The Worm Ouroboros · Character

Gorice XII

Witchland's terrible King, iron-limbed and kingly even naked in his bath, who conjures by forbidden art to take what his armies cannot.

major

Also known as King Gorice XII, Gorice, the King, our Lord the King

First appearance: ii the wrastling for demonland

As a major figure in The Worm Ouroboros, Gorice XII is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

New king of Witchland, crowned after Gorice XI's death.

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Gorice XII rules from Carcë, a lean, iron-built king who receives news of disaster with the same appetite as news of victory, and who practices the artificial magic that once served Gorice VII. He listens to Gro's report in his serpentine bath chamber, weighing truth and flattery with a wolf's patience, and demands nothing be kept back. When arms fail him he turns to sending and sorcery, and it is his conjuring that snatches Goldry Bluszco away and sets the Demons on their long, desperate road.

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See Gorice XII in ii the wrastling for demonland

Character Web

40 connections

A slice of how Gorice XII sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Major Demon and Witchland Lords
Minor Figures and Historical References

+35 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Juss’s ques…

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Relationships

Corinius
professional · negative
Corinius serves as a general under King Gorice XII, but their relationship is fraught… How this plays out →
Corinius
professional · negative
Corinius serves as a general under King Gorice XII, but their relationship is fraught… How this plays out →
Corinius
professional · negative
Corinius serves as a general under King Gorice XII, but their relationship is fraught… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gorice XII in ii the wrastling for demonland

In the story

Gorice XII appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Worm Ouroboros
New king of Witchland, crowned after Gorice XI's death.
Conjuring in the Iron Tower
The King of Witchland, skilled in grammarie, prepares a dangerous conjuration to destroy the Demons and tests Lord Gro's courage.
VI: The Claws of Witchland
Observes the battle from the walls; orders the Demons to be netted; gloats over their capture.
VII: Guests of the King in Carcë
King Gorice XII hosts the banquet, orders the capture and humiliation of Lord Juss and Lord Brandoch Daha, and commands secrecy about the Demons' presence.
Koshtra Pivrarcha
Referenced as the King of Witchland who sent a magical sending to take Goldry Bluszco.
XVI: The Lady Sriva’s Embassage
Receives Sriva's late-night visit with suspicion and authority, ultimately seeing through her father's scheme and rebuking her.
The King Flies His Haggard
The King decides to send Corsus to Demonland, rejecting Gro's advice and Corinius's candidacy.
The Murther of Gallandus by Corsus
King Gorice XII reads Corsus's letters and listens to Gro's report of the disaster in Demonland, remaining inscrutable and attending a banquet.
XX: King Corinius
Referenced as the king who appointed Corinius as viceroy of Demonland.
Tidings of Melikaphkhaz
Receives tidings of the fleet's destruction and appoints Corund captain general.
XXXI: The Demons Before Carcë
Sits in his chamber reviewing army schedules, then watches the battle from the tower above the water-gate; his face terrifies Heming.
The Latter End of All the Lords of Witchland
Holds a council of war, dismisses Corsus, and retires to the Iron Tower for conjuring.

Chapter companion notes

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See Gorice XII in ii the wrastling for demonland

See Gorice XII in The Worm Ouroboros