The cliff-ghast was a species of flying creature that inhabited the cliffs of Svalbard in Lyra's world.
Biology[]
Anatomy[]
Cliff-ghasts were approximately half the size of a grown human, and resembled large bats. They were capable of flight, with leathery wings, and had hooked claws. Their heads were flat and they had wide, frog-like mouths and bulging eyes. They gave off a foul smell.[1]
Diet[]
Cliff-ghasts were scavengers, living off carrion. They also ate Arctic foxes.
Culture[]
Language[]
Cliff-ghasts communicated with one another using spoken language, though they were not known to speak to other species.
Society[]
Cliff-ghasts revered the eldest of their kind, a blind ghast whom they called Grandfather. He was respected as a source of knowledge and legend, whose memory went back to before the existence of humans. This Grandfather predicted the 'greatest battle ever fought': the war against the Authority, and that Lord Asriel would win if he were in possession of the subtle knife, called Æsahættr in their tongue.[2]
Appearances[]
- Northern Lights
- Northern Lights - The Graphic Novel
- The Subtle Knife
- The Amber Spyglass
- His Dark Materials (TV series), Series 1, 2, 3
- Peril of the Pole (Mentioned only)
References[]
- ↑ Northern Lights, Chapter 18
- ↑ The Subtle Knife, Chapter 13
| Species | |
|---|---|
| Humanoid | Angels • Dæmons • Deaths • Gallivespians • Ghosts • Humans • Mermaids • Witches • Zombi |
| Other | Cliff-ghasts • Harpies • Mulefa • Night-ghasts • Panserbjørne • Spectres • Will-o’-the-wykes |