Dragonlance 183339 225318233 2008-07-13T01:50:57Z 151.203.72.104 The third continent of Adlatum has been mentioned in a few location, just not in the novels. Also, Taladas is northeast of Ansalon. Not north. [[Image:Dragonlance-Logo.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The current edition Dragonlance logo, as seen on all books published recently.]] [[Image:Dragonlance-Logo-Orig.gif|right|thumb|250px|The original Dragonlance logo, appearing on many books printed in early editions. This logo is no longer used as reprints or republications bear the new logo.]] '''''Dragonlance''''' is a large series of [[fantasy]] [[novels]], with over [[List of Dragonlance novels|190 novels]] printed, and is accompanied by a supplemental [[campaign setting]] in the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' style. The first ''Dragonlance'' novel was published in 1984. It was originally created by Laura and [[Tracy Hickman]] while driving in their car on the way to [[TSR, Inc.]] for a job application. At TSR, Tracy met his future writing partner [[Margaret Weis]], and they gathered a group of associates to play the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[role-playing game]]. The adventures during that game became a [[Dragonlance modules (DL series)|series of gaming modules]] that spawned [[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]], the first novel in the Chronicles Trilogy, a core element of Dragonlance. The majority of the novels take place in the various regions of [[Ansalon]], a small continent, though some have taken place on the lesser known continent of [[Taladas]] northeast of Ansalon. The continent to the northwest of [[Ansalon]], Adlatum, has yet to be used in novels. It has however been mentioned in three gaming products. ==History and influence== [[Image:Dragonlance CS Cover.jpeg|thumb|175px|''Dragonlance Campaign Setting'' book cover]] The series was originally published by [[Tactical Studies Rules|TSR, Inc.]] during the early-to-mid-1980s as a supplement to their ''[[Dungeons & Dragons|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' game products. It is currently published by [[Wizards of the Coast]] (WotC), which purchased TSR in 1997. In 2001, Wizards of the Coast licensed [[Sovereign Press (role-playing game publisher)|Sovereign Press]] to publish further ''Dragonlance'' game materials. This began with the newly revised ''Dragonlance Campaign Setting'' in 2003, which used the new [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition|Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition]]. On [[April 23]], [[2007]], Weis announced that no renewal with Wizards of the Coast was reached and that Dragonlance RPG game supplements and accessories would only be released through the end of the year when the license reverts back to Wizards of the Coast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dragonlance.com/features/articles/10040.aspx|title=Articles: Dragonlance License|author=Margaret Weis|date=[[April 23]], [[2007]]|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> The world of ''Dragonlance'' was the first fictional world to be professionally produced as a [[role-playing game]] world with product tie-ins (novels, role-playing modules, figurines, etc.) during its release. Before ''Dragonlance,'' fictional role-playing worlds evolved from the amateur creations of the games' players (the most notable example being the ''[[Greyhawk]]'' campaign setting), or from previously existing fictional settings (I.C.E's [[MERP]]) or campaign settings based in the real world. The success of the ''Dragonlance'' series encouraged role-playing game producers to invent and market additional fictional game worlds, such as the ''[[Ravenloft]]'' game world. The central books of the ''Dragonlance'' series were written by the authoring team of [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]], however, many other writers have made contributions, including [[Richard A. Knaak]], [[Douglas Niles]], [[Roger E. Moore]], [[Don Perrin]], [[Jean Rabe]], [[Paul B. Thompson]], [[Tonya C. Cook]], [[Michael Williams (author)|Michael Williams]], [[Nancy Varian Berberick]] and [[Chris Pierson]]. For most of ''Dragonlance'''s history, the "main storyline" referred to the books that were set in the world's "present" and moved events forward. The series has inspired different works outside literature including "[[Wishmaster (song)|Wishmaster]]," a song by [[Nightwish]] based partially on the relationship between [[Raistlin Majere|Raistlin]] and [[Dalamar]] as a master and apprentice. The Swedish [[metal band]] [[Lake of Tears]] also recorded a song called ''"Raistlin and the Rose"'' in their 1997 album ''"Crimson Cosmos,"'' while the German group [[Blind Guardian]] wrote ''"The Soulforged,"'' another song inspired by Raistlin's story, which appeared in the band's 2002 album ''"A Night At the Opera."'' ==Main storyline== ===Fourth Age=== The ''Dragonlance'' story is set over 300 years after the [[Cataclysm (Dragonlance)|Cataclysm]], an event in which the [[List of Dragonlance deities|gods]] grow angry at the [[Kingpriest of Istar|Kingpriest's]] arrogance and drop a fiery mountain onto the nation of [[List of Dragonlance locations#Istar|Istar]], rearranging the face of the planet [[Krynn]]. Mankind believes this is proof the gods had abandoned them, bringing us to the present War of the Lance where the