''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' is a 1984 fantasy novel by American writers
Margaret Weis
Margaret Edith Weis (; born March 16, 1948) is an American fantasy and science fiction author, of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the ''Dragonlance'' role-playing game (RPG) world. She is ...
and
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman (born November 26, 1955) is an American fantasy author. He wrote the ''Dragonlance'' novels with Margaret Weis. He also wrote role playing game material while working for TSR, Inc., TSR and has cowritten novels with his wife, ...
, based on a series of ''
Dungeons & Dragons
''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by TSR (company)#Tactical Studies Rules ...
'' (''D&D'') game modules.
[
] It was the first ''
Dragonlance
''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 t ...
'' 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. The Chronicles trilogy came about because the designers wanted novels to tell the story of the game world they were creating, something to which
TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc. was an American game publishing company, best known as the original publisher of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (''D&D''). Its earliest incarnation, Tactical Studies Rules, was founded in October 1973 by Gary Gygax and Don Kaye. Gygax had bee ...
(TSR) agreed only reluctantly. ''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
''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'') ...
'' 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.
The title ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' follows a pattern with the other novels in the series, ''
Dragons of Winter Night
''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 ''D ...
'' and ''
Dragons of Spring Dawning
''Dragons of Spring Dawning'' is a 1985 fantasy novel by American writers Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. The third book in the '' Dragonlance Chronicles'' series, it continues the events from ''Dragons of Winter Night'' (1985) and sets up the ...
'', as they all start with ''Dragons'', followed the names of the seasons, ''Autumn'', ''Winter'', and ''Spring'', as well as a series of time, ''Twilight'', ''Night'', and ''Dawning''.
Margaret Weis includes allusions to ''
A Christmas Carol
''A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas'', commonly known as ''A Christmas Carol'', is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. ''A Christmas C ...
'' by
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens (; 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian e ...
, one of her favorite stories. References include: ''But there was something disquieting about him—secret, silent, self-contained, and solitary as an oyster''
[
] and ''The fate of mankind is my business''. This quote is turned from meaning good to meaning harm.
[
]
Setting
The novels take place on the fantasy world of
Krynn
''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 ...
, created specifically for the gameplay. The world once worshiped the True Gods, a pantheon unique to the ''Dragonlance'' saga, but has come to believe that the True Gods have abandoned the world and those in it. The world is just starting to recover from the loss of the True Gods and a group has sprung up seeking to replace the True Gods (the Seekers). The main focus of the novels is the continent
Ansalon and the characters
Tanis Half-Elven
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 ...
,
Sturm Brightblade
Sturm Brightblade is a fictional character from the ''Dragonlance'' series of role playing games and novels, based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons franchise. The character was created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and is published by Wizar ...
,
Caramon Majere
Caramon Majere (326 AC - 38 SC) 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''. C ...
,
Raistlin Majere
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 ...
,
Flint Fireforge
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 (for a time) the village ...
,
Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot (often called Tas) is a fictional character of the Kender (fantasy), kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore (Krynn), Kendermore. His parents are ...
, Goldmoon, and Riverwind.
Plot summary
The book begins with the return of a group of friends, consisting of Tanis, Sturm, Caramon, Raistlin, Flint, and Tasslehoff, who had separated to pursue their own quests and pledged to return in five years.
Kitiara Uth Matar
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 als ...
, the half sister of the twins Caramon and Raistlin, was supposed to be there as well, but only sent a mysterious note.
On the eve of their reunion, the Companions discover that the village where they are meeting has been taken over by a religious order called the Seekers. They are collaborating with the
Dragon Highlords, who are preparing for the conquest of the continent of Ansalon.
The Companions soon discover that the Seekers are searching for a
Blue Crystal Staff. When Goldmoon, a plainswoman in the same inn as the companions, heals a Seeker with her staff, the Companions are confronted by Highlord forces and are forced to flee the village.
The next day, the group is attacked by
Draconians, reptilian creatures that serve as foot soldiers in the Highlords' army. The Companions are driven into the woods, where they are attacked by undead and rescued by a centaur. The group is charged to go to the ruined city of Xak Tsaroth to retrieve the Disks of Mishakal, an object containing the teaching of the True Gods that will be instrumental for the restoration of the faith in the True Gods.
