Darkover series
Encyclopedia
The Darkover series consists of several novel
s and short stories
set in the fictional world of Darkover
as created by science fiction
author Marion Zimmer Bradley
.
Although the following Darkover chronology includes a book list for novels set in specific time periods, each was written to stand as a separate story and the individual novel plots are not dependent upon one another. Bradley herself recommended that the books be read in the order in which they were written, rather than the Darkovan chronological order, as her writing style changed considerably over her career.
The time periods the books belong in, particularly the ones in the Ages of Chaos and the Hundred Kingdoms Era, are blurred. Some of these books state they are in one era, but contain evidence within their story lines indicating that they belong to a different period in the official chronology. (Note that the official chronology differs from the chronology printed at the beginning of some of the books.)
During the early years of space exploration
and colonization
, Earth-based humans on their way to a new colony planet crash-land on Darkover, a planet
which circles a red giant
. They are unable to repair their ship and can not re-establish contact with Earth. The ethnic background of the colonists was mostly Celtic
and Spanish
, and this mix is reflected in the resultant blended culture(s). To increase the available gene pool and maximize the chances of colonial survival, the colonists intermarried extensively and produced as many children with as many different partners as possible. Psychic
and psionic
abilities were introduced through mutation
, external stimulants, and/or interbreeding with the native chieri of the planet.
Books of this era:
Books of this era:
Books of this era:
Books in the world of the Renunciates:
space traveling
civilization
and a spaceport
was established near Thendara, the only large city on Darkover.
To account for the apparent discrepancy between the length of (recorded) history on Darkover and the length of time that had passed for the rest of humanity, the author mentions that early FTL
drives could cause dislocation in time as well as in space when mishaps occurred. Thus, the ship of the original colonists was not only thrown off course, but also backwards in time, allowing for the long history of Darkover to coexist with human history.
Books of this era:
Following Bradley's death in September 1999 a number of works which were in progress at the time have been published posthumously or are reported as planned for publication, including: Thunderlord!, The Fall of Neskaya, Zandru's Forge, A Flame in Hali, and The Hastur Lord (working title The Reluctant King).
In addition to the above books, several anthologies written by the Friends of Darkover and edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley
were also based in the Darkover
universe.
Darkover anthologies:
, the descendants of human-chieri pairings. The Comyn learn to use native matrix stones to help focus and strengthen their laran powers to duplicate and sometimes surpass science-based technology. Each Comyn family controls a domain, but strategic inter-marriage and feudal land issues result in fluctuating domain borders. The seven families include:
The name "Asturien" is said to be the source of the name "Hastur".
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s and short stories
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
set in the fictional world of Darkover
Darkover
Darkover is the focus of the Darkover series of science fiction novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only human-habitable of seven planets orbiting a fictional red giant star called Cottman...
as created by science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
author Marion Zimmer Bradley
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series. Many critics have noted a feminist perspective in her writing. Her first child, David R...
.
Darkover chronology
See also: List of Darkover books for a complete chronological bibliography of Darkover books, anthologies and series by date of publication.Although the following Darkover chronology includes a book list for novels set in specific time periods, each was written to stand as a separate story and the individual novel plots are not dependent upon one another. Bradley herself recommended that the books be read in the order in which they were written, rather than the Darkovan chronological order, as her writing style changed considerably over her career.
The time periods the books belong in, particularly the ones in the Ages of Chaos and the Hundred Kingdoms Era, are blurred. Some of these books state they are in one era, but contain evidence within their story lines indicating that they belong to a different period in the official chronology. (Note that the official chronology differs from the chronology printed at the beginning of some of the books.)
The Founding
Space exploration
Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
and colonization
Space colonization
Space colonization is the concept of permanent human habitation outside of Earth. Although hypothetical at the present time, there are many proposals and speculations about the first space colony...
, Earth-based humans on their way to a new colony planet crash-land on Darkover, a planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
which circles a red giant
Red giant
A red giant is a luminous giant star of low or intermediate mass in a late phase of stellar evolution. The outer atmosphere is inflated and tenuous, making the radius immense and the surface temperature low, somewhere from 5,000 K and lower...
