Almanac Of The Eastern Reach

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2.

A LM A N A C
Of The EasternReach
2823 ai
ForColonists, Explorers, andCuriositySeekers
32ndEdition
Painstakingly pennedby HylsmanHorag
– traveler, warrior, poet –
onthetwilight of his eighty-secondyear.
This volumeis dedicatedtoall menandwomenwhoseek
glory andfortune beyondtherestrictive confines of the
domestic. It is also dedicated to mycat, Mangestrike,
withoutwhomI wouldneverhavesurvivedtorecordmy
worldlyfindings.Restinpeace,youdearterror.
TheFirstAlmanacof2717AI hasbeenbroughtupto
modernstandardsasacourtesyandpublicserviceofthe
Hand Occult. Annotations and corrections throughout,
while provided on good faith, may contain outdated
information and are subject to future revision. The
editorialcontributorsareundernoobligationtodefend the
accuracyofthesubjectmatter,orfullydisclosehowmuchof
theoriginaltextenduredthislatestedition.

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T
Introduction
ocalltheEasternReachhostiletooutsiderswouldbe
anunderstatement.Lackingafoundationofhistorical
context,simple-mindedvisitorstotheDyrwoodfacea
significant disadvantage against locals and natives
alike.Theenvironmentissuchthattheveryelements
mayseektoripincautioustravelersapart.In additiontomortaldangers,
culturalsensitivitieshaveawayofcomplicatingeventhemostamiableThat would
crossingofpaths.Dyrwoodis a countrywherethewrongwordcanbe putting it
identifyoneas a practitionerofdark arts, or steppingonthewrong lightly
cobblestonemightbrandthemablasphemer.Amongthosewhocall
Dyrwoodhome,abroaderthanaveragesenseofculturalknow-howis a
requiredasset.Surviving thisplace,andunderstandingits oftencryptic
patterns, are inextricably entwined– steepedas theyare in feuds and
centuries-oldintolerances.
In spite of the chalenges that litter the Eastern Reach, fortune
withoutmeasureexistsforthosewhoknowwheretofindit.Amongotherthings,
itisthisAlmanac’spurposetoidentifypitfallsandopportunities(withhopes
that readerscanjudge thedifferencebetweenthem),and offerotherwise
cluelessnewcomersthechancetosurvivetheprosperous,deadlyenvironment
inwhichtheyfindthemselves.
Second Introduction
This documentis a partial reproduction of theFirstAlmanac of the
EasternReach,2717AI, pennedbyHylsmanHorag.Littleis known See:
oftheauthor,savethathewasanotedtravelerinhisyoungeryears.It womanizer
isclearfrommanyofhispagesthatthecracksofsenilitystartedtoshow and
aroundthetimehetookituponhimselftowritethisbook.Whilemuchof plagiarist
theinformationcontainedhereinremainsvalid,muchelsehasbeeneditedby
anesteemedcoterieoflike-mindedscholarsintheranksoftheHand Occult.
As this is the32nd reprinting of theoriginal text, an abundance of
contributingeditorsputforthvaryingopinionsconcerningthecontent over
theyears.
Or not so like-minded, you Vailian hack

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As all originaleditionsoftheAlmanacwerewrittenbyhand,editorial
changes will naturally stand out within margins or scribbled among
sentences,andcaneasilybeidentifiedbytheirdistinctivelateReadceranscript
– superiorineverywaytoHorag’sshakyhand.
Pseudonymously,
- “Fyanrig,”“Mabsen”and“Jynar,”representingthe
OrderofEditorialThumbs.
Notes onthe 14th Edition
Removed:EveningActivitiesinDefianceBay
Removed:TheHerbalMeritsofDankSporeCultivation
Altered:RecipeforDurganHardcake-Too much cinnamon
Notes onthe 22nd Edition
popular demand
Restored:RecipeforDurganHardcake -By
f o r more cinnamon
Removed:Recipefor“Traveler’sStew”-Boiled boot leather
Notes onthe 31st Edition
Removed:RecipeforDurganHardcake
-H eralded as the most contentious pastry in the
history of D yrwood

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M
Folklore of Eora
anyscholarsbelievethatthegreatesttruthsarefound
inthestoriestradedacrossgenerations.Chargedwith
mysteries of soulcraft, theintervention of thedivine,
and a general passion for getting in trouble, it is
nowonderthatthelandsofEora arefertilesoil for
storiestosprout.While thisAlmanacremainsarepositoryofpractical
least
facts, no one would advocate drawing from the following examples forAtbefore
literal applications. Their lessons are often obscure or shrouded in we took
symbolism,atonguemoreuniversalthananyotherinexistence.It is out the
our hopethat thestories included herein demonstratesomethingof the cake
recipe.
culturalcharacteramongdenizensoftheEasternReach.
The Ladyof the Storm
Across thehauntedruins ofEir Glanfath,bjawˆacs(spirit winds)swirl
in deadly maelstromsthat can tear thesoul fromliving bodies. Those
fortunate enoughto witness this phenomenonand survive to tell of it
report thesame:a feeling of penetrating cold, and theholow sound of
etherealscreamsreachingoutfromthecenterofthestorm.
One bjawˆacs was different from the others. This one swirled in
languid revolutions on the Eastern moors. Instead of screaming, a
mournfulsong– justbarelyaudible– punctuatedawoman’sinconsolable
sobbing. Early explorers and animancers who investigated the rogue
bjawˆacsinevitablygrewcuriousaboutthevoiceinthecenterofthestorm.
Someofthemstrayed tooclose,andtheir souls wereinevitably stripped
from their living bodies and absorbed into thevery chaos they sought
to unravel. Shortly before his demise, themost“successful” researcher
claimedthatheheardthebjawˆacscallingouttoalostlove.
Avoided as a hopeless cause, the bjawˆacs remains in a solitary
location,onlyappearingonceeveryfewyears. Popular beliefholdsthat
a womanconsumedby thestorm centuries ago is reaching out to her
beloved, either imploring him to join or somehowput to rest theevergrowingstormoflostsouls,andthathersorrowisdeepenoughtosilence
theagonyofthosearoundher.
I t wastheopinionofourcollectivethat this sectionshouldappearlater.However, our
superiorsweredeterminedtopreserveHorag’s order of chapters. Why anyonewould
wish tostart apracticalAlmanac with fairy tales is beyondourcomprehension.

