BB universe

This is the article for universe of the Berkley Boulevard novels. This article compares between the classic King's Quest series (including its strategy guides/Companions, manuals, and other related Sierra games) and the spin off novel trilogy.that was originally published by Berkley Boulevard books.

Background
For more details concerning the novel series treatment on this wiki and special policy notes, see KQ Omnipedia:Canon Policy.

The King's Quest novels were a trilogy based on the characters and world from the King's Quest series. The books are noteable as they tell stories between KQ2-3, and KQ4-6 during a period where little information is known. They tend to share a blend of details from both the AGI and KQ1SCI remake to the VGA era games. There may even be some elements taken or inspired from The King's Quest Companion.

While it is largely considered new stories inserted between the events of the games. It does have a few 'issues' with the games portrayal of things. Though most of these discrepenices are easy to explain or reinterpret from perspective of other sources.

This article describes where the novel series diverges from other material. Discussing and comparing the details from the original games, the manuals, and other spinoff source material (Hoyle I, The King's Quest Companion, The Official Book of King's Quest & Sierra Hint Books) with the details of the novel trilogy..

Note: This wiki more or less treats novels as being equal to the 'original series' 'canon' history (albeit at a more 'secondary status'), and timeline, but acknowledges that there are a few issues (non of the games themselves and the guide material is necessarily 100% consistent as well). Most articles reinterpret things from perspective of other material when issues arise.

Grahams heritage
In the books its suggested in Kingdom of Sorrow, that Graham moved into Daventry during the travels of his youth, and is thus only the first generation of his family to live in Daventry. Infact, he may have only moved into Daventry a little over ten years before Kingdom of Sorrow at the time he rescued the treasures, and thus had only been a knight in Daventry for a very short time (though may have been a knight errant in other lands before that). Someone like Seneschel's family had roots that went far back into the kingdom.

In addition the series suggests that Graham was a 'nobody', and would go as far to suggest he has no noble or royal blood on either side of his family (it appears to conflate 'noble' and 'royal' in this case, so it implies Graham could be a 'commoner'/peasant or at the most a freeman). Note: With the exception of also suggesting he might be distantly related to the 'royal family' and thus Edward. As it only talks about there being one 'royal family' and talks about that royal family being much larger having cousins, nieces, and nephews some time before. This suggests that if Graham is related, its only through those who moved out of Daventry and married members in other kingdoms, and apparently mainly the 'common folk'.

In the original series there are a number of sources that state or suggest that Graham was born and raised in Daventry his entire life, and came from a privileged noble class. Perhaps not 'royal/kingly station ' but still a nobleman.

Some sources discuss up to two generations before Graham that lived in Daventry. The original manual for King's Quest on the PCJR implies that Fairy Godmother encountered in the game was a citizen of Daventry, and by proxy suggesting that Graham received his 'godmother' when he was very young. This is not specific of course, but indirectly supports the idea. KQ1 remake talks about him having gone to high school in Daventry (and perhaps a couple of other offhand references to his earlier days), the Companion talks about his father being a knight and nobleman of Daventry, KQ6 hintbook also mentions his father being a knight of Daventry, and Hoyle 1 mentions both his father and Grandfather being Knights of Daventry. The Companion also goes as far to discuss more about Graham's childhood growing up, as well as his academic schools he attended in Daventry...

The original KQ1 manual for PCJR also refers to Graham as a 'noble knight' (although arguably 'noble' has more than one meaning)., and Graham is described as 'princely' in the second version of the manual that replaced it.

With only one other exception Graham in the original material Graham is said to be, or implied to have been a citizen of Daventry since his birth. The only other exception maybe the synopses given in The Official Book of King's Quest series that seems to suggest Graham was an 'knight errant' who was summoned from another land, and he recently came to Daventry to save it shortly before KQ1, see Introductions (TOBOKQ). Though that source more or less implies nothing about his 'nobility/royalty' status or any other connections to the king (or his childhood background). Still it may have been the source that See No Weevil got the idea that he had just come to Daventry shortly before the events of KQ1.