. They are unable to repair their ship and can not re-establish contact with Earth. The ethnic background of the colonists was mostly Celtic
Modern Celts
A Celtic identity emerged in the "Celtic" nations of Western Europe, following the identification of the native peoples of the Atlantic fringe as "Celts" by Edward Lhuyd in the 18th century and during the course of the 19th-century Celtic Revival, taking the form of ethnic nationalism particularly...
and Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and this mix is reflected in the resultant blended culture(s). To increase the available gene pool and maximize the chances of colonial survival, the colonists intermarried extensively and produced as many children with as many different partners as possible. Psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
and psionic
Psionics
Psionics refers to the practice, study, or psychic ability of using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena. Examples of this include telepathy, telekinesis, and other workings of the outside world through the psyche.-History and terminology:...
abilities were introduced through mutation
Mutation
In molecular biology and genetics, mutations are changes in a genomic sequence: the DNA sequence of a cell's genome or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus. They can be defined as sudden and spontaneous changes in the cell. Mutations are caused by radiation, viruses, transposons and mutagenic...
, external stimulants, and/or interbreeding with the native chieri of the planet.
Books of this era:
- Darkover LandfallDarkover LandfallDarkover Landfall is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in the Darkover book series. It was originally published in 1972 by DAW Books...
(1972) - the first of the series, though not the first story published
The Ages of Chaos
A millennium after the original human settlement, society on Darkover has devolved to a feudal level. The Darkovans, as the inhabitants now call themselves, have abandoned Earth-made (Terran) technology and are instead working perfecting psionically-based matrix technology. The Towers, remote settlements where those with exceptional psionic or laran abilities are housed and trained, dominate political and social life; and a strict breeding program to staff the Towers leads to those inbred for gifts of laran.Books of this era:
- Stormqueen!Stormqueen!Stormqueen! is a science-fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in the Darkover book series. Originally published in 1978. It was republished in 2002 as part of the Ages of Chaos omnibus.-Plot summary:...
(1978)
The Hundred Kingdoms
An age of war and strife retaining many of the decimating and disastrous effects of the Ages of Chaos. The lands which are later to become the Seven Domains are divided by continuous border conflicts into a multitude of small, belligerent kingdoms, named for convenience "The Hundred Kingdoms." The close of this era is heralded by the adoption of the Compact, instituted by Varzil the Good. A landmark and turning point in the history of Darkover, the Compact bans all distance weapons, making it a matter of honor that one who seeks to kill must himself face equal risk of death.Books of this era:
- Hawkmistress!Hawkmistress!Hawkmistress! is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley as part of the Darkover series and is set in the "Hundred Kingdoms" time period.- Setting of Hawkmistress! :Main article: Darkover...
(1982) - Two To ConquerTwo To ConquerTwo To Conquer is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley as part of the Darkover series and is set in the Hundred Kingdoms time period.- Setting of Two To Conquer :...
(1980) - The Fall of NeskayaThe Fall of NeskayaThe Fall of Neskaya is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross as part of the Darkover series and is set in the "Hundred Kingdoms" time period. This book is also part one of the Clingfire Trilogy.- Setting :...
(2001 - with Deborah J. RossDeborah J. RossDeborah J. Ross , once Deborah Wheeler, is an American published science fiction and fantasy author.- Biography :Ross was born in April 1947 and grew up in California. She has always told stories, even as a very young child. Ross attended Portland State University, graduating in 1973...
) (book one of the Clingfire Trilogy) - Zandru's ForgeZandru's ForgeZandru's Forge is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross as part of the Darkover series and is set in the "Hundred Kingdoms" time period. This book is also part two of the Clingfire Trilogy.- Setting :...
(2003 - with Deborah J. Ross) (Coincides with Hawkmistress!, as it includes Carolin's exile) (book two of the Clingfire Trilogy) - A Flame in HaliA Flame in HaliA Flame in Hali is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Deborah J. Ross as part of the Darkover series and is set in the "Hundred Kingdoms" time period. This book is also part three of the Clingfire Trilogy.-Plot summary:...
(2004 - with Deborah J. Ross) (book three of the Clingfire Trilogy) - The Heirs of Hammerfell (1989). Twins, last surviving heirs to a small mountain kingdom, during the Hundred Kingdoms period of Darkover history recover their kingdom and resolve a blood feudBlood Feud"Blood Feud" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Simpsons second season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on July 11, 1991. In the episode, Mr. Burns falls ill and desperately needs a blood transfusion. Homer discovers Bart has Burns' rare blood type and urges...
.
