Places in Kushiel's Legacy
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The geography of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series are modeled on that of medieval Europe. For maps of Carey's world click on Terre d'Ange MUSH, or Kushiel MUX's site. The countries and regions are as follows:
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[edit] Terre d'Ange
Terre d'Ange, loosely translated to Land of Angels, is the nation of focus in Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy saga. It is a fantasy equivalent of France in location, geography, and language. The country's emblem is a golden lily on a field of green, surrounded by seven golden stars, the sign of Blessed Elua and his Companions. It is also the home country of heroine Phèdre nó Delaunay.
[edit] Government
Terre D’Ange exists in a monarchical system, which is currently ruled by the Courcel line. They are directly descended from Elua, and their signature physical attribute is a graceful neck, which parallels the fact that their emblem is the Swan.
Each region has its own ruling elite in a feudal structure.
The courts are separate from the feudal ruling class and function in a similar fashion to present-day European courts including various levels of appellate courts. Final appeals can be brought to the Queen, who will either hear a case or rule that the previous judgements were appropriate and thereby refuse to hear the appeal. D'Angelines are known to treat their criminals and prisoners in a fashion similar to that of present-day European standards, though capital punishment and public floggings are practised. Rape is a capital offense.
[edit] Culture
The language of Terre d'Ange is D'Angeline, which is similar to old French.
The D'Angelines think quite highly of themselves as a people, reckoning themselves a blessed race due to their supernatural heritage. They are all exceptionally beautiful in form and grace; even the men have a certain delicacy, not growing hair on their faces in the abundance of the Skaldi, and in some of the older lines where the angelic blood is particularly strong, they grow no facial hair at all.
The D'Angelines are an extremely sexually liberated culture, accepting of homosexuality, bisexuality, and BDSM, so long as all activity is consensual. Rape is not only a crime in Terre d'Ange, it is heresy because it violates the Precept of Elua to love as thou wilt. The D'Angelines are neither a matriarchy nor patriarchy, instead tracing their familial lines through both parents.
[edit] Religion
All D'Angelines are descendants of Elua and his companions and worship him either directly or through one of his companions. His companions are the fallen angels Anael, Azza, Camael, Cassiel, Eisheth, Kushiel, Namaah, and Shemhazai.
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- See Elua and His Companions for the full article.
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- For the full text of the story of Elua, see Earth Begotten, either via Jacqueline Carey's website or The Eluine Cycle on The Terre d'Ange MUSH or KushielMUX.
[edit] Precept
Elua's only commandment to his followers was to love as thou wilt. The nation of Terre d'Ange takes it as their guiding philosophy, and as such embrace all forms of love. This makes them a sexually liberated culture, accepting of homosexuality, bisexuality, and BDSM. Rape is not only a crime, because of this precept, it is the highest and most severe heresy. This includes forced intimacy as well as underage sexual acts or those with animals.
[edit] Worship
Temples of Elua have no roof, only four pillars to mark the corners. The centre is unpaved. Everything, from oak trees to flowers and weeds, may grow freely. There is usually a statue of Elua present, standing with unbound hair and an eternal smile, one hand extended in offering, the other scored with the mark of his mortality. Visitors have to walk barefoot in the temple. Elua's priests wear blue robes and are always barefoot. Anemones, traditionally associated with Blessed Elua, can be offered to him.
[edit] Rites and Rituals
The Longest Night is the primary holiday and festival of the D'Angelines. It is said that this was celebrated before Elua came and Elua chose to keep it. It symbolizes the New Year.
All noble houses celebrate it either in their home territories or at the Palace Ball. These fetes are called Midwinter Masques. The Court of Night-Blooming Flowers has their own celebration at Cereus House. In all cases costumes are donned and joie (similar to ice wine)is consumed.
At the Midwinter Masque the changing of the Old Crone to the Winter Queen by the Sun Prince is acted out. The Winter Queen enters as an old, withered, hobbling crone, and her arrival marks the beginning of the festivities. When the horologists cry the hour of the sun's return, the Sun Prince appears and, in a great spectacle, frees the Winter Queen from her crone mask and reveals a beautiful young woman.
