| ENCYCLOPEDIA |
| THE THINGS | Here is a list of things
that can be found in the World of Willow. Each name is followed by a short description of
the item's characteristics.
"Things" are loosely defined as events, objects or non-speaking living beings which are not found in the ordinary world. Non-humanoid creatures who can speak intelligently are included in The People section of the Encyclopedia. In cases where a living creature can speak but seems to have limited intelligence, e.g. firedrakes, the section placement is determined by whether its overall behavior seems to be more human or animalistic. The sources for these listings are:
NOTE ON SPOILERS: While an encyclopedia listing is bound to reveal many plot elements from the Saga, an attempt has been made to avoid major revelations from the Shadow War books. NOTE ON APOCRYPHAL INFORMATION: Information from the sourcebook or novelization which is not also confirmed in the film or the novels appears in this Maroon font, and is to be taken with a grain of salt. George Lucas' vision of the Willow World has changed over the years. Since the publication of Shadow Star, many VERY important details have been contradicted. All contradicted material remains in the maroon font. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A big THANK YOU! out to Joe Frese for the original concept idea on his Big Big Willow/Shadow Moon Homepage's 'Encyclopedia' section. |
| THE THINGS |
| Ascension |
| The ceremony on Elora Danan's thirteenth birthday marking her assumption of the role of ruler of the Twelve Great Realms. (SM) |
| Cataclysm, The |
| A catastrophic event occurring exactly one year after Elora Danan's arrival at Tir Asleen, in which all the Places of Power were destroyed by an unknown force. (SM) |
| Circle of the Flesh |
| A classification concept describing living things as belonging to one of four Great Realms: Greater Faery, Lesser Faery, Daikini and Malevoiy. (SD) |
| Circle of the Spirit |
| A classification concept describing intangible processes as belonging to one of four Great Realms: Hope/Dreams (the realm of the dragons), Despair, Life and Death. The members of Greater and Lesser Faery can live in these realms as easily as they can live in the physical world. (SD) |
| Circle of the World |
| A classification concept describing aspects of the physical world as belonging to one of four Great Realms: Fire, Earth, Water and Air. (SD) |
| Clockwork Resonator |
| (see Resonator) (SS) |
| Death Dogs |
| A corrupt variant of the warhounds of the Veil Folk, this inherently evil breed was developed with the use of dark sorcery. They are ferocious and powerful, and very tenacious in pursuit of their prey. (WM, WN, WS, SM, SS) |
| Eborsisk |
| A non-intelligent two-headed firebreathing dragon. According to rumor, the name lampoons film critics Siskel & Ebert. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Elementals |
| 1. Incarnations of wind, soil, flame and the sea. They reshape the elements and possibly control the weather, but show little evidence of intelligence. 2. The powerful, little-understood races dwelling within the realm of Fire. Highly dangerous to races dwelling on the Earth. (WS, SD) |
| Firedrakes |
| Fearsome, eel-like creatures from the realm of fire. They have the ability and the desire to burn the entire earth to ash. Virtually impossible to control; no sane sorcerer would attempt to summon one. They are a type of fire elemental. (SM, SD, SS) |
| Fu dogs |
| Stone figures used in the city of Ch'ang-ja to prevent disruption of the harmony between magic and buildings. (SS) |
| Great Hunt |
| A Death Dog hunting pack of thirteen, with a human leader. (SM) |
| Khanate |
| General term for the Chengwei government. (SS) |
| Nelwyn Festival |
| Generic term for a Nelwyn holiday. The spring Planting Festival includes a great fair with a variety of entertainments. In the year Elora was born, this festival was interrupted when a Death Dog attacked the Nelwyn village. Other festivals include Arrival Day, a quiet holiday when the Nelwyns review their history, capped by a large dinner at home; the Leaf-Turning festival, a post-harvest celebration with another large fair; and the Midwinter Festival, a three-day holiday similar to Christmas. (WM, WN, WS) |
| Night Herons |
| These large, evil birds are the winged equivalent of Death Dogs, but have higher intelligence and a greater enjoyment of slaughter. (WN, SM, SS) |
| Paiza |
| An inscribed Chengwei passport medallion. (SS) |
| Resonator |
| A machine invented by the Chengwei, intended to focus and amplify the natural energies of the cosmos in order to restructure the Great Realms. It is an extremely powerful magic-disrupting device. (SS) |
| Sandeni Municipal Railway |
| A water-powered mass transit system including trolley cars in the upper city and elevators connecting the upper city with the areas at the bottom of the cliff. (SD) |
| Shadow |
| Euphemism for the forces of evil. (SM) |
| Sushin |
| The name of a style of swordfighting developed in the kingdoms northeast of Nockmaar. Also the name of a fine sword owned by Madmartigan. The name means 'mosquito.' (WN) |
| Thunderstones |
| An explosive weapon. (SS) |
| Trolls |
| Disgusting, vaguely human-shaped creatures with bare, wrinkled faces and black hair growing in clumps over the rest of the body. They stink abominably. Their primary food is carrion and their favorite food is Nelwyn, but they will eat anything if they have to. (WM, WN, WS, SD) |
| Whip-Knife |
| A Nockmaarian weapon consisting of a heavy four-pointed steel star with razor-sharp points. It is whirled around in a leather loop, which is then snapped to hurl the projectile at the target. (WS) |
| Wickerman |
| A tall figure woven from thin wooden shoots that forms the centerpiece of the spring and fall festivals. It symbolizes the Nelwyn way of peace and generosity. (WN, WS) |
| Wild Hunt |
| A hunting party of High Elves, mounted on ferocious horselike beasts. (SD) |