Kelewan
Encyclopedia
Kelewan is one of the fictional worlds described by Raymond E. Feist
and Janny Wurts
. Kelewan was first described in his novel Magician
though it is not described in any detail before the Empire Trilogy
.
, of which only the Thūn and Cho'ja survive. Most, if not all of the metal ores were mined before the arrival of the Tsurani
, although very small amounts remain; as a result of this the inhabitants use lacquer
covered cured hides and wooden weapons which have roughly the same strength of their metal counterparts but are easier to manufacture on the world. An everyday metal Midkemia
n item, such as a key, would be worth a man's life.
While Midkemia is modeled after European (per Middle-earth
) high fantasy
myths, creatures and influences, Kelewan has a strong Asian-Indonesian-Pacific scent. Some of the names mentioned are very clearly modelled after Nahuatl
names, others Japanese
, showing some of Feist's influences. Kelewan was destroyed at the end of the Darkwar by Pug when he created a massive rift between Kelewan and its moon and sent the moon through to crash into the planet, preventing the Dreadlord from entering the first plane of reality. Some of the Tsurani were evacuated to another habitable planet by Pug and other magicians. The Cho'ja chose to stay and die with their world.
, the Thuril, the Cho'ja and the Thūn. The first two are human, while the latter two are native, both six-legged species.
The Tsurani are a human race, with elements of Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Aztec cultures. Their average height is approximately 5 feet; a man of 5'7" is considered tall. They are descended from a race that fled to Kelewan during the original Chaos Wars. The Tsurani Empire is divided into clans, houses, and political parties. All magicians are the province of the Assembly of Magicians, and the Black Robes, for their service in immemorial times, were given the title "Great One" and may act outside the law as they see fit.
The Thuril are similar in appearance to the Tsurani, though they have their own language and customs. An uneasy peace exists between the Tsurani and the Thuril; however the current border has existed for some time. They are also descended from refugees of the Chaos War, arriving at the same time as the Tsurani. On their original world they were allied with winged snakes, but these creatures died out due to kelewans extreme cold of the east highlands although they remain as mythological symbols.
The Cho'ja are an ant-like race. They can speak both their own language and the language of the Tsurani with whom they are allied. A Cho'ja mine present on Tsurani lands can bring about great trade opportunities from the minerals derived by Cho'ja workers, and new Cho'ja queens often negotiate with Tsurani leaders when deciding where to establish a nest. The Cho'ja originally had magical abilities, though the domination of the Cho'ja by Tsurani magicians drove those Cho'ja within the empire underground, however magic is still practiced by the Cho'ja outside the Tsurani empire. The Cho'ja can also make silk of great quality. It is possible to ride a Cho'ja as they have nubs on their lower stomach. Before the destruction of Kelewan, the Cho'ja refuse to leave, and are believed destroyed as of Wrath of the Mad God.
The Thūn are similar to Centaur
s, which the exception that their upper half is lizard-like rather than human. They're nomadic people who've inhabited Kelewan before the arrival of the Tsurani and Thuril at the time of the great rift. The Thūn have been driven back to the frozen tundra to the north of Kelewan, however young male Thūn must make a raid once each year and return with one Tsurani head to prove their worth to the herd.
empire which is separated from the "Lost Land" of Tsubar in the south by the Sea of Blood. In the east lies the Thuril Confederation. Additional continents were revealed to exist by the cho-ja in Mistress of the Empire
.
Raymond E. Feist
Raymond Elias Feist is an American author who primarily writes fantasy fiction. He is best known for The Riftwar Cycle series of novels and short stories. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over 15 million copies.- Biography :Raymond E...
and Janny Wurts
Janny Wurts
Janny Wurts is an American fantasy novelist and illustrator. She has written several series, including the Wars of Light and Shadow, The Cycle of Fire trilogy, several stand-alone novels, a short story collection and the internationally best selling Empire Trilogy that she co-authored with Raymond...
. Kelewan was first described in his novel Magician
Magician (novel)
Magician is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist. It is the first book of the Riftwar Saga and was published in 1982. It led to many books written by Feist in the world of Midkemia, which was the setting for this book...
though it is not described in any detail before the Empire Trilogy
Empire Trilogy
The Empire Trilogy is a collaborative trilogy of novels written by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It traces the story of Mara of the Acomas rise to power from a convent novitiate to the most powerful woman in the fictional world of Kelewan...
.
Outline
According to Pug's viewing on the tower of testing [which according to Hochopepa is very "Grand do opera"] Kelewan is an old world that was once inhabited by intelligent races very different from the TsuraniTsurani
The Tsurani are a race of humans in the Empire Trilogy novels by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In the series, the feudal Empire of Tsuranuanni is located on the fictional world of Kelewan.- Geography :...
