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 (archived)
Red London
Current ruler(s): King Rhy Maresh	Magic? Yes.

Red London is the capital of Arnes and the entire Maresh Empire. It is one of the four Londons along with White, Grey, and Black London; specifically Red London sits between White and Grey London.

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

Overview

Geography

Red London is a vibrant city oriented around the Isle, a river and source of magic. Its water glows and pulses red even at night, and tints the surroundings faintly but pervasively red. The mouths of the river are only faintly red. During Osaron's Siege of Red London, the Isle is temporarily colored black by black magic.

The city's streets are narrow and twisted. Because of the abundance and ease of magic, Red London is in constant flux. Buildings are often torn down and rebuild to adjust to the seasons and changing tastes. Unlike Grey London where most buildings are made of rough stone and soot-stained glass, Red London—at least, as of October 1819—is built of dark wood, smooth stone, colorful glass, and polished metal. There are scrying boards all over the city, displaying news, notices, and events.

The priests, the wealthy, and the nobles reside on Red London's southern bank, and the common folk on the northern bank. According to Lila Bard, the southern bank is more lavish than Mayfair and Regent Park in Grey London. Despite the city's overall wealth, there are still slums, the shal.

History

When Black London fell almost three hundred years ago, Red London closed their doors between White and Grey London. At that time, White London—which is located between Red and Black London—was stronger than Red London, and it was believed they could withstand the corruption coming from Black London. Instead, White London's magic was forever changed and the city and world fell into chaos.

The decision to seal the doors haunted the Arnesian rulers for centuries. Still, they never reached out to their neighboring crowns until Maxim Maresh ascended the throne and installed his adoptive son Kell, an Antari, as ambassador between the worlds. Since then, the three remaining Londons write to one another regularly. However, the correspondence between Red and Grey London is only a formality because magic in the Grey world receded into nothingness after Black London's fall, whereas Red and White London—their "strong neighbor"—are in constant dialogue, mostly because Red London feels guilty for its past actions. When Astrid and Athos Dane die in October 1819, White London falls into chaos; correspondence with the city has been suspended since.

After Rhy Maresh succeeds his father as king, he discontinues communication between Red and Grey London to protect the latter from magic.

Known locations

• The Blessed Waters (Is Aven Stras): A tavern with a terrible reputation.
• Coach and Castle Inn: An inn run by a "portly" woman. Stasion Elsor stayed in Room 3 during the Essen Tasch of 1820.
• Fletcher's pawnshop: A pawnshop owned by Aldus Fletcher.
• Jack and All: A tavern. Rhy and Kell Maresh once got into trouble there.
• London Sanctuary: The home of London's priests and located on the southern bank.
• Night Market: A market located alongside the Isle.
• The Ruby Fields (Is Kir Ayes): A tavern run by Fauna. The tavern is burned down by Holland Vosijk in October 1819.
• The Setting Sun (Is Casnor Ast): Red London's version of the fixed tavern.
• Soner Rast ("Beating Heart"): The main residence of the House of Maresh. It stretches over the Isle like a bridge.
• Splendor (Rachenast): A leisure palace for and frequented by Red London's elite.
• Three of Knives: A tavern in the shal. Its main clientele is criminals; many of them wear limiters.
• The Wandering Road (Is Vesnara Shast): An old inn with a peculiar structure.
• Various manors and estates: The Emery Estate, among others, is located on the southern bank.

Known streets

• Naresh Kas: A street off the southern edge of the Night Market.
• Naresk Vas: Olivar, the alleged relative of the woman in a blue cloak, lives at 7 Naresk Vas.
• Otrech: It meets Naresk Vas.
• Ves Naresh: It 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.

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.
• Cigars are not made of tobacco in Red London. Instead, they are rolled bundles of pleasant spiced leaves.
• 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.

Out of Universe

• The aesthetics of Red London were inspired by Morocco, Istanbul, and Moscow. The city also "features a plush, eastern motif." The city's design was chosen to represent the place's relationship to magic.