- “Gelfling, the Skeksis deceived us, turned clan against clan, murdered our All-Maudra, drained our loved ones, unleashed the Darkening upon our world, and now everyone and everything is at risk. What was once unthinkable has become inevitable: rebellion.”
- ―Rian to the Gelfling of Thra, "The Crystal Calls"
Rian is one of the three main protagonists of Netflix's 2019 dark fantasy adventure series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. He was a Stonewood Gelfling from the planet Thra and a castle guard during the last days of the alliance at the Crystal Castle. He was in a loving relationship with the Vapran Gelfling, Mira but witnessed the Skeksis drain his lover of her essence. Now knowing the true nature of the Lords he once served, Rian is accompanied by Princess Brea of the Vapra clan and Deet of the Grottan clan to start a rebellion against the Skeksis who rule over Thra with an iron fist and unleashed the Darkening upon their world.
He was voiced by Taron Egerton and puppeteered by Neil Sterenberg
Background[]
Rian is one of the Gelfling who lived during the Age of Division before skekSo ordered the execution of the Gelflings. He was a member of the Stonewood Clan and the son of war hero Ordon, who was also the Captain of the Guard at the Castle of the Crystal and Shoni, with her introduction of the prequel comics. As a child, Rian and his father would try and catch Fizzgigs together.
Rian grew up knowing which Skeksis was which, and they in return knew Rian was the son of the Palace Guard. Joining the Guard, Rian found it hard living in Ordon's shadow and hoped to win his father's approval while in a relationship with fellow Guard Mira of the Vapra Clan and together the couple became best friends with Gurjin of the Drenchen Clan.
Personality[]
At the beginning of the series, Rian was an adventurous Gelfling since he was young, sharing this trait with his late lover, Mira. According to Ordon, Rian would sometimes act like a child, like playing pranks and stealing food from the Skeksis' would-be foods from the other Podlings. He and Mira often played games with each other and didn't appear to take their duties as guards seriously. Because of this, Ordon did not even allow his son to oversee the guard while he was gone and saw his son as undisciplined and not fit to lead the Guard. It is what caused Rian to prove to his father that he could be his son; however, he took reckless actions to get there. For example, instead of Rian telling Ordon about seeing a Silk Spitter of the Arathim Ascendancy in the castle, he instead told his father it could wait until he returned. Rian found this as an opportunity to prove that he could live up to his father's expectations, even dragging his best friend Gurjin into his and Mira's quest. However, this small adventure of trying to prove himself to his father consequentially led to Mira's capture and demise.
Rian is also a romantic, being incredibly nervous around Mira when he first met her and acting shy with Deet, his other love interest. They would often flirt with each other, especially blindly looking into each other rather than looking for the Spitter. Mira was supportive of Rian, even joining him on his mission to impress his father. After witnessing the Skeksis' deception and killing Mira with the Crystal of Truth, Rian practically matured overnight, knowing the dangers that the Skeksis possessed threats to the Gelfling and Thra. Because they caused the death of his lover, Rian made it his personal goal to bring the Skeksis' evil rule over Thra once and for all. He is also very selfless, as Rian wishes to free Thra from Skeksi's rule because he knows they are the ones who unleashed the darkening upon their world. Though his primary reason for wanting to prove the Skeksis' reign of terror was driven by the fact that they killed his lover, Rian knew that it was time to stand up against them. Following his escape from the castle, Rian was desperate to prove his innocence and wanted to show anyone he met the truth as to what the Skeksis were truly capable of. However, Rian found it hard when no one believed him. He was especially heartbroken when his father would not believe him. However, despite Ordon's intentions of trying to help his son, Ordon was making it worse.
Rian cares very much for his friends and family and inspires loyalty among them. He was best friends with Gurjin and shared a brotherly relationship. Because of their strong friendship, Gurjin promised to join Rian and stay by his best friend's side, especially after learning what the Skeksis did to Mira. Gurjin even sacrificed his freedom for Rian, staying behind in the castle so Rian could escape. Due to Rian's chance to run, he was especially reluctant to abandon Gurjin in the castle when his best friend gave him the chance to run. He especially becomes very close friends with Brea and Deet, especially developing romantic feelings for the latter of his two female companions. With Naia, Kylan, and Tavra, he convinced them all to dreamfast with him. Despite only knowing him for a day, Naia and Gurjin went to rescue Rian. This aspect of Rian is especially shown when he wanted to go after Brea when she was kidnapped by the Hunter, SkekMal, over having to get the Dual Glaive, but he was forced to abandon the notion, as SkekGra and UrGoh convinced him to do as Brea wanted them to do. He also showed concern for Hup, who had by now found a friend in Rian and told him to be careful, along with Deet.
