- The Four Lands
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The Four Lands is the fictional world where Terry Brooks' Shannara series is set. The Genesis of Shannara trilogy reveals the Four Lands to be located in the modern Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada. Much of the landscape has been changed from a future holocaust, but some landmarks remain. For example, the Columbia River is still flowing, though it no longer flows directly to the Pacific Ocean and has been renamed the Silver River.
Each land, named after the compass point it faces, is home to a certain race of people.[1]
Contents
The Northland
French map of the Northland
Inhabitants
The Northland is the home of the Trolls and many Gnome tribes.
Geography
The Northland features much rocky terrain and mountains, along with swamplands and deserts. At one time, the most important area in the Northland was the Skull Kingdom--at the heart of which was Skull Mountain; the base of operations for the Warlock Lord. After his defeat at the hands of Shea Ohmsford, the Skull Kingdom fell into ruin and decay.
Location
The Northland is bordered by the Southland, the Westland by the Streleheim Plains and the Eastland by the Charnal Mountains and Jannison Pass.
The Southland
Main article: Southland (Shannara)
French map of the SouthlandThe Southland is inhabited mostly by men. It was largely divided with the largest country being the Borderland of Callahorn until the Federation took over the Southland after the passing of the Druids. The largest city of Callahorn is the Border City of Tyrsis. Other cities include Varfleet, Leah and Kern. But these cities pale in comparison to the cities of the deep Southland, that formed the core of the Federation, cities such as Arishaig (the Federation capital) Wayford, Sterne, Dechtera, Pia, and Zolomach, all of which are sprawling industrialized cities. It also contains the village of Shady Vale, where Shea and Flick Ohmsford were raised. The Southland is separated from the Northland by the Dragon's Teeth mountains. It reaches as far as Lower Anar and Wolfsktaag Mountains in the east and Irrybis Mountains in the West. The southern border is unknown.
The Eastland
French map of the EastlandThe Eastland is the home of the Dwarven and the rest of the Gnome tribes. Dwarves and Gnomes are bitter enemies, constantly fighting over territory. The Eastland also contained the fortress of Graymark, home to Heaven's Well, the source of the Silver River. Below the tower is a forbidding forest where the Ildatch was contained.
The Westland
French map of the WestlandThe Westland is home to the Elven race. The Elves are mostly concentrated in the northern regions of the Westland, where their capital of Arborlon is situated. The town of Grimpen Ward, a haven for those who wish to flee their old lives with no questions asked, lies in the south of the Westland, in the Wilderun region that was also home to the elder witch sisters of the Morgawr.
In the southern region of the Westland lies Wing Hove, the home of the Sky Elves, a group which has remained separate from the rest of the Elven Nation for generations.
Other Regions
In the center of the Four Lands, under no particular ownership of any race, lies the Dragon's Teeth mountains, where the Valley of Shale and dread lake of the Hadeshorn are situated. North of the Dragon's Teeth is Paranor, the Druid Keep, and the forest surrounding it.
Hall of Kings
The Hall of Kings is a series of chambers that are said to be built several centuries before. The chambers are filled with dangerous traps and creatures which trespassers must face. The first chamber is filled with stone sphinxes that turn anyone who looks at them to stone. The sphinxes also use telepathic powers to force people to look at them. The second chamber is full of shrieking banshees that will gradually drive you insane. The third chamber is the burial chamber of the kings, being filled with treasure chests, jewels, gold and such. However, the treasures are coated with a venom that kills with just a touch. The fourth, and last, chamber is guarded by the Valg and then later the Asphinx. There are only a few people who are known to prevail over these obstacles, and that is the band of fighters in The Sword of Shannara, and Walker Boh.
Eldwist
Eldwist is a peninsula to the north of the Four Lands. During the Heritage of Shannara series it was being turned to stone by The King of the Silver River's brother, Uhl Belk.
Morrowindl
To the west of the four lands lies the island of Morrowindl. Some 200 miles across it is dominated by the unstable volcano Killeshan. It is hinted by sources (not in the books) that Morrowindl could be the Old World area known as Hawaii.
Parkasia
French map of Parkasia and other overseas landsParkasia is located across the Blue Divide from the Four Lands. During The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Parkasia is under the control of Antrax, a sentinent computer type being created by the men of the Old World. The climate of Parkasia was controlled by Antrax, who kept the climate as that of summer. In actuality, Parkasia would be of a more frigid climate.
Parkasia is surrounded by cliffs where shrikes nest. The safest route is by a peninsula which is guarded by the Squirm. The Craken Rainforest farther inland is surrounded by the Aleuthra Ark Mountains.
Parkasia's native inhabitants are the Rindge. The Rindge often offer sacrifices up to Antrax believing him a God. The Ringe have a brown-red skin and pale red hair, and speak a dialect similar to ancient dwarven.
References
Novels of Terry Brooks’ Shannara universe Book I Book II Book III Book IV Word & Void: Running with the Demon A Knight of the Word Angel Fire East The Genesis of Shannara: Armageddon's Children The Elves of Cintra The Gypsy Morph Legends of Shannara: Bearers of the Black Staff The Measure of the Magic Prequel to Shannara: First King of Shannara The Original Shannara Trilogy: The Sword of Shannara The Elfstones of Shannara The Wishsong of Shannara The Heritage of Shannara: The Scions of Shannara The Druid of Shannara The Elf Queen of Shannara The Talismans of Shannara The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch Antrax Morgawr High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus Tanequil Straken Legacy of Shannara: The Wards of Faerie TBA TBA Other Shannara products The World of Shannara Shannara PC Game Dark Wraith of Shannara Indomitable Shannara on Wikipedia Shannara task force — Characters — Creatures — Places — Objects — Related articles 
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