This wiki takes a loose interpretation of the information to mean that Graham's heritage likely doesn't go back more than three generations. Rather than him only been there a few years before he was made king

Coincidently, the alternate universe in the new series also has Graham as a foreighner who moved to Daventry about five years before he became king. However, it maintains the idea that he was of noble birth.

Extended Royal Family (Edward and Graham related)
Graham and Edward are both mentioned in the context of 'the royal family'.

In the novel series Edward is mentioned all but three times during the course of the series (and perhaps only twice by name in two books), and in the context that he was the late or previous king. In no instance is it mentioned 'why' he passed the land over to Graham. But it can at least be made out that the land was given to Graham, or rather that he became king, when he came to Daventry. But its never mentioned if he was called to Daventry specifically or any other details of that nature.

For those who have only read the books, they will not have a clear explanation as to why Grahamn received the kingdom, only that it was passed onto him, after he travelled to the kingdom.

Note: Note there is one partial exception which mentions Graham recovering a treasure that Edward once lost, but its not tied into why he obtained the kingdom (and its mentioned in an completely different book, see magic mirror section below).

As to the royal family there are a few references to earlier members of the 'royal family'. See No Weevil also discusses a hallway that has portraits including Edward, and the former kings and queens of the family. Beyond that there is also the reference to the moat monsters being put into a moat by one of Daventry's earliest kings.

As mentioned above, Kingdom of Sorrow also suggests that the 'royal family' used to be much larger in past years.

At one point it mentions that the apartments housed the nephews, nieces, and cousins of the 'royal family'. Likely before Edward, or wouldn't he have chosen one of them to be his heir (or is Graham one of the royal family 'cousins', assuming its less likely that he was a 'nephew/great-newphew, etc'). The wording suggests based on other references to 'royal family' in the book are either Graham's ancestors or at least relatives somehow.

Yes, the book acknowledge that Graham was made king by Edward, shortly after he travelled to Daventry, but seems to imply that he was likely a distant ancestor (possibly cousin or nephew) of the King. Just that his branch of the family has no strong roots within the kingdom, and apparently stripped of its nobility. Perhaps Graham is from a bastard line?.

However in most of the earlier sources its suggested that Edward had no relatives (at least pointing out he had no son or daughter, or children). It is specifically stated in PCJR King's Quest Manual that he had no wife, children or relatives.

This wiki chooses to go with the idea that perhaps it just means no close relatives, and that Graham if related is extremely distant. From a minor family connection, multiple generations removed.

The period between Alexander's kidnapping and his return
In both Kingdom of Sorrow and See No Weevil take place during the period when Alexansder was missing, it shows a period in relative peace. Or in peace as much as Alexander and the family is concerned. Sure ithe kingdom sees itself a little frozen in Kingdom of Sorrow, its saved at the end., or Rosella causes an invasion of sloks and weevils, but Rosella cleans it up, with her parents unaware of the events when they get back, as if it never happened.

Even the back of the book blurb for The Floating Castle suggests there had been relative peace until the armies invaded in The Floating Castle. There is no direct referenct to the attacks by the Three Headed Dragon or anyones kidnapping. There is however an acknowledgement that Alexander escaped from Manannan, and had returned recently, but not much beyond that or even that he saved the kingdom.

There is no evidence of Dragons attacking the kingdom, or human sacrifices of maidens, in any of the books.

In the original series material some sources may suggest that the earthquakes and the attacking dragon started not long after Alexander was kidnapped, suggesting up to 17 maidens might have even been sacrificed. Although its never specific.

On the other hand a line in KQ3 suggests Rosella remembers a more peaceful time, and wishes Alexander could have seen it... Companion also hints at some more peaceful times in which Rosella was able to learn how to hunt, and other things. See also Rosella's First Quest which presents the kingdom as more or less peaceful when she was only a little girl (though that story is less than a serious source being a cross-over).

This wiki chooses to go with the novels account, in as as far that the kingdom was in relative peace up to See No Weevil, and that the attack by the dragons,  human sacrifices and earthquakes probably occured after See No Weevil.

