TOG universe

Comparisons between classic King's Quest series, and the new rebooted King's Quest series, King's Quest: Adventures of Graham by The Odd Gentlemen and Sierra/Activisoin.

This may also be known as the Reboot Universe/Reboot Canon.

See also, KQGS timeline.

Background

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

The new King's Quest is a reimagining of the King's Quest series. While it does make references, homages, and name drops to the classic game series, the King's Quest Companions, and other original sources, it doesn't necessarily follow the original series directly. Though versions of those events may still have happened in this universe (some of the history and details have been changed). The original stories are apparently considered 'legends, fairy tales, and myths' in this universe, and not what actually occurred in this series' universe. If not considered fairy tales or legends within the universe, they are to be considered fairy tales and legends to us as the players (with the new series setting the record straight).

This article describes where the new series canon diverges from the original. Discussing and comparing the details from the original games (including Wizard and the Princess, King's Questions), the manuals, and spinoff source material (Hoyle I, The King's Quest Companion) with the details of the new series.

See also Dimensions.

Game and Series Comparisons

Characters

Alexander

Alexander looks similar to his KQ6 appearance. He has dark brown/grey eyes (in both his 3d and EGA version).

In the original games he is portrayed as having blue eyes in KQ4 and KQ6. Green eyes in the amiga version (but that's due to a limited color palette). Possibly described as having green eyes in Companion but that might be referring to someone else instead.

Appearing in Several Chapters

Kingdom of Daventry

The Kingdom as it appears in the game is not quite the kingdom as it appears in KQ1, or later games. But it might be similar to how KQ8 showed a different portion of the country than KQ1 did.

A river/s and Forest Well, the home of the dragon appears, but are very different than they appear in earlier games. The town appears in the game, as has only appeared or mentioned in previous games. But the town's location as well as that of the Well may be different than they were discussed in previous games and source material.

There is definitely a change of point of view between the two screens of the back gate of the town, and the forest behind the town. Which in turn affects any areas directly connected to the those areas.

Daventry now has a Tournament Theater, that is located roughly southeast of the Town of Daventry (a town known simply as "Town Square", or "Daventry Square"), and south of Castle Daventry. The game describes it as lying to the west of the townsquare, but even with the possibility that directions and POV view of the screens are changed in between, this seems a bit unlikely.

There is a crossroads King's Glen with Edward Statue as well (northwest of the Tournament Theater, and just south and east of the town), which has not been seen in any previous game. Again it seems east, but its possible that the screens POV is changed to another direction.

To the south between the rivers is a pond, and to the north, northeast of the town, but west of the forests where Castle Daventry is located at another lake, is the Fantastical Floating Island. The river system may or may not be a different river than that found in King's Quest 1, but certainly has inspiration from that river (or possibly the Merelee River from the novels, but this is unclear). But there are certain aspects that are very different than the river in KQ1. See Rivers and Troll Bridges.

The entrance to the Goblin Caves can be seen briefly in Chapter I (not far from the Town of Daventry), and are more prominent in Chapter II.

Castle Daventry

The architecture of Castle Daventry is very different than it appears in earlier games. Highly inspired by fantasy Disney castles. While architecture of the castle was known to change throughout the series, especially with KQ8, this castle shares no elements from any previous rendition of the castle, except for maybe the castle as it was interpreted on the cover of original King's Quest on PCJr, or the first edition of the King's Quest Companion.

Rather than looking like a medieval keep, it looks more like a fairy tale castle with high spires, and built on a mountain.

The throne room and entrance hallways of the castle are based on KQ1/KQ3's castle however.

Goblins

Goblins aka Stone Goblins appear in Chapter I and Chapter II.

Goblins appeared in KQ8. there wasn't a lot of lore about them. But they were hairy creatures, violent and eat humans. The new game introduces what maybe a new species of goblins, also known as Stone Goblins that wear rock like armor. The physical appearance of these goblins is revealed in Chapter 3 via the magic tapestry.

More stone goblins a jungle clan are introduced in Chapter 3.

Rivers

There are several rivers and waterfalls seen in at least Chapter I, and Chapter 2.

Some of the rivers appear to merge, but might be disconnected. This region while inspired by Daventry from previous games, doesn't appear to correspond directly to any specific area, other than it is an area near the convergence of rivers in KQ1. The Forest Well and Ancient Well are intended to be the same landmark. The Town of Daventry is located near the well however (which might be inspired by the reference given in the Official Book of King's Quest). But Castle Daventry seems like its been placed in a completely different area, east or northeast of all the rivers (but it's still impossible to tell how far from any other landmark, and might be closer than the castle appeared in KQ1 to the river, but in a different spot). However, it is difficult to make out exact directions in the new King's Quest, as many of the screens switch to different directional POVs.

Troll Bridges

There are a series of horns located all over the map of Daventry, which can be used to call giant Bridge Trolls. The trolls have bridges growing out if their heads.

While these trolls are roughly inspired by the Bridge Troll/forest troll/s of King's Quest 1, they are visually very different.

While there may be some trolls afraid of goats (even though many enjoy the taste of goat), these trolls are not and easily eat goats (it's their favorite delicacy), in disregard to the one known rule about trolls and goats. However, it's because trolls like the taste of goats, that goats hate them intensely according to the King's Quest Companion. And a little goat is no match for a trollish giant.

These trolls are also rather friendly, and not like the trolls from KQ1. It's made apparent that they even have a business going on with the Knights of Daventry and other citizens, allowing the citizens to use their bridges to cross rivers. They continue to be Graham's friends, and reappear in Chapter 2, and their long friendship is discussed even up into Chapter 5 (with only Pillare having moved from Daventry to Llewdor).

The trolls look roughly similar to the Old Stone Bridge from the original KQ1, but its unlikely that the old bridge is a troll, for obvious reasons. Obviously the other bridges in KQ1 are not trolls either (though at least one forest troll guards them).

In the original lore, both during his quest for the Crown and becoming King, he kicked the trolls out of Daventry.

Obviously in the new series he has not kicked Olfie or the Bridge Trolls out (they appear in Chapter 2). There is no evidence that all the events of KQ1 occurred (or occurred in the same way) (see below on information concerning the Magic Mirror).

The new Troll Bridges is also very different than Brutus Bonecrusher the Bridge Troll of KQ7. Who had more in common with the traditional bridge trolls (forest trolls) of King's Quest 1 and KQ1 remake, at least being a troll that guards or lives under a bridge, and asks for payment for individuals to cross. Of course Brutus was a member of the Volcanix underground troll-folk race.

In Chapter 1, several of the characters seem to reference another species of Bridge Trolls from Llwedor (sic), that are smaller, and use bells to be summoned. Graham can even impersonate one of these trolls, acting as if his cape is a tiny little 'bridge' on his back. This does seem to suggest that even the Llwedor species must appear similar in form to the giant Daventry species at some level. Note: There are no Trolls in KQ3.

Swimming

Graham does not know how to swim in the first chapter of King's Quest in both a scene where he intentionally falls into a river to be saved, and later if he falls into the lake where the Floating Island is located. We see that he doesn't know how to swim in Chapter 5 either, as an old man (playing on the death scenes in original games). .

In the original series Graham swam quite a bit in lakes in KQ1 and KQ2. In KQ1 he would swim at the bottom of the well. He could swim in the ocean in KQ2 but only for a few screens. He could still swim in KQ5, but the ocean was too much for him, if he swam too far from shore (the cold would get to him).