The Renunciates
Not a Darkover era in itself, this refers to a subset of stories in the Darkover mythos, set at the beginning of the period of Recontact. Towards the end of the time of the Hundred Kingdoms a guild was founded, the Guild of Oath-Bound Renunciates (formed by the union of the priestesses of Avarra and an earlier warrior order, the Sisterhood of the Sword), whose members were often referred to by outsiders as Free Amazons. The Renunciates were women who renounced the traditional protections of women on Darkover in exchange for greater freedoms. They claimed no protection from men or clan, were oath-bound not to bear children for inheritance or pride, to treat all Renunciates as their sisters, and to not to be known by any man's name, be he father, brother, or husband. A Renunciate could marry under limited circumstance, but even then would not take her husband's name. Jaelle Aillard, one of the principal characters of "The Shattered Chain," "Thendara House, and "City of Sorcery," was known only by the name Jaelle n'ha Melora (Jaelle, "daughter of" Melora). Most women came to the Renunciate Guild only after terrible circumstances, such as continued abuses by men who were supposed to protect and cherish them. The Guild has a saying, "Every Renunciate has a story, and every story is a tragedy."Books in the world of the Renunciates:
- The Shattered ChainThe Shattered ChainThe Shattered Chain is a novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover series. The Shattered Chain is the first Darkovan novel to explore the world of the Renunciates - the Free Amazons or comhii letzi...
(1976) - Thendara HouseThendara HouseThendara House is a fantasy science fiction novel novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series and is a sequel to The Shattered Chain. It was originally published by DAW Books in 1983.-Plot introduction:...
(1983) - Oath of The Renunciates (1983) (omnibus of The Shattered Chain and Thendara House)
- City of SorceryCity of SorceryCity of Sorcery is a fantasy science fiction novel novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series and is a sequel to Thendara House. It was originally published by DAW Books in October 1984.-Plot introduction:...
(1984) - The Saga of the Renunciates (2002) (omnibus of The Shattered Chain and Thendara House and City of Sorcery)
Recontact (Against the Terrans: The First Age)
Eventually the planet was (re-)discovered by a humanHuman
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
space traveling
Intergalactic travel
Intergalactic travel is space travel between galaxies. Due to the relatively enormous distances between our own galaxy and even its closest neighbors, any such venture would be far more technologically demanding than even interstellar travel...
civilization
Civilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
and a spaceport
Spaceport
A spaceport or cosmodrome is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with seaport for ships or airport for aircraft. The word spaceport, and even more so cosmodrome, has traditionally been used for sites capable of launching spacecraft into orbit around Earth or on interplanetary trajectories...
was established near Thendara, the only large city on Darkover.
To account for the apparent discrepancy between the length of (recorded) history on Darkover and the length of time that had passed for the rest of humanity, the author mentions that early FTL
Faster-than-light
Faster-than-light communications and travel refer to the propagation of information or matter faster than the speed of light....
drives could cause dislocation in time as well as in space when mishaps occurred. Thus, the ship of the original colonists was not only thrown off course, but also backwards in time, allowing for the long history of Darkover to coexist with human history.
Books of this era:
- RediscoveryRediscoveryRediscovery is a novel in the Darkover series of novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published in the United States since 1958...
(1993 - with Mercedes LackeyMercedes LackeyMercedes "Misty" Lackey is a best-selling American author of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar...
) - The Spell SwordThe Spell SwordThe Spell Sword is a fantasy - science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in the Darkover series. It concerns the earthman Andrew Carr and his psychic contact with a beautiful sensitive native of Darkover, Callista, who is being held captive by a non-human race of Darkover, the cat-people.The...
(1974) - The Forbidden TowerThe Forbidden TowerThe Forbidden Tower is a fantasy novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series. It was originally published by DAW Books in 1977.-Plot introduction:...
(1977)- (The second and third stories in The Shattered Chain fit here)
- Star of DangerStar of DangerStar of Danger is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1965.-Plot introduction:...
(1965) - Winds of Darkover (1970)
After the Comyn (Against the Terrans: The Second Age)
Books of this era:- The Bloody SunThe Bloody SunThe Bloody Sun is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1964...
(1979) - The Heritage of HasturThe Heritage of HasturThe Heritage of Hastur is a science-fiction novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley as part of the Darkover series. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1975.- Setting :Main article: Darkover...
(1975) - The Planet SaversThe Planet SaversThe Planet Savers is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series. It was first published in book form in English by Ace Books in 1962, dos-à-dos with Bradley's novel The Sword of Aldones. The story first appeared in the November 1958 issue of the magazine Amazing...
(1962) - Sharra's ExileSharra's ExileSharra's Exile is a fantasy novel written by Marion Zimmer Bradley as part of the Darkover series and is a sequel to The Heritage of Hastur. This novel is a complete rewrite of The Sword of Aldones published by Ace in 1962...
(1981) rewrite of and official replacement of The Sword of Aldones (1962) - The World WreckersThe World WreckersThe World Wreckers is a science fiction novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley in her Darkover book series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1971.-Plot introduction:...
