Ellcrys
Encyclopedia
The Ellcrys is a fictional sapient tree with silver bark and crimson leaves that was "created by the bonding of earth and life". She appears in two novels of the Shannara
series. She is the magical linchpin
of the barrier that keeps the Demons
that once overran the Four Lands trapped in an alternate world; this world and the barrier are both known as the Forbidding. She is tended to by a group of young Elves
known as the "Chosen", who are selected by the tree itself. The Ellcrys first appeared in the novel The Elfstones of Shannara
, where the protagonists embarked upon a quest to attempt a "rebirth" of the Ellcrys before she died. The Ellcrys also plays a part in the Shannara
prequel series The Genesis of Shannara.
got the idea for the Ellcrys from Greek mythology
and Merlin
's imprisonment in a tree near the end of Morte d'Arthur.
woman. Little is known about the woman who became the first Ellcrys, except that she consented to be made into the Ellcrys by Elven magicians during the Age of Faerie, prior to the advent of the world of Men. She thrived for many millennia as the Ellcrys, enduring the encroachment of Men upon the Elven lands and surviving the Great Wars
. However, she sickened and died quite rapidly about fifty years after the Third War of the Races. By the time Lauren, one of the Chosen, noticed that some of the Ellcrys' brilliant crimson leaves were discolored, the Forbidding had already weakened to a point where a few of the most powerful Demons
could escape into the Westland. One of these Demons, the Reaper, infiltrated Arborlon
and killed all of the Chosen in the city.
, the first female Chosen in half a millennium and the granddaughter of King Eventine
. While the Ellcrys normally "spoke" (via telepathy
while extending tendrils to physically contact the individual) to each Chosen only at the time of the Choosing, the Ellcrys had spoken to Amberle on an almost daily basis, ultimately frightening and confusing the girl so badly that she became the first Chosen to ever abandon his or her duties. She left Arborlon and as a direct result became the only Chosen to survive the massacre. According to Allanon
, only a Chosen could undertake the mission to restore the Ellcrys, making Amberle the only suitable person for the quest.
Amberle obtained a seed from the Ellcrys and traveled with Wil Ohmsford
on a journey to immerse this seed in the magical fountain called the Bloodfire, located in a place named Safehold. During the journey, the first Ellcrys perished and a horde of Demons entered the Westland. Wil and Amberle successfully penetrated the Wilderun in the southern Westland, reaching Safehold and the Bloodfire. At this point, unbeknownst to Wil, Amberle came to understand and accept that she was required to sacrifice her mortal life and become the successor to the Ellcrys. When they returned to Arborlon, Amberle was transformed into a new Ellcrys.
Allanon revealed that while all of the Chosen bore the responsibility of caring for the Ellcrys and providing her with companionship, only a female Chosen could actually become the Ellcrys. As a result, the tree only ever selected a female Chosen if she believed that her life was in danger and therefore an heir was needed. This had happened several times during her lifetime, though Allanon did not know the circumstances leading to the previous instances.
, and transported to the island of Morrowindl. She lived there for a hundred years until the city was again placed within the Loden and carried back to its original location by Amberle's distant cousin Wren Elessedil
.
Shannara
Shannara is an epic fantasy series of novels written by Terry Brooks, beginning with The Sword of Shannara in 1977 and continuing through Bearers of the Black Staff which was released on August 24, 2010, as well as a prequel, First King of Shannara...
series. She is the magical linchpin
Linchpin
A linchpin, also spelled linch pin, lynchpin, or lynch pin, is a fastener used to prevent a wheel or other rotating part from sliding off the axle it is riding on. The word is first attested in the 14th century and derives from Middle English elements meaning "axletree pin".Securing implements onto...
of the barrier that keeps the Demons
Demons (Shannara)
Demons is a common name for many different creatures in the Shannara series of epic fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. The 'true' demons were sealed long ago within an alternate universe, named the Forbidding; this prison is 'maintained' by the Ellcrys, a sacred Elven tree; if she dies, the Forbidding...
that once overran the Four Lands trapped in an alternate world; this world and the barrier are both known as the Forbidding. She is tended to by a group of young Elves
Elves (Shannara)
Elves are one of the races in the Shannara series of epic fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. They are the only race of the faerie creatures still in the World, though they now have become mortal. Though Elves usually refers to the Westland Elves, Elves can be split into two: the "Land Elves" and the...
known as the "Chosen", who are selected by the tree itself. The Ellcrys first appeared in the novel The Elfstones of Shannara
The Elfstones of Shannara
The Elfstones of Shannara is an epic fantasy novel by Terry Brooks. It is the first sequel to The Sword of Shannara and the second book in The Original Shannara Trilogy...
, where the protagonists embarked upon a quest to attempt a "rebirth" of the Ellcrys before she died. The Ellcrys also plays a part in the Shannara
Shannara
Shannara is an epic fantasy series of novels written by Terry Brooks, beginning with The Sword of Shannara in 1977 and continuing through Bearers of the Black Staff which was released on August 24, 2010, as well as a prequel, First King of Shannara...
prequel series The Genesis of Shannara.
