Leprechaun Army
The hidden shield of the underground, led by Leprechaun command.
While often colloquially referred to by fans as the Leprechaun Army due to the prominence of Leprechaun officers within its ranks, this military force is officially recognized as the armed forces of the People. It serves as the primary defense and enforcement branch for the underground civilization, protecting their secrets from surface dwellers while maintaining internal order among various fairy subspecies.
Led frequently by Commander Root, a Leprechaun of high rank, the organization utilizes advanced technology rather than traditional magic to enforce secrecy laws. Their interactions with Artemis Fowl define much of the series' conflict, shifting from adversaries to crucial allies against existential threats that endanger both worlds.
- Affiliation
- The People
- Role
- Military Defense and Enforcement
- Key Leader
- Commander Root
- First Appears
- Artemis Fowl (Book One)
- Status
- Active
- Special Unit
- LEPrecon
- Technology Level
- Advanced Underground Tech
Lore & Background
The military forces of the People serve as the primary defense mechanism for the underground civilization, ensuring that human society remains unaware of their existence. While humans might colloquially refer to them based on their prominent Leprechaun leadership, the organization represents a coalition of all fairy subspecies working in unison. They patrol the borders between the surface and the deep earth, utilizing sophisticated technology to mask their movements and erase memories of accidental encounters.
Throughout the series, this force evolves from being a primary antagonist to Artemis Fowl into a necessary ally against greater threats. Their methods involve strict enforcement of secrecy laws, often leading to conflicts with humans who stumble upon fairy secrets. However, they also maintain internal security against rogue elements within their own society, such as the Opal Koboi incident or the rebellion involving the Chameleon King. The balance between protection and aggression defines their role in the narrative arc.
In Their Own Story
Commander Root adjusted his helmet, the green bioluminescence of the underground city flickering against his armor. Status report, he barked to the squad assembled in the hangar bay. Troops of various species checked their weapons, a mix of sleek metal and ancient runes. The surface was unstable tonight; Artemis Fowl had made contact again. Root knew the boy's brilliance was dangerous, but also that the greater threat loomed beyond human greed. Move out, he ordered. And remember: no witnesses.
Reader's Guide
The military structure operates under the command of the High Council, with operational oversight often resting with Commander Root. This leadership dynamic explains why outsiders frequently associate the force with Leprechauns, despite it comprising various subspecies like Centaurs and Goblins. Their primary goal is maintaining secrecy between the human world and the underground civilization while neutralizing threats to their infrastructure.
Tactical operations rely heavily on advanced technology rather than traditional magic, utilizing invisibility cloaks, memory-wiping devices, and armored vehicles designed for subterranean terrain. Specialized units like LEPrecon handle high-risk missions involving human interaction or criminal recovery. The army enforces strict laws regarding the exposure of the People to surface dwellers.
Key members include Commander Root, who leads field operations, and Foaly, who provides technological support despite not being a soldier. Their impact on the series is central, serving as both antagonists to Artemis Fowl's schemes and eventual allies during existential threats like Opal Koboi or the Chameleon King. This duality defines their complex relationship with humanity throughout the saga.
Did You Know?
- Commander Root is a Leprechaun, leading to the common misnomer for the entire army.
- They use memory-wiping technology to protect their existence from humans.
- LEPrecon is the special forces unit within this military structure.
- Foaly provides tech support but holds no command rank in the army.