(1971) - The Hastur Lord (2010 - written by Deborah J. RossDeborah J. RossDeborah J. Ross , once Deborah Wheeler, is an American published science fiction and fantasy author.- Biography :Ross was born in April 1947 and grew up in California. She has always told stories, even as a very young child. Ross attended Portland State University, graduating in 1973...
) - Exile's Song (1996 - with Adrienne Martine-Barnes)
- Shadow Matrix (1998 - with Adrienne Martine-Barnes)
- Traitor's Sun (1999 - with Adrienne Martine-Barnes)
- The Alton Gift (2007 - written by Deborah J. RossDeborah J. RossDeborah J. Ross , once Deborah Wheeler, is an American published science fiction and fantasy author.- Biography :Ross was born in April 1947 and grew up in California. She has always told stories, even as a very young child. Ross attended Portland State University, graduating in 1973...
)
Following Bradley's death in September 1999 a number of works which were in progress at the time have been published posthumously or are reported as planned for publication, including: Thunderlord!, The Fall of Neskaya, Zandru's Forge, A Flame in Hali, and The Hastur Lord (working title The Reluctant King).
In addition to the above books, several anthologies written by the Friends of Darkover and edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Marion Zimmer Bradley
Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series. Many critics have noted a feminist perspective in her writing. Her first child, David R...
were also based in the Darkover
Darkover
Darkover is the focus of the Darkover series of science fiction novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only human-habitable of seven planets orbiting a fictional red giant star called Cottman...
universe.
Darkover anthologies:
- The Keeper's PriceThe Keeper's PriceThe Keeper's Price and Other Stories is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in February, 1980...
(1980) - Sword of ChaosSword of ChaosSword of Chaos and Other Stories is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in April, 1982.-Contents:...
(1982) - Free Amazons of DarkoverFree Amazons of DarkoverFree Amazons of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books Free Amazons of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short...
(1985) - The Other Side of the Mirror (anthology)The Other Side of the Mirror (anthology)The Other Side of the Mirror and Other Darkover Stories is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books The Other Side of the Mirror and Other Darkover...
(1987) - Red Sun of DarkoverRed Sun of DarkoverRed Sun of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in November, 1987.-Contents:...
(1987) - Four Moons of DarkoverFour Moons of DarkoverFour Moons of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books Four Moons of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories...
(1987) - Domains of DarkoverDomains of DarkoverDomains of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books Domains of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited...
(1990) - Renunciates of DarkoverRenunciates of DarkoverRenunciates of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books Renunciates of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories...
(1991) - Leroni of DarkoverLeroni of DarkoverLeroni of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in November, 1991.-Contents:...
(1991) - Towers of DarkoverTowers of DarkoverTowers of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in July, 1993.-Contents:...
(1993) - Marion Zimmer Bradley's DarkoverMarion Zimmer Bradley's DarkoverMarion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover is a collection of fantasy and science fiction short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books in October, 1993....
(1993), includes To Keep the Oath - Snows of DarkoverSnows of DarkoverSnows of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The stories are set in Bradley's world of Darkover. The book was first published by DAW Books Snows of Darkover is an anthology of fantasy and science fiction short stories edited by...
(1994), includes To Keep the Oath
Darkovan Humans - The Comyn
The Comyn are the main seven laran-gifted families of DarkoverDarkover
Darkover is the focus of the Darkover series of science fiction novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only human-habitable of seven planets orbiting a fictional red giant star called Cottman...
