Summary[]
This series, according to the official timeline and sequence of events by Valdemar reckoning, takes place sometime shortly after 850 AF and during the building of all three Circles' collegia which include Bardic, Healer's and Herald's. The primary tension is caused by this shift in the instruction of Herald Trainees from one-on-one mentoring to classroom instruction. This was caused by an incredible increase in new Herald Trainees being Chosen and not enough current Heralds to train them as well as tend to the duties of the realm. It is noted in this series as it has been in others that an increased influx of newly Chosen usually suggests an increased need for them in the coming future. Emphasis in the first volume of the series is placed on the interdisciplinary relationship and effectiveness of the three collegia.
Major Characters[]
- Herald Trainee Mags
- Companion Dallen
- Bardic Trainee Lena
- Healer Trainee Bear
- Master Bard Lita
- Herald Jakyr
- King's Own Herald Nikolas
- Companion Rolan
- Herald Caelen
- Master Soren
- Nikolas' daughter Amily
Chronology (Warning! SPOILERS!)[]
The series begins when Mags is Chosen. The exact year has yet to be settled, but it is after 852 AF and long before Lavan Firestorm. Each book occupies roughly a season, each leading to the next. This an issue in Bastion, which directly connects to the previous book. Jakyr and Mags suddenly have "years" of history that are inexplicable when all five books are continuous.
- Late fall - Mags is Chosen, and travels to Haven.
- Midwinter - Mags meets Master Soren and is recruited by King's Own Herald Nikolas. A member of a foreign delegation becomes mentally ill. After a blizzard, Mags finds Bear held hostage by another of the foreigners, who shockingly "recognizes" Mags before dying.
Bibliography[]
Publication history[]
- Foundation, volume 1, first printing October 2008
- Intrigues, volume 2, first printing October 2010
- Changes, volume 3, first printing October 2011
- Redoubt, volume 4, released October 2nd, 2012
- Bastion, volume 5, published Oct 2013
Series position[]
The events of the Collegium Chronicles series occur after The Last Herald-Mage series and are followed by The Herald Spy series. See Books by chronological order and Books by series.