Dragons of Despair
Encyclopedia
Dragons of Despair is the first in a series of 16 Dragonlance adventures
published by TSR, Inc.
(TSR) between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance
series of Dungeons & Dragons
(D&D) role-playing game
modules
, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon Master
s in the game. This series provides a game version of the original Dragonlance storyline later told in the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy of novels. This module corresponds to the events told in the first half of the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight
by Margaret Weis
and Tracy Hickman
. Its module code is DL1, which is used to designate it as the first part of the Dragonlace adventure series.
settlement of Solace after five years of unsuccessful individual quests to find any sign of "true clerics
". A series of wilderness encounters are used to direct the PCs to find the Blue Crystal Staff and take it to the ancient ruined city of Xak Tsaroth.
In the jungle-covered subterranean ruins of Xak Tsaroth the player characters search for knowledge of the ancient gods of good, and first encounter the invading draconians. They also find baby dragons and encounter Khisanth, an ancient black dragon. The PCs follow the fleeing dragon down a well, where they must negotiate the first level of a dungeon
typical of Dungeons & Dragons adventures, filled with draconians, gully dwarf slaves, and other monsters.
On the second level of the dungeon the PCs must confront and defeat Khisanth. This is an extremely challenging task for the party. but if they have her Blue Crystal Staff, they will be aided by the goddess Mishakal. The adventure ends with the PCs recovering the Disks of Mishakal, allowing for the return of true clerics to Krynn
for the first time in over 300 years.
magazine, simply showing the Dragonlance logo and the text "coming soon".
The scenario is the first of an epic series set on the world of Krynn. The March 1984 issue of Dragon contained a short story titled "The Test of the Twins" by Margaret Weis, along with a sidebar describing Dragonlance as "an epic adventure usable with the AD&D game system, and will be detailed through a series of TSR products – books, games, modules, and even miniature figures." In the same issue a full-page teaser advertisement showed a black-and-white version of the painting from the cover of Dragons of Despair with the text "Play the epic series... Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance".
The module consisted of a 32-page book with an outer folder. The cover of Dragons of Despair features a painting by Clyde Caldwell
depicting the black dragon Khisanth fighting three heroes—Goldmoon
, Tanis Half-Elven, and Caramon Majere
—from the books upon which the adventure is based. This module features the first appearance of Draconians and Aghar (Gully Dwarves) in the game, and new locations such as Xak Tsaroth, Solace and Haven. It is the first appearance of the pre-generated player characters (PCs) that form the Heroes of the Lance group of characters–Tanis Half-Elven, Sturm Brightblade, Caramon Majere, Raistlin Majere
, Flint Fireforge, Tasslehoff Burrfoot
and Goldmoon. Riverwind is played as a non-player character
(NPC) by the Dungeon Master. Tika Waylan makes her first appearance as an NPC; she is available for use as a PC and joins up with the Heroes of the Lance in Chapter 7 of Dragons of Flame
. The villainous hobgoblin
lord Fewmaster Toede also makes his first appearance.
The game module was positively received. It placed 25th on a 2004 list of the "The 30 Greatest D&D adventures of All Time", the only Dragonlance module to make the list. A review by Graham Staplehurst in White Dwarf
magazine, issue #60, gave the module an 8 out of 10 overall, and noted that the lack of things such as gold and clerics
in the adventure world "don't destroy the feel of the scenario, whilst creating a very novel atmosphere". Staplehurst felt that the adventure was "...very much taken off from Lord of the Rings with a powerful magic item to be taken at all costs to the aggressor's innermost defences and through them. The characters will have to get past a nice new race of humanoids as well as a couple of other monster-concepts. The artwork (aside from the cover) is good and usable in the adventure. Another good product." In his 1991 book Heroic Worlds, Lawrence Schick described the scenarios as "heavy-handed in channelling the players to follow the plot".
The original concept of the module was done by Tracy Hickman
, who "designed a world and an heroic adventure to go with it". The module was edited by Michael Williams
. The module's design staff included Tracy Hickman, Harold Johnson, Douglas Niles
, Carl Smith, and Michael Williams. The module features cover art by Clyde Caldwell
and interior artwork by Jeff Easley
.
modules, using module code DLC. DLC1 Dragonlance Classics Volume 1 reprinted Dragons of Despair, along with Dragons of Flame, Dragons of Hope
, and Dragons of Desolation
, in 1990.
In 1999 Wizards of the Coast
published a new revision of the original Dragonlance story, including Dragons of Despair, in Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition as part of their TSR's Silver Anniversary line. 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, with Dragons of Despair included in Dragonlance Volume 1: DL1 – DL8. The four chapters of Dragons of Autumn, an updated version of some Dragonlance modules converting them to Dungeons & Dragons version 3.5, corresponds to the material in Dragons of Despair.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance is a video game based on Dragons of Despair released in 1988. It is a horizontally scrolling fighting game that represents the events of the module. Dragons of Despair has also been converted into the Neverwinter Nights
computer game format. The adaptation requires both the Shadows of Undrentide
and Hordes of the Underdark
expansion packs as well as the original game.
