Chapter 3: Ansalon in the Age of Despair

T he Council of Whitestone had met once before

within the recent past, a meeting precipitated by the
arrival of refugee elves in Southern Ergoth and the
appearance of the dragonarmies in northern Solamnia. This
Council meeting was several months in the planning, and so
The Age of Despair is a dark age for the people of Krynn.
The Cataclysm that violently concluded the Age of Might
has destroyed or altered much of the land. This cut off
or eliminated most trade routes and established roads.
Bandits and monsters now rule the wilderness between the
all members—either seated or advisory—were represented. civilized corners of Ansalon. Much of the land has become
Seated members, those who could vote, included the Knights isolated—bringing on suspicion and distrust of strangers
of Solamnia, the gnomes, the hill dwarves, the dark-skinned, in most locales. It also limits the exchange of ideas and the
sea-faring people of Northern Ergoth, and a representative sharing of knowledge. Crops fail, disease runs rampant,
of the Solamnic exiles living on Sancrist. Advisory members and the shadow of war hangs heavy over the land.
were the elves, the mountain dwarves, and the kender. These
members were invited to express their opinions, but they The Age of Despair
could not vote. The Fourth Age of Krynn—the age following the
The first Council meeting, however, had not gone well. Cataclysm—is known as the Age of Despair. The age is
Some of the old feuds and animosities between the races broken into two distinct periods: the Time of Darkness
represented burst into flame. Arman Kharas, representative (lasting from 1 AC through 331 AC) and the Time of
of the mountain dwarves, and Duncan Hammerrock, of the Dragons (lasting from 332 AC through 383 AC). The
hill dwarves, had to be physically restrained at one point, division between the two periods comes when the Queen
or blood from that ancient feud might have flowed again. of Darkness gathers her dragons together and names the
Alhana Starbreeze, representative of the Silvanesti in her first Dragon Highlords.
father’s absence, refused to speak a word during the entire
session. Alhana had come only because Porthios of the The Time of Darkness: 1 – 331 AC
Qualinesti was there. She feared an alliance between the The era known as the Time of Darkness begins
Qualinesti and the humans and was determined to prevent immediately following the Cataclysm, marked as year 1 AC
it. (Alt Cataclius, or “after the Cataclysm”). During this era, it
Alhana need not have worried. Such was the distrust is believed the gods have removed themselves completely
between humans and elves that they spoke to each other from the affairs of Krynn, but it is later discovered that
only out of politeness. Not even Lord Gunthar’s impassioned many of the gods, particularly the Queen of Darkness,
speech in which he had declared, “Our unity begins peace; operated secretly throughout the world.
our division ends hope!” made an impression.
Porthios’s answer to this had been to blame the dragons’ 1-300 AC – The Shadow Years
reappearance on the humans. The humans, therefore, could The Dark Ages. Comprising the “dark age” of Ansalon,
extricate themselves from this disaster. Shortly after Porthios the Shadow Years see the persecution of the Knights of
made his position clear, Alhana rose haughtily and left, Solamnia and the beginnings of the Seeker Movement. The
leaving no one with any doubts about the position of the seeds for the next Dragon War are sown in secret, the Dark
Silvanesti. Queen gathering her forces once more to attempt to gain
The mountain dwarf, Arman Kharas, has declared domination of the world.
that his people would be willing to help, but that until the The World Changes. Because of the Cataclysm, the
Hammer of Kharas was found, the mountain dwarves could very landscape of Ansalon is forever altered. New bodies
not be united. No one knew at the time that the companions of water form, such as the New Sea in the south and the
would soon return the Hammer, so Gunthar was forced to Blood Sea of Istar, while the waters recede in other places,
discount the aid of the dwarves. The only person, in fact, who leaving the port city of Tarsis forever land-locked. The
offered help was Kronin Thistleknot, chief of the kender. Since geological changes are accompanied by meteorological
the last thing any sane country wanted was the “aid” of an changes, altering the climate, causing droughts, floods,
army of kenders, this gesture was received with polite smiles, and other natural disasters which will continue for
while the members exchanged horrified looks behind Kronin’s decades. The natural disasters in turn cause social and
back. political unrest as people attempt to place blame for the
The first Council disbanded, therefore, without destruction.
accomplishing much of anything. The Gods Watch. The pantheons of Light, Balance and
Darkness agree to step away from the world following
Dragons of Winter Night the Cataclysm. Prayers go unanswered and divine magic
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman disappears from the world. People blame the gods for
abandoning them, while the gods wait for faith to return.
Some gods become impatient with the waiting, most

62  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

notably the Gods of Darkness. The gods secretly move 141 AC
through the world, laying groundwork for their eventual The Stone is Planted. Takhisis takes the sacred Foundation
return, but their promise prevents them from acting Stone of the Temple of Istar to the wilderness near Neraka,
openly until Gilean acknowledges the time is right. where she will use it as a gate to and from the Abyss.
Takhisis secretly works on her own plans. Slowly, and with surprising care, she begins to build an
army. As she must seem to abide by the strictures agreed
1 AC upon by the other gods prior to the Cataclysm, her work
Sargonnas Acts. Having imbued thirteen opals with power is done with the patience of one to whom time has no
during the Age of Might, Sargonnas’s patience is rewarded meaning.
when a Que-Nara renegade known as Firebrand becomes
fixated upon a crown possessing some of the opals. 142 – 152 AC
Banished from his tribe, Firebrand gathers other dissidents The Dragons Awaken. For ten years, the Dark Queen
and forms a new tribe, the Que-Tara, and searches for the wanders the lands in disguise, awakening the evil dragons
missing opals, driven by the dreams of power Sargonnas and preparing them for her work. The dragons have
ignites within him. slumbered since the Third Dragon War, fading into the
realm of legend and myth. She orders her dragons to move
1-140 AC secretly, telling them to await her orders before acting.
Dark Queen Finds Istar. Takhisis takes the Temple of Istar,
once the central temple of the pre-Cataclysm nation, 157 AC
from the ruins of the city at the bottom of the Blood Berem Finds the Stone. The Foundation Stone of the
Sea. Because of the darkness and suffering caused by the Temple of Istar is found by a hunter named Berem and his
Cataclysm, a rift is torn through the planes, creating the sister, Jasla. He pries a green jewel from the stone, but in
deadly Maelstrom that dominates the newly formed Blood his greed, he accidentally causes his sister’s death. As the
Sea. Takhisis drags the temple into the Abyss, intending to innocent Jasla’s blood flows across the Foundation Stone,
use it as a tool in her eventual return to power. the power of the Dark Queen is unleashed, and her Temple
is summoned from the Abyss in all its unholy glory. The
39 AC Dark Queen “blesses” Berem by embedding the green
The Dwarfgate War. In the decades following the stone into his chest, granting him immortality. Berem runs
Cataclysm, drought and barbarian raids in Abanasinia off, tormented by his sin.
cause widespread famine and despair in the region.
Humans and hill dwarves demand entry into Thorbardin
and access to its food stores. The mountain dwarves
refuse entry, as the difficulties caused by the Cataclysm
have affected them as well. Pride on both sides flares,
causing misunderstanding and distrust, which flares into
open warfare between the disenfranchised refugees and
the Thorbardin dwarves, a situation manipulated by
Fistandantilus, a powerful evil wizard, who allies himself
with the refugees for reasons of his own.
Fistandantilus seizes a magical fortress known as
Zhaman and rallies the refuges to his side. The gathered
forces launch an all out assault on Thorbardin, but even
with the power of Fistandantilus’s magic the defeat of
the refugees seem certain. Fistandantilus abandons his
armies, his own purposes finally realized, but the moment
he casts a powerful spell something goes wrong. The
magical backlash destroys Fistandantilus (or so it is widely
believed), the armies gathered on the plains, and the
mighty fortress of Zhaman is disfigured, becoming known
as Skullcap.
The Hammer of Kharas. The Hammer of Honor is taken
from Thorbardin by a dwarf named Kharas, a hero of the
Dwarfgate War. A prophecy speaks of a righteous leader
who will one day reclaim the Hammer and reunite the
dwarven thanes. The Hammer of Honor becomes known as
the Hammer of Kharas.

