DEDICATION
This issue of the Dragonlance News is dedicated to the crew of STS-
107, Columbia, and to their family and loved ones. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you.


WELCOME TO THE INN / IN REMEMBRANCE
Greetings, friends and fellow companions, and welcome back to the Inn
of the Last Home. It's a somber occasion today, as a group of
companions who went on one of the greatest journeys of all, a journey
to the stars, is lost to us.

A good friend of mine works down at NASA. While he wasn't working at
the time of the accident, the loss of Columbia hit him hard. We
talked today, and I know we shared some of the same thoughts. The
Challenger accident came to mind, as well as the thought that
Columbia was the first shuttle in space.

This friend of mine shares one thing with all of you. He is a
Dragonlance fan. Often, we have talked about the world of
Dragonlance, and he has taught me much.

Today, my friend received a very special phone call, made by none
other than Tracy Hickman. Tracy is also a space enthusiast, and
knows this friend of mine as well. I know that Tracy's call meant a
lot. Thanks, big guy. You're the best.

I would ask that everyone give a moment of silence for those lost
today, and keep their family, friends, and loved ones in their
thoughts and prayers.

My friends, I know many of you are hurting right now. This is a
tragedy, and a blow to the senses. How we face this tragedy is what
is important. Life presents us with adversity and challenges every
day, and they are things we must overcome. As adversity makes us
stronger, so too will we be stronger after the tragedy of this
morning.

All of you share something in common. All of you are Dragonlance
fans. This is a bond that spans past borders and languages. It is a
special bond. Today, you share that bond with a fellow companion who
works for NASA. I hope, as my friend reads this, he knows that he is
not alone. We're all here for you, buddy.

I would be remiss right now if I did not bring you the latest
Dragonlance news. Besides, I think my buddy would march straight up
here and kick my butt if I didn't.

So grab your hoopaks, my friends. The portal to adventure awaits!


DLCS UPDATE
I'm sure that you're all dying to hear about what's going to be in
the DLCS. Jamie Chambers of Sovereign Press gave us a tidbit a
couple of weeks back on the Dragonlance-L mailing list…

"To clarify the situation with classes, all of the classes from the
Player's Handbook can be played using the Dragonlance Campaign
Setting. Monks are labeled as rare, and Paladins considered non-
standard (though available with the DM's approval). The book
introduces two new base classes and a number of prestige classes
(some of which, like the Wizards of High Sorcery and Knights of
Solamnia, will be standard features in many campaigns). The idea is
not to limit your D&D experience, but to expand it. I'm hopeful that
many of you will enjoy it!"
--Jamie Chambers

Thanks to Jamie for the insights. We're hoping to set up an
interview with him soon, so keep watching.


2003 PRODUCT SCHEDULE
Craig J. Ries has been kind enough to assemble a product schedule for
us. Please note that this product schedule is not official as of
this time, and is subject to change. Thanks to Craig for his ever-
watchful eye.

January:
*Winterheim, Icewall Trilogy v.3, Doug Niles
*Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Chronicles Trilogy v.1 (hardcover,
reprint w/ new cover), Weis & Hickman

February:
*Darkness and Light, Preludes series (v.1) (reprint w/new cover),
Thompson & Cook

March:
*Dragons of a Vanished Moon, War of Souls Trilogy v.3 (paperback),
Weis & Hickman includes preview chapter of Night of Blood.

April:
*Dark Thane, Age of Mortals series (v.3), Jeff Crook
*Kendermore, Preludes series (v.2) (reprint w/new cover), Mary
Kirchoff

May:
*A Warrior's Journey, The Ergoth Trilogy v.1, Thompson & Cook
*The Players of Gilean: Tales from the War of Souls, anthology,
edited by Weis & Hickman.

June:
*Night of Blood, The Minotaur Wars v.1 (hardcover), Richard Knaak

*Brothers Majere, Preludes series (v.3) (reprint w/new cover)

*"A Rumor of Dragons" & "Night of the Dragons", Chronicles: DoAT (2
paperbacks, new cover for young readers), Weis & Hickman

July:
*Dragons of Winter Night, Chronicles Trilogy v.2 (hardcover, reprint
w/ new cover), Weis & Hickman
*Middle of Nowhere, Crossroads series (v.4), Paul Thompson

August:
*City of the Lost, The Linsha Trilogy v.1, Mary H. Herbert

*Dragonlance Campaign Setting (3E) (hardcover), $39.99, Margaret
Weis, Don Perrin, Jamie Chambers, Christopher Coyle; intro by Tracy
Hickman

*Age of Mortals (hardcover), $34.99

*Key of Destiny (Age of Mortals Campaign v.1), $24.99 (tentative
release date)

September:
*Annotated Legends, Legends Trilogy (hardcover), Weis & Hickman

October:
*Bestiary of Krynn, $29.99 (tentative release date)

November:
*Dragons of Spring Dawning, Chronicles Trilogy v.3, (hardcover,
reprint w/ new cover), Weis & Hickman

December:
*Holy Orders of the Stars, $24.99 (tentative release date)

Unknown:
*Kingpriest Trilogy v.3, Chris Pierson

*The First Conclave, ? series, author unknown

*Redeemption, Dhamon Saga Trilogy v.3 (paperback), Jean Rabe

Notes:
*DLCS is published under WotC
*All other gaming products published under Sov Press

2004 and beyond:

February 2004:
*Specter of Sorrows (Age of Mortals Campaign v.2), $24.99 (tentative
release date)

Unknown:
*Test of the Twins, Legends Trilogy v.1, (hardcover, reprint w/new
cover), Weis & Hickman

*War of the Twins, Legends Trilogy v.1, (hardcover, reprint w/new
cover), Weis & Hickman

*Time of the Twins, Legends Trilogy v.1, (hardcover, reprint w/new
cover), Weis & Hickman

*Second Generation, (hardcover, reprint w/ new cover), Weis & Hickman

*Dragons of Summer Flame, (hardcover, reprint w/ new cover), Weis &
Hickman

*Unnamed Taladas trilogy, Weis & Perrin

*Unnamed draconian novel

DOUGLAS NILES INTERVIEW
Dragonlance.com is conducting an interview with author Douglas
Niles. Go to our home page, and you'll see the link to submit your
questions.

FINAL THOUGHTS
The hour is late, and I know many of you will not receive this until
the morning. I want to leave you tonight with a quote from Dragons
of Summer Flame, which somehow seemed appropriate on this dark day.

---------------
Chaos spread his enormous arms, which seemed to encompass the
universe.

"There is no hope. You have no gods. What have you left?"

Steel drew his sword and raised it in the air. The metal did not
reflect the fire, but shone white, argent, like moonlight on ice.

"Each other," he answered.
---------------


Long live the memory of STS-107, Columbia.

Trampas Whiteman
Co-chair,Whitestone Council
Dragonlance.com
Dragonlance Nexus