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Spoiler warning!
This article or section contains plot spoilers for the Mortal Engines quartet and the Fever Crumb trilogy. Proceed at your own risk. |
Nikola Quercus was a Northern Nomad who was introduced in Fever Crumb. He held the rank of Land Admiral in the organization called The Movement.
He is remembered in the time of the quartet, revered as a God (by the name of Nicholas Quirke) and worshiped by Londoners who first declared him as such. Many people believe Quirke to have devised the concept of traction cities, when in reality Auric Godshawk did and he developed the concept from Auric's musings after being told of them by his daughter Wavey Godshawk.
History[]
Pre-Series[]
Nothing is really known about Quercus' early life before London but it is presumed that he is tactically brilliant and a strong leader to have risen to command the Movement.
Fever Crumb trilogy[]
Fever Crumb[]
Before Nikola came to London, he was Land Admiral of The Movement. He was said to be a great leader with accomplishments such as fending of the Suomi at the hill of Skulls and looting half of the cities of the Birkenmark. When Fever's Hot Air Balloon landed amongst The Movement's traction fortresses, she was taken to meet Quercus. He told the movement that they were to take over London, which they promptly moved south to do. When they arrive in London Quercus declared that London now belonged to the Movement. Ted Swiney, then mayor of London, objected to this; the two entered a fight to determine who would rule the city. Ted tried to have Quercus crushed by a barrel, but this resulted in Ted being crushed instead. The people of London instantly began cheering for Quercus.
Scrivener's Moon[]
Quercus began his work to transform London into the very first Traction City. During this time many of his Nomad Enemies formed alliances and made plots in order to overthrow him and take his resources. In the last battle of the Nomad Wars the enemy Nomads led a legion of traction fortresses, armored hairyphants and stalkers against a newly tractionist London. Despite the Nomads' efforts, they were defeated and their strongholds in the North were eaten by London before the newly mobilized city moved south again to find more food.
Mortal Engines[]
Quercus is effectively responsible for the entire Traction era, as he created the first Traction City and thus prompted others to follow suit. He is worshiped as a God by tractionists for this reason, and has his own festival, Quirkemas, a parody of Christmas.
Tom (and later his daughter) is known to swear by him throughout the quartet.
Film[]
A statue of Quirke can be seen in the area where the London Museum is.
He was later mentioned by Tom in the "End of the Ancient" bonus feature on the film's DVD and Blu-ray release.
Trivia[]
- The name Nikola Quercus may be a reference to the eccentric Serb-Croatian-American inventor Nikola Tesla.
- Quirke is named after Philip Reeve's friend Nick Quirke (best known for his work with Brighton’s Festival Shakespeare Company).[1]
Gallery[]
