Preludes (Dragonlance series)

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

Contents

Darkness and Light

Darkness and Light
DarknessAndLight.jpg
First edition
Author Paul B. Thompson & Tonya R. Carter
Cover artist Jeff Easley
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
28 September 1989
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages377
ISBN 0-88038-722-X
OCLC 19829030
LC Class CPB Box no. 1733 vol. 8

Darkness and Light, written by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter, is the first volume in the Preludes series. This novel details the travels of Kitiara and Sturm before the beginning of Dragonlance Chronicles, as they seek to find news of Sturm's father, and eventually admit their attraction for each other. [1]

Kendermore

Kendermore
Kendermore.jpg
First edition
Author Mary Kirchoff
Cover artist Jeff Easley
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
November 30, 1989
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages346 pp
ISBN 0-88038-754-8
OCLC 51949936
LC Class CPB Box no. 2270 vol. 8

Kendermore, written by Mary Kirchoff, is the second novel in the Preludes series. In this novel, Tasslehoff Burrfoot is charged with violating the kender laws of prearranged marriage, and forced to return to Kendermore due to the imprisonment of his Uncle Trapspringer. [1]

In the book, it is said that Flint Fireforge is a mountain dwarf. However, Flint is a hill dwarf who hates the mountain dwarves. [2]

Denzil is described as a half-orc, while orcs do not exist in the Dragonlance continuity. [3]

The novel mentions the remains of a werewolf. Lycanthropes do not exist on Krynn. [4]

Reviews

Brothers Majere

Brothers Majere
Author Kevin Stein
Cover artist Jeff Easley
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
14 January 1990
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages349 (paperback edition)
ISBN 0-88038-776-9 (paperback edition)
OCLC 20957164
813.54
LC Class PS3569.T3714 B7 1989

Brothers Majere, written by Kevin Stein, is the third volume in the original Preludes series. This novel explores the love/hate relationship between the brothers Caramon and Raistlin as developed in the Chronicles and Legends trilogies. Raistlin is unable to forgive Caramon for allowing his ailing mother to die, or forgive himself for his inability to save her with his magic. Raistlin agrees to pursue their mother's last wish, but he is unaware that they are pawns in a power struggle between the gods. [1]

Reception

John C. Bunnell reviewed Brothers Majere for Dragon magazine, calling it "narrowly the best of the Dragonlance Preludes", and noted that part of the success of the Dragonlance line "has been a product of its carefully stylized atmosphere; Stein captures the mood more accurately than have some recent writers." [6]

Riverwind the Plainsman

Riverwind the Plainsman
Author Paul B. Thompson & Tonya R. Carter
Cover artist Clyde Caldwell
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
31 March 1990
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages313 pp (paperback edition)
ISBN 0-88038-909-5 (paperback edition)
OCLC 21566927

Riverwind the Plainsman was written by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter. It is the first volume in the Preludes II series, and the fourth volume in the overall Preludes series. This novel relates the courting quest of Riverwind for the hand Goldmoon. Riverwind, who had fallen out of favor with Goldmoon's father, chief of the Que-Shu tribe, because of Riverwind's belief in the old gods. Riverwind is given the task of discovering proof of the existence of his gods and return with irrefutable evidence. [7]

Flint the King

Flint the King
Flint The King Cover.GIF
Author Mary Kirchoff & Douglas Niles
Cover artist Clyde Caldwell
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
May 1990
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages308 (paperback edition)
ISBN 0-88038-911-7 (paperback edition)

Flint The King was written by Mary Kirchoff and Douglas Niles. It is the second volume in the Preludes II series, and the fifth volume in the overall Preludes series.

