Encyclopedia Hârnica Explained

Encyclopedia Hârnica was a monthly periodical that was published by Columbia Games in 1984–1985 on a subscription basis to supplement the fantasy game world of Hârn and its associated role-playing game, HârnMaster.

Description

Encyclopedia Hârnica is a series of sixteen booklets that provides supplemental information about the Hârn game world.

Each issue covers a variety of topics:

The city of Adzamere; Lake Arain and the Kingdom of Azadmere; The history, culture, religion and economics of the Khudzul
The ruins of Anisha; The Tashal region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Harnic codes, crimes, and punishments
The Royal Castle of Olokand and the Olokand region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Manorial economics and fief management
Trobridge Inn; Hutop region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; A gamemaster’s guide to the galaxy
The ruined city of Lothrim; Gardiren region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; A comprehensive list of Harnic prices
Kiban region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; The enigmatic Godstones
A star gazers' guide to the heavens; Qualdris region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; The rules of Lythian Armor
History, politics and clans of Kaldor; Minarsas region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Prophesy and destiny in the night sky
Ancient Sindarin fortress and prison of Bejist; Plants and potions, formulas and uses; The cruel and unpredictable Pagaelen people
The Royal Castle of Burzyn; Chybisa: History, politics and clans
The enigmatic Earthmaster site of Telumar; Ilme, meredragons of Limen Marsh; The shy and secretive Bujoc people
The elven port of Ulfshaven; Eleshavel, the hidden heart of the elven kingdom; Sindarin, the immortal elves of the Shava Forest
The Viking Kingdom of Orbaal; Geldeheim, the Royal Castle of Orbaal
Noron's Keep; Gedan, the Lodge of a Thousand Souls; The Anoa, nomadic barbarians of the Anoth Valley; The Taelda, forest dwellers of Nuthela
Leriel, Jarin Castle in Southwestern Orbaal; The human Jarin, their culture and history; The Ymodi, wild hillmen of Himod; The Yelgri, Harnic Harpies
Zerhun, Khuzdul Castle in the Kingdom of Azadmere; Habe, Jarin Keep in the Kingdom of Azadmere^[1]

Publication history

Each new Encyclopedia Hârnica booklet appeared monthly beginning in 1984. Each was usually 24 pages, although Issue #10 was 20 pages. Publication ended in 1985 after Issue #16.

In Spring 1987, Columbia Games began publication of a similar journal, Hârnlore. This periodical was published quarterly in 1987 and 1988, twice in 1990, and twice in 1992, ceasing publication after Issue #11.^[2]

Reception

In the August 1984 edition of White Dwarf (Issue #56), Simon Farrell noted that in the first three issues of Encyclopedia Hârnica, the editors invited feedback and ideas for future articles from subscribers; Farrell speculated that, given the monthly nature of the periodical, if this feedback was quickly used to create articles for a four-week turnaround, "we can expect to see a decline in quality as time goes on."^[3]

In the May-June 1985 edition of Space Gamer (No. 74), Allen Varney reviewed issues #3-11 and gave a thumbs up to Encyclopedia Hârnica, saying, "The detail is copious, the range impressive – not to say forbidding."^[4]

In the March 1986 edition of Dragon (Issue 107), Eric W. Pass said the periodical contained "An excellent variety of useful articles." He especially admired the "solid game-playing topics" on Harnic laws, manor economics, Harnic astrology and herb lore.^[5]

Reviews

Fantasy Gamer #6^[6]

Notes and References

Web site: Encyclopedia Harnica - Columbia Games . Wayne's Books . 2020-03-16.
Web site: Harnlore. RPG.net . Skotos Tech Inc. . 2020-03-16.
Farrell. Simon . August 1984 . Open Box. White Dwarf. Games Workshop. 56. 15.
Varney . Allen . Allen Varney . May–June 1985 . Capsule Reviews. Space Gamer. Steve Jackson Games. 74. 42–43.
Pass. Eric W.. March 1986 . Harn was just the start: A look at what Columbia Games has done lately. Dragon. TSR, Inc.. 107. 28.
Web site: Fantasy Gamer Magazine Collection . 1983 .