Velgarth is the world in which Mercedes Lackey’s The Heralds of Valdemar series takes place, Valdemar being one of several nations within Velgarth. The name of the world Velgarth first appeared in the novel “Arrow’s Flight” (1987). As with any fantasy world, certain conventions regarding the setting hold true throughout the series. Other major nations beyond Valdemar appearing in the novels include Hardorn, Karse, Rethwellan, Ruvan, and Jkatha. The Pelagirs and the Dhorisha Plains are also significant. Iftel is often mentioned but never seen.
Velgarth has been explored in many novels and even more short stories. Mercedes Lackey is the central author of this work but many others have contributed to the greater tale. I’ve only read a small fraction of the novels and stories, but this is the order of the stories that I’ve sussed out over time. There are at least dozens of stories in the anthologies that don’t feature enough information to place them as of yet, but it would be nice to have an official guide to them one day. Until then, this is what we have.
The Mage Wars 01 The Black Gryphon
by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
The first chronological novel or story in the world of Velgarth, that I know of, this novel features events and characters that will reverberate long after its conclusion.
On a side note, I’ve always found it odd (and disappointing) that this trilogy is designated as The Mage Wars Trilogy, when only the first book actually deals with the Mage Wars, and only the final days of these wars. I would have preferred a trilogy that dealt with the Mage Wars more fully. Especially since, at the time of its release, The Mage Storms trilogy was also being released with the 2 series initially playing off one another, only for “The White Gryphon” & “The Silver Gryphon” to drop the ball…which has always made me think less of them.
01-01-94 The Black Gryphon 01
08-01-94 Storm Warning 02
04-01-95 The White Gryphon
09-01-95 Storm Rising 03
03-01-96 The Silver Gryphon
10-01-96 Storm Breaking 04
A friend of mine read the trilogies separately, years after the fact, and she enjoyed them far more than I did. I will one day need to revisit them.
Valdemar Anthology 02 Sun In Glory (2003) /
Sun in Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (2003)
Errold’s Journey by Catherine S. McMullen
The Tales of Valdemar, or The Valdemar Anthologies, are nearly annual collections of short stories set within the world of Velgarth, with each collection featuring at least one new tale form Mercedes Lackey. This story is a sequel to the events of “The Black Gryphon”.
Valdemar Anthology 12 Choices (2018) /
Choices: All-New Tales of VAldemar (2018)
“Woman’s Need Calls Me” by Mercedes Lackey
Set after “The Black Gryphon”, this story introduces the mystical sword, Need, which reappears in later stories.
The Mage Wars 02 The White Gryphon (1995)
By Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
Set 10 years after “The Black Gryphon”.
The Mage Wars 03 The Silver Gryphon (1996)
By Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon
Set 22 years after “The Black Gryphon” & 12 years after “The White Gryphon”.
Valdemar Anthologies 10 Tempest (2016) /
Tempest: All-New Tales of Valdemar
In Name Only by Kristin Schwengel
The city of White Gryphon is featured and there are references to Mage Wars characters, Skandranon Rashkae, Zhaneel & Urtho.
Valdemar Anthology 04 Moving Targets (2008) /
Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar (2008)
Karse Stories: Reulan Miniseries 01:
An Unexpected Guest by Nancy Asire
One of the fan designated Karse Stories, this tale explains the ancestral origins of the main character in the next story, serving as a prequel to “The Cat Who Came to Dinner”, also by Nancy Asire.
Valdemar Anthology 02 Sun In Glory (2003) /
Sun In Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (2003)
Karse Stories: Reulan Miniseries 02:
The Cat Who Came to Dinner by Nancy Asire
Reulan, child of the characters in the previous story, becomes one of the early true Sons of the Sun. He’s mentioned in a later story (“Sun in Glory”) by Mercedes Lackey.
Valdemar Anthology 06 Finding the Way (2010) /
Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar (2010)
Karse Stories: Judge Perran Miniseries 01:
Lack of Vision by Nancy Asire
Another Karse story by Nancy Asire, this is the first in several tales about Judge Perran, who travels throughout Karse to make judgments on legal disputes, upholding the laws of the Son of the Sun and Vkandis Sunlord. Unlike some officials, the Judge is not corrupt and is always faithful to his mission. Due to dissembling witnesses, he always has to send his assistant Levron to spy on villagers to collect accurate information. Similar to a detective, the Judge must evaluate the clues and deduce the truth to pass judgement.
The era of the Judge Perran Miniseries is unclear. The judge is not a priest and makes no threats associated with the False Sons era (which dominate much of the novels in which they are featured), but Solaris is not mentioned (whose reforms are featured in later works). Due to the calm and law-abiding proceedings, it is suspected to predate the False Sons.
