| Name | Suriel |
|---|---|
| Age | Older than the bones of this world |
| Species | Lesser fae |
| Status | Deceased |
| Court | None — roams Prythian freely |
| Eye Color | Milky white |
| Hair Color | None |
| Abilities | Omniscient knowledge, bound truth-telling, ancient magic sensitivity |
| Weaknesses | Cannot cross running water; vulnerable to ash-wood weapons |
| Known For | Answering any question truthfully when trapped |
| Appears In | A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight (mentioned) |
Contents
Biography / History
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Desperate for answers about the Spring Court, Feyre persuades Lucien to reveal how to track a Suriel — an ancient faerie bound to speak only the truth. Reluctant and wary of Tamlin discovering the conversation, Lucien explains that Suriel linger near young birch groves in the Western Woods and are easily lured with freshly killed chickens. Using a dead chicken as bait, Feyre successfully traps it and demands answers. The creature reveals that she cannot return home and that Tamlin is the High Lord of the Spring Court. Just as it begins to explain the deeper curse destroying Prythian, naga attack, forcing Feyre to release the Suriel. It escapes, leaving her to fend off the creatures alone. Later, Alis casually informs Feyre that capturing a Suriel is much simpler than she thought — all it ever truly wants is a new cloak.
A Court of Mist and Fury
To save Rhysand’s life, Feyre seeks out the same Suriel she once freed. The creature allows itself to be caught again and explains that Rhysand has been poisoned with faebane-laced ash-wood arrows, a toxin that suppresses High Fae magic. The only cure requires Feyre’s own blood, now imbued with the healing power she carries from the High Lord of the Dawn Court. The Suriel remembers Feyre’s past mercy and willingly provides every answer she needs. Before departing, it drops a world-shifting truth: Rhysand is her mate. Feyre releases the Suriel once more.
A Court of Wings and Ruin
When war erupts across Prythian, Feyre searches for the Suriel to learn where Hybern’s armies are hiding. This time, the Suriel appears without being trapped, admitting that Hybern’s forces are concealed by the Cauldron’s magic — a power older even than the Suriel itself. However, it reveals that Nesta can track the Cauldron’s influence, having been Made by it:
“Like calls to like.” The Suriel also reveals the key to nullifying the Cauldron’s magic: the knowledge hidden on the second and penultimate pages of the Book of Breathings.
Moments later, Ianthe and Hybern soldiers ambush the Suriel, firing ash arrows into its body. Refusing to answer Ianthe’s questions, the Suriel urges Feyre to run. Instead, Feyre steps forward and lures the attackers to the Weaver’s cottage, where they are devoured. Returning to the dying Suriel, Feyre learns the truth: Ianthe’s cloak carried a tracking spell designed to activate near Feyre, and the Suriel knew it — but came anyway. It chose to help her, even at the cost of its life, because she once showed it kindness.
Appearance
The Suriel is depicted as a tall, unnaturally thin being draped in dark, tattered robes so worn that the sharp ridges of its spine are visible beneath the fabric. Its body appears skeletal, with spindly gray limbs, scabbed skin, and yellowed, cracked nails extending from elongated fingers.
Its head is completely bald, and its face resembles dried, weatherworn bone. The Suriel has a lipless mouth, revealing oversized gray teeth set in blackened gums, with narrow slits for nostrils. Its eyes are described as swirling pits of milky white — the color associated with death, sickness, and clean-picked remains.
Beneath its frayed robes, its torso is composed of veins, ridges, and hardened bone, mirroring the same ancient, desiccated texture as its face. Its feet are bare, twisted, and gnarled, giving it a corpse-like silhouette.
The Suriel’s voice is particularly distinctive, sounding both singular and layered, at once old and young, beautiful and grotesque. It can detect lies by scent, perceiving truth and deception with supernatural accuracy.
Powers
The Suriel possesses a range of ancient and highly specialized abilities that make it one of the most knowledgeable beings in Prythian.
Truth-Telling
A Suriel is magically bound to answer any question truthfully when captured. This compulsion cannot be resisted and is considered its defining trait.
Vast, Ancient Knowledge
Suriel are said to be older than Prythian itself, holding a deep understanding of curses, court politics, magical forces, and hidden lore. Their insight extends to mating bonds, magical illnesses, High Fae power structures, and the workings of the Cauldron.
Magical Perception
They can sense and interpret magical signatures, including Made power, curses, enchantments, and conditions affecting other beings. The Suriel can also identify substances such as faebane with precision.
Lie Detection
A Suriel can “smell” deception and is able to distinguish truth from falsehood without error.
Resistance to Trapping (Conditional)
Though bound to speak truths when caught, Suriel can choose to be captured. Their movements are unpredictable, but they are capable of slipping away quickly unless wounded or ensnared by ash.
Limited Physical Resilience
Despite their supernatural age, they are vulnerable to ash wood, which disrupts faerie magic and can fatally wound them. They are also unable to cross running water, a restriction tied to their ancient nature.