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  63

210 AC 300 – 320 AC
The Gate is Barred. Because the Foundation Stone of the Agents of Evil. Minions of Takhisis search unsuccessfully
Temple of Istar stands incomplete, Takhisis can no longer for Berem, the Everman. The Dark Queen needs Berem to
use it as a gate. The spirit of Berem’s sister stands as its complete the Foundation Stone, which will enable her to
guardian, her innocence and goodness preventing Takhisis walk the face of Krynn once more.
from physically traversing the gateway. The Dark Queen
does not surrender so easily. She casts her mind outward, 308 AC
seeking out followers and continuing her plans. Only now Assassination Attempt. The Qualinesti royal family is
she must hunt down the Green Gemstone Man, for he is nearly assassinated, and Tanis Half-Elven is blamed. Flint
the key to unlocking the barrier in the Dark Queen’s path. Fireforge and Tanis manage to uncover the true culprit,
the Speaker of the Sun’s court mage and younger brother,
235-250 AC Miral, but in doing so a shadow is cast upon Tanis’s name.
Encroaching Humanity. Seeking to expand farmland and A later argument between Tanis and Gilthanas, son of
to build new settlements, humans begin encroaching upon Solostaran and brother to Laurana, leads Tanis to leave
the lands of the Qualinesti. With humans burning the Qualinost.
forest to clear the land, the Qualinesti respond to protect
their homeland. This sparks what will become a struggle 323 AC
between the Abanasinian humans and the Qualinesti Night of the Eye. During the Night of the Eye, when all
elves that lasts for nearly fifteen years. After this time, the three moons are in perfect alignment, a renegade wizard
Qualinesti secure their borders and kill any human who named Belize attempts to use forbidden magic to open
steps foot within the forest. Likewise, any elves caught a portal to the Lost Citadel, a dimension where the three
outside the forest find themselves the victims of violence. gods of magic trained the first Wizards of High Sorcery.
Belize’s plot is foiled by Guerrand di Thon, an apprentice
249 AC Red Robe, and Belize’s own apprentice—although Belize’s
Tanis Half-Elven is Born. A Qualinesti princess, related to apprentice, Lyim, has his arm transformed into a snake.
the Speaker of the Sun, is captured by a band of human As a result of this action, the gods of magic approach the
brigands. She is taken by the brigands’ leader, and her rape Orders and instruct them to build the Bastion, a magical
results in the birth of a bastard, half-elven child. Named fortress that will guard against further attempts to reach
Tanthalas, the infant is taken in as a ward of the Speaker the Lost Citadel.
of the Sun, but grows up an outcast among both elves and
humans. 326 AC
Birth of the Twins. Twin brothers, Caramon and Raistlin
287 - 295 AC Majere, are born with difficulty to a mother of frail health.
Egg Theft. At the order of the Dark Queen, the chromatic Caramon is born hale and healthy, but Raistlin is born
dragons track down the lairs of the metallic dragons, who sickly and the midwife does not believe he will survive.
still slumber as they have since the Third Dragon War. The Kitiara uth Matar, the twins’ older half-sister, refuses to
chromatic dragons steal the eggs of their good cousins, allow Raistlin to die, taking care of the infants as their
secreting them within the mountains known as the Lords mother begins sliding deeper and deeper into melancholy
of Doom. and her dreams.

288 AC 329 AC
A Bond is Forged. Flint Fireforge, a hill dwarf craftsman, is The Medusa Plague. A strange plague strikes Ansalon,
summoned to the court of the Qualinesti Speaker of the primarily focused in Solamnia. The plague causes its
Sun, Solostaran, after the elven king receives a beautifully victims to succumb to high fever and the peeling of skin,
crafted chalice made by the dwarf ’s hands. At court, Flint before causing the victims’ arms to mutate into three-
befriends the young Tanthalas, who find in one another headed snakes—ending with the victims transforming into
a kindred spirit, as their own people consider each to be stone. The plague is found to be linked to the black moon,
“outsiders.” Nuitari, and with the help of that dark god, Guerrand
di Thon neutralizes the plague. Meanwhile, the plague’s
296 AC source is discovered to be Lyim, who has utilized the
The Dragons’ Oath. Once her forces have gathered all the opportunity to sneak in to the Bastion and open a portal
eggs of the metallic dragons, Takhisis awakens the good to the Lost Citadel, regaining his lost arm. The Bastion is
dragons. She threatens to crush their eggs unless they destroyed, as it failed to protect the Lost Citadel.
stay out of the upcoming war. Helpless and unwilling to
endanger their unborn, the good dragons take an oath,
promising noninvolvement as long as Takhisis promises to
return their eggs once the war has concluded.

