Editing Dragonlance

{{Short description|Dungeons & Dragons fictional campaign setting}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox game
| name = ''Dragonlance''
| italic title = yes
| date = {{Start date and age|1984|03}}
| designer = [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Laura Hickman|Laura]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
| image = [[File:Dragonlance-Logo-Orig.png|frameless]]
| caption = The original ''Dragonlance'' logo.
| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.]]{{-}}[[Wizards of the Coast]]{{-}}[[Sovereign Press]]
| language=English 
| years = 1984–2011, 2022–present
| random_chance = [[Dice]] rolling
| playing_time =
| genre=Fantasy
| system = [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons|''AD&D'' 1st/2nd Edition]]{{-}}[[SAGA System]]{{-}}[[Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition|''D&D'' 3.5 Edition]]{{-}}[[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|''D&D'' 5th Edition]]
| media_type = Novels, game accessories, film, audiobooks
| web =
| footnotes = 
}}

'''''Dragonlance''''' is a [[shared universe]] created by [[Laura Hickman|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 [[Dragonlance modules (DL series)|series of gaming modules]], a [[List of Dragonlance novels|series of novels]], licensed products such as board games, and lead miniature figures.

In 1984, TSR published the first ''Dragonlance'' game module, ''[[Dragons of Despair]]'', and the first novel, ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]''. The novel began the ''[[Dragonlance Chronicles|Chronicles]]'' trilogy, a core element of the ''Dragonlance'' world. While the authoring team of Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis wrote the setting's central books, numerous other authors contributed novels, short stories and game supplements to the setting. Over 190 novels have used the ''Dragonlance'' setting; the ''Dragonlance'' [[campaign setting]] has also been used for multiple editions of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' and for the [[SAGA System]]. Following [[Wizards of the Coast]]'s acquisition of TSR in 1997, Wizards licensed ''Dragonlance'' to Margaret Weis's company [[Sovereign Press, Inc|Sovereign Press]] to produce game materials; this licensing agreement ran from 2001 to 2007. ''Dragonlance'' returned in 2022 with a new adventure module and the start of a new novel trilogy.

The fictional ''Dragonlance'' world of [[Krynn]] contains numerous [[List of major Dragonlance characters|characters]], an extensive timeline, and a detailed geography. The history of Krynn consists of five ages. The novels and related game products are primarily set in the fourth age, The Age of Despair. Since the publication of ''[[Dragonlance: Fifth Age]]'' in 1996, the fifth age, the Age of Mortals, has been used.<ref name="Cook 1996">{{cite book | first=Sue Weinlein | last=Cook | author-link=Sue Weinlein Cook | title=[[Dragonlance: Fifth Age]] - Book Two, Dusk or Dawn | publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]] | year=1996 | chapter=Foreword}}</ref> The [[List of Dragonlance characters#Heroes of the Lance|Heroes of the Lance]], created by Weis and Hickman, are the popular protagonists of the ''Chronicles'' trilogy. Along with ''D&D''{{'s}} world of the ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'', ''Dragonlance'' is one of the most popular shared worlds in fiction.

== Publication history ==
=== Creation ===
[[File:Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis - GenCon 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis at Gen Con 2008.]]
Hickman developed his world creation technique by writing and self-publishing with his wife Laura the [[List of Dungeons & Dragons modules|adventure modules]] ''[[Rahasia]]'' (1979) and ''[[Desert of Desolation#Pharaoh|Pharaoh]]'' (1980), and writing TSR's [[Ravenloft (module)|''Ravenloft'' module]] (1983). He was unemployed in 1982, and TSR offered him a job based on his submission of several modules.<ref name="Hunt"/> That year, while driving from Utah to Wisconsin to start a job with TSR, Hickman and his wife created the ''Dragonlance'' universe concept. During the trip, Hickman and his wife discussed two ideas they had had for several years: an entire world used to support a storyline, and a world dominated by dragons.<ref name="Archer"/>

Their ideas were well received by TSR, whose marketing department felt they had enough dungeons, but not enough [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]]. Hickman suggested a series of twelve modules, each featuring a different dragon. TSR employee [[Harold Johnson (game designer)|Harold Johnson]] suggested that Hickman should try to get additional support from other TSR staff members and, after a period of months, Hickman had the support of [[Jeff Grubb]], [[Larry Elmore]], [[Roger E. Moore|Roger Moore]], [[Douglas Niles|Doug Niles]], [[Michael Williams (author)|Michael Williams]], and others with whom they discussed ideas for the project. Meanwhile, Weis was editing and writing various ''[[Endless Quest]]'' books for TSR. The ''Dragonlance'' group decided that novels should accompany the game modules; TSR reluctantly agreed and hired a writer.<ref name="Archer">{{Cite book | last=Archer | first=Peter | year= 2004 | chapter=Dragonlance | title=[[30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons]] | publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] | pages=64–75 | isbn =0-7869-3498-0}}</ref> Hickman became the design coordinator for ''Project Overlord'', the cover name for what would later be known as the Dragonlance saga.<ref name="Dragon #120">{{cite journal
  | last = Hickman
  | first = Tracy
  | author-link = Tracy Hickman
  | title = TSR Profiles
  | journal = [[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]
  | issue = #120
  | pages = 90
  | publisher = TSR, Inc.
  | location = [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]]
  | date = April 1987}}</ref>

