A Qanuc troll from Mintahoq.
Overview[]
Binabik, full name Binbiniqegabenik, is a Troll and close friend of Simon who accompanies him on several of his adventures.
Description[]
Physiology[]
- Considered short, even by the standards of the diminutive Troll folk
- Described as having a round childish face, with narrow eyes and a wide mouth
- Black-haired
Personality[]
- He is a kind and intelligent man with a strong sense of honour
- Known to be level headed and measured in discussions, but not without a dash of sass
Biography[]
Prior to the Events of The Dragonbone Chair[]
Binabik was born in the Quanac village of Mintahoq.
At some point in the past, Binabik found an abandoned wolf pup, Qantaqa, which he befriended and now rides.
Two years before the events of the Dragonbon Chair, Binabik parents were killed in an accident related to a dangerous type of snow that the Quanuc call "dragon-snow". Binabik cried in his "own secret place." After this, the troll devoted the majority of his time to his apprenticeship with the scholar Ookequk, the Singing Man of Mintahoq. Binabik learned much from Ookequk--a member of the League of the Scroll--including healing, history, and languages. Under Ookeguk's direction, the young apprentice travelled far and wide throughout Osten Ard, becoming well versed in it's many cultures and sights.
The Dragonbone Chair[]
Binabik and Ookequk set out on a journey to the south. Ookequk dies while walking the Road of Dreams. Morgenes sends a message to Ookequk, ignorant of his death, and asking him to protect Simon. Bibanik reads this message and decides to take on the responsibility as the successor to the Singing Man.
An injured Binabik carried by Simon.
He finds Simon, half-starved, in the Aldheorte forest, just after Simon saved Jiriki from a trap and killed the cotsman who set it. Simon is understandably in shock and very willing to be helped by the friendly, forest-smart, food-possessing Binabik. Binabik proceeds to travel with Simon to Naglimund. During this journey, they come to Saint Hoderund's abbey, and find that the abbey has been sacked and most inhabitants are dead. Searching for clues of what happened in the abbey, Simon is captured by Isgrimnur's men. In the evening, the party of soldiers is attacked by the diggers and Bibanik comes looking for Simon. He explains that he had come looking for Simon on Morgenes' orders.
Bibanik then turns their path towards the house of Geloë, a wisewoman. Before they reach the house, they are pursued by Ingen Jegger and his hunt. Also being chased are a teenage boy named Malachias and his little sister, Leleth, who has been badly hurt by one of Ingen's hounds. The two join Binabik and Simon and they arrive at Geloe's house. Binabik, Simon, and Geloe walk the Road of Dreams.
Binabik, Simon, and Malachias (who has revealed herself to really be a girl named Marya) must escape Geloe's house when it is attacked by Ingen Jegger. While running through the ruined Sithi city of Da'ai Chikiza, Binabik is shot with an arrow from one of Ingen's huntsmen. Simon and Marya carry him as far as they can before being set upon by giants. Prince Josua and some soldiers from Naglimund arrive at the scene and take the three into the city.
Binabik recovers from his injury while in Naglimund. He also joins the conferences regarding how best to defend against Elias and the Storm King.
Binabik is also a part of the quest for the sword Thorn, along with Simon, Sludig, Haestan, Grimmric, and Ethelbearn (and later Jiriki, An'nai, Sijandi, and Ki'ushapo, after the party encounters the Sithi). He's essential in navigating the treacherous mountain Urmsheim. When fighting the dragon Igjarjuk, Binabik shows great bravery; "...Binabik, whose remaining darts had proved useless against the thick coats of the huntsmen, was pulling his long knife from his belt." (p. 735).
At the end of The Dragonbone Chair, Simon is informed that Binabik is being held under sentence of death. For failing to meet his betrothed, Sisqi, on the scheduled day of their marriage, he is being charged with oath-breaking by the Herder and Huntress of Mintahoq, his betrothed's parents.
Stone of Farewell[]
After spending many days in the Quanac prison pit, overcome with guilt for breaking his oath to SIsqi, Binabik is finally convinced by Simon and Sisqi to attempt to escape. They are nearly successful, but are caught at Ookequk's cave by the herder and the huntress. Binabik reveals to them the death scroll of his mentor which informs of the coming danger of the Storm King, and the pair are convinced to let him leave.
Binabik travels with Simon, Sludig, and Haesten toward the Stone of Farewell. Haesten is killed by Hunën and Simon disapeers after the misadventure at Skodi's abbey. Sludig and Binabik are initially cold to eachother as they continue on, but eventually end up developing a friendship. After a great deal of travelling, they find their way to the Stone of Farewell.
To Green Angel Tower[]
On Sesuad'ra, Binabik, along with Strangyeard, Geloë, and later Tiamak, study what resources they have in an attempt to untangle the mythology and prophecies surround the Storm King.
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Unnamed Mother: Deceased before the beginning of the series
- Unnamed Father: Deceased before the beginning of the series
- Sisqi: Binabik's betrothed
Friends[]
- SImon: Binabik's good friend, who he was charged with protecting by Morgenes
- Miriamele: Binabik's friend and travelling companion
- Ookequk: Binabik's teacher
- Sludig: Initially wary of each, other Binabik and the Rimmersman develop a friendship on their journey to bring the sword Thorn to Josua
- Strangyeard: Fellow scholar and member of the league of the scroll
- Tiamak: Fellow scholar and member of the league of the scroll
Enemies[]
Skills and Abilities[]
- Binabik carries with him a collection of bones with which he can read to gain insight into the world and the future.
- On several occasions he has proven himself to be talented in the ways of politics and courtly manners.
- He is able to speak several languages including his native Quanuc, Sithi, and Erkynlandish.
- Though not often seen in direct combat, Binabik carries with him a selection of blow darts, some of which are poison tipped. These, he is able to launch with great and often deadly accuracy. He also carries a hollow, versatile walking stick which contains a concealed knife.
Known Possessions[]
- A library of scrolls inherited from Ookequk
- A walking stick that can be opened to produce a knife
Quotes[]
Quotes Of[]
Quotes About[]
- "He’s certainly clever enough, although I don’t trust him or his kind much. And what’s his hold on that boy? I’m not sure I like that either, although I think the stories they both tell are largely true." - Isgrimnur's thoughts as Binabik talks to Josua's counsel, TDC, Chapter 34: Forgotten Swords
Notes, Theories, and Trivia[]
- Binabik's relationship with Qantaqa likely inspired the relationship between the Stark children and their pet dire wolves in A Song of Ice and Fire
- In a reddit AMA on August 3, 2015 Tad Williams noted: "Binabik remains (and probably always will) one of my very favorite creations. It took a while to get his voice (he kept sounding like Yoda at first) but once I did, he pretty much wrote himself."[1]
References[]