Dragons of the Dwarven Depths

Last updated
Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
Dragons of the Dwarven Depths novel cover.jpg
Dragons of the Dwarven Depths book cover
Authors Tracy Hickman
Margaret Weis
Cover artist Matt Stawicki
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Lost Chronicles
Genre High fantasy
Publisher Wizards of the Coast
Publication date
2006 (mass market hardback and paperback)
Media typePrint (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages438
ISBN 978-0-7869-4099-8
OCLC 70216504
813/.54 22
LC Class PS3573.E3978 D752 2006
Followed by Dragons of the Highlord Skies  

Dragons of the Dwarven Depths is a fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, set in the Dragonlance fictional campaign setting. It is the beginning of the Lost Chronicles trilogy, designed to fill in the gaps in the storyline between the books in the Chronicles trilogy ( Dragons of Autumn Twilight , Dragons of Winter Night , and Dragons of Spring Dawning ). [1] The events in the book take place between the events of Dragons of Autumn Twilight and Dragons of Winter Night. While parts of the book foreshadow some of the events to take place in the Dragonlance Legends trilogy, the novel is otherwise free of spoilers.

Contents

Publication history

Dragons of the Dwarven Depths was written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and published in May 2007. [2]

Plot introduction

The novel is set in the period between Dragons of Autumn Twilight and Dragons of Winter Night . [3] The book continues with the adventures of the Heroes of the Lance, after they free the slaves from Pax Tharkas. The title alludes to the plot of the book, as the heroes must enter Thorbardin in order to obtain the Hammer of Kharas. The heroes are trying to lead the refugees to safety [3] in Thorbardin, as well as attempting to obtain the Hammer of Kharas. All the while, they are being pursued by the Dragonarmy. [4] Although the story includes the Companions, its main focus is on Flint Fireforge and his choices. [3]

Plot summary

After the Companions help the slaves escape and kill the Dragon Highlord Verminaard, [5] they lead the refugees into a defensible valley for the winter. Debate begins on what to do next; whereas some would prefer to wait out winter in the valley, others feel the proximity to Pax Tharkas leaves them too vulnerable to attacks from the Dragonarmies. With rumours and legends of the dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin present in their minds, the Companions set out in search of some entrance to the fabled kingdom. [5] Raistlin Majere, Caramon Majere, and Sturm Brightblade head to Skullcap, while Flint Fireforge and Tanis Half-Elven head towards a secret dwarven pass leading to Thorbardin.

Finding an enchanted helm, Sturm unlocks the key to entering the dwarven kingdom. While Tanis and Flint find a path for the refugees to follow to the gates of Thorbardin, the refugees themselves are taken along the path, led by Riverwind, when the Dragonarmy attacks their camp. The refugees flee into a mountain pass and, using an old dwarven trap, close the pass so that the Dragonarmy cannot follow.

The Companions, meanwhile, enter the gates of Thorbardin and are immediately captured by a group of dwarves who are horrified to see the enchanted helm that Sturm uncovered in Skullcap, proclaiming that it is cursed. They arrest the Heroes of the Lance under suspicion of being the vanguard of an invading army, and take them before the dwarven council. Some of the dwarven council are under the influence of the Dragonarmy and are supplying it with much-needed steel for weapons. Flint is persuaded to help Arman Kharas, the self-proclaimed reincarnation of the ancient dwarven hero Kharas, to retrieve the legendary Hammer of Kharas, on condition that his friends be released regardless of what happens to him.

Tanis, Sturm, Caramon and Raistlin fake death after the dwarven guards give them poisoned mushrooms for their dinner, and manage to overcome the draconians and dwarves that examine the 'corpses'. Taking a draconian as proof that the Dragonarmy is at the gates of Thorbardin, they manage to show the thane of the Hylar clan of the conspiracy between the Theiwar, Daergar and the Dragonarmy before the draconian escapes.

Meanwhile, Arman Kharas and Flint, followed by Tasslehoff Burrfoot, enter the sacred valley of thanes to retrieve the Hammer of Kharas from the tomb of Kharas. Flint struggles internally over the fate of the Hammer, as it is needed to forge the legendary dragonlances, but can also unite the dwarven clans under one leader, putting to rest the risk of civil war developing in the kingdom. Retrieving the Hammer, Flint, Arman and Tasslehoff join the dwarven thanes in the Temple of the Stars, only to be attacked by draconian forces, allied with the Theiwar dwarves. The dwarven forces, supported by the disillusioned Daergar clan, overcome the invading draconians and, regaining the Hammer, the icon of their race, graciously provide the human refugees with shelter.

