A Court of Wings and Ruin Ultimate World Guide (ACOTAR Book 3)

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Cover of 'A Court of Wings and Ruin' by Sarah J. Maas with a decorated outer border.

A Court of Wings and Ruin (ACOWAR) is the third installment in the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas. Picking up only weeks after the climatic events of A Court of Mist and Fury, Feyre Archeron finds herself forced back to the Spring Court and to High Lord Tamlin’s side. Playing a dangerous game of deception, she plays nice with Tamlin while secretly gathering intelligence on the King of Hybern’s war plans. With the various High Fae Courts preparing for a potential all-out war and raising their own war efforts, Feyre and her allies must navigate treacherous court politics, form fragile alliances, and find allies in unexpected places. Meanwhile, long-buried secrets and shifting loyalties threaten to unravel their collective efforts. With a new cast of characters, ancient legends return and old grudges are repaid. The fate of both the Fae and human worlds hang in the balance and Feyre, once again, will shape the destiny of Prythian as it faces an encroaching second Human and Fae War. This guide offers an in-depth look at the world of Prythian in ACOWAR. For a deeper exploration of the characters, please visit the Ultimate ACOWAR Character Guide. 

NOTE: This post assumes you have read the previous books in the series. Major spoilers ahead for earlier installments and minor spoilers ahead for the current book.

Table of Contents

A black and white map of Prythian from A Court of Thorns and Roses created by Sarah J. Maas.
Map of Prythian from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas. All rights belong to the original creators.

Prythian is divided into 7 Fae courts each with its own High Lord, unique landscape, and local culture. At the center of Prythian lies the Middle, an empty territory under no one’s jurisdiction and which acts as a neutral meeting place for all the different courts. The Middle also divides the northern Solar Courts from the southern Seasonal Courts. At the bottom of Prythian lies a giant wall that separates the Fae lands from the Mortal Lands, a designated territory for mortals that keeps them safe from the Fae. Beyond Prythian’s western shores lies the continent of Hybern, a militaristic Fae kingdom steeped in old magic and under the rule of King Hybern, who seeks to once again enslave all mortals. To the east lies the Continent, a large mass of land ruled by the Mortal Queens and similarly divided with a wall to separate the Fae from the humans.

  • The Spring Court is a land of eternal spring, filled with meadows and lush forests.
  • The Summer Court boasts turquoise waters and pristine white sand beaches.
  • The Autumn Court is a fiery realm of crisp leaves and red and orange harvest colors.
  • The Winter Court is a frozen land of icy white snow and blue frozen lakes.
  • The Dawn Court is a place of soft light and healing, nestled high amongst the clouds.
  • The Day Court features expansive golden deserts and vast libraries.
  • The Night Court is a hidden gem in a beautiful mountainous region.
Fan art of Tamlin's Manor, a Spanish style manor covered in vines and pink and red flowers from the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas.

Tamlin's Manor

A grand, enchanted estate in the Spring Court and Tamlin's main residence. It is a lush, perpetually blooming land filled with flowers, green rolling meadows, forests, and eternal springtime.

Fanart of the painting studio in the Spring Court from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas. Canvas on an easel surrounded by flowers and pots.

Spring Court - Painting Studio

A small painting studio Tamlin created for Feyre and supplied with canvases, paintbrushes, and countless types of paint.

Fanart of Ianthe's temple, a classic Greek style temple covered in white flowers and vines, from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas.

Spring Court - Temple

A grand marble structure meant to evoke serenity and divinity. Inside, it holds an altar for prayers and offerings, though the atmosphere feels more performative than sacred at times.

Fanart of the Spring Court village from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. A series of cozy huts and shacks surrounded by magenta flowers.

Spring Court - Village

A quaint settlement with tidy cottages and cobblestone lanes for the Fae residents of the Spring Court under Tamlin’s protection.

Fan art of Feyre's trashed room from the Spring Court, a disheveled bedroom with messy sheets on a bed and vines and plant overgrowth everywhere.

Spring Court - Feyre's Room

Once a beautiful and luxurious bedroom in Tamlin’s Manor, he destroyed it and let it fall into neglect and ruin.

Fan art of the Wall in Prythian from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A giant and tall stone wall made of boulders to one side of a large grassy field.

The Wall

A great Wall that divides the Fae Lands from the Mortal Lands in Prythian and the Continent. It was erected after the Human Fae War 500 years ago and with the signing of the Treaty that ended human slavery. However, there are certain weak spots in the Wall.

Fan art of the Summer Court from ACOTAR, a beautiful coastal fantasy city with white pillars and archways and turquoise domed buildings.