The young Gelfling is also a dedicated fighter, due to being raised by a father who treated Rian more like a soldier than a son. He managed to hold off opponents, such as SkekVar, SkekSo, and SkekZok. He wanted to fight the Skeksis and becomes determined to fight with each passing day. When he was in the presence of any of the Skeksis, such as SkekSil holding Rian hostage and facing SkekSo during the Second Battle of the Stone-in-the-Wood, Rian displayed strong defiance and resistance to them. He boldly faced SkekSo during their first interaction and goads them to fight. SkekSil took advantage of Rian's defiance, especially manipulating Rian into doubting himself, using the sacrifices Ordon and Gurjin made to ensure Rian's survival. Ultimately, Rian proved to have strong defiance and escaped with his defiance intact, which would have been destroyed if Rian was never rescued.
Physical Appearance[]
Rian is a lean Gelfling with light brown skin, dark brown hair, light green eyeshadow-like marks, and blue eyes. He also wears a long-sleeved white and grey tunic, striped brown pants, and dark brown boots.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- Dreamfasting: Rian can share his memories and thoughts with another Gelfling and vice versa whenever he is in physical contact with other Gelflings by touching each other's hands. He primarily used dream fasting with the other Gelflings so they could see their story and reveal the truth about the Skeksis. When he and the Heroes dream-fasted at an inn, Rian, Tavra, Naia, Kylan, and Ordon created a vision so powerful it created a dream etching of the Aureyal. During a summoning ritual performed by Aughra, when Rian Dreamfasted with Gurjin, Naia, and Kylan, they were transported to the dream world along with Deet, Brea, Mayrin, and Seladon.
- Connection to Thra: Like other Gelfling, Rian and his race are the creatures who have the closest connection to Thra and to Mother Aughra's heart. When Rian dies, his essence will return to Thra.
Abilities[]
- Sword fighting: Rian was well versed in sword-fighting due to being trained to being a guard of the Crystal Castle. He was able to beat even General Skeksis. However, Rian could not take up SkekMal, who managed to take him hostage several times.
Role in the series[]
Rian was the son of Ordon the War Hero and Captain of the Guard of the Crystal Castle. His mother was identified as Shoni in the prequel comics.
End. Begin. All the Same.[]
Rian and his girlfriend, Mira once again play pranks on the Podling servants. Providing the distraction, Rian pretended to ask for one and tried tempting the Podlings to look at how tasty they were and the possibility that they might be poisoned. Meanwhile, Mira appears and steals a couple of fruit off one of the plates and the couple makes a run for it. The two muses at how the Podlings reacted and how easier it gets for them. Mira and Rian race to the top of the spyglass on their secret hiding spot. Rian starts running, but then he notices Mira has taken her armor off and is flying to the top and makes haste for it. Mira flies up and beats him to it; Rian complained it was not fair because she had wings while he does not, with Mira pointing out that she was a girl while he was not. After eating their meal, Rian and Mira muse about how they first met and decide to dreamfast to remember their first meeting. However, it is interrupted when an Arathim attacks them. The duo managed to dodge its attacks as it escapes. They decide to inform the captain of the creature that they assumed had gotten into the castle. (in reality, the Arathim escaped from the Scientist's, skekTek, lab.)
Rian and Mira go to the captain and Rian's father, Ordon, who is preparing to take the Skeksis lords, skekLach and SkekOk to Ha'rar for the Tiding Ceremony hosted by the All-Maudra Mayrin. Rian, taking an opportunity to show his father he can be Ordon's son, asks who will oversee the Guard while he is gone. Expecting it to be him, Ordon crushes his hopes when he reveals that one of the Gelfling, Tylon. Outraged, Rian insists to his father that he is ready, but Ordon reveals that he needs someone to count on, not on ones that act like children. Rian realizes that the Podlings told on them. He attempts to convince his father again, but Ordon reprimands him. Mira tells Rian to inform Ordon of what they saw. Impatient, Ordon asks what it is they need to tell him. Instead of telling his father and wanting to go after the Spitter himself to impress Ordon, Rian simply wishes for his father to save his travels. The impatient Skeksis readily move out, as do the guards. Mira asks why Rian did not tell Ordon of the Arathim they spotted, with Rian saying he is getting tired of hearing stories of his father the Stonewood hero, and thinks this will impress Ordon. He asks Mira if she wishes to join the hunt, and she is happier than to join him. Mira insists they need help, when at that moment, their best friend, Gurjin appears before them. Rian and Mira decide he is their choice for a third party, and asks how his "best friend is doing" before dragging him along with them.
Rian sees the rulers for what they really are; cruel and arrogant vultures.