64  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

332 AC 334 AC
Raistlin Goes to School. Raistlin Majere, only a child, is War Against Wizards. Lyim Rhistadt gathers an army of
enrolled in a school for potential wizards after his sister magic-hating Qindarans and, armed with the Gauntlet
discovers his aptitude for performing prestidigitation and of Ventyr, launches an attack against Wayreth. Although
his interest in magic. Despite misgivings, and with the his army is halted by the combined might of the dwarves
encouragement of a traveling White Robe wizard named of Thorbardin and clever use of magic, Lyim manages to
Antimodes, the head of the school accepts the young child. reach Wayreth Tower, where he plans to use the gauntlet’s
Once Raistlin’s future is secure, Kitiara leaves Solace to ability to drain magic to destroy the Tower. He is defeated
search for her long missing father, and to find adventure. at the last moments through the strange magic possessed
Tasslehoff Burrfoot Arrives in Solace. After “finding” by Bram di Thon, nephew of Guerrand di Thon.
a bronze bracelet and wandering off with it, the kender Birth of Ariakan. Ariakas, the self-proclaimed Emperor
known as Tasslehoff Burrfoot is tracked down by its of Ansalon, consorts with the dark and tempestuous
creator, Flint Fireforge, and the dwarf ’s young friend, the goddess, Zeboim, who bears him a son—Ariakan.
half-elf Tanis. The incident spawns a true but unlikely
friendship. 335 AC
Fall of House Brightblade. The peasant rebellions stirring
The Time of Dragons: 332 – 383 AC throughout Solamnia turn against Castle Brightblade.
The Time of Dragons marks the end of the Age of The young Sturm Brightblade is secreted away from the
Despair and the beginning of a fifty-year period of strife besieged castle by his mother, and the two eventually find
that culminates in the Summer of Chaos. Unlike the sanctuary across the Newsea, in Solace.
previous years, this era is noted for direct involvement of
the Dark Queen—and also the involvement of the other 336 AC
gods. Moreover, for the first time in more than thirteen Theros Arrives in Sanction. Theros Ironfeld, an Ergothian
centuries, dragons once more fly the skies of Ansalon. blacksmith and former minotaur slave, arrives in Sanction
and opens his smithy. Within a few years, he becomes
332 – 340 AC famous for the quality of his weapons.
Evil Gathers. At the bequest of the Dark Queen, the
chromatic dragons gather in Neraka. They come from 337 AC
across Ansalon, and ally themselves with ogres, goblins, Dragon Highlords Named. From the ranks of those who
and with those evil mortals who have answered the Dark have joined her cause, the Dark Queen selects five leaders,
Queen’s secret call. who are dubbed the Dragon Highlords. Each highlord
takes control of an individual army, named for the
332 AC chromatic dragons, who agree to serve as mounts and
Ariakas and the Dark Queen. The wizard turned warrior, warriors in the armies. The head of the highlords is the
Ariakas, is lured to the Dark Queen, who offers to grant renegade wizard turned warrior, Lord Ariakas, whose
him power and riches beyond his dreams, as long as he ruthlessness and tyrannical desire to become the Emperor
serves her without question. He accepts the Dark Queen’s of Ansalon appeals to the Dark Queen. From these ranks,
offer, and within two years will become the leader of her the Dark Queen also begins again to grant her power
dragonarmies and one of the most powerful men on directly, and more evil clerics walk the land.
Ansalon. Neraka Corrupts its Neighbors. Evil from the
Lyim Ascendant. The renegade ex-mage, Lyim Rhistadt, Foundation Stone draws evil creatures from nearby realms.
rises to power in the city of Qindaras, where magic is The city of Sanction, not far from Neraka, becomes the
outlawed. He discovers a powerful artifact known as the dragonarmies’ base of operations, while the evil folk of
gauntlet of Ventyr, whose ability to absorb arcane magic Estwilde serve as reserve forces.
becomes a powerful tool for Lyim’s vengeance against the
Orders of High Sorcery. Through guile and assassination, 341 AC
Lyim becomes ruler of the city, whose treaty with the The Dragonarmies’ Offer. An alliance is offered to the
Orders renders the renegade inviolate. ogre nations of Kern and Blöde, as well as to the human
kingdoms of Khur and the Pirate Isles. Most accept the
333 AC alliance, rather than face destruction before the might of
Disciple of Takhisis. Verminaard, an illegitimate son of the dragonarmies.
Solamnic blood, is granted visions from the Queen of Alliance of the Dark Gods. The minotaurs of Mithas
Darkness. These visions lead him to discover Nightbringer, and Kothas are ordered by their god Sargas (Sargonnas)
an ancient weapon of darkness, and awaken his own to answer the Dark Queen’s call. The Black-robed Wizards
slumbering powers. Verminaard becomes one of the first of High Sorcery are also called to join the Dark Queen’s
true clerics of evil. forces. The other gods of Darkness likewise secretly
emerge, adding to the Dark Queen’s strength.

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  65

342 AC Fistandantilus, and strikes a bargain. Raistlin successfully
Draconians Created. Priests of Takhisis and the Black Robe completes his Test and adopts the Red Robes of Neutrality.
mages of Nuitari combine their magic with the power of Kitiara’s Son. Kitiara and Sturm Brightblade leave
the chromatic dragons in order to corrupt the captured Solace together, heading north. During the journey, the
eggs of good dragons to create the dragonmen. These two disagree with one another’s principles, leading Kitiara
draconians, as they come to be called, are assigned to to seduce Sturm as part of a cruel game, denouncing him
different wings of the dragonarmies, while others are sent the next morning before she leaves him. Secretly, she bears
out to seek the Green Gemstone Man, who has evaded the Sturm a child, whom she names Steel, and leaves the baby
Dark Queen’s capture. in the care of a midwife, Sara Dunstan.
Kitiara Joins the Dragonarmies. After leaving Sturm,
343 – 347 AC Kitiara travels to Sanction, where she meets with
Evil Gathers Its Forces. Armies of cutthroats, ogres, Ariakas. He tasks her with convincing a rebellious red
and goblins, are trained to serve in the Dark Queen’s dragon known as Immolatus to join the Dark Queen’s
armies under the command of the Dragon Highlords. dragonarmies. She manages to charm the red dragon and
Violence is encouraged to weed out the weak, leaving returns successfully to Sanction, where Ariakas promotes
only the strongest, most vicious recruits. One by one, her to the rank of regimental commander.
the dragonarmies are deployed to key locations across Brothers in Arms. After Raistlin successfully passes his
Ansalon, where they undertake campaigns of conquest. Test of High Sorcery, he and his twin brother leave the
Tower of Wayreth. The twins join a mercenary company,
344 AC where the twins begin mastering combat—Caramon with
The Companions Gather. Caramon and Raistlin take to a sword, Raistlin with magic.
performing on the street to support themselves. When
Raistlin’s former master at the wizard school attempts 348 AC
to interfere, the chance arrival of a young kender named The War of the Lance Begins. In the spring, the
Tasslehoff Burrfoot, and the intervention of a young dragonarmies invade Nordmaar and Balifor from
outcast Solamnic, Sturm Brightblade, set into motion the Sanction. The two nations fall quickly, caught by surprise
meeting between the young men with Tanis Half-Elven and by the unrelenting ferocity of the dragonarmies.
and Flint Fireforge. The group known as the Innfellows Meanwhile, King Lorac, ruler of the elven kingdom of
(later the “Heroes of the Lance”) is formed. Silvanesti, brokers a deal with the dragonarmies to escape
invasion. He vows to keep the Silvanesti out of the war in
345 AC return for the dragonarmies’ agreement not to invade.
Uncovering False Gods. Searching for rumors of the true Draconian Engineers. On a bet, Ariakas has one
gods, the Innfellows travel to Haven, where they find of his draconians trained as an engineer in order to
a church in which amazing miracles are performed. prove draconians can be as smart (if not smarter) than
They discover the miracles are nothing more than the humans. After killing a human, the draconian engineer,
combination of illusion and the drugged fumes of burned Kang, deserts the dragonarmies and hides himself away.
poppy seeds. Raistlin uses his growing magic to expose Accidentally overhearing a Sivak named Slith discussing
the false god and the “priestess,” but the priestess is found a treasure, Kang reveals himself and offers to help. After
murdered. Raistlin is captured by an angry mob, who beating Slith’s disorganized troops into some semblance of
attempts to burn him at the stake. He is rescued by his order, Kang designs a rope bridge to help gain the treasure.
companions and the timely arrival of the High Sheriff. A few months later, Kang returns to Slith newly promoted
and assumes control of Slith and his men, forming the
346 AC First Dragonarmy Bridging Company, which later became
The Companions’ Journeys. In Solace, the Innfellows known as the First Dragonarmy Engineer Regiment.
decide to undertake separate quests, searching for signs Stormblade Forged. The kingsword known as Stormblade
of the lost gods. The Companions are Tanis Half-Elven, is forged by the dwarven smith, Isarn Hammerfell, for his
half-elf of Qualinesti; the Neidar dwarf, Flint Fireforge; thane, Hornfel of the Hylar. The blade is lost for more than
the irrepressible kender, Tasslehoff Burrfoot; the twins two years before it is recovered.
Caramon and Raistlin Majere, and their older half-sister
Kitiara uth Matar; and the son of a Solamnic Knight, 349 AC
Sturm Brightblade. Each strikes off on a different quest, Silvanesti Betrayed. Despite the deal brokered by Lorac,
some alone and others traveling together, vowing to return the dragonarmies attack the forest nation of Silvanesti;
to Solace five years hence. forcing the elves to flee to the island of Southern Ergoth.
Raistlin Takes His Test. Raistlin Majere and his twin The elven Speaker of the Stars, Lorac Caladon, attempts
brother, Caramon, travel to Wayreth Forest. At the Tower, to use a dragon orb he had saved from the destruction of
Raistlin undertakes his Test of High Sorcery. During Istar to stop the invasion. He proves unable to control the
the Test, Raistlin makes contact with the evil mage, power of the dragon orb, unwittingly allowing an evil green

