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The Black City was an ancient ruin in Tortall's Great Southern Desert which dated back at least to the Old Ones. It was build of black, shining stone and when the sun shone on it the city's towers and walls gleamed.[1] The Ysandir stole the souls and drained the magic of those who entered their city. The Bazhir cursed the city and placed a ring of fire around it in order to cage the Ysandir, demons who had ruled the Black City in ages past. They also built Persopolis with the purpose of keeping an eye on the Black City. Because the Ysandir couldn't get out of their city anymore they let their prey come to them. Especially Bazhir youths were sometimes compelled by magic to escape their elders and ride to the Black City, where the Ysandir would consume them.

When Maude Tanner tried to See in the fire Alanna, too, had a vision.[1] The ten nearly eleven-year old saw the Black City, an image sent to her by the gods. In 433 HE,[2] Alanna of Trebond and Prince Jonathan, then a page and squire, respectively, visited the city and vanquished the Ysandir with the help of the Great Gods.[3]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Alanna: The First Adventure, Ch. 1 (pg. 5/6; Random House paperback)
  2. Tortallan timeline
  3. Alanna: The First Adventure, Ch. 7

See also[]

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