However, during the search, the trio cannot seem to find the Arathim anywhere; Gurjin refuses to go on and allows Rian and Mira to go themselves. During their search, Rian and Mira begin kissing each other before they suddenly hear Gurjin scream. Going back to check on him, they see that Arathim has been spotted by Gurjin. The trio follows it down the road and sees it has escaped down a hole that leads to the catacomb. Though Rian and Gurjin are reluctant to go down to the catacombs because it is forbidden by the Skeksis, Mira goes down herself. When they don't hear from her, Rian goes down himself, going down the spider web and using it like a rope to get back down there. Rian tries searching for Mira but cannot find any signs of her. He travels too far into the catacombs and to SkekTek's lair. He watches as the Skeksis enter the Scientist's lab, where skekTek reveals his findings to his fellow Skeksis. When skekTek calls for the person assisting him, Rian is shocked to see that it is Mira who is in the room. Suddenly, Rian watches as the Crystal of Truth drains Mira of her essence and kills her. Rian begins crying and inadvertently alerts the Skeksis of his presence when one of Rian's tears landed on one of the Skeksis. However, Rian escaped, now with the knowledge that the Skeksis are not what they appear to be.
Nothing Is Simple Anymore[]
Rian informing Gurjin about Mira
After escaping from the catacombs, Rian found Gurjin at his guard post and dragged his best friend away toward privacy. Gurjin stops Rian and tells him that the other guards had informed them Rian had killed Mira. However, Rian insisted it was a lie and offered to show him what happened via dream fasting. Revisiting the terrible scene, Gurjin watches as Mira's essence was drained from Rian's viewpoint and realizes that his friend is innocent and that the murder of Mira was by the Skeksis. Rian realized his girlfriend was truly gone, causing Gurjin to hug Rian and comfort his best friend as they both grieved Mira's death. Rian felt that Mira deserved justice and that Thra deserved to know the truth. Gurjin agreed and refused to leave his best friend's side, deciding that they would be better off together. Rian came up with a plan but warned Gurjin he was not going to like it.
Gurjin and Rian headed down and spied SkekAyuk and SkekZok, who were searching for Rian and trying to bait him out. Confirming that he does not like this idea, Gurjin follows Rian nonetheless. They come across the Crystal of Truth as they enter the Crystal Chamber. When Gurjin asks if it is supposed to be that color, Rian knows that the Skeksis have corrupted it. Rian tells Gurjin they are going to have to climb down the air shaft and down to SkekTek's lab to retrieve Mira's essence. However, when the duo gets to the cabinet that has Mira's essence. However, they are unable to grab it because it is locked by a lock snake. They are forced to hide underneath a table when SkekSil enters the scientist's lab and steals the essence. SkekTek caught the Chamberlain and would have believed in his lies that the Gelflings took it because SkekTek sees the bits of lock snake in SkekSil's teeth. Before the argument escalated, the two Skeksis caught the scent of Rian and Gurjin.
SkekSil and SkekTek begin arguing but the Chamberlain dropped the bottle of essence, and Rian grabbed it. Due to their smaller sizes, Rian and Gurjin dodge the Skeksis' attempts to grab them and escape with the essence. They are not able to get far, as they are suddenly surrounded by the Scientist and the Chamberlain, who holds Gurjin hostage. Surrounded by his enemies, Rian hesitated what to do. SkekSil attempted to persuade the Gelfling they are not going to hurt either of them and that they were friends. However, Gurjin told Rian not to listen, as it was a trick. SkekSil told Rian to give up the essence and his escape. Gurjin told Rian to run when he saw the sunset shining through the window and stabbed the Chamberlain in the side for Rian to run past him. SkekSil and SkekTek try catching him but Rian jumps out the window and lands in the ocean. However, a scrap of Rian's cloth was what SkekSil took from him.
Finally, free, he went to the Stonewood clan.
What Was Sundered and Undone[]
Rian as he tries to convince Fara the truth of the Skeksis' crimes.
Now that he has escaped the Castle, Rian carries Mira's essence when he suddenly sees a family of farmers, whose wagons are stuck. He helped the family, much to their gratefulness. However, when Rian mentioned ending Skeksis's role, they said he spoke heresy before making their way home. Upset, Rian continues walking away.
Rian makes it to Stone in the Wood, where he sees Deet arguing with a guard to see Maudra Fara. Though they don't interact, they make eye contact before Rian asked to see the Maudra, which the guard allows because Rian is "one of them," before he insults Deet. Though Rian gets in to see Fara, she had already been deceived by the Skeksis through Ordon, who both believe Rian was such and that his "madness" would spread to others by dream fasting. Not willing to let his father capture him, Rian escapes by climbing up on the chandelier and climbing through the window and into the forest.
Rian meets the Gelfling girl, Deethra.
Deet later comes across Rian, who is trying to get his fire to light. She comes out to help him but Rian, spooked by her, draws out his sword and gives her a cold glare, and demands to know if his father sent her. However, Deet clears up that she was sent by Maudra Argot. Seeing that she is not scared of him, Rian puts away his sword. Deet helps him light up his fire and immediately recognizes Rian as the boy who cut in front of her. She expressed that her friend Hup was a prisoner of the Stonewood Clan and asks him to get her into seeing the Maudra Fara. However, Rian tells Deet he cannot help her because he is an outcast of his tribe, and that everyone thinks he is a monster. However, Deet tells him she doesn't think he is a monster, to Rian's relief. Suddenly, Deet gets an idea of freeing Hup from talking about "monsters," much to Rian's confusion. She wishes him good luck before running off, leaving Rian alone once again.
