SkekSil

###  Friends:

skekAyuk, SkekSa, SkekLi, SkekEkt, SkekGra (formerly), SkekHak, SkekLach, SkekMal †, SkekNa, SkekEer, SkekOk, SkekShod, SkekSo †, SkekTek, SkekUng, SkekVar † (formerly), SkekYi †, SkekZok, Garthim †

###  Enemies:

Jen, Kira, SkekVar †, Mystics, Rian, Brea, Deet, SkekGra †, Mira †, Gurjin, Tavra †, Kylan, Naia, Seladon, Onica, Cadia, Ordon †, Argot, Fara †, Seethi, Laesid, Mera, Ethri, Lath'N, Mitjan, Arathim, Hup, Kensho, Thurma

###  Likes:

Power, manipulating other individuals, playing favorites, to become the emperor, immortality, SkekTek, serving SkekSo

### Dislikes:

When someone steals his seat, Gelflings' rebellion, people wounding him continuously, death, SkekVar, peachberries

### Goal(s):

Take the throne and become the Skeksis Emperor (failed)
Capture the two Gelflings (briefly succeeded, taking Kira instead).
Attain immortality.
Prevent Kensho and Thurma from restoring the Crystal again (both failed).

### Powers and Abilities:

Scheming and plotting
Near Immortality

## Behind the scenes

### Portrayed by:

**Puppeteers:**
Frank Oz (*The Dark Crystal*)
Warrick Brownlow-Pike and Katherine Smee (*The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*)

### Voiced By:

Barry Dennen (*The Dark Crystal*)
Simon Pegg *(The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*)

> "*Between SkekUng the Garthim-Master and SkekSil the Chamberlain there was bitter rivalry, for SkekSil hoped his smiling poison and suspicious craft would lead him, not SkekUng, to succeed to the Emperor's glory. Both were deceived.*"
> ― The World of the Dark Crystal
>
>

**SkekSil** is the main antagonist of *The Dark Crystal* franchise. He is known as the Chamberlain and the spiritual counterpart to the urRu, UrSol. He is the chief secretary of state and was the next in line to be the emperor until SkekUng took over instead.

## Background

### Personality

> "*This is what I do. I plant stories in ground, watch grow into truth.*"
> ― SkekSil's true personality
>
>

Evil, cruel and sadistic, the Chamberlain SkekSil was greedy, selfish and manipulative. The other Skeksis found his whimpering annoying, especially SkekUng. Several of them wished him dead, especially shown by their hopes that their fellow Skeksis, SkekMal, would skin him alive. SkekSil could easily be sadistic as he was clever because he drank the vial containing Mira's essence in front of the her boyfriend, Rian while cackling.

One of his greatest methods of getting people to break was his words themselves. Most of the Skeksis would fall into his act of manipulating them, as SkekSil managed to manipulate the entire room of Skeksis that it was SkekTek's fault that Rian escaped from the castle. He nearly succeeded in getting Rian to deter from his devotion to avenge Mira before he was rescued by siblings Naia and Gurjin.

## Appearances

### *The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance*

In the prequel series, SkekSil is revealed to be just as nasty as he is in the original film. He was puppeteered by Warrick Brownlow-Pike and Katherine Smee and voiced by Simon Pegg.

#### End. Begin. All the Same

SkekSil joined his fellow Skeksis in the Crystal chamber, where they replenish their immorality to cheat death yet again. However, they found that the Crystal was failing then once again, because they still had not felt any different from when they started. SkekSo, tired of hearing them squabble assures the fellow Skeksis, including SkekSil, that the Scientist, SkekTek was working on something to save their lives yet again. Though he told the others to return to their duties, SkekSil stayed behind and eavesdropped on SkekSo and SkekTek's conversation. When he heard that SkekTek hasn't actually found anything that will solve their problems, SkekSil plans to use this to his advantage.
Going into SkekTek's lab, SkekSil pulled the trigger that had activated the Crystal draining skekTek of his essence. SkekSil helps inspire skekTek to take essence from the Gelflings of Thra and use it to replenish themselves again. When skekTek calls for everyone, SkekSil assures his fellow Skeksis that skekTek found something useful. They use the Gelfling Mira, whose essence is taken from the Crystal and she subsequently dies. SkekSil and the others drink Mira's essence and are able to be stronger again. SkekSil saw skekTek put it in a bottle and had it locked away for further studies. As they celebrate, a tear from Rian lands on SkekZok’s head, causing the Skeksis suddenly aware of his presence. Luckily Rian is able to escape. With SkekSo very alarmed, SkekSil assured the emperor that none would believe Rian because the Skeksis are able to manipulate others and that Gelflings wanted to be ruled.

