Drode
Encyclopedia
The Drode is a character in the Animorphs
series by K. A. Applegate
.
, the evil being, and seems, like Crayak, to have certain supernatural powers---presumably lesser than his master, and probably given to him as a gift for service. Nothing is known of its species, except that in their language, "Drode" means "Wild card," a reference to the Drode's trickster personality. It is often implied that the Drode's first act of service was betraying his species to Crayak, so that it/he is now their only remaining member.
The Drode is evil, and is often sent on missions for his master Crayak, whose proclaimed goal is to eradicate all life in the galaxy and remake it in his image. The Drode appears to the Animorphs several times, playing mind games with them, and seems to hold a special "fondness" for Rachel
due to her viciousness and drive (similar to Crayak's particular obsession with Jake
, out of revenge for what Jake did to his Howler
shock troops). He and the Ellimist
often appear opposite each other, with the Drode a snippy
and angry foil to the usually serene and wise Ellimist. Interestingly there seems to be no good equivalent to the Drode on the Ellimist's side, though the Ellimist, with his almost unlimited power, probably doesn't need one. For that matter, there is no known reason why Crayak would need a servant either; presumably Crayak simply would rather send a messenger than directly show himself, as the Ellimist does.
Though very powerful, the Drode has certain restrictions on what he is allowed to do, defined by the rules of Crayak and the Ellimist's "game." In The Exposed
, for example, he says he is not allowed to destroy a sentient life form, including intelligent animals such as whale
s (it is unknown if he means for that particular mission or at all). However, he is able to find loopholes to these cosmic laws, such as destroying the Chee
(sentient androids don't count as "life forms"). Within this book he acts (as Rachel describes him) like a puppetmaster, manipulating the characters to do his will through a series of thinly-veiled supernatural occurrences.
The Drode is similar to the trickster
character in many legends, in that he has great powers and often uses them to amuse himself. He is truly evil, and at times wistfully expresses a desire for bloodshed and viciousness. Nevertheless the Drode seems to enjoy his trickster personality, and acts almost like a cartoon character at times---for example, pulling a giant watch out for comic effect, while giving the Animorphs a few minutes to decide the fate of the world.
Animorphs
Animorphs is an English language science fiction series of young adult books written by K. A. Applegate and published by Scholastic. Five humans, Jake, Marco, Cassie, Rachel, and Tobias, and one alien, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill , obtain the ability to morph into any animal they touch. They name...
series by K. A. Applegate
K. A. Applegate
Katherine Alice Applegate is an American author, best-known as the author of the Animorphs, Remnants, Everworld and other book series, although some of the books in these series are ghostwritten by other authors. Applegate's most popular books are science fiction, fantasy, and adventure novels...
.
Physical appearance
The Drode is an alien creature, described as being similar to a very dark purple (almost black) dinosaur with wrinkled, pruny skin, and an oddly humanoid face. Like a small dinosaur, it walks on two legs and balances by a stubby tail. Its hands are weak and flimsy, "multiply jointed but obviously designed for very light work or very low gravity." The face is "vaguely human, with a narrow lower jaw and wide-set, intelligent, laughing eyes," and the eyes are mouth (which has no lips) are "rimmed in green". Rachel describes the Drode's voice (spoken, not thought speak) as high, shrill, and grating.Character biography
Little is known of the Drode, but it/he serves CrayakCrayak
Crayak is a fictional character and villain from the science-fiction book series Animorphs, written by K. A. Applegate.-Description:Crayak is a nearly omnipotent entity appearing in the form of an armless cyborg with massive limbs and nothing but what would resemble as a blood-red eye for a head...
, the evil being, and seems, like Crayak, to have certain supernatural powers---presumably lesser than his master, and probably given to him as a gift for service. Nothing is known of its species, except that in their language, "Drode" means "Wild card," a reference to the Drode's trickster personality. It is often implied that the Drode's first act of service was betraying his species to Crayak, so that it/he is now their only remaining member.
