Tanis, the Shadow Years

Darkness and Light

First edition
Author	Paul B. Thompson & Tonya R. Carter
Cover artist	Jeff Easley
Publisher	TSR, Inc.
Publication date	28 September 1989
Media type	Print (Paperback)
Pages	377 pp
ISBN
OCLC	19829030
LC Class	CPB Box no. 1733 vol. 8

Kendermore

First edition
Author	Mary Kirchoff
Cover artist	Jeff Easley
Publisher	TSR, Inc.
Publication date	November 30, 1989
Media type	Print (Paperback)
Pages	346 pp
ISBN
OCLC	51949936
LC Class	CPB Box no. 2270 vol. 8

Flint the King

Author	Mary Kirchoff & Douglas Niles
Cover artist	Clyde Caldwell
Publisher	TSR, Inc.
Publication date	May 1990
Media type	Print (Paperback)
Pages	308 pp (paperback edition)
ISBN	(paperback edition)

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 was written by Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter, and 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 was written by Mary Kirchoff, and 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.