TSR decided to create a franchise, including modules, board games, lead figures, and - for the first time - novels. Weis had been hired as an editor; with Hickman, she began working with the author hired to write the novels. They weren't satisfied with the author, and decided they should be the ones to write the books.<ref name="Hunt"/> They collaborated over a weekend, writing the prologue for the first five chapters of the first novel,<ref name="Hunt"/> ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'', based on the module ''[[Dragons of Despair]]''.<ref name="courier"/> TSR liked their treatment and gave them the assignment, firing the author. After two years of development, TSR released the module ''Dragons of Despair'' and the novel ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'' in March and November 1984, respectively.<ref>{{cite journal |date=November 1984 |title=Chronicles: a novel idea |journal=Dragon #91 |publisher=[[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] |volume=IX |issue=6 |pages=44–45 |issn=0279-6848}}</ref><ref name="history">{{cite web | url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp | title=The History of TSR | publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] | access-date=August 20, 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924195557/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_History.asp | archive-date=September 24, 2008}}</ref> TSR had doubts about the finished novel's sales potential, and attempted to order thirty thousand copies, ultimately ordering the minimum print run of fifty thousand. The success of the novel prompted TSR to publish more copies to meet demand.<ref name="Hunt"/> The novel was written after the completion of the first [[Dragonlance modules (DL series)|''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.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 22, 2007 |title=Interview: Screenwriter, George Strayton |url=http://www.dragonlance-movie.com/news/show_news.asp?id=12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814060903/http://www.dragonlance-movie.com/news/show_news.asp?id=12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2007 |access-date=March 24, 2007 |publisher=Dragonlance movie site }}</ref> ''Dragonlance'' received support products such as novels, calendars, computer games, and books of artwork.<ref name="D&Dfaq">{{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp | title = ''Dungeons & Dragons'' FAQ | access-date = October 3, 2008 | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081002132129/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/DnDArchives_FAQ.asp | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 2, 2008}}</ref>

=== Further development ===
[[File:Dragonlance-Logo.jpg|right|thumb|The second ''Dragonlance'' logo, used on most of the books and supplements since 1995 with the ''5th Age''.]]
In the mid to late 1980s, a rift developed between TSR and the authors. Weis and Hickman were feeling under-appreciated and, when TSR turned down their ''[[Darksword]]'' series of novels, they went to [[Bantam Books]]. Bantam made them an offer, which they accepted, and they stopped writing ''Dragonlance'' novels for TSR.<ref name="Hunt"/> They returned to write ''[[Dragons of Summer Flame]]'' for TSR in 1995, thinking it would be their final ''Dragonlance'' novel. At the time, ''Dragonlance'' gaming had been converted to the [[SAGA System]], with limited success, and that, combined with TSR's general financial troubles, put the setting's future in doubt. Wizards of the Coast bought the troubled TSR in 1997, and Weis and Hickman then proposed the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The War of Souls|War of Souls]]'' trilogy, which was published in 2000-2002. All three novels made the [[New York Times bestseller list|''New York Times'' bestseller list]], and the setting was commercially revitalized.<ref name="Archer"/> By 1998, the original ''Dragonlance'' trilogy had sold well over three million copies worldwide and spawned dozens of sequels.<ref name="Dragon #243">{{cite journal | last = Varney | first = Allen | author-link = Allen Varney | title = ProFiles: Margaret Weis | journal = [[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] | issue = #243 | page = 120 | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] | location = [[Renton, Washington]] | date=January 1998}}</ref> The central books of the ''Dragonlance'' series were written by the authoring team of Weis and Hickman, but many other writers have made contributions, including [[Richard A. Knaak]], [[Douglas Niles]], [[Roger E. Moore]], [[Don Perrin]], [[Jean Rabe]], [[Paul B. Thompson (novelist)|Paul B. Thompson]], [[Tonya C. Cook]], [[Michael Williams (author)|Michael Williams]], [[Nancy Varian Berberick]], and [[Chris Pierson]].

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]] rules.<ref name="Archer"/> In April 2007, Wizards of the Coast had not renewed Sovereign's license, and ''Dragonlance'' RPG game supplements and accessories were only released through the end of the year.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dragonlance.com/features/articles/10040.aspx|title=Articles: Dragonlance License|author=Margaret Weis|date=April 23, 2007|access-date=June 26, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526103906/http://www.dragonlance.com/features/articles/10040.aspx|archive-date=May 26, 2007}}</ref>

In October 2020, Weis and Hickman filed suit against Wizards of the Coast for breaching a licensing deal with Weis and Hickman for a new ''Dragonlance'' novel trilogy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=October 19, 2020|title=Dungeons & Dragons Publisher Sued by Dragonlance Co-Writers Over Scrapped Book Trilogy|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-dragonlance-margaret-weis-lawsuit/|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=ComicBook.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=October 19, 2020|title=Dragonlance authors sue Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of The Coast|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/19/21523673/dragonlance-authors-weis-hickman-sue-wizards-of-the-coast-dungeons-and-dragons|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Boing Boing]]'' reported that "according to the lawsuit, Weis and Hickman agreed with Wizards of the Coast to produce the new novels in 2017, capping off the series and giving fans a final sendoff, but the company pulled the plug in August 2020".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Beschizza|first=Rob|date=October 19, 2020|title=Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman sue Wizards of the Coast after it abandons new Dragonlance trilogy|url=https://boingboing.net/2020/10/19/margaret-weis-and-tracy-hickman-sue-wizards-of-the-coast-after-it-abandons-new-dragonlance-trilogy.html|access-date=October 19, 2020|website=Boing Boing|language=en-US}}</ref> In December, Weis and Hickman filed to voluntarily [[Prejudice (legal term)#Dismissal|dismiss without prejudice]] their lawsuit,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=January 11, 2021|title=Dragonlance authors drop $10M lawsuit against Wizards of the Coast|url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/1/11/22224856/dragonlance-authors-weis-hickman-lawsuit-dismissed-dragonlance-dungeons-dragons-wotc|access-date=January 11, 2021|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> and "the filing noted that Wizards of the Coast had not formally answered their lawsuit, nor had they filed for a summary judgement".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hoffer|first=Christian|date=December 20, 2020|title=Dragonlance Writers End Lawsuit Against Dungeons & Dragons Maker|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-dragonlance-lawsuit-dismissed/|access-date=December 28, 2020|website=ComicBook.com|language=en}}</ref> Weis and Hickman's publishing agent affirmed a few weeks following this that a new trilogy of ''Dragonlance'' novels was in the works;<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2021/1/25/22249105/new-dragonlance-chronicles-trilogy-weis-hickman-wizards-coast-lawsuit | title = New Dragonlance novel trilogy is back on after authors dismiss lawsuit | first = Ryan | last= Gilliam | date = January 25, 2021 | access-date = January 25, 2021 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> the first of the new trilogy was released in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=December 17, 2021|title=A new Dragonlance trilogy begins in 2022|url=https://www.polygon.com/22841205/dragonlance-books-dragons-of-deceit-release-date-price-weis-hickman|access-date=February 5, 2022|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 20, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons: New Dragonlance Novel Gets 2022 Release Date|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/dungeons-dragons-dragonlance-dragons-deceit-release/|access-date=February 5, 2022|website=ComicBook.com|language=en}}</ref>

