lost in Gwynedd.
Genetic basis of Deryni powers
The basic ability to naturally develop Deryni powers is hereditary in nature, passing from parent to child and thus from generation to generation. Although several characters in the novels refer to Deryni-nonDeryni hybrids as "half-breeds" or "half-Deryni," the inherent nature of Deryni powers enables them to be passed to a child even if only one parent is Deryni. (Throughout the novels and ancillary material, nonDeryni humans are referred to simply as "humans," although it is unspecified whether this exclusionary terminology was originally positive or negative.) However, the natural strength of the Deryni bloodline tends to become weakened if succeeding generations continue to breed with full-blooded humans. The exact rate of this genetic "dilution" is not specified, and several half-Deryni characters (such as Alaric MorganAlaric Morgan
Alaric Morgan is a fictional character in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz.-Character introduction:Alaric Anthony Morgan is the seventh Duke of Corwyn and Lord General of the Royal Armies of Gwynedd. He is a close advisor and friend of both King Brion Haldane and...
and Duncan McLain
Duncan McLain
Duncan McLain is a fictional character in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz.-Character introduction:Duncan Howard McLain is a Deryni priest and close confidant of King Kelson Haldane of Gwynedd...
) display significant levels of arcane strength. An appendix to one of the early books speculates that the usual Deryni powers are carried on the X-chromosome (thus explaining why Morgan and Duncan, who have Deryni mothers, can have full powers), while the "Haldane potential" (also seen in several other families), is carried on the Y-chromosome. However, this is not borne out by later genealogies and seems to have been dropped as an explanation by Katherine Kurtz.
In addition to their genetic basis, most Deryni abilities must be trained and developed. While basic arcane skills can be often be mastered during adolescence, more complex abilities and talents may require constant study and practice throughout the adult life of a Deryni. Deryni adepts such as Camber MacRorie and Wencit Furstán of Torenth
Torenth
Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the...
continue their arcane studies throughout their lives, enabling them to wield powers far beyond the abilities of many of their contemporaries. Conversely, Queen Jehana of Gwynedd, a full-blooded Deryni from an ancient and powerful lineage, is barely able to perform the most basic of Deryni talents, due to her lack of training throughout much of her life. Regardless of the inherent strength of a Deryni's natural powers, proper training is essential for those powers to be of any practical use.
The Haldane potential
In 903, Earl Camber MacRorie of Culdi theorizes that certain humans possess the natural ability to be invested with the full range of Deryni powers. Camber develops a magical ritual to perform this feat and utilizes Cinhil I Haldane as his subject, believing that the Haldane prince would need such powers to overthrow King Imre Festil-Furstán and reclaim the throne of Gwynedd. The ritual is successful, and Cinhil later uses his newly-acquired powers to accomplish the Haldane Restoration. Although later research indicates that the Deryni masters of the past were aware of this possibility, Cinhil is the first known human to acquire Deryni abilities.While other humans are later shown to acquire such powers, this human ability to wield Deryni powers becomes known as "the Haldane potential." Similar to natural Deryni powers, it is hereditary within the Haldane line. However, unlike Deryni powers, the Haldane powers require no training. Once the powers are activated (usually through a magical ritual), they are fully accessible, as the knowledge of how to use them is automatically included with the powers themselves. In general, the reigning Haldane king sets the potential in his heir at a young age (using a ritual he designs), leaving the heir's powers dormant until he ascends the throne himself. A second ritual (distinct from the coronation) fully activates the potential in the new monarch. Various forms of these rituals have been depicted in the novels, and they may or may not include the participation of other people. It is thought that the ritual variations serve to prevent other Haldanes or other Deryni from usurping the powers and the throne itself.
To date, all of the Haldane kings specifically depicted in the novels have wielded at least some of the Haldane powers. However, whether or not any of the other Haldane kings had their hereditary powers activated is unknown. During the two centuries of Deryni persecution in Gwynedd, the Haldane kings justify their arcane powers by claiming that such powers are part of their Divine Right
Divine Right of Kings
The divine right of kings or divine-right theory of kingship is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. It asserts that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving his right to rule directly from the will of God...
, a sign that they have been chosen by God to sit upon the throne. For much of this time, it is also believed (specifically by the Camberian Council
Camberian Council
The Camberian Council is a secretive group of highly-trained Deryni adepts in the historical fantasy novels of Katherine Kurtz. Originally formed in the early tenth century to maintain peace between the races by controlling the actions of disaffected Deryni nobles, the Council's goals soon expand...
) that only one Haldane can wield the power at a time, and that right is reserved for the reigning king. However, this belief is disproved during the reign of King Kelson Haldane, when several members of his immediate family hold varying levels of arcane power at the same time.
Deryni status in society
Deryni have been a minority within the larger population throughout the history of Gwynedd. The novels have established very little specific information about the exact status of Deryni or their place in Gwyneddan society prior to the Festillic Coup of 822, but they clearly rise to prominence following the successful invasion of Festil I Furstán, a younger prince of the Deryni ruling house of the Kingdom of TorenthTorenth
Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the...