The First Thing I Remember Is Fire[]
Rian convinces the others to dreamfast with him and discover the truth
After departing from Deet, Rian made his way to a Podling tavern, where he was confronted by Naia and Kylan, who insisted they were not there to fight. Rian easily confirmed that Naia was Gurjin's sister. She said she was there to take Rian to the castle in exchange for her brother, whom she knew was from the castle too and held prisoner. Tavra appeared, saying that she was there to take Rian to Ha'rar to face justice in front of the All-Maudra because Rian supposedly killed Mira, a member of Tavra's clan. Tired of the group's arguing, Rian yelled for them to be silenced as he took out the rest of Mira's essence and showed it to them. When Naia asked what it was he had, Rian insisted that they Dreamcast with each other and that it would explain everything. However, Tavra refused, telling Rian that he was sick and that his madness was spread by dream fasting.
Annoyed, Rian said that was a lie by the Skeksis so that the truth would die with him should he be killed. He said it would explain what happened to Mira and why Gurjin remained in the palace. Kylan volunteered to dreamfast with Rian, followed by Tavra (who knew her mother would want to know the truth) and the reluctance of Naia. She told Rian that if he made her mad, Naia would kill him. However, as they entered, the dreamfasting went normal and Rian showed his new companions of Mira's essence being drained and Gurjin choosing to remain in the palace so Rian could escape. At that moment, Ordon could not help himself but see his son's memories as well. When the Gelflings were done, Rian was shocked to see Ordon there and asked his father if he saw everything. Ordon, now remorseful, confirms he did and apologizes to Rian for not believing him. Rian accepted his father's apology and they hugged; grateful they were together again. The Gelflings realized they had made a dreametching of a symbol that Tavra recognized from her sister. Ordon realized they were all in danger and that they must go to the All-Maudra. Tavra accompanies Kylan and Naia to the Castle of the Crystal to free Gurjin and told Rian and Ordon to go to Ha'rar and warn the All-Maudra.
Separating, Ordon warned his son that when the Skeksis learned that he betrayed them, they will send others to look for Rian. However, the younger Gelfling said it wouldn't matter how they send, because any Gelfling would believe him if they dreamfasted together. Before they continued running, Ordon stopped Rian and told him that they would send someone else not of Gelfling but another Skeksis. They continued running, unaware of SkekMal tracking them. However, the father and son became aware of his presence when it attacked them. Ordon, for fear for the safety of his son, told Rian to run. Rian listened and ran as SkekMal chased him. Deet and Hup saw him being chased and went to follow him to help him. Having lost SkekMal, Ordon and Rian figured out what plan to take next. Remembering how they caught Fizzgigs at Stone in the Wood, Rian suggested they do the same method by luring SkekMal out with Rian being the bait. Reluctant, Ordon agreed with his son's plan and they went their separate ways. Rian baited SkekMal to him but found himself at the edge of a field of ravenous gobblers and the Skeksis' mercy. He only managed to briefly duel SkekMal when Ordon appeared to join his son in the fight. Both father and son fought SkekMal but the evil Skeksis knocked Ordon down and tried to push Rian into the field of gobbles rather than capture him. Ordon, infuriated at the Skeksis harming his child, rose and screamed "Not my son" and then tackled SkekMal into the field. Rian watched in horror as this father and SkekMal were devoured by the field of gobblers. Ordon told his son to be brave before they both were completely gone.
Enraged and filled with grief, Rian screamed in agony and attempted to go in after his father and SkekMal. However, Deet and Hup quickly appeared and held Rian back as Deet shouted that his father was gone. In defeat, Rian collapses to the ground. As Deet comforts him, the sound of gobblers comes and SkekMal leaps out alive and abducted Rian in front of Deet's and Hup's eyes.