Alexander's kidnapping
The novels do acknowledge that Alexander was kidnapped soon after his birth, in particular The Floating Castle, and Kingdom of Sorrow. Manannnan even gets a reference in The Floating Castle. There is no context to his kidnapping as to why. Nor is there any reference to how he escaped, or that he defeated the wizard. There is no mention of his using magic (other than twice he repeats a couple of magical spell phrases related to the hedge around Morowyn's house, and to access a magical mirror).

While he still is shown to have an interest in magic (if his visits to Morowyn are evidence), he has to go to other magic users for help, and even gains Morowyn's apprentice to help him on his journey.

Nor is there any reference to the fact that Alexander returned to Daventry and used magic to save it. In fact if anything the series seems to portray Alexander as more of a competant sword fighter (see below).

In contrast in the KQ3, KQ6, and the Companion he is portrayed as a prodigy magic user, with a keen  interest in the studies of magic, a competant wizard in his own right. He goes on journies to learn more magic, and use magic to avenge himself of his enemies (destroying the pirates who tries to kidnap him). He even teaches courses on magic in the Royal University.

On the other side of the story, we learn in Kingdom of Sorrow, that Graham acknowledges Alexander's kidnapping (some seven years after the event), and rightfully doesn't know who was involved. But it mentions that he has all but accepted it, and has nearly forgotten about his kidnapped son (other than being reminded by the appearance of young Wiliam, and having a tinge of grief).

In the original game series on the other hand the narrative from KQ3 (and also appearing in various summaries/manuals) is that Graham's grief never abated. It that it, along with the loss of the magic mirror, is probably why Graham started agreeing to sacrifice maidens to the Dragon, including his own daughter, and mostly given up (going as far locking the castle and the his heart up).

Placement of the Floating Castle
The bulk of the story seems to be before KQ5... However the last chapter at least does appear as if it would only fit after KQ5. For the entire book and the epilogue Alexander seems to be largely in good spirits, and doesn't even let the fact his Father's spirit has been kidnapped let him down or control him. He dutifully pushes forward until everyone is saved... In the epilogue (likely set after KQ5) he returns to visit his friends now living in woodland home of a wizard he knows, and everyone seems to be good spirits...

However, KQ6 (and related material) tells us that Alexander was suffering from melancholy and depression after events of KQ5 to the point that he could barely function. Partly due to the fact he had fallen in love with Cassima and wanted to see her again, and secondly nightmares possibly from his ordeal as a slave, and also guilt over getting his family kidnapped.

Now this is not the only source to give Alexander adventures between KQ5 and KQ6... The Companion also has him journey to Mordack's Island where he studies the Iconomancy spells, and even writes a book. Possibly a few other adventures. It also talks about him somehow having communications with Cassima (physically, astral projection, or written its not known). But most sources go with the idea that he was not capable of doing anything.

This wiki goes the idea that Alexander was 'functional' some of the time. That the loneliness was something that had to have built up over time.

Miscellaneous Dating Issues and timeline
As the Novel timeline notes the novels give alternate ages for the age of the Magic Mirror (200 years), the age when Alexander returned from Mananann (18 years old), and a few other details.

This wiki largely considers the dates from the games, manuals, and guides as being more reliable. It however is not the only source to 'round up' on Alexander's age for the events of KQ3. This also seems to occur with Roberta's synopses in the KQ5 hint book, and an article she wrote in the InterAction magazine.

The timeline itself is much closer to the timeline built from the Companion, or the original trilogy than the timelines built from KQ6 material. That is that KQ6 appears to take place 21-22 years after KQ1 in this timeline, rather than 25 years as it does in the KQ6 hintbook.

Graham's appearance (hair color, beard, height, and clothing)
Graham is described as having a blond hair, and beard in Kingdom of Sorrow (though he is shaved and has dark hair on the cover). His hair is brown in See No Weevil. The same author wrote both.

This is one is not easily explained... outside of hair dyes or magic, or that its actually more of a platinum gray-blonde from aging...

Coincidently, he does wear a beard in the new King's Quest series universe starting with Chapter 4  (and his 40s-50s).

Graham is said to be short in the books. Of course he's also said to be 5 feet in the KQ1 remake, which goes against other references that state he was six feet such as in the Companion. So no source has been too reliable on that issue.

