The druids basically go into a magical stasis-hibernation kinda thing called Druid Sleep. At least Allanon does. I don’t remember the others using it but it’s been a long time since I’ve read these. Basically he sleeps through all the peaceful times and wakes up when badness is happening and goes around manipulating…

I get the impression Brooks decided his fantasy world was our world millenia later only after writing several books but it’s hard to say. Basically, he did a modern day fantasy trilogy called The Word and the Void (the first book is Running with the Demon). The Knight of the Word is the last of his kind and basically…

Oh and call me crazy but I don’t ever recall the rock trolls, Mwellrets, forest trolls, or river trolls ever being described as wearing freaking gas masks.

I read Sword of Shannara in paperback when I was seven years old. I’ve been reading Brook’s stuff for almost forty years.