The Companions
Overview
The Companions, written by Tina Daniell, is part of the Meetings Sextet within the Dragonlance saga—a series of novels chronicling how the iconic Heroes of the Lance met and formed their legendary fellowship. This installment focuses on the deepening friendships, rivalries, and conflicts that shaped the group long before the War of the Lance.
Told through the perspectives of multiple future heroes, The Companions is a tale of youth, restlessness, and the forging of bonds that will define the fate of Krynn.
Main Characters
Tanis Half-Elven – The emotionally conflicted leader-in-the-making. Torn between his human emotions and elven upbringing, Tanis begins to earn the quiet respect of his peers.
Sturm Brightblade – A young knight-in-training, rigidly honorable and already marked by a tragic family past. His ideals sometimes clash with reality, but his valor is unquestioned.
Caramon and Raistlin Majere – The inseparable twins: Caramon, the gentle giant and protector; Raistlin, the frail prodigy of magic with a sharp tongue and darker ambition.
Tasslehoff Burrfoot – The ever-curious kender whose innocence and mischief often conceal surprising courage and insight.
Flint Fireforge – The grumpy but loyal dwarf who serves as a mentor figure, especially to Tanis and Tasslehoff.
Setting
The novel spans several regions of Krynn, including Solace and its surrounding lands. Forest paths, training grounds, and remote villages offer a patchwork backdrop for the companions’ early adventures.
This pre-war setting provides a quieter but rich environment—full of the daily struggles, interpersonal frictions, and moral choices that shape the heroes’ future selves.
Plot Summary
The Companions follows the gradual coming together of the group known later as the Companions of the Lance. The story weaves through personal quests, magical training, and the formative experiences that bind these individuals into a group.
Tanis navigates leadership challenges and emotional wounds. Sturm grapples with the burden of upholding his father’s tarnished honor. Caramon supports Raistlin through increasingly difficult magical trials. Flint, ever the reluctant guide, becomes the heart of the group, while Tasslehoff keeps everyone on their toes.
Though no single villain drives the plot, tension arises through tests of character, magical mishaps, and external threats that preview the dangers to come. The real story is the forging of friendships and trust that will be tested in far greater trials.
Themes
Found Family – The novel highlights how bonds between friends can become stronger than blood.
Growth and Brotherhood – Each character begins as flawed, uncertain, or immature, but the journey toward unity begins here.
Loyalty and Trust – Trust is earned, broken, and rebuilt as the companions learn to rely on one another.
Foundations of Heroism – Even legends have humble beginnings marked by doubts, mistakes, and unexpected moments of courage.
Tone & Style
The Companions is heartwarming, earnest, and occasionally humorous. Its tone is lighter than the main Chronicles, but laced with emotional and philosophical weight.
The prose favors character insight, casual dialogue, and reflective passages over epic battles or political intrigue.
Reception
Praised for:
A deeper look into the pre-Chronicles lives of beloved characters.
Warm, character-driven storytelling.
Thoughtful exploration of group dynamics and early motivations.
Some critiques:
Less action-heavy than other Dragonlance novels.
May feel episodic or quiet compared to saga-wide conflicts.
Final Thoughts
The Companions is a heartfelt tribute to friendship, resilience, and shared purpose. It reminds readers that even the greatest heroes were once just young wanderers looking for meaning, belonging, and each other.
Recommended for:
Long-time fans of the Heroes of the Lance.
Readers who enjoy character-centered fantasy.
Anyone curious about the friendships that formed the heart of Dragonlance.