ancient gods are little more than legends. As a new war is developing, a group of friends encounter a barbarian couple carrying a Blue Crystal staff. These travelers, later called the [[Heroes of the Lance]], or the Companions (before these names, they had been known among the authors as the Innfellows, as the game started at The Inn of the Last Home), begin a journey in which they learn of the staff's secret, the real meaning of the departure of the gods, the return of the [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]], and the fabled weapons known as [[Dragonlance (weapon)|dragonlances]]. The Companions eventually defeat the [[Takhisis|Queen of Darkness]], and end the [[War of the Lance]]. Some years after that, in the [[Dragonlance Legends|Legends]] trilogy, the mage [[Raistlin Majere]], who became very powerful during the War of the Lance, begins an attempt to ascend to godhood. He weaves into his plan his brother [[Caramon Majere]], the cleric Crysania, and the Kender [[Tasslehoff Burrfoot]]. However, he eventually halts this plan at the last second, after his brother sees and reveals the future. He realized that although he would succeed, he would lead a life of eternity in a barren world. Comforted in the knowledge that he has obtained the power to defeat even the gods, Raistlin allows himself to remain in the Abyss, giving Caramon and Crysania time to escape back to their plane of existence. Raistlin is killed once by Queen Takhisis but is granted peace in eternal rest afterwards, and remains in the Abyss waiting for Caramon, his twin, to pass on as well. ==Book list== {{main|List of Dragonlance novels}} The main storyline of the original ''Dragonlance'' series has been written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, with multiple books written by several authors including the aforementioned ones covering different years in between and sometimes during the main events. *The ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Chronicles Trilogy|Chronicles Trilogy]]'' relates the events since the meeting of the Companions until the end of the ''[[War of the Lance]]'' and the defeat of the Dragonarmies of [[Ansalon]], covering years 350 to 353 A.C. *The ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Legends Trilogy|Legends Trilogy]]'' covers the [[Blue Lady's War]] in 357 A.C., as well as [[Raistlin Majere|Raistlin Majere's]] and [[Caramon Majere|Caramon Majere's]] adventures in the past culminating in Raistlin's attempt at godhood. The books feature [[time travel]], and focus on events in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Istar|Istar]] shortly before the [[Cataclysm (Dragonlance)|Cataclysm]], and the [[Dwarfgate Wars]] afterwards. *''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Chronicles Trilogy|The Second Generation]]'' is a single compilation book which picks the most important tales from the ''Tales'' series and details the children of the Companions, all of which become players in the later story. This book is considered in the main storyline, as it is needed to be read in order to understand events that happened between the ''War of the Lance'' and the ''Chaos War''. However, it is possible to read ''Dragons of Summer Flame'' without reading ''The Second Generation''. These two novels developed characters that would later be seen in [[War of Souls|the War of Souls]] trilogy. *''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Chronicles Trilogy|Dragons of Summer Flame]]'' (originally intended to be a trilogy but shortened to a single book due to publisher's pressures) covers the [[Chaos War]], also known as the ''Second Cataclysm'', in the year 383 A.C. The gods and mortals join forces to defeat [[Chaos (Dragonlance)|Chaos]] in his attempt to destroy Krynn. The war ends with the withdrawal of Chaos and the gods of Krynn, in a divine agreement to keep the world safe. *''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Dragons of a New Age|Dragons of a New Age]]'' describes the rise of the Dragon Overlords and introduces the Fifth Age of Dragonlance. It leads into the War of Souls Trilogy. *''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The War of Souls|The War of Souls]]'' trilogy begins as a strange storm courses through Krynn, beginning the [[War of Souls]] in the year 421 A.C. (38 S.C. in the new year nomenclature), The end of the war brings the return of the gods, the death of [[Takhisis]] and the departure of [[Paladine (Dragonlance)|Paladine]] as head of the good gods in order to maintain the balance between Good and Evil. *''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Dark Disciple Trilogy|The Dark Disciple]]'' trilogy follows the death of [[Takhisis]] and the departure of [[Paladine (Dragonlance)|Paladine]], when the lesser gods strive to maintain dominance. *The ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Lost Chronicles Trilogy|Lost Chronicles]]'' trilogy is a companion to the original Chronicles. Each book in this trilogy fills in sections of the story previously left untold. It tells the story surrounding the recovery of the [[List of Dragonlance artifacts#Hammer of Kharas|Hammer of Kharas]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/956467200 | title=[[Dragons of the Dwarven Depths]] | author=Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | accessdate=2006-07-18}}</ref>, how the Companions retrieve the dragon orb from Ice Wall and how [[Kitiara Uth Matar]] and [[Lord Soth]] became allies, and how [[Raistlin Majere]] took the [[Wizards of High Sorcery#Alignment|Black Robes]] in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Neraka|Neraka]]. These books are considered to be the ''core'' Dragonlance books, although other books may contradict them. In particular, ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Meetings Sextet|The Meetings Sextet]]'' and the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Preludes|Preludes]]'' novels contain many inconsistencies with regard to the original trilogy. Nancy Varian Berberick, a Dragonlance author, explained that authors had to work with the written novels and gaming modules, which accounted for some continuity issues.