On the Longest Night, Elua's Vigil is also observed by all Cassiline Brothers. This involves kneeling before Elua's statue, preferably in a Temple of Elua, throughout the longest night. It is considered a test of faithfulness and, due to the cold, constitution.
[edit] Provinces
The eastern and western regions of Terre d'Ange are rocky, with great mountains known as the Camaeline Range in the east, protecting the borders with Skaldia. To the north and central regions, Terre d'Ange is full of rivers and rich farmlands. Another mountain range separates Terre d'Ange from its neighbours Euskerria and Aragonia in the south.
Terre d'Ange has several rich rivers running through it:
- the Danrau, running in both Skaldia and Terre d'Ange, akin to the Danube
- the Rhenus, akin to the Rhine, which runs too deep and fast to be forded, has been seldom bridged since the days of the Tiberium Empire, and forms the border between Terre d'Ange and Skaldia;
- the Lusande which runs through Kusheth, likely akin to the Loire
The country's western border is a great ocean; the true land of Terre d'Ange, where Elua resides for eternity, is said to exist on the other side of that ocean.
The Tiberians left their legacy on the land in the form of roads; one of the greatest is Eisheth's Way, leading south to the coast.
Terre d'Ange is broken into seven regions (listed below).
[edit] L'Agnace
L'Agnace is a grape-rich territory to the north of Siovale, founded by Anael. House Courcel keeps estates and hunting lodges in this province, and the City of Elua is within its bounds. L'Agnacites have a weakness for gambling. They are also noted for their extremely proficient archers.
[edit] City of Elua
The capital of Terre d'Ange is the City of Elua, a fantasy equivalent of Avignon. It is home to the royal family of House Courcel. The City of Elua is so called, and is the capital of Terre d'Ange, because it is the only place Elua was known to tarry during his wanderings. The city is centred around a large tree which is said to have been planted by Elua himself.
[edit] The Palace
The royal House Courcel resides in the Palace complex, which includes a throne room, grand hall, gaming rooms, and a theatre. A secret passage connects the Queen's quarters to the theatre, built by Josephine de la Courcel, who had an affair with a player. Many courtiers also reside in apartments in the Palace complex, particularly if they are only in the City of Elua for a short time.
[edit] Mont Nuit
Mont Nuit is a district of the City of Elua, a hill home to the thirteen Houses of the Court of Night-Blooming Flowers.
[edit] Night's Doorstep
Night's Doorstep is the area of the City just below Mont Nuit, home to low-class brothels, inns, taverns, playhouses, and other such forms of entertainment.
- Hyacinthe and his mother live on Rue Coupole.
- The Mask and Lute is a players' house, a tavern open only to members of the theatre guild and their friends.
[edit] Namarre
Namarre occupys the land south of Azzalle and north of L'Agnace. Namarre was founded by the angel Naamah. It is a place of many rivers, and has a shrine where the River of Naamah rises from beneath the earth.
The seat of House L'Envers, one of the most important noble families of Terre d'Ange, is in Namarre.
The city of Troyes-le-Mont is in Namarre.
[edit] Azzalle
Azzalle runs along the northern coast of Terre d'Ange. At one point, it is near enough to see across the strait to the white cliffs of Dobria in Alba. Azzalle was founded by the angel Azza. Its ruling duchy is House Trevalion.
[edit] Camlach
Camlach is the eastern province of Terre d'Ange, bordering the territories of Skaldia. The martial angel Camael made this territory his home, and as such its people are known for being warlike and tough. Its ruling duchy is House d'Aiglemort.
The other great Houses of the region are Ferraut, Montchapetre, Valliers, and Basilisque; together with d'Aiglemort they make up the Allies of Camlach.
