The KQ8 timeline is a list of dates taken from KQ8 related material (specifically KQ8's manual). It is roughly compatible with the OT timeline, but uses more vague approximations between events. Note: that at least according to an Easter egg in KQ8, that KQ8 may take place closer to the year 1000 based on earth dating system, see Earth timeline. While not specific, the KQ companion (4th edtion) seems to place KQ8 between 20-25 years after KQ1 (21-26 GC). Ken and Roberta have suggested that it mirrors the release date between KQ7 and KQ8 or two years after events of KQ7. While Mark Seibert has said that it is a few years after. Making the range about 2-3 years after KQ7 (or 24-25 years after KQ1 (25-26 GC)).
Background[]
Within the published lore of King's Quest VIII: Mask of Eternity there is very little with regards to its location in reference to other King's Quest games, or its interpretation of the timeline in general. This topic discusses the limits to what is actually mentioned. However, it is much harder to actually write a diagram for this timeline, since no specific date was given for KQ8. The one exception is that the King's Quest Companion 4th edition might imply that KQ8 takes place 25 years into the timeline, or roughly 3-5 years after KQ7. Additionally there is an easter egg that might suggest that KQ8 takes place aproximately in the year 1000 give or take (but this is not a huge help as to when it takes place in relation to any previous game).
Secondly there are a few dates referenced in the Synopsis article given in the KQ8 manual. These include the idea that KQ4 takes place one year before KQ5 (a reference to the KQ5 manuals), and it also states that KQ2 takes place about twenty years before KQ6 ("...score of years..."), similar to KQ5 timeline. Which may be a referenced to a more reduced timeline such as the Original timeline, or early timeline from around the time of the first three games, and first edition (and later editions) of the Companion (KQ6 is set about 22 years after KQ1 in these variations) rather than the 25 (see Anniversary timeline (where KQ6 is set 25 years after KQ1). Overall it maybe a mix references taken from various sources published throughout King’s Quest development.
However the math in synopsis does not indicate if KQ2 takes place 2-4 years (KQ4 timeline after KQ1 or rather 1 year as in the original or companion timelines.
Graham's age is not given in the game. According to Mark Seibert, he believed he discussed with Roberta that "Graham" was now old, and that it was likely only a few years after KQ7. Roberta later suggested that Graham was 'elderly'.[1] As Rosella is not yet married in King's Quest IX or King's Quest X design ideas, its unlikely that it would have been too many years after KQ7.
In early concepts of the game Connor as a fisherman's son was going to be twenty years old at the time of the game (and the mask would have landed when he was born). It's not clear how old he is in the final game. But its likely he isn't much older (or younger) than Rosella since he was planned to be one of her suitors. This would suggest they were likely still in their early twenties.
In the game and related materials he is described as a lad by The Wizard[2] And the old Crystal Mystic. Which indicates he is younger than the wizard, but still younger than middle-aged. But he calls Kavanaugh’s son a lad meaning he is older than the dying boy by at least a few years.[3] Generally speaking he is described as youth or young mortal, young fellow, or young man, indicating he isn’t much older or younger than 20.[4] He is not a child.
Timeline[]
With this in mind the closest references are as follows (using the implied date from the Companion):
- 1 GC
- KQ1
- 2 GC
- KQ2
- 3 GC
- The twins are born.
- 4-6 GC
- Birth of Connor[5]
- 21 GC
- KQ3[6]
- KQ4
- 22 GC
- KQ5[7]
- KQ6[8]
- KQ7[9]
- 24-26 GC
- KQ8[10]
- 25-27 GC
- KQ9
- KQ10
Other Dates[]
- 1000
- AD1996-1997 (John Shroades)
Notes[]
- The magical portals into Dimension of Death hadn't been opened in 'centuries'. These portals have been silent and unseen for centuries, and are but legend in Daventry. Only recently have they opened--as if in preface to the cataclysm. This would suggest that they were last opened and seen some 200 or more years ago, but not a millennium.
