Endër

Endår is a term used in speculative cosmology and world-building to describe the final phase of a cyclical era in a fictional setting. It denotes a period during which celestial cycles, natural events, and human institutions converge to signal the transition to a new era. The specifics vary by tradition, but Endår is typically portrayed as lasting for an extended span and carrying a strong sense of renewal through upheaval.

Etymology and usage of the word reflect a constructed linguistic heritage. Endår is often explained as a compound of end and år, drawn from a northern-inspired language family in which år means year or era. The literal meaning “end-year” or “year of the end” underscores its role as a culmination point within the calendar and in mythic storytelling. Some glossaries in-world distinguish between the calendrical Endår and the mythic Endår, with the former denoting a formal timekeeping marker and the latter a deeper cosmological event.

Cultural significance in fictional texts commonly centers on omen events, such as eclipses, unusual celestial alignments, or dramatic climatic shifts, paired with political realignments or social reforms. Rituals, migrations, and reforms are often described as climactic preparations or responses to Endår’s approach. As a plot device, Endår provides a framework for long-form narratives, prophecies, and cycles of decay and renewal.

In scholarly and guide literature on world-building, Endår serves as a tool to construct calendars, prophecies, and cultural memory. Discussions may explore whether Endår drives determinism within the setting or merely reflects observable cycles. See also cyclic cosmology, era, prophecy.