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Spiritwindsaretobeavoidedatallcosts.Theirimpersonalattacks
are as mindlessly unforgiving as they are tragic. The only palpable
meaningthis story imparts is that an abundanceof curiosity is more
thanenoughtogetanunwarytravelerkilled,orworse.It couldalsobe
interpretedasagreaterphilosophyofsoulcraft:thatthedeepesttruthsof This is
existencemayneverbefullyrealized,andthesearchalonewilldamnmore
hardly a
thanitsaves.NotthatthishaseverstoppedDyrwoodansfromtrying.
story and
more an
FarmerGerethandtheAdra Gourd
old man’s
A farmeroftheearly Dyrwoodsettlementwasworkinghis field when fears.
his spadestruck a hard object.Hebenttodig it out,andretrieveda
Horag once
gourdofbeautifulshapeandcolorsthatshiftedlikeacrystal ornament.
said he
Marveling at his goodfortune, hetookthetreasurebacktohis home was too old
workshop.Withcareheholowedoutits contentsandsecuredthegourdto to suffer
hisbeltasawaterjug.
editorial
Hiswifeaskedhowheeveraffordedsuchatreasure.Theirswasancriticism,
arrangedmarriage,andseldomweretheirexchangesofapleasantnature. and
Gerethexplainedthathefoundthegourd,buthiswifebelievedhimnot,omitted
andchidedhimforspendingtheirmeagercoinonfrivolities.
nothing.
Thenextday,hedrankfromthegourdashetilledthefield.Hegrew Oh, for
drowsy,andsatunderatreetorestaspell.Whenhegotup,itwastothe such
freedom.
favorablediscoverythathehadcompletedhislaborsinhalfthetime.
Thenextday,hedrankfromthegourdagain.This timeapowerful
nauseaovertookhim,andstrangecolorswhirledabouthishead.Gereth
colapsedonthespot.Whenhewokeup,thefieldwasplantedandwatered
– taskswhichhehadnotcountedoncompletingfordaystocome,andwith
theassistanceofhiredhands.
That evening,Gereth’s wifecaughthim peeringdownat thegourd.
When she asked him what foolishness hewas up to, hetold her that
strangethingshappenedafterhedrankitswater,andthatnowheheardvoices
whisperingupfromthemouthofthegourd.Shelaughedand accusedhimof
imbibingtoomuchhangandwenttobed,leavingGereth
tohispondering. A strong, f ro n t i e r cider. Very nice
when you can find it.

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Thenextmorning,Gerethstoodonhisporchashereadiedfortheday’s
labor.
“Gourd,”hesaid,“withsomeassistancehaveI completedtwoweek’stoil
inthespanoftwodays.If thesebeyourdoings,letusseewhatwe can
accomplish in a third day, and I will find some way to repay the
favor.”Thedealstruck,hetookaheartyswigofwater.
Gereth’swifelaterfoundthegourd,butsheneverfoundGereth.The
waterjug restedundertheshadeof herhusband’s favorite tree, a sip
ofwaterstill sloshingin thebottom.Notonlywasthefieldplowedand
seeded,buta crophadsproutedknee-high, withpromiseof a bountiful
harvesttocome.
Many have criticized this story as being singularly anticlimactic.
Whatwasthejug, andfromwherecameits strange powers– if it had
anyatall? WhatbecameofGereth?
Retellingsof“FarmerGerethandtheAdra Gourd”seektoanswer
thesequestions.As thetitle implies,manyversions suggest thatthe gourd
sproutedfromaveinofadramatter,andabsorbedthesoulessence
ofsomedeceasedpersonality(orpersonalities).If thatis tobebelieved, As far as
thenFarmerGereth’slessonisawarningagainstexperimentationinthe Horag was
spiritualarts. Heacceptedthegourd’s“gifts”ofconvenienceandoffered concerned,
moreofhimselfwitheachpassingday,untilnaughtwasleftbutthehusk. everything
Thereare also undeniable parallels betweenFarmer Gereth’s find
andtheeventsthatprecededtheBrokenStoneWar.Thiswouldhintatgreater
meaningsaroundthedangersofunearthingmysteriesbetterleftburied.
AnotherretellingspeaksofGereth’sfinalact,wherehebentoverthe
stalksofhisnewly-sproutedcropuntiltheyspeledoutacryptic wordin
Hylspeak:ifygma(“finished”– inAedyrancontext,theactofcompleting a
life’swork).
PerhapsthegreatestmysteryisthefateofGerethhimself.Eitherthe
Adra Gourdconsumedhim,orheabandonedhearthandhome– seeking
alifeofexcitementandunpredictability.Somehaveinterpretedthelast
short of
a sunrise
could be
interpreted
as a
warning.

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sipofwateras aninvitationforGereth’s wifetojoinhiminastrange
newexistence.
No matter whichversion, theuncertain nature of “Farmer Gereth
andtheAdra Gourd”makesit oneofrural Dyrwood’s morepopulartales.
The InjuredStranger
The tribes across Eir Glanfath worship a vanished, mythical people
known as the Engwithans. This is useful for any Dyrwoodan
newcomers to understand, and critical for those with any intention of
settingfootbeyondapopulatedcity.WhilenotprayingtotheEngwithansor
defendingholy sitestothedeath,theGlanfathansbickeranddebate over S ounds
whichoftheir peoplesencounteredtheEngwithansfirst,orwhichof them familiar.
washeldinhighestesteem.
The Fisher Crane have a version of the story seldom heard by
outsiders. Many of its concepts seemalien or enigmatic to a civilized
perspective, yet reflect certain Glanfathan values worthy of note. The
closesttranslationssimplycall thistale“TheInjuredStranger.” However,
theFisherCranedialecthasmultiplemeaningsfor“injured”
givenincontext,whichmayalsotranslateas “nighttime,”“glory-bound,”
Horag ever cite his sources?
or“nameless.” Did
Mabsen – remind me to check on this.
In this tale, a young Fisher Crane warrior was hunting frogs
whenhecameuponafigurelyingproneamongthereeds.Hestudiedthis
personfor sometimebeforeidly wonderingif theywereevenalive. At
length, thestranger roused himself and requested water. The warrior
obliged.Whenthestranger requestedfood,thewarrior hesitated,as the
giving of food was tantamount to offering one’s bed,wife, and family
weapons(theFisher Cranehavequeernotionsofhospitality).Sincethe
stranger seemedignorantoflocal custom,thewarrior obliged,andsoon
themanhadregainedhisstrength.
In alanguagetheboydimly understood,thestrangerexplainedthat
hewasanoutsidertotheselands,andoneofthelocalpredatorsnearly
gotthebetterofhim.Thestrangersaidthathedidnotexpecttofind

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Could have been a Vailian. When you’re
Glanfathan, everything is Engwithan.
suchgenerosityinthewilderness.Hereachedintohisshirtandgiftedthe
warriorastonekeythathungbyaleatherthong.Thenhepointedtoa
bog,saying“Thereis aplacebeneaththereedsthathassatforgottenfor
toolong.fiou andyourfamilymayaccessit as needed.”Hesmiledand
continuedaway,downapaththatopenedtoaccommodatehiseverystep.
The young manrelated his encounter to thevillage, whoseelders
supposed that hehad metoneof thestrange and powerful types from
a foreign land, knownonlybylegend.His story spreadfar andwide,
achieving thathighest of honorswhena tale is immortalizedas part of
tribalhistory.
The Stone Bramble tribe listened to the tale with jealous hearts.
They saw themselves as thechosenpeople,and sought to reclaim their
standingbyraiding theFisherCranevillage andclaimingthestranger’s
prize.
As thefirst waveofStoneBramble maraudersdescendeduponthe
village, theyoung warrior gathered all non-combatants and fled to the
ruins in thebog.Hefoundanancientdoorhalf-submergedin themuck.
Thegiftedkeyopenedthewaytoalabyrinthinetemplebeyond.Thetribe
tookshelterthere,invisibletothosewhosoughttheirdemise.
It is said that theFisher Crane learned muchfromthesubmerged
sanctuary, including thelocations of similar ruins scattered near their
ancestralgrounds.Somehaveevenusedthistale toexplain thesourceof
theFisherCrane’selusivenessandsubtlety,markingthemasgiftsfrom the
Engwithanstranger.
The inclusion of “The Injured Stranger” in this Almanac was
hotly contested.A decidingfactorwashowits archetypalsymbolsreflect on
thecultureofGlanfathantribes:amysteriouswanderer,gooddeeds granted
with reluctance, a strange reward, and a foreshadowing of destiny.
Understanding this muchabouttheGlanfathan people could improveany
chanceencounterswithalocaltribe.Forall oftheir naturalairs, the tribes
arenothingifnotconvincedoftheirownspiritualsuperiority.They havea
closerelationshiptocauseandeffect,whereseeminglyinsignificant boonsor
slightstakeondireimportance.Last butnotleast,theyregard