In December 2022, the first Dragonlance adventure module, titled ''[[Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen]]'', for [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|5th Edition]] was released. The module is set during the War of the Lance; Wizards of the Coast has stated that the module does not require prior knowledge of the setting or the novels to play the module.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Sheehan |first=Gavin |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Announces New Dragonlance Campaign |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dungeons-dragons-announces-new-dragonlance-campaign/ |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=Bleeding Cool News And Rumors |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Wizards of the Coast Teases 'D&D Dragonlance's' Return |url=https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50988/wizards-coast-teases-d-d-dragonlances-return |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=[[ICv2]] |language=en}}</ref> An integrated board game, titled ''Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn'', was released in 2023, designed by Stephen Baker and [[Rob Daviau]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=April 21, 2022 |title=New Dragonlance board game was designed by Rob Daviau and Stephen Baker |url=https://www.polygon.com/23036116/dnd-dragonlance-board-game-designed-by-rob-daviau-stephen-baker-details-battle-masters |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn'' is a [[wargame]] that focuses on military battles during the War of the Lance. Both games can be played independently, but the adventure module includes rules for using the board game to resolve the military battles that occur in the narrative.<ref name=":1" />

== Media ==
=== Campaign setting ===
{{Main|List of Dragonlance modules and sourcebooks}}
[[File:Dragonlance Adventures 1987 book cover.jpg|thumb|''[[Dragonlance Adventures]]'', the first ''Dragonlance'' campaign setting sourcebook.]]
[[TSR, Inc.|TSR]] created ''Dragonlance'' as a campaign setting for the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons|Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (''AD&D'') [[roleplaying game]] in 1982, publishing the first of a series of [[adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)|modules]], ''[[Dragons of Despair]]'', in March 1984. They published the first world-spanning sourcebook, ''[[Dragonlance Adventures]]'', in 1987. When ''AD&D'' was updated to the 2nd edition in 1989, the ''Dragonlance'' campaign setting was updated as well. However, in 1996, ''Dragonlance'' was converted to use the new [[SAGA System]], which uses cards to determine the effects of actions, with the publication of the ''[[Dragonlance: Fifth Age]]'' roleplaying game.<ref name="history"/> 

When the 3rd edition of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' was released in 2000, ''Dragonlance'' was not initially updated for the new edition. In 2002, Margaret Weis's company [[Sovereign Press (role-playing game publisher)|Sovereign Press]] acquired the license to publish 3rd Edition ''Dragonlance'' material. The official update, ''[[Dragonlance Campaign Setting]]'', was published in 2003 for the 3.5 Edition. [[Wizards of the Coast]] turned over all responsibility for maintaining the ''Dragonlance'' setting to Sovereign Press until 2007.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Appelcline |first=Shannon |title=Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3.5) {{!}} Product History |url=https://www.dmsguild.com/product/28592/Dragonlance-Campaign-Setting-35 |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=[[Dungeon Masters Guild]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Archer" /><ref name=":2" /> The campaign setting was not supported during the [[4th edition D&D|4th Edition]] era (2008-2013) of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2022 |title=D&D's Latest Unearthed Arcana Teases the Return of a Classic Setting |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-5e-ua-heroes-krynn-dragonlance-return/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2022, Wizards released the PDF ''Heroes of Krynn'' which is part of the "[[Unearthed Arcana#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|Unearthed Arcana]]" public playtest series for the [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition|5th Edition]] of ''Dungeons & Dragons''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2022 |title=D&D's Latest Unearthed Arcana Unleashes Dragonlance and the World of Krynn |url=https://www.cbr.com/dnd-5e-unearthed-arcana-dragonlance-krynn/ |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' commented that this "all but confirmed" the return of the Dragonlance setting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Dragonlance playtest materials released for Dungeons & Dragons |url=https://www.polygon.com/22968856/dnd-dragonlance-playtest-materials-released-5e |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> The setting was revisited in December 2022 with a new adventure module for the 5th Edition.<ref name=":3" /> On December 6, Wizards released the adventure book ''Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dragonlance |url=https://dnd.wizards.com//products/dragonlance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818172946/https://dnd.wizards.com/products/dragonlance |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |access-date=September 6, 2023 |website=D&D Official {{!}} Dungeons & Dragons}}</ref>

