The Sword of Shannara

Long ago, the world of Shea Olmsford was ruined by the wars of ancient Evil. Now mankind must compete for the Earth with many other races - gnomes, trolls, dwarfs and elves. But Shea, the half-human, half-elfin adopted son of an innkeeper knows little of such troubles. Shady Vale, where he grew to manhood, seems a haven of peace. Then into Shady Vale comes the giant, forbidding figure of Allanon, possessed of strange knowledge and even stranger Druidic powers. To Shea, he reveals that the evil Warlock Lord, supposedly long dead, is once again plotting to destroy the world. Against this Power of Darkness the sole effective weapon is the Sword of Shannara, which can only be used by a true descendant of Jerle Shannara. Shea is the last living heir; on him rests the hope of all races! Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of the Warlock Lord, flies into the Vale, seeking to destroy the last heir of Shannara. Rather than risk destruction for the Vale, Shea and his skeptical half-brother Flick flee, drawing the Skull Bearer after them. Thus begins the seemingly hopeless quest of a simple man against the greatest power of evil the world has known.