Sithi
Encyclopedia
The Sithi are a cryptic, near-immortal elder race
from the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
trilogy by Tad Williams
.
As tall but far more slender than humans in Williams books, the Sithi are skilled with bow
s, are lithe of build, typically have golden, tanned skin, and may or may not have pointed ears. They are allergic to iron, and many of their weapons are made from a substance called "witchwood", which grows as a tree but is then forged and worked like metal. Their behavior toward mortals, when they have any contact at all, is courteous but very aloof. Williams describes them as an almost feral
race. Williams' idea of the Sithi was influenced by the Irish
legend of the Sidhe
, and by Tolkien's elves. However, Williams gives them a Japanese
slant: many of their names are based upon Japanese words, such as and Amerasu (from Amaterasu
).
In Williams' series, the Sithi are said to have come from "over the sea", having lived in The Garden prior to a cataclysm that drove them into exile. They now live secluded in the forests, far away from the younger human race, which has persecuted and hunted them in the past. An embittered tribe of "Sithi", named Norns (in the Garden-tongue "Hikeda'ya"), live in the far north, seeking vengeance upon all Mankind. A close cousin of the Zida'ya and the Hikeda'ya, the Tinukeda'ya (or "Ocean Children"), are the Niskies and the Dwarrows, which, although of the same family, are drastically different from one another. Other isolated "Sithi" tribes lie scattered across the face of Williams' world, Osten Ard, but it is clear the entire race has dwindled to near non-existence.
The Sithi are often described in animal
istic terms. Frequently, they are referred to as "cat
-like" or "bird
-like" in their movements or gestures; their northern kin are called "white foxes". These references accentuate the differences between the Sithi and Mankind.
The Sithi and their kin naturally have white hair, but the Sithi typically dye it in bright shades of color. Lavender-blue, sky-blue, yellow, red, gray, nut-brown, grass-green, and black have all been specifically mentioned. A few Sithi sport multicolored hair. The Norns do not dye their hair at all.
Elder race
An elder race in science fiction, fantasy, or horror fiction is a fictional alien race that preceded humanity. Occasionally they are a more advanced version of humanity instead of aliens . Elder races generally have abilities and technologies that generally far surpass that of humanity...
from the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn is Tad Williams's epic fantasy trilogy, comprising The Dragonbone Chair , Stone of Farewell , and To Green Angel Tower...
trilogy by Tad Williams
Tad Williams
Robert Paul "Tad" Williams, born in San Jose, California, is the author of several fantasy and science fiction novels, including Tailchaser's Song, the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, the Otherland series, and The War of the Flowers....
.
As tall but far more slender than humans in Williams books, the Sithi are skilled with bow
Bow (weapon)
The bow and arrow is a projectile weapon system that predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.-Description:A bow is a flexible arc that shoots aerodynamic projectiles by means of elastic energy. Essentially, the bow is a form of spring powered by a string or cord...
s, are lithe of build, typically have golden, tanned skin, and may or may not have pointed ears. They are allergic to iron, and many of their weapons are made from a substance called "witchwood", which grows as a tree but is then forged and worked like metal. Their behavior toward mortals, when they have any contact at all, is courteous but very aloof. Williams describes them as an almost feral
Feral
A feral organism is one that has changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed. In the case of plants it is a movement from cultivated to uncultivated or controlled to volunteer. The introduction of feral animals or plants to their non-native regions, like any introduced species, may...
race. Williams' idea of the Sithi was influenced by the Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
legend of the Sidhe
Sídhe
The aos sí are a supernatural race in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology are comparable to the fairies or elves. They are said to live underground in the fairy mounds, across the western sea, or in an invisible world that coexists with the world of humans...
, and by Tolkien's elves. However, Williams gives them a Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
slant: many of their names are based upon Japanese words, such as and Amerasu (from Amaterasu
Amaterasu
, or is apart of the Japanese myth cycle and also a major deity of the Shinto religion. She is the goddess of the sun, but also of the universe. the name Amaterasu derived from Amateru meaning "shining in heaven." The meaning of her whole name, Amaterasu-ōmikami, is "the great August kami who...
).
In Williams' series, the Sithi are said to have come from "over the sea", having lived in The Garden prior to a cataclysm that drove them into exile. They now live secluded in the forests, far away from the younger human race, which has persecuted and hunted them in the past. An embittered tribe of "Sithi", named Norns (in the Garden-tongue "Hikeda'ya"), live in the far north, seeking vengeance upon all Mankind. A close cousin of the Zida'ya and the Hikeda'ya, the Tinukeda'ya (or "Ocean Children"), are the Niskies and the Dwarrows, which, although of the same family, are drastically different from one another. Other isolated "Sithi" tribes lie scattered across the face of Williams' world, Osten Ard, but it is clear the entire race has dwindled to near non-existence.
The Sithi are often described in animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
istic terms. Frequently, they are referred to as "cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
-like" or "bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
-like" in their movements or gestures; their northern kin are called "white foxes". These references accentuate the differences between the Sithi and Mankind.
The Sithi and their kin naturally have white hair, but the Sithi typically dye it in bright shades of color. Lavender-blue, sky-blue, yellow, red, gray, nut-brown, grass-green, and black have all been specifically mentioned. A few Sithi sport multicolored hair. The Norns do not dye their hair at all.