, the descendants of human-chieri pairings. The Comyn learn to use native matrix stones to help focus and strengthen their laran powers to duplicate and sometimes surpass science-based technology. Each Comyn family controls a domain, but strategic inter-marriage and feudal land issues result in fluctuating domain borders. The seven families include:
Hastur of Hastur
Gifted with the power of the living matrix, some born into this Hastur family are able to achieve great laran power without the need for an artificial matrix stone. This branch of the Hastur family also holds regency and most real power throughout most of Darkovan history (especially in later years). Their family crest is a silver tree on a blue background.Hastur of Elhalyn
Some of those born into this family possess a laran allowing them the ability to see all possible outcomes from every decision made or choice presented to its wielder. This Gift is hinted at being of broader scope that a similar laran found in the Aldaran bloodline (see below), giving the wielder the ability to discern the long-term effects of decisions made in the present affecting large groups, possibly the fate of Darkover and its people, versus personal futures and immediate dangers as is more commonly found in the Aldaran Gift. This gift is viewed as a curse by some as the foresight shows as many gruesome as positive outcomes. The Elhalyns are also acknowledged as the 'ruling' family of Darkover, though most Darkovans accept Hastur of Hastur as the real power behind the throne. Though most upper-caste Darkovan families have problems with mental instability (due to inbreeding to keep laran as strong as possible), the Elhalyn line suffers from this worst of all, particularly in recent generations. Their family crest is a crowned silver tree on a blue background.Alton
Gifted with the power of forced rapport, some born into this family have the ability to force their way into an unwilling mind to establish a painful telepathic link of minds. This has caused much distrust between the Altons and other families, especially the rumors that an angry Alton has the ability to kill with his or her mind. In the past, those with the Alton gift have greatly abused their powers and committed heinous crimes, such as the leronis Ashara Alton. The family crest is an eagle perched upon a tor.Ardais
Those possessing the Ardais gift of catalyst telepathy are able to activate latent laran potential in others and in rapport with other trained matrix workers, they can increase laran ability. The Ardais gift was thought to have died out (with the last known bearer being the Renunciate Jaelle Aillard, better known as Jaelle n'ha Melora) until Danilo Syrtis proved to possess it. He was then adopted by the childless Lord Dyan Ardais as heir to the Domain, until the birth of his legitimate son, also Dyan Ardais.Aillard
The Aillard gift is never specified directly; though it is known that due to centuries of inbreeding, the Gift now only manifests in female members of the line. They are the only Domain ruled by women, though this may have been the case before the gift became sex-linked. The Gift may be in fact what renders an Aillard particularly suited to the rigors of being a Keeper, since historically many of the more powerful female Keepers were Aillard. It might simply be that Aillard females enjoy greater independence than other comynara and thus possess fewer inhibitions regarding the use of their laran. Several Aillard women have been Queen Consort to the Hastur and later to the Elhalyn Kings. Their family crest is a grey feather on red background.Aldaran
Gifted with foresight, those with the gift have the ability to see what will come to pass. For a time, due to the acceptance of a Rockraven child as the son of Lord Aldaran of Aldaran, the Aldaran gift became weather-working. With the combination of Aldaran of Aldaran and Aldaran of Scathfell, the true bloodline of Aldaran again ruled the Domain. The Aldarans are distrusted by most other Darkovans, supposedly due to some great unspecified crimes in the past, though geography has always isolated them from the rest of the Hastur-kin. However, they have committed several more recent trespasses. Their estrangement from the other Domains led them to more fully embrace the Terrans, including obtaining weapons made illegal by the Compact.Ridenow of Serrais
Gifted with empathy, some born into this family have the ability to sense and communicate with non-human intelligences. This House originally traced their descent from Serrais, son of Hastur. However, Dry-Town bandits ravished and impregnated many of the Serrais women (whose clan was dying out due to inbreeding in the Ages of Chaos). This rejuvenated the strain, and allowed the Serrais gift to survive in the Ridenow bloodline. This 'impurity' makes the Ridenow the least prestigious of the Comyn, with whom they remained at war until the end of the Hundred Kingdoms and the re-establishment of the Domains.MacAran
- Based in the village of Falconsward in the Hellers, MacArans have the ability to establish a rapport with animals. They are known for their hunting falcons, as well as their horse breeding.
Lanart
- This is alternately said to be a more militarized branch of the Alton clan and their ruling family. Their sons traditionally run the military in Thendara, especially in the absence of an Alton lord. In earlier books, the Alton lords bear the name Lanart in addition to the name Alton, which is used only by them and their heirs.
Di Asturien
- Frequently intermarried with the Hastur family, their seat is Castle Asturias near the Venza mountains. During the Age of Chaos and the Hundred Kingdoms, they ruled a small independent kingdom.
The name "Asturien" is said to be the source of the name "Hastur".
Syrtis
- The Syrtis family has intermarried into the Hasturs, but they are still known as the finest horsemen on Darkover. They are also traditionally paxmen to the Hastur men.
Rockraven
- Part of the greater Aldaran family, the Rockraven clan are centered at Ravenscrag in the Hellers. The Rockraven gift is the ability to control the weather by tapping into the planet's magnetic fields. This gift was once thought to be dominant only in females. Recently, however, at least two young males have shown signs of this gift, and tales survive of others during the Ages of Chaos. (Note: No mother has ever survived the birth of a child that possessed the active expression of this gift.)
See also
- DarkoverDarkoverDarkover is the focus of the Darkover series of science fiction novels and short stories by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others published since 1958. According to the novels, Darkover is the only human-habitable of seven planets orbiting a fictional red giant star called Cottman...
- Darkover Map: a large detail map of Darkover
- Marion Zimmer BradleyMarion Zimmer BradleyMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series. Many critics have noted a feminist perspective in her writing. Her first child, David R...
- List of Darkover books