dragonlance

Tanis and his half of the Companions experience the hatred of the people of Tarsis, lose Tas, and meet the leadership of the city, which isn’t much better than the mob. Their own judgment is interrupted when another elf is presented, the princess of the Silvanesti elves, Alhana Starbreeze. Raistlin and Laurana get to know each other and the reader learns about the Family Majere.

On the way to prison Tanis and friends meet actual Solamnic Knights, learn Sturm isn’t one, and find Tas.  We learn a little bit more about Alhana and the Silvanesti Elves. They’ve fared about as well as everyone else has it seems. We would learn more about Dragon Orbs too, if it wasn’t for those pesky dragons who decide now is the best time to invade, really just destroy Tarsis.

We now have a Patreon for those who want to support the podcast! Benefits include seeing the show notes and getting a shout out. Details are here: https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofDragonlancePodcast

Intro/Outro music: Winter Night by Alexander Nakarada

Tarsis the Beautiful! The Companions finally arrive at this fabled city only to find out it ain’t so beautiful. Oh, and those ships that were going to carry the refugees from Pax Tharkas away to someplace else? Not a lot going on with those ‘white-winged’ beauties either…

Despite this apparent set back the Companions head into the city, the reader gets a little history lesson on Tarsis, and the Cataclysm. Then, the party decides to split! With perfect timing too, as they’re also getting arrested. Also, one of your hosts is getting confused.

Welcome to Dragons of Winter Night, the 2nd book of the Dragonlance Chronicles. We’re just starting but this book is already so much darker and somber than the first! And all the characters get surly!

In this first episode of our second season we go over the opening prologue and the first two chapters of the book. Shivam reminds us that he dislikes poetry. Jonathon wonders why a dwarf writing an epic of the reclaiming of the Hammer of Kharas is talking about a character the reader hasn’t been introduced to. We marvel at Elistan’s recovery from dying old man to ripped Silver Fox. The Companions are off to a city no one from the north has seen for 300 years in the hopes of finding a new home for the refugees from Pax Tharkas, we eavesdrop on an unknown Dragonlord and their blue dragon mount and get hints at their evil plans.

We now have a Patreon for those who want to help defray the costs of hosting and editing. Details are here: https://www.patreon.com/ChroniclesofDragonlancePodcast

Intro/Outro music: Winter Night by Alexander Nakarada

Jon M Wilson and Layne Join Jon back on Krynn, to cover chapters 7-9 of Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Listen in, as Jon gripes about and praises different parts of Weis and Hickman's ongoing new Dragonlance series, the trio comes up with ideas for what Jon would call a goth band, were he to be in one, and then be not-perplexed by the mystery this part of the book deals with, and see if you can figure out who the traitor is. (You won't be perplexed)

We learn all about the history between Tanis & Laurana, how it lead to Tanis fleeing his home, and going out into the world. The plans of the Qualinesti Elves are revealed and we learn the role the Companions must play to enure the Elves' future. In order for the Elves to escape successfully, the Companions will have to sneak into Pax Tharkas and free the enslaved humans there, drawing the attention of Verminaard and a draconian army away from the fleeing elves. 

The Companions have the time honored D&D argument over splitting up the party, ultimately deciding, against Tanis’ wishes, to stay together. Doubts grow about Gilthanas, who will lead them on their journey to Pax Tharkas. Tanis tells Laurana she must grow up and find a reason to live and fight for.

In this episode Jonathon and Shivam follow the Companions as Fewmaster Toede leads them towards Pax Tharkas. Tas makes a new friend, Toede’s servant, Sestun the gully dwarf. We learn from Fizban that dragonlances and Huma were real. The slave caravan is ambushed by an Elvish party, all the prisoners are freed.

We meet Gilthanas’ brother and see again the tension that exist between the races of Krynn. Companions are lead to elvish city of Qualinost where they meet the the leader of the Elves and Tanis’ surrogate father. We also learn that the elves are leaving their home. The Elves are shocked by the return of the Gods and finally we meet one of Tanis’ loves, Laurana. 

Quite the action packed chapters!

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of rape. Discussion begins at the 58 minute mark. 

In this episode we return to Solace and see how the invasion of the Dragon Queen’s army has destroyed the town and its people. The Companions return to the Inn of the Last Home only to find it occupied by murderers, hobgoblins, and draconians. Tanis receives an icy reception from an old friend, and the party is captured. Goldmoon practices her sacred healing arts to the astonishment of others, and we meet an old, though familiar mage, who is clearly more than he appears. 

In this episode, we’re talking to industry legends Tracy & Laura Hickman!We discuss the lasting impact and legacy of the Dragonlance novels, their approach to collaborative writing and worldbuilding, and their current tabletop RPG projects.

In this episode, Jonathon and Shivam follow the Companions as they escape Xak Tsaroth, witness a miracle, see Raistlin’s good side, and finish Book One of Dragons of Autumn Twilight. We discuss the D&D Dragonlance Modules a bit wondering how economical and good they still are. We then try to ease into Book 2 but it doesn’t let us, preferring to start with a devastating boom!

The Companions make their plans to sneak into and steal from the Dragon’s hoard. Their plans go horribly wrong. With disastrous consequences for the Companions, and the buried city of Xak Tsaroth. The Compansions disasterous retreat with what perhaps is the people of Krynn's only hope in their possession! We think...

Shivam and Jonathon have a long conversation about canon,what exactly it is, and what purpose does it serve? 

The Companions find another way down into the ruined city of Xak Tsorath with the help of their new friend Bupu. Oh, really she's only Raistlin's friend. This way is a little more complicated and a lot dirtier. They finally find themselves in the ruined city, somehow folded over on itself tucked into a giant underground cave. A discussion of strategy. Spying on a dragon. Finally, they meet with the leader of the Gully Dwarves, Highbulp Phudge the First and discuss how best to get the disks they seek without letting the dragon know. The Highbulp has other plans. 

