Aubade, or the Isle Aubade (also nicknamed Swordtown by fans before its name was given in "The Touch of Others") is a city of sorts located inside the Blade in the Dark. A peaceful, relatively happy society, it prospers in relative isolation from Hieron outside, looked over by Samothes, who has become more humble in his time within the blade.
Geography
Aubade sits upon a volcanic island surrounded by the ocean, with a small atoll in its surroundings. It has a relatively warm, Mediterranean climate. Though there is some degree of variation in Aubade's weather, it does not experience seasons in that sense. However, the tides there work in such a way that 'high tide' and 'low tide' can be considered the two seasons. Dark storms can always be seen off in the distance.
Neighborhoods/Districts
Aubade can be divided into various neighborhoods and areas that surround the castle of Samothes at the island's center. Many place names refer to early victims of the Blade in the Dark, with whom Samothes founded Aubade.
- New Helianthus (north) - largest residential district, home to Thackeray Court (named for Helianthus Parish and Captain Thackeray).
- Cartwright House (northeast) - schools, workshops, small stages, places to try new things (named for Winston Cartwright)
- Fields (southeast) - agriculture, Shrine of Sabinia located in the middle (named for Rector Sabinia)
- Cunningham Street (south) - markets, shops, restaurants (named for Smoulder Cunningham)
- Halisham Docks (southwest) - fishing, industry (named for Garner Halisham)
- San-Becket Theatre (west) - large amphitheater overlooking the sea (named for Bewilder San-Becket)
Origin
An 'aubade' is a poem or song for the morning, or about lovers parting at dawn.