The Dragons at War
Overview
The Dragons at War is a thematic short story anthology that collects tales of dragons during wartime across different ages of Krynn’s long and violent history. Each story centers on how dragons shape, dominate, or respond to conflict—sometimes as majestic allies, sometimes as monstrous engines of destruction.
Unlike The Dragons of Krynn, which covers a broader emotional spectrum, The Dragons at War has a much more military and tactical focus. These stories explore the dragons’ roles as weapons, generals, and forces of nature in various wars—including the War of the Lance, Chaos War, and other lesser-known battles in Dragonlance canon.
Purpose and Structure
This anthology is meant to:
- Deepen the reader’s understanding of dragons in wartime (on both good and evil sides)
- Illustrate the strategic minds and raw power of dragons
- Showcase moments of military decision-making, honor, and betrayal among mortals and dragons alike
- Tell self-contained war stories that still echo broader events in Dragonlance history
Each story offers a unique tactical lens on what it means to fight with or against dragons.
Notable Stories and Summaries
1. “The Honor of the Big Red Dragon” by Jeff Grubb
A comedic military story about a dragon who gets accidentally enlisted by a group of human soldiers. Despite the humorous tone, the story highlights the absurdity of bureaucracy and the fearsome presence of a dragon, even in a mundane setting.
2. “Easy Pickings” by Douglas Niles
A gritty, grounded tale of a mercenary unit tasked with retrieving treasure from what they think is an abandoned ruin—only to awaken a very alive black dragon. It’s about overconfidence, poor leadership, and the brutal consequences of underestimating a dragon.
3. “The Vingaard Campaign” by Nancy Varian Berberick
Set during the War of the Lance, this story focuses on the siege of a key Solamnic fortress. A red dragon becomes the decisive force in the battle, and the tale explores the nobility and tragedy of the knights who face her.
4. “A Dragon to the Core” by Roger E. Moore
A tale about a young red dragon sent to prove herself by wiping out a village. Through the story, the dragon is confronted with unexpected self-doubt and moral complexity. A mix of action and introspection.
5. “Dragon Breath” by Nick O’Donohoe
A company of soldiers during the War of the Lance finds themselves cut off behind enemy lines, trying to evade a dragon hunting them down. Claustrophobic and tense, it’s a kind of fantasy war horror story.
6. “The Best” by Margaret Weis (reprinted from The Dragons of Krynn)
A boastful dragonslayer meets his match. Though it leans humorous, it fits the “at war” theme by showing the psychological warfare of ego and myth.
Themes
Dragons as Weapons of Mass Destruction – Most stories reflect the awe-inspiring, terrifying might of dragons in battle. They’re not just fantasy monsters—they’re game-changers in warfare.
Military Hubris – Several stories show mortals who assume they can control or defeat dragons, only to be reminded of their insignificance.
Honor and Valor – Especially on the side of the Solamnic Knights or noble dragons, there are stories about standing firm in the face of impossible odds.
Tactical Intelligence – Dragons aren’t just fire-breathers—they think, plan, manipulate. Some of the best stories show dragons as tacticians, not just beasts.
The Cost of War – While thrilling, the stories never glorify war. Death, loss, and unintended consequences are ever-present, even in victory.
Tone & Style
The anthology features a more serious and martial tone than The Dragons of Krynn. There’s still some humor (especially in Grubb’s story), but overall it leans into:
- Tense battlefield action
- Grim decision-making
- Emotional tolls of warfare
Stylistically, the authors mix fast-paced battles with internal monologues, dialogue-driven tactics, and moments of reflection, especially for dragons who live long enough to regret their choices.
Reception
The Dragons at War is generally well-received for:
- Delivering consistent quality across the stories
- Providing unique perspectives on dragons as intelligent beings of war
- Giving battle-hardened insights into famous events like the War of the Lance
It’s especially appreciated by fans who:
- Want more military fantasy in the Dragonlance setting
- Are fascinated by dragon combat and war strategy
- Prefer action over philosophy or introspective character drama
Some readers feel it’s a little darker or heavier than The Dragons of Krynn, but that’s exactly the point.
Final Thoughts
The Dragons at War is a hard-hitting, tactical anthology that shows dragons not just as majestic or terrifying, but as strategic agents of war. Through these stories, we see that dragons are not only the namesake of the world—but also its greatest harbingers of both hope and ruin.
Recommended for:
- Readers who love military fantasy and tactical storytelling
- Fans of dragon-on-the-battlefield action
- Dragonlance veterans who want to see more of the War of the Lance through a dragon’s eyes