Companion timelines

The Companion Timelines are timelines based on the official references made in the King's Quest Companions. At least in part it shares dates with the Original timeline (in particular reference to the KQ2 timeline established by the KQ2 manual) and fits roughly with the Novel timeline; Both the Original and Companion timelines do not give specific birth dates of the twins (and the Novel timeline doesn't give specific marriage date for the royal family).

Both versions have a few differences from some of the dates made in King's Quest games and manuals, and other sources (the KQ4 manual's date of royal marriage, and the period of the twin births is ignored as a primary difference).

Note: A few details from other sources may be included at least to show them in context of the companion's specific dates.

Background

Two main variants based on the reference to the games taking place over a range of 20 or 25 years; the exact date of the twins birth is not given and could occur anywhere between that range (which could change the context of many other dates). The KQ7 Authorized Guide, a book associated with the Companions, and later partially adapted into the 4th edition, states that the 3rd edition which covers up to King's Quest 6 covers: ...the first 20 years or so of the reign of King Graham. This would seem to suggest a slightly more locked down date for the first six games at least, as well as potentially a third variant (it would also shift KQ6 from how it appears in the KQ6 timeline related material), see AG timeline for discussion of these differences.

The Companion book also uses the dates from the KQ2 manual in relation to when the Royal Marriage occured (locking it the OT timeline at least partially).

The first variant can be called the Original timeline as it fits to the original manuals of KQ1-3 (although dates in KQ4 manual and later hint books suggest alternative dates and interpretations for date of royal wedding and twins births, and even when KQ6 takes place in relation to the other games). The novel trilogy (Novel timeline) appears to roughly fall into OT timeline with a few minor differences (although many of the references can be reinterpreted to fit onto the longer timeline). Note: Assuming Graham was 19 at the time of KQ1 as its stated in sources by Lorelei Shannon, he would be 39 at the time of KQ3/4 in this variant.

The second variant can be roughly referred to as the Anniversary timeline based on the 25 coronation ceremony in the KQ6 Hintbook. It places the events of KQ6 as late as 25 years after KQ1 (based on the end date in the Companion's reference to the series taking place 20 or 25 years). While there are a few discrepancies between when KQ5 takes place in relation to KQ4 and KQ6, the companion clears some of the issues up.

The KQ7 authorized guide also makes reference to KQ2 taking place a year or two after KQ1 (lacking the more specific 1 year date of the King's Quest Companion), but this might also be an intentional reference to the alternate dating of Graham's marriage from the KQ4 manual.

According to the Williams KQ8 mirrors production timeline between KQ7 and KQ8, or two years after events of KQ7. Placing it roughly within the 20 or 25 year period.

Original timeline (Variant 1; 20 to 25 year range)

10,000 BGC

Long after the formation of the Glass Mountains and long before the coming of the woodland faeries to the Old Woods, the woods felt great sadness and grieved.

2000 BGC (or more years)

Crispinophur leads the first Withdrawal from the Other World (Earth) onto the continent of Serenia.

Daventry is founded, the Ancient Well is first used (occured at least a millennium before, but may have been longer).

1000 BGC

The Ancient Ones inhabited the Isle of the Sacred Mountain in a time before the "Kingdom" of the Crown existed. They lived alone in the sea. Some legends suggest that the Ancient Ones may have existed and disappeared before the first withdrawal.

The priestesses of the ancient kingdom of Aegypt dig the Crypt in Tamir to hide the Pandora's Box and place a mummy inside to guard it.

Crispin begins to live anonymously in his home in Serenia for a millennium or so. Over the time he is forgotten or unnoticed by the people.

475 BGC

The Genie becomes trapped in the bottle (and it would be about 500 years before the bottle is opened again).

420 BGC

Daventry loses crops to an autumn rain.

80 BGC

The magic fruit begins to grow on the small magic tree in the Swamp of Tamir.

20 BGC

King Edward loses the Magic Mirror.

A few months later, he loses the Magic Shield and his wife Queen Maylie.

Not long after Edward encounters Dahlia, and remarries. On the night of the marriage, she stole the key to the treasury transformed into her true form, and stole the Chest of Gold.

Gerwain begins to serve King Edward.

11 BGC

Little Red Riding Hood is born in Kolyma.

1 GC

Sir Graham, King Edward's greatest knight finds the three treasures that the king had lost.

After Graham returns the treasures, Edward dies, and King Graham coronation to the throne.

During the week long celebration, a nameless scribe writes the portion of the Chronicles of Daventry, Part I telling of Graham's adventure to become king.

2 GC

King Graham sees the face of King Edward in the Magic Mirror, who instructs him to search for a queen. Gerwain suggests that he has a party to find maidens of the realm. Soon after Graham sees Valanice in the magic mirror and travels to Kolyma to save her from Hagatha.

On the first day in Kolyma, Graham opens the first door.

On the second day, Graham opens the 2nd door.

On the third day, Graham opens the 3rd door, and reaches the Crystal Tower, where he saves Valanice.

They are married in Kolyma afterwards. The bridge is repaired, before heading home, Valanice and Graham cross the bridge head head back to the enchanted isle, help free the lion, taking it back to its jungle home. After a slow voyage they return home.

The day following their return, Prime Minister Gerwain writes the court chronicle of there adventure, and wishes them a long marriage, with many heirs.

3 GC

The twins are born.

Around this time, Derek Karlavaegen begins on his journeys to explore the world, becoming a writer, and selling his articles.

4 GC

The royal family have a summer picnic on the shores of Lake Maylie taking Alexander and Rosella with them. That evening, Manannan appeared and cast a sleep spell on the group, and kidnapped the young prince. When the spell wore off they found Alexander's cradle empty but still rocking. Valanice searched for her son in the castle nursery but found no sign of her son, and Rosella was crying uncontrollably. The castle was scoured high and low, and every inch of Daventry was searched but there was never any sign of the little boy. Manannan had returned to his home in Llewdor and renamed the boy Gwydion.

Hard times hit Daventry right after the kidnapping.

Alexander-Gwydion and Rosella have their first birthday.

20 GC

Cassima is kidnapped from the Land of the Green Isles by Mordack.

21 GC

As Gwydion was a few weeks from his 18th birthday, he set a plan into motion to defeat the evil wizard Manannan and escape from Llewdor. He learned from an oracle of his true identity and his sister's imminent death from the Three-Headed Dragon ravaging Daventry. He decided to travel Daventry to save her.

After a short voyage on a pirate ship, he reached Daventry. He was able to save his sister Rosella, and the kingdom of Daventry from the dragon. They return home and have a short reunion together.

