Timeline Notes
This timeline is based, as much as possible, on events mentioned in various Witch World books, novels, and short stories as they first start appearing in Year of the Unicorn. This timeline also attempts to incorporate both the GURPS years as well as Andre Norton's own notes which the Norton estate gave to Jay P. Watts (aka Lots-a-Watts) and were compiled by Juanita Coulson - both devoted fans.
There are some years and events that contradict earlier ones within the books and, especially, in the GURPS years. Even Andre's own notes sometimes conflict with events. When resolving contradictions, the timeline will have this order of precedence: 1) publication order of the Norton books1 2) Norton books before anthology books2 3) GURPS years before Norton notes.3
Years marked with an asterisk are those mentioned in at least one published story. All others will either be GURPS years or Norton ones.4
Founding Years of Varn5 | Year Since the Betrayal6 | Dale Year | Event(s) | Ciara's Timeline78 |
---|---|---|---|---|
circa 5752 | Year of the Betrayal | Year of the ??? | Shorrosh and Elsenar bring in the Alizonders from their home world. Elsenar weds lady Kylanina. Alizon City created; Lormt erected. The First Turning. Shorrosh reveals himself as a Dark Adept and Elsenar seals the Gate to the Alizonder home world with Shorrosh trapped on the other side. The Master Gate is attempted at Lormt but fails. Elsenar attempts a postern to Arvon but it is first broken by the energies of the failed Master Gate, then later rerouted by the Dark Adept Narvok. Elsenar is subsequently trapped, severed spirit from body, until released by Kasarian.9 Presumably Es City is founded around this time too. | |
circa 5753 | 1 | Year of the ??? | Krevonel, son of Elsenar and Kylanina born. | |
circa 6352 | circa 600 | Year of the Cloven Hoof10 | The first Dalesmen come to High Hallack through their own Gate. They are caused to forget why they left their homeworld, however. Events of Horn Crown take place | |
circa 6376-6576 | circa 625-825 | Year of the??? | The first Karstenians arrive in what will become Karsten.11 | |
circa 6651-6676 | circa 900-925 | Year of the??? | The Falconers arrive seeking sanctuary in Estcarp.12; Sometime between now and when Mereth is born, Sulcarkeep is built.13 | |
6738 | 987 | Year of the Blue-Horned Ram*14 | Mereth is born. | |
6739 | 988 | Year of the ??? | ||
6740 | 989 | Year of the ??? | ||
6741 | 990 | Year of the ??? | ||
6742 | 991 | Year of the ??? | ||
6743 | 992 | Year of the ??? | ||
6744 | 993 | Year of the ??? | ||
6745 | 994 | Year of the ??? | ||
6746 | 995 | Year of the ??? | ||
6747 | 996 | Year of the ??? | Trovagh is born15 | |
6748 | 997 | Year of the ??? | Ciara is born16 | |
6749 | 998 | Year of the ??? | ||
6750 | 999 | Year of the ??? | ||
6751 | 1000 | Year of the ??? | ||
6752 | 1001 | Year of the ??? | ||
6753 | 1002 | Year of the ??? | ||
6754 | 1003 | Year of the ??? | ||
6755 | 1004 | Year of the ??? | ||
6756 | 1005 | Year of the ??? | ||
6757 | 1006 | Year of the ??? | Ciara is 9 and the Horning occurs17 | |
6758 | 1007 | Year of the ??? | Mereth turns 20. Earlier this year her mother dies.18 | Ciara is 1019 |
6759 | 1008 | Year of the ??? | Hlymer born20; Lorcan's brother Merrion is born. | |
6760 | 1009 | Year of the ??? | ||
6761 | 1010 | Year of the Serpent King21 | Kerovan born22; Sif born | |
6762 | 1011 | Year of the Ringed Dove | Kerovan's sister Lisana is born; Lorcan's brother Anla is born. | |
6763 | 1012 | Year of the Salamander*23 | Joisan born; Dragon Scale Silver begins when Almondia and Truan arrive in Wark, High Hallack; Alys born | |
6764 | 1013 | Year of the Sea Serpent*24 | Elyn and Elys born; Gillan may be born25 | |
6765 | 1014 | Year of the Fire Arrow26 | ||
6766 | 1015 | Year of the Pronghorn*27 | Coughing sickness kills two of Lorcan's siblings | Ciara is 1828 |
6767 | 1016 | Year of the Yellow Dwarf*29 | ||
6768 | 1017 | Year of the Pard*30 | Lorcan born. | |
6769 | 1018 | Year of the Bicorn | ||
6770 | 1019 | Year of the Hill Giant | Ciara (22) gives birth to her son Kirin.31 | |
