Battle Against Authority

A cosmic war to shatter a false god and restore free will across the multiverse.

The Battle Against Authority serves as the climactic resolution of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, culminating in a cosmic war that spans multiple universes. This conflict centers on Lord Asriel, Lyra Belacqua's father, who assembles an army to oppose The Authority, an angel that claims to be God. Lyra fulfills a prophecy by playing the role of Eve, halting the loss of Dust from the multiverse through her maturity. The war concludes with a decisive confrontation where Asriel and Marisa Coulter kill Metatron, the Authority's regent, fundamentally altering the structure of existence.

Quick Facts

Primary protagonists: Lyra Belacqua
Main antagonist: The Authority (and Metatron)

Lore & Background

To oppose The Authority, Asriel builds a bridge to another world in Northern Lights, where he assembles an army. Lyra Belacqua plays a pivotal role, prophesied by witches to act as Eve in a second fall that stops the loss of Dust. This occurs when she reaches maturity and begins attracting Dust naturally. In the battle, Asriel's forces fight the armies of the Authority and the Church, and Asriel devises a plan to defeat the Authority's regent, Metatron. Lyra and Will free the Authority from the crystal litter in which he is being carried and find him so feeble that exposure to the wind causes his form to dissolve. Asriel dies alongside Marisa Coulter while killing Metatron.

Reader's Guide

To understand this conflict, one must trace Lyra's journey from her upbringing at Jordan College to the battlefield. Key turning points include receiving the alethiometer, which allows finding answers on any subject, and traveling with Iorek Byrnison to retrieve his meteoric iron armour. The Gyptians, led by John Faa, rescue children from the Gobblers (General Oblation Board), a movement supported by Ma Costa who previously nursed Lyra as a baby. Will Parry's discovery of the Subtle Knife enables travel between worlds, connecting Lyra's universe with others. The outcome is achieved through sacrifice: Asriel and Marisa Coulter die killing Metatron, while Will must close the gates between worlds. This separates the universes permanently but ensures Dust flows freely again, fulfilling Lyra's prophecy.

Did You Know?

Iorek Byrnison repairs the Subtle Knife without specialist equipment after Will breaks it.
Marisa Coulter's dæmon is a golden-coloured monkey that is never named in the books but called Ozymandias in adaptations.