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 by TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
(TSR) between 1984 and 1988. It is the start of the first major story arc in the Dragonlance
Dragonlance
Dragonlance is a shared universe created by Laura and Tracy Hickman, and expanded by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis under the direction of TSR, Inc. into a series of popular fantasy novels. The Hickmans conceived Dragonlance while driving in their car on the way to TSR for a job application...
series of Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
(D&D) role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
modules
Adventure (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, an adventure or module is a pre-packaged book or box set that helps the Dungeon Master manage the plot or story of a game...
, a series of ready-to-play adventures for use by Dungeon Master
Dungeon Master
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, the Dungeon Master is the game organizer and participant in charge of creating the details and challenges of a given adventure, while maintaining a realistic continuity of events...
s in the game. This series provides a game version of the original Dragonlance storyline later told in the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy of novels. This module corresponds to the events told in the first half of the novel Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Autumn Twilight
Dragons of Autumn Twilight is a fantasy novel by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, based on a series of Dungeons & Dragons game modules...
by Margaret Weis
Margaret Weis
Margaret Edith Weis is a fantasy novelist who, along with Tracy Hickman, is one of the original creators of the Dragonlance game world and has written numerous novels and short stories set in fantastic worlds.-Early life:Margaret Weis was born in 1948 in Independence, Missouri, and later attended...
and Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
. Its module code is DL1, which is used to designate it as the first part of the Dragonlace adventure series.
Plot summary
As with most D&D adventures, the exact storyline varies based on the actions that the game's players choose for their player characters (PCs), although a general course of action is assumed by the adventure. The story begins with the PCs meeting up in the elvenElf (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, elves are a fictional humanoid race that is one of the primary races available for play as player characters. Elves are renowned for their grace and mastery of magic and weapons such as the sword and bow...
settlement of Solace after five years of unsuccessful individual quests to find any sign of "true clerics
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
". A series of wilderness encounters are used to direct the PCs to find the Blue Crystal Staff and take it to the ancient ruined city of Xak Tsaroth.
In the jungle-covered subterranean ruins of Xak Tsaroth the player characters search for knowledge of the ancient gods of good, and first encounter the invading draconians. They also find baby dragons and encounter Khisanth, an ancient black dragon. The PCs follow the fleeing dragon down a well, where they must negotiate the first level of a dungeon
Dungeon crawl
A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinthine environment, battling various monsters, and looting any treasure they may find...
typical of Dungeons & Dragons adventures, filled with draconians, gully dwarf slaves, and other monsters.
On the second level of the dungeon the PCs must confront and defeat Khisanth. This is an extremely challenging task for the party. but if they have her Blue Crystal Staff, they will be aided by the goddess Mishakal. The adventure ends with the PCs recovering the Disks of Mishakal, allowing for the return of true clerics to Krynn
Krynn
Krynn is the fictional world of the Dragonlance novels, co-written by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. It has also been used in many other books, set in the Dragonlance universe. It is also used as the main setting in the Dragonlance campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing...
for the first time in over 300 years.
Publication history
First published in March 1984, seven months before the first Dragonlance novel, this module is the first Dragonlance product released. In January and February there were small teaser advertisements—each less than a quarter page—in DragonDragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
magazine, simply showing the Dragonlance logo and the text "coming soon".
The scenario is the first of an epic series set on the world of Krynn. The March 1984 issue of Dragon contained a short story titled "The Test of the Twins" by Margaret Weis, along with a sidebar describing Dragonlance as "an epic adventure usable with the AD&D game system, and will be detailed through a series of TSR products – books, games, modules, and even miniature figures." In the same issue a full-page teaser advertisement showed a black-and-white version of the painting from the cover of Dragons of Despair with the text "Play the epic series... Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance".
The module consisted of a 32-page book with an outer folder. The cover of Dragons of Despair features a painting by Clyde Caldwell
Clyde Caldwell
Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...
depicting the black dragon Khisanth fighting three heroes—Goldmoon
Goldmoon
Goldmoon is a fictional character from the Dragonlance fantasy series of novels and role playing games, originally published by TSR, Inc...
, Tanis Half-Elven, and Caramon Majere
Caramon Majere
Caramon Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance books. He is depicted as a fighter and is one of the main characters in Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's first Dragonlance trilogy, The Chronicles...
—from the books upon which the adventure is based. This module features the first appearance of Draconians and Aghar (Gully Dwarves) in the game, and new locations such as Xak Tsaroth, Solace and Haven. It is the first appearance of the pre-generated player characters (PCs) that form the Heroes of the Lance group of characters–Tanis Half-Elven, Sturm Brightblade, Caramon Majere, Raistlin Majere
Raistlin Majere
Raistlin Majere is a fictional character from the Dragonlance series of books created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Raistlin played an extensive role in the two main series of books, particularly in Dragonlance: Legends in which he was both primary protagonist and antagonist...
