Dragonlance Hangout – December 31st, 2025

Welcome to today’s Dragonlance Hangout! This is a casual series where we discuss all things Dragonlance, from characters, to modules, to game editions in a relaxed conversation with the live audience. Today I am discussing the forthcoming DLSaga Anthology and my process of writing! https://youtube.com/live/eEVnGgwPaGc Show Notes Intro Welcome to another DragonLance Hangout! It is Kirinor, Frostkolt the 31st, and my name is Adam. Today I am discussing the forthcoming DLSaga Anthology and my process of writing! I would like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga YouTube members, and Patreon patrons and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can even pick up Dragonlance media using my affiliate links in the description below. Discussion DLSaga Contributors https://dlsaga.com/contributors/4,000–7,500 words preferredStories must be unpublished and originalDLSaga acquires First Publication Rights All rights revert to the author after publication Accepted authors receive: Full author creditA complimentary copy of the anthology (print and/or digital) Notifications sent by March 1, 2026 Writing tips Start Small (Short Is a Feature, Not a Limitation) A short story isn’t a novel in miniature.Focus on: One main characterOne core problem or momentOne change by the end If you can summarize your story in one sentence, you’re on the right track. Give Your Character a Want Every scene should revolve around what the character wants right now: To escapeTo prove themselvesTo protect someoneTo uncover the truth Conflict comes from something standing in the way of that want. Show Change, Not Just Events By the end of the story, something should be different: The character has learned somethingThe world has changedA belief is broken or reinforced Even quiet stories need an emotional shift. Let the Setting Do Story Work Your setting should actively affect the plot: Magic behaves differently at nightA city is built on forbidden groundThe forest remembers those who enter If the story could happen anywhere, the setting isn’t pulling its weight. Use Specific Details Strong stories come from concrete details, not vague descriptions: “A chipped blue mug” beats “a cup”“The smell of wet leather” beats “a bad smell” One or two sharp details per scene is enough. End With Meaning, Not Fireworks Fantasy endings don’t need giant battles.Strong endings often include: A sacrificeA quiet victoryA revealed truthA cost paid The best endings feel inevitable in hindsight. Don’t Aim for Perfect—Aim for Finished Your first draft is allowed to be messy.Finishing stories teaches you more than endlessly polishing the opening paragraph.A great habit: write to the end, then revise. Revise With Purpose When revising, ask: Does every scene matter?Can I cut anything without harming the story?Is the ending earned? Short stories often improve most by cutting, not adding. Simple Fantasy Short Story Formula (Beginner-Friendly) A character wants somethingMagic complicates itThe character must chooseThe world or character changes That’s it. Everything else is flavor. Story Ideas A mercenary company discovers their employer is a Dragon Highlord—and must choose between gold and conscience.An apprentice of the Tower of High Sorcery fails their Test—not catastrophically, but quietly—and must live with what was taken instead.A disgraced Knight of Solamnia hides his past while protecting a caravan—until his old order comes calling.A plainsfolk storyteller realizes their oral history will die with them unless they entrust it to an outsider.An artifact from before the Cataclysm resurfaces, but using it may doom the fragile balance of the new world.A widow casts her knight-husband’s armor into a river sacred to Habbakuk—and something answers. Log Line A Knight of the Divine Hammer struggles with leaving his secret wife to chase down the Cult of Chemosh. Era The Age of Might, ~39 PC after the Kingpriests declaration of Manifest Virtue Characters Kingpriest Beldinas Pilofiro Formed the holy knighthood to defend the Holy Empire from wickedness Cathan MarSevrin Cathan Twice-BornReceived a vision of a burning hammer falling toward Istarfirst Knight of the Divine Hammer Tavarre of Luciel first Grand Marshal, answered to the Kingpriest and no other. Darian Volkar Main character, former orphan, in love with Amara KeshKnight of the Divine Hammer Amara Kesh Darian’s secret wife, former orphan Cassian Morvek Darian’s battle buddyLoyal, direct, dirty minded Tiber Kaelos Darian’s Icodio, or Knight Banneret. The leader of his Ina, or Squadron. The Bone-Seer Arkhavel High Priest of Chemosh Hierophant Caldris Ossian Local Cult Leader of Chemosh Organizations Order of the Divine Hammer The smallest military unit was the Ina, or squadron, which consisted of ten knights, twenty Scatas, and three clerics or war-priests.An Istaran company (Cosa) consisted of four Inas and pursued roaming hobgoblin and ogre bands. The ...