The Four Lands
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The Four Lands is the fictional world where Terry Brooks' Shannara series is set.
Each land, named after the compass point it faces, is home to a certain race of people. [1]
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[edit] The Northland
[edit] Inhabitants
The Northland is the home of the Trolls and many Gnome tribes.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Location
The Northland is bordered by the Southland, the Westland by the Streleheim Plains and the Eastland by the Charnal Mountains and Jannison Pass.
[edit] The Southland
The 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 Varleet, 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.
[edit] The Eastland
The Eastland is the home of the Dwarven and Gnome races. Dwarves and Gnomes are bitter enemies, constantly fighting over territory. The Eastland was also home to Heaven's Well, the tower where the Ildatch was contained.
[edit] The Westland
The 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 uses 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.
[edit] 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.
