Shirl Ravenlock
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Shirl Ravenlock is a fictional character from Terry Brooks' best selling Sword of Shannara fantasy novel. Shirl is the daughter of the ruler of the city of Kern though she seems reluctant to consider herself a 'princess'. Shirl is drugged and abducted by a villain in the story and unwittingly rescued by the hero Menion Leah who mistakes her for someone else.
Shirl later joins Menion and his companions on their journey to defend the city of Tyrsis against the advancing armies of the Warlock Lord. She also figures into a subplot involving the current ruler of Tyrsis, Prince Palance, who is smitten with her.
Shirl's role in the novel does not escape that of a stereotypical 'cringing maiden' at any point. Brooks seems to address this issue by including much more capable - and relevant - female characters in his subsequent works, most notably The Elfstones of Shannara and the The Wishsong of Shannara.
