by Tarl Telford
The throne of the Emerald Lands was restored to the rightful ruler when King Scarecrow crowned Ozma Tippetarius as Ozma the Sixth. However, Scarecrow wrongly proclaimed her Queen of all the Land of Oz, which was not correct. This also broke long-standing tradition by a single pair of hands holding the crown. Prior to this time, the coronation had been performed by Witches from each land in Oz, and they pronounced the ritual blessings upon the head and throne of the ruler.
Ozma the Sixth (Ozma Tippetarius)
There have been many rulers in Oz. Up to, and including Ozma Tippetarius, there have been twenty-six that have sat on the throne. Two of them were pretenders. The remaining were of royal blood.
Genealogy is a very important part of the Hidden History of Oz. The feuds between rival families and across lands have defined the history of tribes and people. Though Glinda and the Wizard changed everything, the rich history of Oz provides a foundational legacy of strength and honor.
Genealogy of Oscar Zoroaster Diggs
Genealogy of Dorothy Alora Gale
This is just a small glimpse of the genealogy established in the Hidden History of Oz saga.
SECTION FIVE
Maps
Maps provide a glimpse into the shape of the world. They are a fascinating look into the mind of the creator, and a visible depiction of the world of the story. Presented in this section are several maps, including the original map used by L. Frank Baum in his Oz books. While there are some differences between the original map and the Hidden History maps, this can be attributed to the information provided to the cartographer. Incomplete explorations do not provide good information for maps. The Hidden History of Oz explores some of the areas untouched by the original Oz stories.
Feel free to peruse the maps and wonder and dream. There are many stories left to tell.
Famous Places in Oz
There are many famous places in Oz, well known from classical stories. Here are a few of the many places important to the Hidden History of Oz, organized alphabetically.
Bogat of Nemeses
An ancient prison, originally built beneath the seas, to house the mystical and dangerous enemies of the Faeries. It was built by Nemeses--one of the sons of King Nonesticus. When the seas were destroyed, this bizarre prison remained in a deep trench in the now-dry Deadly Desert. It still houses the immortal enemies of the Faeries. They are imprisoned using crystals.
Central City
The home of the rulers of the Emerald Lands. Central City is built in the Emerald Valley, surrounded by pillars of emeralds. For centuries, the Kings Oz and Queens Ozma have ruled from this city. The city includes the Honeycomb, a complex layered city built on the ruins of centuries. No one remembers how deep this city goes. The labyrinthine corridors are a good place to get lost, or to lose someone you don't want found.
Deadly Desert
The deserts surrounding Oz are generally referred to as the Deadly Desert, though each desert has its own name. The desert was created during the First Witch War when a conclave of witches unwisely used borrowed magic to curse the land. The curse destroyed the seas and poisoned the land beneath. When the water disappeared, only the desert remained. Glinda the Good has done tests on the deadliness of this desert, and she discovered that the effect lessens as the distance grows from the initial poison point at Southcastle. Other deserts surrounding Oz are: the Great Sandy Waste, the Shifting Sands, and the Impassible Desert.
Emerald City
The City of the Wizard of Oz. This city is built in the center of the land, over the Emerald Engine, on the ruins of old Smaragaid Cathair (the Emerald Fortress). This city was dreamed by the Wizard, and built by his followers. He called it the Emerald City because of the Emerald Plains surrounding the city. In the Battle of Emerald City, magic emeralds nearly enveloped the entire city, leaving the city glistening unlike any other in the world. The Wizard did not see this, as he retreated blindly into his Pandemonium Chamber to lock himself away in exile. Notable features in this city include: the single South-facing gate (built to face Glinda's kingdom in the South); the Nebraska Tower, the tallest tower in Emerald City; the Piper's Bridge, which connects to the Nebraska Tower; the Crypt Tower, which holds the remains of the brave soldiers who fought for freedom in Oz; the Pandemonium Chamber (also known as the Wizard's Throne Room), which is made of green marble to keep out evil magic and keep uncontrolled dream magic inside; and the Hanging Gardens, which are gardens built on the sides of the buildings.