Summer Court

A vibrant, coastal court filled with sun-drenched palaces, turquoise waters, and lush tropical landscapes. The court is known for its wealth, beauty, and progressive policies under the helm of the young High Lord Tarquin.

Fan art of the Autumn Court from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas. A dark and foreboding stone fortress nestled in a fall forest with orange and yellow leaves.

Autumn Court

A realm of fiery beauty, filled with crimson forests, golden canopies, and a perpetual crispness in the air that mirrors its ruler’s harsh temperament. Governed by High Lord Beron, it is a court marked by rigid tradition, simmering rivalries, and a dangerous, often brutal sense of order.

Fan art of the Winter Court from ACOTAR by Sarah J. Maas. A stunning blue ice palace with many towers and turrets on top of a snowy peak.

Winter Court

A land of shimmering snowfields, icy mountains, and breathtaking frozen lakes, where beauty and danger lie in equal measure beneath the frost. Ruled by the quiet and honorable High Lord Kallias, the Winter Court is both elegant and deadly.

Fan art of Rhysand's town house from A Court of Thorns and Roses. An elegant building with purple wisteria vines climbing up the walls.

Rhysand's Town House

A townhouse located in Velaris that belongs to Rhysand, which he uses as his personal residence for his friends and family. It has a line of credit to every store in Velaris and members of the Night Court Inner Circle may live here.

Fanart of Rhysand's town house foyer from A Court of Thorns and Roses. An elegant staircase with a red-carpet runner and polished wooden walls.

Rhysand’s Town House - Foyer

The town house foyer is warm and welcoming, with polished wood floors and elegant but understated decor. It feels intimate rather than grand, more like a home than a palace.

Fan art of Rhysand's town house dining room from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A long mahogany table with several wooden chairs in an elegant room.

Rhysand's Town House - Dining Room

The town house has a cozy dining room with a long, sturdy table often set for friends and family rather than guests and formal banquets.

Fan art of Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A majestic fantasy city on a river with a crescent moon and a blue milky way in the sky.

Night Court - Velaris

The unofficial capital of the Night Court, it is also known as the City of Starlight and the Court of Dreams. It is built high atop rolling hills and flanked to the north by a large mountain range, offering protection as well as housing.

Fan art of the Sidra River from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A beautiful river that leads to a majestic fantasy city under a blue starry night sky.

Velaris - The Sidra River

A mighty winding river that runs through Velaris and is often described as having a magical glow. There is a beautiful walkway that runs parallel to the river and provides its residents a peaceful evening stroll.

Fan art of a night street in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A bustling city street view with people walking around under a starry blue sky.

Velaris - Street

An elegant walkway within Velaris that hums with enchantment. Faelights float above cobblestones etched with starlike patterns, and every footstep seems to echo with quiet magic and music drifting from hidden terraces.

Fan art of a restaurant in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A fancy restaurant with soft glowing candles on each table and a city view.

Velaris - Restaurant

A cozy dining haven in Velaris where warm lights drift like fireflies. Meals feel infused with magic, leaving visitors calm, nourished, and quietly enchanted long after they leave.

Fan art of a bridge in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. An arched bridge over a river and underneath a sky of a thousand shining stars.

Velaris - Bridge

A graceful crossing over the shimmering Sidra river that threads through Velaris. Moonlight dances across the water below, and the bridge is strung with silver faelights that glow like captured constellations, making every crossing feel otherworldly.

Fan art of a shop in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A beautiful stone storefront with vines of purple flowers growing up the side.

Velaris - Shops

A lively cluster of artisan boutiques nestled in the heart of Velaris. Painted storefronts spill warm lamplight and color onto the streets, and the air is scented with fresh bread, ink, and exotic spices as craftsmen display marvels only magic could craft.

Fan art of an outdoor bar in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A stunning patio with pillars, curtains, and a view of snow capped mountains.

Velaris - Bar

A vibrant nighttime refuge where music and starlight mingle. The atmosphere is laced with soft spell work that loosens worries and encourages laughter, making every moment feel lighter.

Fan art of canals in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A beautiful stream flanked on both sides by stone homes with vines and purple flowers.

Velaris - Canal

A serene waterway winding through Velaris, touched by moonlit glamour. The air here invites reflection, as if the city itself is guiding visitors toward calm and clarity.

Fan art of docks in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses. Gondolas tied up at the edge of a beautiful city with mountains in the distance.

