Darkness and Light

Overview

Darkness and Light is the first book in the Preludes series, which explores the events that occurred before the Heroes of the Lance reunited in Dragons of Autumn Twilight. This volume focuses on Sturm Brightblade, the proud and noble would-be knight, and Kitiara uth Matar, the ambitious and unpredictable warrior—two companions who could not be more different, yet once shared the road together.

The story is essentially a buddy road adventure, full of clashing ideals, surprising friendship, and the early seeds of the characters they will become. It’s not only a prequel but a revealing look at how two future enemies once fought side by side.

Main Characters

Sturm Brightblade

• A young man with unshakable honor and devotion to the code of the Knights of Solamnia.
• At this point, he is not yet a full knight, traveling to Solamnia to seek entry into the order.
• Often awkward, overly formal, and rigid in his thinking—but brave and good-hearted.

Kitiara uth Matar

• A cunning, bold, and charismatic mercenary—half-sister to Raistlin and Caramon Majere.
• Ambitious and practical, with little patience for ideals or rules.
• Already displays the traits that will eventually lead her to become a Dragon Highlord, though at this point, her future is still unwritten.

Setting

• The novel takes place across various regions of pre-War Ansalon, including northern Solamnia, as the two protagonists make their way across dangerous lands.
• Along the way, they encounter:
  • Haunted ruins
  • Magical relics
  • Lost civilizations
  • Rival factions of humans, ogres, and other races

Plot Summary

The Journey Begins

Sturm is traveling to his ancestral home in Solamnia, where he hopes to begin his formal training as a Knight. Kitiara joins him on the journey, looking for work and excitement. The two have a tense but intriguing dynamic—they respect each other’s strength, but their values are in constant conflict.

The Crash

Their journey is interrupted when their flying vessel (a magically powered airship) crashes in the mountains of Nordmaar, stranding them far from civilization. They survive, but quickly find themselves in the middle of a dangerous and ancient conflict.

A Lost Civilization

While trying to find a way back, the duo stumbles into a forgotten underground city, inhabited by descendants of an ancient race. These people are caught in a strange magical cycle involving light and darkness, and their society is falling apart under the weight of old prophecies and rigid traditions.

Opposing Paths

Sturm sees the people’s plight as a call for knightly intervention—he wants to help uphold their moral code. Kitiara, however, sees opportunity, and challenges the assumptions of both the people they meet and Sturm himself.

Their different approaches cause friction, but they eventually work together, each using their own skills to resolve the situation. Their influence disrupts the old power structures and helps bring some measure of freedom to the oppressed.

Climactic Conflict

As tensions reach a boiling point, the darkness within the underground society threatens to escape into the world above. Sturm and Kitiara must stand together to stop a magical disaster, using a combination of steel, magic, and sheer force of will.

The Departure

The novel ends with the two parting ways. Sturm continues his journey to become a knight, his ideals still intact but matured by hardship. Kitiara, meanwhile, goes her own way—already sliding toward a future where ambition overtakes morality.

Themes

• Honor vs. Pragmatism – Sturm lives by a code. Kitiara lives by results. Their clashing philosophies highlight the central question: what makes a hero?
• Light and Darkness – The title isn’t just symbolic—it reflects the core conflict in the book: both externally (magic and prophecy) and internally (within the characters).
• Friendship and Foreshadowing – This is one of the only times Sturm and Kitiara are allies, and it gives added emotional weight to their eventual conflict in Chronicles.
• Legacy and Identity – Sturm grapples with living up to his father’s name. Kitiara forges her own path, regardless of expectations.
• The Power of Choice – Neither character is “destined” yet. Their choices in this book help shape their future paths.

Tone & Style

• Adventure-focused, with lots of travel, traps, exploration, and battles.
• Character-driven, especially through the lens of contrast—idealism (Sturm) vs. realism (Kitiara).
• Accessible and fast-paced, perfect for readers new to Dragonlance.
• Witty, with occasional dry humor—mostly thanks to the characters’ clashing perspectives.

Reception

Darkness and Light is well-regarded among fans for:

• Giving depth to Sturm and Kitiara, two of the most compelling characters in the saga.
• Offering a prequel that feels meaningful, not just supplementary.
• Balancing action with philosophical and emotional tension.
• Making Kitiara sympathetic and dangerous, even before she fully embraces villainy.

Some readers feel the middle section drags slightly, or that the plot is somewhat episodic—but most agree the character dynamics more than make up for it.

Final Thoughts

Darkness and Light is a thoughtful, engaging fantasy tale that explores what happens when two wildly different worldviews are forced to travel the same road. It gives key Dragonlance characters the spotlight and lets us witness the moments that shaped their destinies.

Recommended for:

• Fans of Sturm Brightblade or Kitiara
• Readers who enjoy traveling quests with deep character conflict
• Anyone curious about what happens before the War of the Lance

“Sometimes, light and darkness walk the same path—if only for a while.”