The joy of the reunion proved to be a strain on forty-two year old, Graham's heart. About an hour later he collapsed from a heart attack. Rosella was overcome with grief and sat by the magic mirror wishing she could save him. Her sorrow traveled through the magic mirror and called forth The Good Fairy and Queen of Tamir, Genesta, who revealed to Rosella the existence of a magical fruit that could save her father's life. Rosella agreed to help Genesta, who in turn, used her magic to transport Rosella to the kingdom of Tamir. Once there, she vowed to both help the fairy queen and retrieve the mystical fruit.

After a long and perilous adventure, Rosella accomplished her goals by retrieving the magical fruit, defeating the evil fairy sorceress Lolotte, and returning Genesta's life preserving talisman to her. Genesta then returned her home so she could give the fruit to King Graham.

Alexander returns to the Western Sea to destroy the Pirates using forbidding magic so they cannot try enslave any others.

Soon after Rosella and Alexander had their eighteenth birthday.

A few months after Alexander's escape, Derek Karlavaegen moved into the Manannan's house (he saw no sign of the wizard).

22 GC

King Graham sets out for a walk near Lake Maylie on a wonderful spring day. While he is gone Mordack steals his castle and kidnaps his family. He is brought to Serenia by Cedric who points him in the right direction. After several side tracks in the land of Serenia, King Graham finally reaches Mordack's Island and saves his family.

Alexander returns to Evil Island to study the Objuration of Souls and names the magic Iconomancy.

Cassima contacts Alexander a few times under mysterious circumstances.

23 GC

Almost a year after Mordack was defeated, Alexander sees Cassima in the mirror, a few days later he traveled to Llewdor to meet Derek Karlavaegen and learn about the Green Isles. He then makes a three month voyage to the islands.

Over the course of three days he saves the kingdom from Abdul Alhazred. A week later Alexander and Cassima are married.

Not long after Rosella and Valanice were in Daventry's castle garden, Valanice wanted her to get married as she is reaching marriageable age. She traveled to Eldritch and Etheria, and saved Edger and his family. Only a short period of time had passed in Daventry while they were gone, due to Eldritch's time moving faster than Daventry's. When they returned to Daventry, they told Graham of their adventures.

The twins turn twenty.

Note: KQ6 is set roughly a year after KQ5 rounded roughly from six months (with KQ5 happening in spring) it could occur towards the end of 21 GC and into first half of 22 GC.

25 GC

KQ8

26 GC

King's Quest IX

King's Quest X

End of Range of documents received by Peter Spear.

Anniversary timeline (Variant 2: 25 year range)

Note one issue with this interpretation is the placing of the twins birth is a bit out of whack with other timelines including those referenced by the Original Timeline, KQ4 timeline, and the Weddings timeline. Additionally KQ8 placement is unclear it could be just after KQ7, but that would go against the Mark Seibert‘s suggestion that it’s a few years after, but not long after.

• 10,000 BGC

Long after the formation of the Glass Mountains and long before the coming of the woodland faeries to the Old Woods, the woods felt great sadness and grieved.

• 1000 BGC

The Ancient Ones inhabited the Isle of the Sacred Mountain in a time before the "Kingdom" of the Crown existed. They lived alone in the sea. It is said that the Ancient Ones may have existed and disappeared before the first withdrawal.

Crispinophur leads the first Withdrawal from the Other World (Earth) onto the continent of Serenia.

Daventry is founded, the Ancient Well is first used (occured at least a millennium before, but may have been longer).

The priestesses of the ancient kingdom of Aegypt dig the Crypt in Tamir to hide the Pandora's Box and place a mummy inside to guard it.

• 475 BGC

The Genie becomes trapped in the bottle (and it would be about 500 years before the bottle is opened again).

• 420 BGC

Daventry loses crops to an autumn rain.

• 77 BGC

The magic fruit begins to grow on the small magic tree in the Swamp of Tamir.

• 1 GC

KQ1

• 2 GC

KQ2

• 6 GC

Valanice gives birth to Rosella and Alexander. King Graham begin his daily strolls by Lake Maylie.

Rumors begin to circulate that a terrible three-headed dragon was terrorizing the lands on its way towards the kingdom of Daventry.

• 7 GC

The royal family have a summer picnic on the shores of Lake Maylie taking Alexander and Rosella with them. That evening, Manannan appeared and cast a sleep spell on the group, and kidnapped the young prince. When the spell wore off they found Alexander's cradle empty but still rocking. Valanice searched for her son in the castle nursery but found no sign of her son, and Rosella was crying uncontrollably. The castle was scoured high and low, and every inch of Daventry was searched but there was never any sign of the little boy. Manannan had returned to his home in Llewdor and renamed the boy Gwydion.

Alexander-Gwydion and Rosella have their first birthday.

Around this time, Derek Karlavaegen begins on his journeys to explore the world, becoming a writer, and selling his articles.

• 8 GC

Once year, Derek Karlavaegen leaves for Serenia from Port Bruce in Llewdor on the Round About. At some point during the trip the compass was damaged by a storm, and the crew sailed off course for a little over a month off before the ship was destroyed in the Dangerous Currents, and Rocky Shoals near the Green Isles. Derek ended up on the shore of the Isle of the Crown.

Alexander-Gwydion and Rosella have their second birthday.

• 9 GC

King Caliphim and Queen Allaria who are without children, hope for a daughter.

Derek Karlavaegen finishes the Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles, and gives one copy to royal family and keeps one for himself, with the promise he will keep his knowledge of the islands secret.

After which he returned to Daventry with the help of a spell from Caliphim's ancient court sorcerer. He was sent to a bower near the town of Serenia. He had finally arrived at the destination he had originally intended to land at when he left from Llewdor nearly a year before.

Alexander-Gwydion and Rosella have their third birthday.

• 23 GC

Alexander and Rosella have their seventeenth birthday. This is the last year Alexander would be under Manannan's service.

• 24 GC

As Gwydion was a few weeks from his 18th birthday, he set a plan into motion to defeat the evil wizard Manannan and escape from Llewdor. He learned from an oracle of his true identity and his sister's imminent death from the Three-Headed Dragon ravaging Daventry. He decided to travel Daventry to save her.

After a short voyage on a pirate ship, he reached Daventry. He was able to save his sister Rosella, and the kingdom of Daventry from the dragon. They return home and have a short reunion together.

The joy of the reunion proved to be a strain on forty-two year old, Graham's heart. About an hour later he collapsed from a heart attack. Rosella was overcome with grief and sat by the magic mirror wishing she could save him. Her sorrow traveled through the magic mirror and called forth The Good Fairy and Queen of Tamir, Genesta, who revealed to Rosella the existence of a magical fruit that could save her father's life. Rosella agreed to help Genesta, who in turn, used her magic to transport Rosella to the kingdom of Tamir. Once there, she vowed to both help the fairy queen and retrieve the mystical fruit.