Inspiration
Terry BrooksTerry Brooks
Terence Dean "Terry" Brooks is an American writer of fantasy fiction. He writes mainly epic fantasy, and has also written two movie novelizations. He has written 23 New York Times bestsellers during his writing career, and has over 21 million copies of his books in print...
got the idea for the Ellcrys from Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
and Merlin
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend. The standard depiction of the character first appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, written c. 1136, and is based on an amalgamation of previous historical and legendary figures...
's imprisonment in a tree near the end of Morte d'Arthur.
Description
The First Ellcrys
There have been two separate Ellcrys trees, and each started life as an ElvenElves (Shannara)
Elves are one of the races in the Shannara series of epic fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. They are the only race of the faerie creatures still in the World, though they now have become mortal. Though Elves usually refers to the Westland Elves, Elves can be split into two: the "Land Elves" and the...
woman. Little is known about the woman who became the first Ellcrys, except that she consented to be made into the Ellcrys by Elven magicians during the Age of Faerie, prior to the advent of the world of Men. She thrived for many millennia as the Ellcrys, enduring the encroachment of Men upon the Elven lands and surviving the Great Wars
The Great Wars
The Great Wars are a fictional conflict from the Shannara series by Terry Brooks.According to legend, the Great Wars were a result of several things. These things were common to most societies: territorial dispute, political disagreement, and so on...
. However, she sickened and died quite rapidly about fifty years after the Third War of the Races. By the time Lauren, one of the Chosen, noticed that some of the Ellcrys' brilliant crimson leaves were discolored, the Forbidding had already weakened to a point where a few of the most powerful Demons
Demons (Shannara)
Demons is a common name for many different creatures in the Shannara series of epic fantasy novels by Terry Brooks. The 'true' demons were sealed long ago within an alternate universe, named the Forbidding; this prison is 'maintained' by the Ellcrys, a sacred Elven tree; if she dies, the Forbidding...
could escape into the Westland. One of these Demons, the Reaper, infiltrated Arborlon
Arborlon
Arborlon is the capital city of the Elves in the fictional Shannara series of novels by Terry Brooks. In the Original Shannara Trilogy, the first 3 books, Arborlon is located in the Westland of The Four Lands. In The Elfstones of Shannara, the defense of Arborlon is one of the central plot lines...
and killed all of the Chosen in the city.
The Quest
However, forgotten by all, there had been a female Chosen, Amberle ElessedilAmberle Elessedil
Amberle Elessedil is a fictional character from the epic fantasy novel The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. She was meant to be the "strong female lead" that was lacking in The Sword of Shannara....
, the first female Chosen in half a millennium and the granddaughter of King Eventine
Eventine Elessedil
Eventine Elessedil is a character from The Sword of Shannara and The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks.- The Sword of Shannara :...
. While the Ellcrys normally "spoke" (via telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , 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...
while extending tendrils to physically contact the individual) to each Chosen only at the time of the Choosing, the Ellcrys had spoken to Amberle on an almost daily basis, ultimately frightening and confusing the girl so badly that she became the first Chosen to ever abandon his or her duties. She left Arborlon and as a direct result became the only Chosen to survive the massacre. According to Allanon
Allanon
Allanon is a fictional character from the epic fantasy Original Shannara Trilogy and the trilogy's prequel, First King of Shannara; all four are by Terry Brooks. Described as Brooks' "most enigmatic character", Allanon is very secretive and appears only when needed...
, only a Chosen could undertake the mission to restore the Ellcrys, making Amberle the only suitable person for the quest.
Amberle obtained a seed from the Ellcrys and traveled with Wil Ohmsford
Wil Ohmsford
Wil Ohmsford is a fictional character from the Shannara series by Terry Brooks, appearing in two novels: The Elfstones of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara. He is the grandson of Shea Ohmsford and the grand-nephew of Flick Ohmsford....
on a journey to immerse this seed in the magical fountain called the Bloodfire, located in a place named Safehold. During the journey, the first Ellcrys perished and a horde of Demons entered the Westland. Wil and Amberle successfully penetrated the Wilderun in the southern Westland, reaching Safehold and the Bloodfire. At this point, unbeknownst to Wil, Amberle came to understand and accept that she was required to sacrifice her mortal life and become the successor to the Ellcrys. When they returned to Arborlon, Amberle was transformed into a new Ellcrys.
Allanon revealed that while all of the Chosen bore the responsibility of caring for the Ellcrys and providing her with companionship, only a female Chosen could actually become the Ellcrys. As a result, the tree only ever selected a female Chosen if she believed that her life was in danger and therefore an heir was needed. This had happened several times during her lifetime, though Allanon did not know the circumstances leading to the previous instances.
Morrowindl
About two hundred years after her transformation, the second Ellcrys was encapsulated within the Loden, along with the structures and residents of ArborlonArborlon
Arborlon is the capital city of the Elves in the fictional Shannara series of novels by Terry Brooks. In the Original Shannara Trilogy, the first 3 books, Arborlon is located in the Westland of The Four Lands. In The Elfstones of Shannara, the defense of Arborlon is one of the central plot lines...
, and transported to the island of Morrowindl. She lived there for a hundred years until the city was again placed within the Loden and carried back to its original location by Amberle's distant cousin Wren Elessedil
Wren Elessedil
Wren Elessedil is a fictional character from The Heritage of Shannara by Terry Brooks....
.