A Gallivespian is a fictional creature invented by Philip Pullman for his bestselling trilogy of novels His Dark Materials. They appear in the third volume of the trilogy, The Amber Spyglass. Philip Pullman Philip Pullman, (born October 19, 1946) is an English writer, educated at Exeter College, Oxford, who is the bestselling author of the His Dark Materials trilogy of fantasy novels and a number of other books, purportedly for children, but attracting increasing attention by adult readers. ... The three volumes (left to right) of the trilogy His Dark Materials is a trilogy of novels by the fantasy fiction author Philip Pullman, comprising Northern Lights (released as The Golden Compass in the United States), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. ... Will and Lyra (in yellow) The Amber Spyglass is the third and final novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by British novelist Philip Pullman, and published in 2000. ...

These creatures are essentially humanoid, but also very different from a normal human, and they come from an alternate universe; creatures have been crossing between universes by use of windows either manually made or by the use of The Subtle Knife. A parallel universe, also sometimes called an alternate universe, is a hypothetical universe which exists separately from our own. ... Oxford (in red) The Subtle Knife is the second novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by British novelist Philip Pullman, and published in 1997. ...

Gallivespians are tiny, no higher than ten or so inches. They seem to be half-insect, having spurs on the backs of their heels which can be dug into an enemy to deliver a poison that will paralyse and cause intense pain for many days. This poison builds up in their heels over time, and so cannot be used non-stop.

Gallivespians due to their size are used invariably by Lord Asriel of the books as spies. They have been crossing the universes to join Lord Asriel under his banner in the rebellion against The Authority. They come from a world where 'big people' and 'little people' (the Gallivespians) are constantly at war. Lord Asriel is a major character in Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials series. ... The Authority is a superhero comic book. ...

Gallivespians are proud and arrogant by nature, compensating for their small size with their massive egos. They are honourable creatures however, despite the inherent cunning of being natural-born spies.

Gallivespians use a fictional variant of the Dragonfly for their transport. They carry eggs on them which may be cultivated into a fully grown Dragonfly in a short time. Once it has grown, they may ride on its back until the end of its short life. Gallivespians themselves also have a very short life, living perhaps no more than ten years. Families Aeshnidae Austropetaliidae Cordulegastridae Corduliidae Gomphidae Libellulidae Neopetaliidae Petaluridae For other uses, see Dragonfly. ...

In The Amber Spyglass, the two Gallivespians that are most important are the Chevalier Tialys and the Lady Salmakia, male and female twin-spies respectively. They are sent to protect and watch Lyra, the protagonist, and Will Parry, the second protagonist, Lyra being Lord Asriel's daughter. They are also instructed to bring them back to Lord Asriel, especially considering that Will is the bearer of The Subtle Knife, which is said to be the only thing that can win Lord Asriel's rebellion. Tialys and Salmakia eventually befriend and help Will and Lyra before they die. The only other main Gallivespian is Lord Roke, the commander of the spies in Lord Asriel's Adamant Tower, his central fortress for the rebellion. Will and Lyra (in yellow) The Amber Spyglass is the third and final novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by British novelist Philip Pullman, and published in 2000. ... Lyra Belacqua is a fictional character created by Philip Pullman and the heroine of the His Dark Materials trilogy. ... Will Parry is a character created by Philip Pullman for his novels The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass which together with Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in the USA) complete the trilogy called His Dark Materials. ... Oxford (in red) The Subtle Knife is the second novel in the His Dark Materials series, written by British novelist Philip Pullman, and published in 1997. ...