=== Novels ===
{{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 other authors, covering years between and sometimes during the main events.
* The ''[[Dragonlance Chronicles|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 Dragon armies of Ansalon.
* The ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The Lost Chronicles Trilogy|Lost Chronicles]]'' trilogy is a companion to the original ''Chronicles''. Each book of the trilogy fills in sections of the story previously left untold. It tells the story surrounding the recovery of the Hammer of Kharas,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/956467200 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060414210407/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/956467200 | url-status=dead | archive-date=April 14, 2006 | title=Dragons of the Dwarven Depths | author=Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | access-date=July 18, 2006}}</ref> how the Companions retrieve the dragon orb from Ice Wall, how [[Kitiara Uth Matar]] and [[Lord Soth]] became allies, and how [[Raistlin Majere]] took the [[Wizards of High Sorcery#Alignment|Black Robes]] in Neraka.
* The ''[[Dragonlance Legends|Legends]]'' trilogy covers the [[Blue Lady's War]], as well as the past adventures of [[Raistlin Majere|Raistlin]] and [[Caramon Majere]], culminating in Raistlin's attempt to achieve [[godhood]]. The books feature time travel, and focus on events in Istar before the Cataclysm, as well as the ensuing Dwarfgate Wars.
* ''[[The Raistlin Chronicles]]'', comprising a series of two novels, follow the early life of [[Raistlin Majere]], his rise from a sickly child to a powerful and ambitious mage, and the trials he faces during his Test at the Tower of High Sorcery. Alongside him are his loyal twin brother [[Caramon Majere|Caramon]] and their half-sister [[Kitiara uth Matar]], a fierce warrior whose own path to power leads her toward darkness and the [[Dragonarmies of Ansalon|Dragonarmies]]. As the three siblings take diverging paths, their ambitions and loyalties are tested, laying the foundation for the conflicts that shape the future.
* ''[[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 whom become players in the later story. This book is considered to be part of the main storyline, as it must be read to understand the events that happened between the War of the Lance and the Chaos War. This novel develops characters that would later be seen in the ''[[War of Souls]]'' trilogy.
* ''[[Dragons of Summer Flame]]'' covers the [[Chaos War (Dragonlance)|Chaos War]], also known as the Second Cataclysm. The gods and mortals join forces to defeat 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.
* ''[[Dragons in the Archives: The Best of Weis and Hickman Anthology]]'' is another compilation of short stories which were previously published in other anthologies. These stories take place at different points of time in the world of Krynn. This book provides backstory to some of the characters and situations presented in the ''[[War of Souls]]'' trilogy.  
* ''[[The War of Souls]]'' trilogy begins as a strange storm courses through Krynn, heralding the [[War of Souls]]. The end of the war brings the return of the gods, [[Takhisis]]'s death, and the departure of Paladine as head of the good gods in order to maintain the balance between Good and Evil.
* ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Dark Disciple|The Dark Disciple]]'' trilogy follows the death of [[Takhisis]] and the departure of Paladine, when the lesser gods strive to maintain dominance.

=== Video games ===
{{See also|List of Dungeons & Dragons video games#Dragonlance}}
{{Timeline of release years
|title= Dragonlance video games
|1988 = ''[[Heroes of the Lance]]'' (''Silver Box'')
|1989a = ''[[Dragons of Flame (video game)|Dragons of Flame]]'' (''Silver Box'')
|1989b = ''[[War of the Lance (video game)|War of the Lance]]''
|1990a = ''[[DragonStrike (video game)|DragonStrike]]''
|1990b = ''[[Champions of Krynn]]'' (''[[Gold Box]]'')
|1991a = ''[[Shadow Sorcerer]]'' (''Silver Box'')
|1991b = ''[[Death Knights of Krynn]]'' (''Gold Box'')
|1992a = ''[[DragonStrike (video game)#Ports|DragonStrike]]'' (NES)
|1992b = ''[[The Dark Queen of Krynn]]'' (''Gold Box'')
}}

Eight [[video game]]s are set in the Dragonlance world. They belong to six different [[Video game genre|genres]] and were released within five years, from 1988 to 1992.

''DL01 - Dragons of Despair'' and ''DL02 - Dragons of Flame'' (corresponding to the events in the first novel, ''Dragons of Autumn Twilight'') were adapted into the video games ''[[Heroes of the Lance]]'' and ''[[Dragons of Flame (video game)|Dragons of Flame]]'', respectively. Instead of being role-playing video games, they are [[platform game]]s using the Silver Box [[game engine]]. ''DL03 - Dragons of Hope'' and ''DL04 - Dragons of Desolation'' (corresponding to the events between the first and the second novel) were adapted into the video game ''[[Shadow Sorcerer]]''. Released in 1991, this early [[real-time strategy]] game is a direct sequel to the first two games and a prequel to ''War of the Lance'' (1989). ''DL11 - Dragons of Glory'' is a self-contained tabletop strategy game (corresponding to the events in the background of the third novel, ''Dragons of Spring Dawning'') that was adapted into the [[turn-based strategy]] game ''[[War of the Lance]]''.

''[[DragonStrike (video game)|DragonStrike]]'' is a 1990 [[combat flight simulation game]] whose plot begins halfway through the previous video game. The 1992 NES remake is a [[Shoot 'em up|scrolling shooter]] that features an ending different from the one in the novels, but following and fixing a "bad ending" from ''DL14 - Dragons of Triumph''. Neither game is based directly on any tabletop module. The Gold Box trilogy (''[[Champions of Krynn]]'', ''[[Death Knights of Krynn]]'', and ''[[The Dark Queen of Krynn]]'') are the only [[role-playing video game]]s based on Dragonlance. They tell an original story that begins shortly after the events in the 14 tabletop modules.