6771 | 1020 | Year of the Spitting Toad*32 | Kerovan (10) and Joisan (8) ax-wed | |
6772 | 1021 | Year of the Winged Bull*33 | According to Port of Dead Ships shortly before Kolder invade Gorm | |
6773 | 1022 | Year of the Horned Worm34 | According to The Magestone the Kolder invade Gorm (p.154); Mereth 34-35. | |
6774 | 1023 | Year of the Sea Calf | Ciara (26) gives birth to her daughter.35 | |
6775 | 1024 | Year of the Kestrel36 | ||
6776 | 1025 | Year of the Mandrake37 | Witch World could take place38; This is the earliest possible year the Horning can take place in order for it to be "nearly twenty-five years" since the event by the time the Turning occurs in Three Against the Witch World and for all other things to be consistent. It's not impossible for it to have happened two years later, though, since 23 is nearly 25. | In Ciara's Song it mentions this is about the time Pagar starts his raids on Estcarp and the Sulcar sack Kars. Pagar is mentioned as being 33. |
6777 | 1026 | Year of the Crowned Swan*39 | Web of the Witch World could take place.40; Kerovan is 16 and Joisan is 1441; Merreth born and left at the abby.42 | |
6778 | 1027 | Year of the Moss Wife*43 | Simon Tregarth enters the Witch World44; Sulcarkeep falls to Kolder forces; The Horning takes place early winter this year.45; All other events of Witch World take place46; Simon Tregarth and Jaelithe probably married at the end of this year47; Spies of Alizon begin snooping around the Dales48; Lorcan 1049; Una of Seakeep born50; Doubt proposes to Mereth (age 39 or 40)51 | In Ciara's Song it mentions this is about the time Pagar starts his raids on Estcarp and the Sulcar sack Kars. Pagar is mentioned as being 33 |
6779 | 1028 | Year of the Fire Troll*52 | War in Dales begins53; Gillan (between 10-12) brought over on an Alizon vessel for unknown reasons54; Events of Web of the Witch World take place55; Kasarian is 5 or is born56; Kyllan Tregarth is born on the last day of the year. | |
6780 | 1029 | Year of the Leopard*57 | Kemoc and Kaththea Tregarth born the first day of the year58; Elyn (15 or 16) joins the war, Elys and the people of Wark travel inland (spring) and it would also be their first summer in exile59; Wolfhead could take place this year60; Well into this year, the Dales make their first, small victories61; Pagar strong enough to take on his rivals by the end of the year.62 | In Ciara's Song it is mentioned that this is the year Pagar's supposed half brother is killed but others rise to replace him. |
6781 | 1030 | Year of the Falcon63 | Sif (20) returns to Ulys to rescue Alys (17)64; Four months into the year Pagar proclaimed Duke of Karsten; In the summer of this year Pagar is border raiding against Estcarp. In retaliation Hostovrul of the Sulcar leads twenty ships to attack Karsten, even attacking the city of Kars. This attack leaves Pagar’s hold on Karsten weakened so that shortly after Pagar’s half-brother challenges his rule.65; This would be the second summer of the people of Wark's exile.66 | |
6782 | 1031 | Year of the Raven*67 | Simond may be born68; This would be the third summer of the people of Wark's exile - when they finally find refuge.69; Night Hound's Moon takes place at the end of this year and the beginning of the next70 | |
6783 | 1032 | Year of the Night Hound*71 | Events similar to those of Port of Dead Ships take place in Varn; Kerovan goes back to Ulmsdale to see how it fares - he is atacked along the way, finds his father dead and Lady Telphana in charge. She, Rogear, Hlymer, and Lisana all plot to deal with Power, to the undoing of Ulmsdale; Cyart, Math, and Toross die and Ithdale is overrun; Kerovan meets Joisan and most of The Crystal Gryphon takes place72; People of Wark's first midsummer since finding refuge.73 | |
