Special Sub-Topic: "The Northern Lights" Part One Click Here To Play: "The Northern Lights" Part One

What room does Lyra hide in, to eavesdrop on the scholars?

The retiring room. The main characters in the trilogy are Lyra Belacqua and her daemon (pronounced demon) Pantalaimon. Everyone in this story (and the trilogy) has some sort of daemon. Lyra lives at Jordan Collage at Oxford. She witnesses the Headmaster poisoning a decanter of Tokay, before offering it to Lord Asriel. Lord Asriel is Lyra's uncle - later in the book, it is revealed that he is really her father. Lyra manages to warn him before he drinks the Tokay. Lord Asriel wants to show the scholars something important.

What does Lord Asriel say he will bring back from the North for Lyra?

A walrus tusk. Lord Asriel has just returned from a mission to the King of Lapland. He really went there to find out what happened to the Grumman expedition. He shows the scholars some photographs. He is most interested in Dust. Dust is usually seen around adults. He is also interested in the Aurora - or the Northern Lights. There appears to be a city in the middle of the Northern Lights.

What sort of enemies of Lyra's live on barges?

Gyptians. Children are starting to disappear, never to be seen again. The people who take away the children are nicknamed "The Gobblers". Lyra's best friend is Roger the kitchen-boy. Lyra and Roger enjoy exploring the cellars of Jordan Collages, especially the crypt, where the dead Masters are buried. On the plaques of each coffin are pictures of their own particular daemon. Roger suddenly disappears, as well as a gyptian, Billy Costa. Lyra is determined to find Roger. Lyra is to eat with the Master and some special guests. She is introduced to Mrs Coulter.

What does Mrs Coulter say Lyra is not afraid of?

Danger. Mrs Coulter's daemon is a golden monkey. As you become an adult, your daemon remains the same, instead of constantly changing. Lyra is fascinated by Mrs Coulter. Mrs Coulter has been to the North several times. The Master tells Lyra that she is going to live with Mrs Coulter and become her assistant. Before Lyra leaves, he gives her an alethiometer, rather like a large clock. Lord Asriel gave it to Jordan Collage, and the Master says that it would be better if Mrs Coulter did not know about it. Lyra does not know how it works, but the Master says it tells you the truth.

Where does Lyra keep the alethiometer while she is staying with Mrs Coulter?

In a shoulder bag. Lyra is treated well at Mrs Coulters, although it becomes boring. Lyra discusses Dust with Mrs Coulter, as she is very interested in it. Pantalaimon is attacked by the golden monkey. While attending a cocktail party, hosted by Mrs Coulter, Lyra learns about the General Oblation Board, whose nickname are the Gobblers. The Oblation Board is Mrs Coulter's pet project. Lyra also hears a few people discussing Dust at the party. Lyra becomes frightened when Mrs Coulter tells a journalist to leave the party. Pantalaimon tells Lyra that the golden monkey - and obviously Mrs Coulter - know about the alethiometer. Lyra and Pantalaimon run away during the party. Lord Asriel is being held at the fortress of Svalbard.

Who nearly kidnaps Lyra in London?

Turk traders. Tony Costa - Billy's brother - and some more gyptians save Lyra and take her to the Costa barge boat. There is going to be a gyptian meeting. John Faa is the King of the gyptians. The Gobblers take the kidnapped children to the North and do experiments on them.

What is the meeting of the gyptians called?

The Roping. Ma Costa tells Lyra a little about her parents. Lyra attends the Roping. As well as John Faa being there, there is also Farder Coram. There is a reward for Lyra being found, the police are searching for her. But Faa says Lyra is safer with them. Faa and the other gyptians plan to rescue the kidnapped children. Faa tells Lyra how she became to be brought up in Jordan Collage. Lord Asriel is really her father, and Mrs Coulter is her mother. Lord Asriel killed Mrs Coulter's first husband. After this happened, Mrs Coulter wanted nothing to do with Lyra.

Which family did the Costa family belong to?

Stefanski. Farder Coram tells Lyra a little more about the alethiometer. The gyptians are given certain jobs. John Faa says Lord Asriel has been good to them. Lyra hopes to go north, to rescue Roger and the others, but John Faa won't hear of it.

What did Lyra say the crucible meant on the alethiometer?

Knowledge. Lyra is beginning to understand the alethiometer and its symbols a little better. Farder Coram says that the book with all the symbol meanings is in Heidelberg. One of John Faa's men, one who was spying out the land, is killed.

Where did Farder Coram last see an insect, like the ones that attacked Lyra?

Morocco. Lyra and Pantalaimon are attacked by two insects. They are obviously connected to Mrs Coulter. One of the insects gets away, but they capture the other. Farder Coram says it is a type of bad spirit. They enclose it in a smoke-leaf tin. Lyra is told by John Faa that she is going to the North with the other gyptians, but it is nothing to celebrate.