DEDICATION
This issue of the Dragonlance Nexus News is dedicated to Clive Squire
and Bill Morton (Valharic),two amazing talents who have given much to
Dragonlance. This one's for you, guys!


WELCOME TO THE INN
Greetings, friends and fellow companions, and welcome back to the Inn of
the Last Home. It has been some time since we talked last (more on this
below), but it is good that we meet again at this time of year. Snow
has fallen on the ground, and folks crowd around the fire for warmth and
good cheer.



Yet adventure e'er calls. So grab your hoopaks, my friends. The
portal to adventure awaits!


THE LONG SILENCE
Okay, so why no newsletters in forever and a day? What's been going
on? Patience, and I shall tell you a tale that is entirely NOT an
excuse, but sure sounds like it.



The truth of the matter is that Real Life, who some say is an aspect of
Father Chaos, has risen and bitten me in the big toe. Many things have
been going on in my life of late. The Dragonhelm family has moved to a
new Dragonhelm Keep, a beautiful old home built in 1890. A move alone
will suck the life out of anyone. I've also had to work a second
job, I'm going back to school, and function as a scout leader. So
as you can imagine, I haven't had much rest of late. Changes are in
effect, and soon my burden will not be so severe.



Unfortunately, my Dragonlance time took a hit from it all. Ergo why
you're just now getting this newsletter! I am trying to get back on
track on a few projects, including the podcast and just generally trying
to produce content.



I hope you will all accept my apologies for the delay.



ABOUT THAT PODCAST…

It has been some time since we had an episode of the Dragonlance
Canticle. I'm a broadcaster by profession, so it pains me that we
haven't been able to record more of late. However, one cannot
produce a show without its producer. We have not heard from Valharic in
some time. We wish him the best, though, and hope that he will be able
to work on the podcast again in the future.



In the meantime, I've asked Gerrin from the forums to give a hand
with the podcast. Gerrin and I have recorded recently, and I'm
working on setting aside some time to do some editing.
NOVELS
On the novel front, be sure to check out Richard Knaak's second book
in his Ogre Titans series, The Fire Rose. I haven't had a chance to
read this book yet, but I hear that it includes one of Krynn's most
interesting (and little-used!) neutral deities. So be sure to check it
out. Plus, Amber and Blood is now available in paperback.



Coming in January is the Elven Nations Omnibus. If you've had a
hard time finding this series, now is your time to get it (which you can
order through the Nexus). Plus, book three of the Tracy Hickman
Presents series – Renegade Wizards, by Lucien Soulban. Hourglass
Mage will be hitting shelves sometime in the summer.
GAMING
On the gaming front, we've seen a few submissions for both 4th
edition and Paizo's Pathfinder game system. This is all part of our
commitment to not only provide gaming materials for play, but to also
support Dragonlance in a variety of game systems. There are a lot of
neat possibilities for Dragonlance gaming too.



For example, let's take 4th edition. We've not only got a new
take on D&D, we also have some nifty new classes. The warlord
especially works nice in Dragonlance. Let's say you wanted to
represent the Knights of Solamnia using 4e Player's Handbook
classes. Simple enough. You can figure that most Crown Knights are
fighters, Sword Knights are paladins, and Rose Knights are warlords.



Or check out what's going on with Pathfinder. It's continued
3.5-compatible goodness with tons of new monsters for your games. You
may have seen my various threads on the forums about how sorcerers need
more differentiation from wizards. With Pathfinder, you can have that
as sorcerers have tons of fun.



Point is, there is more than one way of playing Dragonlance. Our goal
at the Nexus isn't to promote one system over another. Rather,
it's to promote Dragonlance gaming, no matter the form.


WHAT'S NEW IN 2009?
I think 2009 will see the Nexus crew kind of slowing down the pace a
bit, while still producing our trademark quality content. We're
going to focus a lot on what sounds fun for us. I fully believe that
when the creators are having fun, then everybody is having fun.


UNTIL NEXT TIME…
My friends, it is good to talk to you once again. It has been way too
long. Let's meet here again next time, as the Herald regales us
with his tales once again.

Long live the Lance!

Trampas Whiteman

"Dragonhelm"

Dragonlance Nexus



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