After a lengthy trip on the backs of
pegasi and several encounters with the forces of darkness, the companions enter Xak Tsaroth and meet some gully dwarves, diminutive and socially awkward creatures. One of the dwarves, Bupu, leads them to the dragon
Khisanth, who is killed by the holy power of the Blue Crystal Staff. When this happens, Goldmoon is consumed by its flame and presumed dead. However, they later find her resting at the foot of a statue of Mishakal (the Goddess of Healing), which now bears the Blue Crystal Staff, and Goldmoon is blessed with true clerical powers. The Companions leave with the Disks of Mishakal. Bupu gives an ancient spellbook (formerly belonging to the
archmage
A magician, also known as an enchanter/enchantress, mage, magic-user, archmage, sorcerer/sorceress, spell-caster, warlock, witch, or wizard, is someone who uses or practices magic derived from supernatural, occult, or arcane sources. Magicians ...
Fistandantilus
This is a list of characters in the ''Dragonlance'' series of fantasy novels and related fantasy role-playing game materials. It includes accounts of their early lives in the series.
Characters
Alhana Starbreeze
Alhana Starbreeze, Silvanesti El ...
) to Raistlin. When they return to the village to regroup they find it occupied. The Companions are captured by the Highlord armies and are chained in a slave caravan along with an
elf
An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes "ligh ...
named
Gilthanas, the son of the leader of the elven nation of Qualinesti.
The group is freed by Gilthanas's brother, Porthios. They flee to Qualinesti, where Tanis is reunited with his childhood sweetheart, the exceptionally beautiful elven princess,
Laurana Kanan
Laurana Kanan (also known as ''Lauralanthalasa Kanan''), is a fictional character, one of the Heroes of the Lance in the ''Dragonlance'' fantasy series, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, originally published by TSR, Inc. and later by Wi ...
. Laurana is still in love with Tanis and wants to marry him, but Tanis breaks her heart by telling her he is now in love with Kitiara.
The Elven King Solostaran convinces the Companions to lead an attack on the slave-mine Pax Tharkas to free the slaves from the control of the local Dragon Highlord. The Companions journey through a secret passage underground to Pax Tharkas and devise a plan to free the slaves. Laurana, desperate to win Tanis back, secretly follows the Companions. When Tanis discovers Laurana has followed them he angrily rebukes her for acting like a spoiled child. Laurana resolves to try to prove she is more than that.
The Companions infiltrate Pax Tharkas and Goldmoon heals
Elistan, a dying Seeker, and converts him to the faith of the true gods. He becomes the first cleric of Paladine, and Goldmoon turns the Disks of Mishakal over to him. The Companions help the slaves break free. Laurana proves her worth in the battle by fighting bravely. The Dragon Highlord Verminaard and his red dragon Ember arrive to crush the revolt, but the insane red dragon Flamestrike kills Ember, while the Companions cut down Verminaard. A mysterious figure called "
The Everman" later appears at a celebration following the freeing of the slaves, but flees after being spotted.
According to Tracy Hickman, ''"The restoration of truth and faith are... to a great extent, the theme of this first book in the series"''.
[
]
Characters
Heroes of the Lance
*
Tanis Half-Elven
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 ...
, a bastard
half-elf
A half-elf is a mythological or fictional being, the offspring of an immortal elf and a mortal human. They are often depicted as very beautiful and endowed with magical powers; they may be presented as torn between the two worlds that they inha ...
and the leader of the companions, torn between the human woman Kitiara and the elfmaid Laurana.
*
Sturm Brightblade
Sturm Brightblade is a fictional character from the ''Dragonlance'' series of role playing games and novels, based on the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons franchise. The character was created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and is published by Wizar ...
, a squire to the
Knights of Solamnia
This is a list of characters in the ''Dragonlance'' series of fantasy novels and related fantasy role-playing game materials. It includes accounts of their early lives in the series.
Characters
Alhana Starbreeze
Alhana Starbreeze, Silvanesti El ...
and deeply honorable man.
*
Goldmoon
Goldmoon (also known as ''Goldmoon of the Que Shu tribe'' or just ''Goldmoon of the Que Shu'') is a fictional character from the ''Dragonlance'' fantasy series of List of Dragonlance novels, novels and Role-playing game, role playing games, origin ...
