The Survivors
Overview
The Survivors is the second entry in the Anvil of Time series—a collection of loosely connected standalone Dragonlance novels set across different periods in Krynn’s history. This book focuses on the aftermath of war, diving into the mental, spiritual, and moral wounds left behind after battle.
Unlike many Dragonlance novels full of sweeping quests or divine drama, The Survivors is intimate and grounded. It’s a story about loss and leadership, about rebuilding when everything is broken, and about the power of faith, community, and self-sacrifice in the face of despair.
Main Character: Coryn Brinefallow
- A young cleric of Mishakal (goddess of healing) who survives a devastating battlefield massacre.
- Suffers from survivor’s guilt, self-doubt, and trauma.
- Tasked with leading a group of wounded and broken soldiers and civilians through dangerous enemy territory.
- Torn between her faith and her fear, she must grow into a leader while discovering what it truly means to serve her goddess.
Plot Summary
The Battle is Lost
The story begins after a crushing defeat. A Solamnic army has been wiped out, ambushed by Dragonarmy forces. Coryn, a field medic and junior cleric, survives—barely—and finds herself among a handful of other traumatized survivors, including:
- Wounded soldiers
- Civilians caught in the chaos
- Veterans with shattered morale
- A few fighters harboring secrets or vendettas
There is no commander. There is no rescue coming.
A Struggle for Survival
Coryn is reluctantly pushed into a leadership role. The group must navigate a hostile wilderness, enemy patrols, and their own inner demons. Resources are low. Tensions run high. Some want to surrender. Others want revenge.
Coryn must act as healer, counselor, and commander, though she feels wildly unprepared. The divine magic she relies on flickers. Her faith is tested every step of the way.
The Anvil of Time
The group encounters a ruined temple and artifacts from an earlier age of Krynn—including a piece of the legendary Anvil of Time, a mystical device that briefly gives Coryn glimpses into past lives and battles.
These visions aren’t just lore—they help Coryn see herself through a wider lens, connecting her suffering to a cycle of sacrifice and strength that transcends time.
The Climax
Eventually, the group is cornered and forced to make a stand. With death looming, Coryn channels all she has learned—about herself, about leadership, and about her goddess—and chooses to defend the helpless, even at great personal risk.
What follows is a hard-won, tragic victory, where survival is not measured in numbers, but in courage and conviction.
Themes
- Survivor’s Guilt and Trauma – Coryn’s journey is an exploration of mental wounds that linger long after the physical battle is over.
- Faith vs. Fear – She must learn that faith isn’t the absence of fear—it’s acting despite it.
- Leadership Without Power – Coryn has no rank, no army, and no training—but her kindness, clarity, and conviction elevate her to a true leader.
- Redemption Through Service – Characters who feel broken or ashamed find meaning through helping others.
- Hope in Despair – At its core, the novel argues that even in the darkest moments, the spark of goodness can endure.
Tone & Style
- Gritty and introspective – The battles are intense, but the real tension is emotional and moral.
- Character-driven – The novel lives and dies by Coryn’s arc and the supporting survivors’ development.
- Psychological realism – The portrayal of PTSD, doubt, and communal grief feels authentic and resonant.
- Emotionally raw but ultimately uplifting – There is darkness, but also profound human resilience.
How It Fits in Dragonlance
While The Survivors doesn’t include big names like Raistlin or Tanis, it’s firmly rooted in Dragonlance lore:
- Set during the War of the Lance, but from the POV of unknown soldiers and civilians.
- Features strong ties to Mishakal and her clerical order.
- Touches on the Anvil of Time, a magical concept that connects stories across Krynn’s past and future.
- Offers a grittier, more personal perspective on the war and its cost.
This book is especially powerful when read after the Chronicles, as it shows what happens off-screen, in the places where the heroes didn’t arrive in time.
Reception
The Survivors is praised for:
- Humanizing war and faith in a grounded way
- A strong female protagonist with depth, vulnerability, and courage
- A refreshing focus on regular people in a world of dragons and gods
- Tackling serious themes without losing hope
Some readers may find it slower or more introspective than action-driven Dragonlance entries—but fans of emotionally rich, character-first fantasy consider it a standout.
Final Thoughts
The Survivors is a quiet triumph of resilience and heart. It’s not about dragons or kings—it’s about a young woman picking up the pieces after the world shatters, and learning that heroism isn’t in titles, but in choices.
Recommended for:
- Fans of faith-driven fantasy with internal conflict
- Readers who enjoy survival stories, ensemble casts, and war aftermaths
- Anyone curious about what happens to the forgotten people left behind in epic stories