, of which only the Thūn and Cho'ja survive. Most, if not all of the metal ores were mined before the arrival of the Tsurani
Tsurani
The Tsurani are a race of humans in the Empire Trilogy novels by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In the series, the feudal Empire of Tsuranuanni is located on the fictional world of Kelewan.- Geography :...
, although very small amounts remain; as a result of this the inhabitants use lacquer
Lacquer
In a general sense, lacquer is a somewhat imprecise term for a clear or coloured varnish that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well that produces a hard, durable finish, in any sheen level from ultra matte to high gloss and that can be further polished as required...
covered cured hides and wooden weapons which have roughly the same strength of their metal counterparts but are easier to manufacture on the world. An everyday metal Midkemia
Midkemia
Midkemia is a fictional world created by a fantasy role-playing group and popularized by Raymond E. Feist where most of the Riftwar books take place...
n item, such as a key, would be worth a man's life.
While Midkemia is modeled after European (per Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
) high fantasy
High fantasy
High fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
myths, creatures and influences, Kelewan has a strong Asian-Indonesian-Pacific scent. Some of the names mentioned are very clearly modelled after Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
names, others Japanese
Japanese name
in modern times usually consist of a family name , followed by a given name. "Middle names" are not generally used.Japanese names are usually written in kanji, which are characters of usually Chinese origin in Japanese pronunciation...
, showing some of Feist's influences. Kelewan was destroyed at the end of the Darkwar by Pug when he created a massive rift between Kelewan and its moon and sent the moon through to crash into the planet, preventing the Dreadlord from entering the first plane of reality. Some of the Tsurani were evacuated to another habitable planet by Pug and other magicians. The Cho'ja chose to stay and die with their world.
Races
Kelewan is inhabited by four different intelligent races, the TsuraniTsurani
The Tsurani are a race of humans in the Empire Trilogy novels by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In the series, the feudal Empire of Tsuranuanni is located on the fictional world of Kelewan.- Geography :...
, the Thuril, the Cho'ja and the Thūn. The first two are human, while the latter two are native, both six-legged species.
The Tsurani are a human race, with elements of Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Aztec cultures. Their average height is approximately 5 feet; a man of 5'7" is considered tall. They are descended from a race that fled to Kelewan during the original Chaos Wars. The Tsurani Empire is divided into clans, houses, and political parties. All magicians are the province of the Assembly of Magicians, and the Black Robes, for their service in immemorial times, were given the title "Great One" and may act outside the law as they see fit.
The Thuril are similar in appearance to the Tsurani, though they have their own language and customs. An uneasy peace exists between the Tsurani and the Thuril; however the current border has existed for some time. They are also descended from refugees of the Chaos War, arriving at the same time as the Tsurani. On their original world they were allied with winged snakes, but these creatures died out due to kelewans extreme cold of the east highlands although they remain as mythological symbols.
The Cho'ja are an ant-like race. They can speak both their own language and the language of the Tsurani with whom they are allied. A Cho'ja mine present on Tsurani lands can bring about great trade opportunities from the minerals derived by Cho'ja workers, and new Cho'ja queens often negotiate with Tsurani leaders when deciding where to establish a nest. The Cho'ja originally had magical abilities, though the domination of the Cho'ja by Tsurani magicians drove those Cho'ja within the empire underground, however magic is still practiced by the Cho'ja outside the Tsurani empire. The Cho'ja can also make silk of great quality. It is possible to ride a Cho'ja as they have nubs on their lower stomach. Before the destruction of Kelewan, the Cho'ja refuse to leave, and are believed destroyed as of Wrath of the Mad God.
The Thūn are similar to Centaur
Centaur
In Greek mythology, a centaur or hippocentaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse...
s, which the exception that their upper half is lizard-like rather than human. They're nomadic people who've inhabited Kelewan before the arrival of the Tsurani and Thuril at the time of the great rift. The Thūn have been driven back to the frozen tundra to the north of Kelewan, however young male Thūn must make a raid once each year and return with one Tsurani head to prove their worth to the herd.
Geography
The world of Kelewan has at least three main continents. In the north lies the TsuranuanniTsurani
The Tsurani are a race of humans in the Empire Trilogy novels by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. In the series, the feudal Empire of Tsuranuanni is located on the fictional world of Kelewan.- Geography :...
empire which is separated from the "Lost Land" of Tsubar in the south by the Sea of Blood. In the east lies the Thuril Confederation. Additional continents were revealed to exist by the cho-ja in Mistress of the Empire
Mistress of the Empire
Mistress of the Empire is a fantasy novel by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts. It is the third and final book in the Empire Trilogy and was published in 1992...
.