6784 | 1033 | Year of the Gryphon*74 | Covenant made with the Were Riders in the spring of this year. Specifically, Kerovan meets the Wereriders in the Waste.75; Gryphon in Glory takes place76; People of Wark's second midsummer since finding refuge. When Elys meets Jervon and he tells her of the covenant with the Wereriders in the spring of this year77; Near the end of fall this year, Elys defeats the Curse of Ingaret and rescues her brother Elyn with the help of Jervon.78; Past-Abbess Malwinna dies in winter of this year.79 | |
6785 | 1034 | Year of the Fire Drake*80 | If Were-Wrath takes place in the Witch World, this is probably when it takes place. Tirath may have met Herwydin the fens; Khemrys may be born.81 | |
6786 | 1035 | Year of the Hornet*82 | Alizon forces are beaten83; Pagar has defeated his half brother and other forces84; Kasarian is 1285; Lord Baron Facellion is overthrown and killed, Mallandor is placed as Lord Baron86. Brixia, Marbon & Dwed travel into the The Waste free the ancient city An-Yak from Zarsthor's Bane. Elys & Jervon fight an ancient god in The Waste with the Sword of Unbelief. Hertha raped by Daleman in the aftermath of the Invasion and seeks out The Toads of Grimmerdale. Before the first day of the Year of the Unicorn, twelve and one brides are given to the Were Riders as payment in the Great Bargain; Gillan believes herself to be no younger than 18 and no older than 20.87 | |
6787 | 1036 | Year of the Unicorn*88 | On the first day of the year the Were Riders and their new brides enter Arvon. Most events of Year of the Unicorn take place; Amber out of Quayth likely takes place in summer through winter of this year.89 The Fyndale fair resumed this year90; Hertha's baby girl Elfanor born and Hertha seals the circle of the Toads in Changeling. Gryphon's Eyrie takes place this year.91; Ysmay marries Hylle in High Hallack and journeys to Quayth where she frees Broc and Yaal. Hylle is overthrown on Midwinter Day92; Lorcan 18 and Meive 15 Years old at end of Year of the Unicorn.93 | |
6788 | 1037 | Year of the Red Boar*94 | Kethan and Aylinn born and switched at the Shrine of Gunnora at the beginning of this year95; Hyana may be born to Kerovan and Joisan96; Legacy from Sorn Fen probably takes place around here.97; Much of Silver May Tarnish happens this year98 | |
6789 | 1038 | Year of the Hippogriff*99 | Eydryth born, Alon may also be born; Levas and Elesha wed in spring while Lorcan and Meive wed in summer. Lord Silas and his people arrive in summer and settle in Merrowdale. Meive is pregnant by the end of the year and will give birth before the summer of the next year.100 | |
6790 | 1039 | Year of the Roc | Around this time Ully the Piper probably takes place. The child of Meive and Lorcan is born summer of this year.101 | Ciara's daughter turns 16 and is wed.102 |
6791 | 1040 | Year of the Basilisk | Events of The Sword Seller take place103 | Kirin and Aisha are wed and Pagar resumes raiding Estcarp.104 |
6792 | 1041 | Year of the Black Adder | Kyllan, Kemoc and Kaththea are 12. Kyllan and Kemoc go on their first foray. The three rescue a Witch in need from Karstinian forces.105 | At some point, Ciara's daughter dies and trader Tanrae is slain, though it may not be exactly this year. Similarly at some point Kirion is born106 |
6793 | 1042 | Year of the Frost Giant107 | Simon Tregarth vanishes at sea while exploring islands suspected of Kolder activity. Jaelithe moves to Estford and shuts herself up for months. When she emerges she calls her children to her and uses them to help her find Simon. Shortly after this she rides out and vanishes as well. She made Koris swear on Volt's Axe to protect her children from the wiles of the Counsel.108 | |
6794 | 1043 | Year of the Phoenix109 | Kethan (6) goes to the Youth's Tower110; Firdun born111 | |
6795 | 1044 | Year of the Horned Hunter*112 | The story Candletrap takes place; Mereth is traveling to Lormt over sea.113 | Keelan may be born. (He is three years younger than Kirion in any case.)114 |
6796 | 1045 | Year of the Lamia*115 | ||
6797 | 1046 | Year of the Chimera*116 | Kaththea (17) taken by the Witches, Koris wounded and can no longer wield Volt’s Axe117 | |
6798 | 1047 | Year of the Sphinx*118 | Sand Sister may take place119 | |
