The World of Tahrsein:
The Lands of "Quest For Infamy"
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Tahrsein –
Tahrsein is the name of the world in which the Quest For Infamy games take place. A single moon called 'Lidos' orbits the planet.
Over 10,000 years ago, a great celestial event altered Tahrsein's evolutionary course: a massive cataclysm decimated the planet's surface, destroying almost all of the societal advancements made by the previous inhabitants (who are now referred to as "The Ones Who Came Before"). Rumored to be the result of a comet striking the planet's surface, none of Tahrsein's current inhabitants know with certainty; its cause has been long since forgotten over the intervening millennia.
Out of the ashes, those who remained slowly rebuilt their shattered planet, eventually giving rise to the five great nations of Tahrsein:
• Lonaria
• Jhondar
• Illinaya
• Hoondal
• Dvorkia
By the start of Quest For Infamy, these nations are joined by numerous other countries, lands, kingdoms, and realms across a repopulated Tahrsein. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion)
* The cataclysm and resulting consequences are to be an important plot point of Quest For Infamy 2. (QFI Official Companion)
"The Ones Who Came Before" –
The historical name of the people who lived before the great cataclysm that once shifted the world of Tahrsein. Remnants of their great society can be found in the Thieves Den (Lonarian South Guild, Number #67408), which is far older than any other place in South Lonaria, as well as their vast network of tracked tunnels that run beneath the Valley of Krasna. ("The Ones Who Came Before" = Red, Thieves Den) (Map of Lonaria/Rogue Class)
* The cataclysm and resulting consequences are to be an important plot point of Quest For Infamy 2. (QFI Official Companion)
Lonaria / The Kingdom of Lonaria –
One of the five great nations of Tahrsein, the Kingdom of Lonaria is split into two large areas by the Great River Silmahwyn: North Lonaria, where the Castle of the King — 'Koninglist' — is located, and South Lonaria, also known as the Valley of Krasna. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion) ("Kingdom", "Castle of the King" = Udo, Volksville)
Considered the greatest King of Lonaria, it was Ferris the Brave who unified the feuding villages, built the great bridge across the River Silmahwyn, and commissioned the construction of the Port City of Tyr as well as the King's Road. ("Ferris The Brave" = Jovan, Library/Tyr) King Harland Uland is the current ruler of Lonaria. (Velikor, End Cut-Scene)
North Lonaria –
The Castle of Koninglist, seat of power for the Kingdom of Lonaria, lies in the northeastern forest, while closer to the King's Road in the grasslands lies a mill to the east and a little village on the western side. (Various Looks = Narrator, King's Bridge/Tower Bridge Screen) The Order of the Cloak and Dagger also has a Guild there, the Lonarian North Guild ("Raven Side-Quest" = Red, Thieves Den).
South Lonaria –
Also known as the Valley of Krasna, this half of Lonaria is nestled between two great mountain ranges that form its eastern and western borders. Krasna consists of the great Port City of Tyr, located on the ocean in the southwest, and the forest town of Volksville, located in the heart of the Valley; to the northwest, beyond the King's Road, is a tiny settlement called Hermit's Homestead. (Map of Lonaria)
The Great River Silmahwyn enters Lonaria well to the north of the eastern mountain range, dividing Lonaria in half by cutting a magnificent gorge as it flows toward the western mountain range. From there, the River curves to the south, forming a deep chasm between the grasslands to the east and the mountains to the west. Eventually the Great River is routed over Tyr's aqueduct system, high above the city, before emptying into the Bay of Tyr. (Map of Lonaria) (Various 'Looks' = Narrator, Grasslands) ("Wall & Aqueduct" = Lionel, Information Stand/Tyr) The Great River Silmahwyn not only runs through Lonaria, but almost the entire continent. ("River" = Udo, Volksville)