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foreignersas anomaliestobeavoidedandmistrusted.While it’struethat
theFisherCranetribereapedtherewardsoftheirgenerosity,theyonlybenefited
afteramassacrethreatenedtheir annihilation.Most Glanfathans would
avoidtheriskwithoutasecondthought:eitherignoringtheinjuredstrangeror
cuttinghisthroat,whichmakesthestoryparticularly remarkableintheir
circles.
A curiositybehindthisstory,seldomdiscussed,is whethertheStone
Bramble would have invaded theFisher Crane at all, hadtheinjured
stranger notappeared.In passingonthekey, thestranger – whether a
deity,Engwithan,orunknownthirdparty– mayhavefulfilledsomeulterior
motive.
The Filth Gardenof Defiance Bay
BackalleyMiddenwasanoozeofnodiscernibleage,sexorpersonality. It
congealed to life from theunsavory mixture of fluids and garbage in
analleyadjacenttoabrothel.Overthespanofmonths,Backalley absorbed
greaterquantitiesofjunkandbiomatter,growinglargeraftereachconquest.
Cats
By thetimeit grewtothesizeofanaveragehuman,Backalleyhaddeveloped
arudimentarybrain– somesayoutofamixing bowl,severedfishheads,
andabagofmarbles.It experiencedthoughts andideas,unliketraditional
oozesthatcaredonlyforsustainingtheir grimexistencebywhatevermeans
necessary.
In acityfullofpeoplefromaroundtheworld,Backalleyimmediately
recognized that it was unique, and therefore in danger. It sprayed a
perimeterofstencharounditshiddenterritory,whichkepttherabble from
venturingtooclose.Fromthisbaseofoperations,itneededasustainable
foodsource.At night,Backalleycreptintothecityproperandstoleedible
plantsfromamunicipalpark.Theseitnestedinapatchofooze-material
thatsloughedoffitsbackside.Theplantsflourished,growingwild colors
alongtheirpetals,springingwickedthornsalongtheirstems,andalways
givingofftheintoxicatingaromaofrottingmeat.
Backalleymighthavecontinuedthiswayforyears,savethatonenight
it heardsingingfromthewindowofits neighboringbrothel.It shuffledup
thebrickwallandcranedanauralcavityclosertolisten.

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The lady within reciteda song in Hylspeak, learnedfromheryounger
yearsspentonadistantfarm.Thoughthelyrics weresomewhatribald,
Backalley did notknowthedifference,andcametoappreciatethelady’s
obvioustalent.It spreaditselfoverthewallofthebrothellikeivy,hiding
inplainsightforthejoyofhernightlysong.
One evening, a man who was no gentleman visited the lady.
Complaining of a smel, heclosed thewindow leading to thealleyway
garden.Backalley’s haunchesbristledwithnails andchippedpottery.Its
first real “emotion”wastofeelthreatenedandterritorial thatanoutside
invadersoughttokeepitfromthelady’ssong.
Backalley creptupthewall withcare, maneuvering a thin tendril
throughacrackedboardtoreachinandquietlyunlatchthewindow.As it
didso,it caughtthemanwhowasnogentlemanraising hishandto strike
thelady. Backalley respondedfast. It interceptedtheblowwith a limb
ofsteamingpitchandbrokenglass.Themanmadeasoundthat wasthe
oppositeofsong.Tosilencehim,Backalleydraggedhimoutto thegarden,
wheretheplantsfedmerrily.
Hardlyknowingwhattomakeofthis,theladypeeredoutherwindow.
Backalleypickedoneofitsflowersandraisedittoherlevel.Thiswasnotto
payacompliment– itsimplyjudgedthattheladylookedmalnourished. She
smiledandwavedbeforeadjourningforthenight,leavingthewindow open.
Somewhereinthedenofmuckandcorrosion,Blackalleysmiledtoo.
The next day, more men showed up at the brothel. Backalley
interpreted that they wereseeking out themanwhoperished thenight
before.Evidently,hewasafigureofsomeimportance.Theladyshrugged
andkepttheirsecret.Oneofthemendidn’tbelieveher,andBackalleyfelt a
now-familiartwitchofwarning.Whenthemanreturnedlaterwearing a
scowl,Backalleytooktheinitiativetoapprehendhimbeforehereached the
frontdoor.
The lady and theoozerecognized that they werein trouble. She
leaned over thewindowsill and lamented that she lacked themoneyto
flee.Backalleyhatedthesoundofhersorrow,andpresentedherwith an
armloadofshiningstonesandgoldenbaublesthatithadgathered

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throughoutthecity.Thelady’smoodimprovedsignificantly.
Fromthispointforward,versionsofthestorydiverge.In one,thelady
andBackalleyMiddenhiredagarbagewagontodiscreetlysecret them
awaytopartsunknown.Theylivedtogetherformanyyearsina rural
cottage,takingnovisitorsandfillingthedayswithsong.In anotherversion,
agentsofDunrydRowgrewkeentoBackalley’spresenceandsnareditina
clevertrap.Theytookittooneoftheir researchcentersin theDefiance
Bayunderground,andtothisdaystruggleinvaintounlock itsmysteries.
ThosewhospeakofBackalleythinkofitasthecity’sfoul protector,and
anticipatethedaywhenitwillrisetotheirdefense.
All versions share a kernel of truth, and that is what becameof
Backalley’s garden. After a team of horticulturalists and animancers
cautiouslyvisitedthestinkingalley,theystudiedthestrangefloraand made
a monumentaldiscovery: that theherbs and seeds found there madea
superiorrestorativeelixir. Theytransplantedthegardentoa controled
greenhouseandpreservedBackalley’sworkforcultivation. To thisday,
BackalleyMiddeniscreditedasrevolutionizingtheyoung scienceofhealing
medicineacrosstheDyrwood,andthesicklyorinjuredgivethankstoit.

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A Brief Historyof the Dyrwood
T
hereis a greatdealofgroundtocoversurrounding
thistopic,butforthesakeofadventurerswithlimited
imagination or attention spans, this Almanac will
addressthebroadstrokesofthematter.It isstrongly Horag grew
recommendedthatreaders seekout a comprehensive increasingly
accountoftheevents,seeforthemselveshowthepatternsofmortalerror fatalistic
culminatein historyrepeatingitself, andlearn howtoavoid suchfolly in his later
inthefuture.
years, likely
Thegreatmessstartedin2602AI, whenanAedyranexpeditionthe result of
reportedofmysteriousruinsfull ofunclaimedtreasureintheEastern too many
Reach.TheEmperorignoredall warnings aboutthedangerofnative failed
Glanfathantribes,andsentmoreshipstooutfitandarmhisdevelopingexpeditions.
colony.It cametobeknownas Dyrwoodin2623AI, whenthefirst Adventurer’s
Malaise
permanentsettlementbrokeground.
Threeyearsintohabitation,thefirst majorconfrontationwithis a wellGlanfathanseruptedinaconflictknownas theBrokenStonewar.A documented
Dyrwoodfarmerdestroyedapillarofadrastandinginthepathofhisplow, affliction
andaparticularlynasty contingentofThree-TuskStelgaerwarriors in elderly
soughtvengeance.Uptothispoint,skirmisheswiththeGlanfathansonlyformer
took place when Dyrwood settlers encroached on ancient ruins. These treasure
earlyconflictsdemonstratehowtheAedyranblendofignoranceandself- hunters.
righteousnessspoiledanyopportunityforpeacefulcohabitation.
Once thewar cameto a close, theEmperor appointed a military
tacticianbythenameofEdrang Hadretas Dyrwood’s gréf.His orders
weretodevelopa city andkeeptheGlanfathan tribes at bay. Edrang
succeeded,butatthecostofgoingovertheEmperor’sheadtomakepeacewith
thetribes.It mustbeemphasizedthattheEmperorcolonizedhalfwayacross
theworld for riches, not allies, and hewas mostdispleased with his
agent’sstyleofpoliticalmaneuvering.
Almost three decades after Broken Stone, the Emperor’s greedy
incursionintoancientruinsspurredtheWarofBlackTrees.This time
EdrangHadret’sson,Admeth,wastaskedwithpickingupthepieces.He

