10 Realms of The Kindred’s Curse Saga Guide
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.
If you’re trying to remember which realm has pink eyes, where the mind readers live, which gryvern belongs to which Crown, or why everyone keeps talking about a place called the Forgotten Lands, you’ve come to the right place.
The world of Kindred’s Curse Saga by Penn Cole gets BIG.
We start Spark of the Everflame mostly concerned with Diem, Mortal City, and Lumnos.
But before long, we’re traveling across Emarion, meeting different Crowns, learning new magic systems, encountering more gryverns, and discovering that basically everything we thought we knew about the history of the realms needs to be questioned.
There are nine officially recognized realms in Emarion, each named after one of the Kindred and connected to its own type of magic.
But if you’ve read far enough into the series, you know there’s a little more to that story.
So I’m breaking down all 10 realms, including their magic, eye colors, Crowns, gryverns, cultures, treatment of mortals, and what you actually need to remember about each one.
If you need help with the people rather than the places, keep my Kindred’s Curse Saga Character Guide handy too. And for everything else—book recaps, reviews, characters, realms, and lore—you can head back to my Ultimate Kindred’s Curse Saga Guide.
You can also explore Penn Cole’s official worldbuilding through her Enter Emarion guide.
⚠️⚠️ MAJOR SPOILER WARNING: The first nine realm sections contain some spoilers as the guide progresses.
The tenth realm is a major series reveal, so I’ve separated it into its own heavily marked spoiler section. If you haven’t reached that revelation yet, STOP when I tell you to.
First, What Is Emarion?
Emarion is the continent where Kindred’s Curse Saga takes place.
Long before Diem’s story begins, mortals inhabited Emarion and worshipped the Everflame, the Tree of Life and Death.
Then the beings who would eventually become known as the Kindred arrived.
The nine Kindred recognized by modern Emarion are:
Lumnos • Fortos • Faunos • Arboros • Ignios • Umbros • Meros • Sophos • Montios
Each brought a different type of magic, and their descendants became known as the Descended. The realms eventually took the names of their respective Kindred.
This is also why someone’s eye color matters so much in this series.
A Descended person’s eyes generally identify the realm—and therefore the magic—from which they descend.
And then Diem walks around with grey eyes throwing a wrench into everything.
We’ll get to that.
The 9 Known Realms of Emarion
Magic, realm names & eye colors at a glance
Lumnos
Realm of Light and Shadow
Lumnos
Lumnos is home base.
It’s where Diem grows up, where Mortal City is located, where House Corbois holds enormous political influence, and where much of the early series takes place.
Lumnos Descended can control light or darkness.
The realm itself is known for wealth, beauty, artists and artisans. But that is a pretty exterior that hides a massive divide between the Descended elite and the mortals living alongside them.
The Twenty Houses
Lumnos society is dominated by powerful Descended families known as the Twenty Houses.
Some of the important ones you’ll encounter include:
Corbois • Hanoverre • Benette • Teniers • Amraut
House Corbois is especially important because it produces multiple members of the royal family, including Luther.
If the Corbois/Hanoverre/Benette family connections are already making your head hurt, my Kindred’s Curse Character Guide breaks down who’s related to whom.
Mortals in Lumnos
Mortals are allowed to live in Lumnos, but they are far from equal to the Descended.
Most live in Mortal City, where poverty and limited opportunities stand in sharp contrast to the wealth enjoyed by powerful Descended families.
Mortals face significant restrictions, and relationships between mortals and Descended are forbidden.
This divide is especially important because Diem grows up believing she is mortal. She experiences the inequality firsthand long before she becomes part of the Descended political world.
Overall stance toward mortals: Allowed, but heavily discriminated against.
Lumnos Gryvern
Lumnos’s gryvern is Sorae.
She eventually becomes bonded to Diem and develops into much more than magical transportation.
Sorae becomes one of Diem’s most important companions—and once we learn the truth about the gryverns and the Forging, her entire story hits differently.
Fortos
Realm of Force and Valor
Fortos
If Lumnos is concerned with wealth and beauty, Fortos is concerned with:
Rules.
Lots and lots of rules.