6799 | 1048 | Year of the Harpy*120 | Khemrys turns 16121; Elys and the unborn Trevon hidden by forces of the Dark; Eydryth 10, Firdun 5; Trevon would have been born122; Kemoc (19) wounded and goes to Lormt.123; Most events of Were-Flight takes place at the end of this year and the beginning of the next. | |
6800 | 1049 | Year of the Orc*124 | ||
6801 | 1050 | Year of the Kobald*125 | Year of the Second Turning; 23-25 years since the Horning126; Pagar tries to invade Estcarp; Kyllan and Kemoc rescue Kaththea and all three escape to Escore127; Three against the Witch World, Warlock of the Witch World, and the beginning portion of Sorceress of the Witch World all take place this year as does Trey of Swords128; Trey takes place concurrently with Warlock129; according to The Magestone Kasarian is 22130; Exile takes place during this year, shortly after the Turning; According to Spider Silk Dairene is saved from the sea appearing to be age 6 or 7; Una of Seakeep may be married to Ferrick and shortly after a sickness sweeps over the Dales131; Aisling is born this year132; Kerovan is 40, Joisan is 38. | According to Ciara's Song Aisling would be born this year - it is also the year of the Turning. The year itself is not mentioned, but Kirion is 9 and Keelan is 6 when Aisling is born. Ciara would be 52. |
6802 | 1051 | Year of the Werewolf*133 | Simon, Jaelithe, and Hilarion all return to the Witch World from their exile in very early spring this year134;Kethan (14) and Thaney are betrothed and would be married except for year name; Most of The Jargoon Pard takes place around fall this year; Eydryth is 13; Alon is supposedly adopted by Hilarion and Kaththea this year135; Monso is foaled136; Jervon Power blasted at the Cyclops scry stone137 | |
6803 | 1052 | Year of the Horned Cat*138 | Elona and Keris may be born to Kyllan and Dahaun139; Mereth is 65; The Gate of the Cat likely takes place this year140; Early events of the Magestone are supposed to occur141; 30 years since the Kolder invaded Gorm.142 | |
6804 | 1053 | Year of the Fox Maiden | Eleeri may enter the Witch World.143 'Ware Hawk takes place in spring of this year.144 Alon is at least 12 this year and comes to Escore145; Events of To Rebuild the Eyrie may take place this year146; Eirran 18 and Yareth no older than 20.147; Later events of The Magestone are supposed to take place this year.148 | |
6805 | 1054 | Year of the Gorgon | Jenys/Mouse is born this year.149 The first child of Hilarion and Kaththea born150 | |
6806 | 1055 | Year of the Manticore | Mereth is 68; This would be 30 years from the Horning.151 | |
6807 | 1056 | Year of the Barrow-Wight | The second child of Hilarion and Kaththea may be born; Sulcar visit Rannock six years after the Year of the Kobold152 | |
6808 | 1057 | Year of the Cameoleopard | Eydryth is 19; events of Songsmith take place; Ingvarna teaches Dairine to "see" with her fingers the year after Ortis's visit153; This is also possibly the year Falcon Blood takes place in.154 | |
6809 | 1058 | Year of the Weldworm*155 | Events of Were-Hunter may take place.156; events of Knowledge take place in spring; the events of Seakeep take place157; According to Spider Silk Dairine passes into "young womanhood" (she'd be 14 or 15), Ingvarna dies, Captain Ortis returns and Dairine is taken to Usurt, learns to weave better, regains her sight.158; The events of Falcon Law may take place.159; Eleeri, Jerrany, and Mayrin rescue Romar from the Dark Tower. The Keplian are now able to stand for the Light again. The Dark Tower is ruined and may be destroyed.160; The events of Falcon Hope take place near the end of the year161; This would be 30 years since the War in the Dales and 33 years after the Horning. | |
6810 | 1059 | Year of the Swordsman | Port of Dead Ships takes place in fall of this year.162 | |
6811 | 1060 | Year of the Thorn Cat | ||