. During the eight decades that follow, most of the positions of power in Gwynedd (both secular and ecclesiastical) are held by Deryni. Although there are numerous humans who still manage to rise to positions of influence, many Deryni clearly enjoy privileged status simply because of their race. Human resentment toward the ruling minority is one of the factors that eventually leads to the Haldane Restoration in 904.
Following the return of the Haldanes to the throne of Gwynedd, a backlash against Deryni soon begins to manifest itself throughout Gwyneddan society. Shortly after the death of King Cinhil I Haldane in 917, a violent explosion of anti-Deryni fervor sweeps through the kingdom, fueled by the human lords and bishops who now control both the Crown and the Church. Over the next two centuries, the number of Deryni in Gwynedd shrinks dramatically, as many Deryni flee the realm to escape the dangerous persecutions. Those who remain are stripped of most of their legal rights, and forbidden to use their powers by a Church that declares them to be evil heretics.
By contrast, Deryni are openly accepted and respected in the neighboring Kingdom of Torenth. The royal family of Torenth is not only Deryni, but they are acknowledged as being among the most powerful and highly-trained Deryni adepts in the Eleven Kingdoms. As a result, Deryni are an integral and established part of all aspects of Torenthi society. The differences between the social standing of Deryni in Gwynedd and Torenth are one of the factors that has contributed to the constant state of antagonism between the two lands. To date, the status of Deryni in the other realms of the Eleven Kingdoms has not been clearly established.
Deryni as characters
Many of the novels are set specifically in Gwynedd, and deal with the efforts of Deryni to reclaim a position of social equality for their race. As a result, many of the Deryni are depicted as protagonistProtagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
s. However, there are also several notable Deryni that plainly serve as antagonist
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
s in the novels, displaying motivations and actions that establish or complement the main conflict. Similarly, human characters are depicted as both antagonists and protagonists, further underlying the theme that the characters in the novels are neither "good" nor "evil" simply based on their race. Regardless of whether the character is human, Deryni, or a mixture of both, it is ultimately his/her unique personality and history that determines their actions. This theme is a recurring motif throughout the novels.
Sources
- Katherine Kurtz, Camber of CuldiCamber of Culdi (novel)Camber of Culdi is fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books on June 12, 1976. It was the fourth novel in Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-24590-3 - Katherine Kurtz, Saint CamberSaint CamberSaint Camber is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1978. It was the fifth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-27750-3 - Katherine Kurtz, Camber the HereticCamber the HereticCamber the Heretic is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1981. It was the sixth novel of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-33142-7 - Katherine Kurtz, The Harrowing of GwyneddThe Harrowing of GwyneddThe Harrowing of Gwynedd is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1989. It was the tenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33259-8 - Katherine Kurtz, King Javan's YearKing Javan's YearKing Javan's Year is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1992. It was the eleventh of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33260-1 - Katherine Kurtz, The Bastard PrinceThe Bastard PrinceThe Bastard Prince is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1994. It was the twelfth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33262-8 - Katherine Kurtz, In the King's ServiceIn the King's ServiceIn the King's Service is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ace Books in 2003. It was the fourteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in the fifth Deryni trilogy, the Childe Morgan trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-01060-1 - Katherine Kurtz, Childe MorganChilde MorganChilde Morgan is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was published by Ace Books on December 5, 2006. It is the fifteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, the second book in the fifth Deryni trilogy, the Childe Morgan trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-01282-5 - Katherine Kurtz, Deryni RisingDeryni RisingDeryni Rising is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the nineteenth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in August, 1970, and was reprinted at least ten times over the next three decades...
, ISBN 0-345-01981-4 - Katherine Kurtz, Deryni CheckmateDeryni CheckmateDeryni Checkmate is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the forty-sixth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in May 1972, and has been reprinted a number of times since. The author released a revised...
, ISBN 0-345-22598-8 - Katherine Kurtz, High DeryniHigh DeryniHigh Deryni is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the sixty-first volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in September, 1973, and has been reprinted a number of times since. A revised and updated...
, ISBN 0-345-23485-5 - Katherine Kurtz, The Bishop's HeirThe Bishop's HeirThe Bishop's Heir is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1984. It was the seventh of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31824-2 - Katherine Kurtz, The King's JusticeThe King's JusticeThe King's Justice is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1985. It was the eighth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31825-0 - Katherine Kurtz, The Quest for Saint CamberThe Quest for Saint CamberThe Quest for Saint Camber is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1986. It was the ninth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31826-9 - Katherine Kurtz, King Kelson's BrideKing Kelson's BrideKing Kelson's Bride is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ace Books in 2000. It was the thirteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the only novel in the series that was not part of a trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-00732-5 - Katherine Kurtz, The Deryni Archives, ISBN 0-345-32678-4
- Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus (Second Edition), ISBN 1-887424-96-2