#### Nothing Is Simple Anymore

After finding out that Rian still had escaped, SkekSil entered an argument with SkekVar, who left to find Rian, whom they considered a traitor now. He attempted to cheer up SkekSo by having the Podlings play music for him.

Later, SkekSil snuck into the scientist's lab and attempted to steal the essence that SkekTek kept on his cabinet while he was unaware of the presence of Rian and Gurjin underneath the table. However, he saw that the Scientist put a locksnake on the door knobs and SkekSil proceeded in eating it and taking the vial of Mira's essence. skekTek catches SkekSil in his lab, where he feigns interest in the scientist working on repairs. Despite SkekSil hiding the essence and trying to leave with it, SkekTek caught the Chamberlain and would have believed in his lies that the Gelflings took it because SkekTek sees the bits of locksnake in SkekSil's teeth. Before the argument escalated, the two Skeksis caught the scent of Rian and Gurjin.

In a small scuffle, SkekSil dropped the essence, leading Rian to grab it. Due to their smaller sizes, Rian and Gurjin dodge the Skeksis' attempts to grab them and escape with the essence. However, SkekSil took Gurjin hostage while SkekTek appeared on the other side and Rian found himself surrounded by his enemies. SkekSil attempted to persuade the young Gelfling they were not going to hurt him and to give up and have over the essence, but Gurjin told Rian not to listen, as it was a trick. Instead, the Gelfling that SkekSil held hostage stabbed the Chamberlain in the side, enough to let him get his guard down and let Rian run past SkekSil, who, despite trying to grab Rian, only managed to grab a scrap of his clothing.

SkekSil was later blamed by SkekTek for letting Rian escape and failing to capture him to the fellow Skeksis. However, SkekSil managed to turn the tables and convinced SkekSo that it was all SkekTek's fault instead and announces that they still have Gurjin. They go to have him punished. Ordon, Rian’s father enters to know what happened to his son while he was away. SkekSil fed Ordon lies that Rian and Gurjin conspired against the Skeksis, and when Mira found out, Rian murdered her. When Ordon said he could dreamfast with Rian, the Chamberlain lied and said that Rian was mad and that the madness spreads by dreamfasting. Convinced his son was not in his state of mind, Ordon agreed to find Rian and then bring him back to the castle with the vial he stole. After Ordon left, SkekSil said that once the essence and Rian were found, they would drain them both of their essence.

#### What Was Sundered and Undone

Following the humiliation of skekTek, who lost his eye because of SkekSil's manipulation, the Chamberlain approached skekTek and offered him two Gruenaks as servants after sowing their mouths shut. skekTek took the slaves and said that it was a start for him and SkekSil. He later went to Gurjin and revealed what happened to SkekTek the night before: his eye was eaten by a peeper beetle, a bug that has a taste for eyes. SkekSil tells Gurjin that if they do that to Skeksis, then what would they have in store for Gelfling. He pressures Gurjin to tell him where Rian had gone; however, Gurjin refused to give up his best friend. Enraged, SkekSil left the peeper beetle there and warned him to think of his actions.

#### The First Thing I Remember is Fire

While the Skeksis were feasting, SkekSil and SkekVar entered an argument on how to deal with Rian and the other Gelflings. Irritated, SkekSo replaced SkekSil with SkekVar as his new counsel, where the General dishonored SkekSil and stepped on his hand. Humiliated, SkekSil began to conspire on how he could get back in the emperor's good graces. He thought to capture and use Rian for his own agenda. SkekSil summoned SkekMal to the castle, the hunter returned and asked SkekSil who his Target is and the Chamberlain reveals it to be the Stonewood warrior. Insulted, SkekMal tried to leave but SkekSil revealed that Rian was a threat and carried essence with him. Now intriguing SkekMal that Rian would make a trophy, he gave SkekMal a scrap of Rian’s cloth and sent the deadly Skeksis went to hunt the Gelfling down. For unknown reasons, SkekSil became aware of Ordon's sacrifice and would later use this against Rian at a later time.

#### She Knows All the Secrets

Before SkekMal gave a deathly blow to Rian, the Chamberlain suddenly appeared and yelled for the Hunter to stop, as he needed to bring Rian to the Emperor back alive to get back in power. Insulted, SkekMal refused because SkekSil was hunting a throne instead but the Chamberlain was hunting for power. SkekSil promises to return Rian after he has gotten his throne back and the General is humiliated, to which SkekMal agrees. However, he threatens the Chamberlain with death if he is denied Rian's tongue. Now alone with a helpless Rian, SkekSil steals the vial of Mira's essence and consumes it while cackling and taking advantage of Rian's inability to stop him and taking pleasure in his suffering. Finishing the bottle, SkekSil throws the bottle on the floor and steps on it, taking away Rian's only proof of the Skeksis' crimes.