After a long and perilous adventure, Rosella accomplished her goals by retrieving the magical fruit, defeating the evil fairy sorceress Lolotte, and returning Genesta's life preserving talisman to her. Genesta then returned her home so she could give the fruit to King Graham.

Soon after Rosella and Alexander had their eighteenth birthday.

A few months after Alexander's escape, Derek Karlavaegen moved into the Manannan's house (he saw no sign of the wizard).

• 25 GC

King Graham sets out for a walk near Lake Maylie on a wonderful spring day. While he is gone Mordack steals his castle and kidnaps his family. He is brought to Serenia by Cedric who points him in the right direction. After several side tracks in the land of Serenia, King Graham finally reaches Mordack's Island and saves his family.

• 26 GC

Daventry celebrates the 25th anniversary of King Graham's reign.

Nearly a year after Mordack was defeated, Alexander sees Cassima in the mirror, a few days later he traveled to Llewdor to meet Derek Karlavaegen and learn about the Green Isles. He then makes a three month voyage to the islands.

Over the course of three days he saves the kingdom from Abdul Alhazred. A week later Alexander and Cassima are married.

Not long after Rosella and Valanice were in Daventry's castle garden, Valanice wanted her to get married as she is reaching marriageable age. She traveled to Eldritch and Etheria, and saved Edger and his family. Only a short period of time had passed in Daventry while they were gone, due to Eldritch's time moving faster than Daventry's. When they returned to Daventry, they told Graham of their adventures.

Not long after Alexander and Rosella have their twentieth birthday.

• 28 GC

KQ8

• 29 GC

KQ9

KQ10

• 124 GC

The next Magic Fruit grows on the tree in the Swamp of Tamir.

• 525 GC

The date that the Witch of the Dark Forest is predicted to escape the Genie of the Bottle's bottle.

Other World/Earth Time

In King's Quest Companion, many of these dates represent grave stones brought over from the Other World. In Roberta's view these were apparently intended to be dates within the King's Quest Universe itself, which was meant to be Earth.

• 60 Million Years

Amber is formed.

• [[1]]

Pope Sylvester rules the Vatican.

• 1300s

Gypsies first appear in Europe.

• 1400s

In early 15th century, the physician Paracelsus gave the gnomes their name and differentiated them from dwarfs.

• 1499-1598

The life of Rebecca Freeland.

• 1546

The death of Willy.

• 1553 (November 11th)

The date of death for Hiram Bennet.

• 1559-1626

The life of Lord Coningsby.

• 1564-1616

The life of William Shakespeare.

• 1575-1629

The life of Randolph Peter.

• 1634-1672

The life of a woman who had done her best.

• 1643

The death of Newberry Will.

• 1650-1669

The life of Betty Cowden.

• c. 1800's
  • Mary Ann Lowder dies from use of seidlitz powder (a powder marketed during the 1800s).
  • Simon Byrne kills a man while boxing, the man is buried in Innsmouth.
• 1897:

Bram Stoker writes a novel about Count Dracula, believed to be based on the madman by the name of Vlad the Impaler.

• 1980-1998

Peter Spear, Roberta Williams, and others receive dreams and messages from the world of Daventry. The King's Quest series of computer and video games are based on these messages and dreams. In time the great dreamer, Roberta Williams begins to affect the reality of Daventry causing changes in the world.

• 1984:

In late 1984 (December), Peter Spear was working as a writer and producer for a television station in San Francisco. He first had a chance to talk to John Williams (head of marketing at Sierra) about a new game. He traveled to Ethiopia, and when he returned the game, "King's Quest" (plain vanilla King's Quest, not King's Quest 1, not Quest for the Crown was waiting for him).

• 1988

In late 1988, Peter Spear airs a segment on Roberta Williams

• 1989

In January,Peter Spear met Roberta Williams in Las Vegas and interviewed her a few months later. Roberta talked about the land of her creation. She secretly hinted to Peter Spear that Daventry was a reality, a universe, that really existed. Short time later, Peter Spear began receiving electronic mail from Daventry.

In November, Peter Spear publishes the first edition. In it Peter Spear mentioned that Derek Karlavaegen had moved into Manannan's house a few months after Alexander had turned the sorcerer into a cat. The wizard had probably escaped and was plotting new revenge (predicting the events of KQV more than a year before Roberta began work on KQV). The book published material sent by Derek concerning KQ1-4

• 1990

Sierra releases a new and graphically improved King's Quest I. It contained "creative license" that changed elements of the game world, that did not reflect the "real world of Daventry". It was a second "game reality".

In autumn, Peter Spear publishes the second edition. It reproduced a map Derek Karlavaegen had sent from his universe, on which he fixed the location of the legendary Land of the Green Isles. Both their location, numbers, and relationship to each other proved to be accurate (two years before they appeared in the same place in King's Quest VI). The book also contains material from Derek concerning KQV.

• 1992

KQ6 (floppy) is released.

• 1993

The third edition of King's Quest Companion is published. Peter Spear publishes material from Derek Karlavaegen related to KQ6.

• 1994

KQ7 is released.

• 1995

Peter Spear publishes material related to KQ7, sent by Derek Karlavaegen, in the King's Quest VII: Authorized Player's Guide.

• 1997

The fourth edition of King's Quest Companion is published. Peter Spear publishes material related to KQ7 sent by Derek Karlavaegen.

• 1998

KQ8 is released.

Significant Historical Events with Unknown Dates

Eons to 1000 BGC

• The first withdrawal may have occurred a millennium or so before KQ5 (or perhaps Crispin has assisted in more than one withdrawal over several millenia).
• The Ancient Ones one of the first races to exist in the world of Daventry create kingdoms around the world of Daventry. They were primarily located within the Land of Green Isles. Their kingdoms lasted until about 1000 BGC, and they became legend before the first withdrawal.
• The the magical creatures of Greece and Rome withdraw into the world, although this has never been confirmed (that is its never been stated in any source specifically that Greece or Rome withdrew).
• The people of Innsmouth withdraw into Tamir
• Hereward is killed in a border wars several years before Graham was crowned king.

Few Years After 25 GC

• The events of Mask of Eternity occur within a few years after KQ7. Graham is still alive, but older, and white-haired. Roberta suggests he is now elderly at this time.

Note: The KQ9 timeline may place the events of KQ8 when Graham was in his 50s or approximately 10-15 years after KQ5.

Notes

Many of the dates given in the KQC are approximations, and may be longer or shorter than the given date (that is they describe the timing as "nearly", or "over", etc).

