Erlking
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The Erlking is a wyldfae. He is the lord of the goblins, and a peer to the Queens. He first appears in Dead Beat.
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Description
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Character and DefinitionEdit
He's described as a hunter spirit associated with primal violence. According to Erlking's book he isn't part of the Winter Court or the Summer Court, he is a wyldfae. How powerful he is differs according to the source. Some say he's among the top faerie nobles other say he's equal to the Faerie Queens. He is one of the beings who can call up the Wild Hunt (a gathering of the more predatory beings of Faerie). There are varying stories him and childrens deaths: to some he's a being who prays on children or heralds their deaths. Still others say he's a guardian making sure the souls of children aren't harmed or diverted as they leave their bodies.[1]
Mab tells Harry Dresden that the Erlking is to Goblins what she is to the Sidhe. He is a ruler, a master of their kind. he is devious, cunning, stong, and swift. He holds dominion over the spirits of fallen hunters, the energy of the hunt: excitement, hunger and bloodlust. He can call those spirits in the forms of great black hounds, then ride the winds and forests of the Wild Hunt. He carries great power as he does this.[2]
Physical DescriptionEdit
While trapped in Harry's circle he is stated to be over eight feet tall. He looks more or less human dressed in close-fiting leathers and mail. He had on a bucket-shaped helmet taht covered his face, and huge stag horns rose up from the helmet. His eyes shone like amber fires through the slit of the visor. When he spoke to Harry, the words just appeared in his head.[3]
In his own court, the Erlking is said to be over nine feet tall.
In the Series Edit
In Dead Beat, Mab tells Harry more about the Erlking. The Heirs of Kemmler (necromancers) want to summon the Erlking in order to raise ancient and powerful spirits to devour them for power in a ritual spell called the Darkhallow. Their master had learned a way to bind his will to shades, not just the dead (written in The Word of Kemmler).[2] Harry plans to call the Erlking and secure him so that the Heirs can't call him.[4] Harry goes to see Sheila who has perfect recall to tell him what was in the Erlking's book.[5]
Later in Dead Beat, Harry Dresden summons the Erlking outside Murphy's apartment and traps him in a circle. He demanded to be realeased, inviting Harry to join him in the hunt. Harry refused. First he lets Harry feel teh excitement of he hunt, then lets him feel the experience of being the hunted. After three refusals, he howls in rage unable to escape. Harry is hit on the head by Cowl allowing the Erlking to escape on his steed. He salutes Harry with his sword before he leaves to run havoc through Chicago.[3] Toward the end, The Erlking thanks Harry for raising him then let's him go for now.[6]
In Changes, Harry Dresden and Susan Rodriguez enter the Erlking's lair in the Nevernever by accident when attempting to flee from an attack by the Red Court.
In Cold Days, Kringle and the Erlking purposefully lose a brawl to Harry to allow Harry to lead the Wild Hunt against the Outsiders.
NotesEdit
The lore about him was compiled into the book Die Lied der Erlking by Wizard Peabody. It is a collection of essays, stories, songs, lectures, accountings, sketches and poetry about him.[1]
When Harry meets the Erlking again at court, we find out his name is Lord Herne. The English name "Erlking" derives from the German "Erlkönig" ("Alder King"); the latter in turn was mistranslated from a Danish name meaning "Elfking".
Per Jim ButcherEdit
The Erlking associated with the summer season and is thus considered Summer King, despite being independent of the queens and their courts.[7]
References Edit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dead Beat, ch. 20
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dead Beat, ch. 21
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dead Beat, ch. 33
- ↑ Dead Beat, ch. 26
- ↑ Dead Beat, ch. 28 and 32
- ↑ Dead Beat, ch. 43
- ↑ Jim Butcher Dragon-Con Q&A @6:30 of youtube video
