TIMELINE OF VELGARTH

What To Know

Below is a monumental effort to record every event within the lands of Velgarth.

As each new chronicle is written, new events will appear and old events may be adjusted.

In a world of poets and historians, there will be many different viewpoints and histories.

Not all will line up with reality.

Therefore, it is the effort of the Herald-Chronicler, the Guard Archivist, the Collegium Historian, the Rethwellan Royal Archivist, a kyree historian, and their assistants, to find the truth and pinpoint, to the best of their ability, the exact moment of these events.

Those moments in history that are not yet verified (non-canon) are clearly marked as are the locations of the manuscripts and histories where each event can be found, should further research be required.

During this process, Collegium Historian Assistant Trica, is updating the Rolls over on the Valdemar Wiki.

Check it out to stay updated.


Legend

📖 ↣ Title of Book: Chapter of Book

📜 ↣ Special Notes from Herald-Chronicler Assistant, Joshuah

📚 ↣ Special Notes from Collegium Historian Assistant, Trica

Green Font ↣ Possible Non-Canon Story

All entries are the combined efforts of Collegium Historian Assistant Trica and Herald-Chronicler Assistant, Joshuah (when he's not off on Circuit).

Back To Top




Calendar

According to Foundation the months are named based on the season and the moon: Midwinters Moon, Ice Moon, Thawing Moon, Budding Moon, and Flowering Moon.

Mercedes Lackey has stated that New Years begins on the 1st day of the Midwinter Moon.

Using these names and a 30-day moon cycle, the following Calendar has been officially approved by Mercedes Lackey and can be used for reference.

Moons Modern Dates Known Events During This Moon
🌑 Midwinters Moon (January 1st to January 30th)
  • ♞ The New Year begins on the 1st day of Midwinters Moon (January 1st).
🌒 Ice Moon (January 31st to February 29th)
  • ♞ Candlemas occurs on the 2nd day of Ice Moon (February 1st).
  • ♞ The 3rd day of Ice Moon (February 2nd) is usually when weather-witches are able to predict how good or bad the weather will be for the rest of the season.
  • ♞ Winter ends on the last day of Ice Moon (February 29th).
🌒 Thawing Moon (March 1st to March 30th)
  • ♞ Spring officially begins on the 1st day of Thawing Moon (March 1st).
  • ♞ Herald-Chronicler Assistant, Joshuah's birthing day is the 1st day of Thawing Moon (March 1st).
  • ♞ Planting Season begins with the start of Thawing Moon.
🌓 Budding Moon (March 31st to April 29th)
  • ♞ Spring Equinox is on the 1st day of Budding Moon (March 31st).
  • ♞ Crops are either being planted or already planted and growing.
  • ♞ Growing season continues until Harvest and Wine Moons.
🌔 Flowering Moon (April 30th to May 29th)
  • ♞ Beltane occurs on the 15th day of Flowering Moon.
  • ♞ Spring ends on the 5th day of Flowering Moon.
  • ♞ Summer begins on the 6th day of Flowering Moon.
🌔 Mead Moon (May 30th to June 28th)
  • ♞ Herald-Chronicler Myste Williger's (Mercedes Lackey) birthing day is the 25th day of Mead Moon.
  • ♞ Midsummer's Eve occurs on the last day of Mead Moon.
  • ♞ Queen's Own, Talia Sensholding's birthing day is the last day of Mead Moon.
🌕 Midsummer Moon (June 29th to July 28th)
  • ♞ Kyree Historian (Larry Dixon)'s birthing day is the last day of Midsummer Moon (July 28th).
🌖 Foaling Moon (July 29th to August 27th)
  • ♞ Summer ends on the 3rd day of Foaling Moon (July 31st).
  • ♞ Autumn begins on the 4th day of Foaling Moon (August 1st). Also known as Autumn's Eve.
🌖 Harvest Moon (August 28th to September 26th)
  • ♞ Autumnal Equinox occurs on the 26th day of Harvest Moon (September 23rd).
🌗 Wine Moon (September 27th to October 26th)
  • ♞ Typical harvest time for wine ends mid-Wine Moon.
  • ♞ Autumn ends on the last day of Wine Moon (October 26th).
🌘 Mourning Moon (October 27th to November 25th)
  • ♞ Winter begins on the 1st day of Mourning Moon (October 27th) and is celebrated with Winterfinding.
  • ♞ Sovvan-Night occurs on the 6th day of Mourning Moon (November 1st).
  • ♞ Harvestfest is a celebration of memorial festivities held in the evenings on this day.
  • ♞ Sovvan is considered by some as a time to celebrate the lives of ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets, and other loved ones who have died.
🌘 Dying Moon (November 26th to December 25th)
  • ♞ Midwinter's six days of Festivities begins on the last day of the Dying Moon (December 25th).
  • ♞ Feasting, and gift giving are common elements of Midwinter festivities.
  • ♞ Bringing sprigs and wreaths of evergreenery (such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, yew, and pine) into the home and tree decorating are also common during this time.
  • ♞ Traditionally Valdemar celebrates with additional festivities taking place during the six days leading up to Midwinter's Eve.
  • ♞ On the 6th day of Midwinter's Festival, is Midwinter's Eve, the last day of the year (December 31st).

