Praise for them came from Frank Herbert, the author of Dune, who liked all of the 'monsters' in The Sword of Shannara. Reviewers and critics had mixed opinions on the Skull Bearers. They 'sacrificed their humanity' to become 'winged black destroyers' but in doing this, they tied themselves to their master, the Warlock Lord, and became his 'dread minion'. Skull Bearers were Druids once upon a time, but they were subverted by the Ildatch along with the druid Brona, who would later become the Warlock Lord.King of the Silver River - a Faerie creature who appears throughout the series.He and his followers then inhabited the Skull Kingdom deep in the Northland. The Warlock Lord was formerly a Druid named Brona who was removed from the walls of Paranor for studying and practicing forbidden magic found in an ancient sentient tome called the Ildatch.Unlike science, magic is uncertain, and the results of its application are not always predictable. Sometimes the magic of a talisman or an external source links with the magic innate in a user, causing various results. Some users would find more success with talismans like the Sword or the Elfstones than others. Its power is enhanced or weakened by the strength of the user. It draws from the earth, air, fire and water in various forms. Druid Magic, like most of the magic that originates in the Four Lands, is elemental. The greatest minds that remained in the Four Lands were first assembled by Galaphile at the fortress of Paranor. The Druids are an order of historians, philosophers, magic-users, teachers and researchers.Meeting at Paranor, it was he that believed that the Druids shouldn't belong to any one race, so they became separated from the people.

Galaphile was the Elf who was responsible in the creation of the Druids.He called upon Shea Ohmsford in The Sword of Shannara, Wil Ohmsford in The Elfstones of Shannara and Brin and Jair Ohmsford in The Wishsong of Shannara. Allanon often called on the aid of the Ohmsford family in the novels, as they are descendants of Jerle Shannara and therefore the only ones who can use the Sword of Shannara. He is never completely honest, telling many white lies or half-truths, and provides others with information only if it is dangerous, crucial, or required. Trained by Bremen, he lived an unexpectedly long life, being the Druid that summons the Ohmsford family during the original trilogy (Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong).

Allanon, described as Brooks' 'most enigmatic character', is very secretive and the last remaining Druid of the original order.

The sword of shannara 1977