Dragonlance modules (DL series)

The DL Dragonlance modules are 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.^[1] 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.

About the DL module series

The DL series of modules were different from previously published D&D modules in two ways. First, instead of being stand alone adventures, or a short series of adventures, they combined into a single large plot arc. This arc covered the War of the Lance. Second, players didn't use their own characters, as in other modules, they played preexisting characters such as Tasslehoff Burrfoot. This allowed for shorter character arcs within the larger story.^[2]

Early history

The Dragonlance game project began with an idea by Tracy and Laura Hickman of a world dominated by dragons. As they drove from Utah to Wisconsin so Tracey could take up a job with TSR in 1981 they discussed this idea.^[3] In 1982 Tracey proposed at TSR a series of three modules featuring evil dragons. When this plan reached then head of TSR Gary Gygax it fit well with an idea he had considered of doing a series of 12 modules each based on one of the official Monster Manual dragons. The project was then developed, under the code name "Project Overlord" to plan the series. The original group included Tracey Hickman, Harold Johnson, Larry Elmore, Carl Smith and Jeff Grubb.^[4] The Dragonlance Series Design Team was later expanded to also include Margaret Weis, Douglas Niles, Bruce Nesmith, Mike Breanlt, Roger Moore, Laura Hickman, Linda Bakk, Michael Dobson and Garry Spiegle.^[5]

Structure of the series

Dragonlance is a story.^[6] In contrast to many other Dungeons & Dragons adventures, particularly those that came before it, which are location or event based.

The module series is built around the structure of three "books" that are split up in a similar, but not the same, as the Dragonlance Chronicles novel trilogy. Each "book" runs through four modules and contains sections of the adventure called chapters which have a continuing numbering system through that individual "book".

The first book "Tales of the Autumn Twilight"^[7] is in DL1-4. The first four modules "form the first stage in a massive quest-adventure using the same set of characters".^[8]

DL5 is a sourcebook providing background on the setting useful for running all the adventures.

The second book "Tales of the Winter Night" runs through DL6-9.

The third book, which is never named, runs through DL10 and DL12-14.

DL11 is a wargame that can be played by itself or as a campaign tool to create a backdrop for the individual adventures.

DL15 and DL16 are anthologies of adventures and also in the case of DL15 source book material. These two were not originally part of the DL series but were added two years after the series completed. The adventures included do not feature the main characters from the rest of the DL series, but are adventures that occur in and around the War of the Lance that the initial series details.

Relationship to the novels

Later in the development process it was decided that a trilogy of fantasy novels would be released with the modules. Originally an external writer was hired, but the design group found themselves more and more disillusioned with his work. At this point it was suggested that Hickman and Margaret Weis, an editor in TSR's book department who had become involved with the project, ought to write the books. They wrote the five chapters over a weekend and were given the job to write the accompanying novels based on that.^[3]

The first Dragonlance novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight was written after modules DL1-4 were completed. However as Hickman and Weis felt this was too constraining and made the novel feel too episodic, they reversed the process for Dragons of Winter Night and Dragons of Spring Dawning and completed the books before the related modules.^[9] Aside from the novels, the modules were designed to link up with action figures and other marketing devices all designed around the concept.^[8]

Dragons of Autumn Twilight parallels the events in DL1 Dragons of Despair and DL2 Dragons of Flame. The events of DL3 and DL4 are not detailed in the novels but are consistent with leading up to the start of Dragons of Winter Night, which covers the events of DL6-10 and parts of DL12.

The authors were very careful to make sure that while the locations and settings of the novels coincided with the modules, and they equally made sure not too much was given away about the modules by deliberately changing some details about the modules.^[10] One of the purposes of the novel was to give Dungeon Masters a "truer feeling for the game world... This is hard to get across in the often dry, reference format of a game adventure module."^[11] People who play the games can recall how something similar happened to their group as they read the book. Or alternately someone who has already read the book now playing the game can say lets see what happens if I take a different choice to what was done in the novel.^[10]

Impact of the DL Modules

The first Dragonlance item published after the original module/novels series was a hardcover Dungeons & Dragons manual called Dragonlance Adventures. This book, released in 1987, provided resources to allow Dungeon Masters to continue campaigning in the Dragonlance world. Two additional modules featuring anthologies of adventures, not planned as part of the original series, were added to the DL series in 1988, DL15 Mists of Krynn and DL16 World of Krynn.

