MMM MMM YY YY SSSS TTTTTT AAAA RRRRR AAAA NN NN
MMMM MMMM YY YY S TT AA AA RR R AA AA NNN NN
MM MMM MM YYYY SSS TT AAAAAA RRRRR AAAAAA NN N NN
MM M MM YY S TT AA AA RR R AA AA NN NNN
MM MM YY SSSS TT AA AA RR R AA AA NN NN
AAAA LL MMM MMM AAAA NN NN AAAA CCCC
AA AA LL MMMM MMMM AA AA NNN NN AA AA CC
AAAAAA LL MM MMM MM AAAAAA NN N NN AAAAAA CC
AA AA LL MM M MM AA AA NN NNN AA AA CC
AA AA LLLLL MM MM AA AA NN NN AA AA CCCC
& BOOK of FACTS
Volume V, AC 1014
Published by Joshuan Gallidox
Halfling Adventurer and Entrepreneur
within the City of Mirros
in the Kingdom of Karameikos
in the Year After Crowning 1015
NOTE: This material is not endorsed or approved by TSR.
Although the setting (places, characters, features, calendar...),
as well as the rules of D&D and AD&D are the creation of TSR, the
events, attitudes, beliefs, descriptions, and all the rest in
this material are those of the writers and are in no way
supported by TSR.
The intent behind the Mystaran Almanac is to continue to keep
alive the wonderful world of Mystara. It is therefore the
compilation of ideas and suggestions from all members of the
Mystara Mailing List (unofficial), and not the staff or
management of TSR. The mailing list can be found at:
http://www.io.com/~oryon/mysthome.htm
This manual has very little in terms of game stats, as it does
not want to infringe on TSR's copyright (meaning: you want the
stats of NPCs and such, buy the appropriate book/references by
TSR). We hope that TSR sees this merely as the work put in by
those who love Mystara and wish to see it grow rather than any
attempt at stealing their setting and infringing on their
copyrights.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
Preface
A word from Belzamith Fingertackles
A word from Dorrik Stonecleaver
Introduction to Our Correspondants
Ursula Bremen
Alasdhair MacCallum
Elidor Murtagh
Rikard Prospero
Astrid Ragnisdottir
Favionus Viator
Faisel ibn Yasir
Atlas of the Known World
Alpha (kingdom of)
The Arch of Fire (geographical feature)
Caerdwicca (barony of; Empire of Thyatis)
Dunadale (duchy of; Empire of Thyatis)
Helskir (kingdom of)
Ionace (Imperial District of; NACE)
Oceansend (city-state of)
Ochalea (kingdom of)
Redstone (county of; Empire of Thyatis)
Thothia (kingdom of)
Westrourke (grand duchy of)
West Portage (barony of; Empire of Thyatis)
Atlas of the Hollow World
Azcan Empire
Nithia (kingdom of)
*Timeline for the Hollow World, AC 1013
Atlas of the Savage Coast
*Acquiring a Curse
Almarr˘n (estado de)
Cimarron County
Gargo¤a (baronia de)
*Timeline for the Savage Coast, AC 1010-1013
Event of the Year
History of Alphatia
New Alphatian Confederate Empire (NACE)
Interview with Commander in Chief Broderick
*Timeline for the New Alphatian Empire, AC 1013
Famous Folks
Adventurers, Mages, and Heroes
Most Wanted Infamous Villains
Eligible Bachelors and Heiresses
Mystaran Miscellanea
The Mystaran Year
Mystaran Horoscope
Economica
Immortals
Current Events: AC 1014
Winter
*Strange Magic in Canoldbarth
Spring
*The Hardanger Fiends
Summer
*The Rising of Aengmor
Fall
*A New Sultan on the Throne
Predictions and Prognostications
Classifieds
PREFACE
-------
Dear Reader
The wonderful book you now hold in your hands is the fifth
in a series of rich volumes intent on describing the amazing
world of Mystara. As with the last volume, this year there is
much that is new in this little book. The main change has to
do with the fact that, once more, the Almanac has a new
editor; two to be precise.
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Belzamith
Fingertackles, a gnomish illusionist of Highforge in the great
kingdom of Karameikos. My exciting hobbies include tinkering,
poetry, mystery solving, and political sciences. I enjoy
discovering things that were previously hidden and searching
for the truth behind what is always presented to us. I for
one believe that there is much going on in this world that we
should know about, but the powers behind the scenes keep
hidden from us.
Anyway, I am babbling on now. As was mentioned, I am one
of the two new editors of the Mystaran Almanac. You see, in
last year's edition, Joshuan Gallidox, the owner of the
Almanac, made a statement claiming that the Hollow World was
nothing but a hoax; a fiction novel written by the adventuress
Claransa the Seer. But brave explorers from Karameikos
returned from that world, bringing proof that the fantastic
Hollow World was real.