66  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

dragon known as Cyan Bloodbane to seize control of the allow for the return of good clerics. Riverwind escapes
hapless elven king. The green dragon whispers nightmares the ruined city, managing to return to his tribe weakened
into the Speaker’s ears and, because of his hereditary by fever, drugs, and injuries he sustained. His memory
connection to the realm of his journey is troubled,
of his people, Lorac’s clouded by the fever and
nightmares are projected nightmarish things he saw
by the dragon orb, twisting in the ruined city.
the Silvanesti forest into a
nightmarish realm. Spirits 351 AC
of the dead walk the forest, Evil Turns West. Once
along with other monstrous more, in the spring, the
creatures too terrible even dragonarmies begin
for the dragonarmies skirmishes along the
to face directly. The eastern border of Solamnia.
dragonarmy abandons its The Blue Dragonarmy
conquest, as the forest is strikes across Dargaard
now worthless and corrupt. Mountains, aided by
Arrival of the Seekers goblins. The Knights
in Solace. Hederick the of Solamnia, in recent
Theocrat builds a temple disarray, cannot repel
to the Seeker religion in the attack. The Blue
Solace, gathering about Dragonarmy occupies
himself an ever-increasing Kalaman, Hinterlund, and
number of loyal followers. Nightlund, which allows
His temple is mysteriously the army to continue
destroyed within the year. pressing the borders of the
The Chieftain’s Plains of Solamnia and
Daughter. The beautiful Gaardlund.
Goldmoon, daughter of the Chieftain of the Que-Shu, is Betrayal finally allows the dragonarmies to enter
honored in a ceremony promoting her godhood, and that Solamnia from the south, but the dwarves of Kayolin
will recognize her suitors. One suitor, Riverwind, does not prove a stout bulwark against the advancing dragonarmies.
recognize her “divinity,” for he was raised to honor the true By autumn, the knights respond and Solamnia becomes
gods. Riverwind is sent away from the Que-Shu to seek out entrenched. The Red Dragonarmy leads an amphibious
proof of these “true” gods, if he ever wishes to marry the assault along the New Sea and across the Plains of
Chieftain’s daughter. Abanasinia. The nomads fall to their advance.
Hunt for the Staff. As Riverwind escapes from the
350 AC ruins of Xak Tsaroth with the blue crystal staff, the black
Evil Rearms Itself. The dragonarmies and the forces of dragon Khisanth (Onyx) passes word of the staff through
evil are strengthened by the captured nations. Forced the dragonarmies. Recognizing the threat the staff might
conscription swells the ranks of the foot soldiers, while hold, draconians across Ansalon are ordered to disguise
the wealth of the captured nations swells the coffers of themselves and hunt down the staff, preferably without
the Highlords. Takhisis and her army control all eastern revealing themselves to the majority of the populace before
Ansalon, except for the island of Saifhum. The minotaurs the dragonarmies are ready to strike. The Seekers are also
of Mithas and Kothas harass the retreating Silvanesti enlisted to aid in this search.
refugees. The Companions Gather. By autumn, much of Ansalon
Theros Arrives in Solace. Theros Ironfeld arrives in has fallen to the dragonarmies of the Dark Queen.
Solace, where he opens a new smithy. Soon, he is supplying However, the Companions from the Inn of the Last Home
weapons to Hedrick the Theocrat. When he discovers his reunite in Solace. By chance or fate, they meet a nomad
weapons are supplying hobgoblins and draconians, Theros couple, Riverwind and Goldmoon, who possess the blue
begins working with Gilthanas of the Qualinesti in arming crystal staff—proof the deities of Light have returned.
the resistance against the Seekers and the dragonarmies. When the powers of the staff are revealed before the
Riverwind Finds the Blue Crystal Staff. On his quest, Seeker, Hederick the Theocrat, Goldmoon is endangered.
Riverwind finds himself in the ancient ruins of Xak Unable to sit by and watch Goldmoon and Riverwind be
Tsaroth. In the ruins, he discovers an ancient temple, in overwhelmed, the Companions help the two escape Solace.
which the statue of a beautiful woman holds a staff in Sturm is granted a vision of a white stag, which leads
outstretched hands. The goddess Mishakal appears to the Companions to Darken Wood. In the haunted forest
Riverwind in a vision, offering him the staff, which will they meet the Forestmaster, its unicorn guardian. The

