Everyday Life On Avalon

Hloch enhances our knowledge of everyday life on Avalon in his first Earth Book introduction.

First, his parents, Ferannian and Rennhi:

"...held the country around Spearhead Lake..." (p. 75) (For full reference, see here.)

(Poul Anderson was merely inventing extra details for the sake of these framing passages in an omnibus collection. However, these newly invented details enhance our future historical knowledge, nevertheless.)

Ferannian, an engineer, met human beings during many visits to Gray, Centauri and other towns.

Travel routes crisscrossed above Spearhead Lake and there was also a nearby copper mine.

Some Ythrians, including Hloch's parents, are "guest-free," meaning that they have house guests for several days at a time, allowing them to roam and hunt.

Stormgate is close to Gray and therefore accepts many human Avalonians into membership.

All this adds up to Hloch having many human acquaintances which qualifies him to edit the Earth Book.