Princemarch

Princemarch is a fictional princedom (or country) in Melanie Rawn's fantasy novels of the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies.

Princemarch is a central princedom on the continent and is the traditional seat of the High Prince. Roelstra's Line has ruled this princedom since the ancient times of the diarmadh'im, or sorcerers', rule. After the diarmadh'im fell from power, they went into hiding in the Veresch Mountains, which cover nearly half of Princemarch.

Geography

The geography of Princemarch varies from ice-capped mountains and thick forests to rich soil in green valleys that can grow nearly anything. The south boasts the cropland and valleys, producing fruits, grains and vegetables as well as meats, cheese and nuts. To the east are the Vere Hills, which borders the desert, then to the north are the Great Veresch Mountains. The mountains rise quickly over the lowlands, the tallest peak covered in snow even through the summer. Lower peaks sprouted conifers, which rose to heights of ten or twenty men with needles the length of an arm. Twinning throughout the mountains, streams flow into lakes of pure water. In the valley meadows flowers of every color grow, sheltered by thick forests. Scattered throughout the forests and above the snowline were jutting granite stones and boulders as well as caves.

Dragons fly over the southern portion of the princedom and even rest near some of the lakes, such as in Dragon's Rest Valley.

Culture

The people of Princemarch are typically dark haired with pale skin. The eyes vary in coloring, but many seem to be vividly colored. The mountain folk are often perceived as ignorant or naive, while the more "civilized" people tend to live in the lowlands as farmers - even though if they are glorified ones.

Hawking is a sport for the elite of Princemarch, which became widespread in 719 as the birds were sold at the Rialla. This new way of hunting soon became very popular and the sale of pedigree hawks soon flourished as a trade.

Rock climbing is also a popular sport in this mountainous land. The test of manhood and prowess in Princemarch involves climbing a steep cliff overlooking the Faolain River near Castle Crag and then propelling down the cliff as if in flight. Large iron rings have been driven into the rock to secure the climbers in place. Each climber has a rope tied around his or her waist, connecting to another person and to the rings. As the lead climber reaches a new ring he/she ties the rope to the higher ring. To climb a person finds hand and foot holds carved into the rock. There are various ledges jutting out of the rock, which are often used for short breaks. Young Prince Pol climbed this perilous trek, but was attacked by Merida before he made it to the top. Pol swore to complete the task, but the people of Princemarch had already embraced him as their own and declared that he had proved his worth.

Diarmadh'im

The diarmadh'im are sorcerers, who used to rule the Continent. After the war with the Sunrunners, they fled into the Veresche Mountains. For generations diarmadh'im have lived in hiding throughout the mountains of Princemarch and Firon.

Places

• Elktrap Manor: Manor held by Garic and his sole heir, Ruala. During Roelstra's rule, Lord Garic had hid and hoarded his wealth, waiting out the High Prince's rule. By the time his granddaughters were able to wed they each had doweries befitting a princess. The Manor acquired its wealth through trade. It had a herd of sheep that produced wool, they hunted the plentiful elk for their meat and their black hooves, from which many items, ranging from goblets to ornate boxes, were carved. Elktrap was also the home of diarmadh'im. Lord Garic told Ruala stories of the old ways, and they had ancient scrolls and mirrors. In 728 Riyan and Sorin stopped at this manor on their quest to discover dragon slayers. It was here that Riyan met his match in Ruala. Through their marriage he became the Lord of Elktrap Manor.
• Feruche: Ianthe's home. It was a tower keep on the border of the desert and Princemarch. Feruche was used as a prison for both Rohan and Sioned; it held nightmares for each of them. Rohan refused to set foot inside the keep ever again, even after the tower had been destroyed by Sioned's Sunrunner fire. In 719, Feruche was given to Sorin of Radzyn Keep.
• Rezeld Manor: Morlen, Lord of Rezeld, was one of the few athr'im of Princemarch to chafe at Rohan and Pol's rule. When the two princes toured Princemarch in 719, Lord Morlen attempted to conceal his wealth, while at the same time flaunting it between the princes' noses. He had his daughter wear carved wood instead of jewels so that Pol would think the family could not afford a suitable dowery. Rohan knew what the carved necklace actually symbolized, however: numbers of sheep, cattle, goats, and other produce, including a quarry. Other signs of hidden wealth included thin tapestries on rods, which meant their purpose was not to keep out the cold, fresh plaster holing the rods in place, and candle holders that held whittled torches. After Rohan caught Morlen in this form of treason, he had Morlen's quarry supply the stone for Dragon's Rest. Lord Morlen was resentful, both of being found out and for the loss of his stone. In 728, his resentment found an outlet in the war the diarmadh'im and Chiana planned to wage on Dragon's Rest. Rezeld Manor reverted to Princemarch for Lord Morlen's second treasonous act.
• River Ussh: A keep that supported Pol after his rock climbing fiasco. Pol's first squire, Edrel, was from River Ussh.
• Veresch Mountains: Home to many diarmadhi and the birthplace of Lallante, Roelstra's wife. These mountains are the only place on the continent where dranath grows. The seeds and resin from tree cones taste like honey and are eaten and traded as food. The mountains themselves rise to the sky, scraping clouds. The tallest is snow cover year round. Deer with white antlers, many birds, and fish all make their home here. Flowers adorn valley meadows caught between mountain peaks.