She Knows All the Secrets[]
A few hours later, SkekMal took Rian to a secluded area in the forest and tied him by the ankles. When Rian woke up, he woke up in a panic because the Skeksis intended to kill him. SkekSil appears and stops SkekMal's deadly blow. Instead, he needed Rian alive and planned to take him back to the castle in front of the Emperor. He hoped to use the Gelfling to return to his Emperor's side. SkekMal agreed and handed Rian over to SkekSil for his agenda. Now captive of the Chamberlain, SkekSil stole Mira's essence from Rian's pocket and drank the bottle in front of Rian, who cried in protest and anger. The Chamberlain forced Rian back to his carriage, heading back to the castle. Rian attempted to break his tied hands loose and hoped to escape. SkekSil told Rian it was pointless to escape. They both entered a cat-and-mouse game with each other. Rian remained defiant to his captor and preferred to die. However, the Chamberlain needed Rian alive to "confess" to Mira's murder at his hands. The Gelfling warrior refused and promised to let Thra know Skeksis were evil. SkekSil asked why Rian thought of them that way and Rian explained it was
The Skeksis overlord said that death mocked Skeksis and reasoned if their roles were reversed, the Gelfling would do the same. He screamed they were nothing alike. To prove his point, SkekSil noted that Rian ran every time throughout the following: he stood by and did nothing when the Skeksis drained Mira of her essence. (It was nothing he could do. Second, Rian ran when his friend Gurjin told him to. Finally, SkekSil added that Rian's father had died protecting him. It was so he could survive and run again. Ashamed, Rian said he tried but was helpless to save his father either. SkekSil, satisfied with himself, said that Rian is speaking the truth now: he could not save his family or friends but tempts that Rian can save the rest, only if he admits to killing Mira and stopping the talk of rebellion. However, Rian refused to be a puppet for the Skeksis and shouted that SkekSil did not care at all about the Gelflings. The Chamberlain argued that he was the only one able to stop Gelfling from being exterminated. Rian counteracted SkekSil's claims and said they were not their slave or the Skeksis' pets. The Chamberlain argued that Gelfling only lives a few tries while Skeksis are immortal. and that Skeksis are to Gelfling and Gelflings are to crawlies. He cautioned Rian to choose wisely. The Gelfling asked if the Skeksis would stop draining his kind if he does as he is told. However, SkekSil cannot promise it will work. Rian refuses to submit to SkekSil's demands. Angered, SkekSil pointed out that a war would be inevitable for the Gelfling race. Rian insisted that Gelfling would win a war with the Skeksis. Fed up with his captive's defiance, skekSil stopped the carriage. He cut Rian's bond loose and invited him to leave to have his war. SkekSil warned that it would be on his head if Gelfling died because Rian "chose to run. Again." He almost takes the offer but Rian instead remained where he sat. SkekSil was satisfied with a "Gelfling with the sense" and stared the carriage back up.
Gurjin and Naia intercepted the Chamberlain's carriage. The siblings landed on the roof and the sister twin came down and helped Rian up on the roof. The trio escaped on Armaligs while hearing the Skeksis call for them but they were already out of reach by then. Gurjin and Naia lead Rian to where Kylan, who was sitting by the fire, was relieved to see Rian safe and unharmed. Rian informed his friends of his father's sacrifice, earning sympathy from them all. He told them of the Skeksis that had been hunting him and that he never recognized him before. Naia insisted they dream fast to see the Skeksis themselves. At the same time, Brea and Mayrin were dreamfasting, as were Seladon and Deet in Ha'rar. Aughra was summoning the Gelfling to the Dream Space.
Rian and the others wake up in the dream space after being summoned by Aughra
Shortly after trying to share his memories of the hunter with Kylan, Gurjin, and Naia, Rian opened his eyes to find himself in the Dream Space. He was reunited with Deet and noticed a peculiar female figure was with themShe asked where they were and Rian assumed, they were at the Castle. However, Aughra corrected him and said they were in the Dream Space. Soon, they were joined by Mayrin, Brea, Kylan, Naia, Gurjin, and Seladon. She called them all there because Thra wanted her heroes to answer and bring the Skeksis rule to an end. However, Seladon claimed that there was nothing but heresy and urged her other fellow Gelflings from not listening to a witch. Aughra cast Seladon out of the Dream Space because her loyalty was down a separate path. The heroes gathered around the Crystal, where Rian learned of Deet and Brea's struggles in the story. Aughra orders Rian to join Deet and Brea at Ha'rar and follow Lore to the Circle of the Suns, where answers to bringing down the Skeksis will be answered. She tells the rest to go to the seven corners of Thra and spark the fire of rebellion before Aughra returned Rian's spirit to his body.
By Gelfling Hand[]
Brea, Rian and Deet facing the Paladins and convincing them of the truth behind the Skeksis' lies
Rian, Kylan, Gurjin, and Naia go to Ha'rar, where they find that Hup, Deet, Brea, and five paladins are being taken to the castle for their essence to be drained. The four Gelfling followed them on their Armaligs, with Lore trailing after them when he learned Brea was in trouble. As Rian went out to face SkekZok and SkekVar, he distracted the two Skekeis where Naia, Gurjin, Kylan, and Lore freed Brea, Deet, and Hup. The cowardly Skeksis ran off when Lore intimidates them as Rian calls the Skekeis cowards. Reunited with Deet and Brea, the two girls hug Rian after he helped save them. However, the paladins begin whispering that Rian is a traitor to the Skeksis. Rian says he should leave, but Brea stops him and defends Rian, assuring her paladins that Rian is their friend, just as the Skeksis are their enemies. Rian successfully convinced the paladins to dreamfast with him, starting with the Red-Haired Paladin, who goes to the Castle of the Crystal to inform Rian's fellow guardsmen about Rian and his friends' struggles.
Rian and Deet glance at each other.
