# The Amphibians — The World Below character guide > The Amphibians in The World Below by S. Fowler Wright. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** X The Amphibians **First appearance:** 0010-x-the-amphibians ## Snapshot A nation of the lower waters whose Leaders negotiate treaties with the Dwellers, and whose stranded envoy becomes the pivot of a binding agreement. ## Who they are They are a political power with pledges, articles, and reservations — not merely creatures of the deep. Their treaty with the Dwellers binds them to abandon an envoy who overstays or trespasses, and to police the Antipodean coasts in exchange for peace. The cold arithmetic of that agreement, read as a living book, shows the narrator that the world below runs on law as ruthless as any he administered above. ## Relationships ### [The Dwellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/characters/the_dwellers) _rivalry_ The Amphibians and Dwellers are opposing factions or species in the underground ecosystem, often in conflict. ### [The Antipodeans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/characters/the_antipodeans) _rivalry_ The Amphibians and Antipodeans are opposing species or factions, often in direct conflict. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Amphibians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/book-i-the-amphibians) The amphibian-like beings who befriend the narrator and lead the expedition. ### [III: Death?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/iii-death) A wounded amphibian teaches the narrator about the world; another is captured by a plant but rescued. ### [IV: The Opal Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/iv-the-opal-way) Mentioned as the intelligent creatures on the grey beaches to whom the narrator must deliver a message. ### [V: The Invisible Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/v-the-invisible-bridge) The narrator describes the detailed anatomy of a deceased amphibian, noting its adaptations for land and water. ### [X: The Amphibians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/x-the-amphibians) A column of amphibian creatures crosses the invisible bridge; one detaches to speak with the narrator, expressing gratitude and discussing his fate. ### [XI: The Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xi-the-problem) The amphibian companion provides information about their society, the Council of Seven, and the treaty with the Dwellers. ### [XII: The March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xii-the-march) The amphibian expedition continues its march; the narrator's guide rejoins the Leaders, and a small webbed hand passes energy to the narrator. They discuss the Dwellers' history and the narrator's fate. ### [XIII: The Killers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xiii-the-killers) The female companion shares stories of her marine world and her past injury; the five Leaders interrogate the narrator and seek his help. ### [The Halt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xiv-the-halt) The narrator's amphibian companion explains that her kind do not age or decay, and they rest by concentrating on a single thought. ### [XV: The Plan of Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xv-the-plan-of-attack) The Amphibians plan the expedition, demonstrating serene discipline and mental coordination. They rely on mental attitude rather than weapons, and their leaders show vigilance and willingness to sacrifice. ### [XVI: The Sentry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xvi-the-sentry) The narrator's companion, who subdues the spy and then closes her mind to him. ### [XVII: The Ethics of Violence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xvii-the-ethics-of-violence) The amphibian companion explains her peace about helping the narrator, discusses the Dwellers' fish-feeding, and warns about the approaching storm. ### [XVIII: The Arsenal of the Killers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xviii-the-arsenal-of-the-killers) The narrator's companion is an Amphibian who provides physical and moral support; her imprisoned Leader is the target of the rescue. ### [XIX: The Duel in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xix-the-duel-in-the-night) The companion's Leader is an amphibian; the companion reports to her and relays her advice. ### [XX: The Bow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xx-the-bow) The amphibian companion tends to the narrator's wound, communicates with their Leader, and shows skill with the bow during the attack. ### [XXI: The Bat-Wings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxi-the-bat-wings) The companion is an amphibian; she discusses her body and the possibility of the narrator obtaining a similar one. ### [XXIII: The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxiii-the-escape) The Amphibian companion stays with the narrator despite the Leader's departure; the Leader dives through boiling tanks and escapes alone. ### [XXIV: The Fight in the Arsenal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxiv-the-fight-in-the-arsenal) The companion recounts her past foolishness and rescue by a Leader, and demonstrates her javelin throwing ability. ### [XXV: The Forbidden Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxv-the-forbidden-thing) The companion is implied to be an Amphibian, bound to her Leaders and aware of the ancient prohibition against fire. ### [XXVI: The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxvi-the-trial) The amphibian companion insists on carrying out the Leader's order to kill the Bat-wings, arguing it is a matter of respect for Dweller judgment. ### [XXVII: The Verdict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxvii-the-verdict) The judge and the two complainants are amphibians being judged by the narrator. ### [XXVIII: The Fate of the Killers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xxviii-the-fate-of-the-killers) Descend the cliff led by six Leaders, sing as they approach, and are allowed to pass through the Dwellers' line. ### [Book II: The World Below](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/book-ii-the-world-below) The amphibians are encountered during the expedition, playing a key role in the unfolding events. ### [II: The Unknown Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/ii-the-unknown-way) The amphibian companion demonstrates leadership, having 'ruled the monsters that the oceans hold,' and uses a javelin with skill, though she values peaceful ways over violence. ### [III: The Peril of the Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/iii-the-peril-of-the-lake) The narrator's amphibian companion swims underwater, enjoys the freedom of the water, and mocks the narrator's physical limitations while guiding him through the perilous lake. ### [IV: The Silence in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/iv-the-silence-in-the-wood) The narrator's amphibian companion leads the way through the forest, asserting her will against the Dwellers' power, and reflects on the risk of saving the narrator. ### [VI: The Downward Path](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/vi-the-downward-path) The companion is an amphibian; she receives a message from her people ordering her to return and to hand the narrator over to the Dwellers, indicating tension between the amphibians and the Dwellers. ### [VIII: The Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/viii-the-treaty) The amphibian companion is present; the treaty is made on behalf of the Amphibian nation, including their Leaders. ### [XI: War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xi-war) The amphibian companion explains the war and the Dwellers' situation, and mentions the alliance. ### [XIII: Separation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xiii-separation) The amphibian companion negotiates with the Dweller and must return to her own people, leaving the narrator. ### [XIV: Love and War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xiv-love-and-war) The Grey Beaches are identified as belonging to the Amphibians, where the fighting occurred. ### [Release](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/chapters/xv-release) The Amphibians request the narrator's release after helping the Dwellers in battle on the Grey Beaches. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/characters/the_amphibians - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_world_below_se/characters