A lot ofFablefans want to know if the new game in development by Playground Games takes place in Albion. Although knowing the setting for sure won’t tell fans everything about the game, knowing whether or not Playground’sFableis set in Albion would mean the game has access to a ton of lore and story threads that are specific to Albion itself. As a matter of fact, ifFablebrings back Albion, then it’ll probably bring back many of the nations that surround it as well. After all, Albion is only one small part of a much greater world populated by countries such as Samarkand.
The nation of Samarkand supposedly lies to the west of Albion. Although noFablegame takes place in Samarkand, its influence is felt on the games, as the nation isa major trading partner with Albion. Bits of lore and dubiously canon information in theFablefamily of fiction suggest that Samarkand is a pretty rich and fascinating nation, but there’s a lot left to learn about it. If Playground Games decides to work withFable’s original universe instead of introducing its own, then it could put Samarkand in the spotlight for once. That could be the breath of fresh air thatFableneeds.
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Samarkand’s Significance in Fable
Samarkand borrows its name from one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan; the real-life Samarkand has a rich history as a stop on the Silk Road, the route that enabled trade between Europe and Asia in ancient and medieval times. InFable,Samarkand’s role is heavily inspired by these trade aspects. Lore indicates that katanas come from Samarkand, as well as gunpowder, a crucial innovation that enabled theFablefranchise’s steady integration of guns into its fantasy world. Aside from rich trade, Samarkand notably featuresan ancient library where Theresa studiedbetween the events ofFableandFable 2.
AlthoughFablefans have never seen Samarkand in-game, stories describe it as an arid desert nation. It was represented this way inFable: Edge of the World, a novel taking placeten years afterFable 3in which the king of Albion travels to Samarkand to save the nation from the encroaching Darkness. According toFable: Edge of the World,Samarkand’s settlements are few and far between, mostly built on oases. The capital city of Zahadar sits on a river that feeds the city.Edge of the Worldalso indicates that, while Samarkand is ruled by an Empress, the nation is filled with disparate tribes, potentially diluting the Empress' power.
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Samarkand’s Potential Future in Fable
Not much is known about Samarkand beyond this. Again, theFablefranchisehistorically concerns itself chiefly with Albion, even though the games also make it clear that there are a lot of other nations in the world aside from Albion. While it serves an interesting role as a fictional version of Central Asia and the Silk Road, there’s clearly a lot of details about Samarkand thatFablenever filled in. If Playground Games decides to keep working with the originalFablesetting, it would be a great opportunity to flesh out Samarkand by visiting it in-game.
TheFable 4reveal trailer suggests that the game takes place in a forested medieval nation akin to Albion in the firstFablegame. Even if Albion is the heart of the game, though, there could be room for a visit to Samarkand. Video game technology has come far sincethe originalFabletrilogywas released, soFable 4could have a big enough map to include some or all of Samarkand. Even if Samarkand doesn’t show up, if the nextFablegame is a success, then maybe Playground Games will decide to setFable 5in Samarkand to mix things up. Regardless of what Playground decides to do with Albion and Samarkland now, the nation will remain an interesting part of the originalFablegames' lore.
Fableis in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