Apart from those, the [[MUSH]] game ''DragonLance'' is based on Krynn during the final stage of the [[War of the Lance]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Maloni | first1 = Kelly | last2 = Baker | first2 = Derek | last3 = Wice | first3 = Nathaniel | year = 1994 | title = Net Games | publisher = [[Random House]] / Michael Wolff & Company, Inc. | isbn = 0-679-75592-6 | page = [https://archive.org/details/netgamesyourguid00malo/page/107 107] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/netgamesyourguid00malo/page/107}}</ref>

=== Other ===
The series has inspired mention in music as well, including "[[Wishmaster (song)|Wishmaster]]", a song by [[Nightwish]] based partially on the master and apprentice relationship between [[Raistlin Majere]] and [[Dalamar]]. The Swedish [[metal band]] [[Lake of Tears]] also recorded a song called "Raistlin and the Rose" on their 1997 album ''Crimson Cosmos'', while the German group [[Blind Guardian]] wrote "The Soulforged", another song inspired by Raistlin's story, which appeared on the band's 2002 album ''[[A Night at the Opera (Blind Guardian album)|A Night at the Opera]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonlance-movie.com/music/|title=Dragonlance Inspired Music and Musicians|publisher=Dragonlance-Movie.com|access-date=March 14, 2009}}</ref> Also Danish/American band Pyramaze recorded in their 2008 album ''Immortal'' song "Caramon's Poem".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pyramaze.com/music.php |title=Discography |access-date=September 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023032331/http://www.pyramaze.com/music.php |archive-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref> A Russian concept album (2009-2010) and musical (premiered 2014) based on Raitslin's story, ''[[:ru:Последнее испытание (мюзикл)|The Last Trial]]'', was created by Anton Kruglov and Yelena Khanpira.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://portamur.ru/news/detail/ia-port-amur-darit-paru-biletov-na-spektakl-reystlin/ |title=Театр имени Васильевых приглашает благовещенцев на постановку в жанре фэнтези // Порт-Амур. Дальневосточное информационное агентство |access-date=October 6, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103050639/http://portamur.ru/news/detail/ia-port-amur-darit-paru-biletov-na-spektakl-reystlin/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 

In 2008, ''[[Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'', an animated film based on the first ''Dragonlance'' book of the same name, was released [[direct-to-video]]. The animation was produced by [[Toonz India Ltd|Toonz Animation]], and featured the voices of [[Lucy Lawless]], [[Kiefer Sutherland]], [[Michael Rosenbaum]], and [[Michelle Trachtenberg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/dragonlance-dragons-of-autumn-twilight/5522|title=DragonLance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (DVD)|last=Winkelspecht|first=Dean|date=January 13, 2008|publisher=DVDTown.com|access-date=March 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208220342/http://www.dvdtown.com/reviews/dragonlance-dragons-of-autumn-twilight/5522|archive-date=February 8, 2009}}</ref> In late 2011, Holysoft Studios Ltd. released the first part of a German audio adaption of the Chronicles Trilogy, with subsequent releases of the later trilogies being announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drachenlanze-hoerspiel.de|title=Drachenlanze - Das Hörspiel|last=Ltd.|first=Holysoft Studios|website=www.drachenlanze-hoerspiel.de|access-date=December 12, 2017}}</ref>

In [[comics]], Krynn has been represented on the 1988 ''[[Dragonlance (comics)|Dragonlance]]'' series by [[DC Comics]] and [[TSR (company)|TSR]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=101051|title=Dragonlance (1988) comic books|website=www.mycomicshop.com|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> More recently, [[Devil's Due Publishing]] and [[Wizards of the Coast]] have also produced a number of comic book series: ''The Legend of Huma'' (2003),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=495721|title=Dragonlance The Legend of Huma (2004) comic books|website=www.mycomicshop.com|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref> ''Chronicles'' (2005) and ''Legends'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=14052541|title=Dragonlance Legends Time of the Twins (2008) comic books|website=www.mycomicshop.com|access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref>

== World ==
The ''Dragonlance'' world is described in dozens of books and novels. The setting contains numerous [[List of major Dragonlance characters|characters]], an extensive timeline, and a detailed geography.

=== Setting ===
[[File:Ansalon Post Cataclysm.png|thumb|Map of Ansalon, where the majority of the novels take place.]]
''Dragonlance'' is set on the world of Krynn. Most of the novels take place in the regions of [[Ansalon]], a small continent, though some have taken place on the continent of Taladas, located northeast of Ansalon. The world's major gods are the High God and his children: good Paladine, neutral Gilean, and evil [[Takhisis]]. The gods are opposed by Chaos, who seeks to destroy Krynn. Depending on the period, the evil [[Chromatic dragon|chromatic]] and the good [[metallic dragon]]s are rare or plentiful. Humans are Krynn's most common humanoid race, but [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elves]], [[Dwarf (Dungeons & Dragons)|dwarves]], [[Kender (Dragonlance)|kender]], [[Gnome (Dragonlance)|gnomes]], and [[Minotaur (Dungeons & Dragons)#Minotaurs in Dragonlance|minotaurs]] occupy the world as well. Clerics derive magical powers from their gods, and wizards derive power from the three moon gods, good Solinari, neutral Lunitari, and evil Nuitari. Hickman had previously served as a [[Mormon missionary]] in [[Java]] for two years and used [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] in ''Dragonlance'' spells.<ref name="Hunt"/> During Krynn's various wars, armies of [[draconian (Dragonlance)|draconians]] are used as troops. Draconians are created by corrupting a dragon egg, creating a reptilian humanoid. Any dragon egg can be used to make a draconian, although the ones most commonly used are good dragon eggs because the evil kings want more evil dragons to hatch.