Valdemar Anthology 07 Under the Vale (2011) /
Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar (2011)
Karse Stories: Judge Perran Miniseries 02:
Judgement Day by Nancy Asire
Valdemar Anthologies 10 Tempest (2016) /
Tempest: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2016)
Karse Stories: Judge Perran Miniseries 03:
Unexpected Meeting by Nancy Asire
Valdemar Anthologies 11 Pathways (2017) /
Pathways: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2017)
Karse Stories: Judge Perran Miniseries 04:
Discovery by Nancy Asire
To date this is the final Judge Perran story.
The Founding of Valdemar Trilogy:
01 Beyond (2021)
02 Into the West (2022)
03 Valdemar (2023)
Valdemar Anthology 05 Changing the World (2009) /
Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2009)
For Want of a Nail by Rosemary Edghill and Denise McCune
This tale detailed the founding of Valdemar 12 years before Mercedes Lackey tackled that story in the previous trilogy. The Lackey version is obviously the official version , but perhaps there can be value reading this piece as well?
Valdemar Anthology 02 Sun In Glory (2003) /
Sun In Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (2003)
Trance Tower Garrison by Fiona Patton
“Trance Tower Garrison, the northern-most outpost of King Valdemar’s young realm”
Valdemar Anthology 03 Crossroads (2005)
Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar (2005)
The Blue Coat by Fiona Patton
The last members of the Goshon tribe go to the new kingdom of Valdemar as instructed by the dreams of their shaman.
King Restil Valdemar is referenced. He was previously featured in The Founding of Valdemar Trilogy & “For Want of a Nail”.
Valdemar Anthology 17 Anything with Nothing (2023)
Anything with Nothing (2023)
Anything with Nothing by Mercedes Lackey
King Valdemar & King Restil are referenced in this story in which an “ordinary” Herald uses clever strategies to protect a village from a besieging bandit army.
Valdemar Anthology 02 Sun In Glory (2003) /
Sun In Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (2003)
Starhaven by Stephanie D. Shaver
This story occurs at some point before Queen Elspeth the Peacemaker took the throne in 750 AF because Herald-Mages still exist, there is a King on the throne, and the King’s Own Companion is Jastev.
Valdemar Anthology 02 Sun In Glory (2003) /
Sun In Glory and Other Tales of Valdemar (2003)
Rebirth by Judith Tarr
Focuses on a Herald-Mage named Mathias serving Queen Vera, clearly placing it before Vanyel’s time.
Valdemar Anthology 01 Sword of Ice (1997)
Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar (1997)
Sword of Ice by Mercedes Lackey & John Yezegualian
A prequel to “Magic’s Pawn”, this short story depicts the first meeting between Herald Savil & Starwind K’Treva.
Valdemar Anthology 01 Sword of Ice (1997)
Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar (1997)
A Song for No One’s Mourning by Gary A. Braunbeck
This story occurs during Savil’s lifetime. The boy Olias was a preteen when Savil brought apprentices home, which is estimated to be around 767 After the Founding of Valdemar (Savil would have been a full Herald-Mage for 20 years and likely would have apprentices.) Olias’ father dies 2 years later in 769 AF, and his mother soon after. The story action occurs when Olias has been on his own and on the road for a while, probably ten years or so, which would be 779 AF. That puts the story after Vanyel’s birth in 771 AF, but before Magic’s Pawn begins in 787 AF.
Referenced characters include Herald-Mage Savil & Lord Withen.
The Last Herald-Mage 01 Magic’s Pawn
by Mercedes Lackey
The book begins 791 years after the founding of Valdemar, and ends before Spring in early 792 AF. Vanyel is introduced; he is 15 at the start and 16 at the end.
Herald-Mage Savil & Starwind K’Treva return from “Sword of Ice”.
Lord Withen, previously mentioned in “A Song for No One’s Mourning” makes his first appearance here.
Elspeth the Peacemaker is Queen of Valdemar.
Valdemar Anthology 08 No True Way (2014)
No True Way: All New Tales of Valdemar (2014)
Healer Vixen Miniseries 01:
Vixen by Mercedes Lackey
Set 792 years after the founding of Valdemar, in the Fall of that year.
When a vicious Pelagirs change-creature attacks a small village, and an injured Herald Vanyel is unable to help, a healer with the Gift of Animal Mindspeech summons some unusual assistance.
The story seems to be set the year after “Magic’s Pawn” and this is the first tale to feature Healer Vixen, who returns in other short stories and eventually a novel.
The following spring (793), Vixen and Vanyel are present when Melody emerges from hibernation.
Valdemar Anthology 13 Seasons (2019)
Healer Vixen Miniseries 02:
A Midnight Clear by Mercedes Lackey
793 AF, Midwinter’s Eve – Vixen and Vanyel visit Kettleford and must defend it again.
In Midwinter that year, Kettleford is still “on Vixen and Vanyel’s circuit.”
