The Wild Hunt is a gathering of some of the more predatory beings of Faerie. The Erlking is one of the beings who can call it up.
Description[]
The Wild Hunt is a gathering of black hounds the size of horses with glowing red eyes, lead by a stag-horned hunter on a black horse. It usually appears in the autumn or winter and usually accompanying storms and rough weather.[1]
There are several figures who can lead the Wild Hunt, none of which very friendly. Extremely dangerous, the Hunt will kill anything and anyone in its path, and there is a rumor that a target can avoid being hunted by joining the Hunt. Harry Dresden has never met anyone who survived meeting the Hunt. Possibly they won't hunt who they think is another predator.[1]
Mab informs Dresden that the Erlking can call the spirits of fallen hunters—the energy of the hunt: excitement, hunger and bloodlust. He can call those spirits in the forms of great black hounds, then ride the winds and forests of the Wild Hunt. Shades will rise to the sound of the horn and join. The spectres are most potent.[2]
In the series[]
Dead Beat[]
- Main article: Dead Beat
In Dead Beat, Mab lets Harry Dresden know that the Heirs of Kemmler want to call up Erlking to raise ancient and powerful spirits to devour them for power. Their master has learned a way to to bind his will to shades, not just the dead (the method is found in The Word of Kemmler).[2] Dresden Summons the Erlking to trap him to prevent the Heirs from using him and therefore stop the Darkhallow. But Cowl gets the drop on Dresden and releases the Erlking who takes off leading the Hunt through Chicago.[3]
Proven Guilty[]
- Main article: Proven Guilty
In Proven Guilty, Thomas Raith tells Dresden that he had joined the Wild Hunt the previous year.[4] While at Arctis Tor, Dresden hears the Erlking and the Hunt coming after him.[5] Later, the Erlking finds Dresden and tells him that he likes him and finds him poor game at the moment, so he will leave him alone. He also warns Dresden that he'd run him down if their paths cross again.[6]
Cold Days[]
- Main article: Cold Days
In Cold Days, Eldest Gruff turns down joining the Hunt.[7] Harry Dresden is chased by the Wild Hunt led by the Erlking and including Kringle.[8] Dresden takes over the Hunt and leads it against He Who Walks Before and other Outsiders who are attempting to release the Naagloshii buried under Demonreach.[9]