Other gods of the setting include the gods of good Branchala, Habbakuk, Kiri-Jolith, Majere, and Mishakal; the gods of neutrality Chislev, Reorx, Shinare, Sirrion, and Zivilyn; and the gods of evil, Chemosh, Hiddukel, Morgion, Sargonnas, and Zeboim.

=== Fictional history ===
The history of the world of Krynn, and thus the settings for both the novels and gaming supplements, is roughly split into five separate ages. The first age is the time of creation, when the gods are born and Krynn is formed. The Age of Dreams, the second age, is marked by the rapid growth of the world's first great civilizations and the appearance of myriad new races. This era is also marked by three great wars between dragons and their minions. Following the Third Dragon War, in the Age of Might, the Cataclysm obliterates the great empire of [[Istar (Dragonlance)|Istar]] and changes almost the entire surface of Krynn. A 300-year depression follows this event, in what is called the Age of Despair. This period also marks the [[War of the Lance]]. When Dragonlance was first introduced to ''Dungeons & Dragons'', events such as the Lost Wars happened during The Age of Despair.<ref>{{cite book | first1=Tracy | last1=Hickman | first2=Margaret | last2=Weis | author-link1=Tracy Hickman | author-link2=Margaret Weis | title=[[Dragonlance Adventures]] | publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]] | year=1987 | isbn=0880384522}}</ref> Later [[Age of Mortals]] novels and game supplements took Krynn into  the Fifth Age (the Age of Mortals).<ref name="Cook 1996"/><ref>{{cite book | first1=Margaret | last1=Weis | author-link1=Margaret Weis | first2=Jamie | last2=Chambers | author-link2=Jamie Chambers | first3=Christopher | last3=Coyle | author-link3=Christopher Coyle | title=[[Age of Mortals: Dragonlance Campaign Setting Companion]] | publisher=[[Sovereign Press, Inc]] | year=2003 | chapter=Foreword}}</ref>

=== Dragonlances ===
Dragonlances are weapons first created in the Third Dragon War, designed with the purpose of killing evil [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]], and are the only weapons with which mortals who cannot use magic can kill dragons.{{CN|date=November 2018}} Dragonlances have this power because of the way in which they are created, which requires the use of "two god-blessed artifacts".{{CN|date=November 2018}}  

Dragonlances are rare and not commonly traded. There are lesser dragonlances, which are made when only one of the artifacts is used to create them, and greater dragonlances, which are made when both artifacts are used to make them. Greater dragonlances are blessed with the power of Good, unlike lesser dragonlances.<ref name="dragonlances">{{cite book|title=[[Dragonlance Campaign Setting]]|last1=Weis|first1=Margaret|last2=Perrin|first2=Don|date=August 2003|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|isbn=0-7869-3086-1|edition=1st|page=288|chapter=Chapter 3, Magic of Krynn, "Dragonlances".|author-link=Margaret Weis|author-link2=Don Perrin}}</ref>

There are two sizes of dragonlance. The smaller footman's dragonlance is around eight feet long and functions as a [[polearm]], while the larger mounted dragonlance is around sixteen feet long and most commonly used when mounted on a dragon.<ref name="dragonlance sizes">{{cite book 
 |first1       = Tracy
 |last1        = Hickman
 |author-link  = Tracy Hickman
 |first2      = Margaret
 |last2       = Weis
 |author-link2 = Margaret Weis
 |title       = [[Dragonlance Adventures]]
 |date        = 1987
 |edition     = 1st
 |publisher   = TSR, Inc.
 |isbn        = 0-88038-452-2
 |chapter     = The World That Was, Magical Items of Krynn, "Weapons".
 |page        = [https://archive.org/details/dragonlanceadven00hick/page/94 94]}}
</ref><ref name="dragonlance sizes 2">{{cite book
 | first1=Harold|last1=Johnson|author-link=Harold Johnson (game designer)
 | first2=John|last2=Terra|author-link2=John Terra
 | title = [[Tales of the Lance]]: World Book of Ansalon
 | date = 1992
 | publisher = TSR, Inc.
 | isbn = 9781560763383
 | chapter = Special Artifacts of Ansalon, Magic Weapons
 | page = 156}}
</ref>

=== Characters ===
{{Main|List of Dragonlance characters}}
[[File:Dragonlance Characters around a campfire by Larry Elmore.jpg|thumb|The Heroes of the Lance: from left [[Raistlin Majere|Raistlin]], [[Caramon Majere|Caramon]], [[Tanis Half-Elven|Tanis]], [[Tasslehoff Burrfoot|Tasslehoff]], [[Flint Fireforge|Flint]], [[Goldmoon]], [[Riverwind]], [[Sturm Brightblade|Sturm]], [[Tika Waylan|Tika]], and [[Laurana Kanan|Laurana]]. Tracy Hickman keeps this [[Larry Elmore]] painting on the wall in his office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dragonlance.com/features/articles/10031.aspx|title=Articles: Tracy Hickman Interview: Lost Chronicles Book Tour and Journeys Beyond!|last=Whiteman|first=Trampas|publisher=Dragonlance.com|access-date=February 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919114815/http://www.dragonlance.com/features/articles/10031.aspx|archive-date=September 19, 2008}}</ref>]]