The success of the original Dragonlance modules eventually led to several series of Dragonlance modules with the module codes DLA, DLE, DLQ, DLS and DLT.^[12]

Graham Staplehurst of White Dwarf magazine felt that after the first four modules had been released, the series had "developed into something potentially larger than any other linked venture ever produced by TSR", and that it "presumably will outstrip even the famous Giant-Drow series produced by Gary Gygax".^[8]

The DL Modules

DL1 Dragons of Despair

Main article: Dragons of Despair

• Author: Tracy Hickman
• First published: March 1984
• Description: Dragons of Despair is the first Dragonlance product ever released, the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance. This events in this module corresponds to the first half of the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight. The characters start on a road east of Solace after five years of looking for "lost clerical magic." An invading army has forced refugees out of the North, and Dragons have returned to the world after a long absence. They must follow the clues to restore the power of the old gods to the world of Krynn.
• Playable Characters: Tanis Half-Elven, Sturm Brightblade, Caramon Majere, Raistlin Majere, Flint Fireforge, Tasslehoff Burrfoot and Goldmoon.
• Notable first appearances
  • Characters: All PCs listed above, Riverwind (NPC henchman to Goldmoon), Tika Waylan, Fewmaster Toede and Khisanth.
  • Races: Draconians (Baaz and Bozak varieties) and Aghar (Gully Dwarves).
  • Places: Xak Tsaroth, Solace and Haven.

Dragons of Despair was positively received as a game module. It was number 25 on a 2004 list of the "The 30 Greatest D&D adventures of All Time", the only Dragonlance module to make the list.^[13] It was seen as well written and presented with a unique feel to the world it is set in.^[14]

DL2 Dragons of Flame

Further information: Dragons of Flame (module)

DL3 Dragons of Hope

Further information: Dragons of Hope

DL4 Dragons of Desolation

Further information: Dragons of Desolation

DL5 Dragons of Mystery

Further information: Dragons of Mystery

DL6 Dragons of Ice

Further information: Dragons of Ice

DL7 Dragons of Light

Further information: Dragons of Light (D&D module)

DL8 Dragons of War

Main article: Dragons of War (D&D module)

DL9 Dragons of Deceit

Further information: Dragons of Deceit

DL10 Dragons of Dreams

Further information: Dragons of Dreams

DL11 Dragons of Glory

Further information: Dragons of Glory

DL12 Dragons of Faith

Main article: Dragons of Faith

DL13 Dragons of Truth

Further information: Dragons of Truth

DL14 Dragons of Triumph

Further information: Dragons of Triumph

DL15 Mists of Krynn

Further information: Mists of Krynn

DL16 World of Krynn

Further information: World of Krynn

Reprints and New Versions

The original series was updated to second edition and repackaged as the three Dragonlance Classics modules. These modules formed the DLC series, though by the time Dragonlance Classics Volume 3 was released TSR had stop using the module code system. DLC1 Dragonlance Classics Volume 1 reprinted DL1, DL2, DL3 and DL4. DLC2 Dragonlance Classics Volume 2 reprinted DL6, DL7, DL8 and DL9. Dragonlance Classics Volume 3 reprinted DL10, DL12, DL13 and DL14. The modules that did not comprise traditional adventures, DL5 and DL11, were not available in this series.^[15]

In 1999 Wizards of the Coast published a new revision of the original Dragonlance story as part of their TSR's Silver Anniversary line. Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition is a 256 page book which included information to run the game using AD&D or the SAGA System which had been used for other Dragonlance game material in the late 1990s. This book was deliberately written with a different flavor to earlier versions of the modules.^[16]

