His Dark Materials
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His Dark Materials

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[]

References[]

  1. Northern Lights, Chapter 18
  2. The Subtle Knife, Chapter 13
Species
Humanoid AngelsDæmonsDeathsGallivespiansGhostsHumansMermaidsWitchesZombi
Other Cliff-ghastsHarpiesMulefaNight-ghastsPanserbjørneSpectresWill-o’-the-wykes
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