Castle Crag

Castle Crag was the royal seat of Princemarch and of the High Prince Roelstra. The castle is on the side of a gorge, overlooking the Faolain River and rising in many turrets and spires. The main body of the keep is said to have originally been carved out by dragons. The castle itself had been built by the ancient sorcerers, who used to rule the continent. Castle Crag was created to be imposing. It has twisting corridors, towers cutting into the sky, and views of the roaring river far below as it carves a cleft between two jagged mountain cliffs. The diarmadh'im also built secret passageways and exits throughout the already maze-like keep. These tunnels were marked by star symbols etched in the stone.

The keep also has a lovely rose garden, which had served as the common haunt of Roelstra's many daughters while they had been 'imprisoned' here, and a vast archive, containing not only official documents of athr'im and princes, but also the personal records of five high princes and a regent of Princemarch.

The oratory of Castle Crag is said to be one of the most beautiful structures on the continent. The entry doors are panelled wood set beneath a stone arch. Carved into the wood are scenes of water in the sea with silver whitecaps, a gentle breeze of air across a golden wheat field, Earth in the silver, snow-covered Veresch Mountains, and a sunburst of golden fire. The oratory itself is made entirely of Fironese crystal, set in a half circle on the side of a cliff. The ornaments and plates are all made of gold, which shines in the sun. The chairs, cushions, and carpets are all white, which reflects the colored light streaming through the glass. At night shadows rule, blurred only by the pale light of the moons.

After 704, Castle Crag became the seat of Princemarch's regent, and then one of the princedom's primary keeps as Dragon's Rest became Pol's seat of power.

Dragon's Rest

Dragon's Rest was the name given to the valley and palace home built by Prince Rohan for his son, Pol. The palace was built in a valley near the desert, which was to the east of Dragon's Pass. Rohan had wanted "a new palace that embraces both the Desert and Princemarch" (Star Scroll 573).

Once Pol was knighted, Dragon's Rest became the new seat of power in Princemarch. It also became the site of the Rialla after Lyell and Kiele of Waes were executed in 719.

The valley is ten measures long and about five across. It is flat, green, and has trees with ripe fruit, roses and wild grapevines. Pine trees rise from the jagged stones, which cradle the valley; a river runs through the eastern side, surrounded by red and blue wildflowers. Where the valley narrows into the cleft of the mountains, a lake lies surrounded by lush grasses. Dragons fly above the valley and rest near the lake on their migration from the Catha Hills to the Veresch, giving the valley and palace its name: Dragon's Rest.

The palace consists of a symmetrical layout of towers and halls. The Guard Tower is round and five stories high, made from silver-gray stone, while grayish blue Kierstian tiles adorn the roof. It is matched by another tower for the masters of various trades – horse, hawk, vine, harvest, etc. – between which lies the Princes Hall. The Princes Hall is a creation of Fironese crystal windows, round in the front and flat in the back, facing the water gardens. Two more buildings curve around the fountains, mirroring each other. One is the Prince's private residence, the other the servants quarters, guest chambers, and reception chambers.