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Sabriel vs

Sabriel uses Saraneth against Thralk (rear) on Cloven Crest, by Kali Ciesemier.

The Bells are the tools of a necromancer or an Abhorsen. They use remnants of power from the first Seven Bright Shiners to control or affect the Dead (and are sometimes used in non-necromantic situations as well). While a necromancer's bells have handles of ebony or jet and use pure Free Magic, an Abhorsen's bells are mahogany and combined with Charter Magic. They are carried in a bandolier across the chest.[1]

The Abhorsen-in-Waiting may sometimes use panpipes (which are considerably weaker, but safer) before the bells, with each pipe corresponding to a bell.[2]

List of Bells[]

Ranna[]

Ranna is the Sleeper, the smallest bell, with a sweet and low sound, which brings sleep to those who hear it.[1][2][3] It used to bind both Mogget and Kerrigor in Sabriel and was wielded by Touchstone at the binding of Orannis[4] in Abhorsen. We saw Ranna wielded by an enemy for the first time in Goldenhand, where a necromancer uses it to incapacitate Ferin, Astilaran, and Young Laska.

Mosrael[]

Mosrael is the Waker, a harsh and rowdy bell, which brings dead bodies to life as the wielder falls into Death in a see-saw effect.[1][2][3] It was wielded by Sanar and Ryelle together[4] (as their souls were intertwined) at the binding of Orannis. It also opens a hidden door at the top of the Long Cliffs that leads to Abhorsen's House.

Kibeth[]

Kibeth is the Walker, a difficult and contrary bell of several sounds, which can make others go where you wish.[1] However, it is wise to keep this bell firmly encased, for it is known to sound on its own and cause an inexperienced user to walk where they otherwise would not wish to.[2][3] The Disreputable Dog, the remnant of Kibeth, stood for herself at the binding of Orannis.[4]

Dyrim[]

Dyrim is the Speaker, a musical bell with a clear and pretty tone, which allows speech or makes things mute, and can silence someone if their tongue moves too freely.[1][2][3] It was wielded by Ellimere at the binding of Orannis.[4]

Belgaer[]

Belgaer is the Thinker, a tricksome bell that seeks to ring of its own accord, which allows independent thought for the Dead, or erases memories.[1][2][5] Wielded by Sameth at the binding of Orannis,[4] it was used by Sabriel to free Yrael/Mogget from his "millennia of servitude" after the binding of Orannis, and by Lirael to restore the "Clariel" fragment of Chlorr of the Mask in Death. Belgaer is the most scorned bell of Free Magic necromancers.

Saraneth[]

Saraneth is the Binder, the deepest, lowest bell, which forces the listener to obey the wielder's will[1][2][5]. It was wielded by Sabriel at the binding of Orannis [4]and used to bind Mogget for thousands of years.

Astarael[]

Astarael is the Weeper, the largest bell, which throws all who hear it, including the wielder, deep into Death.[1][5][6] Wielded by Lirael at the binding of Orannis, it was used by Terciel in a self-sacrifice to delay Kerrigor and his followers,[7] and by Lirael twice to bring "Clariel" to the Ninth Precinct.

Forging[]

Based on the account of Idrach the Lesser Necromancer, the bells begin as ordinary silver bells that can be bought at any establishment. They become magical with Free Magic spells (and Charter Magic, in the case of the Abhorsen) and are finally heated red-hot and quenched in the waters of Death, at which point they become the necromantic instruments we know. Idrach forged Ranna, Mosrael, and Kibeth at the first, second, and fourth Gates respectively, since dangerous waves of the Third made forging impossible. It's unknown which other precincts correspond to which bell.

Abhorsens usually inherit their bells, which tend to be centuries old, rather than forging them anew.

Frequency of Use[]

This is the order of the bells from most to least used in the series.

  1. Saraneth
  2. Kibeth
  3. Astarael
  4. Ranna
  5. Mosrael
  6. Belgaer
  7. Dyrim
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 A Guide to the Necromance Bells, at the end of Abhorsen
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Lirael, p. 418
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Abhorsen, p. 33
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Abhorsen, p. 384
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Abhorsen, p. 34
  6. Lirael, p. 419
  7. Sabriel, pp. 292-293
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