[edit] Eisande
Eisande is the smallest of the seven provinces of Terre d'Ange, founded by the angel Eisheth. It encompasses the southern coastal lands, and is home to dreamers, sailors, healers, and traders, as well as a large Tsingani population that is more well-tolerated there than in other regions. Eisande is known for their healers and chirgeons. The ruler of Eisande is the Lady of Marsilikos. Even though the ruler of Eisande may be male, his wife will be referred to as the leader by the common people.
The largest and grandest city in Eisande is Marsilikos, founded by the Hellenes long before Elua came to Terre d'Ange, akin to the French city of Marseilles. An ancient road called Eisheth's Way, built by the soldiers of the Tiberian Empire, runs through the province.
[edit] Siovale
Siovale runs the border with Aragonia in the southern part of the country. As its founder Shemhazai treasured knowledge, Siovale has a great tradition for learning.
[edit] Montrève
Montrève is a small but lovely estate in the mountains of Siovale, which Phèdre inherits from Anafiel Delaunay. The manor has Eisandine touches, such as brilliant gardens, likely the influence of Delaunay's mother.
[edit] Kusheth
Kusheth occupies similar territory as Bretagne in France, a rocky coastal region running to the Point d'Oueste. Kusheth is considered the dominion of Kushiel, the angel of punishment, and is ruled over by the Duc de Morhban. One of the most important houses of Kusheth is House Shahrizai.
While Kusheth is rocky and harsh terrain on the coast, its interior is green and agricultural. Kusheth is home to the Hippochamp, a broad green field along the Lusande River that is the site of three major horse fairs each year. In early spring, the Tsingani gather there to trade yearlings and foals.
[edit] History
House Courcel has traditionally ruled Terre d'Ange, as they are descended in a straight and unbroken line from Elua himself.
[edit] Neighbours
[edit] Alba & Eire
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- Main article: Alba and Eire (Kushiel's Legacy)
Éire is the equivalent of Ireland and Alba of England. Alba seems to also own Wales and no mention is made of Scotland.
Bryn Gorrydum is the capital city of Alba. On the maps of the worlds, Bryn Gorrydum is located in the same place as modern London. Clunderry is the traditional landholdings of the ruling clan.
The language spoken in Alba is Alban and in Eire it is Eiran.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Dart.
[edit] Historical Reference
“Alba” is an Old-English name for England, generally used to refer to England before it was Romanized. The people who inhabited Alba were the “Picts;” thus, Carey’s use of “Picti” to describe the Albans.[1]
"The Alban Straits:" The English Channel.
"Éire," located in modern Ireland, is the Irish word for “Ireland.”[2]
[edit] Aragonia
Aragonia is a nation to the south of Terre d'Ange, geographically the area of Spain and Portugal. Their major port of call and capital is Amilcar. The language spoken is Aragonian. The crest of their royal house is a golden lion. Due to Nicola L'Envers y Aragon being married to the brother of the King of Aragonia, they sent one thousand foot soldiers to aid Ysandre de la Courcel against invasion. Nicola L'Envers y Aragon is also the only patron to receive the Lover's Token of Phèdre nó Delaunay.
Phedre travels there during Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] Historical Reference
"Aragonia," located in modern Spain, is a reference to the province of Aragon. In the 1400s, the two most powerful provinces in Spain were Aragon and Castille, ruled by Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabel of Castille, who married and created the Spanish empire in 1492. [3]
Additionally, the capital "Amilcar" is likely named after "Hamilcar Barca," who supposedly founded the city of Barcelona. Barcelona was one of the major cities of Aragon.
[edit] Caerdicca Unitas
Caerdicca Unitas is the name given to a coalition of loosely-allied city-states in the peninsular region south of Terre d'Ange and Skaldia. They are former provinces of the empire of Tiberium, and are the fantasy equivalent of the city-states of medieval Italy, with Tiberium referencing the Roman Empire. The language spoken by their people is Caerdicci; they are known as great scholars and craftsmen.
