| “ | Our King was Arawn the Elder. He commanded us to slay the Blackthorns and their allies. We shall enact that command and no word from you shall change it. | ” |
–Eochaid about his loyalties, Queen of Air and Darkness | ||
Eochaid was one of the Riders of Mannan who served the Unseelie King.
Biography[]
History[]
Eochaid was a powerful faerie seemingly born to Mannan and lived almost since the beginning of time. In the old days, he hunted giants and monsters with his siblings.[1] Eventually, they became sworn to the King of the Unseelie Court and started serving him as his personal hunters and assassins. At one point, the Riders were dispatched by the King to hunt down and kill his daughter Auraline, the First Heir, and her eventual offsprings.
Black Volume[]
In September 2012, the Riders were sent after the Blackthorn family to retrieve the Black Volume of the Dead for the Unseelie King. They split into two groups; Eochaid, Karn, and Etarlam went after Kit Herondale and the twins Ty and Livvy Blackthorn in London.
During the ensuing battle with the children, Eochaid came face to face with Kit, whom he recognized, but he attacked him before the boy could ask him to elaborate. Before Eochaid could kill him, the Hunter Gwyn ap Nudd and the Shadowhunter Diana Wrayburn arrived to join the fight and protect the children, and Eochaid was thrown into the river by Gwyn. When Eochaid made it back to the surface, he was surprised to suddenly feel his brother Fal's death, which he relayed to his present siblings. When Gwyn suggested sounding the horn for Fal, Eochaid was insulted and tried to attack him but was stopped short by Diana. He then left with his brothers to rejoin Ethna and Delan.
Eochaid and the remaining Riders went to the London Institute shortly after. Eochaid called Kieran a traitor upon seeing him with the other Shadowhunters. He and his siblings then fought him and Mark Blackthorn until Annabel Blackthorn appeared and threatened to reveal the Unseelie King's name, forcing the Riders to retreat.[1]
When they returned to the Unseelie Lands, Eochaid and his siblings were assigned to guard the Unseelie Tower and the King's prisoner, Ash Morgenstern. At some point, they caught Clary Fairchild and Jace Herondale investigating the Lands and imprisoned them. Later, he and Ethna caught Julian Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs in Ash’s room trying to rescue him and took them to the prisons, for they were in the tower and could not kill them without the King’s permission.
During the fight that followed in the throne room with the Unseelie King, the Seelie Queen, and the prisoners, Eochaid fought Adaon to defend the King. He was about to execute Kieran for treason when he killed his father. Eochaid and his sister were upset by the King's death and went after Julian and Emma to kill them, but both fled to Thule in time to escape them.
Hunting Kit[]
Shortly after, Eochaid and his siblings went after Kit Herondale during the Cohort's parley at the Imperishable Fields, intending to murder the boy for being a descendant of the First Heir. Eochaid mentioned how he resembled Auraline and his mother, and when they told him that they had killed her, Kit uncontrollably attacked them with magic, making the Riders’ horses disappear in the air when they tried to flee.
They fell onto the battlefield where he engaged in the fight against the Shadowhunters, determined to complete the mission their late King had given them, unwilling to pledge loyalty to Kieran, the new King. During the battle, Eochaid fought against Mark Blackthorn, Cristina Rosales, and Kieran before he was temporarily dispatched by Hypatia Vex.
When Emma and Julian's parabatai curse was activated during the battle and they turned into true Nephilim, Emma challenged the Riders. Even after they murdered Ethna and Delan, Eochaid did not run and was killed on the battlefield while trying to fight them.[2]
Personality[]
Like the rest of the Riders, Eochaid was arrogant and cruel, and confident in his abilities. He was very passionate about his loyalties and duties.
Physical description[]
Eochaid had a fine-boned, cruel face like an eagle, and long bronze hair. He wore a bronze half mask as well as a bronze cloak and armor etched with designs of waves and the sea.
Abilities[]
- Longevity: As a Rider of Mannan, Eochaid was very old and had been alive for thousands of years.
- Enhanced strength and speed: Eochaid was able to move incredibly fast and deal heavy blows.
- Deceit: As a Rider of Mannan, Eochaid was wild magic and could lie despite being a faerie.[1]
Possessions[]
- Eochaid had the bronze armor, mask, gear, and weapons, including a longsword, that all the Riders possessed, as well as a steed that coalesced from the air when summoned.
Appearances[]
- The Land I Lost (alluded to)
- Lord of Shadows (first appearance)
- Queen of Air and Darkness
Etymology[]
Eochaid is an old name of Irish origin, used by many legendary figures.