Fortos is the military powerhouse of Emarion. Its rocky landscape contains the headquarters and training grounds for the army serving the nine realms.
Fortos Magic
Fortos Descended possess one of the more unusual magical abilities in Emarion.
They can heal or cause rapid decay.
That makes Fortos magic capable of doing two completely opposite things:
Saving a life.
Or ending one very quickly.
Mortals in Fortos
Mortals are permitted within Fortos, but this is definitely not one of Emarion’s more welcoming places for them.
The realm is extremely strict and militaristic, with rules governing both mortals and Descended. Mortals face especially significant restrictions and certainly don’t enjoy the same status as the Descended.
Fortos is also home to the infamous prison where mortals, Guardians, Descended, and others considered dangerous can be held.
Overall stance toward mortals: Allowed, but heavily restricted.
The Fortos Prison
Auralie’s imprisonment here turns Fortos into a major location during Diem’s story and forces her into direct conflict with the existing political system.
If you’re trying to remember exactly how Diem’s attempt to save Auralie plays out, that’s one of the storylines I cover in my Heat of the Everflame Book Recap.
Fortos Gryvern
Fortos’s gryvern was Baldrum.
Unlike most of the gryverns we meet during Diem’s story, Baldrum is already deceased at the beginning of Spark.
Faunos
Realm of Beast and Brute
Faunos
Welcome to the jungle.
Literally.
Faunos is a hot, humid realm covered in thick jungle, and its Descended possess magic connected to animals.
They can communicate with and conjure animal life, while the realm’s larger culture reflects the natural world around it. Penn Cole describes Faunos society as revolving around the idea of predator and prey.
Mortals in Faunos
Faunos takes a much harder stance toward mortals.
Mortals are banned from the realm.
They may use the Ring Road to travel through Faunos, but they’re not permitted to freely enter and live among its Descended population.
That fits with the realm’s larger culture, which places enormous importance on strength, survival, and the natural order of predator and prey.
Overall stance toward mortals: Banned.
Queen Ailani
Queen Ailani is the Crown of Faunos.
Her connection with animals becomes particularly useful once the larger war spreads across Emarion.
Faunos Gryvern
Faunos’s gryvern is Rosha.
Arboros
Realm of Root and Thorn
Arboros
If Faunos controls the animals, Arboros controls the plants.
Arboros Descended can communicate with and conjure plant life.
Which can be beautiful.
Useful.
Medicinal.
Or potentially deadly.
Because apparently even the gardening needs to have stakes in this series.
Why Arboros Matters
Arboros is incredibly important to the rest of Emarion because its farming villages provide much of the continent’s food and medicinal herbs.
That makes Arboros particularly interesting from Diem’s perspective as a healer.
Mortals in Arboros
Arboros is one of the more accepting realms when it comes to mortals.
Mortals are allowed to live within the realm and face fewer restrictions than they do in places like Lumnos or Fortos. Penn Cole’s official guide describes Arboros as welcoming mortals with only minor restrictions.
That doesn’t mean mortals and Descended are completely equal. The larger divisions that exist throughout Emarion still affect life in Arboros.
But compared with many of the other realms?
Arboros is relatively welcoming.
Overall stance toward mortals: Allowed with minor restrictions.
Queen Mireille
Mireille is the Crown of Arboros when the series begins.
Her relationship with Diem changes considerably as Diem’s power grows and the political balance between the Crowns begins to fall apart.
Arboros Gryvern
Arboros’s gryvern is Onaar.
Ignios
Realm of Sand and Flame
Ignios
Fire.
Sand.
Desert.
Generally not where I’d book the relaxing portion of my Emarion vacation.
Ignios Descended can control sand and/or fire, and their orange eyes immediately identify their ancestry.
Interestingly, Penn Cole’s official lore describes Ignios as a realm that was once known for warm hospitality before becoming notorious for its ruthless and violent Descended.
That little piece of history matters because one of the recurring themes throughout the saga is that the cultures Diem encounters aren’t necessarily the cultures that have always existed.
Mortals in Ignios
Ignios is one of the least welcoming realms in Emarion for mortals.
Mortals are completely banned from entering.
