The Elfstones of Shannara...to me it's more than one of the books in the Shannara series by Terry Brooks, it's more like a classic, a book that pretty much altered how I worked my writing and developed my characters. I first read it when I was sixteen, spending several hours each night that summer enthralled in the pages, unable to put it down. Since then I've probably re-read it eight or nine times. It's well worth it.

It was only a matter of time before I tried customs of some of my favorite characters, and in this case, two of the main characters, in fact, the most important: Wil Ohmsford, a young Healer from Shady Vale and last of the Shannara line (descended from Elven kings), and Amberle Elessidil, an Elven Princess and the only female Chosen, tenders of the Ellcrys, a sentient tree in the Gardens of Life that holds back the Demons behind the Forbidding, a magical barrier that holds the evil creatures of Faerie from the world.

In the story, the Ellcrys is dying, and Demons have begun to break through the weakening Forbidding. The Druid Allanon, legendary protector of the Earth, seeks out Wil Ohmsford to protect the young Elven girl Amberle Elessidil in her quest to take the seed of the Ellcrys to the Bloodfire, that a new Ellcrys can be born. Wil, a human with Elven blood, is the last of the Shannara line and the only one who can wield the three Blue Elfstones, the only weapon that will work against the Demons, including the unstoppable Reaper. Wil is a Healer, not a fighter, but he takes on the mission, escorting Amberle through the dangerous areas of the Westland, facing evil both human and not, making friends where they thought to find none, until they reach the Bloodfire. It was there that Wil would face down the Reaper using the power of the Elfstones, the magic of which would change him forever...




Parts used:

Entire figure (except right hand): Luke Skywalker (Yavin Celebration version). Sculpey & Green Stuff used to mold the torso and boots.
Right hand: Microman Chun-Li
Belt: Pirates of the Carribean Will Turner sword belt
Long knife: Joe knife, trimmed down
Elfstones: Microbeads


Amberle Elessidil was the granddaughter of Eventine Elessidil, King of the Elves, and the first female Chosen in years. When Amberle abruptly abandoned her duties and fled from the Westland for no apparent reason she brought shame on her family and became an outcast to her people; few realized why she did so.

Her absence would spare her life when a Demon slaughtered the remaining Chosen, and with them, ending any seeming chance of saving the magical tree, and by extension, the world itself. Allanon knew differently and sought the girl out, bringing Wil Ohmsford along as her protector. Though the two didn't get along well at first things would change when Amberle was given the Seed of the Ellcrys and the two set out on their own to find the Bloodfire. Amberle grew to care deeply for Wil, and in the end faced the realization that she would have to give up her love for him if she was to save the world...



Part Used:

Head: VvV Scarlett w/SW Endor Celebration Leia hair and Sculpey
Arms: SW Mon Mothma
Torso: Pirates of the Carribean Liz Swan (Singapore Disguise)
Waist/legs: SW Leia in Bouusch Disguise
Skirt: SW Endor Celebration Leia

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Hey, it's Luke Skywalker and some chick!

Seriously, though nice work on the sculpting. Nice looking fantasy figs.

Some of my favorite books.
These figures are great and I wouldn't change a thing.

I don't plan to. Not sure who'll be next, I might shift back to "Sword of Shannara" and do Panamon Creel, if I can find a suitable head (already have the body.)

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You cna prevent the fingerprints in the sculpted stuf by wearing latex rubber gloves. They're like $2 for a hundred. Soemtimes the finger print texture can work especially for course gorments and sometimes it is better to have the items super smooth. In this case I can't which you were going for.

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Actually the fingerprints are in the sealer--it didn't dry as fast as it normally does and when I went to pick it up...well, you can see the results. Which ruined the relatively smooth results I got using Sculpey for the piece across the shoulders (all other parts are Green Stuff). It's still a bit tacky today, not sure why it didn't dry right (I used Testor's Dullcote and it normally dries very quickly.) Might at some point lay another coat of paint over it, which should kill the shine and take away the fingerprints. For now though I'm pleased, just wanted to share these. (Not sure if these will end up in the Gallery or not.)

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They should

You already know how I feel about fantasy customs, and as huge a fan as I am of Shannara, I've bookmarked every point you have made where these figures are.

I've got to show you the covers of the audiotapes read by Theodore Bikel. The artwork is the Darrell K. Sweet one, and Wil is dead on.

Amazing, simply amazing.

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Thanks, Cap. That artwork I'd love to see. I worked Wil mostly from memory rather than reference, so I'm glad I was able to come as close as I did.

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WOW! talk about a blast from the past, I remember reading this book and the one (I cant recall the name) where Wils son and daughter are the main charicters.
Anny plans on making them?
These are dead on and I would love to see more!

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That's "Wishsong of Shannara". Currently re-reading that one to re-familiarize myself with some of the characters and details.



Oh yeah. I'll likely use another Luke Skywalker head, at least, for Jair Ohmsford while I'm working on parts for Brin--I can use the same parts to create the young version of her mother, Eretria.



I'm working at it. Next up should be Panamon Creel from "Sword of Shannara". Thanks to POTC and the figure lines from all three movies I've got what I need there.

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Wil was were it all really started. The magik imbedded into the family line all starts here.. This custom looks great. Ambrle was great the way she sacrificed herself to save the world and became the Elcry. Maybe you should make the Elcry since it was part of the main plot to Terry Brooks Last installment. "High Druid of SHannara"

Cant wait to see Brin She was my all time favorite character from the Shannara series..

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i really like these. don't know anything about the backstory. However, you've given me some crazy inspiration here

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True, Wil started it but I always focused on Amberle; just something about her always drew me in. Reading the ending I actually threw the book across the room, I was so angry (I was only 16); in the years since I've really, really grown to appreciate it and Terry Brooks has done a lot of influence my own tastes in fantasy, and my own writing (such as it is).



Actually Cap has already taken care of that:



For which I will ALWAYS be grateful.



She's on the list, just trying to figure out a suitable head for her (once that's done the hair, etc. will be easy); the Star Wars Leia Endor Celebration would be ideal if the expression weren't so blank! So I keep an eye out--something worthwhile WILL pop up, I just know it! Eretria will follow--probably as she appeared in "Elfstones"--using the same head (since mother and daughter look so much alike).

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