• Alexander was a few weeks from his birthday, during the events of KQ3.
• It is mentioned that the three bears had been shedding their winter fur. It's mentioned that squirrels were preparing their winter's nut supply.
• Manannan had weekly chicken suppers, he made Alexander clean the chicken coup twice daily. Manannan had fixed and regular habits. He rose at exactly the same time each day, and likewise he would retire to bed each night at the same time. He always slept for exactly the same period of time, and when he traveled, he always returned at the same time. His bath always took two measures of 'odd time', his studies eighteen, and his sleep and travels twenty-five.
• The Prologue for KQ2 and King's Quest Companion place the events of KQ2, one year after KQ1.
• Note the amount of time passing between KQ2 and the birth of the children is unclear (it can be worked backwards from the reference to "20 or 25 years later" made in the first, second, and fourth editions). The timeline thus would take place anytime between 20-25 years. It would technically have to be over 20 years, as 20 is not enough time to fit in all the other established dates established dates. For example if KQ6/7 were at 20 it would place the twins birth at 0 GC, which obviously doesn't fit. The earliest possible date that KQ6/7 can take place is 21 years after KQ1, if it is assumed that KQ1 occurs at the beginning of the year, and KQ2 begins at the end of the same year (in order to incorporate the '1 year apart reference'), this would place the twins birth at approximately 1 GC, and KQ3/4 at about 19 GC. But it makes more sense to assume that KQ6/7 occurs closer to 25 years after KQ1.
• The "20 or 25 years" later quote appears in the first edition of King's Quest Companion (contained the first four games). Thus the context could place KQ3/4 at "20 or 25" (or any number in between) years after KQ1. Though this quote is used in later editions (2nd edition would use that quote in relation to the addition of KQ5), and as mentioned in the previous note probably fits KQ6-KQ7 better in the context of the final edition (but in relation it could suggest three companion timeline variants total based on editions alone). In general it is just an approximate 'range of time' anyways (that was meant be inclusive of past and many future games of the series).
• King's Quest Companion places KQ6 nearly a year after KQV. In KQ6 it is implied that the game takes place six months after KQ5. This isn't necessarily a discrepancy, since six months can be rounded to a year ('i.e', "nearly a year").
• The Guidebook places the last time Ancient Ones were in the Green Isles about 1000 years ago (but still calling them legendary). The King's Quest Companion says that they were already legend by the time the first withdrawal took place. This suggests that the withdrawal had to have happened less than about 1000 years before KQ6 (if the Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles is taken into account). Of course its possible that the author of the KQ6 novelization ignored the date in the Guidebook, instead intending for Ancients existence and eventual disappearance to have taken place much further back. In fact it is suggested that over the millenia, there were many times that people withdrew into the world. Rosella surmises that the Crypt was dug into a mountain in the Impossible Mountains in the days of ancient Aegypt by priestesses, and was guarded by a mummy for eons. On the other hand, Crispin suggests that he has been taking a bit of peace and relaxation for at least a millennium (he states '...millennium or so', which means it was at least a millennium, but could have been longer).While this may refer to since the withdrawal, it may also refer to him resting a millennium or more since the last time people in Serenia took notice of him and needed his help (the book mentions that he lives a quiet and anonymous life forgotten or unknown by most folk in the world and he prefers it that way).
• The Companion timeline would suggest that the kingdom of Daventry was founded less than 1000 years before KQ1. In KQ4 manual, suggested that Daventry was founded thousands of years before KQ4. Said manual, also suggested that KQ2 took place three years after KQ1.
• Adventures in Serenia took place, "not so many years ago" in relation to KQV (Priscilla had become king by that time).
• Dahlia had been the only witch reported in the realm of Daventry for decades. It is know that Dahlia appears after the Magic Mirror had been stolen (which was twenty years before KQ1), this would mean that Dahlia entered the realm and married Edward about twenty years before KQ1 as well. In the KQ1 timeline the witch entered Daventry many years after the second treasure was stolen (years after the armies from foreign lands had invaded Daventry).
• Derek sent his first version of the World of Daventry article shortly (a few months) after KQ3 & 4 at the time he moved into Manannan's house, at the time the kingdom was being rebuilt; stone walls were being taken down, the stones used to build homes for the returning citizens, great magics were unleashed to repair the land, and improving weather (fresh rains) helped heal the land and bring plant life back. He mentions at the time the harvest had been good, and that the year's wines were even better. He gave an update on the situations in Daventry, Kolyma, Llewdor, and Tamir at the time. Likewise it would seem the update took place before Alexander killed the pirates of the western sea, as it mentions the pirates still land in Port Bruce (perhaps new pirates or Derek was wrong, and not all had died, and there were other ships). Additionally Derek mentioned that he was still wary of the Brat Catpack bandits when he moved into Llewdor in one of his notes, but in the World of Daventry article, it would seem the bandit problems are supposed to be under control 'soon'. Suggesting the bandit note was written around the same time, or before the World of Daventry article. Also at this time, a tourism trade was developing in Tamir. Other things of note, according to Derek's various sources of information, by this time Graham had repaired the Ancient Well, Gerwain had retired to a small cottage in the forest to raise snails, at this time Edgar lived alone in Lolotte's castle (except for a few remaining monkey soldier Goons that stayed on to serve him), Rosella had done an interview for the Bruce Banner, Manannan's magic map was put on display in the Royal Library of Daventry, Frankie of Avalon premiered his adaptation of Hamlet as advertised in the Bruce Banner, Brother Fragola had become Daventry's royal chaplain, Alexander killed all of the pirates except for one some weeks after returning home, Alexander gave Derek gold to give to the three bears. Alexander was teaching magic at the Royal University at that time (he continued to own Manannan's wand which he uses in preparation of all major spells), and Valanice was its best historian.