6812 | 1061 | Year of the Snow Cat163 | Events of Falcon Magic would take place spring this year.164; Mallandor is killed and Norandor is now Lord Baron in Alizon; the second child of Eirran and Yareth is born later this year.165 | When Aisling is almost 11, Kirion visits and challenges her to a race. After she beats him (and he humiliates himself) he attempts to kill her and she uses Power to defend herself. Later Kirion remembers this and starts to learn about various ways of Power. He also spends his time making Keelan miserable, which causes him to move to Aiskeep. Sometime later this year Shosho the cat is born and Keelan is given her to take care of.166 |
6813 | 1062 | Year of the Weld167 | Mereth is 75168; Events of the Magestone would take place at the end of this year and the beginning of the next.169. | Keelan's 18th birthday comes in early spring of this year. It is also when Kirion attempts to gain entry to Aiskeep to further his research but he is rebuffed. Keelan formally asks to stay at Aiskeep.170 |
6814 | 1063 | Year of the Hydra | To keep track of things, by this point Duratan (38) and Nolar (33) have some kind of relationship going on171 and Derren of Karsten is married to Anylse172; Simon, Jaelithe, Koris, and Loyse are ruling Estcarp173; Mereth is 76; Kerovan 52-53, Joisan 50 (51 in the fall); Elyn and Elys 49; Gillan 45-47; Lorcan 45 and Meive 43; Una of Seakeep 36; Jerrany, Kasarian 35174; Tirtha and Nirel are probably 38175; Kyllan, Kemoc and Kaththea are 34; Romar and Mayrin 32; Simond and Tursla are probably around 32176; Yareth 30 and Eirran 28; Elfanor (daughter of Hertha) 27; Eleeri, Hyana, Kethan and Aylinn 26; Eydryth 25; Harwin and Glinda 24177; First child of Meive and Lorcan 23; Alon is at least 22178; Firdun 20; Dairene 19-20; Trevon 15; Elona and Keris 11; Jenys/Mouse, The first child of Hilarion and Kaththea 9; The second child of Hilarion and Kaththea 7; Second child of Eirran and Yareth will be 2 at the end of this year.179 | Kirion raises Shandro to be duke and tries to stir up hatred against those with Old Race blood in order to extract revenge against his own family. He changes course when he realizes this will make himself a target.180 |
6815 | 1064 | Year of the Triton | ||
6816 | 1065 | Year of the Centaur | This may be the year that the events of The Warding of the Witch World take place.181 | |
6817 | 1066 | Year of the Opinicus182 | Earthborne may take place.183 | Kirion attempts to force Aisling (now 16) into a marriage she doesn't want to Ruart. It is in this year that Shosho (during the summer) gets pregnant at age 4 and later gives birth to Wind Dancer. Aisling is kidnapped after her refusal and held by Ruart and Kirion. She manages to escape.184 |
6818 | 1067 | Year of the Simurgh185 | Kirion and Ruart resume their efforts to get Aisling for their own purposes. In winter of this year Aiskeep is under siege and Elanor dies. Aisling decides to leave for Estcarp but Ciara tells her about her dream of Escore. She first goes to Geavon then to Temon where Ruart catches her, but he and Temon die. Aisling passes through some kind of gate and meets Neevor in Escore.186 | |
6819 | 1068 | Year of the Remorhaz187 | ||
6820 | 1069 | Year of the Elder Tree | ||
6821 | 1070 | Year of the Wild Huntsman | Aisling returns to Karsten under a geas to remove Shandro and Kirion from power. In summer, Franzo leads a siege due to many deaths in the Coast Clan thanks to Shandro and Kirion. This is also when the events of The Gate of the Cat are mentioned (page 128 of the hard cover).188 | |
6822 | 1071 | Year of the Troll-Dame | In spring of this year, Franzo makes a second siege of Kars. Shandro and Kirion die and Aisling and Hadrann are formally betroth.189 | |
6823 | 1072 | Year of the Silversmith | ||
6824 | 1073 | Year of the Bitter Herb | ||
6825 | 1074 | Year of the Alfar190 | ||
6826 | 1075 | Year of the Air Spirit191 | ||
6827 | 1076 | Year of the Swordsmith | ||
6828 | 1077 | Year of the Gargoyle | ||
6829 | 1078 | Year of the Wyvern | ||
6830 | 1079 | Year of the Horn Worm | ||
6831 | 1080 | Year of the Dragon Horse | Thirty years after the Turning. Events of The Key of the Keplian take place; The events of Songsmith are also supposed to occur this year.192 | |
6832 | 1081 | Year of the Nix | ||
6833 | 1082 | Year of the Pookaworm |