Granted in Chapter 5, Graham can't swim in the moat (just like Graham couldn't swim in moat in the original series versions of KQ1, though he could swim just about everywhere else). Graham also was restricted from swimming in the rivers (Raging River) in KQ1 as well, but he could swim in every lake.

The lack of swimming maybe to avoid having to program extra animations and physics in the game. This appears to be why the Dragon's Lair has no swimming sequences, see A Knight to Remember below.

Moat Monster

The new history of the moat monster is that it apparently infested the moat, and was not intentionally supposed to be there. It's been a problem for King Edward since its arrival, due to its habit of eating his guards.

This means two things in this new storyline, there ever was only one "Moat Monster" (there are several in KQ1SCI described as 'moat monsters', that can be on screen at once), and that it's not supposed to be there, and only been introduced late into Edward's reign (as one of those disasters that befell his kingdom due to the loss of the kingdom's greatest treasure, the Magic Mirror (as opposed to the three treasures, at least in the version of the story as told in Chapter 1).

At least according to the novel series, they had been introduced by an early king of Daventry, so early on after the founding of the kingdom.

Talking to animals

Graham is able to talk to and understand animals without white snake, and has been able to since he was a child. Chapter 4 adds birds, and rabbits to animals he can seemingly understand or understand his words.

In KQ5 Graham was not able to talk to or understand animals until after he ate a piece of white snake. Though he encountered talking animals before such as the Giant Rat.

Manannan as a cat is able to talk to every character while trapped in his cat form as seen in Chapter 4 and 5.

In KQ3 Manannan does not seem to be capable of speech while stuck in the cat form. "Manannan seems unusually quiet, don't you think!" Even with the dough (optional) Alexander is not able to speak to Manannan (or hear Manannan say anything). In the Companion it’s explained further than Manannan’s own cat is a victim of the cat cookie as well (another wizard). The cat cannot be understood until after Alexander obtains the dough confirming that cursed human cats are not capable of human speech on their own in classic inspired universes.

In KQ5 it seems Graham is only able to hear and speak to Mordack because of the 'white snake'. Based on crytal ball scene in KQ5, it doesn't appear that Mordack nor Alexander are able to directly speak to Manannan who just acts like a typical cat.

Magic Fruit and Graham's Health

Magic Fruit is mentioned twice during the game, but there is no indication that the magic fruit exists, or that Graham has even tried it before (magic fruit is somewhat 'more common' than expected in original universe if one considers the existence of ambrosia and magic pomegranates as well). He does wish it existed though, so that his health could be restored.

In fact there is no indication that Graham's health deteriorated in this universe between the events of Alexander's kidnapping and his return. In fact Graham is in full health when his Son returns, he's capable of a number of strenuous feats like climbing cliffs, and pushing blocks, in fact other than a few characters pointing out that he has let his stomach go a little bit, he's still in great shape. He doesn't undergo the same level of 'shock' that Graham felt with the return of his son in the original universe, instead pointing out that he had always believed his son would return. Life went on in the kingdom, other than a lot of work creating new laws, and having them enforced, the period was largely peaceful as far as we know (he wasn't sacrificing maidens or cowering in the castle due to a three-headed dragon, since one never attacked the kingdom).

In fact he chooses to go on a vacation, which turns into an adventure directly after his son's return. They return to Daventry in good health.

It is known that a version of KQ4's events must have occured (see a tapestry with goons), but there is no indication of what reasons Rosella had for going to Tamir. But personality wise, Rosella is portrayed as someone who actively seeks adventure, and even fights evil (she has a flaming sword after all), so the sake of adventure would be all she needed to go to Tamir (and she would need no other motive, simply being asked to 'rescue' Genesta would probably have been enough). In contrast Rosella is portrayed as some what more traditional princess in KQ4, who is given a moment to think about choosing to go to Tamir or not, though she quickly agrees to. So in the end, the macguffin of a magic fruit might not even been needed to setup the reason for the adventure.

A Knight to Remember

This section discusses material mainly concerned with King's Quest Chapter I: A Knight to Remember.

Quest for the Crown

It seems that in this universe, all the knights were competing to be the new heir of Daventry, and the Knights' Initiation was more as an attempt to rise up in the ranks and be chosen to go on Edward's final quest. Rather than Graham being chosen because he was the son of Edward's best friend, although Graham may still be considered his 'favorite knight'.

This becomes especially certain as Manny and Graham compete in the Duel of Wits.

It appears that the others who competed and who weren't disqualified, may have become knights of Daventry themselves (assuming Acorn didn't change careers, as he suggested he would in Chapter 1), but not the right to become the next heir.

Maybe more references to the Quest for the Crown will appear in Chapter 2, as it takes place not long after those events (perhaps even in the same year).

Graham's Heritage

• In the original series Graham is noted to already be a knight of Daventry. There is little about his backstory except for a few references to his 'father' in side material (King's Quest 6 Hint Book and Hoyle I, see Graham quotes (Hoyle I), and Rosella quotes (Hoyle I), and some of the narrative added to KQ1SCI (mentioning he attended Daventry High School, to a lesser extent it was suggested in the original KQ1 manual that the Fairy Godmother was a citizen of Daventry, which may also imply that Graham lived in Daventry since he was a child, as she has always watched over him). The Companion offers a little more, and became source of references in other manuals and hintbooks. The Companion and Hoyle I suggest that he has lived in the his entire life with a somewhat plush lifestyle with lords and ladies giving him pies as a child, and being the son of one of Daventry's knights. The Companion also discusses his years enrolled at Daventry's Palace School, and Royal University, and years training in Daventry's army, while Hoyle I mentions Knight School (and his father and grandfather's role in the Kingdom of Daventry). The three novels hint a bit as well, about Graham's heritage, suggesting his ancestors do not go back very far in Daventry's history, and that he traveled around the world much in his youth (although the latter sources saw less or no direct influence by anyone working at Sierra, and this detail might be in conflict with what Hoyle I or Companion suggests).
• In the new game it appears that Graham has newly come to Daventry, and may not have been there before. He came to the kingdom after hearing about a knight tournament being held there. He wanted a poster showing the castle, and asking him to go to the Knight Theatre, and mentions that he has had nothing but trouble since he decided to come to the kingdom.
• Chapter 2 and 3 further reinforces the idea that Graham had never been to Daventry before coming to the land to become a Knight.
• More details of his life outside Daventry are given in Chapter 3. Including that he has sisters, and many pets. Graham is specifically asked if he was originally from Daventry. To which he replies he is a transplant from the far north, but Daventry has quickly become his home.

One another major aspect that diverges from the original series history, is the backstory of Graham's childhood, in the new game he was not originally from Daventry, he came from an unpronounceable land (a few lines suggests Llwedor, and chapter faq goes with it as 'canon'). He comes from a long line of nobility, and one dentist. He studied at The Academy in his homeland, and still lives with his mom Mom Cracker. Before he graduated tried to find knight jobs, but the job market had dried up locally, and so Daventry was his last choice. He had learned of Daventry through travel books, that discussed its famous landmarks. It wasn't until he learned of the yearly Knight Initiation tournament, that he decided to come to the land to become a knight, and try to become a knight in King Edward's court. This is another large indication that the game occurs in a different universe than the original series (though differences may be 'slight' and general in-game stories still occurred). The change to Graham's childhood backstory also effectively make details about Graham's youth in KQ1SCI remake (which states he went through Daventry High School), the Companion (which states he went to Daventry's Palace School, and Royal University, and father was a knight of Daventry), and Hoyle I (Knight School, father and grandfather knights of Daventry) effectively incompatible with this version of the story as well.