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  67

Companions are told of the need to continue protecting by Qualinesti rebels led by Porthios, cousin to Tanis
Goldmoon and the blue crystal staff in order to help bring Half-Elven and brother to Laurana. The Companions
knowledge of the true gods back to Ansalon. are escorted to Qualinost, where they meet with the
The Forestmaster aids the companions in escaping Speaker of the Sun and discover that numerous people
Darkenwood, but when the Companions leave the forest have been imprisoned in the fortress of Pax Thrakas. The
and approach the village of Goldmoon and Riverwind, Companions are told of the Qualinesti plan of evacuating
they discover the village has been destroyed by agents of their forest homeland. The Companions agree to rescue
the dragonarmies searching for the staff. The Companions the prisoners of Pax Thrakas in order to give the elves the
are captured by a group of draconians, but Tasslehoff and time necessary for their exodus.
Flint escape, leaving them to mount a rescue. The Elven Fleet. Theros Ironfeld is approached by the
The Wicker Dragon. Kang and his regiment of Qualinesti for assistance in building a fleet for the elves, to
draconian engineers design a massive wicker dragon, using aid in the elven flight from Qualinost. Theros is captured
it to play a practical joke on the 33rd Baaz Infantry. The by the dragonarmies and, as punishment, his arm is
baaz bow down before and worship the false dragon idol, severed and lost before a rescue can be mounted. He is
much to the amusement of Kang’s Regiment. The wicker found imprisoned amongst the Companions when they
dragon is destroyed, however, when the baaz infantry are captured in Solace and being taken to Pax Tharkas, and
capture the future Heroes of the Lance. Tasslehoff Burrfoot is subsequently rescued by the Qualinesti rebels.
uses the wicker dragon to scare the baaz off and barely While the dragonarmies are distracted by the actions of
escapes when the wicker dragon is consumed in fire. the Companions in Pax Thrakas, the Qualinesti elves flee
Return to Xak Tsaroth. The Companions manage to join their Silvanesti cousins on the island of Southern.
to escape the draconians and head for the ruins of The Prisoners of Pax Tharkas. The Companions utilize
Xak Tsaroth, partially guided by Riverwind’s fractured an ancient tunnel that leads into Pax Thrakas, where they
memories and by the uncanny knowledge of Raistlin are joined by the runaway Qualinesti princess Laurana,
Majere, who seems to have his own reasons for wishing to who has followed the group out of her love for Tanis
discover the lost city. Half-Elven. In the tunnels, they run into a giant slug, and
When the Companions find the entrance to Xak Tanis Half-Elven is given the ancient sword of Kith-Kanan,
Tsaroth, they are met by the black dragon Khisanth Wyrmslayer.
(Onyx), who nearly kills Riverwind. However, Goldmoon Infiltrating the fortress, the Companions are separated,
discovers the Temple of Mishakal, and is able to heal leaving Tasslehoff Burrfoot and the eccentric wizard
Riverwind of the fatal wounds inflicted by Khisanth’s Fizban to find a secret path leading to the throne room
acidic breath. where the Dragon Highlord Verminaard and his red
In the ruins beneath the surface, Raistlin uses dragon, Ember, have headquartered. Tasslehoff and
magic to charm a group of gully dwarves, and one in Fizban are noticed by Ember, who proceeds to attempt
particular, Bupu, becomes utterly devoted to the wizard. to kill them with his fiery breath. As the two try and
The gully dwarves aid the Companions in finding escape, Ember’s breath melts the giant chains they are
Khisanth’s lair, where they discover the Disks of Mishakal. climbing down, sending them plummeting to their dooms.
Khisanth captures Raistlin, threatening to kill him if the Fizban casts a spell creating a massive pile of feathers to
Companions act, but working together, the Companions stop Tasslehoff ’s fall, but it is too late for him, and he is
are able to defeat the black dragon. Goldmoon apparently apparently killed. However, Tasslehoff is unable to find the
sacrifices herself as she strikes the black dragon with the eccentric wizard’s body.
blue crystal staff and disappears in an explosion of magical The rest of the Companions infiltrate the prisoner
energies that brings down the black dragon and its lair. populace, where Goldmoon discovers High Seeker Elistan,
The Companions escape the crumbling city with the to whom she is meant to pass on the Disks of Mishakal;
platinum disks, then find Goldmoon apparently unharmed Elistan is destined to become the first true cleric of
in the Temple of Mishakal. Though she no longer carries Paladine since before the Cataclysm. The Companions
the blue crystal staff, she wears a medallion of faith, are able to help the prisoners escape, but they are met by
becoming the first true cleric dedicated to the Gods of Verminaard and his red dragon, Ember. A battle rages
Light. Outside the city, the gully dwarf Bupu gives Raistlin between Verminaard and the Companions, and when
a spellbook he had sought in Xak Tsaroth—a spellbook of Ember seeks to destroy the escaping prisoners (including
Fistandantilus. the children), he unwittingly enrages the senile red dragon
Returning to Solace, the Companions find the town Matafleur, who had benn made the children’s guardian. As
has been targeted by the dragonarmies. Though they the Companions bring down Verminaard, who is unable to
manage to elude capture for a short while, eventually they face the holy power granted to Goldmoon by the goddess
are caught and detained, thrown into a prisoner convoy Mishakal, Matafleur sacrifices herself in order to kill the
headed towards Pax Thrakas. It is here the Companions younger, stronger Ember.
meet the strange and eccentric wizard, Fizban, who Meanwhile, a traitor named Eben Shatterstone, who
temporarily joins the group—just as they are rescued has tagged along with the Companions, discovers someone

68  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

very important mixed amongst the prisoner populace of nobility, Sturm makes himself her champion, and the elven
Pax Tharkas—Berem, the Everman. As Eben seeks to lead princess is equally impressed by the human knight, giving
Berem away, a portion of the fortress collapses, killing him a precious starjewel as a token of her respect.
Eben and apparently killing Berem as well. When the dragonarmies move in to occupy Tarsis,
Following the rescue of the refugees, Goldmoon and the Companions seek to escape, but the inn they are
Riverwind are married in a simple, beautiful ceremony. staying at is destroyed, separating the Companions into
The Council of Freedom and Entrance to Thorbardin. two groups—one group heading south to the Icewall to
Following the escape of the refugees from the destruction search for the dragon orb, and the other enlisted by Alhana
in Pax Thrakas, the refugees form the Council of Freedom, Starbreeze to help save her father in the twisted Silvanesti
with leaders of respective peoples representing groups Forest.
of prisoners. The Council is formed by Elistan, Locar (a Lorac’s Nightmare. After being separated from their
High Seeker), Hederick (the Seeker of Solace), Briar of companions, the heroes Tanis Half-Elven, Caramon and
the Plainsmen, and Brookland of the elves. The Council Raistlin Majere, Tika, Goldmoon, and Riverwind are
entreats the Companions to find a safe haven for the rescued by Alhana Starbreeze and her griffons. Pressed
refugees, and to find the gates of Thorbardin, where they into aiding her in freeing her father, King Lorac, from the
believe they can secure sanctuary. twisted realm of the Silvanesti Forest, the heroes strike off
The Companions seek out the gate to Thorbardin, to the east.
where they find themselves embroiled in dissension The griffons drop the group outside the forest, leaving
amongst the mountain dwarves. They are told the only them to penetrate the twisted Silvanesti Forest, heading
way the dwarves would allow the refugees to enter towards Silvanost, the heart of the realm. Caught in the
the mountain fortress is if the heroes can find the lost nightmarish terrain of the forest, the heroes are given
Hammer of Kharas. The kingsword known as Stormblade prophetic nightmares, showing each of them their possible
is discovered, and with it, and the aid of the Helm of dooms, and shaking the Companions to their core. Yet, the
Grallen, the heroes are able to locate the hammer in the heroes struggle onward, eventually managing to reach the
floating island known as Derkin’s Tomb, where Kharas heart of Silvanost, where they discover King Lorac caught
hid the hammer centuries prior. With both hammer by the magic of the dragon orb, while Cyan Bloodbane
and kingsword, Hornfel is made Thane of the Dwarves, whispers nightmarish imagery into the king’s ear, taking
and the gates of Thorbardin are opened, welcoming the ruthless advantage of the king’s spiritual connection with
eight hundred refuges from Pax Tharkas. Their duties his homeland to twist the forest into a dark, dangerous
accomplished, the Companions rest briefly before setting domain. The heroes release Lorac from the grip of the
off once more, this time for the famed Tarsis, a port dragon orb, sending Cyan Bloodbane away from the forest,
renowned for its “white-winged ships.” and setting into motion the eventual liberation of the
The Dragonarmies Advance. The dragonarmies march forest from Lorac’s Nightmare. Drained by what he has
against Thorbardin, laying siege to its northern gate. A seen, and by the relentless magic of the dragon orb, Lorac
wing of the Red Dragonarmy strikes south, around the passes away, asking Alhana to bury him in the forest.
New Sea to Tarsis and the Plains of Dust, then marches By right of his magical knowledge, Raistlin Majere lays
towards Kharolis to cut off dwarven retreat. claim to the dragon orb, while Alhana gives the magical
The Companions in Tarsis. The Companions travel blade, Wyrmsbane (twin to Wyrmslayer), to Tanis, as Tanis
to Tarsis, using an ancient map possessed by Tasslehoff had to leave Wyrmslayer behind when the Companions
Burrfoot. Unfortunately, they discover the map is were separated in Tarsis. Regaining their strength, the
inaccurate, dating to a time before the Cataclysm—the heroes travel to Port Balifor.
devastation of the Cataclysm caused the bay of Tarsis to The Icewall. Joined by the covert Knights of Solamnia,
drain away, leaving the once-famed port city of Tarsis who are led by Derek Crownguard, the Companions,
land-locked. including Laurana, Tasslehoff, Elistan, Flint, Sturm, and
The Companions seek out the lost library of Gilthanas, strike off to Icewall in search of the dragon orb.
Khrystann, where Tasslehoff meets a contingent of Knights Reaching a village of Ice folk, Flint agrees to remain behind
of Solamnia traveling incognito; as Solamnic Knights, they as a hostage in order for the tribe’s shaman, Raggart, to
are not welcome on the streets of Tarsis. It is in the library serve as a guide to Icewall Castle for the others.
that Tasslehoff discovers the secret of the dragon orbs, At first, Raggart is jealous of Elistan’s abilities as a
thanks to a pair of magical spectacles. Meanwhile, some true cleric, but he overcomes his jealousy and presents
of the Companions are caught and brought before the Laurana with a frostreaver. As the heroes reach Icewall
Lord of Tarsis, whose advisor works for the dragonarmies. Castle, they discover what appears to be a knight on the
It is here that Tanis Half-Elven, Gilthanas, and Sturm back of a dragon, wielding a strange lance. At first, Derek is
Brightblade meet the Silvanesti princess Alhana Starbreeze, convinced the knight is a renegade, riding an evil dragon,
who has come to Tarsis to search for mercenaries willing but Sturm does not accept this belief. This is reinforced by
to brave the Silvanesti Forest to save her father, Speaker of the action of the dead knight seemingly passing Sturm the
the Stars, Lorac Caladon. Caught by the lady’s beauty and lance, despite being frozen in the solid ice.

