They were founded by Ballum, a close friend of one of the old kings, who was accused of being a traitor and forced to flee.

They find a castle near a village called Shadowgate, the northernmost point in Deltora.

They assume him to be the guardian, but it is revealed that it is actually Kirsten, a girl from Shadowgate who fell in love with him, but he loved her sister Mariette, so she grew jealous and turned herself over to the Shadow Lord to be the Guardian of the North if it meant she could keep Bede prisoner.

The Sister is discovered, and destroyed when the Emerald Dragon, Honora, awakens.

Kirsten is killed, Mariette is released from her enchanted imprisonment, and she and Bede live together happily.