Additionally Graham's clothing is very different than it appeared in King's Quest 1, though it is certainly inspired by some of Graham's wardrobe appearances throughout the series. He now wears a large cape which has bottomless pockets that hold obnoxiously huge objects. While this kind of thing occurred in previous games see Superman, in companion it was explained he had a satchel to hold things (and/or pockets in his pants depending on the game).

Graham does claim to have come from Llwedor, but as at least part of the the related story is a lie (that he is some kind of 'troll'), the official FAQ for the chapter, however confirms that this was apparently the truth. Even if he doesn't state he came from Llewdor, the trolls still figure it out.

Forest Well/Well Dragon

See also Dragon's Lair comparisons. The new King's Quest appears will be retelling/reimagining certain aspects of Ancient Well/Dragon's Lair encounter in the prologue introduction. From the reveal and according to further information, the introduction story in the first episode will be a partial retelling of the events of the Dragon's Lair sequence in King's Quest I (but the team has no intention to retell the events of any other game from the series, but only tell stories that take place in between the earlier games).

This sequence is very different than the version that occurred in King's Quest 1 or the KQ1 remake, and is a complete retelling that is intended to replace what occurred in the original games, with several completely different alternate outcomes. It also ignores the backstory given in KQ1 manual which states that no one knew where the Sorcerer took the mirror, only that there were rumors it was taken to his hidden lair somewhere, and guarded over by one of his beasts, and that Graham just stumbled upon it while searching the entire land.

The reveal shows off for example his journey down the Forest Well (which looks roughly like Ancient Well as it appeared in the KQ1 remake) into the Dragon's Lair, the bottom of the well looks like it is dry (avoiding the swimming sequence from the original games). There is a door and tunnels filled with Mattresses (which apparently foreshadowing something significant in the main story in the first and future episodes, and possible to the villain of the entire series), and pullies and gears. There is also some kind of door at the bottom of the well (as well as bones and traps).

It is said that Graham will initially distract the dragon somehow, allowing him to take the Magic Mirror. Graham doesn't defeat the game by throwing a bucket of water at it (or using his knife to kill it) as he did in the previous game.

Upon his escape, it appears it then turns more action oriented, and the dragon treated as a large chase/escape sequence/boss fight. This chase will lead to a decision from Graham that will test his bravery, wisdom or compassion, leading to separate outcomes (that have future consequences), either blinding the dragon with a arrow (causing it to be a future enemy), sending it away to look for food using a bell, or freeing it from its bondage by unlocking its shackles, making a friend in the process, and it returning the favor later on in its life. This sequence is very different than the version that occurred in King's Quest 1 or the KQ1 remake. It is unclear if this is an expansion to what appears in the previous games (that occurs in areas not accessible in the first game (off screen between lair and the exit cave) with the dragon ultimately escaping and removing the bolder to the exit as shown in the original game. Or is a completely retelling that is intended to replace how it was explained in the original games, with several completely different alternate outcomes.

Another thing of note is that this (the Magic Mirror events) will be Graham's 'second journey to the Dragon's lair", where as in the original it seems it was his first time. But perhaps Graham will enter the Dragon's Lair from a different entrance, and have to discover the well entrance later on when he attempts to find the mirror a few years later. On the other hand the game may just suggest he went down the well both times, but failed to get the mirror the first time. Or perhaps he never sees the mirror at all his first trip (he apparently states about the later period that it was the last place he checked for the mirror). It will at least bend the idea that Graham's discovery of the Dragon's Lair beneath the well occurred during KQ1 (see King's Quest Companion), or might leave the King's clues as unknown location of the treasure, but who stole it as mentioned in King's Quest by Roberta Williams slightly redundant.

In the game, the prologue shows his journey down the Forest Well (which looks roughly like the well as the old well appeared in the KQ1 remake, but with the crank put to the side) into the Dragon's Lair, the bottom of the well is mostly dry (avoiding the swimming sequence from the original games, and in this series Graham is said to not be able to swim). There are caves filled with Mattresses, the Bed Caves, which foreshadowing something significant from the chapter's main story, and has something to do with the villain for the entire series), and pullies and gears. There is also some kind of door at the bottom of the well (as well as bones from a previous attempted raid on the caves and dangerous traps). Graham initially distracts the dragon with a feeding mechanism, allowing him to take the Magic Mirror. Graham does not defeat the dragon by throwing a bucket of water at it or using his knife to kill it as he did in the previous games.

The Dragon notices him, and then it turns more action oriented, and the dragon treated as a large chase/escape sequence/boss fight. At the end of the chase, Graham is left with a decision that tests his bravery, wisdom or compassion, leading to separate outcomes (that have future consequences), either blinding the dragon with a arrow (causing it to be a future enemy), sending it away to look for food using a bell, or freeing it from its bondage by unlocking its shackles, making a friend in the process, and it returning the favor later on in its life. Graham then escapes back up the rope through the well (an option that leads to less points in the original game).

Another change is that it places the Mirror as the final and only treasure Graham discovered before he returned to the castle ("Yeaaaah, yeah, yeah, and King Edward was sooo proud that you returned his lost treasure he made you King. Everyone knows that part..now can we get back to that dragon?"). In KQ1 Remake the shield was the last treasure discovered, and in the original and companion, the Chest of Gold was the last treasure on the list in Edward's decree, and in the novelization it is the last treasure he finds.

It's not clear when the mirror was taken by the sorcerer, assuming the sorcerer was behind the mirror being stolen in this universe. There is a poster asking for the "Missing Magic Mirror" (as if no one knows who took it, and as if it was simply stolen) on a note board. So it was stolen before Graham comes to the kingdom, but apparently after Maylie's death. It also seems to be the only one of the three treasures stolen (though the other two can be seen in Graham's bedroom).

When Graham visits the cave for the first time during the hideous eye quest, or during the main tournament, there are no beds, the place still has traps, but not the same ones found later. The dragon is not tied up, and there no indication of the mirror to be found. It's also mentioned that the dragon's lair under the well is a well known testing ground for knights, and many have died trying to take on the beast (obviously different than the prologue story for KQ1 in which no one knew of the secret under the well.) Either way Graham can get Achaka to shoot the dragon in which case he receives an eye, or prevent achaka from taking the eye.

During this first trip Graham even takes a different route through the caves. Many of the bridges from later trip do not yet exist. However, it is clear that the beds are being stolen at this point according to Maya, and its possible to see some goblins carrying away a bed as well, near Pillare Hill. Maya lost her bed the night before the tournament.

The Dragon breathes fire during the first trip into the cave, but apparently cannot breath fire anymore when Graham goes down their to find the mirror. There is no explanation for this as of yet. Graham just mentions the breathing fire was a 'surprise' in the story for Gwendolyn that was different than his other story.

The Stolen Magic Mirror and the Other Great Treasures

In the first Chapter's backstory, the Magic Mirror is seemingly the only ('if not the last') treasure Graham collected, it mentions that he had already scoured all the rest of the hiding places in Daventry, and the well was his last place to check. If anything it is the one treasure that is said to be his specific mission from Edward, that won him the Crown.

Gwendolyn states about the singular treasure (Magic Mirror), after Graham mentions climbing out of the well, and returning to the Castle: "Yeaaaah, yeah, yeah, and King Edward was sooo proud that you returned his lost treasure he made you King. Everyone knows that part..now can we get back to that dragon?"

