Wizard's First Rule
From Sword of Truth Wiki
Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind is the first book in the Sword of Truth series. It was first released on August 15, 1994, and has been re-released multiple times, with numerous covers. It is followed by Stone of Tears.
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[edit] Synopsis
The primary protagonist in Wizard’s First Rule is Richard Cypher, a young woods guide. Richard lives in an area of the world known as Westland, which is the only part of the world that at the time contained no magic. Westland is separated from the other lands by a dangerous magical boundary that prevents anyone without powerful magic from passing through it. On the other side of the boundary lie many sovereign nations, jointly known as the Midlands, and the empire of D'Hara. Richard works as a woods guide leading important political figures and travelers through dangerous forests, while his brother's interests lie entirely in politics.
Richard is naturally compelled to investigate the mysterious murder of his father, George Cypher, when he happens upon a woman named Kahlan Amnell, whom he helps keep alive as she is being hunted by a group of four men known as a quad.
After saving Kahlan’s life, it is revealed that Kahlan has somehow come through the boundary and is now searching for the First Wizard, who is rumored to have crossed into Westland after the creation of the boundaries. Richard feels that this woman is in need of protection and takes her to the only man he can trust, his best friend and mentor, Zedd.
Richard discovers that this close friend of his has kept many secrets from him for his entire life; Zedd is not the simple man that Richard had presumed him to be, but rather the wizard for whom Kahlan is looking.
Kahlan tells him of the events taking place on the other side of the boundary. An evil leader called Darken Rahl is leading his army against the Midlands. At the same time, Zedd comes to the decision that Richard is the Seeker of Truth and gives him the Sword of Truth. They begin their journey together to stop Darken Rahl and prevent him from opening the boxes of Orden, magical devices which can give absolute power over life and death.
However, due to a series of events, Richard and Kahlan are forced to cross the boundary alone and go on to the village of the Mud People in hopes of finding out where the third box of Orden is hidden. From there, they learn that only the witch woman, Shota, in Agaden Reach, has the power to reveal to them the location of the last box of Orden.
The story continues as it follows the team of Richard, Kahlan, Zedd and Chase as they attempt to collect one of the mysterious boxes of Orden and prevent Darken Rahl from gaining absolute power.
[edit] Resources
[edit] Wizard's Rule
- Main Article: Wizard's Rules
[edit] Chapter guide
Wizard's First Rule has a total of 49 chapters.
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Characters
- Adie (First appearance)
- Kahlan Amnell (First appearance)
- Innkeeper Bill (First appearance)
- The Bird Man (First appearance)
- Emma Brandstone (First appearance)
- Lee Brandstone (First appearance)
- Brophy (First appearance)
- Chase (First appearance)
- Carl (First appearance)
- George Cypher (Mentioned only)
- Michael Cypher (First appearance)
- Richard Cypher (First appearance)
- Denna (First appearance)
- Wizard Giller (First appearance)
- Queen Milena (First appearance)
- Demmin Nass (First appearance)
- Nissel (First appearance)
- Rachel (First appearance)
- Darken Rahl (First appearance)
- Savidlin (First appearance)
- Scarlet (First appearance)
- Siddin (First appearance)
- Shota (First appearance)
- Toffalar (First appearance)
- Princess Violet (First appearance)
- Weselan (First appearance)
- Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander (First appearance)
[edit] Creatures
- Calthrop (First appearance)
- Dragon (First appearance)
- Gar (First appearance)
- Horse (First appearance)
- Night wisp (First appearance)
- Shadrin (First appearance)
[edit] Events
- Darken Rahl Movement
- Fall of the D'Hara-Midlands boundary (Mentiones only)
- Confessor Assassinations
- Murder of George Cypher (Mentioned only)
- Fall of the Westland-Midlands boundary (Mentioned only)
- Attack on the Mud People's village (First appearance)
[edit] Locations
- Westland (First appearance)
- Hartland (First appearance)
- Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander's home (First appearance)
- Brandstone home (First appearance)
- Michael Cypher's mansion (First appearance)
- Adie's home (First appearance)
- Upper Ven (First appearance)
- Wayward pine (First appearance)
- Midlands (First appearance)
- Aydindril (Mentioned only)
- Wizard's Keep (Mentioned only)
- Agaden Reach (First appearance)
- Tamarang (First appearance)
- D'Hara (First appearance)
- People's Palace (First appearance)
[edit] Organizations and titles
- First Councilor (First appearance)
- Confessors (First appearance)
- Mother Confessor (First appearance)
- First Wizard (First appearance)
- Lord Rahl (First appearance)
- Wizard (First appearance)
- Sorceress (First appearance)
- Monarch of Tamarang (First appearance)
- Witch woman (First appearance)
- Mord-Sith (First appearance)
- Seeker of Truth (First appearance)
[edit] Miscellanea
- Magic (First appearance)
- Animal transformation spell (Mentioned only)
- Wizard's Fire (First appearance)
- Lightning (First appearance)
- Night stone (First appearance)
- Fire (First appearance)
- Prophecy (First appearance)
- Power spell (First appearance)
- Boxes of Orden (First appearance)
[edit] Extras
[edit] Dedication
For Jeri
[edit] Awards
- 1995 Locus Poll Award - Best First Novel - 7th Place
[edit] Facts and trivia
- The title of the book refers to the set of Wizard's Rules that are important to the storyline. The first of the rules is revealed in this book, hence the title "Wizard's First Rule".
[edit] Alternate artwork
 Original hardback (1994) and mass market paperback (1997) |
 New paperback edition (1995) |
 1st Trade edition (2001) |
 Cover art by Keith Parkinson (2001) |
[edit] External links
| Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind | ||
|
Prequel: Debt of Bones |
Book 4: Temple of the Winds |
Book 8: Naked Empire |
| Wizard's Rules | ||