Back To Top



History of Velgarth

1405 AF

    Hedge-wizard Justyn, a mercenary in Wolfstone's Pack, is struck in the head while holding a bridge as the rear guard for his company. He loses most of his small Mage-Gift.
    • His company was hired by Herald-Captain Kerowyn to aid Rethwellan and Valdemar in the war on Hardorn, and they fought blood-magic-controlled soldiers.
    • This is the correct timeframe to practice magery in Valdemar. However, it puts Justyn in Errold's Grove for only a year or two, rather than several years during which the villagers' regard for him fades.
    • Owlflight: Chapter One
    Wizard Kyllian saves Justyn's life and Justyn meets Herald-Mage Elspeth, Darkwind, and Firesong. Kyllian suggests that Justyn get trained as a Healer. He pursues any and all training, and is sent to Errold's Grove. His souvenirs from the war include bad paintings of Kyllian, Herald-Mage Elspeth casting a combat spell, and Darkwind with Vree.
    • Hypothesis: He would have to have obtained his painting of Firesong and Aya later, as the mage is depicted wearing a mask. Firesong did not wear a mask until after the final Mage Storm.
    • Owlflight: Chapter One
    Kerowyn and Selenay are forty-eight years old
    Alberich is sixty years old
    Elcarth is seventy-two years old

Budding Moon

    Elspeth turns twenty-seven years old. Elspeth renounces her position as Heir.

Midsummer's Eve

    Talia turns thirty-two years old
    Solaris' authority in Karse is well-established
    • Note: Karal says later, "The two years that followed the miracle were not easy ones." The miracle of Solaris' crowning by Vkandis was at the Winter Solstice of 1403 AF.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter Five

1406 AF

    Charliss, nineteenth Emperor, selects Tremane to be his Heir. He sends him to take over the failing campaign in Hardorn.
    • Note: Date not established.
    • Note: Tremane is thirty, the same age Charliss was when he was selected as Heir.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter One
    Charliss has reigned for "a century and a half", and was 30 when he took the throne.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter One

Budding Moon

    Elspeth turns twenty-eight years old.

Midsummer's Eve

    Talia turns thirty-three years old.
    Firesong creates a mini-Vale in Companions Field as an embassy for Hawkbrothers.
    • Note: Date not established.
    Arrival of Karse Ambassadors.
    • Note: Date not established.
    A "year or two" has elapsed since Valdemar's citizens heard that Solaris ruled Karse. The priest-mages sent to Valdemar to fight Ancar in 1405 AF convinced Valdemar of their sincerity about truce. Karal says "The two years that followed the miracle were not easy ones.".
    • Note: Date not established? Elspeth "heard" about Solaris in Fall of 1404 AF. That would make this a pretty good guess, except the "first two years after the Miracle" would barely be over now.
    • The miracle of Solaris' crowning by Vkandis was at the Winter Solstice of 1403 AF. It would seem that more time would go by before Karal would say this. Like "last year was not an easy one" or something.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter Five
    The Mage Storms begin.
    • Note: Date not established.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter Thirteen
    Ulrich is assassinated.
    • Note: Date not established.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter Fifteen