Background

There was a fifteen-year hiatus between novels about the Companions before Dragons of the Dwarven Depths was released. After the original Chronicles novels were completed in 1991, co-authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman had a lot of material about them remaining, but moved on to writing about new characters. In 2004, Weis told Hickman she wanted to return to the main protagonists of the Dragonlance world. When the pair contacted their editors, they enthusiastically agreed. [6]

Weis described the experience of returning to writing about the characters as "like going back and meeting old friends". [6] She said that while it was satisfying to return to the Companions, it was also difficult, as she had forgotten many details of the stories over the years. She got in touch with and received significant help from the series' large fan base, who, she said, "know more about it than I do." [6]

Reception

The print version of the book reached the top 300 of the national bestseller list in August 2006. [7] The audiobook version of Dragons of the Dwarven Depths received very positive reviews. Narrator Sandra Burr's performance received mixed reviews, with Kliatt magazine saying that the author "captures the nuances of these well-known characters through her range of accents, growls, and tones," [3] while Internet Bookwatch wrote that the novel "comes to life under veteran Sandra Burr's voice as it provides a fast-paced fantasy listen." [4]

Reviewer Lance Eaton disagreed, calling Burr's performance "disappointing", continuing that while her general narration is adequate, her character voices are "comical caricatures". [5] Eaton said the story itself "evokes ambivalence". [5] While he enjoyed the feelings of nostalgia the book provoked, he said that in places the story feels forced, with too much foreshadowing of future events. He also said readers new to the series would be confused by events, though old fans would "finish sooner than they want". [5]

Heather Dieffenbach, reviewing the audiobook for the School Library Journal, commented that "This recording will be in demand by fans of the previous books, but it will not draw in new listeners." [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kender (Dragonlance)</span> Type of fantasy race

Kender are a type of fantasy race first developed for the Dragonlance campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game published by TSR, Inc. in 1984. The first kender character was created by Harold Johnson as a player character in a series of role-playing adventures co-authored by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. Weis and Hickman's Dragonlance shared world novels introduced the kender to readers and players alike, largely through the character Tasslehoff Burrfoot, who became one of the main protagonists in the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tasslehoff Burrfoot</span> Fictional character

Tasslehoff Burrfoot is a fictional character of the kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore. His parents are unknown and he has few known relatives. He has a sister, and also claims to have an Uncle Trapspringer. He has three uncles, by the names of Remo Lockpick, Bertie, and Wilfre. He also has a cousin, Latchlifter Furrfoot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caramon Majere</span> Fictional character

Caramon Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance books. He is depicted as a fighter and is one of the main characters in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's first Dragonlance trilogy, the Dragonlance Chronicles. Caramon and his brother Raistlin Majere's relationship was explored in the NY Times Best Seller Twins Trilogy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverwind</span> Fictional character

Riverwind is a fictional character appearing in the Dragonlance series of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game supplements and novels, created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and published by TSR.

Tanis Half-Elven is a fictional half-elven character in the Dragonlance series of books, which were published by TSR, and are now published by Wizards of the Coast. He is first introduced in the book Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, in Chapter 1: "Old Friends Meet. A Rude Interruption." They introduce him saying that he was half-elven, armed with a longbow and a sword and wearing leather armor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flint Fireforge</span> Fictional character

Flint Fireforge is a fictional dwarf character appearing in the Dragonlance series of books. The dwarf Flint Fireforge is one of the six Heroes of the Lance. He is the second of thirteen children. He was born and lived in the village of Hillhome. His ancient ancestor was Reghar Fireforge, a renowned dwarf. His parents' names are not known, but they are referred to as Mama and Father by Flint.

<i>Dragons of Autumn Twilight</i> 1984 novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a 1984 fantasy novel by American writers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, based on a series of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game modules. It was the first Dragonlance novel, and first in the Chronicles trilogy, which, along with the Dragonlance Legends trilogy, are generally regarded as the core novels of the Dragonlance world. Dragons of Autumn Twilight details the meeting of the Companions and the early days of The War of the Lance. The novel corresponds with the first two Dragonlance game modules, Dragons of Despair and Dragons of Flame, but with a different ending. It introduces many of the characters that are the subject of later novels and short stories.

<i>Dragons of Winter Night</i> 1985 novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Dragons of Winter Night is a fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Based on the Dungeons & Dragons gaming modules, it is the second book in the Chronicles Trilogy, preceded by Dragons of Autumn Twilight and followed by Dragons of Spring Dawning. It was the second Dragonlance novel, being released in 1985. It is the second novel in the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, which along with the Legends Trilogy introduces the Dragonlance world. Specifically, it details the darker days of the War of the Lance.

