Preludes (Dragonlance series)

Preludes is a series of novels comprising two trilogies set in the Dragonlance world of the "Dungeons & Dragons" fantasy role-playing game.
"Darkness and Light".
Darkness and Light, written by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter, is the first volume in the "Preludes" series. This novel details the travels of Kitiara and Sturm before the beginning of Dragonlance Chronicles, as they seek to find news of Sturm's father, and eventually admit their attraction for each other.
"Kendermore".
Kendermore, written by Mary Kirchoff, is the second novel in the "Preludes" series. In this novel, Tasslehoff Burrfoot is charged with violating the kender laws of prearranged marriage, and forced to return to Kendermore due to the imprisonment of his Uncle Trapspringer.
The novel begins with the character of Tasslehoff Burrfoot at the Inn of the Last Home with his friends. However, soon a bounty hunter arrives and charges him for desertion for violating the laws of prearranged marriage. A journey east turns into a voyage with gully dwarves.
Meanwhile, in Kendermore, Tas's Uncle Trapspringer and a human "doctor" have found a map leading to a treasure. Tas is having his own adventures after a shipwreck strands him, Gisella (the bounty hunter), and Woodrow (Gisella's assistant) near a dwarven settlement. Tas is captured by gnomes, who seek to turn him into an exhibit. Woodrow saves him with help from Winnie, a wooly mammoth. Gisella is killed by Denzil, an assassin. Tas and Woodrow arrive in Kendermore. In the ruins east of the city, "Dr." Phineas Curick, Uncle Trapspringer, and Damaris (the one intended to marry Tasslehoff) find themselves being entertained by Vincent, a rare ogre who is good! The kender and human wander into a magical portal which takes them to Gelfigburg, a Candyland like place. They also discover that the treasure (a magical amulet) has been used up. Denzil, not knowing this, forces Tas to take him to the ruins. Tas tries to go into the portal, but Denzil pulls him out before he is all the way through, leaving Tas stuck in the portal. The kender in Gelfigburg attempt to pull Tas through, leading to a tug of war. Vincent pulls Tas, Damaris, Trapspringer, Phineas, and all the Kender out of Gelfigburg. Denzil is trapped inside. The Dark Queen attempts to enter, but Damaris closes the portal. The kender return to Kendermore, saving the city from a storm. Tas is reunified with Woodrow, and Damaris marries Trapspringer.
In the book, it is said that Flint Fireforge is a mountain dwarf. However, Flint is a hill dwarf who hates the mountain dwarves.
Denzil is described as a half-orc, while orcs do not exist in the Dragonlance continuity.
The novel mentions the remains of a werewolf. Lycanthropes do not exist on Krynn.
"Brothers Majere".
Brothers Majere, written by Kevin Stein, is the third volume in the original "Preludes" series. This novel explores the love/hate relationship between the brothers Caramon and Raistlin as developed in the "Chronicles" and "Legends" trilogies. Raistlin is unable to forgive Caramon for allowing his ailing mother to die, or forgive himself for his inability to save her with his magic. Raistlin agrees to pursue their mother's last wish, but he is unaware that they are pawns in a power struggle between the gods.
Reception.
John C. Bunnell reviewed "Brothers Majere" for "Dragon" magazine, calling it "narrowly the best of the Dragonlance Preludes", and noted that part of the success of the Dragonlance line "has been a product of its carefully stylized atmosphere; Stein captures the mood more accurately than have some recent writers."
"Riverwind the Plainsman".
Riverwind the Plainsman was written by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter. It is the first volume in the "Preludes II" series, and the fourth volume in the overall "Preludes" series. This novel relates the courting quest of Riverwind for the hand Goldmoon. Riverwind, who had fallen out of favor with Goldmoon's father, chief of the Que-Shu tribe, because of Riverwind's belief in the old gods. Riverwind is given the task of discovering proof of the existence of his gods and return with irrefutable evidence.
"Flint the King".
Flint The King was written by Mary Kirchoff and Douglas Niles. It is the second volume in the "Preludes II" series, and the fifth volume in the overall "Preludes" series.
The main character is Flint Fireforge, hill dwarf and future War of the Lance hero. In the novel, he returns to his old hometown, Hillhome, where he uncovers a murder mystery that involves a member of his own family.
"Flint the King" was the first collaborative writing effort for authors Mary Kirchoff and Doug Niles, with Niles stating: "It doesn't mean that you do only half the work [...] Each of us did more than write half a book, but I think we came up with a better story because of it." According to Kirchoff, "we assumed that our strengths and weaknesses would offset each other. Doug does great battles and magic, and my strengths tend to be characters and dialogue, and that's worked out very nicely."
According to Kirchoff, "The first time I tried to make Flint talk, he just sat there with his lips moving. I paced around the house and drank another cup of coffee, but I just couldn't make words come out of his mouth." Her editor suggested she assign some famous personality the role of Flint, and she ended up choosing Wilfred Brimley and Yosemite Sam.
"Tanis, the Shadow Years".
Tanis, the Shadow Years was written by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel. It is the third volume in the "Preludes II" series, and the sixth volume in the overall "Preludes" series. In this novel, Tanis travels into the memory of an old, dying mage at his request, in search of the old man's long-lost love. The mage desperately wants his love to live on after him, so Tanis has to find her and return to the present before the old mage dies.