On their way back to the Castle, SkekSil told Rian that any attempts to escape would be pointless. However, Rian refuses to allow the Chamberlain to manipulate him and warns SkekSil to just kill him now and get it over with. However, the Chamberlain refuses because he needs Rian alive to stop the war before it starts. Angrily, Rian refused because he wanted the world to know that the Skeksis were evil, which intrigued SkekSil as he wondered why Skeksis were evil. Rian explained it was because of what they did to Mira.

However, SkekSil disagreed and said it was only natural, as everything kills to survive. Death was unnatural to Skeksis because they conquered it and SkekSil told Rian that if their roles were reversed, then Gelfling would do the exact same thing. When Rian insisted, they were nothing alike, SkekSil brought up that Rian did only one thing when his friend was being drained and his Drenchen friend was captured: he ran. Rian tries to protest there was nothing he could do for Mira and that Gurjint told him to run, as SkekSil adds. The Skeksis lord adds that Rian's own father had sacrificed himself so his son could survive and save himself. Rian, upset, says that he tried but that he couldn't save his father, and SkekSil, satisfied, tells Rian that he couldn't save any of them but adds that maybe Rian can save the rest.

SkekSil continued pressuring Rian to tell the "truth" about Mira and admit he murdered her. Rian was still upset and refused because SkekSil did not care about Gelfling, which the Chamberlain denies and that he is the only reason why Gelflings are still alive, but Rian refuses because lying would lead to the Gelflings remaining slaves. SkekSil twists Rian's words and tells him that Gelflings are not slaves if they are not aware of it and calls the Gelfling the Skeksis' pets because they are immortal while Gelflings live for a couple of trine, and says Skeksis are to Gelflings as crawlies are to Gelfling. SkekSil also cannot promise to cease the draining of Gelfling if Rian does what he wants, leading Rian to refuse. The Chamberlain, annoyed, shouts that if there is a war, then the Gelfling did not stand a chance, with Rian insisted that the Gelflings would win such a war. Fed up with Rian's defiance, SkekSil stopped the carriage and cut the ropes restraining the Gelfling. SkekSil opened the carriage door and invited Rian to leave but warned that it would be on Rian’s head when all Gelfling die because he chose to run again. Rian hesitates and decided to stay. Satisfied, SkekSil is glad to have finally meet a Gelfling with sense and starts the carriage back up.

However, before they got to the castle Gurjin and Naia intercepted the Chamberlain's carriage and rescued Rian and they fled on the Armalig while the Chamberlain shouted for them. Having no way to using Rian to get his position back any time soon, SkekSil was forced to return to the castle on foot.

