Draconian (Dragonlance)

Lore & Background

The source article does not provide specific details about draconians, their origins, or their role in the Dragonlance narrative. It states that the Dragonlance world of Krynn contains numerous characters and an extensive timeline, and that the novels and game products are primarily set in the Age of Despair. The article also notes that the Heroes of the Lance, created by Weis and Hickman, are the popular protagonists of the Chronicles trilogy, but draconians are not mentioned among them.

Draconians are a race that appears in the Dragonlance campaign setting, which was developed by TSR starting in 1982. The first game module, Dragons of Despair, was published in March 1984, and the first novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, followed in November 1984. The setting has been used for multiple editions of Dungeons & Dragons and for the SAGA System, but the article does not specify when draconians were introduced or their characteristics.

Reader's Guide

Draconians are a notable element of the Dragonlance setting, though the source article does not provide direct information about them. Their significance lies in their association with one of the most popular shared worlds in fiction, alongside the Forgotten Realms. The Dragonlance setting has spawned over 190 novels and numerous game supplements, and draconians are part of the rich tapestry of characters and creatures that populate the world of Krynn.

The legacy of Dragonlance includes its impact on fantasy literature and role‑playing games. The original Chronicles trilogy sold over three million copies worldwide by 1998, and the setting has been commercially revitalized with new releases in 2022, including a new adventure module and the start of a new novel trilogy. Draconians, as part of this setting, contribute to the enduring appeal of Dragonlance for fans of fantasy and gaming.

Did You Know?

• The Dragonlance setting was conceived by Tracy and Laura Hickman while driving from Utah to Wisconsin for a job interview at TSR in 1982.
• The first Dragonlance game module, Dragons of Despair, was published in March 1984, and the first novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, in November 1984.
• The Dragonlance campaign setting has been used for multiple editions of Dungeons & Dragons and for the SAGA System.
• Over 190 novels have used the Dragonlance setting.

Origins in a Car and a Job Interview

The Dragonlance universe was born not in a study or a workshop but in the backseat of a car. In 1982, Tracy Hickman was unemployed when TSR offered him a position based on modules he had submitted. While driving from Utah to Wisconsin to begin his new job, Hickman and his wife Laura discussed two ideas they had nurtured for years: building an entire world to support a narrative, and creating a setting where dragons held dominion. TSR's marketing team embraced the concept, noting they had plenty of dungeons but a shortage of dragons. Hickman proposed a series of twelve modules, each centered on a different dragon. TSR employee Harold Johnson encouraged Hickman to recruit additional staff, and over several months he assembled a team including Jeff Grubb, Larry Elmore, Roger Moore, Doug Niles, and Michael Williams. The project was codenamed Project Overlord, with Hickman serving as design coordinator. The group ultimately decided novels should accompany the game modules, a move TSR reluctantly approved after the initial author proved unsatisfactory.

The Weekend That Changed Everything

When TSR hired an external author to write the Dragonlance novels, the result did not satisfy Hickman or Weis. The two collaborated over a single weekend, drafting the prologue and first five chapters of what would become Dragons of Autumn Twilight, based on the module Dragons of Despair. TSR reviewed their treatment, was impressed, and fired the original author, handing the assignment to the pair. After two years of development, the module and novel were released in March and November 1984, respectively. TSR had internal doubts about the novel's commercial potential and initially wanted to order only thirty thousand copies, ultimately settling on the minimum print run of fifty thousand. Demand quickly outstripped that number, prompting additional printings. The success of the Chronicles trilogy established Dragonlance as a franchise encompassing modules, board games, lead miniature figures, calendars, computer games, and artwork collections. By 1998, the original trilogy had sold well over three million copies worldwide and spawned dozens of sequels.

The World of Krynn and Its Place in Fiction

The fictional setting of Dragonlance is called Krynn, a world defined by an extensive timeline, detailed geography, and a vast cast of characters. Its history is divided into five distinct ages, with the novels and game products primarily set in the fourth age, known as the Age of Despair. In 1996, the publication of Dragonlance: Fifth Age introduced the fifth age, the Age of Mortals, which has been used in subsequent material. The Heroes of the Lance, created by Weis and Hickman, serve as the beloved protagonists of the Chronicles trilogy and remain the face of the setting. Alongside Dungeons & Dragons' Forgotten Realms, Dragonlance stands as one of the most popular shared worlds in all of fiction. The setting has been adapted for multiple editions of Dungeons & Dragons as well as the SAGA System, and over 190 novels have been set within Krynn, with contributions from numerous authors beyond the original team, including Richard A. Knaak, Douglas Niles, Roger E. Moore, and many others.

Fractures, Acquisitions, and Resurrection

The relationship between the authors and TSR soured in the mid-to-late 1980s. Feeling under-appreciated, Weis and Hickman left after TSR rejected their Darksword series, signing instead with Bantam Books. They returned to write Dragons of Summer Flame in 1995, believing it would be their final Dragonlance novel. At that point, the setting's gaming had been converted to the SAGA System with limited success, and TSR's financial troubles cast doubt on the franchise's future. In 1997, Wizards of the Coast acquired the struggling TSR. Weis and Hickman then proposed the War of Souls trilogy, published between 2000 and 2002, all three volumes of which reached the New York Times bestseller list and commercially revitalized the setting. In 2001, Wizards licensed Margaret Weis's company Sovereign Press to produce Dragonlance game materials, an agreement that ran through 2007. After a long hiatus, Dragonlance returned in 2022 with a new adventure module and the launch of a new novel trilogy.