Dragons of Winter Night
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| 2000 paperback edition cover | |
| Author | Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman |
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| Cover Artist | Larry Elmore |
| Country | U.S.A. |
| Language | English |
| Series | Dragonlance Chronicles |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Released | April, 1985 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 400 pp (Paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-88038-174-4 |
| 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, along with Dragons of Autumn Twilight and Dragons of Spring Dawning. The book details the darker days of the War of the Lance.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
The novel begins with the companions assembled in the dwarven city of Thorbardin, where the refugees from the armies of the Dragon Highlord Verminnard are presenting the dwarves with the Hammer of Kharas in return for refuge in the city.
[edit] Explanation of the novel's title
Dragons of Autumn Twilight follows a pattern with the other novels in its series, Dragons of Winter Night 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. The individual title meaning may be a reference to the idea that winter and night are unfavorable, dark times, as is the portion of the war described in this novel.
[edit] Plot summary
The refugees of Pax Tharkas are welcomed in Thorbardin, but they seek a new home. To this purpose, the Companions are sent to Tarsis, a legendary city by the sea. When they reach it, they are dismayed to discover that their map is outdated, and the city is landlocked. While there, the city is attacked by dragons and is destroyed. Tanis Half-Elven, Riverwind, Goldmoon, Caramon, Raistlin and Tika are rescued by Alhana Starbreeze, while Sturm Brightblade, Flint, Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Gilthanas, Laurana and Elistan escape with a small group of Knights.
Tanis's group goes with Alhana to Silvanesti and find it ravaged by a physical nightmare brought upon it accidentally by King Lorac when he tried to use the List of Dragonlance artifacts#Dragon Orbs. They all experience a death in some way that will come into play later in the story, with the exception of Tanis, who lived because of his love, and Raistlin, who lives because of his ambition. Eventually, Raistlin defeats the green dragon Cyan Bloodbane and escapes the dream. All of the Companions are still alive, of course, the dream having no physical effect on them. They retrieve the dragon orb, however, Lorac dies.
Sturm's group comes into play afterwards, revealing that they had gone to Icewall Glacier, killed a wizard and Dragon Highlord, and retrieved a dragon orb. Two of the Knights had been killed during the battle. Escaping, a white dragon pursues them and sinks their ship, however the dragon is driven off. They are now stranded on Southern Eegoth. Here they meet a Kagonesti Elf, Silvara, whom Gilthanas is infatuated with. They are met by refugee elves who take them to Qualinmori, the Qualinesti elf refugee city. They soon flee to escape the fued over the dragon orb; they travel to Huma's tomb and meet with Fizban and Silvara reveals a great secret.
Tanis's group comes into play in the city of Port Balifor. They put together an act to raise money, revolving around Raistlin (the "Red Wizard and his Wonderful Illusions). Having gathered enough money, they leave for Flotsam. En route, Raistlin accesses and masters the Dragon Orb. Afterward, Sturm's group makes their way to Sancrist Isle to give the Dragon Orb to the Knights of Solamnia. A council is held, with charges brought on Sturm. He is eventually cleared and made a Knight of Solamnia, in the Order of the Crown, to be made commander of the Knights of the Crown at the High Clerist's Tower. After several events, another council is held and during it Tas gets fed up with the precidings and shatters the dragon orb. The smith Theros Ironfeld intervenes and shatters the Whitestone, a giant holy stone, with the Dragonlance (weapon), which he had forged. Laurana eventually goes to Palanthas and the High Clerist's Tower, bearing news of Sturm's vindication. She also teaches the Knights in the use of Dragonlances. Later, Elistan and Fizban briefly meet and Elistan thinks he recognizes Fizban.
In Flotsam, Tanis and company are staying in an inn. Tanis and Caramon, in an effort to blend in, steal two officers armor. While Tanis wanders the streets in it, he is attacked by an elf who is slain by Kitiara, who has become a Dragon Highlord. They sleep together, and Tanis is tempted to join her.
Meanwhile, the Knights, along with Laurana, Flint, and Tas, are fortifying the High Clerist's Tower. Derek leads a suicidal assault with the Knights of the Rose and the Knights of the Sword, however Sturm and his Knights of the Crown stay behind in defiance. This proves to be a smart move; all the other Knights are slain. Laurana makes a plan to use the dragontraps inside the tower, however to buy them time, Sturm stays behind to fight off the dragons for as long as possible. The dragons attack, and Sturm fends them off for a few moments, however he is slain by Kitiara. Laurana soon activates the dragontraps, accessing the dragon orbs, which drives the draconians insane and lures two blue dragons inside the traps, who are slain by the the Knights. With their dying breath, they unleash lightning, causing great damage to the Tower. Laurana and Kitiara have a brief meeting; the story then shifts to Alhana Starbreeze burying her father and leaving Silvanesti.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Heroes of the Lance
- 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 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 sacrastic, 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, an elven princess and romantic interest of Tanis.
- Tika, a red-haired beauty and barmaid.
[edit] Other
- Gilthanas Kanan, brother of Laurana.
- Porthios Kanan, brother of Laurana and Gilthanas.
- Solostaran Kanan, Speaker of the Suns and father to Laurana, Gilthanas, and Porthios.
- Fizban, a muddled old wizard.
- Elistan, chief priest of Paladine.
- Kitiara, a Dragon Highlord and one of the main antagonists.
- Skie, a blue dragon who serves Kitiara.
- The Everman, an enigmatic figure with a green gemstone in his chest.
- Gunthar Uth Wistan, a Knight of the Rose and acting Grandmaster.
- Derek Crownguard, a Knight of the Rose.
[edit] Inspiration
Margaret Weis references Othello by William Shakespeare, with the phrase "No, you're wrong, Tanis. I sent him away."[1]
To describe the scene where dragons attacked the city of Tarsis, Margaret Weis studied World War II films of the bombing of London.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman [November 1999]. “Book 2, volume 1, chapter 10, Waking dreams. Future visions.”, The Annotated Chronicles, 1st edition, Wizards of the Coast, 604. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- ^ Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman [November 1999]. “Book 2, volume 1, chapter 7, —Not destined to meet again in this world.”, The Annotated Chronicles, 1st edition, Wizards of the Coast, 552. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman (2000). Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1609-5.