Velaris - Docks

A bustling shoreline hub where ships kiss the water beneath protective Night Court wards. The magic in the air buzzes with possibility, urging travelers to dream bigger and venture farther.

Fan art of Rita’s pub in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses, a wooden storefront with golden lettering spelling “RITAS.”

Rita's

A popular and lively bar located in Velaris that is one of the Night Court Inner Circle’s favorite places to visit when they want to relax and unwind. It is a LGBTQ+ friendly environment.

Fan art of Rita’s pub in Velaris from A Court of Thorns and Roses, the interior of a cozy pub with sofas, candles, and a rainbow flag on the ceiling.

Inside Rita's

The interior of Rita’s is warm and inviting. The atmosphere is carefree and buzzing with energy, making it one of the few places where even High Fae warriors can be seen dancing until dawn.

Fan art of Amren's apartment in Velaris. A small attic room with a sloped ceiling, a bed, a fireplace, and a wooden table set.

Amren's Apartment

A small rooftop studio within Velaris that is simple but elegant. Every object inside eels intentional, carrying a sense of history or hidden power, much like Amren herself. It has a beautiful view of the Sidra River.

Fan-art of the House of Wind, an elegant palace carved into a red stone mountain with a starry night sky in the background from the ACOTAR books.

House of Wind

Built directly into a mountain range that overlooks Velaris, the House of Wind is the Night Court's official head quarters and the base of operations for the Night Court Inner Circle. It was Rhysand’s childhood home.

Fan art of Lucien's quarters in the House of Wind, a simple room with a bed, a blue round carpet and a large window view of a red mountain range.

House of Wind - Lucien's Quarters

A simple but comfortable suite intended for impromptu guests and carved directly into the mountain with warm sandstone walls.

Fan art of the library under the House of Wind, a beautiful and vast underground library with shelves carved into a red stone cavern.

Night Court - Library

Located below the House of the Wind and built into the same mountain, it is a sacred, silent sanctuary run by priestesses who have found refuge from past tragedies. With endless levels of ancient texts and knowledge, it is both a place of healing and immense power.

Fan art of the Night Court, a beautiful alpine city surrounded by snowy mountains and a starry sky from the ACOTAR novels by Sarah J. Maas.

Night Court

One of the 7 High Fae Courts and one of the 3 Solar Courts in Prythian. It is a mountainous territory in the northernmost region of Prythian. It has a reputation of terror and darkness and many outsiders view it with fear and suspicion.

Fan art of Illyria, a plain yellow steppe surrounded by snowy mountains and grey clouds from A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas.

Illyria

The northernmost territory of the Night Court, a harsh and remote land of jagged mountains and wind-swept steppes, and home to the Illyrians. The landscape is unforgiving, shaped by brutal weather and rigid traditions that prize strength and endurance. At its heart rises Mount Ramiel, a sacred peak that serves as both a physical trial and a symbol of Illyrian culture.

Fan-art of the Illyrian War Camps, a scattering of bonfires and tents on a meadow under a starry night sky, from A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Night Court - Illyrian War Camps

Also known as war-bands, they are the social building blocks of Illyrian society, with each camp led by a war-lord and made up of warriors, non-combatants, and families as well. They often feud amongst themselves but during times of war, they unite under the Night Court High Lord as his Illyrian Legion.

Fan art of the Dawn Court, rolling green meadows dotted with small cottages and beautiful fluffy pink golden clouds in the sky.

Dawn Court

A realm of radiant tranquility, where marble cities and verdant fields are bathed in the gentle light of sunrise and surrounded by breathtaking, ever-shifting clouds. Known for its scholarly pursuits and quiet elegance, it is ruled by the kind and cultured High Lord Thesan.

Fan art of the landing dock to the Dawn Court Palace, a fantasy sunset castle with overgrown flowers on a cliffside with a sunset in the distance.

Dawn Court - Landing Dock

An elegant outcropping from the Dawn Court Palace for guests and emissaries to arrive upon that is surrounded by periwinkles and petunias. Golden light from the fading sun casts the dock in a warm, amber glow.

Fan art of the Dawn Court Palace, a beautiful white palace with turrets and golden domes, it sits atop a mountain peak surrounded by golden clouds.

Dawn Court - Palace

A golden sunstone palace located high atop a mountain that provides a fantastic view of the morning dawn. It is high enough that there are often gold tinged clouds surrounding the palace during sunrise and pink hued clouds during sunset.

Fan art of a balcony door on the Dawn Court Palace, on ornate green door with a small balcony on a white stone palace.

Dawn Court - Balcony

The Dawn Court Palace boasts thousands of terraces and balconies upon which its inhabitants love to view the radiant clouds above and the green meadows below.