In 2000 the entire DL module series was reprinted exactly as the originals but in a smaller size. This printing was available as two slip case sets Dragonlance Volume 1: DL1 - DL8 and Dragonlance Volume 2: DL9 - DL16.^[17]

In August 2004 The War of the Lance Campaign Book was released as a companion volume to the Dragonlance Campaign Setting. While this book detailed the times, locations and characters of the original series it was not designed to recreate the original adventures, but to allow new adventures to be played out that run in the same time and settings.^[18]

In August 2006 the first of an intended trilogy of adventures was released based on the original modules and the 1999 update, updating the story to Dungeons & Dragons v.3.5. Dragons of Autumn, subtitled "Dragonlance War of the Lance Campaign, Volume One", requires the use of the Dragonlance Campaign Setting and the War of the Lance Sourcebook. It is a 176 page softcover book by Clark Valentine and Sean Macdonald based on the original modules. The four chapters Despair, Flame, Hope and Desolation each correspond to the relevant DL1-4 Dragons of ... module. The maps have been redrawn and though the plot follows closely to the originals some changes have been made to keep old players on their toes.^[19]

Notes

1. ^ Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Buffalo, New York: Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-653-5. 
2. ^ "Episodic Plots, Part Three: RPGs". RPG.net. http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/columns/virtually24sep01.html. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
3. ^ ^{a b} (Archer 2004)
4. ^ (Dobson 1985:4) a dungeon masters guide to the dragonlance series
5. ^ Hickman, Tracy; Margaret Weis (1987). Dragonlance Adventure. TSR. pp. page 2. ISBN 0-88038-452-2. 
6. ^ (Niles 1984:2)
7. ^ (Hickman 1984b:3)
8. ^ ^{a b c} Staplehurst, Graham (July 1985). "Open Box". White Dwarf (67): 12, 13. 
9. ^ "Interview: Screenwriter, George Strayton". Dragonlance movie site. 2007-02-22. http://www.dragonlance-movie.com/news/show_news.asp?id=12. Retrieved 2007-03-24. 
10. ^ ^{a b} Margaret Weis quoted in "Chronicles: a novel idea" (November 1984)
11. ^ Tracey Hickman quoted in "Chronicles: a novel idea" (November 1984)
12. ^ "DragonLance Series (DL1 - DL16)". acaeum.com. http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/dl.html. Retrieved 2007-03-22. 
13. ^ {Mona et al. 2004:71)
14. ^ (Staplehurst 1984)
15. ^ "DragonLance Classics Series". The Aceaum. http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/modpages/dlc.html. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
16. ^ Miller, Steve (2000-03-21). "Re:DL". RPGnet. http://www.rpg.net/forums/phorum/rf02/read.php?f=17&i=2&t=1. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
17. ^ "Dragonlance Volume 2: DL9-DL16 (2000 Wizards of the Coast edition)". RPGnet. http://index.rpg.net/display-entry.phtml?mainid=3446. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
18. ^ "Game Products: The War of the Lance Campaign Book". Sovereign Press. http://www.dragonlance.com/products/SVP-4002.aspx. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
19. ^ Grisby, John (2007-03-07). "Dragons of Autumn Review". d20 Magazine Rack. http://www.d20zines.com/v7/node/3000. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 