In original KQ1 and King's Quest Companion the order the treasures is collected in is said to be Mirror, Shield, then Chest (based on the order that they were stolen in the KQ1 manual's short story). KQ1 SCI and The Official Book of King's Quest, 3rd Edition makes the order Chest, Mirror, and then Shield. Though technically in the games themselves, in the original game all three can be found in any order, and in the remake the first two can be found in any order.

In addition, based on the comments made by Graham, and Gwendolyn, it seems to imply that Edward's last request, might have been only to find the Mirror. There are no direct references to the shield or the treasure chest (though all three can be seen in his bedroom). Gwendolyn states specifically that Edward sent Graham on a 'quest to find the stolen mirror', to which he would get the crown if he found it:

... "Yes! King Edward sent me, the greatest knight in all of Daventry, on a quest to return his stolen mirror. A gigantic, hulking, beast of a dragon, was the last thing in my way to... in my way to..."

In the main story there is a note board with a poster asking for the Missing Magic Mirror, which also suggests that its the only missing treasure (or at least by that point in the story), suggesting that Maylie died before the Mirror was stolen, and that the other treasures hadn't been stolen.

While there is mention of Daventry running out of money to pay anyone but the guards. There is not direct indication this is due to a stolen treasure chest. Its almost as if the 'chest and shield' were just random treasures Graham discovered at some point during his mission, and to find the mirror was the last request he was given by Edward (the reason why it was the only missing object being discussed on the note board).

The other two treasures do exist, and can be seen in Graham's bedroom in the game, but they do not seem to have any important bearing on the plot in the first episode. They were not stated to be part of Edward's mission for Graham.

However, in Chapter 2 a line by Olfie mentions that Graham found 'all the stolen treasures' (which may include the three great treasures and then some, or perhaps that treasures were stolen from others), which seems to break from the first chapter's point of view, but this may suggest that Graham and Gwendolyn were using a storytelling technique and intentionally leaving out details (glossing over, exaggerating, or hyperbole). On the other hand noting that the new series suggests that everyone has lost treasures this might suggest that Graham recovered treasures for more than just the King. It may suggest that the other two of the great treasures were 'stolen later' long after the mirror was stolen and between Chapter 1 and the Prologue scene. This may still suggest that in this story his main quest, as ordered by Edward, was to find the 'Magic Mirror' but ended up findng other stolen treasures along the way. Chapter 3 continues the focus and reference to the mirror being Graham's specific quest from Edward.

Questing led me to recover King Edward's Magic Mirror, and he rewarded me with his throne.

Chapter 2 has a couple of references that are some what tangentially related, in that along with talking about the stolen treasures, Olfie makes reference to impossible riddle, and scaling the beanstalk from KQ1 (all which were part of the path to the Magic Chest), and in Chapter 3 there is mention of a fiddle jig with the leprechauns, and the shrinking mushroom in which he made his escape, which is related to the path to the Shield (in KQ1). Albeit neither of these times does Graham or anyone confirm he found or escaped specifically with the Magic Shield or the Magic Chest. Nor as is the nature of this reimagined series if those stories are even 'true' or just more of the tall tales surrounding Graham's life.

Chapter 3 the tournament board appears again in pretty good shape for some twenty years that passed since KQC1 tournament. The board still only lists the stolen Magic Mirror, which may further suggest that only the mirror was stolen from Edward, and that the other treasures were stolen from other individuals in or around Daventry, and that Graham found them and added them to his own collection. Chapter 3 also appears to add the Magic Bowl to the list of treasures.

Further more in Chapter 4, the other two treasures finally appear as largely 'generic' treasures Graham has found on his adventures over the years while he was a king (thus suggesting they were found after KQ1, and after he was crowned king). Graham displays them as part of a shrine to his kingship in the King's Glen (where they could be easily stolen), which seems to diminish some of their importance. But Daventry does seem to be at peace. But they still offer protection, and riches to the kingdom.

Magic Mirror

The Magic Mirror is a story telling device in the new game, Graham uses it to show his adventures to his daughter, and it also acts as the inventory, and communication interface for the game. It's already known that Graham is being a little loose with his 'story telling' an 'unreliable narrator'.

However, in classic lore the magic mirror has the property of 'showing the truth, whether of past, present or future'. If Graham is embellishing his stories with his daughter: "It wasn't exactly how I remembered it, " old man Graham says. "But it wasn't all that different either." (see death scenes, or other changes to the story/history, in comparison to previous games/published events), then it is perhaps not so truthful in the 'reimagined' universe. Of course its possible that she doesn't see everything that that her Grandfather claims happened but only fragments on screen, so only the truthful fragments are shown in the mirror (the mirror does seem to swish over with shadowy fog, at times, and not show all the events). Still it does seem that it would suggest that the mirror is still showing a less accurate (less truthful) or different version of the Dragon's Lair events, then happened in the original games.

Alternatively it's now being suggested that the original games are only 'legends', and that this new series is showing the truth, and thus the idea that the magic mirror is still 'truth-telling' is upheld, but essentially we are to consider the original series as 'unreliable' indicator as to the history of this new universe. However at the same time Graham even questions the reliability/accuracy of the mirror as far as offering predictions. As it seemed to suggest he would find a queen but didn't indicate he would,find two princesses.

Magic Chest

In the first chapter, there is very little information on the whereabouts of the magic chest at the time of Graham's tournament. It's not confirmed to have been stolen, its not even confirmed if Edward even owned at all. Its not even indicated to have been a target of Graham's quest to find the "Magic Mirror". It does exist however, as it can be seen in Graham's bedroom late in his life.

Maya Blackstone implies that Daventry was running out of money, and can't afford her... But others suggest that Edward is only spending money on keeping up the army (hence the frivolous yearly Knight's Tournament), isn't bothering to help with the upkeep of the kingdom. It is not clear where this money is coming from.

It is possible that at least by the time Graham's entered the tournament that it hadn't yet been stolen. But then again there is no indication it was ever stolen, as Graham's mission was only to find the Magic Mirror, which had clearly been stolen.

It seems at least in part that the town is not getting money or paid because the bridges are out (on strike). In fact Graham even mentions that after he became a knight that business started picking up again in Daventry (people could start affording supplies to the shop again because the bridges were no longer on strike). Which indicates that money again began to flow in Daventry. Again the question being where did the bulk of this money come from? We do know that at least two bridges had to be crossed from the castle to the to the crossroads leading to town. Plus a dangerous dark forest in between. All of these may have had been restricting money from the Castle.

If this was stolen from Edward, based on comments in Chapter 2 it was stolen some point after the tournament and before the Chapter 1 prologue, and was recovered before the magic mirror.

In chapter 3 there no direct reference to the chest, however there is reference to kingdoms budgets and the treasury. This creates an interesting conundrum (one also created in the novel See No Weevil, see Chest of Gold) of why would Daventry need to budget if it has unlimited gold (Companion and Hoyle I nods to this same question).

Chapter 4 acknowledges the chest for the first time, but adds even more confusing to its relevance, as Graham seems to imply that it represents treasures he throughout the years while being a king. He also treats it rather unceremoniously as part of a shrine to his kinghood in the King's Glen, which doesn't fit the value of such a powerful treasure (if it was as important a treasure as it was in the original universe).

The treasure is nearly destroyed in Chapter 5 by a fire, but Graham rescues it. The game script indicates it was damaged a little, but not beyond repair.

Magic Shield

The Magic Shield clearly exists in old man Graham's bedroom.