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  69

 Back at the Ice folk camp, a massive force of thanoi, where Silvara seems caught up in a terrible conundrum,
working for the dragonarmy, attacks the site. Flint aids the standing amongst the sleeping bodies. Fizban sternly
Ice folk in the defense of their village, successfully chasing orders her to release the spell and to tell them the truth.
off the walrus-men. Reluctantly, Silvara reveals her true identity as the silver
In the castle, the group is confronted by the dark dragon, D’Argent, sister to the same silver dragon beloved
elf and renegade wizard, Feal-thas, the White Dragon by Huma Dragonbane. Gilthanas is horrified, and a wedge
Highlord. Derek Crownguard’s knight companions are is driven between the two young lovers. Gathering her
killed by the highlord, but Laurana is able to defeat him courage, Silvara teaches Theros Ironfeld, how to create
using the frostreaver. The heroes recover the dragon orb dragonlances, like the lance they had discovered in Icewall
hidden within the castle. Fleeing the Icewall with the Castle.
lance and the dragon orb, the Companions seek to head
for Ergoth aboard a ship, but their ship is attacked by 352 AC
the white dragon, Sleet, whose icy breath is able to cause The Trial of Sturm Brightblade. Once Derek Crownguard
the ship to founder and run aground on the coastline and Sturm Brightblade reach the Solamnic outpost, Derek
of Southern Ergoth. The heroes are taken captive by the attempts to take complete claim for the recovery of the
Silvanesti refugees, but once Laurana identifies herself as dragon orb, simultaneously leveling serious charges of
a Qualinesti princess, a Kagonesti healer named Silvara is dishonor against Sturm Brightblade in order to discredit
tasked with escorting the heroes to Qualimori, the home of him. During the trial, it is revealed that Sturm Brightblade
the outcast Qualinesti court. is not, in fact, a Knight of Solamnia, nor does he have the
Qualinesti Outcasts. When Laurana and Gilthanas are right to wear his father’s armor. However, upon the oath
reunited with their father, Speaker of the Sun Solostaran, and trust of Gunthar uth Wistan, Sturm is cleared of the
and elder brother Porthios, Gilthanas is welcomed as charges of dishonor and granted interim status as a Knight
a hero, but Laurana is treated as a pariah, for she ran of the Crown, until the matter is settled.
away from Qualinost in the dark of night in pursuit of Placed under Crownguard’s command, Sturm sails
the illegitimate Tanis Half-Elven. The Qualinesti claim with other Solamnic Knights on towards Palanthas, then
the dragon orb in the name of the elves, along with to the High Clerist’s Tower, where the Knights of Solamnia
Wyrmslayer, which Laurana has carried with her since she plan to entrench themselves and prevent the dragonarmies
was separated from Tanis in Tarsis. from laying claim to the wealthiest city on Ansalon.
Heartsick, and realizing the elves should not control The Red Wizard’s Wonderful Illusions. In Port Balifor,
the dragon orb, Laurana gathers Theros Ironfeld, her the Companions stay in the Pig and Whistle Tavern, where
brother Gilthanas, the Kagonesti healer Silvara, Tasslehoff, they seek some way into Flotsam and enemy-controlled
Flint, Sturm and the surviving Solamnic Knight, Derek territory. While there, they discover amongst themselves
Crownguard. Stealing the dragon orb away, Laurana leads numerous talents: Raistlin performing his prestidigitation,
the party away from Qualimori. Silvara tricks Derek Tika dancing, Goldmoon singing while Riverwind plays
Crownguard and Sturm Brightblade into leaving the his flute, Caramon performing acts of physical strength...
group, taking the dragon orb with them as they head for a and thus is born the traveling sideshow known as The
nearby Solamnic outpost. At the same time, Silvara leads Red Wizard’s Wonderful Illusions. Under this guise, the
the others towards the mysterious Foghaven Vale. Along heroes are able to earn money and travel safely to Flotsam.
the way, Gilthanas and Silvara fall in love with one another, Goldmoon is also able pass on the word of the true gods
but Laurana’s distrust of the silver-haired Kagonesti only to a populace desperate for hope, and true clerics of light
increases, as they get closer to the vale. begin appearing across Ansalon once again—in small
Once past the mystical defenses of Foghaven Vale, the numbers at first, but eventually in greater and greater
group finds themselves standing before the legendary numbers.
Dragon Monument, the Tomb of Huma Dragonbane. In The Whitestone Council. Representatives from
Huma’s tomb, Silvara casts a spell upon the group, placing the remaining free nations gather on Sancrist at the
them into an enchanted slumber, but Tasslehoff manages Whitestone Glade to forge an uneasy alliance. After the
to escape the spell by concealing himself beneath Huma’s Companions rediscover the legendary dragonlance in
massive shield. Icewall and recover the dragon orb from Icewall Castle,
Tasslehoff finds a hidden tunnel that takes him deep the two artifacts are brought to Sancrist. Unfortunately,
into the Dragon Monument, where he emerges into a arguments over who will control the dragon orb spark
chamber, to meet once more with the mysterious Fizban. between the Silvanesti, the Qualinesti, and the Solamnics,
Tasslehoff is shocked and overjoyed to find Fizban alive. until a fed-up Tasslehoff Burrfoot darts out, takes up
Tasslehoff is then directed to notice murals depicting the dragon orb, and shatters it against the legendary
knights mounted on the backs of metallic-hued dragons, Whitestone.
presumably dragons of light, as opposed to the chromatic As the enraged attendees turn against Tasslehoff, a
dragons of darkness. Together, Fizban and Tasslehoff brilliant silver lance pierces the air, embedding itself with
return to the chamber where the heroes slumber, and violent force in the otherwise indestructible Whitestone.