14.

accomplishedit withanunprecedentedloss oflifeontheGlanfathanside,
butsucceededinforgingafoundationforpeacetocome.
After decimating the native population, Admeth decided he was
finished withtheEmperor’s underhandedways. With thebackingof his
loyalerlsandthecooperationofGlanfathanleaders,helaunchedaWar
ofDefianceagainstAedyr.Theconflictspannedfouryears andclaimed
Admeth’s life, but also ensuredindependencefor theformercolony, and
solidifiedAdmeth’snameasasaviorinculturalmemory.
SquirmingoutfromundertheEmperor’sthumbgaveDyrwoodthespaceto
developontheir own,particularlyintheexplorationofanimancy.Over the
courseofseveralincidents,amateursoulcrafters seekingknowledge foundit
buriedintheforbiddenruinsacrossEir Glanfath,theverysites thattheir
former leader and savior forbade themfrom trespassing. The country
endured three wars culminating in independence and peace with the
Glanfathanpeople,buttheywerereadytocompromiseall forthesake of
anartthatwasanational menaceatbest.Thereareevenwhispers thata
Sanitariumisbeingdevelopedtotreatmaladiesofthesoul– an appropriate
destination for anyone seeking to abandon their senses and engage in
soulcraft.
At this point in theoriginal document, theotherwise mild account
degeneratesintoseveralscathingpagesaboutanimancy,noneofwhich are
suitableforpublic consumption.SinceHoragpennedhisopusduring the
years ofanimancy’s decline,notablyafter theBaelreachAccident,it is
smallwonderthathechosetodwel ontheperceivedevilofsoulcraft. Had
helived towitnessthehorror oftheSaint’s War, hewould have likely
shiftedmoreofhis critical attentiontothepeople ofReadcerasand the
eventsoftheconflict.
TheHandOccultdevelopedthefollowingaddendumforthe2819AI
editionoftheAlmanac,whichbrings thehistorical timelinecloser tothe
modernera.In Horag’s memory,it also adoptsthepatronizingtoneand
culturalintolerancehesoloved.
A f t e r someresearch, we discoveredthat in Horag’s seventieth year, aswindler masquerading as a
capableanimancercheatedhimout of asumof moneyandstole the affections of his unweddaughter.
Before attentive readers take Horag’s claims to heart, it wouldbebeneficial to consider the source.

15.

HistoricalAddendumforthe 2823AI Edition
The nextgreat upheavaltomarthefaceof Dyrwoodsproutedfroman
outside,unwelcomesource.Tothenorth,thecolonyofReadcerascameunder
thecontrolofasharecroppernamedWaidwen,whoclaimedtobe theliving
avatar of thegodEothas. Waidwenandhis cult of worshipers ledan
invasionforcewiththeintentiontobringaspiritualcleansingto Dyrwood.
Waidwenandhisbloodthirstypilgrimscarvedtheirwaysouth, armedtothe
teethwithpitchforks andsharpenedstones. In spite of their unrealistic
ambition,thedefendersofferedlittle in thewayofresistance. Theonly
powercapableofstoppingWaidwenwastheGodhammerBomb, adeviceof
magicandsciencethatbroughtunprecedenteddestructionto thebattlefield.
VisitorstoDyrwoodshould takecautioniftheyhappen uponafolowerof
Eothas. Though Eothasians are pious anddisciplined toa fault, this
should notencouragea false senseof security. Theirs is a history of
zealotryandbloodshed,andtheburdenofgrieftheybear fortheir fallen
patronisheavy.It issimplyamatteroftimebeforeyour garden-variety
Eothasianshifts hisorhertemperament,as alocust joiningintoaswarm,
andheraldsthesecondcomingoftheirmadgod.
Historycatchesupwiththepresentinasensitivematter:Waidwen’s
Legacy.Afterthedownfal ofEothas,childrenbornintheDyrwoodsuffered
terrible defects of thesoul. In an epidemic of misplaced hope,families
sought the help of animancers. The false conjurers at Brackenbury
Sanitariumdevisedamethodoftransplantingahealthy animalsoul into
thebody of an afflictedchild. Theresultscameto bearonly yearslater,
whenthechildrenturnedferalandattacked. Travelersbewarned:packsof
theravaging, inhumanonce-babesstill roamthecountryside.Theyare
cowardly opportunists,attackingthose whoobviouslylackthewherewithal
todefendthemselves.Fortheseandotherreasons,itisstronglyadvisableto
hireanexperiencedguidewhenventuringbeyondpopulatedregions.

16.

A
Politics
lthoughDyrwoodpaints itself as a merit-based,allinclusivesystemofgovernancecutofffromitsformer
colonial roots, sometraditions are slow to change.
Thewealthyfamiliesofpre-Defianceyearsstill hold
themostpoliticalsway.AdmethHadretattemptedto
subvertthis systemby granting his spiritual lineagetheright torule.
AnyonehighbornorlowbornpossessingafragmentofAdmeth’s soulis
eligibletogoverntheFreePalatinateofDyrwood.
Unfortunately,evenhisinfluencewasnotsufficienttodeterthoseinvested
in keeping thewealthy in power. More often than not, therichest of
Admeth’s soul-inheritors are granted the right of rulership in an
unprecedentedformofspiritualnepotism.SinceAdmeth’sheritagewentout
toabroadswathofcitizens,Dyrwood’ssevenerlswrestedbacksomecontrol
overthesystem.Eversince,theirmajorityvoteisthefinalwordonaducal
elevation. Campaigning for thefavor of an erl is a costly, excessive
business. A commonerpetitioningforthemajority’sesteem wouldhaveto
spendseverallifetimesgatheringthefundsforbribesalone.
The currentDuc,Aevar Wolf-grin, is a possible exceptiontothis
unbalancedmethodof election. Heoriginated froma frontier townand
elevatedtohis currentstandingbyvirtueofprowessandcharisma.In
spiteofhishumblebeginnings,Aevarwonovertheerlswithhismessageof
ruggedindependenceandtheimportanceheattributedtoexploitingDyrwood’s
potential through hunting, expansion, and the quietly- discussed
opportunitiesofexploration.
AlongsideAevar’sriseinpower,soelevatedtheHoundsofGalawain.
Thegroupofeccentrichuntersfoundthemselveswithmoremembersaddedto
theirranksandmoreauthoritythantheyknewhowtohandle.Rather than
guidethedirectionofgovernanceorspreadtheir religious influence, the
Houndsleveragetheirpowerincommercialinterests.Theirmostaccomplished
initiates station themselves around Defiance Bay, where they hire out
their services as adventuring guides. In any circle, the Hounds are
widely considered a default asset that guarantees thesuccess of any
exploratoryventure.
Mabsen – did your contact at Admeth’s Den ever send over
those disciplinary logs? There i s evidence to suggest that
Horag was a former Hound himself, but they ejected him
f o r conduct infractions. I don’t know what a scholar could
do to make a hunter blush, but I’d like to find out.