, daughter of the chief of the Que-Shu tribe, bearer of the Blue Crystal Staff, and first true cleric of good since the Cataclysm.
*
Riverwind, bodyguard and romantic interest of Goldmoon. His family was made outcast from their tribe for their belief in the old gods of Krynn, rather than worshipping the tribe's ancestors.
*
Caramon Majere
Caramon Majere (326 AC - 38 SC) 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''. C ...
, a huge, muscular, sometimes slow-thinking warrior, with a deep affection for his brother, Raistlin, and a romantic interest in Tika.
*
Raistlin Majere
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 ...
, a cynical, sarcastic, physically frail mage, distrusted by most of the other Companions, twin brother of Caramon.
*
Flint Fireforge
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 (for a time) the village ...
, a gruff old dwarf and old friend of Tanis.
*
Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot (often called Tas) is a fictional character of the Kender (fantasy), kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore (Krynn), Kendermore. His parents are ...
, a happy-go-lucky, not-so-innocent and genial
kender.
Other major characters
*
Laurana Kanan
Laurana Kanan (also known as ''Lauralanthalasa Kanan''), is a fictional character, one of the Heroes of the Lance in the ''Dragonlance'' fantasy series, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, originally published by TSR, Inc. and later by Wi ...
, an elven princess and romantic interest of Tanis.
*
Gilthanas Kanan, elven prince and brother of Laurana, he strongly disapproves of his sister's love for the illegitimate half-elf Tanis.
* Fizban, a muddled old wizard.
*
Tika Waylan, a red-haired barmaid turned warrior and romantic interest of Caramon.
*
Elistan, leader of the refugees who becomes the first cleric of the good god, Paladine.
* Dragon Highlord Verminaard, the leader of the Red Dragonarmy and a priest of the evil goddess,
Takhisis
Takhisis is a fictional character from the ''Dragonlance'' universe. She is depicted as the main goddess of evil in the setting and head of the Dark Pantheon.
Titles and forms
Within the Dragonlance universe, Takhisis was a sister of Gilean a ...
. He seeks to destroy the elven nation of Qualinesti and exterminate the elves, generally seen as the most incorruptible defenders of Good on Krynn.
Adaptations
Comic
Devil's Due Publishing
Devil's Due Publishing (often abbreviated as DDP) is an independent comic book publisher in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, DDP is best known for its wide selection of genres, including licensed and original creator-owned proper ...
adapted the novel into comic format. A
trade paperback collecting the issues was released in May 2006. It was ranked 33 in the top 100 graphic novels in sales with an estimated preorder quantity of 2,634.
Movie
A movie adaptation of the novel was released on 15 January 2008. It is the first
direct-to-video
Direct-to-video or straight-to-video refers to the release of a film, TV series, short or special to the public immediately on home video formats rather than an initial theatrical release or television premiere. This distribution strategy was p ...
movie release based on the ''Dragonlance''
campaign setting
A campaign setting is usually a fictional world which serves as a setting for a role-playing game or wargame campaign. A ''campaign'' is a series of individual adventures, and a ''campaign setting'' is the world in which such adventures and ca ...
of ''Dungeons & Dragons''. The screenplay adaptation was completed by George Strayton, with creative assistance by Weis and Hickman, and
Will Meugniot
Will Meugniot is an American writer, storyboard and comics artist, film producer and director. He is known for his work on animated shows in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
Partial list of works
* ''The Adventures of Corduroy'' (storyboard artist ...
directed. The movie used both 2D and 3D
animation
Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
, and was made by
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
.
Importance to ''Dragonlance''
![Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis - GenCon 2008](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Tracy_Hickman_and_Margaret_Weis_-_GenCon_2008.jpg)
The storyline of the original ''Dragonlance'' series had been plotted and outlined before either the novel trilogy or the games were written. ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' was the first novel of the ''Dragonlance series''. It was based upon a ''Dungeons & Dragons'' session played by the authors with some of their friends, some of whom later became ''Dragonlance'' writers. The novel was written after the completion of the first
''Dragonlance'' game modules. Weis and Hickman felt this was constraining and made the novel feel too episodic, so they reversed the process for the next books and completed the novels before the related modules were written.
This book sets up many of the most important characters, the group known as the Heroes of the Lance. According to the
''Dragonlance'' Nexus fansite, the ''Chronicles Trilogy'' sets the foundation for the rest of the novels.
