Shrykes

Shryke Sisters patrolling the Great Shryke Slave Market.

Shrykes were large and intelligent birds, known for their cruelty.

During the Quint and Twig trilogies, shrykes were nomadic slavers, running the Great Shryke Slave Market in the Deepwoods. Later they took control of the Great Mire Road, establishing their capital at the Eastern Roost. For a number of years the shrykes were the dominant species on the Edge, as their control of the Great Mire Road allowed them to dominate the Edge's trading and commerce. Their fortunes changed at the Battle of Lufwood Mount, when the shryke army was destroyed by the warriors of the Free Glades.

Physical Appearance

Shrykes were essentially large, bipedal birds. Females were slightly larger than Fourthlings, and often bulkier, with thick, bright plumage and viciously sharp, curved beaks and talons. Males, usually referred to as shryke-mates, were much smaller and scrawnier, with duller plumage.

Shrykes were immune to the insanity-inducing effects of the Twilight Woods. This was what initially allowed them to take control of the Mire Road. Vox Verlix, the road's original architect, realised he would need people to man the sections of the road which lay within the Twilight Woods. He charged the shrykes with this duty, and they accepted. Later they used their position to assume control of the road in its entirety.

Shryke fledglings had to be watched constantly to prevent them from devouring each other.

Social hierarchy

Shryke-mates were subservient to female shrykes, and were typically led around on leashes as slaves or pets. The Elite Shryke Sisterhood was a group of particularly vicious and powerful shryke sisters who acted as warriors. Presiding over a roost of shrykes was the Roost-Mother. The vibrancy of a shryke's plumage, sharpness of talons and beak, and physical size connoted her level of power.

Personality

Most of the more prominent shryke-sisters were ruthless, sadistic, and bloodthirsty. In battle, shrykes principally fought with talon and beak, though they also used crude weapons like flails, whips, and spears. On the battlefield it was common for shrykes to devour their enemies while still alive. Their culture approved of slavery, and as Varis Lodd put it, found it easy to believe in treachery, too. Shrykes were largely feared and distrusted by most inhabitants of the Edge. However, some shrykes were more civilized, even valiant and good. Shrykes loved gossip^[1], wore expensive clothing^[2] and used cosmetics such as cold cream, feather-balm and beak-gloss^[3].

Notable Shrykes

This list doesn't include roost-mothers. For that list, click here.

• Sister Horsefeather
• Imbix Hoth's 8 shryke guards
• Sister Screechscale
• Crew of the Bringer of Doom
• Sister Bloodfeather
• Sister Sagsplit
• Sister Hinnytallon
• Sister Slashtalon
• Matron Featherhorn
• Sister Drab
• Sister Talonclaw
• Sister Talonscratch
• Sister Magclaw
• Sister Hookbill
• Sister Featherslash
• Sister Feathermane
• Sister Beakscreech
• Talonclaw
• Sister Plume
• Mistress Hinnygizzard

Notable Shryke-Mates (males)

• Hekkle
• Mardle
• Burdle
• Bikkle
• Dekkel
• Feckle
• Gwilp

Behind the scenes

Chris Riddell draws a shryke

References

1. ↑ The Last of the Sky Pirates, Chapter 8: The Eastern Roost
2. ↑ For example Mother Muleclaw III's golden armour in Freeglader, Chapter 8: Blood Frenzy
3. ↑ Vox, Chapter 18: The Ghosts of Screetown