17.

U
Economy
nder many circumstances, recognizingtheappropriate
currencycanprovemorevitalthanknowingone’sway
or evenspeaking thelocal tongue.In additiontothe
wel-traveledDyrwoodcoinage, thisAlmanac records
the more abundant denominations of other cultures.
A capableexplorermustanticipatecomingintopossessionofunfamiliar
currencyfrommanysources.Understandingtheirvalueiscritical.
The most rudimentary and accessible form of currency found in
Dyrwood, and therod by whichall others are measured,is thecopper
pand(pahnd,“pawn”),abbreviatedas “cp.”Most domestic transactions
takeplaceintermsofpands.
Forsignificantlygreaterexchanges,Dyrwoodalsocirculatesthegolden
duc.Thecoin getsits namefromtheportraitofDucAdmethon early
printings.Everyducis worth12pands.Locals arewonttosay ofan
establishment:“fiouwouldn’tfindaducthere,”withthedoubleimplicationthat
theestablishmenthasanillreputationinadditiontoattractingcustomersof
limitedmeans.
Coins from the Vailian Republics commonly found in Dyrwood
include the silver lusce (LOO-shay, “fish”), typically worth 3 pands,
andthesuole (SWHO-lay,“sun”),worth9pands.Rarely, wealthy people
willusetheoversizedoble(OH-blay,“double”)worth18pands.
Glanfathans use relatively crude (but large) copper coins caled
awld (auld, “knot”)worth2 pands.Theyalso rarely tradeevenlarger,
intricately-carvedadracoinscaledenjach(EH-nee-ach,“honor”).These
ornamental piecesare gifted from tribal leaders to reward noteworthy
deeds.Theyareworthabout60 pands.
Aedyransusecoppercoinscaledskeyt(skayt,“wealth”)worth1pand.
They also use a large silver coin caled fenning (FEH-nihng, “coin”)
worth6pands,andthegoldscelling(SHEH-ling)worth12pands.Giventhe
tensehistorybetweenthetwocultures,itisnotoverlookedthatAedyranbase
currencyhasanexchangeratelessforgivinginDyrwood thanitmightfind
elsewhere.

18.

Currency
Nom. Value
Copper
Pand
Copper
Skeyt
Copper
Awld
Silver Lusce
1
Culture of
Origin
Dyrwood
1
Aedyr Empire
2
Eir Glanfath
3
Vailian
Republics
Aedyr Empire
Silver
Fenning
Golden
Suole
Golden Duc
6
9
12
Vailian
Republic
Dyrwood
Golden
12
Aedyr Empire
Scelling
In keepingwithhistoric precedent,Dyrwood’s economyis primarily
Golden
8helandandlivestocVailian
drivenfromeOble
xploitationo1
ft
k.Timber,wool, hideand
minerals are thenation’s largest output. CoppRepublics
er is found in particular
ab
undanceEnjach
,as it is frequ60
ently foundsharing Eir
thelan
d withadra stones.
Adra
Glanfath
However, muchof its cultivation is reserved for Brackenbury and the
developmentofelaboratemachinesthatassistanimancersintheirart.

19.

Settlements andLandmarks
D
efiance Bay is an ecosystem worthy of its own
almanac.As a huboftravel andcommerce,thecity
standsasthefocalpointformanyoftheworld’smost
influential factions. Visitors get funneled through
Admeth’sDen,wherecapableguidesfromtheHounds
orKnightsoftheCruciblearereadytoplungebackintothewilderness
fortherightprice.
HadretHouseis theformermanorofDukeAdmethandhis father.
LadyEydisWebb,anaristocratofgreatinfluenceandeccentricity,uses
thesite as thelocus of civil service for thegreater city. Webbseldom
strays fromits walls, sotherearefewin Dyrwoodwhowould recognize
her by appearances. The house itself is a subject of controversy,
honeycombed as it is with secret passages and entrances that stretch
seemingly acrossthecity.For amunicipalbuilding,it offerslittleinthe
wayoftransparency.
A dded
The Brackenbury Sanitarium can be found in the city’s lessto the 2823
reputabledistrict.A popularbitofwisdomgoesthatanyonewhogetslost
A I
inDefianceBay canreorientthemselvesbylisteningforthemadscreams
Edition
ofBrackenbury’safflictedpatients.It’s hardlyapreferredattractionfor
commontravelers, and for anyone unfortunate enoughto consider it a
“destination”itwilllikelybetheirlast.
Travelers toDefianceBay mayfind a relaxing spotonAnslog’s
Compass,a sprawling beachjust northofthecity along thePearlwood
Gulf.In theyearsbeforetherebelionagainsttheAedyrEmpire,amanor
on Anslog’s Compass was used as a summerretreat for aristocratic
families to socialize away from therabble. The house later served as
a military outpostduring thewar, whichwassackedandburnedtothe
groundduringtheAedyraninvasionof2672AI.
AmongtherocksofAnslog’sCompasssitsabeachsidecave,whichhas
beenusedforavarietyofpurposesovertheyears.Theearly Aedyran
settlerscampedthereasatemporaryrefugewhilelayingthefoundationsofa
futurecolony.Smugglersconductingbusinessduring

20.

theWar ofDefiancefoundit a suitable waypointfor supplies entering
andleaving thecity. Most critical was thepart it playedin delivering
overseas munitions to Dyrwood without the intervention of Aedyran
blockades.Rumortellsthatithasseenmorenefariouspurposesinrecent
years.
ThesoutherncrescentofPearlwoodGulfhassuffereditsownshare
ofdramaticupset.A spotknownasPearlwoodBluffisrenownedasoneof
thebestsightseeingvantagesinallofDyrwood,withaninspiringview of
thecityandtheseabeyond.Its beautyis marredbyalonghistory of
deaths and maiming that stained thegrass red. Aristocrats demanding
satisfactionafterslightsorinsultsfromtheir peersoftenchoosethespot
forduels tothedeath.Traditionally, thecombatantstrickenakilling blow
is invitedtopropthemselvesup,basking in thecomfortofthe majestic
viewastheydie.
In theeasternterritoryseparatingDyrwoodfromEir Glanfathsits
thevillage ofDyrford. Perchedprecariouslyontheedgeofa dangerous
frontier,thesettlementisknownforasecretiveandsuperstitiouspopulace.
They shunHylspeak in any form,keeprituals andpractices unknown
tooutsiders, andmaybeinvolvedin illicit activities beyondthereachof
locallawenforcement.Travelersontheir waytoEir Glanfathhavebeen
knowntovanishafterspendinganightinDyrford.This reputationdubs
it “Wayfarer’s Bane” in somecircles. Consequently, expeditions leaving
DefianceBayseldomtarrythereforlongerthanafewhours.
A ruinedcastle is all thatremainsofDyrford’s original settlement,
which was the result of colaboration between dwarven and human
explorersseekingtomaintain adefensiveposition.Whennoonereceived
wordfromtheoutpostinseveralweeks,asearchpartyleftDefianceBay
toinvestigate. They foundthecastle abandoned,withnoevidenceof its
prior defenders apart from several tables of half-finished dinners long
sincerotten.
BeyondDyrfordandonthefringesofGlanfathanterritorysits Lle
aRhemen,or“thePlaceofBindings.”This circle ofstandingstonesat
thebottomofadeep,marshybasinhasprovenadeadlyattractionfor
Interesting choice of words. Horag omits the popular suspicion that the castle sits atop
a network of caves, and the investigators wrote the matter off by simply cursing the
garrison as deserters rather than risk sending anyone below for a closer look.