The Drode is evil, and is often sent on missions for his master Crayak, whose proclaimed goal is to eradicate all life in the galaxy and remake it in his image. The Drode appears to the Animorphs several times, playing mind games with them, and seems to hold a special "fondness" for Rachel
Rachel (Animorphs)
Rachel is a fictional character from the sci-fi book series Animorphs. Her full name is never explicitly mentioned in the books, but her relation to her cousin Jake Berenson through their fathers makes it most likely to be Rachel Berenson, if it was never changed or hyphenated.-Biography:Before the...
due to her viciousness and drive (similar to Crayak's particular obsession with Jake
Jake Berenson
Jake Berenson is a fictional character and one of the main protagonists from the science-fiction book series Animorphs, written by K. A. Applegate. Until the penultimate book of the series, his last name was never revealed, and he was known only as Jake...
, out of revenge for what Jake did to his Howler
Howler (Animorphs)
Howlers, or Crayak's Children, are the alien shock troops of the nearly omnipotent Crayak, in the sci-fi book series Animorphs.-Biology:...
shock troops). He and the Ellimist
Ellimist
The Ellimist is a fictional character from the science fiction novel series Animorphs.The Ellimist is an almost god-like being, displaying many reality warping powers, though it is stated several times that while he appears to be, he is not omnipotent. By standard values, the Ellimist is a force of...
often appear opposite each other, with the Drode a snippy
Snippy
Snippy, pronounced , is an adjective meaning "sharp or curt" and "Sharp-tongued; impertinent".- 2000 U.S. presidential election :The word grew to prominence in the United States after its well-publicized use in a phone call between Al Gore and George W. Bush during the 2000 U.S...
and angry foil to the usually serene and wise Ellimist. Interestingly there seems to be no good equivalent to the Drode on the Ellimist's side, though the Ellimist, with his almost unlimited power, probably doesn't need one. For that matter, there is no known reason why Crayak would need a servant either; presumably Crayak simply would rather send a messenger than directly show himself, as the Ellimist does.
Though very powerful, the Drode has certain restrictions on what he is allowed to do, defined by the rules of Crayak and the Ellimist's "game." In The Exposed
The Exposed (Animorphs)
The Exposed is the twenty-seventh book in the Animorphs series, written by K.A. Applegate. It is known to have been ghostwritten by Laura Battyanyi-Weiss, although due to an editorial oversight, Battyanyi-Weiss was uncredited for this book. It is narrated by Rachel.The front cover quote is "They...
, for example, he says he is not allowed to destroy a sentient life form, including intelligent animals such as whale
Whale
Whale is the common name for various marine mammals of the order Cetacea. The term whale sometimes refers to all cetaceans, but more often it excludes dolphins and porpoises, which belong to suborder Odontoceti . This suborder also includes the sperm whale, killer whale, pilot whale, and beluga...
s (it is unknown if he means for that particular mission or at all). However, he is able to find loopholes to these cosmic laws, such as destroying the Chee
Chee
The Chee are a fictional race of androids created by the extinct Pemalites, a race of pacifists from the sci-fi book series Animorphs, written by K. A. Applegate. The word Chee means "Friend" in the Pemalite language.-Fictional history:...
(sentient androids don't count as "life forms"). Within this book he acts (as Rachel describes him) like a puppetmaster, manipulating the characters to do his will through a series of thinly-veiled supernatural occurrences.
The Drode is similar to the trickster
Trickster
In mythology, and in the study of folklore and religion, a trickster is a god, goddess, spirit, man, woman, or anthropomorphic animal who plays tricks or otherwise disobeys normal rules and conventional behavior. It is suggested by Hansen that the term "Trickster" was probably first used in this...
character in many legends, in that he has great powers and often uses them to amuse himself. He is truly evil, and at times wistfully expresses a desire for bloodshed and viciousness. Nevertheless the Drode seems to enjoy his trickster personality, and acts almost like a cartoon character at times---for example, pulling a giant watch out for comic effect, while giving the Animorphs a few minutes to decide the fate of the world.