A
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast LLC (often referred to as WotC or simply Wizards) is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and List of science fiction themes, science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for ga ...
interview stated that Hickman and Weis make a good team because Hickman is better at writing about good characters, and Weis is better at writing about dark characters, evidenced by her love of Raistlin.
''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' was the debut novel for both Weis and Hickman.
Reception
Dave Langford reviewed ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' for ''
White Dwarf
A white dwarf is a stellar core remnant composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter. A white dwarf is very dense: its mass is comparable to the Sun's, while its volume is comparable to the Earth's. A white dwarf's faint luminosity comes fro ...
'', suggesting that it was "inspired by an ''AD&D'' campaign full of chunks ripped bleeding from Tolkien" and complained about the "deadly predictable questing, with stock ''D&D'' characters in familiar encounters" and ultimately reported that he "couldn't finish this one".
Steve Hampshire reviewed ''Dragonlance Chronicles: Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' for ''
Imagine
Imagine may refer to:
* Imagination
Music Albums
* ''Imagine'' (Armin van Buuren album), 2008
* ''Imagine'' (Eva Cassidy album), 2002
* ''Imagine'' (Janice Vidal album), 2012
* ''Imagine'' (John Lennon album), 1971
** ''Imagine: John Lennon' ...
'' magazine, and stated that "in conclusion, the book stands up well as AD&D supplementary material, but rather less well as a novel".
Jason Heller, of
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
, wrote a positive review of ''Dragonlance Chronicles'', remarking that ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' is still widely read, although he noted the clichés of the series: "In ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'', the adventurers meet up in a tavern—even if it is a tavern that’s nestled in the branches of a giant tree, something my 12-year-old self thought was super cool. My 42-year-old self agrees, although my days of getting drunk way up high up in a tree are starting to wind down".
''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' was #10 on ''
CBR''
's 2020 "10 Of The Best DnD Stories To Start Off With" list — the article states that "the reason that any aspiring Dungeon master or player should read this novel, is that it provides some great ideas on how to make common tropes seen in ''D & D'' more interesting. For example, the Companions in the novel provide a great framework to turn class-based archetypes into three-dimensional characters".
In the ''
Io9
''io9'' is part of Gizmodo media since 2015, and it began as blog launched in 2008 by Gawker Media. The site initially focused on the subjects of science fiction, fantasy, futurism, science, technology and related areas but over the years has ...
'' series revisiting older ''Dungeons & Dragons'' novels, Rob Bricken commented that "the characters are complex enough to feel real, and the scope of the novel makes Krynn feel like a living world".
Reviews
* Review by Michael M. Levy (1985) in
Fantasy Review
''Fantasy Newsletter'' was a major fantasy fanzine founded by Paul C. Allen and later issued by Robert A. Collins. Frequent contributors included Fritz Leiber and Gene Wolfe.
Publication history
The first issue appeared in June 1978, and Allen ...
, March 1985
[https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?4209]
* Review by Frank Catalano (1985) in
Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances i ...
, July 1985
*Review by John C. Bunnell (1985) in ''
Dragon Magazine
Dragon Magazine may refer to:
* ''Dragon'' (magazine), an American magazine for ''Dungeons & Dragons'' players
* ''Dragon Magazine'' (Fujimi Shobo), a Japanese light novel magazine
{{disambig ...
'', June 1985
*Review by Andy Sawyer (1986) in ''Paperback Inferno'', #62
*Review by J. W. Wrenn (2004) in ''Deep Magic'', #22, March 2004
See also
* ''
Dragons of Winter Night
''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 ''D ...
''
* ''
Dragons of Spring Dawning
''Dragons of Spring Dawning'' is a 1985 fantasy novel by American writers Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. The third book in the '' Dragonlance Chronicles'' series, it continues the events from ''Dragons of Winter Night'' (1985) and sets up the ...
''
* ''
Dragons of Summer Flame''
Release details
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
References
Sources
*
External links
Official ''Dragonlance'' movie siteInternet Movie Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dragons of Autumn Twilight
1984 American novels
1984 debut novels
1984 fantasy novels
American fantasy novels adapted into films
Core Dragonlance novels
Novels by Margaret Weis
Novels by Tracy Hickman