Lord Asriel's Rebellion

Lore & Background

The rebellion originated from Lord Asriel's work in 'experimental theology' and his desire to open windows between worlds using energy from intercision. After being imprisoned by the panserbjørne led by Iofur Raknison, Asriel escaped to Cittàgazze where he allied with rebel angels under Xaphania. He constructed an enormous basalt fortress in an empty world, recruiting forces from various universes. The General Oblation Board, headed by Marisa Coulter, had previously ordered his capture to perform intercision on children like Roger Parslow. This act was intended to release energy for opening a window in the aurora, a key strategic element of Asriel's plan to reach different universes.

In Their Own Story

Ruta Skadi found Lord Asriel at his fortress and pledged her clan's support after hearing his plans. King Ogunwe and Lord Roke were tasked with rescuing Lyra from Mrs Coulter; they captured her but Lyra and Will escaped with two of Lord Roke's agents. When the Church learned of a bomb to kill Lyra, Asriel rescued Mrs Coulter just in time, destroying Saint-Jean Les Eaux with his Intention Craft. The bomb later blew a hole under all worlds into the abyss. In the final confrontation, Mrs Coulter tricked Metatron into trying to kill Lord Asriel and take Lyra's dæmon. Standing on the edge of the abyss, Asriel and Coulter sacrificed themselves, falling with Metatron into eternal condemnation.

Reader's Guide

The rebellion's outcome saw the destruction of Saint-Jean Les Eaux and the creation of a chasm under all worlds. Lord Asriel's forces fought the armies of the Authority and the Church while searching for Lyra and Will's dæmons to prevent control by the Authority's armies. The conflict ended with the deaths of Lord Asriel, Mrs Coulter, and Metatron in the abyss. This sacrifice allowed Lyra to survive and ensured that Dust could flow freely again, fundamentally altering the balance between worlds and ending the Church's ability to suppress human development through intercision.

Did You Know?

• Lord Asriel's dæmon is named Stelmaria, a snow leopard.
• Asriel was imprisoned by panserbjørne led by Iofur Raknison after traveling to Svalbard.
• The rebellion utilized an 'Intention Craft' for travel and combat operations.
• Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter died together falling into the abyss, taking Metatron with them.
• Roger Parslow was brought unwittingly by Lyra to be used as a child for intercision.