The heroes of Thra go to the Crystal Desert and make camp for the night to throw a parting ceremony for the All-Maudra. As Brea struggled to fill the orb she obtained from Kylan with memories of her mother, Rian helped inspire her to open up by revealing his relationship with his father, which Brea could relate to. Rian soon joined his friends in their singing, briefly sharing a moment with Deet. In the morning, Rian and his friends meet Rek'yr of the Dousan Clan, who eventually relents to get Rian and his female companions, Brea and Deet, along with Lore and Hup, as close as he can. However, Rian is unsure of their new companion and disagrees with Brea, who asked Rek'yr to help them. Brea overruled Rian's concerns, much to Gelfling's dismay. Before they parted ways, Rian bade farewell to Naia, Gurjin, and Kylan, who would spread the word of the Skeksis crimes and begin their growing rebellion.
Time to Make... My Move[]
Rian, Brea, Deet and Hup all meet SkekGra, the cast out
Rian and his friends make it to the edge of the Circle of the Suns, but they see that Hup is puking because of air sickness and Rian is wondering how much content can come from one Podling. Before departing and wishing them safe travel, Rek'yr warns the traveling group to watch out for the violent sandstorms. As the trio, Hup and Lore make it to the Circle of the Suns, the company stopped. Rian asks how they are going to get up there while Brea and Deet figure out a way to get up. Suddenly, a violent sandstorm appears as Rek'yr warned them about it. Lore, in haste, picks up Brea, leaving Rian, Hup, and Deet behind. However, Lore grabbed them as well and reached the top as the violent storm passed. As Deet calls for the residents to come out and that they got their message, the group is suddenly joined by a Skeksis, SkekGra. Rian points out that SkekGra is a Skeksis, causing him to lash out at Rian who quickly jumps back in fear before SkekGra returns to the guy's holy self. He that he is a fun Skeksis and tells the heroes of his exile from being the Conqueror He invites them in, including their "Podling slave" (Deet's friend Hup) but they correct him and insist that he is their friend instead.
Deet and Rian share a moment.
Rian asked SkekGra if he was alone and the sheets confirmed he was but that he was also with himself, much to Rian and his friend's confusion. SkekGra's Mystic counterpart UrGoh, introduced himself. Irritated by the Skeksis-Mystic pair, Rian and Brea were eager for answers and both recounted that it was the Skeksis' message from Lore that they had answers to ending Skeksis rule. SkekGra and UrGoh revealed that all would be revealed through a surprise and told the Gelfling to wait in an area while borrowing Hup for their surprise. Unlike her companions, Deet was anxious for their production but Rian voiced his opinion that they didn't have time for surprise. As Brea went for a nap, Rian briefly watched over her while later getting impatient with SkekGra and UrGoh, who had not yet retrieved them. He notices Deet trying to grab one of the berries but Rian stops her and informs her the berry is a hallucinogen, which causes the user to talk with Thra. Deet begins to miss her family back at Grot, and Rian makes her comfortable by asking what her family is like. Deet and Rian begin to bond with each other, when UrGoh comes to the Gelfling, to inform them that the surprise is ready.
Brea and Rian unenthusiastically watching the hermits' puppet show explaining their origins
The three Gelfling and Hup watch their play but as soon as UrGoh and SkekGra begin singing for hours, Rian begins to doze off until the Skeksis-Mystic pair finish and get to the real answers the Gelfling were searching for. They revealed they were from another world and were once beings known as UrSkeks and they reveal the meaning of the symbol the trio had seen, the Aurea, which called all seven Gelfling clans together. They reveal they had created the Dual Glaive, a weapon capable of uniting all the clans and defeating the Skeksis. Rian proclaimed that he would wield the blade, with Brea proclaiming the Skeksis' rule over Thra would end. However, they revealed that they did not have the blade and that they hid it within the caves of Grot. The four friends begin to get ready for their journey to Grot, but just as Rian and his friends are bidding farewell to the Heretic and the Wanderer, they are suddenly ambushed by SkekMal, who has come for Rian again. He began taunting the Gelfling, especially bringing up Ordon. As Rian picks up his sword and fights the Hunter, UrVa, the Archer appears to them, firing two arrows at his dark half. SkekMal, weakened, realizes that he would never be able to take Rian and took Brea instead. Rian ran after SkekMal but Brea yelled for him to find the Dual Glaive and unite the clans. All Rian managed to find was Brea's
journal.
Prophets Don't Know Everything[]
Deet and Rian arrive to discover the Arathim have taken control of Grot
After SkekMal vanished, and the Archer was being healed by SkekGra and UrGoh, Rian wants to go after the Hunter and save Brea. However, the Heretic and the Wanderer advise against it and assured Rian that SkekMal will not harm Brea and was using her to bait Rian to follow him and tells them to retrieve the Glaive and then defeat the Skeksis. Before they leave, Deet and Rian bid farewell to Hup to let him be healed by SkekGra and UrGoh. Hup tells first Deet to be careful and then Rian, who thanks Hup and calls him "friend" and promised to see him again. Deet worries that they will not have enough time to walk to Grot, but SkekGra shows them a new pathway. He told Rian and Deet to go with the "breath of Thra" and show them to a secret tunnel that will lead them to Grot. Rian wonders what the fresh breath of Thra and Deet tells him that he will when he will see it.