Upset over his own public statement in Joshuan's, which is
now proven wrong, Joshuan did what he believed was right and
retired as Editor of the Almanac. As such, he handed the job
over to me, as well as the great dwarf Dorrik Stonecleaver,
who has his own words for you just below.
I must inform you, the reader, that Joshuan still owns the
Almanac however, and has merely released the position of
editor over to us. He is currently off wandering and relaxing
on the beautiful islands of Ierendi, and might return to take
control of next year's edition once more.
Now, you must be wondering what changes have been made with
the new editors. Well, I enjoyed Joshuan's style and opted to
continue with the on-sight correspondents and letters to
describe places and events. I believe that such presentations
make the descriptions all the more lively and interesting,
giving the reader a better perspective on things, as well as
insight on the people who present them to you. I tried to
encourage our writers to dig more behind the scene, but I must
admit I am forced to agree with what they see as common sense
and not press too deeply, otherwise, unwanted attention might
be drawn back our way.
Another change is the addition of interviews. The Mystaran
Almanac is pleased to announce a live interviews with one of the
most talked about and important people of our time. What he has
to say has been added to our collections of correspondents, and
is now available for everyone to read.
The Atlas of the Known World and Famous Folk sections will
concentrate on places and people who have not been described
in our last volume. It is our desire to add new information
instead of continuously repeating the same old things over and
over again.
Once more, we have a detailed history of major events that
have become known across our world, including some of our
correspondents giving comments and details on things as they
happened as well as their repercussions. The history gives
events in the Hollow World (HW) as well as the Known World
(KW). There is even a brief section on the far off Savage
Coast (SC), but I must be the first to inform you that the
information is far from complete or confirmed as accurate.
One small complaint I have is the lateness of which the
transfer of editors took place. Much of the Almanac
publishing had been thrown into complete chaos, which took
forever to get back in order. Because of this, the Almanac
does not have nearly as much information as I would have hoped
for. But one must settle with limitations. Still, what is
here is of the best quality, and quantity will definitely
improve in the next volume as well.
Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I present to you
the new and improved Mystaran Almanac, AC 1014 edition. It
would also be my pleasure to hear from you, gentle readers, on
your opinions of our presentation and content.
Belzamith Fingertackles, Co-Editor
Mystaran Almanac
Mirros, Karameikos
Nuwmont, AC 1015
--------------------------------------------------------------
To the reader
As mentioned by my partner, I'm Dorrik Stonecleaver, one of
the two new editors of the Mystaran Almanac. I won't bother
boring you by repeating the details of how I became a co-editor.
I've traveled and adventured with Joshuan several times, and felt
obliged to help him with his Almanac when he asked me to take
over. Had I known about the gnome, I might have thought it over
twice however.
I'm also from Highforge, and used to be a caravan guard for
several decades. I retired over a decade ago and
wandered the world for a while.
I've always believed that one should get to the point, and
therefore suggested the name change of Joshuan's Almanac to
the Mystaran Almanac. I find the new title a lot more
accurate as to its contents.
I don't like big texts and wasting breath, so I give the
information that you really need. Numbers, dates, places.
They give you what you want or need to know, quickly. I've
therefore made sure to include exact dates, locations,
populations, taxes, currency, and all the details that
have been left out in Joshuan's Almanac. In other words, I've
brought over the best part of Prospero's Poor Wizard's
Almanacs back into the newest edition.
I would have loved to include description of the military
forces and their tactics as well, but most governments took a
dim view at seeing such information published and made sure we
didn't.
Finally, a chapter is dedicated to recount events that
took place last year in the Hollow World. Think of it as an
apology for overlooking it last year.
Anyway, I've said the important stuff, so it's time to
start reading the Mystaran Almanac. If you have anything
important to tell us, let us know. Make sure it's important,
because with all our correspondents, we don't have time for
useless letters.
Dorrik Stonecleaver, Co-Editor
Mystaran Almanac
Mirros, Karameikos
Nuwmont, AC 1015
OUR CORRESPONDENTS
------------------
Here is our list of correspondents that give us detailed
information on the nations, places, and events of the Known World
of Mystara. However, the Mystaran Almanac would like to increase
its field of knowledge and cadre of correspondents, by that
gaining access to information from around the world.
Currently, we are sadly lacking in information from the regions
of the New Alphatian Confederate Empire, the Savage Coast, and
the ever hard to reach Hollow World.
Should you or anyone you know be interested in joining our
group of main correspondents, simply send us letters detailing a
place or event. If we like it enough, it will be included in the
next Mystaran Almanac. If you continue to produce great
articles, then you'll be soon able to find your name here in our
list of major correspondents.
