Encyclopedia Hârnica

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
First issue, 1984

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

Each issue covers a variety of topics:

  1. The city of Adzamere; Lake Arain and the Kingdom of Azadmere; The history, culture, religion and economics of the Khudzul
  2. The ruins of Anisha; The Tashal region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Harnic codes, crimes, and punishments
  3. The Royal Castle of Olokand and the Olokand region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Manorial economics and fief management
  4. Trobridge Inn; Hutop region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; A gamemaster’s guide to the galaxy
  5. The ruined city of Lothrim; Gardiren region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; A comprehensive list of Harnic prices
  6. Kiban region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; The enigmatic Godstones
  7. A star gazers' guide to the heavens; Qualdris region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; The rules of Lythian Armor
  8. History, politics and clans of Kaldor; Minarsas region in the Kingdom of Kaldor; Prophesy and destiny in the night sky
  9. Ancient Sindarin fortress and prison of Bejist; Plants and potions, formulas and uses; The cruel and unpredictable Pagaelen people
  10. The Royal Castle of Burzyn; Chybisa: History, politics and clans
  11. The enigmatic Earthmaster site of Telumar; Ilme, meredragons of Limen Marsh; The shy and secretive Bujoc people
  12. The elven port of Ulfshaven; Eleshavel, the hidden heart of the elven kingdom; Sindarin, the immortal elves of the Shava Forest
  13. The Viking Kingdom of Orbaal; Geldeheim, the Royal Castle of Orbaal
  14. Noron's Keep; Gedan, the Lodge of a Thousand Souls; The Anoa, nomadic barbarians of the Anoth Valley; The Taelda, forest dwellers of Nuthela
  15. Leriel, Jarin Castle in Southwestern Orbaal; The human Jarin, their culture and history; The Ymodi, wild hillmen of Himod; The Yelgri, Harnic Harpies
  16. 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.[2] 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.[3]

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."[4]

In the May-June 1985 edition of Space Gamer (No. 74), Allen Varney gave a thumbs up to Encyclopedia Hârnica, saying, "The detail is copious, the range impressive – not to say forbidding."[2]

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
gollark: Well, see, Discord is a proprietary application which bans plugins, so obviously they know best and the unmodified application is optimal.
gollark: Why would I do that?
gollark: So obviously solar is right and this cannot happen.
gollark: Biology NEVER does ridiculous complicated things.
gollark: GPU-making chemicals and cutting-edge lithography hardware, yes.

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