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The War of the Lance

Overview

The War of the Lance is a thematic short story anthology that revisits the era of the original Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy—but rather than retelling the events of those books, it zooms in on side characters, off-screen battles, and personal experiences during the greatest war of the modern age of Krynn.

The anthology presents a mosaic of voices—soldiers, spies, villagers, nobles, dragons, and outcasts—each offering their unique take on the global conflict that reshaped Ansalon. The result is a rich tapestry that fills in the gaps, expands the lore, and adds emotional and thematic nuance to one of fantasy’s most iconic wars.

Historical Context in the Dragonlance Timeline

  • Era: Circa 351–352 AC (After Cataclysm)
  • Conflict: The War of the Lance was a continent-spanning war initiated by the Dragonarmies of Takhisis (the Dark Queen) in an effort to conquer Krynn and restore her dominion.
  • Opposition: The free peoples of Krynn, especially the Knights of Solamnia, dwarves, elves, and the newly re-emerging clerics and wizards of good, fought to repel the invasion.
  • The war ends with the defeat of the Dragonarmies, the death of Emperor Ariakas, and the return of hope, healing, and the gods to Krynn.

Purpose and Structure

This anthology’s goals are to:

  • Provide untold stories and character perspectives that run parallel to the Chronicles trilogy
  • Explore the social, emotional, and moral consequences of the war
  • Offer insights into lesser-known characters, events, and locations during the war
  • Highlight the war’s personal toll and moral ambiguity, not just its military campaigns

There are 10 short stories, each contributing to the collective portrait of the war.

Notable Stories and Summaries

1. “A Dragon to the Core” by Roger E. Moore

A darkly comic and introspective tale about a red dragon who begins questioning her role in the war—and her very nature—as chaos spreads. This story flips the perspective, showing the internal struggles of a creature of destruction trying to find meaning.

2. “The Wizard’s Fate” by Kevin T. Stein

A young Red Robe wizard must navigate loyalty, power, and fear as the Dragonarmies threaten to overrun his home. It’s a story of magical politics, arcane fear, and the burdens of neutrality in wartime.

3. “A Yarn of Silver Hair, Golden Locks” by Chris Pierson

An elven tale exploring family, prejudice, and duty during the Silvanesti resistance. We see the moral conflict between defending one’s people and understanding the larger war. Pierson brings a tragic and lyrical touch.

4. “The Promised Place” by Dan Parkinson

A dwarven family flees to Thorbardin as the Dragonarmies march. The story is filled with tension, displacement, and refugee trauma, as the dwarves face both external threats and internal divisions.

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

A revised version of the story from Love and War, it shows how art and love persist during wartime. A blind artist finds a reason to create again, despite the chaos.

6. “Colors of Belief” by Dan Parkinson

An artist-turned-soldier uses his brush to remember the fallen. One of the most emotionally resonant stories in the volume, highlighting how memory and art preserve humanity in war.

7. “The Voyage of the Sunchaser” (Reprinted) by Paul B. Thompson & Tonya C. Cook

While originally part of The Cataclysm, its inclusion here highlights how the aftermath of one disaster bleeds into the next, connecting the Cataclysm to the war decades later.

8. “The Tolling of the Hourglass” by Nick O’Donohoe

A philosophical story of a mage who tries to bend time to prevent war—and learns the dangers of hubris. This one echoes Raistlin’s arc and is full of magical symbolism.

9. “Into the Light” by Michael Williams

Also reprinted from The Cataclysm, this dreamlike piece acts as a spiritual epilogue, showing how grief and love survive conflict, and how some wounds never heal.

10. “No Gods, No Heroes” by Jeff Grubb

A group of ordinary villagers becomes unwittingly heroic during a battle—showing how everyday people shape history in ways they’ll never understand. A beautiful, understated finale to the anthology.

Themes

  • War’s Impact on the Common Person – These stories elevate the perspectives of non-legendary characters: artists, farmers, refugees, lower-ranking soldiers, and doubters.

  • Moral Complexity – Several stories explore how people fight not just enemies, but their own conscience: neutrality, betrayal, and divided loyalties are key.

  • The Power of Art and Memory – Recurring motifs of painting, storytelling, and legacy show how people try to make sense of war through creative expression.

  • Sacrifice and Survival – The anthology shows that heroism isn’t just found in swordplay—it’s in persistence, small kindnesses, and enduring hope.

  • Faith and Disillusionment – Characters question the gods, their orders, their leaders—and sometimes, themselves.

Tone & Style

The tone of The War of the Lance is:

  • Somber and grounded, with moments of beauty and grace
  • More character-driven than combat-focused
  • Often reflective and melancholic, but occasionally hopeful or bittersweet
  • Poetic at times (especially in Michael Williams’s and Chris Pierson’s entries)

While Chronicles told the sweeping war story from the heroes’ point of view, The War of the Lance gives you the view from the edges, making it more personal.

Reception

The War of the Lance is highly regarded among Dragonlance fans for:

  • Expanding the lore of a familiar war with fresh, untold stories
  • Showcasing high-quality writing and emotional range
  • Being accessible to new readers, even without deep knowledge of the core trilogy

Readers who enjoyed The Chronicles will find this anthology to be a mature companion piece, offering stories that enrich the larger narrative without repeating it.

Final Thoughts

The War of the Lance is a deeply satisfying and emotionally intelligent anthology that shows how war touches everyone—not just the Companions, but the artists, the dragons, the villagers, the doubters, and the lost.

It’s an essential read for:

  • Fans of the Chronicles trilogy who want more depth and perspective
  • Readers who enjoy emotionally rich war stories
  • Anyone curious about the everyday lives caught in fantasy’s epic tides