The Heroes of the Lance are the protagonists of the ''Chronicles'' trilogy, the first series of ''Dragonlance'' books. They were created by Weis and Hickman, then fleshed out as [[player character]]s in gaming sessions of ''Dungeons & Dragons'' at Hickman's apartment. One player at this initial gaming session was game designer Terry Phillips, who was playing as [[Raistlin]]. According to Hickman in the foreword to ''The Soulforge'', "[we] were just settling in to the game when I turned to my good friend Terry Phillips and asked what his character was doing. Terry spoke...and the world of Krynn was forever changed. His rasping voice, his sarcasm and bitterness all masking an arrogance and power that never needed to be stated suddenly were real. Everyone in the room was both transfixed and terrified. To this day Margaret [Weis] swears that Terry wore the black robes to the party that night".<ref>{{cite book |last=Weis |first=Margaret |author-link=Margaret Weis |title=The Soulforge |series=The Raistlin Chronicles |orig-date=1998 |year=2003 |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |location=[[Renton, Washington|Renton, WA, USA]] |isbn=0-7869-1314-2 |page=Forward |no-pp=yes}}</ref>

In a "Traveling Road Show" put on to publicize the novels, the Heroes of the Lance were played by various people. Authors Gary and Janet Pack played the half-elf [[Tanis Half-Elven]] and the [[Kender (fantasy)|kender]] [[Tasslehoff Burrfoot]], respectively. Author [[Douglas Niles]] played the dwarf [[Flint Fireforge]]. TSR employee Harold Johnson played the [[Knights of Solamnia|Solamnic knight]] [[Sturm Brightblade]]. The rest of the Heroes are the barbarians [[Goldmoon]] and [[Riverwind]], elf [[Laurana Kanan]], and humans [[Caramon Majere]] (Raistlin's brother) and [[Tika Waylan]]. Weis played Fizban the Fabulous.<ref name="Archer"/>

In the beginning, Margaret Weis had problems depicting [[Tanis Half-Elven]] in the novels. Tracy Hickman finally told her that "he's [[James T. Kirk]] of the [[Starship Enterprise|Starship ''Enterprise'']]". After that explanation, Margaret had no more difficulty writing about Tanis.<ref name="kirk">{{cite book | first1=Margaret | last1=Weis | author-link=Margaret Weis | first2=Tracy | last2=Hickman | author-link2=Tracy Hickman | title = The Annotated Chronicles | url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlant/887780000 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030625071025/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlant/887780000 | url-status = dead | archive-date = June 25, 2003 | access-date = July 1, 2006 | edition = 1st | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | isbn = 0-7869-1870-5 | page = 74 | date=November 1999}}</ref> Other noteworthy antagonists, and sometimes protagonists, are the Death Knight [[Lord Soth]] and [[Kitiara Uth Matar]], the half-sister of Raistlin and Caramon, and leader of one of the [[Dragonarmies of Ansalon]]. According to Hickman, Lord Soth is the most unpredictable character to write about: "Every time that character made an appearance in one of our books he would try to run off with the story".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sffworld.com/interview/187p1.html|title=Interview with Tracy Hickman|last=Patrick|date=May 21, 2006|publisher=SFFWorld.com|access-date=February 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910004539/http://www.sffworld.com/interview/187p1.html|archive-date=September 10, 2007}}</ref>

===Locations===
The world of Dragonlance is set on the planet of Krynn, with most of the action taking place on the continent of Ansalon. Some of the key countries and areas on Ansalon are the Plains of Dust, Solamnia with its great metropolis, Palanthas,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Croitoriu |first=Michaël |date=March–April 1999 |title=Palanthas |language=fr |magazine=Backstab |number=14 |page=56}}</ref> the Blood Sea Isles, the Empire of Ergoth, Istar, and Sancrist, the elven kingdom of Silvanesti,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Croitoriu |first=Michaël |date=May–June 1999 |title=[[The Sylvan Veil]] |language=fr |magazine=Backstab |number=15 |page=52}}</ref> as well as the dwarven realm of Thorbardin. Important cities and towns and other locations include Solace (location of the Inn of the Last Home, and Sad Town), the High Clerist's Tower, Palanthas, Kendermore, Port Balifor (location of the Pig and Whistle Tavern), and the various Towers of High Sorcery.

===Races===
Like in many ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' campaign settings, the fictional world of the ''Dragonlance'' campaign is shaped by the division by race, with white humans as the central focus, but also including elves, goblins, and many others.<ref name="EFHF">{{cite book |last=D'Ammassa |first=Don |date=2006 |title=Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Horror Fiction |location=New York |publisher=[[Facts On File]] |page=58 |isbn=978-1-4381-4063-6}}</ref><ref name="HY">{{cite book |last=Young |first=Helen |date=2016 |title=Race and Popular Fantasy Literature: Habits of Whiteness |location=New York, Oxon |publisher=[[Routledge]] |page=42-43, 93 |isbn=978-1-138-85023-1}}</ref> With the species in many cases clearly assigned to "good" and "evil",<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Clements |first=Philip J. |date=December 2019 |title=Dungeons & Discourse: Intersectional Identities in Dungeons & Dragons |page=113 |url=https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:bgsu1573729920432102 |access-date=October 8, 2020 |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917120731/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ACCESSION_NUM:bgsu1573729920432102 |url-status=dead}}</ref> some critics have suggested that the setting had the [[Dungeons & Dragons controversies#Cultural representations and racism|potential to raise racist expectations]].<ref name="HY"/> The authors take an active stance against racist ideology and ensure that a "fascistic genocidal campaign to wipe-out species that are considered 'impure'" would have catastrophic consequences.<ref name="HY"/> In contrast, the authors emphasize the need for tolerance and cooperation between the races.<ref name="HY"/>