As Rian and Deet playfully banter with each other, they suddenly come to the end of the passage and a cliff and showing Rian the warm air from the fire at the center of the world and it is carried through the ground like veins, thus why it is called the "Breath of Thra." Riaan notes that there is no way to get down unless you have wings, but Deet assured Rian that it was good to have friends. She lifted Rian and flew with him in tow. At first, Rian screams because she jumps off the cliff but ends up enjoying it. However, when they get to Grot, they find that the Arathim have come and are controlling Deet's family and clan and that the Nurlocs have gone mad from the Darkening.
Rian and Deet convincing the Arathim to join their rebellion after realizing the Skeksis lied to them
Meeting the mind-controlled Bobb'N, he saves them a couple of Arathim, who briefly possessed Rian and Deet, and shows them to the mind-controlled Lath'N, Mitjan, and Argot, who all reveal that Grot was once their home. However, they suddenly feel pain when one of them dies. The Ascendency mention their alliance with the Skeksis; however, Rian realizes that the Skeksis knew that the caves were poisoned with the Darkening and that they sent the Arathim to their death. He convinces them that the Skeksis are their true enemy. Deet assures they will also help them. The Arathim realize the duo is correct and pledge their loyalty to the Gelflings.
After the tree frees all the Arathim, Rian tells Deet to join her family while he stayed behind to find the Glaive. However, his plans change when the Sanctuary Tree is dying and transfers its powers to Deet, who heals a Nurloc. However, she faints from exhaustion, leading Rian to pick her up and climb up the caves' walls and tell her to stay awake as he makes it up to the top.
The Crystal Calls[]
Deet and Rian in his village as the fires of rebellion burn
Following their escape, when Deet regained consciousness, Rian expressed relief that she was unharmed. However, they are dismayed because they couldn't find a way to find the Dual Glaive. However, Argot revealed that she had one half that she had been using as a cane for years. Following this, she tells the young Gelfling that the other half is at Stone in the Wood, and Rian is told that the sword was once carried by his father, Ordon, who split the sword in half, keeping one in the Stone-in-the-Wood crucible and entrusting the other half to Argot. The old Maudra realizes they must make haste, so she calls a Landstrider to help Rian and Deet get to the Stone in the Wood fast.
Rian and Deet made it to the village but found it ransacked and abandoned, causing Rian to look in worry and confusion with Deet promising they would find more survivors, confident they were out there somewhere. He later led Deet to the Crucible, where Rian explained it was a forge where warriors would place their swords in hopes that they would never have to fight with them again. He spotted the glaive within the blue flames and reached out to the blade and was able to pull it out before uniting the two halves of the Dual Glaive. After the sword was reunited, Deet and Rian saw that the flames had turned blue and that now, everyone in Thra was listening. Through the flames, Rian and Deet saw that Brea was safe.
Argot told Rian that all Thra was listening, but the young Gelfling remained unsure what to say until Deet encouraged him to speak from his heart. Through the flames, Rian told the other Gelflings of the Skeksis crimes and told them to meet him at Stone in the Wood for those who wished to fight. However, the Skeksis were also listening and SkekSo interrupted and confronted Rian and Deet. He warned the Gelfling that any who stood with Rian in Stone-in-the Wood would meet an end. Unfazed, Rian yelled for SkekSo to bring his army before thrusting the glaive in the Crucible, effectively ending the confrontation. Deet assured Rian that Gelfling would come, with Rian wondering if anyone really would come.
A Single Piece Was Lost[]
Rian learns of Mother Aughra's sacrice from Brea and Seladon.
As Rian sharpened the Dual Glaive, he was suddenly interrupted when Rian heard an explosion and Deet being thrown from the impact. He went to help her up, where Rian was surprised to see she was building bombs and inquired why she was making them. Deet said that she figured the bombs would help them delay the Skeksis with what little weapons they had. Rian agreed that they could prove useful, just in case other Gelfling did not show up. However, Deet reassured Rian that others would come. As the two shared an intimate moment, Rian reached over to touch her; however, Deet suddenly pulled away, much to Rian's confusion. As he looked through Brea's notebook, Brea, Seladon, Fara, Kylan, and the other paladins finally arrived at Stone-in-the-Wood. Reunited, Rian and Brea hugged each other and the former returned the princess's notebook to her, much to Brea's appreciation. Deet came out, reunited with her allies at last. Fara apologized to Rian for not aiding him in his time of need and turning him away and Rian accepted her apology, knowing that she was concerned for the safety of their clan. Seladon, who had now joined the cause, informed Rian of Aughra's sacrifice. Now determined more than ever, Rian inspired his allies to fight the Skeksis, in Aughra's name.
