he becomes a mage. Like Tanaqui, he is Undying and appears in The Crown of Dalemark. Heathens Blonde, bushy-haired, dark-skinned foreigners invading Dalemark. Kars Adon – The crippled young king of the heathens. He and Hern strike up a friendship built upon deep, mutual respect. Upon his death, Kars Adon bequeaths his kingdom to Tanaqui's elder brother Hern. Kankredin – A powerful evil mage, intent on conquering prehistoric Dalemark; reappears and ultimately destroyed in The Crown of Dalemark. Riverlands natives Natives of prehistoric Dalemark. Closti the Clam – Father of Gull, Robin, Hern, Tanaqui, and Mallard by Anoreth the Undying. King of the Riverlands – Aside from the nickname of "Old Smiler" given to him by Duck, the King's name is not mentioned, although he plays a major role in the second spellcoat. The King turns the peacemaking parley initiated by Kars Adon into an act of treachery, in which both Kars and the King are killed. Undying Strange, immortal beings with mysterious powers. Humans see them as gods, but they claim they are not. Tanamil – A strange mage whom the family meets on their way downriver and who takes an active part in subsequent the events that lead to the defeat of Kankredin at the source of the River. His name means "younger brother," and he embodies the Red River. Anoreth – Daughter of the One and the embodiment of the River itself. The One was against Anoreth's marriage with Closti, and in his anger he forbids her from seeing her family. Her name means "unbound." The One, whose three secret names (Adon, Amil, and Oreth) are not to be spoken, is the greatest of the three Undying in Tanaqui's family. Many years ago he was tricked by the Cenblith, who took him as her lover and bound him to the will of mortals. Tanaqui's spellcoats free him to defeat Kankredin at the source of the River. He is the embodiment of Dalemark itself. Recurring themes Travel – Travel is a major theme in many Diana Wynne Jones books. Transformation through travel is particularly notable in her Dalemark books. As in Drowned Ammet and Crown of Dalemark (books 2 and 4 of Dalemark Quartet), the Undying, powerful god-like immortal beings, are active in shaping the fate of Dalemark. Siblings – Diana Wynne Jones books, in a reflection of her own youth, often have siblings who, despite personality differences,