, Flint Fireforge, Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot
Tasslehoff Burrfoot is a fictional character of the kender race from the Dragonlance series of novels, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. He was born in Kendermore. His parents are unknown and he has few known relatives. He has a sister, and also claims to have an Uncle Trapspringer...
and Goldmoon. Riverwind is played as a non-player character
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
(NPC) by the Dungeon Master. Tika Waylan makes her first appearance as an NPC; she is available for use as a PC and joins up with the Heroes of the Lance in Chapter 7 of Dragons of Flame
Dragons of Flame (module)
Dragons of Flame is the second module in the first major story arc in the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance series of game modules. It is one of the 14 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR between 1984 and 1986...
. The villainous hobgoblin
Hobgoblin (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, hobgoblins are a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing form of goblins. They are smaller and weaker than bugbears, but better organized. Hobgoblins are humanoids that stand nearly 6'6" tall on average, a little taller than orcs...
lord Fewmaster Toede also makes his first appearance.
The game module was positively received. It placed 25th on a 2004 list of the "The 30 Greatest D&D adventures of All Time", the only Dragonlance module to make the list. A review by Graham Staplehurst in White Dwarf
White Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
magazine, issue #60, gave the module an 8 out of 10 overall, and noted that the lack of things such as gold and clerics
Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)
The cleric is one of the standard playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. In the game, clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative...
in the adventure world "don't destroy the feel of the scenario, whilst creating a very novel atmosphere". Staplehurst felt that the adventure was "...very much taken off from Lord of the Rings with a powerful magic item to be taken at all costs to the aggressor's innermost defences and through them. The characters will have to get past a nice new race of humanoids as well as a couple of other monster-concepts. The artwork (aside from the cover) is good and usable in the adventure. Another good product." In his 1991 book Heroic Worlds, Lawrence Schick described the scenarios as "heavy-handed in channelling the players to follow the plot".
The original concept of the module was done by Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
, who "designed a world and an heroic adventure to go with it". The module was edited by Michael Williams
Michael Williams (author)
Michael Williams is an American author. He is known for his Dragonlance novels.Williams was born and lives in Louisville, Kentucky. He has lived in Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ireland and England. His first novel, Weasel's Luck, was published in 1988...
. The module's design staff included Tracy Hickman, Harold Johnson, Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles
Douglas Niles is a fantasy author and game designer. Niles was one of the creators of the Dragonlance world and the author of the first three Forgotten Realms novels, and the Top Secret S/I espionage role-playing game.-Early life:Niles was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and...
, Carl Smith, and Michael Williams. The module features cover art by Clyde Caldwell
Clyde Caldwell
Clyde Caldwell is an American artist. Self described as a fantasy illustrator, he is best known for his portrayals of strong, sexy female characters.-Early life:...
and interior artwork by Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley
Jeff Easley is an oil painter who creates fantasy artwork in the tradition of Frank Frazetta.-Early life:...
.
Reprints and revisions
The original series was updated to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons second edition and repackaged as the three Dragonlance ClassicsDragonlance Classics
Dragonlance Classics is a series of adventure modules for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:Dragonlance Saga Classics, Volume 1 is a compilation of modules D1 through D4, revised for the 2nd edition rules....
modules, using module code DLC. DLC1 Dragonlance Classics Volume 1 reprinted Dragons of Despair, along with Dragons of Flame, Dragons of Hope
Dragons of Hope
Dragons of Hope is the third module in the first major story arc in the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance series of game modules. It is one of the 14 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR between 1984 and 1986...
, and Dragons of Desolation
Dragons of Desolation
Dragons of Desolation is the fourth and final module in the first major story arc in the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance series of game modules. It is one of the 14 Dragonlance adventures published by TSR between 1984 and 1986. Its cover features a painting by Keith Parkinson which shows the...
, in 1990.
In 1999 Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
published a new revision of the original Dragonlance story, including Dragons of Despair, in Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition as part of their TSR's Silver Anniversary line. 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, with Dragons of Despair included in Dragonlance Volume 1: DL1 – DL8. The four chapters of Dragons of Autumn, an updated version of some Dragonlance modules converting them to Dungeons & Dragons version 3.5, corresponds to the material in Dragons of Despair.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance is a video game based on Dragons of Despair released in 1988. It is a horizontally scrolling fighting game that represents the events of the module. Dragons of Despair has also been converted into the Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights
Neverwinter Nights , produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames , is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial...
computer game format. The adaptation requires both the Shadows of Undrentide
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide
Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide is an expansion pack for Neverwinter Nights developed by Floodgate Entertainment and BioWare, and published by Infogrames Entertainment . It was released in June 2003...
and Hordes of the Underdark
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark
Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark is an expansion pack for the role-playing video game Neverwinter Nights produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames Entertainment...
expansion packs as well as the original game.