The Kingdoms of Mercury
The named nations and countries are:
- Witchland
- Demonland
- Pixyland
- Impland
- Goblinland
- The Foliot Isles
- The land Zimiamvia (beyond the known world)
- The Ghouls, wiped out in a genocidal war a few years before the story opens
The King of Witchland claims lordship over a number of locations which are not described (page 12):
- Duke of Buteny and Estremerine
- Commander of Shulan, Thramnë, Mingos, and Permio
- Warden of the Esamocian Marches
- Duke of Trace
- King Paramount of Beshtria and Nevria
- Prince of Ar
- Great Lord over Ojedia, Maltraëny, Baltary, and Toribia
Despite the names of the nations, all the characters in the book are recognizably human and they are all the same species, or at least able to intermarry (e.g., Goldry Bluszco and Princess Armelline, Lord Corund and Lady Prezmyra). Witchland, Demonland, and others appear to be country names, like England and France. When first presented, the Demons are seen to have horns on their heads, but these horns are not mentioned again, nor is it said whether the other peoples have horns.
Read more about this topic: The Worm Ouroboros
Famous quotes containing the words kingdoms and/or mercury:
“How will it be with kingdoms and with kings—
With those who shaped him to the thing he is—
When this dumb Terror shall rise to judge the world,
After the silence of the centuries?”
—Edwin Markham (1852–1940)
“The mercury sank in the mouth of the dying day.
What instruments we have agree
The day of his death was a dark cold day.”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)