The main character is Flint Fireforge, hill dwarf and future War of the Lance hero. In the novel, he returns to his old hometown, Hillhome, where he uncovers a murder mystery that involves a member of his own family. [7]

Flint the King was the first collaborative writing effort for authors Mary Kirchoff and Doug Niles, with Niles stating: "It doesn't mean that you do only half the work [...] Each of us did more than write half a book, but I think we came up with a better story because of it." [7] According to Kirchoff, "we assumed that our strengths and weaknesses would offset each other. Doug does great battles and magic, and my strengths tend to be characters and dialogue, and that's worked out very nicely." [7]

According to Kirchoff, "The first time I tried to make Flint talk, he just sat there with his lips moving. I paced around the house and drank another cup of coffee, but I just couldn't make words come out of his mouth." Her editor suggested she assign some famous personality the role of Flint, and she ended up choosing Wilfred Brimley and Yosemite Sam. [7]

Tanis: The Shadow Years

Tanis: The Shadow Years
Author Barbara Siegel & Scott Siegel
Cover artist Clyde Caldwell
Publisher TSR, Inc.
Publication date
November 1990
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages320 (paperback edition)
ISBN 978-0-88038-913-6 (paperback edition)

Tanis: The Shadow Years was written by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel. It is the third volume in the Preludes II series, and the sixth volume in the overall Preludes series. In this novel, Tanis journeys into the memory of an old mage as his dying request, to search for the lost love of the old man and give her a chance to live on. [7]

Related Research Articles

Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job interview. Tracy Hickman met his future writing partner Margaret Weis at TSR, and they gathered a group of associates to play the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The adventures during that game inspired a series of gaming modules, a series of novels, licensed products such as board games, and lead miniature figures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raistlin Majere</span> Fictional character from Dragonlance books

Raistlin Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance series of books created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Raistlin played an extensive role in the two main series of books, particularly in Dragonlance Legends in which he was both primary protagonist and antagonist. He is twin brother to Caramon Majere, half-brother to his protective sister Kitiara uth Matar, and a significant member of the Heroes of the Lance. In the animated movie adaptation, Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Raistlin was voiced by Kiefer Sutherland.

<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">Goldmoon</span> Fictional character

Goldmoon is a fictional character from the Dragonlance fantasy series of novels and role playing games, originally published by TSR, Inc. and later by Wizards of the Coast.

<i>Kendermore</i> Fantasy novel in the Dragonlance series

Kendermore is a fantasy novel in the Dragonlance series. Originally published in 1989, Kendermore was written by Mary Kirchoff and is volume two of The Preludes subseries of the Dragonlance saga. It has also been reprinted in April 2003.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitiara uth Matar</span> Fictional character

Kitiara Uth Matar is a fictional character appearing in the Dragonlance campaign setting created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. She is the daughter of a disgraced Solamnic Knight named Gregor Uth Matar and his first wife, Rosamun. She is also the half-sister of both Raistlin and Caramon Majere.

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.

<i>Time of the Twins</i> Book by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Time of the Twins is a 1986 fantasy novel in the Dragonlance series by American writers Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. It is the beginning of the Dragonlance Legends trilogy, a series detailing the journey of fictional twins, the warrior Caramon Majere and the mage Raistlin Majere, along with the cleric Crysania. The book details the start of their adventure.

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 Mystery</i>

Dragons of Mystery is a Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook published in 1984 as part of a series of modules for the Dragonlance (DL) campaign setting. It is the fifth of fourteen Dragonlance modules published by TSR between 1984 and 1986. Its cover features a painting by Larry Elmore of the characters Tanis Half-Elven, Laurana Kanan, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, and Tika Waylan standing in front of a dragon highlord and a blue dragon. The sourcebook received middling reviews from White Dwarf magazine.

<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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kirchoff, Mary (January 1989). "The Game Wizards". Dragon . Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#141): 68–69.
  2. Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (1984). Dragons of Autumn Twilight . TSR. ISBN   0-88038-173-6.
  3. Tracy Hickman & Laura Hickman (1987). Dragonlance Adventures . TSR. ISBN   0-88038-452-2.
  4. Harold Johnson, John Terra; et al. (1992). Tales of the Lance . TSR. ISBN   1-56076-338-8.
  5. "Title: Kendermore".
  6. Bunnell, John C. (May 1990). "The Role of Books". Dragon . Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#157): 92.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Larson, Will (June 1990). "Novel Ideas". Dragon . Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: TSR (#158): 80–81.