| Type | Continent |
|---|---|
| Located in | The known world |
| Heads | The Seven High Lords |
| Appears in | A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015), A Court of Mist and Fury (2016), A Court of Wings and Ruin (2017), A Court of Frost and Starlight (2018), A Court of Silver Flames (2021) |
Contents
Location
Prythian consists of seven independently ruled territories known as courts: four Seasonal Courts—Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter—and three Solar Courts—Night, Day, and Dawn. The continent lies north of the Mortal Lands, separated from them by the magical Wall, and sits east of the island kingdom of Hybern.
The name Prythian is derived from ancient terms for Britain—Brython, Britton, and the Welsh Prydain—reflecting the similar silhouette of the land. Likewise, Hybern parallels Hibernia, the ancient name for Ireland; Hybern occupies an island off Prythian’s western coast just as Ireland lies west of Britain.
The Courts of Prythian
Seasonal Courts
Prythian’s four Seasonal Courts span the southern and central regions of the land. The Spring Court lies furthest south and is the only court that borders the Wall separating Prythian from the Mortal Lands. North of Spring are the Summer Court to the west and the Autumn Court to the east. The Winter Court lies north of both Summer and Autumn, forming the northernmost of the Seasonal Courts.
Solar Courts
The three Solar Courts occupy the northern expanse of Prythian. Directly north of the Winter Court sits the Dawn Court, known for its mountain palace in the clouds. Further north is the Day Court, renowned for its vast libraries and historical archives. The Night Court extends across the far north and is the largest—and most feared—of all the courts.
History
According to Fae lore, the world—including Prythian, the Kingdom of Hybern, and the Mortal Lands—was created by the Cauldron, a primordial and immeasurably powerful magical artifact. Prythian later developed into a faerie realm divided into seven courts, each ruled by a High Lord of immense and unique power. These courts consist of the Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, Dawn, Day, and Night Courts.
Five hundred years before the events of A Court of Thorns and Roses, there was no boundary separating Fae and human territories. Many Fae from Prythian and Hybern enslaved and mistreated humans, which helped spark the War—a conflict in which the Fae were forced to choose between supporting human freedom or siding with the King of Hybern and his commander, Amarantha. The war ended with the creation of the Treaty, which abolished human enslavement and established the Wall, a massive magical barrier dividing Prythian from the Mortal Lands. The Wall runs along the southern border of the Spring Court, two days from the village where Feyre Archeron later lived. The Treaty also forbade Fae from entering the Mortal Lands without consequence.
In the aftermath of the War, Amarantha reappeared in Prythian and gradually stole much of the power of the High Lords. She proclaimed herself High Queen of Prythian and ruled from her fortress Under the Mountain, beneath the Sacred Mountain. All courts were forced to live under her control except the Spring Court, whose High Lord, Tamlin, was given forty-nine years to break the curse she placed upon him.
The High Lords of Prythian
Each court in Prythian is ruled by a High Lord, the most powerful type of High Fae in existence. A High Lord’s magic is inborn, inherited, and tied directly to the land and core element of their court—such as night, day, dawn, winter, or seasons. No other Fae can match the raw strength of a High Lord within their own territory.
High Lords govern autonomously, establishing laws, commanding their armies, and controlling their court’s internal affairs without oversight from any higher authority. Their power is both political and magical: a High Lord’s abilities can shape landscapes, shield cities, or even influence the balance of magic in their region.
While the courts rarely meet together, moments of crisis—such as the War with Hybern—have shown that the collective power of all seven High Lords can alter the fate of Prythian.
| Image | Highlord | Court | Appearance | Powers & Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Tamlin | Spring Court | Golden hair, green eyes | Immense physical strength; powerful shape-shifter; can alter the shapes of others; limited control over wind; healing ability. |
 |
Rhysand | Night Court | Dark hair, blue-violet eyes | Most powerful High Lord in Prythian’s history; manipulates darkness and shadow; Daemati mind control and telepathy; memory alteration and mind reading; conjures Illyrian wings for flight; capable of misting enemies; expert Illyrian warrior. |
 |
Tarquin | Summer Court | Dark skin, silver hair, turquoise eyes | Wields water and commands the sea. |
 |
Beron Vanserra | Autumn Court | Red hair, amber eyes | Fire manipulation. |
 |
Kallias | Winter Court | Pale hair, blue eyes | Ice manipulation. |
 |
Helion | Day Court | Golden skin, amber eyes | Commands sunlight and air; generates and shapes light; dispels enchantments (“Spellcleaver”); uses light to diagnose or heal ailments; capable of intense solar heat (“Sunfire”). |
 |
Thesan | Dawn Court | Warm brown skin, copper hair | Healing and light magic. |
Social Hierarchy of High Fae and Lesser Fae
Prythian’s population is divided into two primary groups: the High Fae and the lesser fae, each occupying different positions in the realm’s social and political hierarchy. The High Fae hold the highest status and include powerful families, court nobility, and the ruling High Lords. They possess stronger magic, longer lifespans, and greater political influence. Most positions of authority within the courts—military command, governance, and diplomacy—are held by High Fae.
The lesser fae encompass a wide range of faerie beings with varied appearances, abilities, and levels of magic. While many live freely within the courts and hold skilled occupations, they generally do not possess the same rights, social standing, or political power as the High Fae. Their status differs by court: some courts treat lesser fae as valued citizens, while others enforce stricter hierarchies or discrimination.
This divide shapes everyday life in Prythian, influencing housing, work, social mobility, and each court’s internal culture. Despite these differences, both High Fae and lesser fae fall under the authority of their ruling High Lord.
Notable Locations
| The Wall | A massive, magical barrier that separates Prythian from the Mortal Lands. Created after the War and enforced by the Treaty, it prevents most Fae from crossing south and marks the political boundary between realms. |
|---|---|
| Spring Court Manor | The central estate of the Spring Court and the residence of High Lord Tamlin. The manor serves as an early setting in A Court of Thorns and Roses, known for its sprawling grounds and gardens. |
| Under The Mountain | Amarantha’s former stronghold beneath the Sacred Mountain. It served as the seat of her rule during her occupation of Prythian and the site of Feyre Archeron’s three trials. |
| Velaris | Also known as the City of Starlight, Velaris is a hidden city within the Night Court, protected for centuries by powerful wards. It is a major cultural center and home to the Inner Circle. |
| The Middle | A dangerous, unmapped stretch of forest separating several courts. It is home to ancient beings, including the Weaver, and contains perilous regions such as the Bog of Oorid. |
| The Prison | A magically fortified island in the Western Isles used to contain some of the most dangerous creatures in Prythian. Once the Dusk Court, it now operates under Night Court jurisdiction. |
| Hewn City | The Court of Nightmares, located within the Night Court’s territory. It is carved into a mountain and functions as a political and ceremonial center for the Illyrian and Night Court elite. |