21.

explorers.Noonehasevermadeit within twentypacesoftheouterring
beforea Fisher Crane ambushparty haltedtheperceivedtransgression
in awaveofslaughter.Locals havesuggestedthatmagicalrituals were
conductedtherelong beforeAedyransevenputtheir historytopaper. This
makesLleaRhemenasiteofenduringinteresttoambitious animancers.
Sincethebasinsits nearthebroadendofStormwallGorge, thesiteis
subjecttofloodingfromheavyseasonalrainfall.Dependingon whattimeof
yearanexpeditionpartysetsoutfor Lle a Rhemen,they mayfindan
impressivearrangementofstone,ornothingatall.

22.

C
Local Cultures
H ere we go
olonialism, warfare, rebelion, exploitation. History
itself should providesufficientcontexttounderstand
theDyrwoodan cultural makeup. Everything that
happenedin theEastern Reachsince thearrival of
theAedyrans set thefoundation for therapacious,
exploitivepeoplewhosettle theretoday.
Onthewhole,Dyrwoodansaresingle-mindedlypreoccupiedwithmaking
their fortuneandexpandingtheir horizonsbywhatevermeansnecessary.
Thiscouldmeananythingfromopeningabusinessinthecitytounlocking
thehorriblepotentialoftheirsoulthroughrecklessexperimentation,andall Another
variables in between.Somefindtheir waybygamblingonthefrowned- classic
uponexpeditionsintoEngwithanruins.Therearesimplynolimitstothe
example
Dyrwoodanpassionforenrichmentanddevelopment.
of Horag’s
This seemingly negative quality is notwithout a positive aspect. capacity
Greed and ambition set the Dyrwood people in a state of perpetual for denial.
impatience.Theexplorerscannotwaittosetoutforforbiddenlands,the How many
animancerscannothelpbutexploit anopportunityforstudy,andanyone ruins did
notcurrentlyengagedinimprovingtheir lotinlifeis consideredwasting he plunder
theirtime.Thoughstillayoungnation,Dyrwoodis quicklygrowinginto in his day?
thelocusofall discoveryandinnovationacrossEora.
Providing a counterpoint, some have argued that the Glanfathan
tribes would bebetteroff hadtheAedyr neverlandedontheir shores
in thefirst place.Those whocametobecaledDyrwoodansknowingly
and unknowingly provoked several bloody conflicts that solidified their
hold ontheregion while decimating thenative population. This critical
reflection,whilenotwholyinaccurate,is bynomeansbeyondscrutiny.
It isn’t as if theGlanfathans hada bettersystemin placebefore
thearrivaloftheAedyr.In fact,thetribesweresointernallyknotted and
conflictedthattheymightvery wel havetornthemselvesapart in time.
The intervention of an imperial power to accept theburden on their
behalfsimplyacceleratedthedecline.Eventheleastcapablewarrior of the
Three-Tusk Stelgaer would rather slaughter an entire village

23.

than lift a finger for them. The solitary Fisher Crane, the nihilistic
Stone Bramble, or thepeacemongersof theGuidedCompass – noneof
thempossess thesolidity ofcharactertohold unity togetherfor long. If
nothingelse,atleasttheAedyrancolonistsgiftedthemacommonenemy
tofaceofftogether.OnecouldarguethatGlanfathansareexperiencinga
renaissanceofunityandbrotherhood.
ThezealotsatReadceraswould behard-pressedtomakeasimilar
claim.Underthereligiousswayofasharecropper, theyabandonedtheir
government,alienatedtheir neighboringpeople,andledadoomedmilitary
campaign against thejewel of theEastern Reach. They have isolated
themselves as thoroughly as a nation can, or has. Whether a fitting
capstone or a cruel punishment, it is nowonderthat Eothas answers
theirprayerswithsilence.
Readceras’failuretoachieveevenamodestdegreeofwhattheysetoutto
accomplishintheSaint’sWaryieldedsomemixedresults.Culturally, they’ve
hit a brick wall. Forward-thinking and innovation are hardly
prioritized virtues in an atmosphere where the very government is a
placeholderforagod.At thesametime,living underareligiousshadow
offers thenativeReadceranthesenseofneverhavingcompletedenough,
or never being prepared enough for whatever chalenges destiny holds.
This internalization of virtues distinguishes the people of Readceras
as someof themost diligent and thorough workers. They labor over
farmlandasifEothascommandedeverydownwardstrikeofthespade.
Their societyis closelyregulated,seemingly undertheprinciple that
Eothasis watchingandthepeopleshould anticipatethedeity’s return.As
aresult,thepopulacelacksthepersonalfreedomfoundcasuallyavailable
in Dyrwood.Clothing,bydesign,is reservedandwithoutvariation,with
fashion a seemingly alien concept. Marriage is not an institution of
consentas muchas basicutility. Wheremusic anddancearefeaturedat
specialoccasions,thecommunityplacesahardstressonreligiouselation,
whichdemonstrateshowfar Readcerasgoestohamperanymanifestation
of fun. These edicts are almost universally embraced without protest.
Thepeopleadaptedtorestrictionsasifdesiringthem.
*

24.

The result is a culture willing to look beyond individual desires
for thegood of thenation. Say what you will about Readceras, but
determination of that level is a powerful force. When redirected by a
higherpower,thosehighstandardsandsaintlyworkethicsmanifestinto
somethingquiteintimidatingonthefieldofbattle.
* Sometimes I wonder i f Horag simply wrote
the Almanac to weigh down his pockets with coin,
and saturated the pages with the shortsighted
criticism that any old man could spout in the
space o f an afternoon. Does he even believe in
his own ranting? He just expended considerable
e f f o r t blaming the Glanfathan people f o r their
own decimation. I f only wepossessed the
authority to cut away sections o f the primary
document altogether. Horag would wither and
perish at seeing the desolation wewould wreak
on his eternally flawed l i f e ’s work.

25.

Languages andExpressions
E
very traveler who crosses into Dyrwood brings
their native tongue. The influx of fortune-hunters,
commercial visitors, and violent engagements
accelerated the development of languages into the
dialectsfoundtoday.
Aedyran is an evolved holdover from pre-Defiance years, when
Dyrwood was under thecontrol of the Aedyr Empire. The language
fractured fromits old-world roots as a result of increasedexposureof
overseas trade, theproximity of neighboring settlements, anda frontier
culturethatblossomedwithDyrwood’s expansion.Most casualtravelers
orexplorerstotheFreePalatinate areexpectedtohavea fair grasp of
Aedyran.Thoseinvolvedinlarger-scalemercantile ormilitaryinterests
willfindnolackofDyrwoodanpolyglotsandinterpreters.
Once outside of the densely-populated cities, Hylspeak grows in
prominence.ThoughsproutingfromEldAedyran,Hylspeakhastaken on
itsownidentityinruralDyrwoodasalanguageofsongandfolklore.Those
who live in Aedyran-speaking communities can easily drop into
conversational Hylspeak without even knowing it. As Hylspeak is a
transitional language betweenEld Aedyran and thecommonAedyran
spoken throughout Dyrwood, regional dialects vary in howthey cleave
toandfromtheoriginal language. Thoseliving within a short distance
of major trade routes may sound as though they are speaking oddlyaccented Aedyran. In the deep woods, some isolated communities are
almostunintelligibletooutsiders,DyrwoodanandAedyranalike.
Expression - Translation
“fitokyetothysumber.”—“I willtakeyoutothefair.”
“Thisgateis ferysik.”—“Thisgoatis veryill.”
“Thywifandygogern,andyeinonserwagnystandermust.”
—“TheladyandI willgoasweplease,andyouneedn’tstand
inourway.”