Shivam is excited to talk a bit about the new Dragonlance book that came out this year, and his role in its writing. In these chapters Goldmoon meets a Goddess. The Companions witness a miracle. They descend into Xak Tsorath to claim the platinum disks for Mishakal. We meet Gully Dwarves and we have a lot to say about them. Rasitlin makes friends with the gully dwarves. The companions find a way down into the ruins of the city, but there is a complication. 

Tanis chooses for the group. They will accept the task given to them by the Forestmaster. The Companions wonder at what exactly it is they must hunt down. The Forestmaster whisks them across the continent on pegasuses. 

Goldmoon and Riverwind experience serious trauma. Their acceptance of the blue crystal staff continues to have a high cost. The Companions hurry to meet the deadline set by the Forestmaster entering a dismal swamp. Before they can find the ruins of Xak Tsorath they're ambushed and defeated by Draconians 

The Companions journey through Darken Wood. Wherein they find a place more alive than tales would have lead them to believe. Once night falls they meet some of the "less alive" denizens of the Wood. 

The Companions are lead to the Master of Darken Wood and are provided much needed context and direction. Oh, and an impossible task...

The Summer of Dragonlance continues as Layne, Jon, and Jon discuss chapters 13-16 of Dragons of Autumn Twilight! With discussions of the logistics of hauling around a giant wicker dragon, unintential dark humor while describing a scene where a character gets bathed in acid, and complex relations between people and gods reduced to the poem "Footprints", there's a lot going on in this one.

(This podcast does feature adults using adult language. You have been warned.)

Catch Jon M Wilson at jonreadscomics.com

Layne is found at thebatmanuniverse.net

The Companions learn more about the strange party of black robed 'clerics' they encountered. Goldmoon tries to gain new information about the blue crystal staff. A new race is introduced to Krynn, creating problems for the Companions. The party flees, again. 

Sturm remembers and maybe goes a little crazy. The Companions benefit (?) from his mental turmoil. They follow his madness (?) into Darken Woods. 

Things are really picking up in Dragons of Autumn Twilight. The Party is complete, all the Companions have been introduced, and the adventure is underway!

The Party escapes from the Inn of the Last Home, flees Solace, and finds its way on the road to Haven with a divine staff that hasn't been seen since the time of the Cataclysm. Along the way we meet a new threat, not just to the Companions but to all of Krynn

Shivam and Jonathon continue their dive into the first Dragonlance novel, Dragons of Autumn Twilight. We are introduced to the Inn of the Last Home and more of the Companions! The twins: Caramon and Raistlin, the knight Sturm, and a pair of Plainspeople who have come to Solace. 

And they are all unceremoniously dumped into an adventure!

The Fourth Awakens on Enjoy Stuff this week as we celebrate Star Wars Day with our special guest Dennis Keithly. Join us as we catch up with what we've been enjoying from the Galaxy Far, Far Away!

The beginning of May means that it’s time to prepare to have the Fourth Unleashed! Star Wars Day is this week and we celebrate all things Star Wars with a special guest. 

News

Pixar just released a new, and very revealing trailer for Lightyear

Images have been revealed of an upcoming LEGO set that looks like the Atari 2600. Now if it would only work as a console too!

Doritos announced a Stranger Things promotion that will include a ‘Concert from the Upside Down’ later this summer.

What we’re Enjoying

Shua found a comic based on the Orville TV series that takes place between seasons 2 and 3. Orville 2.5 is another fun addition to the franchise. Our guest Dennis revisited his Dungeons and Dragons themed novels from his youth called Dragonlance. A TSR published series that had some very promising stories in it. In anticipation of this year’s Thor: Love and Thunder movie, Jay has been reading Jason Aaron’s Thor series. Cool stuff that set the foundation for the cinematic story. 

Sci-Fi Saturdays/MCU Location Scout

Be sure to check out Jay’s articles on Retrozap.com. This week he goes back to the beginning of the dinosaur franchise to examine the 1993 masterpiece Jurassic Park.  Is this the greatest sci-fi film of the 90’s? We’ll let you be the judge, but Jay makes some great points as he shares a ton of groundbreaking moviemaking and storytelling techniques that changed the way we see movies forever.  

Enjoy movies!

It seems that the words “May the Fourth be with you” is pretty much understood by everyone these days. This once inside joke has become as mainstream as Merry Christmas. But where did this handy pun originate? 

We find the origins of the first clever person to put this date together with Star Wars, and it may not be where you think. And we track the exponential growth of the use of the Star Wars based joke to the massive promo machine it is today. 

Then, we look at the Star Wars things we all have been enjoying. In anticipation of Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim at the end of the month, Shua has been listening to the 1980 NPR Radio Drama adaptation of Star Wars starring Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels. A fun version that gave us a way to experience Star Wars before the common use of VCRs. 

Dennis has been putting together some great LEGO sets, including a Probe Droid and an A-Wing. And he’s been binge watching The Clone Wars animated series in anticipation of Celebration. 

Jay has been making his way through the new LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga. He’s found a ton of clever, funny Easter eggs and joke throughout the game that makes an already amazing game even more fun. 

We also report on some cool games and books that are available now. And to wrap it all up, Shua shares some Star Wars week puns and a collection of Funky Winkerbean comic strips where the artist Tom Batiuk shared Jedi Jokes.

Are you celebrating Star Wars Day? How will you channel your inner Jedi? Did you read all the way to the bottom? First person that emails me with the subject line, “Jar Jar shot first” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to podcast@enjoystuff.com