However there is no reference to it within the first chapter. Also it doesn't look as if Daventry is suffering from any invasions by other nations at the time of Graham's teen years (other than an invasion by underground stone goblins). The kingdom is roughly peaceful, the worst things happening is that the townspeople are going poor (Edward is not paying them), but has a large guard force (which Edward has chosen to pay for rather than upkeep of the kingdom). Beyond a strike with the Troll Guild, and a unwanted moat monster, the loss of soldiers training in the Dragon Cave, there isn't much else 'dangerous' going on in the kingdom directly.

In chapter 1, there is no indication that the shield was stolen, as there is clearly is with the Magic Mirror. The fact that the kingdom is largely in peace, and even described as remaining largely peaceful throughout most of Graham's knighthood (following the tournament), there is no evidence it was ever stolen in this universe.

If this was stolen from Edward, based on comments in Chapter 2 it was stolen some point after the knight tournament and before the Chapter 1 prologue, and was recovered before the magic mirror.

Chapter 4 acknowledges the Shield for the first time, but adds even more confusing to its relevance, as Graham seems to imply that it represents treasures he throughout the years while being a king. He also treats it rather unceremoniously as part of a shrine to his kinghood in the King's Glen, which doesn't fit the value of such a powerful treasure (if it was as important a treasure as it was in the original universe).

In Chapter 5 its nearly destroyed in a fire, though graham rescues it before it is damaged too much. Script notes indicate it was still partialy damaged in the fire, but was in a repairable state.

The Queen and the Downfall of Daventry

Maya Blackstone states that the kingdom went downhill when the queen died. She also seems to suggest that gold started running out when the queen died (if it actually has been running 'out' rather than simply the king's priorities have been switched to paying for knights instead).

However in the prologue to KQ1, it started to fall when the mirror was taken by the Sorcerer, the very first of the three treasures to be taken. She died at the time the second treasure was stolen, and things only got worse. But they still had the gold at that point. It wasn't until sometime later that the gold was stolen.

However the Missing Mirror Poster would suggest that the mirror was stolen recently (many years after the Queen's death), there is no other mention of missing Chest of Gold, or the Magic Shield. Though both of those can be seen in Graham's Bedroom, and its obvious that Daventry was losing money (or at least the King changed the priority of expenses), but these may have been stolen following Graham winning the Knight's Tournament. To make things even more confusing the game seems to imply that Edward's final request was to 'find the magic mirror', and not necessarily find three missing treasures of Daventry.

Eldritch

Eldritch appears to be treated as a land on the same world as Daventry, rather than in another world, as stated in the game, and other material. But the reference to Eldritch is pretty minor. Other than the fact that Graham knows about the land (he knows about were-bears and crystal dragon living there). Olfie also seems to know about the crystal dragon living there, which he calls Susan.

In the original series, the land was a mysterious place in another world/universe, a land beyond dreams/enchanted world beyond, that mortal world had heard little or nothing about. In such a way that neither Rosella nor Valanice knew about it. The King's Quest Companion went further to suggest that time moved differently in the realm, and it was part of the Multiverse. Graham also knows nothing about it in the Authorized King's Quest 7/4th Edition Companion story, until Rosella and Valanice tell him the story. Note: Of course were-bears aren't necessarily only native to Eldritch, just as crystal dragons are native to more than one world.

Of course this could be one of those bits of the story flavored and influenced and embellished by Old Graham in hindsight (making his younger Graham say things he would never have actually said, but would entertain Gwendolyn).

Llwedor/Llewdor

This was a misspelling of Llewdor (they both appear to be pronounced the same, although its worth noting that Llewdor was never pronounced in an official game). A home of bridge trolls (there were no trolls in Llewdor in KQ3), once home to Amaya Blackstone, and also the unpronounceable homeland of King Graham. See above. Note: This was fixed in ch2 dlc patch.

Spriggans and Minotaurs

In the backstory for the Spriggans it is said they are a myth in Daventry, used by generations of parents to keep their offspring close to home, and released from legend by the cataclysm.

In the new game, there is a very minor reference in the first chapter to spriggans, but its suggested that they can be used to make 'spriggan roasts'. Spriggan roasts, and Spriggan Roast Pie is brought up in Chapter 3 as well. This suggests in the new universe they are more than just a legend, and common enough to be hunted for their meat. But this definitely appears to be a KQ8 reference.

Mintotaurs are mentioned, and its suggested that they can be used for tasty meat. While its not known if Daventry would have known about minotaurs at that time. As they generally only known to be a Green Isles species, its less likely they would have been known about other than in legends (Greek Myths for example are said to be well known throughout Daventry, and can be read in library books, according to the King's Quest Companion). Certainly not well known to be 'eaten'. This suggests in the new series universe they might be a bit more common, and that they are likely hunted for their meat.

Wedzel and Drozdeck

Are these references to land names?

Rubble Without a Cause

This section discusses material mainly concerned with King's Quest Chapter II: Rubble Without a Cause.

King's Quest 1 References

Olfie mentions that Graham earned the 'hat' (as in the crown and that Edward wanted him to have it), he mentions that many people wanted the crown. He mentions that Graham recovered all the kingdom's stolen treasures (a reference to three treasures, but might also roughly include any other stolen treasures as well). He mentions that Graham solved the 'impossible riddle', this is likely a reference to the riddle given by Rumplestiltskin. A dead Rumplestiltskin or the dead princess from the Rumplestilskin story and another reference to impossible riddles can be found inside of a cell in the Goblin caves. Although perhaps that is another goblin who died in the cell trying to play one of the character parts in the story.

As Trolls are still 'friends' it doesn't look like Graham banishes them from the kingdom (or forcing them into the secret spaces within Daventry known only to trolls) as its referenced in other sources (the same goes for goblins whom he apparenlty defends, this may not fit into the backstory for goblins as mentioned in KQ8 material). It's possible that it was one of the three Daventry Bridge trolls who took part in the Rumplestiltskin island affair rather than the nasty troll from the original KQ1.

Fairy Tales are real or not?

""I knew fairy tales were unlikely to come true, however sometimes you can't fight a romantic heart..."-Old Graham

"Growing up outside of Daventry, many tales were shared about the world around us. Some real, some legend, and others purely superstition."-Old Graham

The game asks the question if fairy tales really do exist in the King's Quest universe (and this seems to fit into the question on if the original games even happened, or were more complicated than was shown in the earlier games, that the original series was simply the 'fairy tale/legend' of events.), and how Goblins truly wish for them to be real. A number of classic characters are referenced including Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, Big Bad Wolf, Gingerbread Witch, Gingerbread Man, Jack and Jill, Little Miss Muffet, Princess and the Pea, Frog Prince, The Piper, Jack and the Beanstock, Sword in the Stone, Three Little Pigs,Cinderella, etc. But the persisting idea that Goblins act out on fairy tales desperately hoping they will come true. The question arises that many of these fairy tales might just be superstition and myth, with very little basis in reality. Goblins are forcing its prisoners to reenact fairy tales.

On the other hand Rumplestiltskin maybe real (as does his impossible riddles), but can he truly turn straw into gold? Who knows. Whoever the person in the cell was, either could not or refused to turn the straw into gold (was it Rumpelstiltskin or simply a goblin acting the part of one of the characters from the story Rumplestiltskin or the princess in the story).  Magic Beanstocks are also mentioned as being real (of course magic exists as the Hobblepots show). Is the dead Rumplestiltkin, the real one, or simply another prisoner of the trolls forced to play a part.

In the original King's Quest series Fairy Tales are real, and characters from various Fairy Tales are encountered quite normally in the world's society. Fairy Tale characters, and characters from fiction are so common place that they are taken for granted as part of how the world works.