KQ1 Novel Notes

• The story takes place in the 'springtime'.
• 20 years before the story, King Edward lost the Magic Mirror. The shield was stolen not long after. Decades before the story, Dahlia enters the realm of Daventry (and steals the Magic Chest of Gold).
• Day 1, Graham talks to the king, and leaves the castle. He spends time around the outer edge of the castle; finds golden egg up in the large oak tree, discovers the dagger under a rock, goes to the castle vegetable garden, and meets the elf near Lake Maylie (obtains the magic ring), discovers the magic bowl, picked up pebbles near the river fools, and then slept on the beach near the river.
• Day 2, dawn broke, he uses the ring to avoid the ogre, and dwarf (who had been spending the last two hours looking for someone to rob for his wife). Graham discovers the gold walnut tree, finds the Door into Mountain, loses the magic ring in an inviting alpine mountain lake. He avoids a witch (Dahlia), and a big, bad wolf (these encounters take place over the course of an hour). Not long after he runs into the sorcerer, who paralyzes him. After it wears, of he finds the witch's gingerbread house, but escapes the witch again, passes through the Long Lake (swampy lake) to reach the log cabin of the woodcutter and his wife. He helps the starving couple,and receives their fiddle. He visits the boulder with the hole in it (seeing a green glow inside). Graham returned to the long lake, and slept.
• Day 3, Graham returned to the witch's house, and killed the witch (and discovered some Swiss cheese and an enigmatic note). He left the house, and an hour later, discovered the Ancient Well. He enters the well, finds the Dragon's Lair, and defeats the dragon through dumb luck, using a bucket of water from the well (he had intended to kill it with the dagger, and was going to use the water from the bucket as a distraction). Graham recovers Merlin's Mirror. Graham followed the path of the dragon, and exited a cave. He swam in a nearby inviting lake to the west, and reached a clover patch (where he found a 4-leaf clover). He returned to the cave, caught a ride on a condor and was taken over to the Land of the Leprechauns. Graham found a magic mushroom, and then entered a hole down into the land. He made it past a giant rat, entered the Hall of the Leprechaun King. They ignored him due to his 4-leaf clover. Graham played the fiddle causing all the leprechauns to leave (including the king). Graham recovered the Shield of Achille, and and took the king's scepter.Eating the mushroom, Graham was able to escape via the rock with the hole in it, back to the woods above. Graham traveled a bit until he discovered a log and old stump with a pouch of diamonds inside. He met the Fairy Godmother who cast a spell on him, to protect him. He tries to cross a bridge, discovers a troll. Over the next hour, graham discovered the troll guarded several other bridges. Graham went to the goat pen, coerced the goat to follow him and knock the troll into the River Fools. Graham met a wizened gnome, who Graham to answer the riddle of his name (in return he gave Graham magic beans). Graham crossed the eastern bridge, and planted the beans in a fertile patch. Graham climbed the resulting vine to the Land of the Clouds. He discovered a sling in a hole at the base of a tree, and discovered a giant. The goliath ignored him thanks to magic shield, and while Graham contemplated killing it with the sling, the giant fell asleep. Graham recovered the Chest of Gold from the giant, made his way down through the Door into Mountain. Graham returned to Castle Daventry with the three treasures. Not long had he met the king, that the king died of a heart attack (in his dieing breath he thanked Graham, and gave him his kingdom).
• During the inaugural week of his reign, the nameless court scribe pens Chronicles of Daventry, Part I: Quest for the Crown.

KQ2 Novel Notes

In the KQ2 novelization in the companion, the story takes place over the course of 3 days or so. There is an additional reference to another period Graham goes to sleep, but this seems to be more of a nap than sleeping through the night.

• About 12 years before, Red Riding Hood was born.
• 1 year before, Graham becomes king of Daventry.
• Day 1, Graham meets Riding Hood, he agreed to help her. He discovers her basket at Grandma's House. He visited Grandma, and talked to her. Graham prayed at the Monastery, and met the monk. Graham crosses the rope bridge, and discovers the first door. Graham encounters the dwarf, and is robbed. Graham spots Hagatha, and flees, where he discovers the Dwarf Tree. He enters, and robs the house, taking soup and treasures. He finds Riding Hood again, and gives her the basket. He returns to Grandma and gives her the soup. Graham returns to the beach and starts to sleep.
• Day 2, Graham discovers Neptune's trident, meets the mermaid, travels to the Neptune's Kingdom, returns the trident to the king, and receives the first key. Graham crossed the bridge, opened the first door, and discovered the second, and read the second clue. Graham meets a good fairy, who helps him out, casting a spell against evil on him. Graham decides with the protection he should explore Hagatha's cave, he enters, covers nightingale's cage, and takes it with him. He runs into Hagatha on the way out, but is protected by the spell. Graham runs into a sorcerer while skirting the poisoned lake (believing it was the same one he encountered in Daventry a year before), but is protected by the fairy spell. Graham discovers the antique store, and meets the old lady inside, he returned the nightingale. She gave him a lamp in return, rubbing the lamp three times, a genie inside gave him three gifts. Using one of the gifts, a Persian rug, he flew up the mountain. There he saved Pegasus, got the 2nd key. He crossed the bridge, opened the door, and discovered the 3rd door, and last clue. He returned to the poison lake at dusk, to discover a ghoul there in a boat. Wearing the ring and cloak, he was allowed across the lake to the island, as the sky turned to darkness. The ghost guards let him past as well. Graham explored the castle, discovered Dracula, killed him, and found the last key.
• Day 3, Graham crossed the bridge for the seventh time, opened the door, entered what looked like another world, the enchanted isles. Graham finds a fishing net, and casts it, helps a fish, who in return helps him over to the island where the Crystal Tower was located. Exploring the beach he discovered an amulet. He headed for the tower, as he got close, Valanice called down to him, asking him to save her before Hagatha returned. Graham climbed the tower, put a lion guardian to sleep, and enter the maiden's room. They fell in love with each other at first sight. Graham said home and both were transported back to Kolyma, and have their wedding there.
• Sometime later, after a slow voyage, they return home to Daventry (in KQ2 it states that Kolyma lies nearby Daventry therefore the trip was probably not much more than a day or two from Daventry's shores, and no more than a week). KQ5 Hintbook (The World of King's Quest), and The Magical World of King's Quest describes it as "the faraway land of Kolyma". The Official Book of King's Quest describes Kolyma as being "distant" to Daventry.
• The day after, the Prime Minister Gerwain begins writing the court chronicle of his king's adventures, so that all will remember the truth of it. He wishes that they bare many fine children, and celebrates their long and happy marriage.