[edit] Important Places in Caerdicca Unitas
[edit] La Serenissima
La Serenissima is one of the foremost cities of Caerdicca Unitas, ruled by the Stregazza family. It is equivalent to Venice. Benedicte de la Courcel, brother of King Ganelon and great uncle to Queen Ysandre de la Courcel, was married to Maria Stregazza. (see House Courcel family tree)
The religion centers around Asherat-of-the-Sea; a goddess of water and patron goddess of La Serenissima. Her temples are run by women and the Doge must pay respect to Asherat-of-the-Sea each year. Asherat-of-the-Sea mourns the loss of her son and constructed an island off the coast of La Serenissima in his honour. The island is called La Dolorossa and symbolizes her constant mourning. Sailors will turn their heads the other way and whistle when they pass the island in order to avert bad luck.
La Dolorossa has since been turned into a secret prison. The winds howl around the island constantly and drive the prisoners mad after only a few months. As such, the prison is often used for dangerous political prisoners, in order to make the information they carry sound ludicrous or be forgotten entirely.
Phedre travels to La Serenissima in Kushiel's Chosen.
[edit] Millazza
Milazza is another city-state, equivalent to Milan. Waldemar Selig, before deciding to invade Terre d'Ange, attempts to form a marriage alliance with the Duc of Milazza's daughter.
[edit] Tiberium
Tiberium, equivalent of Rome, is a city-state that is the great centre of learning in Caerdicca Unitas as it is home to the University of Tiberium. The series takes place after the Tiberium Empire (akin to the Roman Empire) has already fallen. The former republic has in the recent past fallen out of fashion with the D'Angelines, with fewer children of nobility choosing to study there. Anafiel Delaunay and Rolande de la Courcel studied there under Maestro Gonzago. It is also where Anafiel Delaunay learned the arts of covertcy.
Tiberium is featured prominently in the second trilogy of Imriel de la Courcel, Kushiel's Scion.
[edit] Lucca
A walled city in northern Caerdicci Unitas.
Imriel de la Courcel travels here in Kushiel's Scion.
[edit] Euskerria
The equivalent to the Basque region between France and Spain. There is much hostility between the Euskerri and the Aragonians as Aragonians see Euskerri to be part of their country. The Euskerri wish to have their own nation.
Phedre travels through here in Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] The Flatlands
The Flatlands are above Skaldia and is akin to the Benelux countries: The Netherlands, Luxembourg, & Belgium.
Imriel travels through this area in Kushiel's Justice.
[edit] Skaldia
Skaldia is a nation roughly equitable to Nordic and Teutonic cultures. It is geographically located in the same area as Germany, to the east of Terre d'Ange and north of Caerdicca Unitas. The people of Skaldia speak Skaldic.
The Skaldi, unlike the D'Angelines, keep slaves, though they are generally well-treated. Their religion is akin to Nordic mythology, including worship of Odhinn the All-Father, Freja, and Baldur. They consider the D'Angelines barbarians, just the same as the D'Angelines consider them, though Phèdre nó Delaunay says they view Terre d'Ange with a mixture of derision and yearning, contempt and envy.
Though they have no proper written language, they have a system of runes known as the futhark, a gift taught to their people by Odhinn. The Skaldi have an elaborate system of law, wherein the lord hears complaints twice a week; his judgements are final and unquestioned. The Skaldi do not kneel before their leaders, instead standing straight and proud to show their strength. They are fierce but unorganized warriors, given to infighting between tribes. The Skaldi women are responsible for stripping the dead of spoils, and sing as they perform their duties.
As a people, the Skaldi have a deep streak of sentimentality and emotion, given to crying and loving as easily as they are to fighting. The Skaldic women sing songs of life, the harvest, courtship and love, childbearing and loss, while the men sing of war, death, and fighting. As a people, they are fond of wagering, bickering, and drinking, not least because there is little else to do while snowbound during their long winters. They treat their animals without coddling them, in order to keep them strong and hardy.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Dart, where Skaldia plays a prominent role.