Giant Hourglass
The Giant Hourglass is one of arcanotechnological constructs that keep the Blood of Oz flowing, and keep the Queen of Dreams out of the Land of Oz. The Giant Hourglass rests in the Valley of Time, and it is cared for by the Keepers of Time, a race of spectacle-wearing giraffe men from the Dreamlands.
Kingdom of Dreams
The Kingdom of Dreams is also known as the Land of Yt. It is across the Deadly Desert from the City of Serapenth. This land is home to Ereline, the Queen of Dreams, also known as the Splendid Mother.
Mount Munch
Home of Professor Pipton Nikidik. This mountain is distinct in that one side holds no growing things. All life was burnt off when a powerful weapon was triggered from the mountain during the Gillikin Purge.
North Village (or Corticum)
Once this city was the home of the Ruby Palace. It was a place where the exiled Gillikins found safety after the Munchkin Civil War nearly drove them to extinction. The city was originally called Bloodstone Pass, named after the horrible final battle. After several generations, it was re-named North Village, as a generic reminder that the Gillkins should not be defined by their tragic past. The village was burned to the ground by the Wicked Witch, Ondri-baba. After they rebuilt, the city was renamed Corticum, after an old word that means heart, or courage.
This is the birthplace of several notable Oz persons, including Gayelette Kronkob, the Ruby Sorceress; Glinda Kookaburr, also known as Glinda the Good; and Candor Bandersnatch.
Oogaboo
An unspoiled and magical land in a far corner of the Land of Oz. This land is known for its magic orchards. Among these trees can be found sandwich trees, cake trees, and gun trees. This land was discovered by young Candor Bandersnatch as he passed through a magical gate from North Village.
Rokkamoorah
A Gillikin city that was destroyed in the Munchkin Civil War. It later collapsed into the desert.
Serapenth
A large city in the Far West, beyond the Albine Mountains in Oz. Serapenth is the seat of the dying Serapenthiad Empire. The city was once a sprawling metropolis, broken in two parts--Serapenth stretched down into the valley, divided by the Iron Causeway, and Unnerdwelt, a subterranean city built within the ruins of a civilization long dead.
Southcastle (or Chronometria)
Originally, Southcastle was one of several laboratories maintained by Smith & Tinker, Inventors Extraordinaire. They gave the location over to Glinda to house the Ruby Throne, and to grow into the sorceress that was destined to change the fate of Oz. This castle complex sits on the edge of the Land of Oz, overlooking the desert. On a nearby island, connected by a stone bridge, sit the ruins of the Twisted Lighthouse.
Sovenheim, the House of Sleep
A floating city that travels over the Deadly Desert. Sovenheim was originally built as a prison to house rogue dreamers. It served to isolate the Sleeping Princess for many years until she was rescued.
Yellow Castle
The capital of Winkie Country. The Yellow Castle has housed the Golden Throne for generations. This castle is most famous from its longest-lived ruler, the Wicked Witch of the West, Ondri-baba. The lantern-shaped castle played an important role in the Battle of Winkie Plains. It contains the Cylinders of History room--only truth echoes in this room, and no lies can be spoken.
Zinanya
The capital city of Munchkin Country. This city remains the crown jewel of Munchkin Country, though it has fallen into disrepair since it came under the
rule of Kalinya, the Wicked Witch of the East.
Map of World of Non
(pronounced noan, like moan; after King Nonesticus, of the Faeries)
Map Includes all Continents
MAP OF NONESTIC CONTINENT
Original Map of Oz
The original map of Oz
Map of Oz, circa 1852 (HH1-HH3)
Secrets of the Compass Rose
The compass rose in Oz has been a controversy for more than a century. The directions East and West are reversed on the first "official" map of Oz.