- Sir James of Daventry is a famous knight who died many years ago before KQ8. Many is a large but indefinite number. It probably implies less than a century though. His tomb probably existed after the building of the old Castlekeep Ruins, and probably after the castle became ruins. This may go back to at least the Border wars in Daventry, but possibly as early as Edward's father.
- KQ1 takes place roughly 20 or 25 years before KQ7 and/or KQ8 according to the Companion. Generally speaking thought to be at least 21 years before KQ6/KQ7 at the earliest.
- KQ2 takes place 20 years before KQ6 in this timeline.
- KQ3 takes place roughly 18 years after the twins birth, as mentioned shortly before his next birthday (implying about to turn 18).
- KQ4 is directly after KQ3, thus almost 18 years after the twins birth.
- KQ5 took place roughly a year after KQ4 according to the KQ8 manual (and KQ5 manual).
- KQ6 took place roughly six months after KQ5, according to Cassima's account in the game (or up to a year according to account in the Companion, it could be 'rounded up').
- The unrest of the kingdoms started: "A few years is all, but it's been long enough."
- KQ6 gives the date of when Alhazred showed up fifteen years before KQ6.
- KQ7 rosella is almost twenty, she is still nineteen.
- Ken Williams (via Roberta Williams) suggests that KQ8 takes place two years after KQ7 mirroring its development and release date after KQ7. KQ7 came out in late 1994 (November), and technically KQ8 came out four years after KQ7 (December, 1998), but development of it was between 2-3 years. Ideas and concepts we’re conceived as early as early as 1994-1995, actual development started closer to 1996 (as early as late 1995). While the revised game was developed between 1996-1998.
- I’m sure we had this conversation. Since Graham is still around, it can’t be too long of a period of time, but I don’t think we ever gave it an exact time frame – I think we merely discussed it in terms of “Graham is now old.”-Mark Seibert, March 11, 2006. “Well, Graham seems to be putting on the years, but is certainly not ancient yet. So it must be within only a few as he would otherwise be much older." -Mark Seibert, July 7, 2010
- Taking both Williams and Mark Seibert’s notes into account KQ8 takes place 2-3 years after KQ7. Fitting into the 20-25 year range mentioned in the Companion.
- Gwennie had been imprisoned in the room behind the crates for days.[11]
Behind the scenes[]
Note, 'few' as when Mark Seibert said it takes place in relation to earlier games, usually means within 3-9 years of something. It generally means between 3-4 years. Taking a stance between Williams suggestion and Mark Seibert’s it would be about 2-3 years. Although 2 is usually a “couple”.
In some earlier versions of the story Connor was to be twenty in the game exactly twenty years after the Mask was split. However in the final game the mask was split when he was an adult, its not clear if they kept his age at twenty. However, as Roberta Williams intended him to be a love interest for Rosella, its possible that he's roughly her same age, give or take a few years. Possibly 'slightly older' (however concept age makes him slightly younger), maybe roughly the same as Edgar, assuming Edgar wasn't kept by Lolotte for more than a couple of decades at the most.
Several dates referenced in the Synopsis summaries, include the idea that KQ4 takes place one year before KQ5 (a reference to the KQ5 manuals), and it also states that KQ2 takes place about twenty years before KQ6 ("...score of years..."). Which may be a referenced to a more reduced timeline such as the Original timeline (KQ6 is set about 22 years after KQ1) rather than the 25 Anniversary timeline (where KQ6 is set 25 years after KQ1).
Young Connor is called a youth at least once in KQ8 summaries. Alexander and Rosella have been described as youths between the time they are 17-19. Graham was called a youth during events of KQ1 (some sources establish him to have been 19). WHO defines 'Youth' as the 15-24 year age group. While 'Young People' covers the age range 10-24 years. Edgar has been described as a youth as well but he could be a century or more years old. Telgrin was described as being a youth when he was only 11-12 years old. More accurately he could be deceived as an adolescent or child.