The protections surrounding the realm also make crossing into Ignios extraordinarily dangerous for mortals, reinforcing just how completely separated the realm has become from Emarion’s mortal population.
It’s especially interesting considering Ignios was once known for hospitality. Whatever relationship the realm once had with outsiders has changed dramatically over time.
Overall stance toward mortals: Completely banned.
Ignios Gryvern
Ignios’s gryvern is Tybold.
And Tybold is especially important because he’s connected to Sorae.
The two were mates before being separated by the system that bound gryverns to individual Crowns.
Once we understand that history, Sorae and Tybold’s relationship becomes one of those little pieces of the story that suddenly feels much sadder.
Umbros
Realm of Mind and Secret
Umbros
Umbros might be one of the most fascinating realms in Emarion.
It’s dark.
It’s dangerous.
Its Descended can literally get inside your head.
And somehow it’s also one of the places where mortals have the most freedom.
Umbros Magic
Umbros Descended can read minds, while particularly powerful individuals can exert control over them.
That makes secrets a little difficult to keep.
Their black eyes make them immediately recognizable.
Queen Yrselle
Queen Yrselle is one of the more mysterious Crowns Diem encounters.
And if you remember the strange elderly woman Diem meets early in the series…
Yep.
Keep remembering her.
Yrselle becomes far more important than she initially appears.
Mortals in Umbros
For all of Umbros’s reputation for secrets, crime, questionable activities, and people who can literally read your mind, it’s actually one of the most accepting realms toward mortals.
Mortals are allowed to live and work freely alongside the Descended.
It’s a pretty striking contrast with Lumnos.
The realm that looks polished and respectable keeps mortals beneath the Descended, while dark and scandalous Umbros gives them considerably more freedom.
Interesting, isn’t it?
Overall stance toward mortals: Welcoming; allowed to live and work freely.
Umbros Gryvern
Umbros’s gryvern is Cyranei.
Meros
Realm of Sea and Sky
Meros
If Umbros is where you go to buy something you’re probably not supposed to have, Meros is where it probably arrived by ship.
Meros is home to the largest and busiest port in Emarion.
Its Descended control wind and/or water, which makes their magical abilities particularly useful for sailing and trade.
Life in Meros
Meros has a much rowdier, more relaxed reputation than several of the other realms.
Penn Cole describes its citizens as fun-loving people who enjoy sailing and a hearty ale when they get home.
Honestly, after visiting Fortos, I’d probably head here too.
Mortals in Meros
Meros falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to mortals.
They’re permitted within the realm but still face some restrictions.
Its culture is heavily centered around sailing, ports, and trade, so Meros naturally interacts with people traveling from other parts of Emarion. It isn’t nearly as isolated or openly hostile toward mortals as Montios, Faunos, or Ignios.
But being permitted doesn’t necessarily mean being completely equal.
Overall stance toward mortals: Allowed with some restrictions.
King Obaneryn
Obaneryn is King of Meros.
He’s also the mate of Doriel, Crown of Sophos.
That connection becomes increasingly important—and increasingly heartbreaking—as the larger conflict spreads across the realms.
Meros Gryvern
Meros’s gryvern is Arilloc.
Sophos
Realm of Thought and Spark
Sophos
Sophos is where The Kindred’s Curse Saga briefly decides it would like to be science fiction.
And I’m here for it.
Sophos is significantly more technologically advanced than the other realms.
Its futuristic cities contain enormous libraries, prestigious research institutions, and inventions that feel completely different from much of the rest of Emarion.
Sophos Magic
Sophos Descended can possess abilities associated with Thought and Spark.
Some can control electricity.
Others can perfectly recall information they’ve previously seen or heard.
Imagine never forgetting anything you’ve read.
Book lovers everywhere would like a word.
Mortals in Sophos
Sophos doesn’t completely exclude mortals, but you can’t exactly stroll across the border because you feel like visiting the library.
Mortals can enter Sophos by invitation.
Those who are permitted inside can have access to opportunities that would be unusual elsewhere in Emarion, including its prestigious educational institutions.
That makes Sophos interesting.
It’s selective about who gets in, but mortals who are permitted entry can participate in parts of society that might be closed to them elsewhere.
Overall stance toward mortals: Allowed by invitation only.