Look at this compass rose for the Hidden History of Oz. Note that the directions East and West are reversed from the directions in the "civilized world".
Was this a mistake? Or are directions truly different in Oz?
Official Explanation
Let's first examine the official explanation for the reversed compass rose and look at the map. Then we'll look to the books for more information.
One of the original maps of Oz. Note that the compass rose is "normal", but the map is reversed - the Winkies are supposed to be in the West (here they are in the East).
The First Map
L. Frank Baum made a map on a glass slide that he used with his Fairylogue and Radio-Play traveling show. This map had a traditional compass rose, with the West on the left, and the East on the right. The first book that had a map had those directions reversed, and the compass adjusted to match the map. Oz scholars believe that Baum copied the map from the wrong side of the glass slide. That would make a mirror image of everything. When he realized this mistake, he corrected the compass rose to make it point the "normal" directions. Then an editor at Reilly and Lee (publisher of many Oz books) reversed the compass rose, thinking that he was fixing a mistake. This led to greater confusion.
Ruth Plumly Thompson, in her expanded universe Oz books, frequently used the reversed directions as a result of this "official" map.
Official Maps of Oz
An excellent video overview of all of the official maps that have been associated with canonical Oz can be found by searching a video streaming service for Wonderful Maps of Oz.
Examples of East and West
Both the Hidden History stories and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel contain references to the directions in Oz.
Dorothy follows the sun
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy knew which way she was going. After she melted the Wicked Witch of the West, and they headed back to the Emerald City. Dorothy knew east from west.
It was much harder to find their way back through the big fields of buttercups and yellow daisies than it was being carried. They knew, of course, they must go straight east, toward the rising sun; and they started off in the right way. But at noon, when the sun was over their heads, they did not know which was east and which was west, and that was the reason they were lost in the great fields.
--The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chapter 14, The Winged Monkeys
Glinda corrects Oscar's compass rose
In the first book of the Hidden History series, The Witch Queens of Oz, Glinda and Oscar have this exchange on the compass rose:
Oscar gathered broken pieces of wood and glass to use for the cardinal points. "If this is a map, then North is up. East is right. South is down. West is left." He placed everything in position and then stood back very proud of himself. He glanced over to Glinda for approval, and his self-admiration collapsed.
Glinda was laughing at him.
"What?"
"No, silly goose." She shook her head. "East is left. West is right. Haven't you watched the sun rise and set? What land are you from, anyway?" She giggled.
Oscar's puzzled and confused look sent Glinda into another fit of giggles. "No. It's cute. I'm sure you didn't mean it."
"Where I'm from, my directions were right."
Glinda put her hands on her hips. "Well, you're not where you're from now, are you Mr.High-and-Mighty?"
--HH1: The Orphan Sorceress of Oz, Chapter 27, The Fallen Tower
Wrong Directions?
So what are we to deduce from all of this back and forth running? Is right East and left West in Oz? Let me ask you this - does it matter to you? If so, then you can choose which direction you want the sun to rise.
In the Hidden History of Oz series, this author writes the directions as they show on the map - left is East and right is West. This doesn't change the direction that the sun actually rises in, only the side that the people believe the sun rises. This is very clear in the text.
From atop the Grand Tower in Central City, Mombi looked out toward the setting sun. That was where the armies would meet--at the place where the sun set. Ondri-baba's army had been gone more than a day. If she marched through the night, the armies would meet the following evening.
--HH1: The Orphan Sorceress Oz, Chapter 30, The Escape to the East
Ultimately, the directions you choose are based on the map you believe in. Follow the story and determine the best map for your travels. This author is left asking the question, why would the people of Oz believe the reversed directions? Who or what in their history changed the compass rose?
References:
Wonderful Maps of Oz (as of print time, this video was still available on YouTube).
Fairylogue and Radio-Play map - from thewizardofoz wiki
Land of Oz: East and West - the official explanation of the mistaken compass rose.