References[]
- ↑ King Graham, now elderly, was very grateful to the local knight, Connor, for saving the Kingdom of Daventry from the evil Archarchon, Lucreto, and restoring the Mask of Eternity to its salubrious, protective powers. So grateful, in fact, that he had given Connor the title of Marquis of Daventry, with the responsibility of securing the kingdom’s borders from any outside attacks or evil intentions.
- ↑ “(SLIGHTLY IRRITATED) Come around, lad...to where I can see you.”, “([#]CALLING OUT) Come closer, lad!”, “([5]IN CONTROL, COMMANDINGLY) Good, all three items. Now, lad, behold!”, “(SLIGHTLY APOLOGETIC) Sorry, lad, I have no knowledge of that.”, “([1]SOLEMNLY, THIS OF MUCH IMPORTANCE) You, lad, have been chosen to perform the sacred task of finding the remaining pieces of the Mask of Eternity and then returning the Mask to its most holy sanctuary.”, “([3]CONFIDENTLY, COMMANDINGLY) I can concoct a magical illumination spell, lad. Go! Bring me a flame from a sacred place, the ring of a dead hero, and the ashes of a torch.”, ([4]ACCOMODATING) You are welcome, lad. Good luck.”, “([3]A BIT EXASPERATED AND SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSED AT BEING IN THIS POSITION) I am a wizard, lad...a very good one. I knew the vile tempest was approaching and swiftly conjured a countering spell, although, as you can see, 'twasn't enough.”, “([1]STILL RECOUNTING THIS OMINOUS TALE) Aye, lad, the Mask of Truth, Light, and Order. Now it lies in five fragments, scattered separately across the land.”, “([5])But, YOU, lad, have been chosen to perform the sacred task of finding the remaining four pieces of the Mask of Eternity and returning the Mask to its most holy sanctuary. The Mask itself, 'twould seem, has chosen you.”, “(SHOUTING FROM A DISTANCE) Come closer, lad! I cannot hear you from such a distance!”, “(SADLY) Alas, lad, gold will not aid me now.”. “([3]APPROVINGLY) Aye, 'tis good, lad.”, “([3]APPROVINGLY) Good work, lad.“, “(WITH REVERENCE) That is a piece of the sacred Mask of Eternity, lad.”, “([3]APPROVINGLY) Aye, lad. 'Twill work wonders.”, “SOMEWHAT SURPRISED) It seems you have found a horn of a unicorn, lad. Perchance a unicorn is missing its horn!”
- ↑ (VERY CONCERNED) Alas, what happened, lad! You need aid!”, “([#]IN A PITYING TONE OF VOICE) Poor, foolhardy lad. Ne'er a chance had he.”
- ↑ (EXPRESSING DOUBT AND MILD SURPRISE) Thou, young mortal? Thou art the Champion Eternal?
- ↑ age taken from concept material.
- ↑ But now your usefulness to him is ending, and a landmark birthday approaches — you are certain that Manannan will choose to end your miserable life that day.
- ↑ “A year has passed since Princess Rosella’s journey to Tamir, and King Graham’s health has been fully restored.”
- ↑ “Suddenly, just as it had done a score of years ago for his father, the magic Mirror sprang to life to show him an image of his beloved.”
- ↑ Rosella of Daventry is reaching marriageable age, and her mother Valanice hopes to find a suitable match for her daughter.
- ↑ Well, Graham seems to be putting on the years, but is certainly not ancient yet. So it must be within only a few as he would otherwise be much older." -Mark Seibert, July 7, 2010
- ↑ InterAction, Spring 1999, pg: “As you head back to the main room, a child's crying catches your attention. Climb the stones along the back wall of the great room and break up the crates. There you will find the dying lad's sister. She has been imprisoned in the room behind these crates for days.”