Tartary is a vast region of plains in Antiterra, ruled by the Golden Horde of the Khan and reputed to be full of demons. Its location is disputed.
Location
Four accounts place it differently:
- In Antiterra, north of the United States.
- Toward the west: a road “goes far into the lands of Tartary”.
- In the east, “the zone of China”, from where ancient peoples came.
- “The Tartary where the Tartars came from, on the other side of Europe.”
Description
All accounts agree on its scale: “the extensive plains of a world, of a continent almost”, “vast plains”, with no natural barrier between peoples. It is described as “that mix of Mongolia, China… Soviet Russia”. To the east (or wherever it lies) it borders Siberia, a separate territory where “the Russians remained”, also under the Khan.
Rule and population
“It is the Golden Horde. It is the horde of the Khan, for the Khan is the supreme empire.” The Tartars who named the region and the Russians of Siberia live under it. The population is mixed: “The Tartars are full of dimos, orcs, Mongols. There are also people.”
Reputation
“That zone, they say, is full of demons.” It is a real travel destination, and those who go “take care”. It is also a land of origin: ancient peoples and the Tartars came from there. Over its present lies a history of daimonic domination; some speak quietly of “the possibilities of a revolution there”.
Open questions
- Where Tartary lies is not settled.
- Whether dimos means demons, dimios or something else.
- Whether daimonic domination is past, present, or the power behind the Khan.
- Against whom a revolution would rise, and who drives it.
- Whether “Golden Horde” and “horde of the Khan” are one body or two.
- Its cities, roads, climate and appearance are not described.