26.

“Hopy,thatRhym-aglacgjoreyentoks.”—“MaytheRhym-terror
(Rymrgand,theBeastofWinter)takeyoureyes.”
The tongue’s infectious quality has given it something of a
controversial reputation. The unfortunate sufferers of a spiritual
“Awakening,”hauntedwiththeawarenessoftheir pastlives, oftenfind
themselvesabletoconverseinfluentHylspeak.
Casual travelers should notconcernthemselveswithunderstanding
thevariedtonguesoftheGlanfathantribes.Adventurersshouldhopetonever
catchitwhisperedinthewilderness,asitmaybethelastthingthey hear
beforethetelltaletwangofabowstring.
I wonder if Horag took
these examples from life.

27.

Calendar of Events for2823 AI
10th of Fonivèrno– Full Frost
Presumably
Themorbidcelebrationoftheanti-harvest,markedbyadonningofritual tosoak upthe
furs andthesubmergingof an elderlog in a frozenpond.The log is bitterness and
painstakinglyretrievedbyateamofwomendubbedtheQueensofWinter. misfortune of
the season.
19thof Tarivèrno– EndFrost
The once-celebrated log is dragged upa hilltop and beatenrelentlessly
intosplintersbytheentirecommunitytowelcomethecomingofwarmth. Its
shardsarescatteredbytheoldestwomaninthecommunity,dubbedtheHagof
Spring.Thisritualcommemoratesawinteroccasionwhenearly Aedyran
settlerswerecuttingtreestobuildapalisade.Oneofthelogs rolledaway
andfrozeundertheiceofafrigidlake.It didn’tresurface againuntilthe
dayaftertheBrokenStonewar.Thecommunitygatheredtocutitfreefrom
theice,whichtheyinterpretedasafavorablesign.
3rdof Préprima– Mhavarisen’s Day
CommemoratingtheyoungGuidedCompasswarriorwhogaveherlifein
avaliantefforttostophostilitiesduringtheBrokenStonewar.
18th of Majprima – Full Growth
A popularweddingdayamongfarmingcommunities.
1st of Fonprima
Thedaywhenplantingforsummercropsbegins.
19thof Tarprima– Slow Cotton’s Day
In honorofa popularfable.Therabbit, Slow Cotton,spentthemonth
enjoyingthelazyspringdays,neverevenspittingaseedinthedirection
of his farm. As a harsh summerdescendeduponhim withnocrops to
showfor it, thecommunitybandedtogethertosolvetheproblemoftheir
friend. They sent him to an Engwithan ruin to recover an imagined
artifactthatwouldhelpcropsgrow.Meanwhile,theysoldhislandtoan
enterprisingbadger.SlowCottonneverreturnedtothefarminthislife.
No doubt Horag appreciated the dual warnings against
negligence and curiosity, and their cruel lesson.

28.

10th of Préëstu – ComeWhatMay
A rural celebration of sunlight and warmth, where all cares for the
approachingautumnaresetaside.Markedbyday-longsongsrecitedin
theiroriginalHylspeak.
20th of Tarestu – Changeling’sDay, aka Curing
A dayreservedfor aggressive huntingin praiseofGalawain. This is
also considereda dayofpreparation,as themeatis traditionallysalted
orsmokedforlong-termstorage.
1st – 3rdof Inauton
Early preparations are madefor theharvest festival. The traditional
archetypalrolesareselectedfromamongwomen(theStarling Maid, the
MotherCraneandtheCrowQueen).Men drawlots todeterminetheir
standing(theKnightofProsperity,theBadgerPrince,andtheKingofFools).
Volunteersorganizegamesandcontestsforthefestivaltocome.
19thof Majauton– Night of SmilingGourdlight,
aka the SmallHarvest
Candles and torches line the roads between neighboring villages, and
childrenareinvitedtotaketheshortjourneyatnight.Alongtheway, they
visitmakeshiftshrinesdedicatedtoGaun(anaspectofEothas), leaving
offeringsofcornhuskdols.
A practice all but eradicated since Waidwen’s Legacy.
11th of Fonauton – The Final Hour, aka Harvest Festival
Every ritual is different in detail, but the essential elements remain
thesame.Mother Cranepresidesovertheevent,dictatingtheorderof
A glorified appearances.TheCrowQueenpassesjudgmentontheBadgerPrince’s
petting zoo. CourtofBeasts.TheStarling Maid andtheKnightofProsperityhide
in thevillage, andthelocal childrentrackthemdownbeforetheBabeof
Tomorrowisborn.TheKingofFools,alwayslast toappear,arrives on
a palanquin drawn by goats. Hedrunkenly bestowshis favor on the
HarvestSuccessor,agirloffloweringagedubbedmostlikelytobewedded
thatyear.TheblessingsofgoodharvestarerecitedinHylspeak, anda
heartydinneris sharedbyall.

29.

18th of Tarauton– Endof Reap
Prior to the standard three days of prayer and preparation between
seasons,afinalsongofthanksis deliveredinapublic square.Appeals
are made to Gaun to protect against misfortune, though the implied This practice
has fallen out
understandingis thatnotall maysurvivethewintertocome.
15th– 16th of Préïvèrno – The Stiff Harvest
Bells are rung throughoutplacesof worship tomarktheendof easier
times, and herald theinevitable decline. Though theground itself may
freeze,thisis adayforburyingthedead.
10th of Majivèrno– TheWake of Rymrgand
At thepeakof theseason, fires are lit withresin and thecommunity
gathersinthecentralhallforastorytellingcompetition.It isexpectedthat
theBeastofWinterhastakenhisfill,andmovedonfortheyear.
of favor since
the S aint’s
War, though
some keep
it alive for
tradition’s
sake.

30.

Puzzle Page
1. On his way to the Isce Îen River, Galven Rêgd killed
ten Aedyran soldiers. His three officers killed seven, his
twenty soldiers killed eight, and his delemgan killed five.
HowmanyGlanfathanscrossedtheriverthatday?
2.In theEngwithancatacombs,aHoundofGalawainfound
a stone dagger, a copper ring, and a silver helmet. As
sheexploredfurther,sheeventualy cameupona puzzle box
seatedonapedestal.Sherotatedits facetstentimes before
openingahiddenpanel.A madspiritemergedand assaulted
her, shouting in Hylspeak. No sooner had it struck her
thanitdispersedintosmoke.WhatsavedtheHound’slifethat
day?
3.A man visited the Brackenbury Sanitarium complaining
of headaches. The animancers there studied him and
discovered that hesuffered from multiple fractured souls,
eachfighting for control over his fate. Using a device of
lensesandwires,theygottoworkcleaninguphisspiritual
essence.Firsttheycutawayanumberofsouls equaltothe
yearsbetweenthecolapseofGrandVailia andtheWarof
Defiance.Theirnextcutdoubledthatnumber,thenaddedto it
thenumber of Woedica’s aliases. At theendof theday,
aftertheanimancerswipedthesweatofftheir brows,theman
left Brackenbury with7 soul fragments remaining. How
manydidhehaveatthebeginningoftheday?

