In this special edition of “THE ART of Old School D&D Modules”, the mists part over the world of Krynn once more — but this time, our adventure leads far from familiar lands. Dragonlance: Dragon Dawn (1990) opened a bold new chapter for 2nd Edition AD&D, carrying players across the mysterious continent of Taladas.
Its soaring cover by Larry Elmore captures the moment perfectly: a lone dragonrider, cutting through the clouds at dawn — equal parts wonder and warning. Inside, Valerie Valusek’s pen-and-ink illustrations draw us deeper still, into the rugged frontiers and perilous beauty of this forgotten realm.
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This Week’s Rediscovered Realms Theme Song:
As the first light breaks, a lone dragonrider takes to the skies — seeking what’s been lost, yet accepting all that the world has become.
“Wings at Dawn” is a song of searching and discovery, of courage and renewal — the quiet moment when you leave the past below and rise toward the promise of what awaits beyond the horizon.
| Genre: Epic Fantasy Ballad (Female Vocals) | Lyrics1 |
“Wings at Dawn” version 1
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-4:24
| Genre: Folk Rock (Male Vocals) |
“Wings at Dawn” version 2
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-5:49
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Visions from the Edge of Krynn
“Venture once more to the world of Krynn, but this time to the continent of Taladas, largely untouched by the war of the Lance.
The dragons here are Othlorx, the Uninvolved, because they remain neutral in the struggle against the evil of Takhisis and her minions. Then why are they being systematically exterminated? Who wants all dragons on Taladas dead?
Your heroes must set on a dangerous trek in pursuit of dragon killers, through the lands of hostile holderfolk and to the mysterious Pillars of the Moon. Along the way they encounter Dragon Knights (warriors with a magic touch!) ancient guardians, and other surprises in the transformed realm of Taladas.
This AD&D® adventure, set in the world of the DRAGONLANCE® saga, is the first of an epic trilogy beginning in the previously unknown continent of Taladas and ranging out to the Astral plane. Players must track down the dragon killers and warn the conclave of the Othlorx, but those are only the first steps in thwarting a dreadful conspiracy aimed at all of Krynn!”
While Elmore’s cover drew eyes across game-store shelves, the true atmosphere of Dragon Dawn was carried by Valerie Valusek’s interiors. Her illustrations bridged the sensibilities of classic TSR line work and the more grounded realism of 2nd Edition’s evolving tone. In stark ink and subtle gesture, she gave shape to a new corner of Krynn — one that felt both ancient and newly awakened.
Fun Fact: Valerie credits Larry Elmore for giving her the first interview with TSR’s art department in 1983, leading to her debut project the following year.
Fun Fact: Valerie did art for a number of non-D&D role-playing game systems as well, such as Paranoia, Torg, Changeling: The Dreaming, and Legend of the Five Rings.
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Fun Fact: From 1984 to 1998, Valerie’s black-and-white ink art appeared in more than 100 game books and dozens of magazines!
Fun Fact: One of Valerie Valusek’s early major TSR credits was The City of Greyhawk boxed set (1989) — she illustrated its interiors and produced one of the most iconic isometric city-maps ever made - one that helped define how urban fantasy settings could look in role-playing games.
Fun Fact: Valerie’s other Dragonlance credits include:
Fun Fact: According to dragonlance.fandom.com, these are the only other published works about Taladas:
For many, Dragonlance means the familiar lands of Ansalon — Heroes of the Lance, the War of the Twins, mischievous Kender, and skies filled with dragons in flight. But Dragon Dawn invites us somewhere different: a distant, parallel corner of Krynn where new myths rise from old shadows.
It’s a glimpse of something both mysterious and new — Valerie Valusek’s art guiding us beyond the borders of the known map, into the midst of a forgotten continent.
Until next time, dream boldly, Adventurer — and never stop exploring the hidden corners of the realms you thought you knew.
Did you know Dragonlance expanded beyond the world of Ansalon to the distant continent of Taladas?
Which are your favorite Dragonlance stories or game modules?
My day job’s been killin’ me — my obligations are oozing along slower than an Ochre Jelly after a bad initiative roll! But fear not, Adventurer — the results of October’s EPIC FANTASY LOOT GIVEAWAY CONTEST and DriveThruRPG DRAGON’S DRAW will be revealed in next week’s edition.
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Wings at Dawn [Verse 1] The night is breaking, the dark undone, I rise to greet the newborn sun. My steed weary of where we’ve been, Yet beckons me to fly again. The mountains burn with morning’s fire, The clouds beneath my wings climb higher. A thousand echoes fade to none — I ride the sky, the chosen one. [Chorus] Wings at dawn, carry me on, Through clouds of silver and flame. Beyond the edge of all I’ve known, A new world whispers my name. Through storm or peace, I will not fail, My heart forever drawn — To rise again, on wings at dawn. [Verse 2] Below, the shadowed meadows sleep, The ruins where the old gods weep. I’ve seen their temples, fields of bone, And still I fly — I fly alone. The stars fall quiet, the moon grows pale, The sunlit wind becomes my sail. And though the past is carved in scar, The light reveals who now we are. [Chorus] Wings at dawn, carry me on, Through clouds of silver and flame. Beyond the edge of all I’ve known, A new world whispers my name. Through storm or peace, I will not fail, My heart forever drawn — To rise again, on wings at dawn. [Bridge] I feel the pull of the endless sky, Tugging softly, “More leagues to fly.” The fire within, the freedom found, No chains can bind, no earth can ground. From ash to light, from fear to song, The journey soars where hearts beat strong. [Final Chorus – softer then soaring] Wings at dawn, carry me on, Through clouds of silver and flame. Beyond the edge of all I’ve known, A new world whispers my name. The night is gone, the past withdrawn, The light forever strong — I rise again... on wings at dawn.