Another issue is more of an internal issue with the cover and the books. The cover shows Graham wearing a tan version of his normal adventurer's cap. While Graham is described early in the story as wearing some kind of fur-lined cap (it never describes it having a feather). He loses the hat halfway through the story, and never gets it back. There is no evidence that he obtained an alternate hat at any point, and appears to be hatless when in the Sorrowing Court. This is another case of inaccurate cover art. It is a little out of character for the original series for Graham to go on an adventure without his adventurer's hat.

Castle Daventry
The general shape of Castle Daventry is described as essentially its appearance in KQ5. However internal configurations of the castle plans/blueprints changes in each novel. From Great Hall being described differently each time, to the entrance/foyer/hallway being different in each book. Sometimes the details correspond with KQ1AGI, and other times appear to correspond with KQ1SCI remake. The moat is definitely more out of KQ1SCI, and is filled with moat monsters.

Most sources go with KQ1AGI being the original games (KQ1AGI, KQ2, and KQ3) interpretation of the castle during those periods. This series seems to go with a combination of both original versions and the KQ1 remake. Concidently the The Official Book of King's Quest VI appears to do a similar thing with its artwork.

The novels suggest that the castle and moat goes back to one of the earliest kings who,put the moat monsters there. There is also a scene in one of the books of a hallway with paintings of many of the kings ans queens who had lived in the Castle over the hundreds of years. As well as the mention of nieces, nephews, and cousins who lived there in the past.

In the Companion it's suggested that the current castle was built by Edward for his queen. In KQ8 Connor visits what was supposed to be the earlier castle of Daventry. However, the series was never fully consistent as KQ1 remake also suggests that Edward's father owned the castle before him.

No easy way to interpret things other than perhaps Edward built and rebuilt/modified sections of the castle perhaps expanding on it. Also that a previous kimg must have switched to using the castle keep instead of the main Caslte before switching back to the current one.

Land of Daventry and surrounding lands
Daventry is said to be a very small country in these books, surrounded by bigger Kingdoms. The Companion, and KQ3 on the other hand suggests that Daventry is one of the four Great countries of the world, the largest of the nations, and population centers.

It seems that during the KQ3 period that Daventry is part of Serenia continent in these books. however, According to KQ3 chart maps, and Companion however Serenia is largely missing during that period. More like the configuration of the lands as seen in The Wizard and the Princess. This wiki goes with the explanation of the split give in Wizard and the Princess manual, with any additional information given in the Companion on the issue.

Other than that Daventry doesn't appear much like it did in any of the KQ games or sources. Other than the Town of Daventry being located south of the castle as it is mentioned to be in other sources (manuals, companion, and Official Guide to King's Quest 2nd and 3rd Edition).

The river Merelee River appears to replace the Raging River from the first game, or the River Fools from the Companion in the same general location.

This wiki more or less goes with the game or Companion's explanations and configuraitons, and mostly treats no source above any another.

One exception some descriptions in The Floating castle appears to describe the oak tree from KQ1, and another landscape as it was seen in KQ5.

Some other minor issues such as the name of the mountain ranges included in the books (Glass Mountains, etc), with that of the Great Mountains as discussed in Wizard and the Princess, and King's Quest Companion. or the Snowy Mountains as they were known in other sources.

Continental size of Daventry/Serenia is suggested to be thousands of miles (3000 from east ot west in one example from the Vale of Obscurity/Hibestian Range to the Sea of Barnacles, and over 600 miles north to south), when its closer to only few hundred miles in the original game. The travel between continents and across continents, was around a day to one day to cross, and not weeks in KQ3 and KQ5. It only takes a day or two to cross Daventry from north to south (at least in the portion that The Piper crossed), But some of the other nations surrounding Daventry, takes months to cross the mountains, other lands or the sea (from north to south), The Plains of Jed are four weeks from Daventry to the south. while Westering Mountains, Spasky Hills, and the Vale of Willows lies three weeks to the north of Daventry,  Daventry is said to be a small kingdom within hundreds of miles of land. The eastern edge of the kingdom is only about 4 miles from the castle' and only a few miles to the west, and between one and two days journey between north and south. According to some editions of the Companion a line describes the reverse, with Daventry being a huge nations, and other surrounding nations usually being only 1-3 days journey across.. In KQ3 (and Companion) it only takes about a day from Llewdor to reach Daventry, and less than  a day to cross the mountains into Daventry (first Edition shows continent more or less comprised of the kingdom fo daventry)..