Valdemar Anthology 09 Crucible (2015)
Crucible: All New Tales of Valdemar (2015)
Healer Vixen Miniseries 03:
Vexed Vixen by Mercedes Lackey
Set in 798 AF (After the Founding of Valdemar), this third tale of Vixen was the second released, but is third in this timeline.
Valdemar Anthology 18 Feuds (2024)
Uncivil Blood by Mercedes Lackey
799 after the Founding of Valdemar, in a story which is clearly based on the Shakespearean drama “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”, Herald-Mages Savil and Vanyel, with possible annexation into Valdemar at stake, must resolve a long-standing family feud in a neighboring principality before it erupts into civil war. As he and Savil investigate, Vanyel also realizes he has survived the initial phase of grief over Tylendel, and begins to accept that he needs to live his life.
The story is set some years after the events of “Magic’s Pawn”. Vanyel is only just beginning to gain a reputation as a powerful Herald-Mage. He and Savil take orders from the king, which would have to be Randale. This places it after Elspeth the Peacemaker’s death in 798 AF when the peace of her reign began to “fall apart.” Vanyel’s realization that he is over the initial phase of his grief pertaining to Tylendel would also place this before the story “Chance”, which is set in 800 AF, so I’m going with 799 AF.
Valdemar Anthology 01 Sword of Ice (1997)
Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar (1997)
Chance by Mark Shepherd
800 years after the Founding of Valdemar, a thin, tired 25 year old Vanyel is sent to the Karse battlefront, where he meets a shy, lonely Guardsman named Jonne who finds Vanyel very appealing. They begin in a relationship that lasts 2 or 3 months.
Valdemar Anthology 08 No True Way (2014)
No True Way: All New Tales of Valdemar (2014)
Twin Mages Miniseries 01:
Written in the Wind by Jennifer Brozek
Set specifically in Vanyel’s lifetime, when he is on the Karse border, and when there are almost no new mage trainees.
The story occurs when songs about Vanyel on the Karse border have spread and this pogrom is so successful that by 810 AF, there are no new Mage-Gifted trainees.
The Last Herald-Mage 02 Magic’s Promise
by Mercedes Lackey
More than 11 yeas after the end of “Magic’s Pawn”, sometime after his 28th birthday in 803 AF, & 3 years after his brief relationship with Guardsman Jonne, Vanyel returns to Valdemar from an extensive campaign along the border with Karse.
Vanyel and Vixen
by Mercedes Lackey
The book, coming in December of 2026, has been described as taking place between “Magic’s Promise” & “Magic’s Price”.
The Last Herald-Mage 03 Magic’s Price
by Mercedes Lackey
In 813 AF, Vanyel is 37 years old. 9-10 years after “Magic’s Promise”.
There’s a separate entry below for the epilogue, which is set decades later.
Valdemar Anthology 04 Moving Targets (2008) /
Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar (2008)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
The Power of Three by Brenda Cooper
814 years after the Founding of Valdemar, Identical twins, Bard-Trainee Rhiannon and Healer-Trainee Dionne have never been separated by more than a few miles. They are evenly matched in combat with each other, and neither one can best a single fighter individually, but as a pair they can beat any other pair at their level.
If they are better together, should these sisters be separated?
All of Valdemar’s Bards are implementing Bard Stefen’s mission to spread the word that Heralds are as good as Herald-Mages. Journeyman Bard Rhiannon is sent on this mission, separated for the first time from her identical twin, Healer Dionne.
Valdemar Anthology 06 Finding the Way (2010) /
Finding the Way and Other Tales of Valdemar (2010)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
Songs of a Certain Sort by Brenda Cooper
Three years after the twins graduate in 817AF, Bard Rhiannon and Healer Dionne come across a strange walled-in village that initially denies them admittance.
Valdemar Anthology 07 Under the Vale (2011) /
Under the Vale and Other Tales of Valdemar (2011)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
Slow and Steady by Brenda Cooper
This story does not include date indicators, aside from being winter.
Valdemar Anthologies 10 Tempest (2016) /
Tempest: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2016)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
The Apprentice and the Stable Master by Brenda Cooper
This story does not include date indicators.
Valdemar Anthologies 19 Smoke and Mirrors (2025)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
Bards and Heralds by Brenda Cooper
Valdemar Anthology 15 Boundaries (2021)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
The Gift of Twins by Brenda Cooper
In 826 AF Bard Rhiannon and Healer Dionne, now thirty years old, are assigned to Herald Moran on an unpleasant mission.
Valdemar Anthologies 11 Pathways (2017) /
Pathways: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2017)
Twin Mages Miniseries 02:
Written in the Wind by Jennifer Brozek
25 years after the death of Vanyel, when a Companion rushes to aid her young Chosen, a surprising connection to the past is revealed.
