As many of you will by now know, on 23 July 2008, N. Robin Crossby, the creator of Hârn, HârnMaster and the universe of Keléstia, passed on to Yàsháin.

Robin had been suffering from liposarcoma or fat-cell-cancer in his bowel that was discovered in January 2006. He underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy, and was briefly in remission in 2007. Robin is survived by his wife Sharon, his three daughters, his three siblings, his father and many friends all over the world.

All of us will miss him dearly. We will miss his wit and humour, his brilliance, his particular perspective on the worlds, his (sometimes maddening) attention to detail, his song, his love of his creation and his dedication to his vision.

Robin began to create the world of Hârn over three decades ago, and brought it to the public in 1983. Over the years he worked with many people to bring his vision to fruition. His chief love was map making, and his maps of Hârn and other places are renowned. Robin was a perfectionist, and constantly strove to reach the unobtainable – the perfection of his vision. He was never satisfied with his own work, always striving to improve it, to come closer to his vision.

His goal was to make Kèthîra, the world of Hârn, as real a place as he could for his friends and fans all over the world. Many people shared and continue to share his love of Hârn and thus part of his vision.

Robin was the Creator of Hârn, and the founder of Keléstia Productions. He can’t and won’t be replaced, but his legacy will live on. Robin made it clear that it was his desire for Keléstia Productions to continue working towards perfecting our reflection of his vision. Those of us who have been working with him these last few years plan to honour that wish as best as we are able.

“Kua hinga te Totara” – “A great Totara has fallen”.

“The stars of the heaven are dimmed; darkness is over all.
Our treasured bird has flown; the giant tree of the forest
that sheltered the birds and the small has fallen to the earth.
The midpost of the house has snapped asunder;
the chill wind blows through the afflicted home.
Our friend is gone; borne away on the canoe of Fate.
He passes along the viewless path by which so many have gone before”.

Jeremy Baker
Project Director, Keléstia Productions
www.kelestia.com