References

• Archer, Peter (2004). "Dragonlance". 30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3498-0. 
• Bradley, Mick; Chris, KJ and Julia (2006-10-11). "Discussion: with guest Tracy Hickman, author and worldbuilder" (mp3). The Round Table Season 3 Episode 3. The House of the Harping Monkey. pp. Discussion begins at 54 min. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928123336/http://harpingmonkey.com/audio/roundtable-ep303.mp3. Retrieved 2007-04-07. 
• Bunnell, John C. (June 1985). "It's a neat idea, but...". Dragon #98 (TSR) X (1): 26–27. ISSN 0279-6848. 
• Bunnell, John C. (November 1985). "The Role of Books: Dragons of the Spring Dawning". Dragon #103 (TSR) X (6): 31–32. ISSN 0279-6848. 
• Dobson, Michael (1985). Dragons of Mystery. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-090-X. 
• Grubb, Jeff (1985). Dragons of Light. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-093-4. 
• Hickman, Tracy (1984a). Dragons of Despair. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-086-1. 
• Hickman, Tracy (1984b). Dragons of Hope. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-088-8. 
• Hickman, Tracy Raye (1985). Dragons of Dreams. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-098-5. 
• Hickman, Tracy (1986). Dragons of Truth. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-318-6. 
• Hickman, Tracy; Michael Dobson (1984). Dragons of Desolation. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-089-6. 
• Hickman, Tracy; Laura Hickman (1985). Dragons of War. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-097-7. 
• Hickman, Tracy; Margaret Weis, Jamie Chambers (2004). War of the Lance: Dragonlance Campaign Setting Supplement. Sovereign Press. ISBN 1-931567-14-X. http://www.dragonlance.com/products/SVP-4002.aspx. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
• Johnson, Harold; Bruce Heard (1986). Dragons of Faith. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-092-6. 
• Kirchoff, Mary (editor) (1987). The Art of the Dragonlance Saga. TSR. ISBN 0-78681181-6. 
• Miller, Steve; Stan! (1999). Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1350-9. 
• Mona, Erik; James Jacobs and the "Dungeon Design Panel" (November 2004). "The 30 Greatest D&D Adventures of All Time". Dungeon #116 (Paizo Publishing) 18 (11): 68–81. ISSN 0890-7102. 
• Mynard, Alan (September 1985). "Dragonlance: Dragons of Ice" (review). Imagine (TSR UK) (30): 42. 
• Niles, Douglas (1984). Dragons of Flame. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-087-X. 
• Niles, Douglas (1985a). Dragons of Ice. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-091-8. 
• Niles, Douglas (1985b). Dragons of Deceit. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-095-0. 
• Niles, Douglas (1986). Dragons of Triumph. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-096-9. 
• Niles, Douglas; Tracy Hickman (1985). Dragons of Glory. TSR. ISBN 0-88038-094-2. 
• Robb, Elton (2000-09-03). "Review of Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition". RPGnet. http://www.rpg.net/news+reviews/reviews/rev_2899.html. Retrieved 2007-03-23. 
• Staplehurst, Graham (December 1984). "Open Box: Dungeon Modules" (review including DL1). White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (60): 13. ISSN 0265-8712. 
• Staplehurst, Graham (July 1985). "Open Box: Dragonlance" (review of DL2,3,4). White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (67): 12–13. ISSN 0265-8712. 
• Staplehurst, Graham (October 1985). "Open Box: DL5 Dragons of Mystery" (review). White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (70): 14–15. ISSN 0265-8712. 
• Swan, Rick (March 1995). "Role-playing Reviews: DRAGONLANCE Classics Volume III,". Dragon Magazine #215 (TSR) XIX (10): 86. ISSN 0279-6848. 
• Taylor, Giordon (February 1987). "Open Box X-tra: Dragonlance" (review). White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (86): 18–19. ISSN 0265-8712. 
• Valentine, Clark; Sean Macdonald (2006). Dragons of Autumn. Sovereign Press. ISBN 1-931567-33-6. http://www.dragonlance.com/products/SVP-4204.aspx. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
• Wilson, Tim (June 1986). "Open Box: DL5 Dragons of Glory" (review). White Dwarf (Games Workshop) (78): 2–3. ISSN 0265-8712. 
• "Chronicles: a novel idea". Dragon #91 (TSR) IX (6): 44–45. November 1984. ISSN 0279-6848. 

External links

• DragonLance at the TSR archive, has links to pages on all products mentioned in this article.
• The Acaeum:
  • DragonLance Series (DL1 - DL16)
  • DragonLance Classics Series