The kraals are a group of owls native to the Northern Kingdoms. While they have a reputation as pirates who pillage and loot from others, the kraals also maintain a unique culture and are highly skilled at dye making. They often use these dyes to paint their feathers vibrant, unnatural colours.
History[]
The Coming of Hoole []
The kraals were briefly mentioned in rumors heard by Siv.
To Be a King[]
The first chronological mention of kraals was during the time of the legends of Ga'Hoole. They were originally gadfeathers but became obsessed with stealing and renamed themselves kraals, a name originating from the old Krakish word kraalynk, which meant to attack for treasure.
The Burning[]
Coming back from the Northern Kingdoms, Gylfie is captured by kraals and taken to their lair on the H'rathghar Glacier, where Ifghar comes to question her about the Guardians and Pure Ones, hoping to take valuable information to the Pure Ones and join their ranks. Ifghar says that if she does not comply, she will be fed to the wolves, who will thank the kraals by telling them where the golden siedge berries grow. Twilla, Ifghar's assistant from the Glauxian Brothers Retreat, overhears Ifghar interrogating Gylfie and tries to figure out how to free her. While the other kraals go out on a raid, Gylfie is left under the supervision of two guards, Vlink and Phlinx. Vlink and Phlinx speak in an odd Krakish dialect, somewhat similar to stereotypical pirate speak. Twilla dyes herself in a dye made from golden siedge berries, long sought after by the kraals, and flies to their lair. Vlink and Phlinx think Twilla is Glaux, which she goes along with, claiming she has come to "anoint" them. She sends them off to find the golden berries, and frees Gylfie with one of the pirates' ice splinters. However, before they can leave a band of kraals arrives. Thinking fast, Gylfie and Twilla tilt the mirrors set up by the cave entrance to reflect the sun into the kraals' eyes, blinding them.
The War of the Ember[]
Several kraals had been recruited to help battle against the Pure Ones after a number of their own were ruthlessly and needlessly massacred by Blue Owls recruited by Nyra. The kraals were moved by Madame Brunwella Plonk's voice.
The Keepers of the Keys[]
Since the War of the Ember, however, the greater portion of kraals have vanished to parts unknown, leaving only scattered remnants, their dye basins and their long history as scourges of the Hrathlands behind them. Ezylryb also came to believe that these basins of dyes had once been visited by a MacHeath during the War of the Ice Claws for a camo operations.
Known Kraals[]
- Vlink - a Snowy Owl
- Phlinx - a Snowy Owl
- Flinn - a Pygmy Owl who invented the idea of VAT, and father of Fritha.
- Freya - Flinn's mate
- Drusilla - a Screech Owl who is half a moon older than Fritha and often engaged in battles
- Sitka - a hot-headed kraal who lived during the time of Hoole
- Gragg's Friend - A pirate owl who was formerly a mercenary
Former Kraals[]
- Fritha - daughter of Flinn and a Guardian of Ga'Hoole. She makes yearly visits to the kraals' lair to meet her father.