Fairylogue Map - from Hungry Tiger Press, the number-one publisher of additional Oz titles.
SECTION SIX
History of Oz
Every fictional world has a story. The best ones have a history that informs the actions of the characters, sets the stage of the world, and paints the underlying conflicts in every shade and hue. The Hidden History of Oz spans more than 1200 years of kings, queens, witches and wizards. Included in this section is an abbreviated timeline of this 1200 year saga, a day-to-day chronology of Dorothy's first trip to Oz, some thoughts on how the growing cycle of cabbages justifies Dorothy's trip to Oz, and a narrative of the epic battle between Faeries and Dragons that stranded them both in a new world, which shaped the history of Oz.
Dorothy's Timeline in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
This timeline is based on events mentioned in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel, by L. Frank Baum. This timeline is specific to The Hidden History of Oz, and was compiled by its creator. Other sources may cite different spans of time, but the events are the same. The numbering denotes the in-story event. The number of days is noted in each event, along with the proposed date.
Storms hit at [fictional time] 12:04 pm, May 5, 1900. Aunt Em washes dishes after midday meal.
Tornado hits home at 12:10pm. Home lifted into sky with Dorothy and Toto inside. Hours up in the sky with the winds howling. Estimated that Dorothy sleeps through the night.
Dorothy arrives in Oz. Destruction of Kalinya. Meeting with the Munchkins. Departure on Yellow Brick Road. Stays the night at wealthy Munchkin's home (Boq). May 6, 1900.
Discovery of Scarecrow. Travels. Stays the night in cottage. Day 2: May 7, 1900.
Discovery of Tin Woodman. Meeting Cowardly Lion. Run from Kalidahs. Day 3: May 8, 1900.
Builds raft. Day 4: May 9, 1900.
Travels down river. Stork saves Scarecrow. Rescue Queen of the Field Mice. Encounter Poppy Field. Tin Man builds a wheeled cart. Field Mice find string and assist in pulling the cart with lion out of the poppies. Spend night at farmhome in Emerald Lands. Day 5: May 10, 1900.
Entrance into Emerald City. Day 6: May 11, 1900.
Dorothy meets with Wizard. Day 7: May 12, 1900.
Scarecrow meets with Wizard. Day 8: May 13, 1900.
Tin Woodman meets with Wizard. Day 9: May 14, 1900.
Cowardly Lion meets with Wizard. Day 10: May 15, 1900.
Travel to West. Attacked by wolves at night. Day 11: May 16, 1900.
Attacked by flock of crows, black bees. Day 12: May 17, 1900.
Attacked by 12 Winkies. [D
eparture from annotated WWoW. We have room to be flexible at this point in the story.] Day 13: May 18, 1900.
Return of Winkies. Summoning of Winged Monkeys. Abduction of Dorothy and friends by Winged Monkeys. Day 14: May 19, 1900.
Enslavement by Ondri-baba. Destruction of Ondri-baba by Dorothy. Dorothy obtains Golden Cap. Days 14-30.
Celebration of independence by Winkies. Day 30: Monday, June 4, 1900.
Travel to find Tin Woodman. Days 30-33: June 7, 1900.
Repair Tin Woodman. Days 33-37: June 11, 1900.
Rescue Scarecrow. Days 38-39: June 13, 1900.
Stay at Yellow Castle for a few days. Day 43: June 17, 1900.
Leave Yellow Castle and return toward Emerald City. Day 44: June 18, 1900.
Get lost in yellow flowers. Lost and wandering day by day. Days 44-50: June 24, 1900.
Winged Monkeys carry them back to Emerald City. Day 50: June 24, 1900.
Speak with Wizard. He is invisible. Day 50: June 24, 1900.
No word. Waiting for Wizard to respond. Days 51-53: June 27, 1900.
Wizard responds. Come in the morning for gifts. Day 54: June 28, 1900.