== Reception ==
''Dragonlance'' is one of the most popular [[Shared universe|shared worlds]], worlds in which writers other than those that created them place adventures.<ref>{{cite book|last=Saricks|first=Joyce G. |title=The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction|publisher=ALA Editions|year=2001|pages=49|isbn=978-0-8389-0803-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wwbkWkWNiPcC&q=dragonlance&pg=PA49}}</ref> The first ''Dragonlance'' trilogy, ''Chronicles'', launched the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' line of novels, with many of its characters spun off into other novels.<ref name="Dummies">{{cite book|last1=Slavicsek|first1=Bill|author-link=Bill Slavicsek|first2=Rich|last2=Baker|author-link2=Richard Baker (game designer)|first3=Jeff|last3=Grubb|author-link3=Jeff Grubb |title=Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies|publisher=Wiley Publishing|year=2006|pages=373|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNU7E01MCEgC&q=dragonlance&pg=PA373|access-date=February 12, 2009|isbn=978-0-7645-8459-6}}</ref> Along with ''[[Forgotten Realms]]'', ''Dragonlance'' is TSR's most popular series of novels. According to ''The 1990s'' by Marc Oxoby, what is most notable about the series is that "what may at one time been considered disposable, escapist literature" found "unprecedented popularity" in the 1990s.<ref name="Oxoby"/> All of the ''Dragonlance'' novels remained in print during the decade, turning Weis and Hickman into literary stars and boosting sales of their non-''Dragonlance'' novels. Although the series was initially published in paperback, its success led to hardcover printings. The hardcover version of ''Dragons of Summer Flame'' had an "impressive" first printing of 200,000 books.<ref name="Oxoby">{{cite book|last=Oxoby|first=Marc|title=The 1990s|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2003|pages=[https://archive.org/details/1990s0000oxob/page/148 148]|isbn=978-0-313-31615-9|url=https://archive.org/details/1990s0000oxob|url-access=registration|quote=dragonlance.}}</ref> Every ''Dragonlance'' novel by Weis and Hickman since 1995 has been released in hardcover, and some previous novels have been re-released in hardcover collector's editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20040419/17825-rival-fantasy-publishers-rally-around-star-author.html|title=Rival Fantasy Publishers Rally Around Star Author|last=Maas|first=John-Michael|date=April 19, 2004|work=Publishers Weekly|access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref> ''Dragonlance'' made TSR one of the most successful publishers of science fiction and fantasy in the 1990s.<ref name="Dragon Lady">{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20040607/21914-dragon-lady-keeps-flying.html|title=Dragon Lady Keeps Flying|last=Hall|first=Melissa Mia|date=June 7, 2004|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref>

By 2008, there were more than 190 novels in the ''Dragonlance'' franchise.<ref name="courier">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23913678-5004582,00.html |title=Hickmans write fantasy on a wing and a prayer |last=Nahrung |first=Jason |date=June 27, 2008 |work=[[The Courier-Mail]] |access-date=February 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630011218/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23913678-5004582,00.html |archive-date=June 30, 2008}}</ref> Weis and Hickman's ''Dragonlance'' novels have made over twenty bestseller lists, with sales in excess of 22 million.<ref name="Dragon Lady"/> The pair's novels have been translated into [[German (language)|German]], [[Japanese (language)|Japanese]], [[Danish (language)|Danish]], [[Dutch (language)|Dutch]], [[Finnish (language)|Finnish]], [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]], [[French (language)|French]], [[Italian (language)|Italian]], [[Hebrew]], [[Portuguese (language)|Portuguese]], Greek and [[Turkish language|Turkish]] and have sold well in the United States, Britain, and Australia.<ref name="Hunt"/>

Not all critics have praised ''Dragonlance'' and its creators. According to author [[Stephen Hunt (author)|Stephen Hunt]], Wendy Bradley of ''[[Interzone (magazine)|Interzone]]'' magazine does not think highly of their work. Hunt feels that it is unusual for authors to receive such loathing among "fantasy's literary mafia", saying that "behind every critic's scorn laden insult, there {{sic|lays}} that unsaid thought at the end: 'But I could have written that!{{'"}}<ref name="Hunt">{{cite web|url=http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/sfnews/newsd0102.htm|title=Dragon' On |last=Hunt |first=Stephen |date=January 2002 |publisher=SFCrowsnest.com|access-date=February 20, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211083438/http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/sfnews/newsd0102.htm |archive-date = February 11, 2008}}</ref> ''Visions of Wonder'', edited by [[David G. Hartwell]] and [[Milton T. Wolf]], and published by the [[Science Fiction Research Association]], argues that ''Dragonlance'' is published under the "omnivore theory" of publishing. In this theory, the readership is made up of teenagers, and completely replaces itself every three to five years. This allows publishers to release subpar novels and still reach a small yet profitable audience.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hartwell|first=David G.|author2=Milton T. Wolf|publisher=MacMillan|year=1996|isbn=978-0-312-85287-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uYs2NbD-d4oC&q=dragonlance&pg=PA88|title=Visions of Wonder}}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{Portal inline|Dungeons & Dragons}}

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited sources ==
* {{Cite book |last=Wolf |first=Nadine |year=2010 |title=Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature |publisher=GRIN Verlag |isbn=978-3640661428 |ref=Wolf}}

== External links ==
<!-- Please, don't replace links. It is better if you discuss in the Talk page why a link should be inserted before inserting it. -->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110322025234/http://www.dragonlance.com/ Dragonlance.com (official gaming site)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20031208025222/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 films based on ''Dragonlance''.

{{Dragonlance}}
{{D&D topics}}

[[Category:Dragonlance| ]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings]]