This concept is expanded upon in chapter 3 and Chapter 4 as well concerning the fairy tale of KQ2 vs reality, and retelling of events from KQ3.

Once Upon A Climb

Hagatha's Tower/Crystal Tower

There is no 'crystal tower' in this story, it is a stone tower with chicken legs allowing it to move between the various Enchanted Isles (and possibly elsewhere). The means of entrance, guardians, etc, are all very different. No lions here, and one enters from the outside via magic stone blocks, and one becomes trapped after entering. There is more to the tower than there was in the original story. A magical barrier prevents those who enter from escaping, and no 'home amulet' can get past that.

Hagatha's History

Some elements of Hagatha seem to be similar to the backstory in KQ2 AGDI (working on and using potions to try to change her appearance, stay younger, aversion to mirrors etc), although Hagatha herself has a very different personality. She is bound to her tower, and thus any backstory elements from the original KQ2 game seem irrelevant (no living in caves here).

Mannanan/Manny/The Sorcerer history

The entire history of Manannan has been altered, giving him a much different backstory, and one not tied to his legendary namesake. His backstory of having kidnapped children in Llewdor as an evil Wizard is no longer relevant. As he was only become a human during the end of Chapter 3, and only has the time to kidnap Alexander within the period between Chapter 3 and 4. Time will tell if the events of the kidnapping still occur in Llewdor or if the story has been further changed. This chapter even goes as far as tie him into being the one who was behind the stealing of the Magic Mirror, and also the one behind the training of the dragon, essentially making him an adaptation/interpretation of the 'sorcerer' from KQ1 manual backstory. Did he also have ties to the 'dwarf' behind the stolen shield or the witch behind the stolen chest (or are those backstories lost as well considering the non importance of those treasures)?

Mordon/Mordack's History

This one is more complicated by the fact that many of the backstory details were lost to unfinished/removed material in chapter 2. Mordon's backstory and motives against Graham in this new universe is not as well described as it could be. In the original script for Chapter 2 Graham would have attempted to befriend him promising him an escape, only to leave him behind, and Manny being the one who consoled him manipulating him to believe that Graham had betrayed him, just as his parents had to him by leaving him to grow up with Goblins.

In Chapter 5 Mordack finally remembers 'who saved' him from the Goblins and that it was Graham.

In this universe neither are 'immortal' nor are they demigods.

Pegasus/pegai

Pegasus is not just a legendary creature, that Graham encountered in KQ2, but rather an entire species of purple unicorns with wings. This time he apparently didn't actually encounter him in Kolyma at all, see Kolyma/Enchanted Isles geography. Note: the legendary Pegasus was a winged horse, rather than a flying unicorn with wings.

Enchanted Isles/Kolyma/Tanalore/Avalon/Neptune's Kingdom geography

Kolyma has been relegated to being one of the Enchanted Isles, and is literally the location of Hagatha's Tower at least initially. Tanalore, Avalon all seem lie close by to the chain though are on southern edge of Midwestern Hemisphere continent. Chaper 4 seems to confirm that Avalon and Tanalore are on the same continent as Daventry).

There doesn't seem to be a need in this story for 'three magic doors' as Graham is able to just walk to the tower after landing on Kolyma's shores. An adventure to Neptune's Kingdom is nodded to at least, but in its current form appears more to be a reference to the seas around the Isles, he may not even have visited Neptune's Kingdom, as he seems to indicate that he would like to visit for one last adventure before he dies.

The island kingdom of Kolyma has been divided into two separate kingdoms (Eastern Kolyma and Western Kolyma) to accommodate the two princesses added to the new story. While western and eastern halves of Kolyma was alluded to in the King's Quest companion its very different to the setup and history given in those stories, or even the King's Quest novels. The Western and Eastern Kolyma should not be confused with West Kolyma as mentioned in the The Official Book of King's Quest: Daventry and Beyond which were specific to the east and west of 'western Kolyma' which Graham visited in KQ2.

Infinite Desert/Endless Desert geography

The Endless Desert from KQ5 is renamed the Infinite Desert. It maybe more than simply the desert outside of Serenia, but also be the same desert near Eldritch and Llewdor assuming the latter countries even have deserts in this version of the KQ universe. It also seems that Graham may not have even visited the desert during his adventures, as he seems to indicate he wants to see it before he dies on one last adventure.

Magic bowl (more KQ1 references)

The Magic Bowl has been upgraded into apparently one of the 'stolen treasures' Graham recovered during his journey to find the Magic Mirror. It is still belongs to him and the castle. In this universe it appears that Graham was still able to receive the magic/non-magic (ya it depends on the KQ1 version) fiddle to make the leprechauns dance, but must have somehow received it without also giving up the bowl in the process... Did he somehow buy the Fiddle with one of the lesser treasures? These each seem to be indirect references to the Magic Shield (KQGS) related quests, though the shield is not mentioned. How do the leprechauns fit into Manny's plots (real leprechauns or just goblins playing at fairy tales as per chapter 2)?

Castle Daventry politics

There is no Gerwain, and evidently no spirit of Edward haunting Graham insisting him to marry, and while Graham tries to have a dinner party it's not to find a girl to marry, but rather Graham eating alone feeling lonely. No one invited wants to come, or have other things to do instead. Magic mirror portrays a much different version of tower and Kolyma. the tower is literally in Kolyma.

Snow Place Like Home

KQ3 vs "The Real Story

IN this story it begins with Alexander being kidnapped by Manannan, and Graham witnessing the whole event, and knowing exactly who did it. Spending many years looking for his son but never find any evidence where Manannan ran off to.

Manannan was definitely still hard on Alexander (and had harsh punishments), and he ultimately did turn him into a cat. However, Alexander has actually has some respect for the father who 'adopted' him. Manannan apparently taught him magic, and had a serious kingdom, where all the inhabitants learned to use magic. He returns to find Daventry a bit silly for his tastes (although he grows to like the sillyness). Alexander's motive for leaving  is largely the same, that he got tired of being treated as a slave,, however how he learned to return to Daventry is not known. Although it appears it was part of Manannan's greater plan, without him even knowning it.

He may have learned about his home form the animals since he does mention having cast the Communication with Animals spell.

Alexander returns from Llewdor to find Daventry rather peaceful, although swamped in paperwork from laws and addendums. Rosella is safe, and there is no-three headed dragon. Graham decides to take a vacation from the work and get a chance to meet his son, and let the family bond together. Alexander is shown to have learned even more from the The Sorcerery of Old while under the watch of his master, such as fireball spells. Graham is not too happy with his son using 'forbidden' magic as that is something Manny would rely on (which seems he has shunned magic himself over the years, after the events of the kidnapping). As there is no dragon to worry about, the castle is not locked, and Gwydion enters announced. Presumably this of course bypasses him having to have met any 'Rumplestiltskin' (who may already be dead as of Chapter 2, or perhaps the princess being told to turn straw into gold, assuming it wasn't just a dead goblin reinacting the events of the Rumplestiltskin story), since there was no one needed give the young wizard any advice.

Noteably Alexander may not know his real name until he returns home, and learns it from his father, to which he sounds a bit surprised by it, and prefers to be called Gwydion or Caduceus.

The original KQ3 is just the exaggerated fairy tail version of the events.

The events of KQ4 do not happen 'yet', and the hat passing ceremony event does not occur upon his return. Though there is evidence that events of KQ4 'will happen' as they are portrayed on a tapestry in the castle. It's just not know how much in the future it will happen.

