When Darkness Falls: Setting Blog

The Obsidian Trilogy is set in a mythical world. It is similar to ours, except for the addition of magic and creatures such as elves and dragons. It has no specified name, and there aren't really many actual countries; mostly cities and territories. There is also no given year, but the world is medieval-style (swords and armor, primitive technology, knights, peasants).

In the first book, The Outstretched Shadow, the first part is set in the biggest human city, Armethalieh. This city is ruled by mages, and every aspect of life is affected by magic. The middle portion is set in the Wild Lands, an unorganized large area near Armethalieh's territory that is not unified, but has many scattered settlements. The latter part is set in the Elven lands, mainly in the city of Sentarshadeen, and wandering in other places on Kellen's journey.
The second book, To Light a Candle, is mainly set in the Elven Lands, on Kellen's way back from his journey, Sentarshadeen, and the army's march all around the nation seeking the hideouts of their enemies.
When Darkness Falls, the third (and current) book, so far is also mainly set in the Elven Lands, except almost entirely at the military encampments with the army. There have been so far a few trips to other Elven cities such as Lerkalpoldara and Ysterialpoerin.

I think that that most important settings are probably Armethalieh and the Elven Lands. Armethalieh, being the biggest human city and led by mages, is a key location to the outcome of the war. And the Elven Lands are where most of the series takes place.
"Magick set the scales in the marketplace and ensured their honesty. Magick at the Mint guaranteed that the square coins of the City, the Golden Suns of Armethalieh, were the truest in the world, and the most trusted. Magick kept the City's water supply sweet and uncontaminated, her markets filled with fresh wholesome food at every season, her buildings unthreatened by fire. There were entire cadres of Mages on the City payroll, dedicated to magick for the public good. If they were well paid and well respected, they had earned both the pay and the respect. Even Kellen, no friend of Mages, had to admit to that. Life in the City was sweet and easy." (The Outstretched Shadow, Pg 15) This quote describes how magic is a huge part of Armethalieh, which makes it very important to the plot.

Setting in The Obsidian Trilogy is important in the way that there are many key locations, but since the geography isn't too different from ours, it isn't as big a matter.

My prediction has been that Kellen will become more self-confident to match the increasing challenges of the war. This prediction has proven to be true, and I still predict he will continue this trend.

I rate this book 8.5/10 so far.