Encyclopedia Hârnica (periodical )

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First issue, 1984

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[edit | edit source]

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

Each issue covers a variety of topics:

Publication history[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Encyclopedia Harnica - Columbia Games". Wayne's Books. Retrieved 2020-03-16. 
  2. a b 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. 

External links[edit | edit source]