Valdemar Anthology 05 Changing the World (2009) /
Changing the World: All-New Tales of Valdemar (2009)
Redhaired Twins Miniseries:
The Last Part of the Way by Brenda Cooper
This story takes place in 839 AF, 25 years after the twins began riding together.
Valdemar Anthology 01 Sword of Ice (1997)
Sword of Ice and Other Tales of Valdemar (1997)
In the Forest of Sorrows by John Helfers
In 842 AF, 30 years after Vanyel’s death, a young bandit enters the Forest of Sorrows, fleeing a bloodthirsty mage and gets help from an unimaginable source.
Masters of Fantasy (2004)
Out of the Deep by Mercedes Lackey
The publisher has made the DRM-free story available on their official website (baen.com) and the story can be found HERE.
In 852 AF when Chalinel’s youngest son Alain is sixteen, “Vanyel Ashkevron had made his terrible sacrifice decades ago; Queen Elspeth was Alain’s great-great grandmother.”
Chalinel almost has to be the son of King Treven and Queen Jisa. A relationship to Elspeth overlooks Randale’s father, Darvi. Perhaps Chalinel’s relationship to Elspeth could be traced through Treven?
There is a slight fudging of the Collegium timeline. Due to his relationship to Elspeth, King Chalinel had to have predated King Kiril, who founded the Heralds’ Collegium and the practice of graduating internships. However, the first The Collegium Chronicles book, Foundation, was published in 2008, four years after this story. A fan theory is that Kiril is one of Chalinel’s unnamed children.
Valdemar Anthology 04 Moving Targets (2008) /
Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar (2008)
Herald Arville and Ryu Miniseries 01:
Moving Targets by Mercedes Lackey
In a story inspired by Scooby Doo and set around 859 AF Herald Elyn takes four new Heralds on their internship circuit. The group answers a call for help from a tiny village on the outskirts of the Pelagirs that is plagued nightly by the shadows and terrifying noises of unseen monsters.
Valdemar Anthology 04 Moving Targets (2008) /
Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar (2008)
Herald Arville and Ryu Miniseries 02:
To Catch a Thief by Mercedes Lackey
Herald Arville, the shaggy one of the four “meddling kids” trainee group, is on circuit alone, with only his Companion Pelas and his kyree Ryu. His route is along the Pelagir Hills, in villages so recently joined to Valdemar that they don’t have Waystations. His fears of inadequacy without the group are soon tested when he comes to a village about to hang a girl for theft.
The Last Herald-Mage 03 Magic’s Price: Epilogue (1990)
by Mercedes Lackey
In 864 AF Bard Stefen is an old man when he finally arrives in the Forest of Sorrows to die and join Vanyel Ashkevron.
The Collegium Chronicles 01 Foundation (2008)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Collegium Chronicles 02 Intrigues (2010)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Collegium Chronicles 03 Changes (2011)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Collegium Chronicles 04 Redoubt (2012)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Collegium Chronicles 05 Bastion (2013)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Herald Spy 01 Closer to Home (2014)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Herald Spy 02 Closer to the Heart (2015)
by Mercedes Lackey
The Herald Spy 03 Closer to the Chest (2016)
by Mercedes Lackey
Family of Spies 01 The Hills Have Spies (2018)
by Mercedes Lackey
Family of Spies 02 Eye Spy (2019)
by Mercedes Lackey
Family of Spies 03 Spy, Spy Again (2020)
by Mercedes Lackey
Brightly Burning (2001)
by Mercedes Lackey
Valdemar Anthology 04 Moving Targets (2008) /
Moving Targets and Other Tales of Valdemar (2008)
Trust Your Instincts by Dylan Birtolo
Set 40 or 50 years before the events of “Oathbreakers”.
Oathblood: Sword Sworn
The Oathbound: Chapters 1-3
Oathblood: The Talisman
The Oathbound Chapters 4-5
Oathblood: Friendly Fire
Oathblood: A Tale of Heroes
The Birthday Gift by Elisabeth Waters
A Dragon in Distress by Mercedes Lackey & Elisabeth Waters
The Dragon’s Horde by Elisabeth Waters & Raul S. Reyes
The Oathbound Chapter 6 / Oathblood: Keys
Valdemar Anthology 03 Crossroads (2005)
Crossroads and Other Tales of Valdemar (2005)
Landscape of the Imagination by Mercedes Lackey
The Oathbound Chapter 7
The Oathbound Chapter 8 / Oathblood: Turnabout
Oathblood: The Making of a Legend
The Oathbound Chapters 9-11
Oathblood: A Woman’s Weapon
Oathbreakers
Oathblood: Wings of Fire
Oathblood: Spring Plowing at Forst Reach
Oathblood: Oathblood
TO BE CONTINUED…