Fan art of a hallway in the Dawn Court Palace, a luxurious hallway with oriental carpeting, purple lavender plants, and upholstered ottomans.

Dawn Court - Hallway

The hallways of the palace are sumptuous and bedecked with ornate carpeting and plush divans. Alongside the walls are vases full of fragrant lavender, gently scenting the air and welcoming guests into an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and comfort.

Fan art of a spiral staircase in the Dawn Court Palace, a tall spiral staircase made of white marble, in the background are pink and golden clouds.

Dawn Court - Spiral Staircase

A tall and thin spiral staircase. It ascends like a twisting ribbon of sunlight, its steps seemingly carved from clouds, leading to a private chamber far above the world.

Fan art of a balcony in the Dawn Court Palace, a white marble balcony with a hanging swing set and a view of a sunset with pink clouds.

Dawn Court - Swings

Countless arched bridges and airy terraces grace the Dawn Court, each one seemingly furnished with a hanging swing. Here, courtiers and visitors alike may sit and swing as they watch the sun melt into the horizon.

Fan art of the meeting chamber in the Dawn Court, a pond with waterlilies surrounded by ornate chairs and pillars with vines of purple flowers.

Dawn Court - Meeting Chamber

One of the many splendid rooms within the Dawn Court. It is an impressive room to host foreign emissaries to discuss important matters, where the light is always soft and diffused, and the acoustics are such that even a whisper from one side can be heard with perfect clarity by all.

Fan art of a veranda in the Dawn Court Palace, a beautiful white stone building with a staircase leading to a platform with potted plants at the edges

Dawn Court - Veranda

One of the many verandas of the Dawn Court Palace, each one a private stage from which to greet the morning or bid farewell to the day.

Fan art of the entrance to the Court of Nightmares, a huge carved gate into the base of a dark mountain flanked by two gray soldiers on each side.

Court of Nightmares - Entrance

Hidden deep beneath a jagged mountain range of the Night Court lies the infamous Court of Nightmares. The only way in is through the base of the mountain, where ancient stone doors loom between silent guards carved from shadow and stone.

Fan art of the Court of Nightmares from ACOTAR, an eerie subterranean city with many stalagmite-like buildings with green-tinted lights.

Court of Nightmares - Hewn City

Located under the red mountains in the Night Court, Hewn City is the counterpart to Velaris and is a dark, oppressive underground city, often referred to as the Court of Nightmares. It use to be the seat of the Night Court before Rhysand moved his court to Velaris. The inhabitants dislike Rhysand for his Illyrian heritage.

Fan art of an avenue in the Court of Nightmares, a victorian style street with ornate street lamps in a dark cave with green-tinted lighting.

Court of Nightmares - Avenue

Unlike Under the Mountain, the Court of Nightmares is a sprawling, subterranean city with wide streets and avenues that wind their way throughout the mountain to reach the heart of the city. Due to the natural gases in the atmosphere and the lighting, there is a green tinge in the air.

Fan art of the High Lord's Castle entrance in the Court of Nightmares, symmetrical black serpent gates covered in green vines with small white flowers

Court of Nightmares - Entrance to the High Lord’s Castle

The gates to the High Lord’s Castle are covered with black, scaled creatures, twisted in warning to any who may enter. The very stones feel hungry, eager to swallow whatever—whoever—steps into their realm.

Fan art of the High Lord's Castle in the Court of Nightmares, a black polished stone pathway leading to a dark, gothic castle with several towers.

High Lord's Castle

The public and official seat of the High Lord of the Night Court and his entourage. Although Rhysand does not spend much time at his residence in the Hewn City, it is nonetheless, the traditional headquarters of past High Lords of the Night Court.

Fan art of the Court of Nightmares council chamber, an obsidian table with black chairs in a luxurious black marble room with serpentine pillars.

Court of Nightmares - Council Chamber

The Council Chamber is the war room within the High Lord’s Castle, hewn from black marble and gleaming obsidian. A vast domed ceiling rises overhead, radiating power and demanding reverence, while carved serpentine beasts coil around the perimeter pillars

Fan art of the Court of Nightmares cityscape, an exquisite underground city with bridges, arches, walkways, and green-tinted lighting in a cave.

Court of Nightmares - Cityscape

For all its infamy, the Hewn City remains a breathtaking marvel hidden beneath the mountain. Even from afar, the air thrums with cold power and the unspoken promise of cruelty.

Fan art of the Court of Nightmares throne room, a majestic black marble room with a dark throne and large black pillars with serpentine structures.