Daventry appears landlocked in most of the novels, surrounded by other nations on all sides, and the Old Woods in between. But in at least one line it might contradict itself as one passage implies Daventry has a port town (which may or may not be Mertili)... Other sources suggest Daventry has a port, even showing Daventry near the sea on maps, and discussing its fleet. The flagship appears in KQ6.

Financial Politics
Daventry's chest is not mentioned, and See No Weevil, init Oswold, the castle Seneschel gives the idea that the kingdom could go bankrupt if Rosella hires outside contracts. They cost more and will eat into the Kingdom's treasury. Castle Daventry has its own workforce which it finances for less, or differently (perhaps food and lodging)..

This one is not so bad, as even KQ1 second manua, and other sources (KQ6, Hoyle I) suggests that Daventry relies on other forms of currency  (besides gold). These include siler and gold (KQ6, Hoyle I). There are also other treasures inside the treasury besides the Chest of Gold to rely on, the country also relies on its surplus agricultural goods to sell to other lands for money..Finally, Graham is told to collect other lesser treasures he can find on his adventure, to help with the kingdom's growth and rebuildling. Only the Companion suggesats that Daventry has no need for treasure, as it already has the Chest of Gold (and makes reference to this at least once per story)., however as mentioned other sources already confirm other forms of currency/trade are used. Noteably Graham and others almost never bring any of this 'money' with them on journeys and rely on whatever they can find along the way.

The reasoning behind not relying on the Chest of Gold for all transactions, may have a more mundane reason... By abusing the unlimited source of treasure they may potentially devalue Gold (through hyper inflation), and use other forms of currency and treasure to make sure that that never happens. Whatever the case the idea that Daventry could 'run out of money' or need other means of trade or other forms ofcurrency is an issue that has existed since the original version of King's Quest I (at least by the release second manual), and is alluded to throughout the series if one looks carefully.

Valanice and Matilda's homeland
Kolyma is never directly mentioned, and even when her homeland is brought 'unnamed' its never specific. Other than a reference to 'fairies' living there, and that she lived in a castle there (of course it doesn't specify where this castle is located it could just as much be a reference to Dracula's castle as anything). That Matilda came with Rosella when she moved to Daventry.

Of course KQ2 never shows Matilda with Graham when they return to Daventry. However, other material such as King's Quest Companion has a number of characters returning back with them including Fragola, and also sets up plenty of other events before they return. So there is room for them to have visited eastern Kolyma to pick up Matilda before they finally returned home.

The Royal Twins
The series definitely discusses the fact that Rosella and Alexander are brother and sister. It doesn't necessarily discuss that they are twins. In See No Weevil Rosella is said to be seven. There is a moment when Graham contemplates the age of his son while looking at a ten year old boy, and thinks that his son would be almost that age.

This is a little awkward wording, but seven is 'almost ten' rounded. ...and virtually a seven year old boy isn't going to be much different than a ten year old boy. But it still could be interpreted that they aren't twins in this series if taken literally.

Fairies
Faeries seem to be very different than the 'Fairies" seen in previous games, and guides. However it does suggest 'fay' come in many forms.

Alexander and his nine month journey
The Floating Castle states that Alexander took a nine month journey not long after he returned to Daventry after escaping Manannan. This issue with this is that it essentially means he spent most of the time between KQ4 and KQ5 away from Daventry, without visiting his family. At the most he was in Daventry a couple of months after KQ4.but at worst was gone just after KQ4. With hardly a 'goodbye'. Most sources place only 1 1/2 to 2 years between the end of KQ4 and start of kq5.

Some sources, such as Hoyle I for example suggest he probably stayed around, he had no family other than Manannan and needed time get to know them. The Companion suggests he was there at least a few months while his father recuperated. However, it also does note he went out on a journey to defeat the pirates on the western coast in revenge for capturing him, and another after KQ5 to study Iconomancy at Mordack's Island. Alexander may have also picked up a copy of Fragments from The Sorcery of Old during one of his travels, to study when writing the first of his two books, A Magical Primer.

