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Daventrycontinent

The continent of Serenia (KQ6 era)

The name Serenia actually refers to three distinct places in the world of Daventry. The largest is the continent of Serenia (which is also known as the continent of Daventry). The Sovereignty of Serenia exists within the continent. Thus, Serenia is also the name of a nation or political state. There is also a town that goes by the name Serenia, and while it is not a city in the sense most think of them, it is an important center[1].

It can also refer to the Land of Serenia.

Continent of Serenia[]

The continent of Serenia, a vast land of towering mountains, deep forests, and endless deserts. While the world of Daventry is far from being fully explored it seems like that Serenia is the largest landmass there. It was in Serenia where folk arrived when they withdrew from the Other World to Daventry[2] It is the largest and broadest and most ancient of world's lands, named after the peaceful place where Daventry's people appeared when they first withdrew to the world. The exact spot of their arrival had never been marked by stone or statue or eidolon, but that is not their way; but many hold that the place is where the house of the great wizard Crispinophur now sits. It is said that house has been there, never aging, since the beginning of time. It is also claimed that it was built in less than an instant by the same magician, who himself was already an old man when time began.[3]

Not so many years ago, it is said the great Wizard Harlin used his powerful magic to move the Great Mountains north and east of the woods of Serenia and created a vast ocean in between and dividing the continent in two. Leaving behind the continent of Daventry and creating a new continent in the North. He created vast deserts surrounding the village of Serenia (he had shifted the Endless Desert around the village itself). At this time there were only four great countries left in the world. The continents would not recombine until several years later, after great magics were released to heal the lands from the damage caused by great earth quakes, and the three-headed dragon that had scorched the land.

In present times, this continent is broken up into many kingdoms and principalities, with two of the most significant ones being the Kingdom of Daventry, and the Sovereignty of Serenia.[4] The continent is also known as Daventry, as for a time that kingdom was only land on the continent as the northern Serenia had mysteriously vanished (but later reappeared a year later).

Serenia is divided into many kingdoms, most them small and only a day or three's journey by foot in extent. These fiefdoms sometimes war or battle with each other for reasons their rulers care about, and shrink or grow depending on their martial fortunes. They seemingly come and go with the seasons, and few are remembered after their passing. Two lands bear special notice, the Kingdom of Daventry and the Sovereignty of Serenia.[5]

The continents name appears to differ based on perspective of two major cultures in the continent. People influenced by Serenia are more likely to call the continent Serenia, while those living in or influenced Daventry are more apt to call it the continent of Daventry (this was especially true when majority of Serenia went missing under Harlin’s spells..

Land of Serenia[]

The Land of Serenia is a land lying to the north of Daventry. It encompasses the regions containing the Endless Desert of Serenia, the Sovereignty of Serenia, the northern Great Mountains (including Queen Icebella's Realm), and the north-eastern shore of the continent. By some extension the Harpy Island and Mordack's Isle fall into the boundaries of this land. But for the most part this is equivalent and alternate name to the Sovereignty of Serenia.

Sovereignty of Serenia[]

The Sovereignty of Serenia (also known simply as Serenia) is the name of the small kingdom in the northern half of the continent of Serenia. It lies between the Endless Desert of Serenia to the west, the Great Mountains to the east, and to the south of the Dark Forest.

World of Serenia[]

There is but one known example where the world is referred to as the World of Serenia, and this appears to be a rare useage. Usually the entire world is known as Earth or World of Daventry. More accurately the World of Serenia appears to apply to a slightly different parallel universe of Serenia (see the events of King's Quest V (NES)).

Gallery[]

See also[]

Behind the scenes[]

This land of Serenia first appeared in The Wizard and the Princess and Adventure in Serenia, and was later revisited in King's Quest V.

The continent was originally called Daventry in King's Quest Companion, First Edition, and King's Quest 3. As shown in the book and game during the era's of King's Quest 1-4, the Land of Serenia was missing. The KQ3 Charts, 1st Edition Maps and Alexander's account of his escape from Manannan show that Serenia was missing at the time (and the continent was referred to as Daventry). Although apparently mostly missing between the time of KQ1-3, the land is known about several years before events of KQ3, as it is mentioned See No Weevil, which implies that Daventry is one of the lands surrounding Serenia (Insects of Serenia and the Surrounding Lands, Volume III: T to Z). Also the the Wanderer had saved the Priscilla not many years before KQ5[7].

By the Second Edition, Serenia reappeared, and the book uses the name Daventry and Serenia interchangeably for the name of the continent. The continent is referred to as Daventry in the An Encyclopedia of Daventry in the 2nd Edition. The 2nd Edition Maps and 3rd Edition Maps show the continent being referred to as Daventry as well. Though Derek Karlavaegen began referring to the continent as Serenia in his descriptions of the world.

In some maps show both the desert and the woods/town on the same map titled "Serenia" (Companion 3rd and 4th editions) and some accounts list the Desert as "Endless Desert of Serenia". The mountains and Dark Forest get separate maps in the same sources outside of Serenia. Other maps in other sources put the Desert in its own map, and keep "Serenia" to a separate map (KQ5 Hintbook, Companion, 2nd edition, Official Book of KQ, 2nd and 3rd editions).

When the maps are,split into two seperate maps (Desert and Serenia) the Grassland/Brushland is a marginal region that often listed on the Desert side, sometimes on the Serenia side, or both. Sometimes the region containing gypsy camp, anthill, and bee tree is also in this marginal region but usually listed in both maps in this case.

Its interesting to note that a section of the KQ5 Manual for the NES was entitled "The World of Serenia". However, in most of the official literature or media the entire world is referred to as the World of Daventry, simply Daventry, or Earth, see On the Origin of Daventry.

Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."

-Roberta Williams, Talkspot Interview, part 1 (1:20:40 to 1:59:58)[1]

While several maps show the Ancient Mariner's home to be located on a beach on the continent of Serenia, the The Official Book of King's Quest Third Edition, mentions that Graham returned to the hermit captain's island. Which seems that the author had a different interpretation of The Coast and how Graham reached it in the first place. Perhaps another example of the world of Daventry being in magical flux with lands moving at different times. Perhaps it was part of the continent when Graham first landed on the Twisty Path near the beach, but later turned into an island before he returned. A possible similar situation happened with the locations of Mordack's Island and Harpies' Island (which both switched place on the maps).

Of course its possible that the author was calling the entire continent an 'island' based on its small scale as seen in the games.

The back of the box for KQ5 on the NES describes the locations seen in the game as 'continents' (with the potential being that Daventry and Serenia may both be considered separate continents, or that Serenia itself is divided into smaller continents.).

You'll also journey over continents laced with crystal caves, forbidden forests, bandit hideouts and treacherous seas filled with mystery.

Coincidentally, the name Serenia would be used as the name of one of the Ages in the graphic adventure game Myst IV: Revelation, released in 2004.

References[]

  1. KQC2E, pg
  2. KQC, 2nd Edition, 506
  3. KQC2E, 49
  4. KQC2E, 506
  5. KQC, 4th Edition, pg 32
  6. King's Quest Companion, 3rd and 4th edition
  7. KQC2E, pg 507
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