The Crimson is an extremist group of Elven soldiers. Formed in response to the re-emergence of magic in the Four Lands, the Crimson aims to hunt down and kill all magic users and to rid the world of magic. Victims of the Crimson are found with the insignia of the group stamped into their foreheads.
The Crimson is led by Riga, formerly a revered general in the army of the Elven King Eventine Elessedil. After watching his people slaughtered in the Third War of the Races and then fighting the Dagda Mor and his horde of Demons, Riga became convinced that the source of all problems in the Four Lands was neither good nor evil, but magic itself. Thereafter, he founded the Crimson.
General Riga's number one target is the Druid Allanon because Allanon knows the location of Paranor. If the Crimson can destroy Paranor, magic will be abolished forever.
The Crimson's headquarters is located in the fortress of Graymark, a Gnome castle which the Crimson occupied and took over.
Notable Members[]
- Riga — Former general in Eventine Elessedil's army. Founded the Crimson in response to the devastation he witnessed during the Third War of the Races and the battle against the Dagda Mor and his Demons.
- Valcaa — Tasked by Riga with finding Flick Ohmsford in Shady Vale.
Changes made for the TV Adaptation[]
- The Crimson is likely a proxy or substitute for the Federation, the main governing body of the Race of Man. The Federation is opposed to the use of magic and is also a key antagonist in many of the Shannara novels. The Crimson could also be a nod to the Red Slash, a unit of the Federation military featured in The Darkling Child.
- The TV series takes place around the time of The Elfstones of Shannara, a time when Elves weren't necessarily opposed to the use of magic. However, in later Shannara novels Elves do develop an abhorrence and distrust for magic, to the point that Elves like Khyber and Aphenglow Elessedil who choose to become Druids are viewed as dangerous outcasts.