The eastern mountain range forms a natural barrier down to the ocean, with only a single road leading out of the Valley. On the other side of Krasna, a vast mountain range full of sharp and jagged rocks lies directly to the west, constraining the River Silmahwyn and forcing it south. Southwest of Hermit's Homestead, a ruined foot bridge once crossed the gorge over to the steep and rocky mountain range. However, the bridge was battered and destroyed by the elements long ago and never repaired. From all appearances, it looks like the footbridge seemingly led to nowhere on the opposite side. (Map of Lonaria) (Various 'Looks' = Narrator, Western Bridge)
The road east of Volksville leads to an abandoned guard tower at the foot of the eastern mountain range. It continues out of the Valley, high into the mountains, eventually leading to the land of Eighan. The journey over the mountains usually takes several weeks, either by foot or by horse cart, but can go much quicker by caravan. (Blackthorne PM) (Map of Lonaria) (Narrator, Prelude) (Walk East = Narrator, Krasna Overlook) (Big D's Side-Quest) The road west of Volksville leads to the King's Road; from there, one can travel north over the Tower Bridge (also known as the King's Bridge) into North Lonaria, or head south down to the Port City of Tyr on the ocean. (Map of Lonaria) (King's Bridge/Tower Bridge screen)
The Port City of Tyr is the greatest city on the southern continent; founded over 500 years ago by Great King Ferris the Brave, there is no finer city — besides the Castle of Koninglist — in all of Lonaria. ("Tyr" = Lionel, Information Stand/Tyr) ("Tyr" = Jovan, Library/Tyr) Two of the many notable buildings found in Tyr are the Hall of Laws and the Library of Tyr. The Hall of Laws contains not only the courts of Tyr, but also the schools of law for the Kingdom of Lonaria and beyond. ("Hall of Laws" = Lionel, Information Stand/Tyr) The Library was originally built as a fortress, but Ferris the Brave realized he could hide the true wealth of a nation — knowledge — within its sturdy and expansive walls. ("Library" = Lionel, Information Stand/Tyr)
The sleepy forest town of Volksville — the "People's Village" — is bordered by two rivers on three sides. The two rivers join together southwest of Volksville, winding its way through the South Woods. Like all rivers in the Valley of Krasna, it empties into the ocean on Lonaria's southern side. (Map of Lonaria) ("Volksville" = Udo, Volksville) ("Wall & Aqueduct" = Lionel, Information Stand/Tyr)
Eighan / The Land of Eighan –
Over the vast mountain range to the east of South Lonaria lies the land of Eighan. One of its Baronies is Hogansville, ruled by Baron Brandlevrot. (Blackthorne PM) ("Somewhere in a Far-Off Castle", Opening Prelude) (Kayanna, Fortress Steps) (Rayford, Sheriff's Office) It's several weeks journey along a mountain road from South Lonaria by foot or by cart. (Narrator, Prelude) (Walk East = Narrator, Krasna Overlook) There are also caravans that make the journey as well. (Big D's Side-Quest)
Jhondar / The Land of Jhondar –
One of the five great nations of Tahrsein, the land of Jhondar lies in the north of Tahrsein, northeast of Lonaria. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion) ("Centai" = Jovan, Library/Tyr) ("Centai"/Book: "Religions of Tahrsein" = Garyeth/Library, Tyr) The main city, also named Jhondar, is home to the Order of the Centai, a religious group of monks and enlightened scholars that looks to serve humanity by seeking peace and knowledge. They help maintain the peace, honor and tranquility throughout their technologically-advanced city. (Kayanna, Fortress Steps)
The legendary first Centai Priest, Jhonda, was a simple farmer who found the Eye of Jaager while plowing a field on his remote homestead. Upon touching the Gem — the first of three "Eyes of God" to be discovered — Jhonda was given a vision as to how to construct not only the Centai Monastery, but also what would become the great city of Jhondar. Using an odd and magnificent machine, Jhonda built the famous Centai Temple as well as most of the other technological advances found in Jhondar, such as proper sewers and an underground water-propelled transit system. ("Eye of Jaager"/Book: "The Eyes of God and Other Holy Treasures" = Garyeth, Library/Tyr)