31.

1
3
2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Across
Down
4.Helperoflostsouls
1.Horrific spiderpeople
6.Mountain dwarves
2.Purpledyeplant
7. Dyrwoodantongue
3.Deityslayer: ————Bomb
12.Controversialpastry
5.fioungdragon,maturewurm
15.Soulcrafter’s trade
8.Glanfathancity
16.Galawain’s hunters
9. Popular sanitarium
10.Spirit-channelingmaterial
11.Readcerasleadership:————Council
13.DefianceBay district:Ondra’s ————
14.Aevar’stitle

32.

Historical Rainfall
M
uchofDyrwood’s weatheris dictatedbyitsproximity
totheocean.Coastalregionsaremild,buttheregular
humidity makes the summers hotter and winters
colder.Theterritoriesinlandaregenerallycool,but
themountainsandshorter warmseasons contribute
tosomechallengingwinters.
Other areas are less moderate. Stonewall (at Stonewall Gorge)
recently tookthebruntofadeluge,anditshallswerefloodedforseveral
weeks. Sites of previous Engwithian habitation sometimes exhibit
meteorologicalanomalies,butthegenerallackofaccesstothoseregions
hampersanydefinitivestudy.
AverageAnnualPrecipitation
Days
Location
Inches
116
23.9
145
Pearlwood
Gulf
Bael Marsh
46.7
120
Loghome
32.3
130
Cold Morn
28.7
104
Thein Bog
32.8

33.

I
Historical Planting
and Harvesting
naruralcontext,acommunity’ssurvivalcandepend
Dates
upon following the correct planting and harvesting
dates for specific crops. Every region handles
theprocess with somevariation, whether based on
tradition,commerce,orsheerpracticality.
A teamofcensustakersoncesetoutfromDefianceBay withthe
goalofinterviewingfarmersandhomesteadersonthefringesofDyrwood
to colect this information. Maintaining records of whichplants thrive
under theright circumstances could prove essential to thesurvival of
futuresettlements,andthetask ofcompilingthis informationhadnever
beenattempted.Unsubstantiated rumors speakof thegroup leaving the
roadtoexploitaperceivedshortcut.Theywereneverseenagain,andthe
projectwasscrapped.
The team could have disappeared for any number of reasons.
However, twopiecesofevidencesuggestthetruthoftheir fate.As they
setout,theteamleaderhiredapairofKnightsoftheCruciblefromAdmeth’s
Den. This might not seemdamning, but a journal recovered from the
leader’squarterscrypticallyhintedata“profitableventurealong journey’s
way.”Thereforeitisassumed,ifnotoutwardlydiscussed,that thecensus
takersfoundthemselvesonthewrongsideofanEngwithan ruin,andtheir
fateallbutsealed.
Consequently, theinformationrecordedbelowdoesnotcomefrom a
unified source. It is theresult of stories, studies, historical texts and
personalexperience.

34.

Plant
Best
Planting
Dates
(2815-2821)
Préprima
15th
Days to
Harvest
(28182821)
25-50
Majprima
10th
40-60
Majprima
7th
Carrots Préprima
8th
Corn
Fonprima
3rd
Cucumbers Tarprima
17th
Dunlan
Préprima
1st
45-55
Athmod
Beets
Soil
Sun
Depth
Spacing
Exposure (Inches)
Sand
or
Loam
Sand
or
Loam
Full
1”
2 1/2”
1/2”
1-2”
Loam
Full
or
Part
ial
Full
1”
2”
55-70
Sand
Full
1/2”
3 1/2”
55-85
Loam
Full
1”
5”
35-45
Loam
Full
3/4”
12”
70-80
Any
1/2”
2”
Fonprima
11th
60-95
Sand
or
Loam
Full
or
Part
ial
Full
3/4”
24”
Fonprima
3rd
Préprima
1st
70-100
Any
Full
1”
4”
50-70
Loam
1”
2”
Inestu 1st 50-70
Fonprima 20-50
3rd
Préëstu 3rd 40-60
Loam
Any
Full
or
Part
ial
Full
Full
1/4”
1/2”
12-24”
1”
Loam
Full
1”
30”
Beans
Nyra
’s
Squa
sh
Onions
Peas
Peppers
Radishes
Sum

35.

Afterword
I
t is not the opinion of this Almanac (or its
contributors) that adventuring, fortune hunting, or
explorationcanbemade“safer”forhavingreadthese
pages.Theverynatureofexplorationdemandsthat
noteverycontingencybefoundinamanual. Rather,
thatintrepid adventurerswhoelecttostudythesepagesmightapproach
their task better informed, and mayfind themselves better equippedto
makeintelligentchoiceswhentheunexpectedinevitablyoccurs.
These pages represent the collaboration of a retired explorer and
several scholars of the Hand Occult, many of whomknow eachother
solelythrougheditorialdisagreement.TheAlmanacoftheEasternReach
makesnoclaimsregardingtheauthenticityofits contentorcontributors.
While muchof theinformation containedherein can beeasily validated,
muchelseisapocryphal,subjective,oroutdated,andthereforenottobetaken
at facevalue. The readeris expectedtotakenoaction as a result of
readingthesepages.
Recipe forDurganHardcake
2 /2 cupscornflour(Readcerangoldpreferred)
2tspOldMortimerbakingsolution
2tsppowderedcuttlebone(fortexture)
1/ cupcinnamon(preferablyRauatai,whichisafinergrain)
4
1/ tspsalt
2
1/ cupbutter(aurochs)
2
2eggs(anysource)
1
Mix the dry ingredients together, and then add wet ingredients.
Mold themixtureintotheshapeofDurgan’sBatteryandcryout:“For
theMarch!” beforeflattening violently withbothhands(note:this is a
critical step). Leave themixture wedgedbetweentwostones for a full
day.Flavor mayverydependingonregion.Theresult will beas hard
as untilled earth, but will never spoil. Perhaps moreimportantly: no
creaturehaseverraidedacampatnightforwantofDurganHardcake.
The Hand doesn’t know that I slipped the classical recipe
back into their precious Almanac. I t ’s a DELICACY, easily
baked during travel, and with longevity that has been
known to outlive those who make it. ~ A Friend

36.

Puzzle answers:
1. Onlyone:Rêgd,asaprisonerofwar.Theotherswere
burnedaliveintheWarofBlackTrees.
2. Thecopperring,ascopperis frequentlyusedtobindor
harnesssoulenergy.
3. TheWarofDefiance(2668AI) minustheWarofBlack
Trees(2652AI) equals16.
16times2equals32.
PlusthenumberofWoedica’saliases(5:TheExiledQueen,
TheBurnedQueen,TheQueenThatWas,Oathbinder, The
Strangler)=37.
37plus7 equals44 souls.
Crossword answers:
Across: watcher, aptapo, hylspeak,
durganhardcake,animancy,hounds
Down: vithrack,vorlas,godhammer,drake,twinelms,
brackenbury,adra,morning,gift,duc
Credits
ContributingWriter:PaulKirsch
ContributingWriter:J.E.Sawyer
Design& Layout:CraigS Grant