KQ3 Novel Notes

• About 18 years ago, Alexander and Rosella were born.
• 17 years ago, Alexander was kidnapped and held captive for 17 long years (suggesting he was probably kidnapped around near his first birthday).
• Some time after, years before KQ3, a three headed dragon invaded Daventry.
• In the final weeks of Alexander's captivity, Manannan had increasingly been trying to find and excuse to terminate Alexander's existence.
• Day 1, A few days later (just weeks before Alexander's 18th birthday), after Alexander fed the chickens outside, Manannan left on a journey to another land, and Alexander began to planned his escape. Alexander discovers Manannan's Laboratory, and The Sorcery of Old. Alexander went around the house collecting as many tools and spell ingredients that he could find, the magic map, and the key to the cabinet holding Manannan's spell wand. He climbed down the mountain, and explored a bit around the countryside (finding a few more supplies). Later, he barely made it up the mountain, put the wand back, and hid the forbidden ingredients (enough spell ingredients for two spells, neither of which could defeat the wizard) under his bed. After 25 measures of the odd time of Manannan's Clock, he returned, demanding to be fed (Alex gave him a piece of fruit). That evening he went to sleep, and Alex continued his clandestine plans (within the 25 measures of odd time before Manannan awoke). Alex got everything he needed, entered the laboratory, and made the first two spells. during the rest of the evening, Alexander made his way around Llewdor collecting more ingredients, and visited the town store and tavern, listened in on some bandits.
• Day 2, Alexander returned home knowing the hour was getting late, and wanted to make sure everything was in order before Manannan woke up. Before he returned, he defeated a giant spider, and made his way into the Oracle's Cave (where he learned of his identity, and the need to save his newly discovered sister, and the kingdom of Daventry), and searched for the bandits' den. On the way there, he was accosted, and robbed of everything. In desperation and running out of time, he found the hideout, made his way inside, found his belongings and a pouch of gold. He made it quickly to town, bought some supplies, and quickly made his way up the mountain and put everything away before Manannan awoke that morning. Manannan rose, and told Gwydion to empty the chamber pot in his room. Alexander finally had all the ingredients he needed to make the "cat cookie". After a while, Manannan left on yet another journey. But before making the cookie, Alexander grabbed a hand mirror from the wizard's vanity, made his way down the mountain, traveled to the desert, using the mirror he was able to defeat Medusa (and grabbed a few more spell ingredients). He made his way into the Three Bear's house, where he discovered a bowl of porridge, and a few more things needed for the spells, and then traveled to the ocean for a few more spell ingredients. He returned up the mountain, prepared two spells one for the cat cookie , and one for teleportation at random. He put everything else away, crumbled the cat cookie into the porridge, and waited for the wizard's return in the kitchen. The hungry wizard returned, and Alex fed him the poisoned porridge defeating him (transforming him into a cat). Alex now safe, completed the rest of the spells. He then teleported down to the countryside to make his final escape. Exploring the countryside, he could now hear the animals thanks to one of the spells, he learned more about his past (and his family). He made his way to the village, and met some mariners, and paid for passage. He boarded the ship, the mariners turned out out to be pirates, and tossed him into the hold.
• Day 3, Alexander travels from Llewdor to Daventry within a day due to good weather (it mentions that he was in the ship many hours which would imply a day but could be as much as two but could have as early as the latter half of day 2 In KQ6 novel also supports 1 day travel between both continents) Finally, he reaches the continent of Daventry, and is able to escape. On the beach he finds a treasure chest. He makes his way over the mountains, and into Daventry. He met the Rumplestiltskin who sent him up the mountain to kill the dragon, and rescue Rosella. Alexander defeated the dragon, made his way down, and reunited with his family. Graham took his old hat, and tossed it towards his children.
• Derek Karlavaegen interviews Alexander over the course of several days following Rosella's return from Tamir, as the king's recovered.

KQ4 Novel Notes

• About 100 years before, Magic Fruit begins growing.
• Almost 18 years before, Alexander and Rosella are born.
• About 3 or 4 hours before KQ4, Rosella was taken to the three-headed dragon.
• About an hour before KQ4, Alexander and Rosella return to Castle Daventry, and the family reunite.
• Several minutes before KQ4, during the celebration, Graham tosses his hat to his children. Not long after he clutches his heart, and falls over. He his taken to his room and physicians can do nothing. Rosella went to the throne room to wait, and is greeted by Genesta, and taken to Tamir.
• Day 1;

6:00 A.M. Rosella meets Genesta in Tamir, and begins searching the land, finds the Magic Fruit, meets the evil witch Lolotte (who begins sending her on several tasks).

• Day 2;

12:00 A.M (give or take) Rosella explores the haunted house, looking for key to the crypt.

6:00 A.M, Rosella returns home and saves Graham.

• Not long after her return, while Rosella was still recovering from her ordeals, she tells Valanice of her adventures, which Valanice records in the Chronicles of Daventry, Part IV: The Perils of Rosella. Daventry begins to start rebuilding. Rosella turns eighteen.

Note: If relating to  20 or 25 year note in the first edition of the companion, this would place KQ3/4 twenty years after KQ1 or 25 years after KQ1 (or within a range in between). For simplicity sake, if first number is more 'accurate' it would suggest the twins were born about 2 years after KQ1. If 25 years was 'closer' to when KQ4 it would suggest that the twins were born seven years after KQ1. However, the range appears to be more inclusive prediction of a range when later games (future) take place following KQ rather than just specific reference to when KQ3/4 take place. As a range, it may be very possible that KQ2/KQ3 are meant to take place 'about' 20 years after KQ1 (give or take), and the 25 year date is meant as a prediction for 'later' games.

KQ5 Novel Notes

• About 1000 years before or so, Crispin is forgotten and begins to live anonymously some time after the withdrawal for a thousand years or so (the comment could imply thousand years, a couple thousand, or more).
• More than 20 years before, Graham obtained the crown of Daventry. Note: Taken into context with the "20 or 25 year" quote (in first and 2nd edition), this would suggest that the story takes place at least 21 years after KQ1.
• Months before, Alicia is turned into a tree, and Herbert searches for her all over.
• Day 1, Castle Daventry is stolen, Graham discovers it, and meets Cedric. They fly to Serenia, to meet Crispin. He made a few stops around the kingdom, met some people in town, met the prince Herbert, and helped Queen Beetrice. He then journeyed into the desert in the evening hours, when it was starting to cool. He found an oasis west of the bee's tree, and then headed north towards the mountains, where he discovered a temple (and secretly watched thieves open it with a spell and staff). Over the next two hours, he headed southwest finding yet another oasis. He traveled south for another three hours, as the sun started to set in the horizon, until he found the desert camp. He found the staff, and made his way back to an oasis. He then slept through the night.
• Day 2, the next morning, he headed north, discovering the remains of a [[wanderer] (who had been lying in the sun for years), nearby it was a boot. Graham entered the temple, found a bottle, and a single gold coin, and quickly escaped, made his way back to first oasis he had been to, and then made his way back to the Forest of Serenia. He helped out King Antony, then saw Madame Mushka, who showed him the plight of his family. She gave him a magic amulet to protect him, which he put on. He next met the weeping willow, and then travelled into the Dark Forest. Graham encounters the Witch of the Dark Forest, defeats her, and then explores her house, finding a few treasures. He convinced an elf to helped him escape the woods. Graham finished a few more tasks helping people throughout the land, until he had enough supplies to travel in the Great Mountains. After several hours, they made it up in the mountains reaches. He had not eaten in almost two days, so he ate half a mutton joint. During the night graham is sent to defeat a yeti in a crystal cave (at the time of the year the events occurred, there is not much darkness at night in the northern reaches of the world. The moon was high in the sky, and there was much light to see from). He returned and saved Cedric.
• Day 3, They journeyed further into the mountains, and escaped the Roc, and made it to the sea. He spent several hours exploring exploring the ocean, avoiding rocks and shoals they encountered. They discovered a large island, and escaped some harpies. He traveled back to the beach, befriended an ancient mariner, and then was given help by a mermaid to Mordack's Island. Graham explored, the island, and saved his family, and returned home.
• A few moons past KQ5, Derek Karlavaegen writes Chronicles of Daventry, Part V: Absence Makes the Heart Go Yonder (this would suggest 2-3 months after KQ5). Castle Daventry had been refurbished from the damage caused.
• 500 years in a dark bottle, evil witch of the Dark Forest finally escapes.

