Marking the Years Years ( winters ) are referred to by names , each name consistent across the Realms . Each kingdom or city - state numbers years differently , usually to measure the reign of a dynasty or the current monarch , or since the founding of the country . The result is a hodgepodge of overlapping numbers that serve to confuse the ordinary person and frustrate the sage . The widespread differing year dates include the following : Methods of reckoning . Dalereckoning ( DR ) . Dalereckoning is taken from the Year of Sunrise , when the Standing Stone was raised by the elves of Cormanthyr and the human Dalesfolk . Since this time , humans were permitted by the Elven Court to settle in the more open regions of the forests . In some texts , primarily those which do not have direct ties to Dales history , Dalereckoning is called Freeman ' s Reckoning ( FR ) . The calendar is widely used in Faerûn but has not spread beyond its shores . Cormyr Reckoning ( CR ) . Cormyr Reckoning begins at the foundation of House Obarskyr , the dynasty that still rules that land . The 25 - year gap between Cormyr Reckoning and Dalereckoning has caused much of the confusion regarding elder days . Timelines and calendars of the period often use DR designators , but place the founding of Cormyr at 1 DR instead of 26 DR . This is understandable , given that the two reckonings are from two nearby parties and spread by a third ( the merchants of Sembia ) , but it causes learned sages to slam their heads violently against their desks trying to figure things out . Northreckoning ( NR ) . Used in the City of Waterdeep , Northreckoning dates from the year Ahghairon became the first Lord of Waterdeep . A more archaic system called Waterdeep Years ( WY ) dates from the supposed first use of Waterdeep as a trading post . This reckoning is now largely abandoned except in ancient texts . Mulhorand Calendar ( MC ) . One of the oldest calendars in use in the Realms , this ancient scheme of record - keeping dates from the founding of Skuld , the City of Shadows , reputedly by a Mulhorandi god . Netheril Year Calendar ( NY ) . Used by the netherese , it places 1 NY on - 3859 DR , when several villages on the shore of the Narrow Sea combined for mutual protection , forming the Alliance of Seventon , which later became Netheril . The Netheril Year calendar was created by Nether to celebrate the union . Present Reckoning ( PR ) . In an attempt to get a handle on the various number systems in use , a new type of reckoning has been implemented with the approval of such worthies as Khelben " Blackstaff " Arunsun of Waterdeep and Vangerdahast of Cormyr and carried abroad by the Harpers . All year - dates trace back to the Time of Troubles as year 0 . Kozakuran Calendar . The Kozakuran calendar began when the first human emperor , Mori , ascended to the throne . In Dalereckoning this occurred in - 73 DR . This calendar groups years into cycles rather than centuries . Each cycle last 60 years . Years can be shown in two ways ; in cycles or cumulatively . For example the 23rd year in the 10th cycle could be shown as 10 / 23 or 563 . Shou Calendar . In Shou Lung the years are counted from the year that Nung Fu first ascended the throne as the Emperor . In Dalereckoning this occurred in - 1250 DR . The names of years . Augathra the Mad wrote a comprehensive list of the names of the years from - 422 DR to what will be 1600 DR ( The Year of Unseen Enemies ) , although it is widely believed that the roll of years was created by Alaundo of Candlekeep . Because some of the names of the years went missing , Alaundo replaced these with his own choices . Supposedly , the names given the years are prophecies made by Alaundo as to the most significant event of that year .