The Golden Compass -

: A Texan aeronaut who provides transport in his hot-air balloon.

Lyra reaches the research station at , where she discovers the horrific truth: the Gobblers are performing "intercision," a process that surgically severs children from their dæmons to prevent them from being "tainted" by Dust. Lyra leads a daring escape, freeing Roger and the other children. The Climax and Betrayal The Golden Compass

The story of The Golden Compass (also known as Northern Lights ) follows , a spirited and deceptive young girl living in a parallel Oxford where human souls exist outside the body as animal companions called dæmons . The Call to Adventure : A Texan aeronaut who provides transport in

: A witch queen whose clan aids Lyra in battle. The Dark Secret The Climax and Betrayal The story of The

Lyra travels further to find Lord Asriel, believing he needs the alethiometer to defeat the oppressive Magisterium (the Church). However, she learns too late that Asriel actually needs the energy released from severing a child's dæmon to rip open a bridge to another world. Asriel sacrifices Roger to create this portal.