Late Fall

    Karal, An'desha, Florian and Altra set the magic breakwater at the Iftel border.
    • Storm Warning: Chapter One

Shortly after Midwinter Festival

    Elspeth and Darkwind go to Hardorn to work with Tremane.
    • Storm Breaking: Chapter Two
    Kerowyn and Selenay are forty-nine years old
    Alberich is sixty-one years old
    Elcarth is seventy-three years old

1407 AF

Budding Moon

    Elspeth turns twenty-nine years old

Midsummer's Eve

    Talia turns thirty-four years old
    Snowfire k’Vala and Nightwind k'Leshya are pledged to each other
    • Note: Two years before Owlsight.
    • Owlsight: Chapter Three

Foaling Moon

    Darian Firkin's parents disappear during a predicted Mage Storm.
    • Note: Six months before Owlflight.
    • Owlflight: Chapter One
    Darian gets taken in by Wizard Justyn. Darian is twelve years old.
    • Owlflight: Chapter One
    Mage-Adepts Firesong, Sejanes, and An'desha use Karal as a Channel to drain the energy of the Final Storm. They are supported by Altra, Florian, Need, Avatars Dawnfire and Tre'valen, and the spirits of Vanyel, Stefen and Yfandes; of the eight supporters, only Altra survives.
    At the same time, Emperor Charliss tries to cast all of his stores of mage energy as a Final Strike into the Final Storm to add to the destruction. Melles assassinates him before he completes his casting.

After the very last Mage Storm

    A young Tayledras mage uses "weaving" to slowly gather diffused magic energy into ley lines.
    • Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar: Warp and Weft by Kristin Schwengel
    Darian Firkin has been living with Wizard Justyn for six months.
    Kerowyn and Selenay are fifty years old.

1408 AF

Budding Moon

    Elspeth turns thirty years old
    Darian Firkin is thirteen years old this year.
    • Owlsight: Chapter One
    Adept Herald-Mage Elspeth and Adept Mage Darkwind start a Mages Collegium for training Mages.
    • Note: "Started it a year after the Mage-Storms finished."
    • Owlflight: Chapter One

Midsummer's Eve

    Talia turns thirty-five years old.

1408 AF

    Darian Firkin is now eighteen years old
    Keisha Alder is eighteen years old
    Shandi Alder is Chosen

1409 AF

Soon After Midwinter

    Twins Kelsie and Kavin Firkin are born to Kullen and Daralie Firkin

Four Days After Midsummer

    Darian Firkin is now nineteen years old
    Keisha Alder is nineteen years old

Late Autumn/Early Winter

    Ranie Firkin is born to Kullen and Daralie Firkin

1413 AF

    Tel Firkin is born to Kullen and Daralie Firkin

1419 AF

    Lerek is born
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions

1420 AF

    After the Mage Storms, disorder is widespread in Valdemar. Before the Storms there were border wars, attacks in Haven and on the Trade roads. Herald and the Guards were spread thinly, unavailable to keep all of Valdemar stabilized, so "small keeps, holders, barons, and trade leaders [fell] back upon their own troops and tightened their local control" and are infighting.
    • Tempest: Ripples and Cracks
    • Gryphon in Light

1421 AF

    Farragur Elm and his friends decide to take over Deedun. They confiscate all local assets and resources, hire a mercenary company for defense, and declare that they are seceding from Valdemar. Which would be legal in Valdemar, except they don't represent the local people's wishes. But it's hard to bring the Valdemar army against him since it might look like oppression.
    • Fantasy:DAW 30th Anniversary: A Perfect Day
    • Gryphon in Light
    K'Valdemar Wingleader Kelvren is scouting on his own when he dives down to save a Valdemar patrol. He defeats the enemies, but is gravely wounded. The human healers put him in a tent with mortally wounded Guard Hallock Stavern. Stavern's consciousness fades as he is dying. Kelvren decides to heal him, and expends every scrap of his personal magic reserves.
    • Fantasy:DAW 30th Anniversary: A Perfect Day
    • Gryphon in Light
    Haven receives word of an injured gryphon, but only Treyvan can be spared to fly out to help. Kelvren is so magically drained there is no treatment for him, but Treyvan attempts a risky ancient method to infuse him with magic, using a local changecircle. There is no predicting what will happen. Kelvren rises up from the explosive process a changed gryphon, glowing with light, and flies for home.
    • Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar: Transmutation
    • Gryphon in Light
    Arriving at k'Valdemar Vale, Kelvren expects adulation but instead encounters suspicion of his unprecedented state, and news of political fallout. His body is magically volatile and might endanger anything around him, including the Vale Heartstone. Firesong sees three options: banishment, possibly creating a personal Heartstone for him, or adept mage training. He also tells Kelvren that at the peak of the Mage Storms, the team was bemused by the lack of effect from Ma'ar's former stronghold, and asks if Kelvren will investigate the ancient site: the shrouded center of Lake Evendim.
    • Tempest: Ripples and Cracks
    • Gryphon in Light

