Red London

	"They didn't really want to know. They thought they did, but knowing only made them miserable."
	This article contains plot details and potential spoilers for the Shades of Magic series. If you have not begun reading the books or are not too far into the story, please do refrain from reading.

“ Flowers and hearth fire, spiced wine and underneath, the scent of home. A place of strength and beauty, laughter and music and the steady hum of magic. Power in balance, and balance in power. The palace arcs over the glittering Isle, the river like a ribbon of red light beneath. The regal House of Maresh sits on the throne. And a magician stands behind it. ” —ADSOM offical site
Red London
Current ruler(s): King Rhy Maresh	Magic? Yes.

Red London is the capital of Arnes. It is one of the four Londons along with White, Grey, and Black London.

Red London flourishes with magic and people in Red London value lives and magic.

Overview

Red London had a good relationship with Grey London, and they regularly sent messages to each other through Kell Maresh before King Rhy Maresh decided to discontinue this correspondence forever to protect Grey London from magic.

The rulers of Red London, notably King Maxim, frequently tried to form a similar relationship with White London, mostly because he felt responsible for the gradual decay of White London's world. However, the rulers of Makt were seldom cooperative. So far, only Athos and Astrid Dane agreed to carry on correspondence between the two Londons.

Just like the other Londons, Red Londoners always referred to the others as their "neighbors" or "neighboring crowns."

Name

“	Red for the healthy empire.	”
—Kell Maresh, A Darker Shade of Magic, I: The Traveler, I

Locations

Isle

The Isle is a river flowing through Red London. It is both a source of magic and a fixed place. Most distinctively, the Isle's water glows red even at night and hums with magic.

During Osaron's Siege of Red London, the Isle was temporarily colored black by black magic.

Jack and All

The Jack and All is a tavern.

Kir Ayes

Kir Ayes, or the Ruby Fields, was a tavern run by Fauna. She and Kell Maresh had made a special and secret arrangement that the room on the first floor would forever be his to use. The tavern was eventually burned down by Holland Vosijk.

Night Market

Main article: Night Market

The Night Market is a market located alongside the Isle.

Sanctuary

Main article: London Sanctuary

Setting Sun

Main article: Setting Sun

The Setting Sun is Red London's version of the Fixed Tavern.

Soner Rast

Main article: Soner Rast

Soner Rast, also known as the "Beating Heart" of Red London, is the main residence of the House of Maresh. It stretches over the Isle like a bridge and is made of glass, bronze, and stone.

The Blessed Waters

The Blessed Waters, or Is Aven Stras, is a tavern with a terrible reputation.

Three of Knives

The Three of Knives is a tavern in the shal. Its main clientele is criminals.

Rachenast

Rachenast, or Splendor, is a leisure palace for and frequented by Red London's elite.

Known residents

Aldus Fletcher † Alucard Emery Anisa Emery † Berras Emery Calla † Elissa Ellis Emira Maresh † Fauna † Gen † Hastra † Isra Ister Jinnar †

Kell Maresh Lisane Mathieu Maxim Maresh † Nokil Maresh † Parlo Parrish † Reson Emery † Rhy Maresh Staff Tieren Serense Tolners Vis

Trivia

• Red London is said to smell of earth, grass, and flowers, though the kind of flower varies from person to person. For example, Red London smells of roses for George III, of lilies for Barron, and of lilies, marigolds, and stargazers for Lila Bard.
• Ves Anash is where Whitbury Street is in Grey London; specifically, a herbalist and a stonesmith are in Ves Anash where there are a dentist and a barber in Whitbury.
• While Red London does have "echoes of traditional gender dynamics," it is a world that cares more about magical hierarchy than heteronormativity, gender, and sexuality.
• In Red London, the highest power is magic, not God, and it is revered and worshipped. The saints of Red London are priests from myth and history who displayed great power and capabilities with their ability to balance the elements.

Out of Universe

• The aesthetics of Red London were inspired by Turkish and Moroccan senses. The city also "features a plush, eastern motif."