The Dragonlance game project began with Tracy and Laura Hickman, and the idea of a world dominated by dragons. As they drove from Utah to Wisconsin so Tracy could take up a job with TSR in 1981, they discussed this idea.[1] In 1982, Tracy proposed at TSR a series of three modules featuring evil dragons. When this plan reached then head of TSR Gary Gygax, it fitted 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 Tracy Hickman, Harold Johnson, Larry Elmore, Carl Smith and Jeff Grubb.[2][3] 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.[1][3] The first module, Dragons of Despair, was published in March 1984. Then in November 1984, Dragons of Autumn Twilight was published.[4] This novel was written after the completion of the first 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.[5] The first Krynn setting guide, Dragonlance Adventures, would follow in 1987.
When AD&D was updated to the 2nd edition in 1989, the Dragonlance campaign setting was updated as well. In 1993, the product line for AD&D was canceled.[6] However, the Dragonlance fiction line "remained wildly successful" and included "some 60 novels and anthologies"; "TSR wanted to bring those fiction fans back into the roleplaying fold if they could, and so a new team was set to work to create a new Dragonlance game".[7] In 1996, Dragonlance was converted to TSR's new SAGA System with the publication of the Dragonlance: Fifth Age roleplaying game. The SAGA System has a more narrative focused gameplay style than AD&D and uses cards to determine the effects of actions.[7][8] Shannon Appelcline commented that "the non-AD&D game was not to everyone's taste, but it was extensively supported from 1996–2000, with a timeline that pushed considerably into Krynn's future".[6] The majority of the SAGA line was set during 414 AC, however, the final releases of the line were set in 383 AC.[9]
After Wizards of the Coast's acquisition of TSR, the 3rd Edition of Dungeons & Dragons was released in 2000 and Wizards announced that the Dragonlance setting would not be supported. However, Wizards allowed a group of fans to support the line for the 3rd Edition on the internet. Initially, the Dragonlance-L mailing list updated the setting; this mailing list would become known as the Whitestone Council and would maintain The Dragonlance Nexus website. The Whitestone Council was supported by both Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. Then in 2002, Margaret Weis's company Sovereign Press acquired the license to publish 3rd Edition Dragonlance material.[9][10] The official update, Dragonlance Campaign Setting, was published in 2003 for the 3.5 Edition; it moved the timeline to 422 AC and was set six months "after the end of the War of Souls trilogy (2000–2002)".[9] Appelcline highlighted that "the Whitestone Council was asked to review Sovereign's manuscript and in a few cases also got to submit minor bits for the new setting book. The Council would continue to be important to Sovereign following the publication of the Dragonlance Campaign Setting, with a few members contributing increasingly large amounts to later releases".[9] Sovereign Press maintained the Dragonlance line until 2007.[11][9]
The campaign setting was not supported during the 4th Edition era (2008–2013) of Dungeons & Dragons.[12] In March 2022, Wizards released the PDF Heroes of Krynn which is part of the "Unearthed Arcana" public playtest series for the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons.[13]Polygon commented that this "all but confirmed" the return of the Dragonlance setting.[14] In April 2022, it was announced that the setting will be revisited in December 2022 with a new adventure module for the 5th Edition. This adventure will be set concurrently to the War of the Lance, a fictional conflict in the setting.[15]
Includes a Talis deck, maps, a DM screen and the 176-page sourcebook World Book of Ansalon. This sourcebook is the first major setting update since Dragonlance Adventures (1987).[40][41]
Dwarven Kingdoms of Krynn
Douglas Niles
1993
Narrative focused sourcebook on dwarven civilization; highlights six dwarven kingdoms: Kal-Thax, Thorin, Thorbardin, Thoradin, Kayolin, and Zhakar.[42]
Includes a map and two books: Book one (expands on rules from The Book of the Fifth Age) and Book two (adventure module The Rising Storm).[53]Splatbook focuses on the warrior archetype. Adventure corresponds to Jean Rabe's Dragons of a New Age novel trilogy (1996–1998).[54]
Heroes of Defiance
Steve Miller
1997
Splatbook focuses on the rogue archetype. Adventure corresponds to Jean Rabe's Dragons of a New Age novel trilogy (1996–1998).[55]
Sourcebook of roleplay materials which includes a compilation of short stories and mythology. It also features poetry, song and real world recipes for the War of the Lance campaign setting.[69][70]
More Leaves From the Inn of the Last Home
Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman
2000
Sourcebook of roleplay materials which includes a compilation of short stories and mythology. It also features poetry, song and real world recipes for the War of the Lance campaign setting.
Lost Leaves From the Inn of the Last Home
Margaret Weis
2007
Sourcebook of roleplay materials which includes a compilation of short stories and mythology. It also features poetry, song and real world recipes for the Age of Mortals campaign setting.
Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Chris Pierson, Seth Johnson and Aaron Rosenbeig
2005
Topic books
Towers of High Sorcery
Margaret Weis, Chris Pierson, Jamie Chambers
2004
Splatbook with a focus on wizards which includes prestige classes, magic items, and spells. Also includes the mechanics for The Test, "the method by which a magic-user can become a wizard of high sorcery".[73]
Splatbook with a focus on clerics which includes a major update to the gods of Dragonlance. The gods of this setting differ greatly from the information on gods outlined in Deities & Demigods (2002).[74]
Knightly Orders of Ansalon
Sean Everette, Nicole Harsch, Clark Valentine, Trampas Whiteman
2006
Splatbook with a focus on three knightly organizations: the Knights of Solamnia, the Dark Knights, and the Legion of Steel.[75]
Races of Ansalon
Cam Banks, Sean Macdonald, Clark Valentine, Trampas Whiteman
2007
Splatbook with a focus on the major races of Dragonlance: Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, Goblins, Humans, Kender, Minotaurs and Ogres.[76]
Dragons of Krynn
Cam Banks, Sean Everette, Amanda Valentine
2007
Splatbook with a focus on dragons; collates "all of Dragonlance's dragon background into" one sourcebook.[77]
F. Wesley Schneider (Project Lead), Justice Arman, Brian Cortijo, Kelly Digges, Dan Dillon, Ari Levitch, Renee Knipe, Ben Petrisor, Mario Ortegon, Erin Roberts, James L. Sutter
