| “ | I am the Crystalline Eminence. I am master of the Crystal, in this Castle! | „ |
| ~ The Crystalline Eminence |
The Crystalline Eminence is a major antagonist in the comic book series The Power of the Dark Crystal. He is a Gelfling entrusted by Jen and Kira to be a Steward of the Crystal of Truth. He leads the rituals worshipping the Crystal and is also the spiritual leader of the Gelfling Nation.
Biography[]
Background[]
The Crystalline Eminence was born with withered legs, and kept his handicap a secret by publicly sitting atop the shoulders of a Podling servant concealed by his robes. He was entrusted to guard the Crystal of Truth by Jen and Kira before they went to deep sleep, but abused it to enrich himself by declaring the Gelflings to give it offerings in order to prevent the return of the Skeksis, leading to impoverishments in many villages. His newfound riches also blocked the Crystal from shining its light on Thra, allowing the Blight to spread. Due to his family not having anything to offer, Kensho had to serve the Eminence.
The Power of the Dark Crystal[]
When the Fireling Thurma arrives to ask for a shard of the Crystal to heal her homeland's dying Mother Sun, the Crystalline Eminence denounces her as a heretic and is further incensed when she dreamfasts with Kensho, since dreamfasting is considered to be reserved for Gelflings alone. When Jen and Kira wakes up and asks the him about the kingdom's status, he shows them an illusion of it prospering, only for Kensho to contradicts it, leading to the Eminence vowing to have him disciplined.
The Eminence and Lord Commander later finds Thurma and Kensho examining the Skeksis' relics in SkekTek's former laboratory, and an argument ensues. The Eminence accuses Kensho of heresy for questioning the necessity of the offerings, causing an angered Thurma to make her way to the Crystal and shatters it, bringing back the UrRu and the Skeksis. SkekZok then immediately takes the scepter from the Eminence.
After the Skeksis are imprisoned, the Eminence urges Jen to keep the Scepter of Office to maintain control of the Garthim. After Jen departed to search for the shard stolen by Thurma and Kensho, he declares to the Skeksis that he's the master of the Crystal. SkekUng then manipulates him to gaze directly into the crystal and release the Skeksis under his orders.
After escaping, SkekUng attempts to seize Jen and Kira, but the two secure themselves in the castle's upper towers. He demands the Eminence to tell him of a secret passage, but imprisons the latter once realizing that the exposure to the Crystal has made him insane. SkekUng then summons the Crystal Bats to attack Jen when the latter returns to the castle, but Kira rescues Jen. Frustrated, SkekUng drains the Eminence of his essence to grow stronger, killing him.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Draining the Gelfling Essence (Pt. 1).jpg (320 KB)")
.jpg "Draining the Gelfling Essence (Pt. 2).jpg (258 KB)")
External Links[]
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 Villains
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Skeksis Gelfling Others | ||