[edit] Notable Skaldi
Waldemar Selig is the self-made King of the Skaldi, who has designs on conquering Terre d'Ange.
[edit] Skaldic terms
- Allthing
- the term for a massive meeting between Skaldi of various steadings and tribes. Waldemar Selig calls one of this to discuss his plans to invade Terre d'Ange.
- Gambrivii
- one of the Skaldic tribes. A group of men from this tribe try to rape Phèdre at the Allthing.
- Holmgang
- a challenge between two men. Each fighter is given one sword and three shields. The first to cause the other's blood to fall on the combat area - delineated by a large stretch of animal hide - wins, and if either man sets both feet outside the field, he forfeits.
- Manni
- one of the Skaldi tribes. Their lord Kolbjorn is one of Selig's top thanes. These tribes live in the southern part of Skaldia, near the border with Caerdicca Unitas; some of them are quite wealthy and live in a fashion almost as civilized as Tiberian nobles.
- Marsi
- one of the Skaldic tribes.
- Suevi
- one of the Skaldic tribes.
- Vandalii
- one of the Skaldic tribes; Waldemar Selig is said to have been taken prisoner by them.
- White Brethren
- the handpicked personal guard of Waldemar Selig
[edit] World Geography
[edit] Bodhistan
Bodhistan is a nation to the far east that is akin to India. It is a large, jungle-filled nation that trades heavily in spices to the western nations, particularly Caerdicca Unitas.
The Tsingani as said to have come from this nation before they were cast out and headed west.
[edit] Carthage
Is akin to the ancient empire of Carthage located in northern Africa along the coast of modern day Morroco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Lybia. Is next to Menekhet.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] Chin
Only vaguely mentioned and is akin to ancient China.
[edit] The Chowat
Equivalent to modern day Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova.
[edit] Cythera
Equivalent to modern day Cyprus.
Is currently in the hands of Khebbel-im-Akkad but has changed hands a number of times.
First mentioned in Kushiel's Dart when the Khalif sends a marriage proposal to Ysandre de la Courcel. Lyonette de Trevallion asks Solaine Belfours, Secretary of the Privy Seal, to create a fake correspondence between King Ganelon and the Khalif that such a marriage could be agreed upon if the Khalif gave Terre d'Ange Cythera. This request was then revoked and not much else is heard of Cythera until Kushiel's Mercy.
Imriel travels here in Kushiel's Mercy.
[edit] Drujan
Akin to modern Azerbaijan. It has burning gases escaping from the rocky ground and borders on the Sea of Khaspar (Caspian Sea). Capital is Daršanga (likely Baku). Used to be ruled by Khebbel-im-Akkad but in recent years, under the rule of the Mahrkagir (meaning "Conqueror of Death"), Drujan has regained self-rule. The religion is drawn from that of Zoroastrianism.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] Ephesus
Akin to modern Turkey and next to Drujan and Khebbel-im-Akkad.
[edit] Gotland
Akin to the Nordic countries: Norway, Finland, & Sweden.
[edit] Hellas
Hellas is an ancient nation to the south of Illyria and The Chowat, akin to modern southern Greece. Phedre mentions that the Hellenes used to have a great empire but that went into decline after their defeat to the Tiberium empire. Hellenes speak Hellene, which is also the language of trade and diplomacy throughout the Mediterranean, rivalled only by Caerdicci.
[edit] Illiryia
A nation stretching from Skaldia to Hellas along the coastline that is akin to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Albania. They are a nation of sailors (including pirates) and master horsemen. The language spoken is Illiryian. The capital is the city of Epidauro. The city is almost an island as it is surrounded by water except for a thin strip of land connecting it to the shore.
Historically, Epidaurus was a city-state of ancient Greece.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Chosen.
[edit] Jebe-Barkal
The description is heavily based on ancient Ethiopia although the borders of the country have been expanded to include Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti and a large part of the southern Sudan. Meroë is the capital.