Like the 'peaceful period' before the sacrifices in KQ3 period, this wiki assumes that he did spend nine months away (even if it did take up most of the time between KQ4 and KQ5), and that he fit in some of these other journeys during that time. But that he may have kept in contact with his family in other ways.

Rosella's birthday
Rosella's birthday is made a point of in See No Weevil as upcoming in a couple of weeks. It sets the bulk of the story in end of summer and early fall.

In other sources are less specific such as KQ3 backstory which sets down the idea that Alexander's 18th birthday is coming up. The game is set during the summer.

Some sources such as The Stories So Far place the events of his birthday as being not more than three days after KQ3. Which is probably a tad too specific... at potentially at odds with the birthdate as portrayed in See No Weevil (even if you assume that it turns Fall in three days) which places it probably a couple of weeks after Summer.

Magicians
The Floating Castle gives an almost opposite definition of "Magician" than that given in the Companion.

Although it can be worked with, to allow for an understanding that allows both versions.

Gnomes ages
The age of Gnomes given seems quite a bit older than the suggested age given for Rumplestiltskin in KQ3 (100). By several hundred years. a gnome that looks 60 is 600 years old.

However by applying the math suggested in the novels that a gnomes appearance is 10x younger than they actually are, then Rumplestiltskin would be about 1000 years old.

Alexander's fighting skill
The Floating Castle which is set before KQ6 suggests Alwxander is a good sword fighter and even good enough to train other soldiers.

By the during the events KQ6 he doesn't actually seem to be that great of a sword fighter, and then Companion flat out says he is not well disciplined in the bade and never had the time to study or improve his sword skills.

The only way to reconcile this is that Alexander is simply competitant, and has a certain level of natural talent. That he is able to help however he can to help twin other soldiers but just not up to the skill of the experts.

Magic Mirror and the three treasures
Noteably the magic treasure are never brought up except in one example. Even when Kingdom of Sorrow discusses Graham coming to Daventry and takimg over the kingdom a little over ten years before, it doesn't mention how or why he was given the the kingdom directly. Noting that Edward is mentioned all of about twice and only in the context that he was the previous king. One of these mentions is simply a reference to a painting of him.

The only exception to one of the treasures being mentioned is the magic mirror in The Floating Castle and Alexander remembers the story from apparently how it was told to him, that it had been in the hands of the kingdom for over two centuries (500 in the original manual story) protecting the kindom, allowing users to see the future and faraway events, that it had been stolen from Edward by a wicked sorcerer who took it to his dark lair. Finally while explains that Graham had recovered it, it doesn't mention that he had been sent on a quest to recover it, however (or any other treasures).

Thus there is nothing related directly mention how Graham received the kingdom from Edward. Beyond that the introduction to the mirror is to set it up to show that the villain had cast a dark spell over the mirror preventing its use to see what was happening during the invasion.

Notably there is no reference to the fact that a similar situation occurred in KQ3, and perhaps everyone acts a tad too surprised by the fact it had been blackened out when that probably should have been more of a clue to what they were facing. However they still ultimately deduce it's probably by a great magic user of some sort that doesn't want to be seen.

Beyond that no other treasure is broutht up during the series, even when talking about the kingdom's finances.

Noteably in most other sources, the three treasures are mentioned at least in the manual, hint books, or in "About Screens" if a series synopses is available. The Companion at least brings up both the mirror, and the treasure chest at least once per story. The shield is usually overlooked.

Queen of the Fairy
Ahi'aorina Culatha is said to be the Queen of the Faeries, as if she is the only such queen.

However, so was Genesta in KQ4 (and The King's Quest Companion), and Titania are also treated as they are the only Fairy Queens respectfully. One has to assume there is more than one and each for a different region or world.

Culatha is treated as if she is in control of spring, but so is Mother Nature/Ceres.

The book seems to suggest without Culatha's power winter will come. On the other hand KQ5 related material seems to suggest that Icebella is In charge of winter.