The city of Jhondar is laid-out in the shape of a circle (or at least the northern half is) and contains numerous sky-scrapers, which speaks to the truly advanced nature of the city. By far the tallest structure in Jhondar is the Centai Temple, where the Eye of Mantilla floats atop a trapezoidal pedestal at its apex. A river flows north of the city, and just beyond that, mountains topped with green vegetation form sheer walls thousands of feet high. Further to the north are even taller snow-capped mountains. (Epilogue Cut-Scene)
Delai / The Land of Delai –
The land of Delai is the birthplace of the Morroi, a primitive and ancient cult that has spread to many other continents in Tahrsein over the years. ("Morroi"/Book: "The Religions of Tahrsein" = Garyeth, Library/Tyr) The Morroi, too, have their own technology, including a machine that works with the Eye of Jaager. (Uotaargh Fight = Rayford, Fortress) (Final Fight= Rayford, Lighthouse/Tyr)
Anenghoti / The Realm of Anenghoti –
This realm exports the finest tobacco leaf available, the Kenmati Leaf. (Introduction = Armand, Tobacconist) Among the finest of tobaccos, the Kenmati Leaf only grows in a small portion of the world. ("Kenmati Tobacco" = Armand, Tobacconist) It's a difficult leaf to grow and harvest, which only speaks to the unique agriculture qualities of this land. (Buy Screen = Armand, Tobacconist)
Rhomerio –
This land is where the Sir Daves Blend of tobacco is grown. A very rare and expensive blend, the medicinal qualities — not to mention its occasional psychotropic effects — make this tobacco a favorite of musicians and minstrels alike. ("The Art Of Tobacco"/ Bookshelf = Narrator, Library/Tyr) ("Sir Daves of Rhomerio" = Armand, Tobacconist)
Kyiadia –
Kyiadia is a country to the south of Lonaria; its people are great masters of cloth and dress-making. Tara, the woman who sells handmade garments in Tyr's Marketplace, is originally from Kyiadia. ("Tyr" = Tara, Tyr Marketplace)
Urlince / The Land of Urlince –
Located north of Lonaria, the land of Urlince is home to a race of talking bears called 'Urlinites.' Chuy the Brigand Bear is one such Urlinite, and he's quite proud of the amazing cities of his homeland. ("Home" = Chuy the Bear, Brigand's Hideout)
Ier / Kingdom of Ier –
In the Kingdom of Ier, a young and inexperienced Chuy let two guys get the best of him; they put him in a cage as a tourist attraction for a traveling caravan before Kurdt rescued him 5 years ago. ("Cage" = Chuy the Bear, Brigand's Hideout)
Unnamed Land to the South –
The Mills family (Bobby, Whitey and Junior) are from this unnamed land to the south of Lonaria. "Cobber," a word from their home, means "Friend." (Safety Deposit Box = Whitey, Bank of Volksville)
Unnamed Land to the South –
Deep in Rayford's Dungeon, the barbarian Suduk Gora states that his home lies south of Lonaria over the ocean. (Suduk Gora, Rayford's Dungeon) It is unknown at this time whether his homeland is Kyiadia, the same unnamed land from which the Mills family emigrated, or possibly some other as-yet-unnamed country in Tahrsein's southern region.
Agroobu –
According to Dr. Frank, Agroobu is great city with an amazing culture. (Dr. Frank, Volksville Marketplace)
Spielburg Village –
The place where "Razzle Dazzle Root Beer" is made. (Look Various Items = Volksville General Store)
The Northern Frost Lands –
Not much is known about this frigid region; it was said that with his personality, Donner Killington could have sold ice to its residents. ("Killingtons"/Book: "Killingtons, Volume 5" = Garyeth, Library/Tyr)
Texas –
Little is known about this city/land. A book in the Library of Tyr ponders the question as to whether or not it actually existed. (Book: "Texas: Was it a real place?", Narrator, Bookshelf/Library/Tyr)
Illinaya -
One of the five great nations of Tahrsein, little is known about this land. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion)
Hoondal –
One of the five great nations of Tahrsein, little is known about this land. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion)
Dvorkia –
One of the five great nations of Tahrsein, little is known about this land. (QFI Game Manual, QFI Official Companion)
Sources:
Quest For Infamy computer game by Infamous Quests
Quest For Infamy game manual by Infamous Quests
Quest For Infamy: The Official Companion - Art Book and Hint Guide by Infamous Quests
Q&A with Blackthorne of Infamous Quests