In the KQ3, the backstory is that Alexander was stolen from his cradle. There are 2-3 versions of particular of this event, that differ somewhat on location, but the general story remains the same, that it always ends with Graham and Valanice not knowing who the culprit actually was, and the magic mirror going black, so they are not able to figure out where Alexander was taken. So they spend many years clueless maybe even going as far to think he is dead. THe dragon comes along and starts destroying the kingdom, Graham starts sacrificing maidens, and finally his own daughter to try to save the kingdom as his last attempt before the kingdom is finally destroyed. He locks himself up prepared for the final fate.

Meanwhile, in Llewdor Alexander is forbidden to use magic at all, Alexander hates his master, and wants to escape. He learns about home and his idendity from animals and also a local oracle who shows him that Daventry is under assault by a three-headed dragon, and that his sister is soon to be the latest victim. There are only a finite number of spells Alexander can learn form the The Sorcery of Old, and this does not include fireballs. He returns home learns more about his sister from Rumplestiltskin, and saves her from the dragon. The castle gates are unlocked once Rumplestiltskin announces Alexander's success

Finally, there is a reunion, the mirror clears, and it ends with the cap passing ceremony, that leads right into the intro for KQ4, which recreates the scene, and ends with Graham having a heart attack before anyone catches the hat. With the events of KQ4 beginning soon after. Thus end of KQ3 and the beginning KQ4 all occur within the timespan of less than a few hours of each other, and bulk of KQ4 within a few days of events of KQ3.

Manannan is not an immortal demigod, and has not kidnapped children for hundreds of years, but the story does seem to suggest he has kidnapped a number of children at the same time, to train them how to use Magic. Mordon counts as one of these individuals as well, apparently. He sheds his 'slave name' to become Mordack. Manannan isn't enslaving them to simply kill them but rather turn them into his minions.

Mannanan's shapeshifting

The cat cookie seems to have been a minor setback, and does not limit Manannan's ability to shape shift, as long as he has access to Cosmolotion. He is able to take on the form of a giant Sphinx, and being a cat seems to be part of his greater plan anyways, although he's still not too happy about Alexander turning him into it. Alexander ends up turning him into a cat a second time.

But it doesn't look like even Alexander would be able to find a 'cure' for him, and Mordack knows this as well. So the scene in KQ5 where he demands Alexander to help him cure Manannan becomes somewhat obsolete.

Manannan vs Graham

While Manannan was an unknown threat in the original series. Graham only learned about him on the return of his son, and there only being one other encounter with him during KQ5.

This series has now made Manannan someone Graham has encountered throughout his entire life since he moved to Daventry. Or at least someone who has been manipulating him his entire life. he has encountered him at least 4-6 times throughout his life.

This series even tosses in an extra encounter between KQ3 and KQ5's events.

Icebella

Not only has this series set up a different backstory for Icebella, there is actually two different icebellas. One being a former friend and the other Valanice, and after her death, a new Icebella arises when an Ice Guard takes on the mantel, presumably the Icebella that will be encountered later in KQ5.

Icebella's territory is in Avalon or Tanalore depending on which Valanice you chose in chapter 3. Both are confirmed to be on the same island/continent as Daventry, one to the east and one to the west (roughly southeast or southwest). It's not clear if its the same location as future Icebella's palace in Serenia. Though its still possible that Avalon and Eastern Mountains of Serenia could still be in the same location.

In this history, it means in Reboot Universe Graham met "Icebella" twice. In the original universe (Game realities), in KQ5 he had never heard of her before, though she had heard of him. It's the first time he met Icebella. In the Companion states that he has it that he has '..had heard of lcebella and her army of wolves, but had not given the stories about her much credence", and KQ5 NES materials seems to suggest he has heard of her before as well.

Seasons

This game sets the events of KQ3 during the winter.

In KQ3 the events of KQ3 were set during the summer.

Age of the Twins

In this game the twins are 18 during the events of KQ3.

In the original game they were still 17, and wouldn't turn 18 until after King's Quest 4. (Sources aren't clear when that birthday is some sources place it in the autumn, days or weeks after KQ4)

Mordack'a position

Mordon is clearly a slave and inferior to Manannan in this universe, even in Mordack's later life he remains Mananna's subordinate and a weaker magic user.

In the original series Mordack was the more powerful wizard, and Mananannan was apparently subordinate to him, or at least the lesser wizard. In original material Alexander notes that Mordack was the most powerful wizard he had ever encountered (even more so than Manannan).

Cedric

There is a reference to Graham (50s version) having a Cedric Mug that had been thrown out. Cedric also appears in Chapter 3, though Graham doesn't acknowledge it is or give the character a name at the time. This means Graham knows of Cedric before the events of KQ5.

In KQ5 he had never met or knew who Cedric was before.

Cedric appears to wear glasses in the reboot universe. He only wore a monicle in KQ5.

Cedrics family lives in Daventry, in KQ5 he was visiting an 'old friend'.

Hope vs Hopelessness

In the new universe Graham mentions that they never gave up hope. Though he was still sad.

In the original universe Graham had given up hope, and was ready to sacrifice his daughter, and let the kingdom die.

Three-headed Dragon

There never was a three-headed dragon terrorizing Daventry in this universe. An unused line makes this even more clear.

The Good Knight

KQ5 events

There isn't a whole lot known about KQ5 events. It is mentioned that Mordack shrunk Graham's family. Graham mentions 'extinguishing Mordack'.

But some details have been added or changed. Apparently Graham mined 'chromium in the caverns of Serenia during his adventure (this maybe a reference to the crystal from the crystal cave). Also Mordack mentions hiding under the floor boards during the magical duel (suggesting that parts of magical duel might have been 'faked', and not so magical), he may not have turned into a flame, but rather used flame to escape. Note in the original universe there is no floor boards in Mordack's laboratory but rather stone.

Based on what information there is and Mordack's history, it doesn't seem he is nearly as 'great' or evil a wizard as he is in the original universe. He appears to be a member of what he calls the 'Brotherhood', which includes Manny, and probably Manny's other pupils in Llewdor. However based in his more 'amateur' and possibly even faked magic (he is certainly not capable of keeping up with Goblin Sorcerer Manannan), it seems Mordack's membership in a "Society of Wizards" since its founding is highly unlikely in this universe. Mordack has at least learned enough magic to keep Manny alive however, though he doesn't seem to show any 'flashy' magic of the likes seen in KQ5 (no teleporting or casting magical bolts).

Mordack's face has been scratched in this universe this maybe a reference Graham scratching at Mordack during the wizards duel form KQ5 (as a tiger), or it maybe that Manannan scratched Mordack's face at some point in one of his forms. The latter seems more likely, as Manny touches his face, after Manny makes a reference to punishments he's given to his 'brother'.

Winged Ones

Winged One sorcerers exist while in classic universe Winged Ones disdain magic (Oracle excluded), and are more logical in nature and are into science and mathematics…

However classic lore Humans often associated science with sorcery… the most evil kind… so make of it what you will.

Samhain and Realm of the Dead

While in the original KQ universe there are several "Lands of the Dead" (and Lords of the Dead) for different cultures, the reboot universe appears to suggest Land of the Dead is the realm for everyone. How this affects Azriel and the Dimension of Death is not clear. Maybe they don't exist in this universe at all.

KQ6 references

There is not a lot of KQ6 references other than a visit to the Realm of the Dead, winged ones, and Lord Samhain, and reference to Green Islanders.