Court of Nightmares - Throne Room

Carved from black marble and obsidian, the throne room rises like a sanctum of dread to command attention and fear. Around each pillar is wrapped a great, scaled serpentine beast.

Fan art of a promenade from the Court of Nightmares, an underground city with elaborate architecture, walkways and green-tinted lighting.

Court of Nightmares - Promenade

Tiered walkways and carved arches snake along the cavern walls, echoing with whispers and hushed voices. Beauty and danger mingle in equal measure, each footstep reminding visitors they are being watched.

Fan art of a temple from the Court of Nightmares, a gothic cathedral in a dark cavern with many stalactites and green-tinted lighting.

Court of Nightmares - Temple

A towering shrine sits within the city, its walls are etched with ancient runes that shimmer faintly like trapped starlight.

Fan art of a staircase in the Court of Nightmares, a tall ornate art-nouveau style spiral staircase and handrail in a dark green-tinted room.

Court of Nightmares - Winding Staircase

A dark winding staircase within the Court of Nightmares, its steps slick with shadows and whispered secrets. Each step ascends further into impenetrable gloom.

Fan art of the Ouroboros mirror in the Court of Nightmares, a large oval mirror with a snake frame bordering the mirror.

Court of Nightmares - Mirror Room

A silent chamber carved from smooth black stone, its air heavy with ancient dread. At its center rests the Ouroboros mirror, framed in a coiling metal serpent, waiting to reveal truths most would rather never face.

Fan art of the Archeron's new estate from ACOTAR, a luxurious manor with white walls, green sloping roofs, and a beautiful garden with purple lilacs.

Archeron Family Estate

After Feyre is taken to live with Tamlin in the Spring Court, Tamlin gifted her family great wealth under the guise of one of her father’s lost business ships returning. With their newly regained fortune, they were able to purchase a new manor on the outskirts of their village.

Fan art of Lord Nolan's estate from ACOTAR, a heavily fortified stone wall with soldiers on horses at the gate.

Lord Nolan's Estate

A heavily fortified, mortal stronghold, ringed by soaring walls and patrolled by soldiers armed with ash-tipped arrows. It was built with the sole purpose to defend against Fae threats.

Fan art of the mortal lands of Prythian from ACOTAR, a tall grass meadow with green trees and forests on either side.

The Mortal Lands

The region south of the Wall that is inhabited by mortals. The Mortal Lands are intended to provide safety to humans but occasionally some of the Fae cross into this area to wreak havoc on unsuspecting humans.

Fan art of the sacred mountain from ACOTAR. A majestic mountain with snow at the top and green forests at the bottom. Golden clouds swirl in the sky.

The Middle - Sacred Mountain

One of the 3 sacred mountains of Prythian, it is located in a region called the Middle, that does not belong to a Court. The Mountain is believed to be the origin of the world. When the Mother dumped the Great Cauldron onto the land this mountain was the first item to be created.

Fan art of Amarantha's throne Under the Mountain from A Court of Thorns and Roses. A glooming throne atop a dais in a cavern with a blue green tint.

Under the Mountain

A dark and oppressive underground lair previously occupied by Amarantha and her improvised court. She used her brute power and dark magic to trap all the High Fae from across Prythian in her court. She had built it under the Sacred Mountain in the Middle.

Fan art of the mountain the prison is built into from ACOTAR. A dark mountainous island in the middle of a tumultuous ocean with gray storm clouds.

The Prison - Sacred Mountain

Carved into one of the 3 sacred mountains of Prythian, the Prison is located on a remote island in the Western Isles and is home to the most dangerous criminals and monsters of Prythian. It formerly belonged to the Dusk Court but now belongs to the Night Court.

Fan art of the Weaver's Cottage from ACOTAR, a small dark cottage with glowing windows in the middle of a dense forest.

The Weaver’s Cottage

A little old cottage in the eastern forests of the Middle, a neutral area within Prythian. From the outside it looks quite harmless.

Fan art of the interior of the Weaver's Cottage from ACOTAR, a cluttered hut with drying herbs on the ceiling and wooden stools and tables everywhere.

Inside the Weaver’s Cottage

The interior of the cottage is messy and cluttered. There is barely any room to move and there is a pervasive smell of rot.

Fan art of Cretea from ACOTAR, a remote island with a huge mountain in the center and lush grass covered slopes.

Cretea

Although not located in Prythian, it is a highly magical island. It appears as an abandoned island in the middle of the Erythrian Sea with seemingly no inhabitants or wildlife.

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