KQ6 Novel Notes

• Aeons ago the Ancient Ones inhabited the Isle of the Sacred Mountain. They were precursors to the winged ones. They wrote in both an ancient language, as well as archaic version of the Common tongue. They were already legend by the time of the first withdrawal.
• Ali was not more than four or five summers when he was killed.
• Less than 2 years ago, Cassima was kidnapped by Mordack, and forced to be his slave on his island, she returned within the year.
• Nearly 1 year ago, Graham rescued his family and Cassima. Cassima returns home, over an undisclosed period of time she learns her family is dead, and tells Jollo of her time under Mordack. Afterwords, she goes into a year of seclusion.
• 3 months before the story, Alexander sees Cassima in the mirror, and then visits Derek Karlavaegen in Llewdor one day later (where he obtains a copy of the Guidebook to the Land of the Green Isles). Over the next three months he follows the stars, until he discovers the islands.
• Day 1, Alexander's ship crashes into the Green Isles. Alexander ends up on the Isle of the Crown, and wakes up in the late afternoon. He spends next hour or so, visiting the Castle of the Crown, the village, and the docks. Alexander gets the magic map from the pawn shop, just as the sun begins to set. He quickly traveled to Sacred Mountain, he picked up a few things, and then fell asleep on the beach, until the morning.
• Day 2, Alexander travels to Isle of Wonder, explores a bit, and then traveled to the Isle of the Beast, back to Isle of Wonder, and then back Isle of the Crown, and then back to the Isle of Wonder (to see the Chessboard Land), and back to Isle of the Crown. Alexander returned to the Isle of the Sacred Mountain, and climbed to the top. He met the leaders, and then was sent into the catacombs. He defeats the Minotaur, saves Celeste, and then meets the Oracle. He then visits the newly revealed Isle of the Mists. He then traveled to the Isle of the Beast, and meets the Beast. He then travelled to Isle of the Crown, convinced Beauty to return to the Isle of the Beast as the sun began to set. Alexander then returned to the Isle of Wonder, and then back to the Isle of the Beast. After everything was ready, he returned to the Isle of the Mists in the late afternoon. Alexander returned to Isle of the Sacred Mountain, climbed the mountain during sunset into the gloom of twilight. He met found the Night Mare in the evening gloom. He charmed the creature, and traveled to the Land of the Dead, where he met Lord Samhain.
• Day 3, Alexander returned to Isle of the Crown in the faint light of dawn. Alexander infiltrates the Castle of the Crown. Cassima's wedding began at noon, Alexander crashed the wedding, defeated Alhazred, and saved the princess.
• Over the next few days to a week, the ferry is repaired, Alexander invites Derek Karlavaegen the Green Isles, and brings along the Royal Family of Daventry, and preparations for the wedding are made.
• One day before the wedding, Derek Karlavaegen writes the Chronicles of Daventry, Part VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow.
• A day later, the wedding takes place.

Note: Based on the context of references in this story, and the "20 or 25 year" quote (and context of its appearance in 4th Edition, in relation to 1st and 2nd editions) could suggest that KQ6 takes place at least 22 years after KQ1 (from 2nd Edition perspective) or up to 25 years based on the KQ6 hintbook perspective. The quote in question does not appear in the third edition, but was added back into the fourth edition. The KQ6 hintbook's twenty-fifth year reference was based on the 25 year reference.

The history of the Ancient Ones appears to imply they may have disappeared longer than a thousand years before KQ6 (as suggested in the Guidebook).

KQ7 Novel Notes

• The story takes place over three days in the Realm of Eldritch (or at least the wedding would be in three days)? But only a few minutes passed in Daventry.
• Edgar/Troll was to marry the Rosella in three days.
• The people of the desert probably died out several centuries before.The water god had watched over the desert for centuries. The seed had been waiting hundreds of years to grow.
• Malicia may be the same age as Valanice, or at least appears that way.
• It would take the gravedigger a day to finish digging a grave without his gravedigger.
• Mort Cadaver gave up his spine a week before.
• The ghoul kids had been children for the past one hundred and thirty years.
• Countess Tsepish lost two minds in the week before.

Note: Regarding the 20 or 25 year reference in the introduction chapter, KQ7 would have to take place closer to 25 in the range, although the novel itself is not clear when it takes place in relation to KQ6 exactly (nor is there is a specific reference to when the children were born 'exactly'). A birthdate can be worked back from KQ7 as it is set before the twentieth birthday.

KQ8 Notes

• KQ8 is advertised in the 4th Edition. The book advertises the series as taking place over 20 or 25 years so this would likely still include KQ8 in its reckoning. Hence its placed aroudn 25 years date on this timeline.
• Rosella is not married in KQ8 (as per developer information by Roberta). It's unlikely that KQ8 could be too long after KQ7 otherwise she would be too old. Likewise Roberta states that a future story (KQ10) may have been Rosella choosing between Edgar and Connor in a love triangle. Again confirming they are not married. It can be assumed Connor must be close to Rosella in age because of this too.
• Mark Seibert believes KQ8 is set only within a few years of KQ7. Again largely because it would make other characters too old, and graham very old otherwise. While many people would agree that "a few" means "three' or more, the actual dictionary definition of "a few" is, "not many but more than one." So, "a few" cannot be one, but it can be as low as 'two'.
• Roberta states in her King's Quest IX, that Graham is elderly. How this affects context and dating is not clear.
• The placement of KQ8 is not clear, until recently the age of Graham was not known. Leaving the possible interpretation that KQ8 took place within the 20 to 25 year range (as it could be roughly implied that the reference made the Companion applies to all King's Quest covered or advertised in Fourth Edition). Mark Seibert wasn't clear, thinking he was probably old, but not 'ancient' (and that KQ8 only took a few years after KQ7). However, according to Roberta, at the time following KQ8, Graham was 'elderly' (in modern definitions this is 65-74 (early elderly age, if not older). This could mean that KQ8 takes place up to twenty years after KQ7. This potentially causes issues in that this would make Rosella roughly 39 and without children (which does seem kinda unlikely). Of course its possible in 'medieval' times elderly may have been considered at a much younger age. That is to say life expectancy in the middle ages tend to be between 40 and 70. So it might be possible that simply being in his late 40-50s might still be considered elderly in middle-ages standards. One of the oldest human ages given in a King's Quest source is for Rokaill who was 78 at the time of the See No Weevil novel, but he may not be simply elderly but also ancient for his age (but not necessarily indicative when one first becomes 'elderly'). Also it might be a safe bet to assume that Connor and Rosella are roughly around the same age, if they are to be courting each other in KQ10.