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dragonlanceforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25700&postcount=9 | author=Nancy Varian Berberick | title=Gaming module posting | publisher=Dragonlance forums | accessdate=2006-07-17}}</ref> An example of these problems can be found in the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Dragons of a New Age|Dragons of a New Age]]'' trilogy by [[Jean Rabe]], which was written before the ''War of Souls'' trilogy. ==Dragonlance movie== {{details|Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight}} On [[January 15]] [[2008]], the animated movie ''Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' was released direct to DVD. The cast for it includes: *[[Michael Rosenbaum]] as Tanis Half-Elven *[[Kiefer Sutherland]] as Raistlin Majere *[[Lucy Lawless]] as Goldmoon *[[Phil LaMarr]] as Riverwind *[[Michelle Trachtenberg]] as Tika Waylan *[[Fred Tatasciore]] as Flint Fireforge *[[Rino Romano]] as Caramon Majere *[[Jason Marsden]] as Tasslehoff Burrfoot *[[Marc Worden]] as Sturm Brightblade *[[Neil Ross]] as Fizban the Fabulous ==''Dragonlance'' audio books== Abridgements for many of the ''Dragonlance'' novels have been released in Audio book form. The ''Chronicles Trilogy'' and ''Legends Trilogy'' were published by Random House Audio Books in audio cassette form. ''Dragons of Summer Flame, The Doom Brigade, The Soulforge'', and ''Dragons of a Fallen Sun'' were released by Soundelux Audio. There is no information on why the rest of ''The War of Souls Trilogy'' was not released in audio form. In 2006, Brilliance Audio released an unabridged version of ''Dragons of the Dwarven Depths'' on audio CD. == Games based on Dragonlance == ;Role-playing games * [[AD&D]] campaign setting * [[SAGA System|SAGA]] Dragonlance Fifth Age setting ;Video games * ''Dragonlance'' on the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] *[[Personal computer game]]s by [[Strategic Simulations, Inc.]]: **The ''Silver Box'' series of action games based on [[Dragonlance modules (DL series)|DL1-4 AD&D game adventures]] ***''[[Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Heroes of the Lance|Heroes of the Lance]]'' ***''[[Dragons of Flame (video game)|Dragons of Flame]]'' ***''[[Shadow Sorcerer]]'' ** ''War of the Lance''. ** ''[[Champions of Krynn]]'' ** ''[[Death Knights of Krynn]]'' ** ''[[The Dark Queen of Krynn]]'' ** ''[[Dragonstrike]]'' ==See also== {{portal}} {{wikiquote}} * [[Dragonlance timeline|''Dragonlance'' timeline]] * [[List of major Dragonlance characters|List of major ''Dragonlance'' characters]] * [[List of minor Dragonlance characters|List of minor ''Dragonlance'' characters]] * [[List of Dragonlance creatures|List of ''Dragonlance'' creatures]] * [[List of Dragonlance locations|List of ''Dragonlance'' locations]] * [[List of Dragonlance novels|List of ''Dragonlance'' novels]] * [[List of Dragonlance modules and sourcebooks|List of ''Dragonlance'' modules and sourcebooks]] * [[List of Dragonlance artifacts|List of ''Dragonlance'' artifacts]] * [[List of Dragonlance deities|List of ''Dragonlance'' deities]] * [[Dragonlance: The New Adventures|''Dragonlance'': The New Adventures]] set of young adult novels * [[Creation (Dragonlance)|Creation of Krynn]] * [[Ansalon]] * [[Taladas]] * [[Krynn]] * [[Krynnspace]], the area of ''[[Spelljammer]]'' devoted to ''Dragonlance'' * [[Dragonlance Nexus|''Dragonlance'' Nexus]] fansite * [[ArcticMUD]] * [[Forgotten Realms]], another AD&D Campaign Setting ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{wikiquote}} <!-- Please, don't replace links. And it is better if you discuss in the Talk page why a link should be inserted before inserting it. --> *[http://www.dragonlance.com Dragonlance.com (Official Gaming Site)] *[http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dragonlance/DL_5A_Comic.asp Dragonlance - Official ''The Fifth Age'' Online Comic] *[http://www.dragonlance-movie.com Dragonlance Movie Site] - official site for news about movies based on Dragonlance. *[http://www.dlnexus.com Dragonlance Nexus (Major fan site)] *[http://www.forgottenlance.com ForgottenLance (Reference site)] {{dragonlance}} {{D&D Campaign Settings}} [[Category:Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings]] [[Category:Dragonlance|*]] [[ca:Dragonlance]] [[da:Dragonlance]] [[de:Drachenlanze]] [[es:Dragonlance]] [[eo:Dragonlance]] [[fr:Lancedragon]] [[ko:드래곤랜스]] [[it:Dragonlance]] [[he:רומח הדרקון]] [[hu:Dragonlance]] [[ja:ドラゴンランス]] [[pl:Dragonlance]] [[pt:Dragonlance]] [[ru:Dragonlance]] [[fi:Dragonlance]] [[sv:Draklanskrönikan]] [[tr:Ejderha Mızrağı Destanı]] [[zh:龙枪系列小说]]