Shea Ohmsford , the protagonist, Flick's adopted brother and the only remaining descendant of Jerle Shannara. Shea must find an ancient magical sword, the Sword of Shannara, and use it to destroy the antagonist, the Warlock Lord. A major theme of this novel revolves around Shea—part of his quest includes finding a belief in himself. This is a search that every subsequent Brooks protagonist must undergo.
Flick Ohmsford , Shea's brother. He helps Shea escape Shady Vale and 'tags along' with the group that goes to recover the Sword. He rescues Eventine "solo" after Allanon disguises him as a Gnome.
Menion Leah , a friend of Shea and the Prince of the small country of Leah. He guides Shea and Flick to Culhaven after their escape of Shady Vale and the Skull Bearer. He is the first of many from the House of Leah to befriend a member of the Ohmsford family.
Shade of Bremen , the deceased father of Allanon. He resides in a lake called the Hadeshorn, just outside of the Hall of Kings.
Allanon , a Druid who has been alive for around 400 years through the use of Druid Sleep. He guides and mentors the group on their quest to find the Sword. Allanon has been described as a parallel to Merlin from Arthurian legend.
Balinor Buckhannah , the Crown Prince of the country of Callahorn and the "charismatic commander of [the] Border Legion". He left the capital, Tyrsis, after a fight with his insane brother, Palance; upon returning, he was thrown into a dungeon by him.
Hendel , a "taciturn" Dwarf warrior. He first appears in the novel when he saves Menion Leah from a Siren, and was part of the company that went to find the Sword.
Eventine Elessedil , the king of the elves. He was captured by the gnome and troll army of Brona.
Durin Elessedil , the older brother of Dayel and cousin to King Eventine. He was part of the company that went to find the Sword.
Dayel Elessedil , the younger brother of Durin and cousin to King Eventine. He was part of the company that went to find the Sword.
Stenmin , a traitor to Callahorn now working for the Warlock Lord. He poisoned both Palance and Ruhl Buckhannah, the King of Callahorn, eventually killing Ruhl and driving Palance insane.
Palance Buckhannah , the brother of Balinor Buckhannah and a prince of Callahorn. He was driven insane as a result of drugs fed to him by Stenmin, and at his urging, took control of Callahorn when his father 'took ill'.
Panamon Creel , a one-handed "con man" wanderer whose left hand is now a pike. He saved Shea from a patrol of Gnomes. The inspiration for his character came directly from Rupert of Hentzau from The Prisoner of Zenda , by Anthony Hope.
Keltset Mallicos , Panamon's mute companion. He is mute as a result of the Warlock Lord. He was able to save Panamon and Shea after they were captured by Trolls because he had been awarded the Black Irix, the highest honor any Troll can receive, and therefore is considered incapable of treachery. The Trolls then helped them get to Skull Mountain so that Shea could confront the Warlock Lord.
Brona (the Warlock Lord) , the former Druid and antagonist of the novel. In days long ago, Brona was a Druid before he was subverted by dark magic. He believes that he is immortal, and so he still lives. When he was confronted with the power of the Sword, "truth", he was forced to see that he was really dead, and immediately disappeared.
Skull Bearers , "winged black destroyers" who "sacrificed their humanity" to become the Warlock Lord's most trusted servants. They fly around at different points of the novel, demoralizing troops. They are usually seen only at night, though one does fly during the day over the city of Tyrsis on the last day of the battle.
Shirl Ravenlock , the daughter of an elder on the governing council of Kern, and a descendant of royal blood. She was kidnapped by Stenmin, but is accidentally rescued by Menion Leah. Menion and Shirl soon fall in love with each other. She is one of only two women to appear directly in the book, with the other being the Siren.
Orl Fane , a "Gollum-like" Gnome who "covets the Sword as Gollum does the ring." He stole the Sword and forced Panamon, Keltset and Shea to track him down. He was driven insane and killed by the Warlock Lord after he took control of his mind and forced him to try to take the Sword.
King of the Silver River , a creature of farie that comes to the aid of travelers in need.
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