Phedre describes the Jebeans as proud, capable of great generosity and curiosity. Jebeans are as prideful as an Azzalese and hold courtesy in high importance as well as bravery. They had a long history with the Habiru Nation (Hebrew Nation) and but much of that contact has been lost over the ages.
By tradition, Jebe-Barkal is always ruled by a woman, married or not. Under her the Princes, called Ras, rule the provinces of Jebe-Barkal. They practice the religion of Meneketians, untainted by the Hellene influence. There are many languages spoken but the language of rulership is Jeb'ez.
The town of Debeho is in Jebe-Barkal.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Avatar
[edit] Historical Reference
Up until the colonial unification of Sudan, the area was split between Egypt and Ethiopia with the border at Khartoum (Meroë). This makes some of the borders historically reasonable.
The kingdom of Meroe existed in approximately 1200, then continued as the kingdom of Nubia.
[edit] Khebbel-im-Akkad
Khebbel-im-Akkad is a nation in the east, akin to the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East. Its people have names drawn from Semitic-language roots, such as "Shams", meaning "Sun". They seem to be sun-worshippers, and men are polygamous in this culture, which resembles ancient Iraq somewhat.
The Euphrates, Tigris, and Yehordan rivers are contained within Khebbel-im-Akkad. Tyre and Nineveh are the two largest cities with Nineveh being the capital. The language spoken is Akkadian.
This region neighbours Drujan and is travelled to in Kushiel's Avatar.
During Kushiel's Dart, Khebbel-im-Akkad attacks D'Angeline ships but is defeated by Quintilius Rousse's navy. The Khalif then sends a proposal to Ysandre de la Courcel, which is refused. King Ganelon, however, sends Barquiel L'Envers as Ambassador to Khebbel-im-Akkad. This is a very successful mission and Ambassador L'Envers marries his daughter to the Khalif's son.
[edit] Kriti
An island to the south of Hellas, akin to the island of Crete, with a culture that was ancient even during the rule of Tiberium. Also includes the island of The Temenos. Kritians are known to have a close connection to their Gods and tell Phedre of another interpretation of her ill-luck name. The language spoken is Hellene. The Kritian nobility are known as the scions of Minos, Minos being their legendary king.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Chosen.
[edit] Menekhet
Akin to Egypt with the capital in Iskandria (Alexandria). The largest southern city is Majibara, on the border of Jebe-Barkal and at the first cataract of the Nahar river.
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] Nubia
Akin to modern Central African Republic. South of Menekhet and west of Jebe-Barkal.
[edit] Saba
Located in modern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. Contains the town of Tisaar (likely modern Kisumu), bordering on a large lake (likely Lake Victoria). Is rumoured to be the location of the lost tribe of Yisra'el (Israel), and the language spoken here is Habiru (Hebrew).
Phedre travels here in Kushiel's Avatar.
[edit] Tartar
The Tartars have no homeland and are nomadic. As such, there is no country on any of the maps called 'Tartar'. The Tartars are akin to the Mongols.
We meet the some Tartars in Kushiel's Avatar and Kushiel's Justice.
[edit] Historical Reference
The word 'Tatar' was used by Europeans in medieval times to refer to the various multi-ethnic peoples of the Mongol Empire. The term Ta-Ta, which likely stems from a Roman classification, was also often used in medieval writings.
[edit] Umaiyyat
The Umaiyyat is located in modern Saudi Arabia.
[edit] Historical Reference
The name is derived from the first dynasty to rule the Muslim Empire. After Mohammed first sparked the spread of Islam in 622 AD, religious armies stormed across the Middle East and united the area into one Islamic empire. The first dynasty to rule this empire was the Umayyads.[4]
[edit] Vralia
The equivalent of modern day Russia though the borders are rather vague in the series. The people speak Rus or Habiru. The national religion is Habiru and is where many Yeshuites are going to from all over the world. The capital is Vralgrad.
There is a small Temple to Yeshua in Miroslas which marks the end of the known and civilized world between Vralia and Chin.
Imriel travels here in Kushiel's Justice.
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