Ursula Bremen
Ursula is a smart and experienced member of the Darokin
Diplomatic Corps, giving her great insights into the political
goings-on in Darokin and surrounding nations. Her connections
also allow her inside information on the military activities
in Darokin, Aengmor, and the Orclands, making her an
invaluable asset to this Almanac.
A very ambitious woman in her mid-30s, Ursula always manages
to keep her ambitions in check. The duties of her job always
come first.
This year, Ursula makes reports on the goblinoids of the
Orclands, as well as activities going on in the nation of
Aengmor.
Alasdhair MacCallum
The swashbuckling rogue known as Alasdhair MacCallum is a
young Glantrian that enjoys emphasizing his own cleverness
while subtly insulting those around him. Luckily for him, he's
highly skilled with a rapier, which has more than likely kept
him alive after his usual comments (shall we say insults) on
the fashions of various members of the high society. His own
fondness for elaborate dress gives others the impression of him
being an empty-headed young fop.
Alasdhair traveled up in the far reaches of Norwold during
AC 1014, and has written to us about the far nations of the
north, as well as a geographical feature in the area.
The editors of the Almanac would like to apologize to
Alasdhair for mispelling his name several times in last year's
Almanac. His name is indeed Alasdhair, and not Alastair as was
written in both the table of contents and the section on
correspondents in AC 1013.
Elidor Murtagh
As the First Mate of the Callista, Elidor's love of sailing
marks him as a typical Minrothad sea elf. His love of travel
has brought him throughout the Sea of Dread and the Sea of
Dawn. Elidor is also an accomplished adventurer, having
wandered extensively during his first century or so of life.
He has visited the undersea nation of Aquas (although that
was in AC 950, just after Seashield's founding). Elidor has
also visited the Undersea regions near Minrothad and Ierendi,
and has friends among the aquatic elves and merrow (mermen)
there.
While people afraid of water are not unusual, Elidor is the
first person I've met who is afraid of land. He will never
travel more than a day's walk inland, preferring to keep the
open sea in sight at all times.
During AC 1014, Elidor visited several nations in the New
Alphatian Sea and describes Ionace for the readers.
Rikard Prospero
We are pleased to announce that the former owner of the
Almanacs is now one of our cadre of main correspondents. Born in
Thyatis, Prospero was adept at magic from a young age and was
sent to learn by the best wizards money can buy thanks to his
rich merchant father. Learning from his father, Prospero also
acquired the knack to write down every detail and to be as
precise as possible (as readers of the old Poor Wizard's Almanac
can attest).
It seems that after a long journey, Prospero has made a new
home for himself on the Savage Coast, and therefore sends us the
first written reports on events taking place to the far west.
Astrid Ragnisdottir
Born in Ostland, Astrid Ragnisdottir is a young skald of
Odin, a wandering priestess and storyteller. She is
fascinated with history and is well-versed in folk tales of
the Northern Reaches. During her journeys, Astrid has also
studied the religious beliefs of her homeland as well as
neighboring nations, including Wendar, Ethengar, and the
Heldannic Territories.
It is with distress that I must announce that Astrid was
severely wounded last year during the invasion of the Falun
Caverns in the Hardanger Mountains. The editors of this
Almanac do not know her current condition, but wish her a
speedy recovery and hope that Odin sees fit to keep such a
worthy skald alive and well.
Favonius Viator
The second son of a well-to-do Thyatian senator, Favionus
is a bit of a rogue uninterested in the politics that his
father takes part in. Instead, Favonius took up the trade of
a merchant with the help of a very rich uncle. His mercantile
experience gives him much understanding on the Empire of
Thyatis, as well as the various inland trade routes and
coastal sea trade routes.
The editors of the Mystaran Almanac would like to indicate
that Favonius Viator has disappeared last year while exploring
trade opportunities in the Thyatian Hinterlands. Senator
Viator has offered a 25,000 Lucins (gp) reward for anyone who
finds his son.
Faisel ibn Yasir
Born in the Emirates of Ylaruam as the younger son of a
merchant, Faisel has displayed both the skills of an
accomplished warrior and learned scholar.
Faisel epitomizes the ideal citizen of the Emirates. He
honors the Way of the Eternal Truth and the Nameh every
possible way he can. The man also quotes liberally from the
Nameh and similar religious writings of Al-Kalim.
At the moment, Faisel is the Almanac's best source of
information of what is going on within the Emirates.
Unfortunately, it has taken great convincing to get Faisel to
write to the Almanac once more, as he has accepted the
nation's current view and disdain of foreigners and non-
believers. It is the belief of the editors that we shall soon
lose Faisel as a correspondent.
(
geocities.com/timessquare/lair) (
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