Necromantic bells
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- This article is about the necromantic bells. For the Nine Bright Shiners of the same names, see Nine Bright Shiners.
Necromantic bells are the bells wielded by a necromancer in Garth Nix's fantasy series, the Old Kingdom trilogy. There are seven bells, each named after one of the seven of the nine Bright Shiners who created the Charter. It can be inferred that ringing each invokes the power of the associated Bright Shiner, but this is not directly mentioned in the series. The bells generally grow more difficult to wield properly as their size and power increase, and they almost always have a negaive effect to the wielder if they are not used with proper care.
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[edit] Appearance
The bells are described as ranging in size from that of a pillbox to that of a jar. While the bells of Free Magic necromancers contain only Free Magic power, the bells of an Abhorsen feature engraved Charter marks, as Magistrix Greenwood observes in the book Sabriel. In the book Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr, we are also introduced to the concept of necromancer "bells" as pipes, rather than bells. Pipes such as these carry the same basic properties as the bells, although they have less power, and are traditionally the possessions and tools of an Abhorsen-In-Waiting.
These bells are used by a necromancer to summon and control the dead. Those used by the Abhorsen family are used to return the dead to Death, and as a result Charter Marks appear on both the bells and their handles. Bells may vary in materials, but silver and bronze are common bell materials, and mahogany and ebony are common types of wood used for the handles, however a necromancer may use bone.
[edit] Characteristics
[edit] Ranna
The "Sleepbringer" or "Sleeper", Ranna is the smallest of the bells, with the highest tone. Its tone induces sleep, quiescence, and/or relaxation in humans and Dead alike. Throughout the majority of the series, Ranna is the bell that binds the creature Mogget, or Yrael, to the service of the Abhorsen. During the second binding of Orannis, Ranna was rung by King Touchstone.
[edit] Mosrael
The "Waker", Mosrael is used to bring the Dead into Life, but also throws the necromancer further into Death. It was never used by an Abhorsen in the triligy except in tandem with one or more additional bells. At the second binding of Orannis, Mosrael was rung by Sanar and Ryelle, a pair of twins of the Clayr bloodline.
[edit] Kibeth
Kibeth, or the "Walker", is a bell that controls movement. It is able to give and take away the freedom of movement from its target, or in careless hands its user. An avatar of Kibeth is encountered in Lirael: Daughter of the Clayr, and continues as a main character — the Disreputable Dog — through Abhorsen. The Disreputable Dog stands for herself — Kibeth — at the second binding of Orannis.
[edit] Dyrim
Dyrim, or the "Speaker", is a musical bell that controls sound and voice. It is able to give a voice to those without one (including the Dead), or render one mute. As demonstrated before, Dyrim can also be used to raise spirits, for it's voice, rung the right way, can seem to those alive as a sweet, uplifting tune. Dyrim was rung by Princess Ellimere at the second binding of Orannis.
[edit] Belgaer
The "Thinker", Belgaer is a bell that manipulates memory. It can bring back forgotten memories erased from a spirit who has spent too long in Death, or erase memories altogether. If not used carefully, it may splinter the mind of the one who wields it. Necromancers will almost never use the former function, preferring to use the latter for offensive purposes. At the second binding of Orannis, Belgaer was rung by Prince Sameth.
[edit] Saraneth
The deepest bell, the "Binder" Saraneth is used by necromancers to bind the Dead to their will, and is the favored bell of the Abhorsens. It can be used to command spirits back into Death, and beyond the Ninth Gate. It is one of the most commonly used bells of the Abhorsens, along with Ranna and Kibeth. Rung discordantly, it can also make the wielder's mind wander (as demonstrated in Abhorsen.) Saraneth was rung by Queen and Abhorsen Sabriel, at the second binding of Orannis.
[edit] Astarael
"The Sorrowful" or "Weeper", Astarael's tone is described as being high pitched and peaceful. Astarael is the most powerful and largest bell which will throw everyone who hears it, including the ringer, deep into Death. At the second binding of Orannis, it was rung by Abhorsen-in-Waiting and Remembrancer Lirael.
[edit] Multiple Bell Techniques
In Sabriel, it is stated that it is possible for a skilled necromancer, Abhorsen, or group of any combination of the former, to ring two or more bells at once, and achieve an effect different from that of any one rung singly. This has only been touched upon lightly in the book, and it is only stated that simultaneously ringing Mosrael and Kibeth allowed Sabriel to free her father, the Abhorsen Terciel, from his confines in Death. This combination of Walker and Waker does not negate the see-saw effect of Mosrael's wielder being cast further into death as a result of its use. For example, in Sabriel when Sabriel frees her father, she is walked toward the gate as her father is freed. All that is stated in the books, however, is that this combination was necessary for Sabriel to free her father from his captivity. Another example is found in Abhorsen: Saraneth and Ranna are rung by Lirael in chorus with the Disreputable Dog's bark (effectively Kibeth) to bind the sliver of Orannis inside Nicholas Sayre. The ultimate combination is used in Abhorsen — all seven bells being rung simultaneously to bind the complete Orannis.
[edit] Creation Of The Bells
On the Garth Nix website 'abhorsentrilogy.com' it is possible to explore more information that has been available for the public to view, such as a ‘journal’ titled "An Extract of the Journal of Idrach the Lesser Necromancer". This extract of text was clearly written to give more insight into the world of the Abhorsen and goes into some detail as to the creation to the seven bells, however, many pages of this extract are missing as the Clayr First Assistant Librarian mentions. It is hinted at that one must procure a standard bell of silver or bronze, and venture into each of the first eight Precincts of Death, each (excluding the Third) standing for one Bright Shiner which in turn is where the names of each bell is derived. Idrach the Lesser Necromancer says "I knew I must quench the bell metal in the waters upon the very brink of the First Gate. I had purchased a small silver bell with a pure voice and had prepared it according to the book. All that remained was to make it red-hot and plunge it into the river." This gives a clear representation of what he is doing, creating Ranna. He later mentions creating two other bells, and having ventured to the Second Gate to do so of Mosrael, however to create Kibeth he had to venture to the Fourth Precinct, which is undoubtedly due to the large waves of the Third Precinct. This can only mean that each gate deciphers the strength of the bell. However of course this is not to say the Abhorsen creates his or her bells in the same manner, it seems to be likely as there have been no other mentions referring to the creation of the bells, but it is highly likely there is another way which bonds Charter Magic with the Free Magic of the bells.
[edit] See also
| Novels | Sabriel • Lirael • Abhorsen • The Creature in the Case • Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories |
|---|---|
| Characters | Chlorr of the Mask • Disreputable Dog • Kerrigor • Lirael • Mogget • Orannis • Sabriel • Terciel • Touchstone |
| Magic | The Charter • Death • Five Great Charters • Free Magic • Nine Bright Shiners |
| Magical objects | Necromantic bells • Nehima • Paperwing |
