Dragons of Winter Night
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First edition cover | |
| Author | Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Larry Elmore |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Dragonlance Chronicles |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Published | July 1985 (Random House) |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 399 (Paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-88038-174-4 |
| OCLC | 12251953 |
| Preceded by | Dragons of Autumn Twilight |
| Followed by | Dragons of Spring Dawning |
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 Chronicles Trilogy, which along with the Legends Trilogy introduces the Dragonlance world. Specifically, it details the darker days of the War of the Lance.
Dragons of Winter Night follows a pattern in its title with the other novels in its series, Dragons of Autumn Twilight and Dragons of Spring Dawning, in that they all start with Dragons, followed by the series of Autumn, Winter, and Spring, as well as a passing of time series, Twilight, Night, and Dawning.
Development
To describe the scene in which the city of Tarsis is destroyed by dragons, Margaret Weis studied World War II films of the bombing of London.[1]
During the scene in which most of the characters are killed in a dream, Margaret Weis references Othello by William Shakespeare, with Caramon speaking the phrase "No, you're wrong, Tanis. I sent him away."[2]
Plot summary
Pax Tharkas are presenting the dwarves with the Hammer of Kharas, a legendary warhammer wielded by the dwarven hero Kharas, in return for refuge in the city.
The group led by Sturm travels to Icewall Glacier, located in the far south, where Laurana killed the White Dragon Highlord Feal-Thas, and recovered a second Dragon Orb.
En route, Raistlin gains power over, and masters the use of, the Dragon Orb he obtained in Silvanost.
By this time, Sturm and Derek have reached Sancrist with the Dragon Orb. Back on the mainland, Laurana and Flint testify on behalf of Sturm Brightblade before the knights, leading to him being fully exonerated of all the charges Derek brought against him. The dragons attack, overwhelming the defenders with dragonfear. Sturm manages to stall them for a short time but is killed by Kitiara. Inside the tower, Laurana successfully controls the Dragon Orb, which lures two blue dragons inside the traps, where the Knights slay them using their Dragonlances. Sturm is buried in the chambers below the Tower, eulogized by a bitter and angry Laurana, and honored by all the survivors of all embodied by the Knights.
Characters
- Tanis Half-Elven, a half-elf and de facto leader of the companions.
- Sturm Brightblade, a squire to the Knights of Solamnia and deeply honorable man.
- Goldmoon, 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.
- Caramon Majere, huge, muscular, sometimes slow-thinking warrior, with a deep affection for his brother.
- Raistlin Majere, a sarcastic, cynical, frail mage of the Red Robes, and the twin brother of Caramon.
- Flint Fireforge, a gruff old dwarf and old friend of Tanis.
- Tasslehoff Burrfoot, a happy-go-lucky, innocent, and genial kender.
- Laurana Kanan, incredibly beautiful elven princess and romantic interest of Tanis.
- Tika Waylan, a red-haired beauty and barmaid.
- Gilthanas Kanan, elven fighter-mage prince and brother of Laurana.
- Fizban, a muddled old wizard.
- Elistan, chief priest of Paladine.
- Kitiara, the Blue Dragon Highlord and romantic interest of Tanis.
Importance to Dragonlance
Dragons of Winter Night is important to the Dragonlance World because it is part of the beginning of the entire series. It departs from the original game session that Dragons of Autumn Twilight was based upon, but is still based on the events of the previous novel. It continues upon many of the most important characters, The Heroes of the Lance. According to the Dragonlance Nexus, the Chronicles Trilogy is essential to setting up the foundation for the rest of the novels[3]
It was once stated in a Wizards of The Coast interview that Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis make a good team because Hickman is better at writing about good characters, and that Weis is better at writing about dark characters, evident by her love of Raistlin.[4]
Dragons of Winter Night is the second novel written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.
Release Details
- (1985) Dragons of Winter Night (Paperback), United States: TSR. ISBN 0-88038-174-4.
- (2000) Dragons of Winter Night (Paperback), United States: Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1609-5.
- (2002) The Annotated Chronicles (Hardcover), United States: Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1526-9.
- (2003) Dragons of Winter Night (Hardcover), United States: Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3067-5.
The Annotated Chronicles incorporates all three books in the Chronicles Trilogy, along with annotations and a prologue by Tracy Hickman in which he discusses the origin of the works.[5] The annotations explore a wide range of issue, including the background to the formulation of many story ideas, character development and the etymology of names.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ Weis, Margaret; Hickman, Tracy (November 2002) [1999]. "Book 2, volume 1, chapter 7, —Not destined to meet again in this world.". The Annotated Chronicles (1st ed.). Wizards of the Coast. p. 552. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
- ↑ Weis, Margaret; Hickman, Tracy (November 2002) [1999]. "Book 2, volume 1, chapter 10, Waking dreams. Future visions.". The Annotated Chronicles (1st ed.). Wizards of the Coast. p. 604. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
- ↑ "Recommended Dragonlance Reading List". Retrieved 2006-08-15.
- ↑ "Dragons of the Dwarven Depths Chat Transcript". Retrieved 2006-08-15.
- ↑ "The Annotated Chronicles". Publishers Weekly. December 16, 2002.
- ↑ Murphy, Brian (February 2000). "The Annotated Chronicles". Realms of Fantasy.
Other books
- Weis, Margaret; Hickman, Tracy (2000). Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1609-5.
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