Doriel
Doriel is the Crown of Sophos.
They’re also one of the most important people when it comes to understanding Emarion’s history.
Sophos’s obsession with preserving knowledge means Doriel has access to information that has been forgotten—or deliberately erased—elsewhere.
That becomes extremely important later.
Sophos Gryvern
Sophos’s gryvern is Vexes.
Vexes eventually becomes particularly important when the truth about the Forging and the gryverns’ servitude is revealed.
Montios
Realm of Stone and Ice
Montios
Montios is the realm that basically looked at the rest of Emarion and said:
No, thank you.
Its Descended live among snowy mountains, rarely interact with outsiders, and are known for refusing to speak to people from outside their realm.
Montios Magic
Montios Descended can control rock, ice, and/or snow.
Their purple eyes distinguish them from the other realms.
Mortals in Montios
Montios wants very little to do with outsiders in general.
And mortals?
They’re banned entirely.
This fits with Montios’s extremely isolated culture. Its Descended rarely interact with people from other realms, and many refuse to even speak to outsiders.
So while the mortal ban is significant, Montios isn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat for foreign Descended either.
Overall stance toward mortals: Banned.
Montios Gryvern
Montios’s gryvern was Rymari.
Like Baldrum of Fortos, Rymari is already deceased when Diem’s story begins.
But There's Something Else in Montios...
Part of Montios is known as the Forgotten Lands.
The Montios Descended avoid it.
The area is considered cursed.
And if you’re still reading the series and don’t know why…
This is where you should stop reading this article.
Seriously.
Bookmark me.
Come back later.
Because we’re about to spoil one of the biggest pieces of worldbuilding in the entire saga.
MAJOR SERIES SPOILERS AHEAD
There Is a Tenth Realm
For most of The Kindred’s Curse Saga, Emarion has nine realms.
Nine Kindred.
Nine magical bloodlines.
At least…
That’s what everyone believes.
Then we learn about:
Omnos
The Forgotten Tenth Realm
Omnos
There weren’t originally nine Kindred.
There were ten.
The tenth was Omnos.
And his existence was deliberately erased.
His former territory eventually became known as:
The Forgotten Lands.
Suddenly that name feels considerably less subtle.
What Are the Forgotten Lands?
The Forgotten Lands appear to be part of Montios.
But something about them feels wrong.
The landscape changes.
The land doesn’t seem to belong with the rest of Montios.
And that’s because it doesn’t.
This was once territory associated with the forgotten tenth Kindred.
The fact that an entire realm could disappear from accepted history becomes one of the biggest clues that the official version of Emarion’s past isn’t necessarily trustworthy.
Mortals in Omnos
This one needs to be treated differently because Omnos’s realm no longer exists as a functioning modern realm by the time Diem’s story takes place.
There isn’t a modern Omnos government establishing rules about whether mortals can live, work, marry, or travel there like we see in Lumnos, Umbros, or Arboros.
Instead, Omnos’s relationship with mortals becomes part of the much larger story surrounding his history with the other Kindred and his eventual connection with Auralie and Diem.
So I wouldn’t try to place the forgotten realm somewhere on a modern scale between “mortal friendly” and “mortal hostile.”
It simply doesn’t operate that way anymore.
Overall stance toward mortals: Not directly comparable—the realm was erased from history.
Would you belong in Lumnos, Umbros, Ignios, or somewhere completely unexpected? Discover which Realm of Emarion matches your personality!
Discover My Realm →Where to Go Next
If you’re officially back down the Kindred’s Curse rabbit hole, I’ve got plenty more to help you keep everything straight.
Head back to my Ultimate Kindred’s Curse Saga Guide for all of my guides, recaps, and reviews, or jump straight into my Kindred’s Curse Saga Character Guide if you’re still trying to remember who’s related to whom.
And if all this talk about magic systems, political conflict, romance, and worldbuilding has you wondering whether Kindred’s Curse Saga is actually romantasy or fantasy romance, I have an entire Romantasy vs Fantasy Romance: What’s the Difference? guide breaking down exactly that.
Because apparently keeping track of ten realms wasn’t enough. Now we have to classify the books too.
