Draconian Measures
Overview
Draconian Measures, written by Margaret Weis and Don Perrin, is the second and final installment in the Kang’s Regiment duology in the Dragonlance universe. Picking up after the events of The Doom Brigade, this novel continues the story of the First Dragonarmy Engineering Regiment—now determined not just to survive, but to ensure the survival of their entire species.
Where the first novel focused on forging identity and community, Draconian Measures intensifies the stakes with the introduction of female draconians. The possibility of a future for their kind shifts the regiment’s mission from survival to salvation.
Main Characters
Kang – The pragmatic Bozak commander faces his most challenging mission yet: retrieving and protecting the first female draconians from a hostile and politically chaotic Neraka.
Slith – Kang’s ever-loyal second-in-command adds humor, tactical insight, and moral counterbalance to Kang’s command decisions.
Female Draconians – A revolutionary discovery that turns the draconian race from a doomed experiment into a species with hope.
Nerakan Politicians and Priests – Dangerous remnants of the Dragonarmies, now engaged in ruthless power struggles in a lawless city.
The Regiment – Still fiercely loyal, still absurdly competent in unexpected ways, Kang’s soldiers evolve from exiles to liberators.
Setting
Much of the action takes place in the crumbling city of Neraka, once a bastion of Takhisis’s power and now a den of crime, fanaticism, and ambition. The city’s chaos mirrors the moral and strategic complexity of Kang’s mission.
The draconians must navigate shifting alliances, underworld betrayals, and a looming civil war as they attempt to secure the future of their kind.
Plot Summary
When Kang learns that female draconians—long considered myth or propaganda—have been discovered in Neraka, he rallies his regiment for a rescue mission. But entering the city means contending with former Dragonarmy officers, power-hungry cultists, and dangerous political factions.
What begins as a retrieval turns into a war for the soul of their race. As Kang and Slith lead surgical strikes, daring negotiations, and last-stand defenses, they must confront the old prejudices that kept their people chained to a dead empire.
In the end, the regiment achieves the impossible—not just rescuing the females, but giving the draconians their first real chance at building a future of their own, free from tyranny and servitude.
Themes
Legacy and Evolution – The draconians confront the question: Can we become more than what we were created to be?
Hope and Rebirth – The discovery of the females symbolizes the literal and figurative rebirth of a race once doomed to extinction.
Freedom from the Past – Shedding the chains of the Dragonarmies, Kang’s regiment defines a new identity for themselves.
Unity in Adversity – The bonds of camaraderie, forged in war and exile, remain the backbone of the regiment’s strength.
Tone & Style
Draconian Measures is action-packed, darkly comedic, and emotionally satisfying. It balances war drama with absurdity, moral complexity with light-hearted moments.
The pacing is brisk, with plenty of twists, tactical ingenuity, and moments of heartfelt loyalty.
Reception
Praised for:
Expanding on the rich draconian lore established in The Doom Brigade.
Delivering a rare combination of humor, heart, and heroic struggle from a traditionally villainous race.
A satisfying and hopeful conclusion to Kang’s story.
Some critiques:
May rely heavily on familiarity with the first book.
Readers expecting epic fantasy tropes may find the tone unconventional.
Final Thoughts
Draconian Measures is an inspired and triumphant conclusion to the tale of Kang’s regiment. More than a military fantasy, it’s a story about reclaiming agency, forging identity, and ensuring a legacy. In giving the draconians a future, it also gives readers one of the most hopeful and redemptive arcs in the Dragonlance canon.
Recommended for:
Fans of The Doom Brigade seeking resolution and evolution.
Readers who enjoy stories of unlikely heroes and found families.
Those who want fantasy with both bite and heart.