Rian with Brea and Deet during the second Battle of Stone-in-the-wood
As the Gelfling prepared for their war, Rian oversaw his friends' fighting skills, especially helping Kylan with his combat skills. The Skeksis appear at Stone-in-the-Wood and mock the Gelfling for their small rebellion. Rian challenged SkekSo to a duel, but SkekSil managed to manipulate SkekVar into dueling Rian. During the duel, Rian nearly lost but was able to take the Dual Glaive and wound SkekVar while also taking all the essence he collected over the past several weeks and bringing it into the duel.
During the Battle, Rian was battling both SkekSo and another Skeksis bouncing on their heads while sword-fighting. However, SkekMal came out of nowhere and took Rian captive while also destroying the Dual Glaive. Brea and the other Gelflings yelled to let Rian go. However, SkekMal refuses and goes to kill Rian but SkekMal's counterpart UrVa jumps off a cliff, committing suicide and causing the Hunter to also start crumbling to dust. SkekMal dropped Rian, who was pulled to safety out of harm's way by Brea and crinkled to dust as his counterpart died. However, in doing so revived Aughra.
Rian with a revived Aughra
Overjoyed, Rian helped her up and asks Aughra if she is alright, but the old woman says she isn't because she just came back from the Dead. Rian and Aughra are suddenly confronted by SkekSo, who asks Aughra if she planned on this happening and she admits she did but didn't know if it would work or not. As SkekSo is about to kill the Gelflings in Stonewood, all the other seven clan rallied by Maudras Ethri, Seethi, Argot, Laesid, and Mera, along with other friends, such as Gurjin, Naia and Onica, the Arathim, much to Rian and his friends' relief. Refusing defeat, SkekSo attempted to kill Rian and his allies through the darkening and allowing his staff to handle its magic as Aughra tells the Gelflings to send back for their safety. SkekSo killed only several paladins and a couple of spitters. Deet enraged, steps up and absorbs the darkening and directs it at the Skeksis to protect her friends, which kills SkekLach. Seeing no other choice, SkekSo followed SkekSil's advice and they retreated.
Rian watches as Deet walks away.
After Deet ran, Rian went after her and called for Deet. When he found her, Rian was shocked to see her consumed by the Darkening and she remained silent and walked away as everything around her died, causing Rian to watch as his friend walked away.
Quotes[]
- “(SkekVar: Be done with it! Kill me!) I'M NO KILLER!”
- ―Rian to skekVar
- “Everything the Skeksis ever told us was a lie. But it's hard to recognize the light when you've spent your whole life in the dark.”
- ―Rian
- “Gelfling, the Skeksis deceived us, turned clan against clan, murdered our All-Maudra, drained our loved ones, unleashed the Darkening upon our world, and now everyone and everything is at risk. What was once unthinkable has become inevitable: rebellion.”
- ―Rian to the Gelfling and people of Thra
- “We protect the Lords. The Lord protects the Crystal Of Truth. All lies.”
- ―Roan shortly after burying his previous guard armor and imposing his self-excile
Gallery[]
Relationships[]
Trivia[]
- Several notes on Rian's name:
- Instead of the traditional spelling, "Ryan," his name is spelled with an I, and his name is pronounced Ree-aen.
- In old Gelfling, Rian's name means "a small solution to a big problem."
- Gurjin is the Lore and Hup to Rian's Brea and Deet.
- In Song of the Dark Crystal, Rian had a younger sister, Mythra, and a younger brother, Timtri, but none of them appear in the television series.
- Some fans believe Rian and Jen are somehow related due to their similar features or the same clan, such as dark brown hair, and because Jen has the symbol of the Stonewall clan on his tunic. To get closer, people proposed they were father and son or Rian is an ancestor of his.
- Jen and Rian both have brown hair; their companions are female (Kira for Jen and Brea and Deet for Rian) and have ambiguously romantic feelings for a girl who is friends with all animals (Kira and Deet). While they are both protagonists, they often need their female companions to save them. They also both wear white/grey clothing and are pure good beings trying to defeat the Skeksis.
- Out of the main trio, Rian is the only male and with dark brown hair as opposed to Brea's and Deet's light blonde. He also appears to be the eldest of the trio due to Rian acting like an older brother figure to Brea and looking out for both her and Deet.
- He appears to be at least eighteen in human years.
- Throughout the series, Rian suffers from the mental condition, survivor guilt, where a person thinks they did something wrong by surviving a traumatic event. Understandably, Rian suffers from this condition because his father died for him, Mira chose to follow Rian on his Arathim hunt, and Gurjin sacrificed his freedom so his friend could make his escape.
- Rian and Ordon are Taron Egerton and Mark Strong's second roles together, following their roles as Gary "Eggsy" Unwin and Hamish Mycroft in Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
- They are also the first and second to be part of the Kingsman franchise, followed by Harris Dickinson, who voiced Gurjin and appeared in the prequel, The King's Man.
- Rian is the first Stonewood Gelfling announced for the series.
External Links[]
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[[Category:Magi c Users]]