1425 AF

    Rojek is born
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces
    Elspeth is forty-seven years old.

1434 AF

    Bard Jeriko is fifty years old after the war with Hardorn when he is commissioned by Queen Selenay to write a travel book
    • A Traveler's Guide to Valdemar & The Surrounding Kingdoms
    Bard Jeriko journeys through the Northern lands
    • A Traveler's Guide to Valdemar & The Surrounding Kingdoms
    Bard Jeriko mentions it has been more than three centuries since the battle involving Lavan Firestorm
    • A Traveler's Guide to Valdemar & The Surrounding Kingdoms
    Bard Jeriko mentions that Prince Lothar of Ruvan allows prostitution and slavery along with Dark Magic and narcotics
    • A Traveler's Guide to Valdemar & The Surrounding Kingdoms
    Bard Jeriko mentions that Queen Sursha is Queen of Jkatha
    • A Traveler's Guide to Valdemar & The Surrounding Kingdoms
    Housekeeper Gaytha is replaced by Seshel
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions

Winter

    Tafri Tallyman is twelve years old when he is Chosen by Companion Andelayan
    • A Herald’s Journey: A Journey Begins

Seven Days Later

    Tafri Tallyman and Andelayan arrive in Haven
    • A Herald’s Journey: On The Road

The Next Day

    Tafri Tallyman meets sixteen year old Heraldic Trainee Adan
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions
    Adan mentions that Heraldic Trainee Lerek is fifteen years old
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions
    Herald Teren is Dean of the Collegium
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions
    Adan mentions that the teachers of Mages Collegium are: an old man from the Eastern Empire (could be Selenjay), the gryphons (Treyvan, Hydona and their twin children), a couple of Sun-Priests from Karse (Karal is mentioned later as being one of them), some mage that used to be with Herald Kerowyn (later mentioned as Shoshonna, and Hawkbrother Darkwind)
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions
    Tafri Tallyman meets Dean Teren for the first time
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions
    Tafri Tallyman meets Holly and her twin brother Hadrin who are from Hunsted
    • A Herald’s Journey: Directions

1438 AF

Early Spring

    Tafri Tallyman meets Rojek who had just been Chosen at the age of thirteen by Companion Civera
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces
    Herald Chronicler Myste Willenger is also a History teacher at the Collegium
    • 📚Hypothesis: If Myste was thirty-five in 1375, she would be ninety-eight at this time
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces
    Herald Alberich is semi-retired as Weaponsmaster
    • 📚Hypothesis: Alberich is ninety-five years old
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces
    Herald-Captain Kerowyn is Weaponsmaster
    • 📚Hypothesis: Kerowyn is eighty-one years old
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces
    Hawkbrother Darkwind, Ambassador Karal, and White Winds Mage Shoshonna teach “Magic or Fakery” class at the Mages Collegium for all students
    • A Herald’s Journey: Trying the Paces

1439 Af

Midsummer Faire Season

    Herald Tafri Tallyman has been out on his internship for six months with his counselor, Herald Jonaton
    • A Herald's Journey: Journey's End, and New Beginnings
    Tafri Tallyman and Jon ride into Michelham when they encounter a man who claims to be able to speak to the spirits to determine who is telling the truth
    • A Herald's Journey: Journey's End, and New Beginnings
    Tafri Tallyman reveals the man to be a fraud
    • A Herald's Journey: Journey's End, and New Beginnings























website counter code