70  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

The lance is a dragonlance, thrown by Theros Ironfeld, and who everyone in the dragonarmies has been searching
the first known to have been forged since Huma’s time. for, the Green Gemstone Man. The Companions flee
With these, the forces of the Whitetone Council can finally Flotsam, but unfortunately, Kitiara has had Tanis followed,
strike back against the not completely trusting
dragonarmies. her half-elven lover’s
With Laurana’s “conversion” to the Dark
testimony, Sturm is cleared Queen. As the Perechon sets
of all charges of dishonor, sail, it is pursued by blue
and Gunthar asks her and dragons led by Kitiara.
her friends to travel to In desperation, Berem
Palanthas in order to bring sails the ship into the
word of his innocence to deadly Maelstrom at the
the knight and the others of heart of the Blood Sea,
his garrison. Laurana agrees seeking to escape capture
to do so, and along with by the Dark Queen. As
Flint and Tasslehoff sails the ship is caught in the
from Southern Ergoth to inexorable pull of the
Palanthas. whirlpool, Raistlin uses
Tanis and Kitiara. When his dragon orb to abandon
Tanis and the others arrive his fellows and his brother,
in Flotsam, a city controlled setting himself on his own
by the dragonarmies, they path towards the future.
try to book passage on Abandoned by Raistlin,
the Perechon. While in with the blue dragons and
town, Tanis and Caramon Kitiara driven off by the
acquire sets of armor worn by officers in the dragonarmies. Maelstrom, the Perechon is dragged beneath the waves.
When Tanis is set upon by an elf, who mistakenly attacks The Companions awaken to find themselves in the
him believing Tanis to be in league with the evil armies, undersea ruins of Istar, where they have been taken by
the half-elf is saved by the commander of the Blue the Dargonesti sea elves that saved them. Tanis is able
Dragonarmy, who is none other than Kitiara uth Matar, to convince the sea elves that even under the sea they
his former lover. Believing Tanis is now a member of the would not be safe from the Dark Queen’s evil designs of
dragonarmy, Kitiara invites Tanis along with her, and the world conquest. Finally, Tanis and the others are able to
two resume their love affair. convince the sea elves to take them back to the surface, to
Siege of the High Clerist’s Tower. In early spring, the Kalaman. The sea elves escort the Companions to a small
Blue Dragonarmy besieges the High Clerist’s Tower near fishing village outside of Kalaman, removing much of their
Palanthas. Laurana is named the Golden General, a token memories of Istar and the sea elves, although Caramon
position meant to honor her for her part in recovering and Tika retain some memories, particularly of their newly
and reconstructing the dragonlances, and she aids in the forged bond.
defense of the tower. The Blue Dragonarmy seems too Secret of the Draconians. A special force of knights,
powerful to be defeated, until Tasslehoff discovers another aided by the elven prince Gilthanas, the silver dragon,
dragon orb within the tower. With his Glasses of Arcanist, D’Argent, and the copper dragon, Cymbol, successfully
the kender is able to translate the language of the orb, and infiltrate the city of Sanction, discovering the secret
reluctantly gives that information to Laurana. Laurana keeping the good dragons out of the war. When it is
uses the dragon orb and reveals the deadly secret of the revealed that many of the captured good dragon eggs had
tower—that it had been modified to serve as a death trap been used to create draconians, the metallic dragons are
against attacking dragons. Regrettably, Sturm Brightblade freed from their oaths and swiftly enter the war.
dies in one-on-one battle against the Dragon Highlord In Palanthas. The dragon orb transports a battered
of the Blue Dragonarmy, who reveals her true identity and weakened Raistlin to the steps of the Great Library in
to Laurana when Laurana rushes to the side of the fallen Palanthas, where, due to a strange pact with Astinus, he is
Sturm. Kitiara taunts Laurana with news of Tanis, while granted access to the spellbooks of Fistandantilus that have
giving her three days to bury their dead. been stored there.
Into the Maelstrom. While Kitiara is away in Palanthas, Meanwhile, after the battle at the High Clerist’s Tower,
Tanis returns to the inn where his companions are staying. Laurana convinces the Lord of Palanthas of the city’s
He convinces them to board the Perechon immediately, danger from the dragonarmies, despite treaties made
telling them they must leave Flotsam quickly before Kitiara between the city and the Dark Queen’s forces, pointing out
discovers their whereabouts. Aboard the Perechon, Tanis that such treaties hadn’t saved the Silvanesti. Lord Gunthar
discovers that Maquesta’s helmsman, Berem, is the one places control of his armies in her hands.

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  71

 The Timeline & War of the Lance Campaigns

T he timeline given here is extensive, covering many

of the events found in the Dragonlance novels and
short stories that take place during this era. However,
Kitiara and prevent the Blue Lady’s War, for example,
another group of NPCs is there to prevent such an
occurrence, either by directly facing the PCs, or by
if certain events conflict with things that occur in your waiting for the PCs to leave and fixing things in
individual campaign, you are encouraged to allow for another way, thus allowing the River of Time to flow
such variations. Players and Dungeon Masters may find unhindered. Alternately, it is the PCs who have been
the actions of their Player Characters change the course tasked with patrolling time and ensuring that events
of the War of the Lance, and thus changing the entire happen as they will.
flow of events leading onward into the Chaos War and The River Shifts Directions: With this option, it is
even unto the War of Souls, many decades in the future. possible that entire events may change, thus forever
If this happens, do not be discouraged, and don’t feel altering the flow of time. The Irda may never crack
the need to be constrained by forcing the players to open the Graygem, thus Chaos is never released, thus
adhere to the timeline, if the course of the campaign the Chaos War never happens, thus the gods do not
changes things. There are a number of ways you can leave, thus Takhisis is unable to steal the world, thus
take the campaign further along, and following are a the Dragon Overlords do not find Krynn, and thus the
few suggestions on how to do so. War of Souls does not occur, and so on. This option
The River Flows Unchecked: Given the possibility may be a rewarding challenge for players and DMs
of time travel through spells such as time reaver, or alike to visualize, creating a Krynn where these events
artifacts such as the device of time journeying or the never occurred, and thus creating an entirely new
Anvil of Time, there is a possibility that time may be future. Of the options presented here, this may be the
altered. One way of dealing with this is to assume there most difficult, as it will require a considerable amount
are others also traveling through time, purposefully of effort in redesigning and re-envisioning a Krynn
attending to and preventing events from being altered. far different from that found in the novels and official
Thus, even if the Player Characters seek to assassinate material.