Other chapter notes

• The games are set in and around the Kingdom of Daventry and follow the adventurers of King Graham and his family--from Graham's initial quest to obtain his kingship to a time 20 or 25 years later.
• ...over the millennia, each new withdrawal gives Daventry fresh life and new wonders. This is one of the earlier companion references that implies that withdrawals began over 2 millennia before KQ1. However, KQ5 chapter may suggest that Crispin led the first withdrawal, and that it occurred at the least one millennium before (but possibly more).
• Crispin and Crispin's House may date to the beginning of time in reference to the arrival during the Withdrawal.
• The Sorcery of Old was written in languages unknown since before the ascent of humanity.
• Scores of years passed between the time Thor saved Bruce from destruction, and it's later destruction at the hands of a hulking monster. This would suggest at least 2 score (or at least forty years) had passed between both events, but exact amount is unclear. It's unclear how long this was before Alexander visited the city.
• The Eye Between the Worlds chapter was written shortly after Derek Karlavaegen interviewed Alexander, and wrote the Prince Alexander's Own Story! Exclusive Interview.
• Derek Karlavaegen mentions in the Apologia letter that he traveled around (and ultimately ended up in the green isles two decades before KQ6). He also mentions he spent a year there before he returned to Serenia.
• The phrase 'needle in a haystack' goes back 500 years.
• Bears have existed for millions of years.
• Amber dates back as much as 60 million years.
• [[2]] date that Sylvester served as pope.
• 1897, the year Dracula by Bram Stoker was published.
• 14th century, gypsies appear in Europe.
• 15th century ('fifteenth century), Paracelsus writes about gnomes (this is an inconsistency and should have read 'sixteenth century').
• Sections of An Encyclopedia of Daventry were written several years after events of KQ5. This would place them after the events of KQ6 and KQ7 (which was about one year after KQ5). Peter Spear mentions having received documents (he chose not to publish) that may concern future adventures as well.
• The exact age of Graham is not given in the book's stories. However, the King's Quest Companion supports longer timespan and an older age for Graham by describing Graham's period from his entered into Palace School as years, his time in the university as years, his time in thearmy training as a soldier as 'years', and has been a knight fighting in the wars/hard times for 'years'. While these described periods are not

necessarily mutually exclusive (and some may even overlap) they do seem to suggest a much longer period of time from his childhood to when he became a seasoned veteran knight he was at the time of King's Quest 1. Assuming the Palace School/High school is a 12 year institution, university is a 4 year institution, the army training/knight school at least 2 years, and several years fighting in the wars on top of that, it would seem to suggest a period of roughly 23-30 years total. It's also worth noting that it describes Graham's childhood largely peaceful and uneventful, perhaps suggesting Graham was young child before the troubles even began, before the magic mirror was even stolen (and it was stolen twenty years before according to the Companion, the rest of the treasures stolen not long after)... There is nothing to indicate if he was born before or after the stolen mirror. There is also no indication that he hadn't met the late queen or not. There is a reference to hard years after the loss of the treasures, which suggests Graham has probably lived through most of them. However, there is indication that he may have spent a relatively peaceful childhood, in which he could explore the kingdom largely unmolested, swimming, playing, etc. If the kingdom was at war, and plagued by invaders it is highly unlikely he would have been allowed to play alone on his own, which may indicate that he did spend at least part of his life before the treasures were stolen, the wars and invasions began (which would seem to indicate he is probably older than nineteen in those sources).

Graham's age in the Companion

Until Graham's age was given as nineteen in Lorelei Shannon's books for the start of King's Quest I (see KQ6 and KQ7 Hintbooks), Graham's age had never been specifically given by any other source in the series. In the manual story he is described as 'young princely figure' or in his 'youth' (but his age is never specified). He is described as young by the Fairy Godmother in King's Quest Classic, and implied to be young by the Witch in KQ1SCI, but it’s been a long time since he was in Daventry High School. In Companion he is described as young knight, young man, and young fool. In artwork and material related to KQ1 he is shown to have grey hair, wrinkled lines in his face, and crowsfeet suggesting he maybe have been older than twenty-five at the time of KQ1 in artistes minds (but probably not older than thirty) but has lived a stressed life. In reality a squire would have only become a knight at twenty-one, and nineteen would have been too young become an experienced 'knight', and the person would still only be a squire (a page became a squire at about 14, or 15 age 14 coincides with age of adulthood for boys in medieval times). So if Graham was a knight for several years he would have had to have been at least 23-25 by real world standards. Keep in mind that box artwork is not indicative of the developer's original intent, but rather marketing department's interpretation. Described as a youth suggests he is between 15-24 by most standards, while young likely means no older than 25.

While still described as young man in King's Quest Companion, the book supports longer timespan and an older age for Graham by describing Graham's period from his entered into Palace School as years, his time in the university as years, his time in the army training as a soldier as 'years', and has been a knight fighting in the wars/hard times for 'years'. While these described periods are not necessarily mutually exclusive (and some may even overlap) they do seem to suggest a much longer period of time from his childhood to when he became a seasoned veteran knight he was at the time of King's Quest 1. Assuming the Palace School/High school is a 12 year institution, university is a 4 year institution, the army training/knight school at least 2 years, and several years fighting in the wars on top of that, it would seem to suggest a period of roughly 23-25 years total (he is still young after all). It's also worth noting that it describes Graham's childhood largely peaceful and uneventful, perhaps suggesting Graham was young child before the troubles even began, before the magic mirror was even stolen (and it was stolen twenty years before according to the Companion, the rest of the treasures stolen not long after)... There is nothing to indicate if he was born before or after the stolen mirror. There is also no indication that he hadn't met the late queen or not. There is a reference to hard years after the loss of the treasures, which suggests Graham has probably lived through most of them. However, there is indication that he may have spent a relatively peaceful childhood, in which he could explore the kingdom largely unmolested, swimming, playing, etc. If the kingdom was at war, and plagued by invaders it is highly unlikely he would have been allowed to play alone on his own, which may indicate that he did spend at least part of his life before the treasures were stolen, the wars and invasions began (which would seem to indicate he is probably older than nineteen in those sources).

Behind the scenes

While the children's date of birth is not directly given in the book; both KQ3 and KQ7 information can be used to work back to the birthdate. However the birthdate is different depending on working from a twenty year reference or working from the twenty-five year reference. One either places the birth about 1 year after the marriage (3 years after KQ1), the other places it about four years after the marriage (five years after KQ1).