## Quotes

*The Dark Crystal*
"*It's time to make... my move.*"
― SkekSil discussing his plans to take the throne.
"*(SkekUng: I challenge!) Hmmm? Hmmm... Trial by Stone?*"
― SkekSil to SkekUng
"*I'd knew you would come. Do not be afraid. I'm here to help to you, yes. Come, show them Gelflings live with Skeksis together in peace. Please..*"
― SkekSil pleading for Jen and Kira to come with him for the last time.
"*Gelfling, YOU DIE!!*"
― SkekSil to Jen before causing a cave-in to bury the Gelfling and taking Kira with him.
"*Royal sire. I bring you... Gelfling.*"
― SkekSil as he shows his capture of Kira the Gelfling to SkekUng
The Power of the Dark Crystal
"*Poor, poor girl on fire. Flames are weak...cannot cross water...and has nothing more to burn.* "
― SkekSil mocking Thurma
Beneath the Dark Crystal
"*I know of monsters.*"
― SkekSil to Kensho and UrSol
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
"*Beloved Scientist! You must be careful. I may not always be here to save you.*"
― SkekSil to SkekTek after shutting off the Dark Crystal and foreshadowing to SkekTek's ultimate fate in the film
"*No, no! You make Crystal hungry. Crystal pulls out essence, but what if we take essence for Skeksis? What if we snatch it? (SkekTek: Collect the essence?) Yes! Instead of taking power we need from Crystal, Skeksis use Crystal to take power from essence. (SkekTek: Hypothetically sound, but I will need a creature to experiment upon.) Hmm Well, Crystal is Thra. Thra gave life. What creatures are closest to Thra, hm? Most full of essence, hmm?*"
― SkekSil to SkekTek
"*The Emperor must remember his own words. We are Lords of the Crystal, yes? Even if Rian talk, none will believe. They will shun him. Cast him out. How can they not? To believe him is not to believe themselves. Skeksis reign a thousand trine and will reign a thousand more, until last star in sky goes dark. Gelfling will submit, head bowed, back bent as have always done. Gelfling want to be ruled. Gelfling need to be ruled. Because Gelfling are weak! Gelfling are small. And Skeksis are forever! We took the Crystal. Thra belongs to us now. And is nothing Gelfling can do!*"
― SkekSil assuring SkekSo that Gelflings will not believe Rian
"*(SkekTek: Chamberlain!) Scientist. (SkekTek: Explain this nefarious intrusion.) I I came looking for you. Hm. (SkekTek: Is that correct?) Yes! The Emperor sent me to retrieve update on broken machine, yes? More essence yet? - (SkekTek: Will be soon. Very soon.) This is good, yes. Emperor will be most pleased. I go now. Bye-bye.*"
― SkekTek and SkekSil
"*Not I. Must have been Gelfling. (skekTek: I might have believed you if not for the locksnake bits in your teeth)*"
― SkekSil attempting to lie and say that Gelfling took the essence
"*Easy, Gelfling. This is all misunderstanding. We are friends, Rian.*"
― SkekSil trying to "reason" with Rian
"*(Gurjin: You'll never catch Rian now.) Hmm…We shall see.*"
― SkekSil, after having snatched Rian's clothing
"*After I drag him back to castle, yes? After Emperor sees my triumph. After General is humiliated.*"
― SkekSil convincing SkekMal to give him custody of Rian"*Death is a natural. Death is cruel joke. Death mocks life, mocks Skeksis. But no more. Skeksis conquer death. And you, Gelfling, would do same in Skeksis place!*"
― SkekSil comparing Rian and the Gelflings to the Skeksis and what they would do the same if their roles were reversed.
"*(Rian: We are nothing alike!) When friend being drained, what did Gelfling do? Stop us? Fight Skeksis? (Rian: There was nothing I could do!) You run. Yes, and when Drenchen friend is caught, what did Gelfling do? (Rian: But Gurjin told me to—) Run, yes? Save self. And father, too! Gobbled up by Gobbles so son could run. Save. Self.*"
― SkekSil pointing out that Rian has been running since learning the truth of the Skeksis
"*(Rian: I tried! I just couldn't save him.) Mmmm. Now Gelfling tells truth. You couldn't save any of them. But what if Rian could save all the rest? Mmmmhhhmmmmm.*"
― SkekSil tempting Rian with an opportunity to save other Gelflings
"*Fine. Go then. Run! Have your war. But it will be on Rian's head when gelfling die because you chose to run. Again.*"
― SkekSil offering Rian freedom
"*At last, a Gelfling with sense. Is difficult being voice of reason in such crazed world.*"
― SkekSil to Rian after he chooses to stay with the Skeksis lord
" *OUT of my SPOT!*"
― SkekSil yelling at SkekVar to remove himself from next to the emperor
"*(Hunter: Pathetic!! You hunt a chair?!) No! I...hunt...power...*"
― SkekSil insisting he hunts power.
" *You. Took. My. Seat!*"
― SkekSil to SkekVar as he murders him.

## Trivia

* SkekSil represents the deadly sin lust for his power-hungry nature and possibly envy, due to him being envious whenever someone has a higher power than him, such as being SkekSo's number two instead of his number one henchman.
* Since SkekSil is responsible for the idea of draining the Gelfling race, he is the considered the overall main antagonist of *The Dark Crystal* franchise.

## Navigation

**Skeksis:** **skekSil/The Chamberlain** • skekSo/The Emperor\skekNa/The Slave Master • skekOk/The Scroll Keeper • skekTek/The Scientist • skekEkt/The Ornamentalist • skekAyuk/The Gourmand • skekZok/The Ritual Master • skekUng/The General • skekShod/The Treasurer • skekLach/The Collector • skekMal/The Hunter • SkekGra/The Heretic • SkekVar
**Mystics:** UrGoh • urVa • urZah • urIm • urUtt • urAmaj • urNol • urYod • urSol • urAc• urTih • urSu
**Podlings:** Ydra • Hup
**Gelfling:** Cadia • All-Maudra Mayrin/The All-Maudra • Tavra • Gurjin • Kylan • The Librarian • Seladon • Maudra Fara/The Rock Singer • Mira • Naia • Onica • Ordon • Rek'yr • Maudra Argot/The Shadow Bender • Maudra Laesid • Maudra Mera • Maudra Seethi • Maudra Ethri • Lath'N • Mitjan • Bobb'N

**Other:** Baffi • Vliste-Staba • Silksplitters • Crystal Skimmers • Lore
**Races:** Gelflings • Mystics • Skeksis • Podlings • Garthim
**Gelfling Clans:** • Dousan Clan • Drenchen Clan • Grottan Clan • Sifa Clan • Spriton Clan • Stonewood Clan • Vapra Clan