In the fall of 1998, the fourth issue of “Legends of the Lance” was released under the fitting title “Autumn Twilight,” bringing with it the full spectrum of what made Dragonlance such a beloved saga: personal stories, creative retrospectives, new game material, and tantalizing hints of what lay ahead for Krynn. This issue resonates with the sense of a franchise at once reflective and forward-looking, a torch carried by creators, editors, and fans alike.
Mary Kirchoff opens the issue with an open letter describing the Dragonlance Summit, a meeting of the saga’s key minds including Weis, Hickman, Perrin, and others. Her poetic reflections assign each attendee a mythic counterpart from Krynn, illustrating the spirit and synergy of the team. These behind-the-scenes portraits humanize the creators, anchoring the epic fantasy in a very real, collaborative process.
The feature interview, conducted by Pat McGilligan, centers on Harold “Wisconsin” Johnson, a TSR veteran whose fingerprints are all over the saga’s foundation. Johnson recounts his early days with TSR, his pivotal role in hiring Tracy Hickman, and how the initial spark of Dragonlance evolved into a cross-media juggernaut. His storytelling style is conversational and rich with personal insight, including the origins of iconic modules like “Pharaoh” and “Ravenloft.” His reflections on character creation, particularly Tasslehoff and the push for humor in Dragonlance, reveal the intent behind the saga’s lighter tones amidst the drama.
One of the more fascinating segments comes from Jean Blashfield Black, the editor behind the ambitious Dragonlance Encyclopedia. With the help of global fan researchers, she’s wrangling over four million words into a usable database and upcoming encyclopedia publication. Her account provides a glimpse into the grassroots scholarship that underpins Krynn’s ever-deepening lore.
Tim Haney’s featured spell, “Remembrance,” fits the Dragonlance world like a glove: it taps into memory and illusion, allowing the caster to appear as someone from the target’s past. The flavor and mechanics are elegant, and its potential for roleplay and intrigue is significant.
Steve Miller contributes a compelling piece on the Citadel Guardians, protectors of the Citadel of Light. The article covers their organization, history, and offers three detailed adventure hooks, including a mystic-possessed princess, a spy among the ranks, and shamans performing necromantic rituals near the Garden of the Dead. It’s practical, compelling content for game tables that deepens the world’s spiritual and martial dimensions.
The issue’s ever-popular “Herald’s Report,” penned in-world by bard Dana Foxtail, includes tales of Port Balifor’s secret relocation underground, missing sorcerous emissaries presumed lost in a volcanic blast, and miraculous sightings of a frozen gold dragon within an iceberg. These tales keep the lore lively and immersive, allowing readers to feel as though the world of Krynn is still unfolding.
From a product standpoint, the issue previews upcoming releases including Douglas Niles’ “Seeds of Chaos,” the Chaos War novel “Tears of the Night Sky,” and Jean Rabe’s “The Silver Stair.” It also teases future developments tied to the War of Souls storyline, a narrative arc being crafted in secrecy by Weis and Hickman and intended to shake the foundations of the world.
The Gen Con 1998 recap showcases the fanfare and interactive events surrounding Dragonlance. From the theatricality of live readings and duels to surprise celebrity fans like Aron Eisenberg, the convention served as a celebration of community and creative expression.
A section on Ral Partha Enterprises provides a collector’s guide to Dragonlance miniatures, detailing character sculpts in pewter for iconic figures like Raistlin, Laurana, and Lord Soth. It’s a reminder that Krynn exists not just in text but in tactile, artistic expressions.
Finally, Sue Weinlein Cook delivers the first part of “The Komplete Krynnish Kollection,” a resource-rich bibliography of obscure Dragonlance appearances across other TSR lines. It’s both a collector’s checklist and a celebration of the saga’s reach.
Altogether, “Autumn Twilight” closes out the first year of Legends of the Lance with elegance and fire. It is a well-balanced tapestry of nostalgia, creativity, and future promise, and it showcases a shared world still brimming with tales yet to be told.
