The War Years

The world of Krynn is caught in the grips of a terrible war between the minions of Takhisis, Queen of Darkness, and the followers of Paladine and the gods of good. Dragons, both foul and fair, clash in the skies, and a small band of friends who will one day be known as the Heroes of the Lance, strive for freedom and honor.

The story of this mighty conflict was revealed in the internationally acclaimed Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, and now many of the most famous scribes of the series return to tell other tales of Krynn's War Years.

“Freedom’s Pride” by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya C. Cook

In the sequestered kingdom of Ergoth, a proud young noblewoman finds herself drawn into the larger conflict when the Dragonarmies encroach upon her homeland. As her people argue neutrality, she chooses resistance. Her tale is one of loyalty and sacrifice as she leads an unlikely rebellion—proving that courage doesn’t always come with permission.

“A Painter’s Vision” by Barbara and Scott Siegel

A blind artist blessed with magical sight sees the world not as it is, but as it should be. Commissioned to paint a mural honoring the fallen heroes of the War of the Lance, he interviews survivors and witnesses. As he paints, he realizes that memory is not always truthful—and that the real stories lie between the legends. A quiet, heartfelt meditation on legacy and the burden of remembering.

“The Lost Thief” by Mark Anthony

Fewmaster Toede—bumbling, brutal, and somehow still alive—sends his goblin underling to retrieve a stolen item. What follows is a wild chase through a village caught between humor and horror. Amid curses, relics, and unexpected heroics, this tale reminds us that not all villains are grand, and not all victories make it into the history books.

“A Hero by Any Other Name” by Brian Thomsen

A tavern drunk brags of deeds he never did—until one night, he’s forced to act like the hero he’s claimed to be. When the Dragonarmies come knocking, and real lives are at stake, the line between liar and legend blurs. A poignant tale about finding truth in the stories we tell ourselves—and what happens when we rise to meet them.

“Filling the Empty Places” by Nancy Varian Berberick

After the death of a loved one in the war, a young woman returns to her ruined village to find only ashes—and a mysterious child who seems untouched by time. As she unravels the child's origins, she confronts her own grief and finds healing in the unlikeliest place. A haunting story of loss, memory, and the small miracles left in war’s wake.

“The Loyal Order of Collars” by Roger E. Moore

A band of dogs—yes, dogs—recounts their adventures in aiding the war effort in their own noble, tail-wagging way. Tongue-in-cheek and full of heart, it’s a charming tale of loyalty, bravery, and companionship from Krynn’s most overlooked heroes.

“The Sword and the Hearth” by Kevin Randle

A retired warrior lives quietly with his family, trying to leave the war behind. But when trouble arrives at his doorstep, he must decide if peace is worth abandoning honor—or if the past will always come calling. A somber, resonant tale of family, duty, and the sword you thought you'd laid down for good.

“The Last Mission” by Don Perrin

In the war's final days, a grizzled commander leads one last covert operation deep behind enemy lines. What seems like a routine mission turns personal when he realizes the target involves someone from his past. The story unfolds with grit and sorrow, capturing the exhaustion and gray morality of a long, grinding war.

“Lost Causes” by Richard A. Knaak

A former knight, stripped of honor and branded a traitor, seeks redemption during the final battles of the war. With nothing to lose, he charges into a suicide mission to save innocents from the oncoming horde. A tale of penance, valor, and the painful hope that even in ruin, one good deed can echo.