Torivor

History

The Torivors are one of Maldor's most powerful servants. Also known as Lurkers, they were summoned by Zokar from another Beyond (different from where Jason and Rachel come from) to Lyrian as his minions. Torivors are bound to Lyrian because of a covenant with Zokar. The Myrkstone, which Maldor obtained after the death of Zokar was used by Maldor to control the Torivors.

It was said that if Death took a form, it would look like a torivor. Their shape is, to a certain degree, human. Their whole form is pitch black, even in the sunlight. Their eyes are completely black, with no whites or irises. They move quickly and silently, making them great spies.

It is unknown whether the black shadow is their true form, for they bleed light, which hints at a less evil body.

Maldor uses them to his advantage. He seldom summons them, but whenever he does, they almost never fail him. Most times, they are used as scouts.

Torivors are sent to find and stalk a person, and once they have his or her scent, it is nearly impossible to shake them off. At night, they disturb their victims' dreams, giving nightmares that are meant to bring ruin upon them. They may not communicate with speech, but they can communicate, using thoughts, to those who are capable of hearing them. Usually when they find their victim, they will leave to alert Maldor's soldiers. They seldom harm anyone when they are sent on a scouting mission, unless provoked. If they are attacked, they will reciprocate, and possibly cause death. Torivors, however, are very secretive, and will almost never follow their victim into a large town.

Maldor also sends torivors to kill. This is scarcely the case, because if the torivor wins the fight, he is free from Maldor's service, but scouting and slaughter missions may be distinguished by their swords. When it is their goal to eliminate the victim, they will carry two, magnificent swords. Not even the best swordsman could expect victory. The only weapons that may succesfully finish off a torivor are the swords that they carry. The only known conquerors are Galloran, who vanquished not one, but three torivors in his lifetime, Jasher, with help from Drake, and Corinne, she slayed a unarmed Torivor. Even being possibly the best swordsman in Lyrian, Galloran only succeeded through his ability to read the lurker's mind and determine their next move. He has four swords to show his victory, one placed in the temporary care of Corinne while she was living in the swamp, and two of which he gave to Jason and Ferrin. Later in the Third book a Torivor came onboard the Valiant to kill Jason but Drake and Jasher intervened and killed it. Drake sacrificed himself so Jasher could stab the Torivor in the back. The truth is, that the Torivors only want to return back to their world and by doing what Maldor wishes, the Torivors can return to their world after completing their mission. In the third book, Rachel released the remaining Torivors back to their world (by destroying the Myrkstone) while some remained in service to Galloran, Jason, Farfalee and Rachel until they die. Rachel asked her Torivor to slay Maldor until he was vanquished.

Instead of using physical senses, they reach out with their mind, as a few people explained in Seeds of Rebellion. That is how Elaine/charm woman fooled one using a doll laced with Edomic commands, decieving its mind into assuming it was an injured Rachel.

Torivorian Steel Swords

Although Torivors do not bear any tools or weapons whilst on a scouting mission, a Torivor that has been instructed to duel a foe will bear two swords of immaculate craftsmanship, more perfect than any other blades in Lyrian. These swords are, ironically, the only weapons that can cause significant damage to the lurker itself. When dueling, the Torivor will hand one of the swords to it's marked foe. If, however unlikely it may be, the lurker's mark succeeds in slaying it instead, the swords remain. Several sets of Torivorian dueling blades are known to exist (see below).

Because of their incredible rarity and the circumstances which must take place for them to be acquired, the swords are very scarce throughout Lyrian. Galloran was known to own three sets, as he had defeated three lurkers, and the lurker which killed Drake also bore swords, which were likely claimed by Drake's allies after they destroyed the creature. Another set was seen when a lurker attempted to duel Maldor, and it is possible that they survived the explosion which killed him.

Powers and Abilities

As a wholly psychic race, Torivors have several unique and noteworthy abilities, most of which involve fear.

Dream Invasion

Lurkers can use their psychic powers to invade an individual's mind while they sleep and seed nightmares, typically of a near-death experience. While the afflicted being remains physically unharmed, such an effect is extremely traumatizing and should never be underestimated.

Torivors can also use this invasive ability to communicate with the unconscious individual, and is usually done so by looking like one of the friends of the victim.

Telepathy

As mentioned before, they use their minds instead of normal senses. So it is only natural that they communicate via telepathy. This is regarded as a natural talent and not use of Edomic (Edomic is the use of special words of power which change things in the world) .

Swordplay

Torivors are, as a species, some of the most deadly swordfighters alive. They are inhumanly strong and fast, and do not ever seem to tire. In addition, all Torivors have displayed extreme skill to complement these natural advantages. The only being known to have defeated a lurker in single combat is Galloran, and even he was pushed to the limit of his skills.

Dread

Lurkers can inflict a debilitating fear in animals of lower intelligence, causing them to run wildly in a desperate attempt to escape the lurker's presence. This power is extremely potent, and can cause even normally loyal animals to flee.