Gemworld

For the Vertigo Comics Faerie realm, see Faerie (DC Comics).

Gemworld
Map of Gemworld, from Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #10, artist Ernie Colón
Race(s)	Homo magi
First appearance	Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #1, (May 1983)
Publisher	DC Comics

Gemworld, also known as Faerie, is one of two fictional other dimensional homelands for the Faerie, as published by DC Comics. In the mainstream DC Comics universe, all members of the Faerie race relocated to a dimension called Gemworld, which debuted in Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #1 (May 1983), and was created by Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn and Ernie Colón.

Publication history

Gemworld debuted in Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #1, (May 1983). Gemworld later appeared in Neil Gaiman's The Books of Magic #3 (January 1990), and in the Hunter: The Age of Magic spin-off series, where Timothy Hunter went to a wizard's academy there.

Fictional history

The dimension where the Gemworld is located was originally owned by the Lords of Chaos. However, thousands of years ago, when magic began to drop in its levels on Earth due to a change in the alignment of the stars (caused by a star going nova) the Homo magi sorceress Citrina went there and struck a deal with the Lords of Chaos so she would be allowed to create a realm there for those Homo magi and Faerie who wanted to emigrate from Earth. This deal was kept a secret from most of Gemworld's inhabitants. The Gemworld proper was at first depicted as a continent that floats in the sky, with a "Sun" that orbited around it, obviously reflecting ancient beliefs of Earth being flat, but was eventually retconned into an actual planet. It contains a variety of terrains, and it was settled by cultures from all around the world.^[1]

Gemworld is one of many magical dimensions connected to Sorcerers' World.^[2]

The nature of Gemworld

Time moves at a different rate in Gemworld; a Gemworlder raised on Earth will change into an older form if brought back after several years, only to change back to normal if returned to Earth. The reverse is also true - a human raised on Gemworld will de-age on Earth.

Inhabitants of Gemworld

The Gemworld's level of technology is medieval, and it is divided into Twelve Royal Houses, each represented by a type of birthstone; the Houses take turns ruling the Gemworld. All of Gemworld's Homo magi inhabitants can use magic, though most only at a very pedestrian level (fishermen use spells to help them fish, for example). Aside from the Homo magi, Gemworld is home to all the traditional Faerie races. Each realm contains a vein of the appropriate birthstone, and its fragments are mined to make their Royal Family's jewelry. These jewels increase their magic powers enormously.^[3]

Twelve Royal Houses

Amethyst - The House of Amethyst is the most powerful house and, until Amy's return to Gemworld, it remained without a leader. As Amy returned, it set matters into motion that would change Gemworld forever.
Topaz - Initially, Prince Topaz was Amethyst's love interest and staunch supporter. As time progressed and the series took a drastic change, Amy abandoned all hopes for a relationship with Topaz and allowed him to find comfort in the arms of Turquoise.
Emerald - The House of Emerald is ruled by Lady Emerald who is a master of Nature magic. Lady Emerald later became the entity known as Fire Jade.
Moonstone - The House of Moonstone is allied with the House of Amethyst. Its ruler, Lord Moonstone, is quick tempered.
Sapphire - The House of Sapphire was allied with the House of Opal, due to the carnal desires of Lady Sapphire.
Diamond - Home of the Diamond Priests.
Ruby - The Ruby Kingdom lies to the north of Ruby Lake. Its northern end has long been claimed by the Sardonyx Empire, which habitually launches incursions across their disputed border.
Opal - The House of Opal is ruled by the dictator Dark Opal. Dark Opal's son Carnelian was born on Earth and has no mystical aptitude.
Garnet - The Stormy Peaks was a loyal ally to the House of Amethyst. Lord Garnet also has a son who went missing when he attempted to rescue Queen Emerald inside the Pandora's Box.
Sardonyx - The House of Sardonyx is allied with the House of Opal. Lord Sardonyx the Lord of Serpents later transfers his loyalty to Fire Jade.
Turquoise - The House of Turquoise is allied with the House of Amethyst. Its ruler is a wild warrior woman named Lady Turquoise.
Aquamarine - The House of Aquamarine is ruled by Lord Aquamarine, who is a master of Water magic.

References

↑ Sequential Tart: Every Girl's Secret Dream - Amethyst Character Portrait (vol III/iss 6/June 2000)
↑ Action Comics #886 (April 2010)
↑ Wallace, Dan (2008), "Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld", in Dougall, Alastair, The DC Comics Encyclopedia, London: Dorling Kindersley, p. 14, ISBN 0-7566-4119-5

External links

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