See also

• Dragon's Lair comparisons
• Tower comparisons
• KQ1 comparisons
• KQ4 comparisons
• KQ5 comparisons
• KQ6 comparisons
• Dimension
• Quest for the Crown: From the Chronicles of Daventry, Part I
• Original Canon

References in more than one Chapter

Geography

Tanalore is mentioned briefly in the first two chapters, but in such a way it really lacks any context with any previous reference to the land, and is simply a name drop for the sake of people who may have read the The King's Quest Companions or this wiki. Still its a funny little reference. It appears to be located very close to Daventry and is vacation destination for weekend travel (as mentioned in Ch.1). Tanalore finally is visited in Chapter 3 and its portrayed as a desert island near Kolyma in the Enchanted Isles to the south of Daventry. It can be visited again in Chapter 4 dependingon choice of queen in Chapter 3.

Avalon similary is mentioned in chapter 1, and gets visited in Chapter 3, and depending on choice of queen it can be visited again in Chapter 4.

Chapter 2 mentions the Eastern mountains as the name given for the mountains in Serenia where KQ5 took place (rather than Great Mountains or even Snowy Mountain). Though again the context is a little strange, and part of the Merchant of Miracle's quirks. It's worth noting that even in KQ5 the term 'eastern mountains' is also brought up when describing the mountains to the east of Serenia.

The game lists the region that this series takes place in, and the home of the Stone Goblins as Northwestern region of Daventry. This may differ from other uses of the term Northwest Daventry from previous sources. Unused line in Chapter 3 also mentions there being an Eastern Daventry (KQGS) and Western Daventry (KQGS).

The London Bridge, the Orient and Egypt is referenced, linking a real world locations to the world the new series is located on (this however is not rare, though uncommon even in the old series, see California, Arabia, Persia, Troy, Egypt (and Aegypt, etc)).There is an unused reference to a "Scandia" in chapter 4 that also appears to be taken from a real world name.

Behind the scenes

The new King's Quest was released through a 'resurrected' Sierra Games, and Activison and developed by The Odd Gentleman (although its technically not KQ9, but rather a series of connected adventures).

It has been said that the original games are considered part of the canon of the new game, though the new game is seen as neither a reboot nor necessarily a sequel but a reimagining (while developers sometimes deny that this game is a 'reboot', many journalists still refer to it as a reboot in their previews), and Sierra ultimatley did call it a reboot on their forums.

Still many details appear very different than they appeared in the original games (manuals, hintbooks, or other spinoff material). The Odd Gentlemen described this as 'reimagining', but usually attempt to avoid the use of the term 'reboot'.

Some of the story changes, may be subject to Graham' retelling his story to his Granddaughter, and contain exaggerated embellishments (and based on her Granddaughter's imagination and perception of the stories he tells), or perhaps an example of liberal use of 'artistic license' being used by the developers, at worst it might be set in an alternate universe from the original (in the same way that aspects of the KQ1 remake are alternate to the events of the original King's Quest).

An article on Polygon.com supporting embellishment (suggesting it changes each time he tells and retells it) idea states:

"No longer able to go on adventures, he instead creates fanciful retellings of his past glories for his granddaughter, Gwendolyn."

Graham admits concerning his embellished version of KQ1 Dragon's Lair events:

"It wasn't exactly how I remembered it, " old man Graham says. "But it wasn't all that different either."

This however is both a nod to the audience that things are about to be very different, and also foreshadowing of the previous raid from the main story in the game (where he loses a friend, and whom he acknowledges during his return to the well).

According to the developers:

This isn't a reboot, and its not necessarily a sequel. It's a reimagining. Everything that exists in the past games is still canon." These stories exist between those stories. Over the course of the game players will experience Graham's previously unknown adventures. "We're definitely not retelling the old games...we're nodding to them and respecting them, but this isn't King's Quest 1 HD. The new scenarios deal with some of the blank spots in the King's Quest timeline. How did Graham become a knight in King Edward's Court? How did his young love with Valanice develop? These tales from the past are framed by Graham's present; he is now a very old man, and he is recounting his adventures to his granddaughter, Gwendolyn. She's an energetic youngster who eats up the stories of Graham's exploits, and she is eager to have her own exciting stories to tell...

The game is completely reimagined; it’s not King’s Quest IX or anything like that,” Korba explains. “Think about it like when someone reimagines The Wizard of Oz, or Peter Pan. That’s how I see King’s Quest, [as one of] those classic fairy tales that keep being retold and reimagined.”

"We're not throwing out the canon that they already established. We're fitting our stories between those, or taking bits of those and reimagining parts of it."Gamespot preview

This is unclear, on if Matt Korba was stating that a ton of references from past games will be made incompatible with the new universe, or if the game will make tons of references to past games. But it seems that both are true. It does rewrite or reimagine a lot of old references, but also makes references to many things only long time King's Quest fans would understand.

Certain aspects completely change and ignore backstory from previous games, novels, and books. This is a clear an indication that the game occurs in a different universe than the original series (though differences may be 'slight' and the general stories still occurred).

Currently it seems that the new series mostly disregards the game manuals, the specific events of King's Quest I, The King's Quest Companion, King's Quest 2, most likely the novel trilogy, and certain specific details from the previous games. Instead it is reimagining events in a different way. An alternate universe that shares similar events from the original universe, but also very different.

While, some of these changes may just be Graham' embellished retellings of his stories to his Granddaughter, and contains misleading and exaggerated tall tales made out of a freerunning imagination (and/also based on her Granddaughter's imagination, influence and perception of the stories he tells), or perhaps an example of liberal use of 'artistic license' being used by the developers, and meant to be part of the 'same universe', at worst it appears to be set in an alternate universe from the original (in the same way that aspects of the KQ1 remake are alternate to the events of the original King's Quest).

Another article however, suggests that it is not quite a true 'reboot', and that they maybe embellished and less trustworthy, 'semi-canonical' stories in themselves<:

The new, episodic King’s Quest features King Graham as a grandfather recalling his youthful adventures as a means to offer advice to his granddaughter, Gwendolyn. This structure grants the freedom, from a storytelling standpoint, to visit several time periods throughout the history of the classic King’s Quest series without rebooting. Throughout, the player is granted the option to play out the tales in ways that emphasize different, distinct virtues both in words and in action, so the stories may even be seen as embellishments by Graham, semi-canonical parables that nonetheless allow us to see more of the series’ rich history and settings.

However, other references on the Sierra and Sierra's King's Quest website instead suggest the original series are 'legend, or fairy tale', and that Graham's stories being told to his grand daughter are the true story. That players may think they know the story (from the original games), but that things are far more complicated in the real story.

“They both have affinity, basically, and every puzzle you do in the game you’re going to start to earn favor with one of them or the other, and [whoever you end up with becomes] your canon Valanice for the series.”

Name Drops

While there are often name drops, and nods to material from the classic games, and even the The King's Quest Companions these are often largely out of context of their original source material, or in some cases anachronistic (mentioned before the character would even know about it), but are thrown in as fun references to old time fans who might be keeping track (examples include Serenia, Eldritch, Tanalore, Llewdor and Great Mountains, as well as many of the spells from KQ3). Some of these nods include 'alternate' visual adaptations of the box art from the original series (KQ6, KQ4, and 2006 KQ collection) which give Alexander a different more cartoony appearance, including a goatee, and reinterpreted outfit, place Rosella riding on a horse (rather than a unicorn, note she never actually road the unicorn in the actual story), and a much older Graham fighting a dragon (in the original artwork it shows a much younger Graham, and was apparently intended originally a reinterpretation of the KQ1 dragon encounter), or the reimagined appearance of the magic treasures (and the importance the magic mirror over the others, and the order they were collected).