<i>Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight</i> 2008 American film

Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a 2008 American animated fantasy adventure film. It is the first film to be based on the Dragonlance campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It is based on the first novel written for the campaign setting, Dragons of Autumn Twilight (1984), co-written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, both of whom gave assistance for the film's screenplay adaptation by George Strayton. The film was directed by Will Meugniot and distributed by Paramount Pictures, directly to video.

Dragonlance Legends is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, which take place in the Dragonlance setting. This series is the sequel to the Dragonlance Chronicles, and focus on Raistlin and Caramon. The trilogy has two major story arcs:

<i>War of the Twins</i> 1986 novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

War of the Twins is a 1986 fantasy novel by American writers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Part of the Dragonlance series of novels, it is the second novel in the Dragonlance Legends trilogy, which details the journey of the fictional twins Raistlin Majere and Caramon Majere, along with Crysania and Tasslehoff Burrfoot. The book details their adventures during the Dwarfgate Wars, some 100 years after the Cataclysm, a monumental event in the Dragonlance world that altered the shape of the world. The story sees Raistlin, Caramon, and Crysania arrive in the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthas. Caramon, before bent on stopping Raistlin's quest for godhood, must now aid him to return to his own time period.

The DL series is a series of adventures and some supplementary material for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role playing game. These modules along with the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy of novels, which follow one possible adventure series through the modules, were the first published items that established the Dragonlance fictional universe. The original DL series was released from 1984 to 1986, with the final two modules added to it in 1988. In the 1990s these roleplaying adventures from the original series were collected and revised for 2nd Edition AD&D as the three DLC Dragonlance Classics modules. There were also versions of the module series released in 1999, 2000 and 2006.

<i>Dragons of Despair</i> 1984 book by Tracy Hickman

Dragons of Despair is the first in a series of 16 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR, Inc. (TSR) between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance series of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) role-playing game modules, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon Masters in the game. This series provides a game version of the original Dragonlance storyline later told in the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy of novels. This module corresponds to the events told in the first half of the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Its module code is DL1, which is used to designate it as the first part of the Dragonlance adventure series.

<i>The Magic of Krynn</i> 1987 collection of short stories

The Magic of Krynn is a New York Times bestseller fantasy novel released in April 1987. It is a collection of short stories written about the various characters set in the Dragonlance campaign series. This novel is the first of a trilogy of the Tales series.

<i>Dragons of Desolation</i> 1984 book by Tracy Hickman

Dragons of Desolation is the fourth and final module in the first major story arc in the Dungeons & DragonsDragonlance series of game modules. It is one of the fourteen Dragonlance adventures published by TSR between 1984 and 1986. The module is intended for player characters of level 6–8.

<i>Kindred Spirits</i> (novel) 1991 novel by Mark Anthony

Kindred Spirits is a fantasy novel set in the Dragonlance fictional universe. It was written by Mark Anthony and Ellen Porath, based on characters and settings from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance Chronicles series. Published in 1991, it is the first volume of a six-part series on how the Companions first met.

<i>Dragons of the Highlord Skies</i> Fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Dragons of the Highlord Skies is a fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, based on the Dragonlance fictional campaign setting. It is the second of the Lost Chronicles trilogy, designed to "fill-in" the gaps in the storyline between the books in the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy. The events of the novel entirely take place during the same time frame as the events described in Dragons of Winter Night.

Preludes is a series of novels comprising two trilogies set in the Dragonlance world of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

<i>The Dawning of a New Age</i>

The Dawning of a New Age is a fantasy novel set in the Dragonlance campaign setting of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

References

  1. "Science Fiction & Fantasy: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths". Library Journal . 131 (4): S13. March 1, 2006.
  2. "Wizards Product: Dragons of the Dwarven Depths". Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Flick, Hugh Jr. (January 1, 2007). "Weis, Margaret & Hickman, Tracy. Dragons of the dwarven depths". Kliatt . Archived from the original on June 2, 2007. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Brilliance Audio: The Prisoner of Guantanamo, Rusty Nail, Cover of Night, Dragons of the Dwarven Depths: The Lost Chronicles, vol. 1". Internet Bookwatch . Midwest Book Review. September 1, 2006. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Eaton, Lance (2006). "Dragons of Dwarven Depths: The Lost Chronicles, Volume I". Curled Up With A Good Book. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Schroeder, Heather Lee (July 7, 2006). "Literary Lunch". The Capital Times . Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  7. "Beyond the top 50: Sci-fi/fantasy". USA Today . August 3, 2006. p. D4.
  8. Dragons of the Dwarven Depths Lost accessmylibrary.com [ dead link ]