Calendar Eras
Note: This article discusses the numbering of years. The actual division of the calendar into months and weeks is not covered here.
There are many different ways of counting years in use across the world of Taelgar. The two most commonly used, both in these notes and by scholars and the learned across Taelgar are Drankorian Reckoning (DR), and the Dwarven Count of Years (CY).
Note: Drankor was founded towards the end of the year 4133 in the Dwarven Reckoning. To approximately convert a year, add or subtract 4133.
Drankorian Reckoning
The system of dates and years developed by the world-spanning Drankorian Empire, dating years from the founding of the city of Drankor. The new year in Drankorian Reckoning begins on January 1st. Usually abbreviated DR.
Dwarven Count of Years
The system of time and years used by Dwarven historians, who count time since the material plane was created and time began to flow in a predictable way, at the end of the Riving. The new year in Dwarven Reckoning begins on March 17th of the Drankorian calendar. Usually abbreviated CY.
Other Calendar Eras
However, other calendar eras may occasionally be used, including:
- Dunmari reckoning, which counts dynastic years, and counts the new year from the Festival of the New Dawn, on January 23rd. The current dynasty, the Nayan dynasty, began in 1557 DR, so the 1st year of the Nayan dynasty started on January 23rd, 1558 DR. Years are styled as dynasty year, so Nayan 192 is the 192nd year of the Nayan Dynasty. Many Dunmar in casual conversation will drop the dynastic label and just refer to e.g. Nayan 192 as the year 192.
- Sembaran reckoning, which counts regnal years, and counts each year from the monarch’s coronation. Years are styled year monarch, i.e. 7 Robert I, is the 7th year of Robert I’s reign.
Halflings remember their history via the tale of years; each year has its own song and its own name. Typically halflings count the beginning of a new year from the day following the winter solstice, when the days begin to lengthen again. Halflings often tell their stories, but when writing, will simply write out the year, i.e. by dating a letter “in the Year of Honeyed Sun”.
Elves view the passing of time differently than other races. Time flows for them sometimes much more slowly, and sometimes much more quickly than the shorter-lived races. Given their longevity, they are also greatly attuned to the long cycles of history, and reckon time by the passing of generations, known as ka, caring less for the divisions of time into years. Elves will use the Dwarven Count of Years or Drankorian Reckoning when talking about external affairs, but often date their own events by mela and leya, i.e. “in the 36th leya”. More formally, some elves might write: “in the 36th leya of Elmerca” or “in the 25th mela of Aldanor”.