With the arrival of the metallic dragons, and the aid with only Flint and Tasslehoff at her side. They are met
of the dragonlances forged by Theros Ironfeld and other by Lord Soth, the death knight whose loyalty to Kitiara is
dragonlances discovered in hidden caches, the forces of the truly undying. In the confusion, Bakaris assaults Laurana,
Whitestone council are finally able to take the offensive. but is struck down by Tasslehoff, and the death knight
The good dragons and the dragonlances are able to help Lord Soth spirits Laurana away, taking the Golden General
claim vital victories for the Whitestone Forces. Flint, prisoner.
Tasslehoff, and their bronze dragon mount, Fireflash, To Neraka. In Kalaman, Tasslehoff and Flint reunite
capture Kitiara’s second in command, Bakaris. with Tanis and the others, telling Tanis of Laurana’s
Counterattack. In the summer, the armies of capture. The heroes head southeast, traveling through the
the Whitestone Council begin striking back at the rugged Nerakan mountains, where they meet up once
dragonarmies. They quickly reclaim much of Solamnia. again with the eccentric wizard, Fizban. Berem, terrified
The dragonarmies counter by unleashing their reserve of encountering the Dark Queen in Neraka, attempts to
forces, including five flying fortresses, but their conquests escape the heroes, but is prevented by Flint. Unfortunately,
are already slipping away. The siege of Kalaman by Flint has a heart attack, and the others come upon Berem
Whitestone forces marks the beginning of the end for the leaning over the prone Flint. Enraged, Tanis tries to kill
dragonarmies. Berem, believing the Everman responsible for Flint’s death,
In a desperate ploy, the Golden General makes plans to but the Everman’s curse prevents him from truly dying.
march her Whitestone forces across the Estwilde to assault Within the mysterious hidden valley known as
the vale of Neraka, the stronghold of Takhisis’s forces. Godshome, Flint’s body is magically whisked away by
Ariakan, son of the self-proclaimed Emperor of Ansalon, Fizban. It is here where Berem reveals the full truth behind
Lord Ariakas, is taken prisoner by the Solamnic Knights. his origins, and the reason he fears the Dark Queen—and
As the Golden General makes plans for her march why she fears him. This only proves to strengthen the belief
eastwards, she receives a missive from Kitiara, offering to that Tanis and the others must take Berem with them to
trade a wounded Tanis for the return of Bakaris. Despite Neraka, as they seek to rescue the captured Laurana.
misgivings from Flint and Tasslehoff, and the suspicion of In Neraka. When the Companions arrive in Neraka,
a trap, Laurana spirits Bakaris away from Kalaman, leaving Tanis has the others infiltrate the temple, while he seeks
her army behind, heading to the appointed meeting place out Kitiara, offering himself in exchange for Laurana.

72  Ansalon in the Age of Despair

Kitiara accepts Tanis’s offer, although she plans on Master of Past and Present. Raistlin Majere, Hero of the
betraying her word. She tells Tanis that if he strikes Lance, former Red Robe wizard turned to Black Robes,
down Ariakas and brings her the Crown of Power Ariakas enters the Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas. He is
wears, that she will allow Laurana to go free. As Kitiara proclaimed the Master of Past and Present.
maneuvers Tanis into position, he discovers a Black Robed
Raistlin amongst the ranks of the Dark Queen’s forces. 355 AC
Raistlin tells Tanis that he will remove Ariakas’s magical The Knighthood Evolves. Gunthar uth Wistan becomes the
protections, providing him with the opportunity he needs first Grand Master of the Knights of Solamnia since the
to strike. Cataclysm. One of his first orders is for the Measure of the
As Tanis is preparing to move against Ariakas, the Order to be updated to reflect modern times.
others investigate the dark temple the Queen of Darkness The Elves Return. The Qualinesti and Silvanesti return
has built upon the Foundation Stone. Beneath the temple, to their respective homelands. The Silvanesti begin the
they are discovered by Gakhan, a draconian assassin arduous task of cleansing their forest of the remaining
loyal to Kitiara, who brings his formidable forces to bear taint of Lorac’s Nightmare.
against the Companions. Horrifyingly, before the eyes
of the Companions, the events revealed in the prophetic The Years to Come
nightmares of the Silvanesti Forest begin to occur, as one The following decades see a great change across Ansalon,
by one they seem to fall against the sheer number of the as the continent recovers from the ravages of war. It is a
enemy. It is the appearance of Raistlin that enables the time of healing, but also of confusion, for the gods have
prophesized events to change, however. Raistlin lends his returned after more than three centuries of absence, and
aid, reuniting Berem with the spirit of his sister, Jasla, as he mortals struggle to resolve the distrust and pain caused by
throws himself upon the Foundation Stone and is finally the Cataclysm and the Shadow Years.
able to embrace true death. Unfortunately, looming ominously on the horizon is an
With Berem’s death binding the Foundation Stone, the event that will end the chapter of the Fourth Age and mark
Dark Queen’s connection with the physical realm is torn, the beginning of Krynn’s Fifth Age.
and the temple begins to fall apart. In the confusion, Tanis
is able to strike down Ariakas and gain the Crown of Power. Geography and Climate
The Dragon Highlords and their forces fall to fighting one of Ansalon
another over gaining control of the crown, giving Tanis From the broken isles of the ancient human empires to the
and Laurana the opportunity to escape the crumbling west, to the verdant savage lands of the minotaurs to the
temple. They are met by Kitiara, who allows them to leave east, Ansalon is a continent recovering from the brink of
together, taunting Laurana with the fact that Tanis will apocalypse. Ansalon is not the only landmass on Krynn,
never forget her. As they escape, Lord Soth appears and but it takes center stage in the battle between the forces of
hands Kitiara the Crown of Power, the two leaving jointly good and evil on that world.
with their own plans in mind. When the gods first shaped the continent of Ansalon,
The Companions are reunited outside the ruins of it was mostly one landmass with the exception of two
the temple, where Fizban reveals himself to be the god, large islands on the west and southeast, and a small chain
Paladine. He congratulates the companions, wishes them of tiny isles to the north. Folk could travel overland from
a fond farewell, and disappears. In the night sky, both the western shores of Ergoth to the eastern shores of the
the constellations of Takhisis and Paladine return to empire of Istar, provided they chose their path wisely.
their normal positions, threatening each other in eternal Roads connected many of the ancient empires. At one
conflict. time, a great road connected the elven lands of Silvanesti
The War of the Lance Ends. With the defeat of the Dark to the Lord City of Tarsis to allow for trade between those
Queen, her dragonarmies scatter across Ansalon, retreating two realms. Similar thoroughfares connected Solamnia to
to remote corners of the continent. Dragons, both metallic Hylo and Ergoth.
and chromatic, retreat as well, although they can still be All this changed when the gods threw down the fiery
occasionally seen soaring through the skies. mountain that shattered the continent. The resulting
shockwave caused massive changes across the face of the
353 AC continent. New mountains were formed, and shorelines
Harrying the Foe. Whitestone forces scour the land, sank. New lands arose from the oceans, while old
hunting down the remnants of the dragonarmies. The coastlines reformed, sometimes hundreds of miles from
dragonarmies still occupy much of central, eastern, and their original locations, leaving some port towns in newly
southern Ansalon, but they no longer are bound together formed highlands. Geothermal activity increased, and
under the Dark Queen. Each dragonarmy and surviving volcanoes became more active, forming new lands in the
leadership has their own goals and plans, but the efforts of aftermath of their explosive eruptions. Old roads were
the Whitestone Council do much to hinder these plots and broken or submerged beneath new waters. Travel between
reduce their numbers. cities and between villages was lost in many regions.

Ansalon in the Age of Despair  73