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[[Image:GoldmoonRiverwind.jpg|thumb|right|230px|'''Goldmoon''' and [[Riverwind]]. Illustration by [[Keith Parkinson]].]]
''' Goldmoon of the Que-Shu ''' (322 AC - 38 SC) is a [[fictional character]] from the [[Dragonlance]] series of [[book]]s.
'''Goldmoon''' (also known as ''Goldmoon of the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Que Shu|Que Shu]] tribe'' or just ''Goldmoon of the Que Shu'') is a [[fictional character]] from the ''[[Dragonlance]]'' fantasy series of [[List of Dragonlance novels|novels]] and [[Tabletop role-playing game|role playing games]], originally published by [[TSR, Inc.]] and later by [[Wizards of the Coast]].


Introduced in the first book of the original [[List of Dragonlance novels#Chronicles Trilogy|Chronicles Trilogy]], ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'', written by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]] in 1984, Goldmoon became a recurring character for over 16 years in multiple ''Dragonlance'' novels and series, as either a protagonist or a support character.
{{spoilerabout|the ''Chronicles'' and ''War of Souls'' trilogy}}


As with the other protagonists of the trilogy, Goldmoon first appearance was during a [[tabletop role-playing game]] session in which Tracy Hickman and his wife, Laura Hickman, Margaret Weis and Terry Phillips between others, set up the basic storyline of ''Dragonlance''.<ref name="creation">
== Biography ==
{{cite book
[[Image:Goldmoon.jpg|thumb|200px|Goldmoon riding a [[pegasus]].]]
| last = Weis
| first = Margaret
| authorlink = Margaret Weis
| others = foreword by [[Tracy Hickman]].
| title = The Soulforge
| origyear = 1998
| origmonth = January
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/865120000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 5th edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1314-2
| chapter = Foreword
}}</ref>
Goldmoon was designed to be a female [[Barbarian (Dungeons & Dragons)|barbarian]], who was kind, understanding, loved to travel, advising, and taking care of other people. Gifted with a good voice, she finds pleasure in singing. As a high profile member of her community, she is a natural speaker, able to inspire others to reach for their own goals.<ref name="personality">
{{cite book
| author = Michael Williams
| coauthors = Kevin Swan, William Wells, Roger E. Moore, Patrick Lucien Price, Jeff Grubb, Doug Niles, Kate Novak, Mike Breault, Michael Dobson, Bruce Heard, Harold Johnson, Mary Kirchoff and Kris Bartyzel
| editor = edited by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
| others = developed by [[Mary Kirchoff]], designed by Kristine Bartyzel
| title = Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home
| origyear = 1987
| origmonth = February
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/863840000
| format = Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-88038-465-4
| pages = 173
| chapter = Bertrem's essay on numerology
}}</ref>


==Character background==
Goldmoon was the daughter of Arrowthorn, the Chieftain of the [[Que-Shu]]. Her mother was named Tearsong.
{{spoilerabout|the short story "Heart of Goldmoon" found in ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Tales|Love and War]]'' novel and ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Tales II|Riverwind the Plainsman]]'' novel}}


The ''Dragonlance'' novels do not cover Goldmoon's childhood, however through official timelines and biographies her birth date, February 5, 322 [[Dragonlance timeline|A.C.]], her parents, Arrowthorn, [[Chieftain]] of the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Que Shu|Que Shu]]&mdash;a tribe located in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Abanasinia|Central Abanasinia plains]], a desolated area in the northern area of [[Ansalon]] in the fictional world of [[Krynn]]&mdash;and Tearsong, the high priestess of the tribe, and her position as princess of the tribe and next high priestess, are known. In addition, a first childhood love in the barbarian Hollow-sky is discovered, although, interested in the art of war, did not acknowledge her and, once adult, only considered her a prize.<ref name="hollowskylove">
Goldmoon lived a sheltered life among the Que-Shu tribe, serving as their high priestess until an important event changed her life. As every high prietess of the Que-Shu tribe, she had to commune with her ancestors, whom were said to become gods when they died. In order to travel, a [[tournament]] was held where two warriors would be chosen as her escort.
{{cite book
| author = Laura Hickman
| coauthors = Kate Novak
| others = Harold Bakst, Nancy Varian Berberick, Tonya R. Carter, Dezra Despain, Richard Knaak, Nick O'Donohoe, Kevin D. Randle, Barbara Siegel, Scott Siegel, Paul B. Thompson, Michael Williams
| editor = edited by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
| title = Love and War
| origyear = 1989
| origmonth = October
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/083160000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 9th edition
| year = 1987
| publisher = TSR
| id = ISBN 0-88038-519-7
| pages = 218
| chapter = Heart of Goldmoon
}}</ref>


The [[short story]] "Heart of Goldmoon", written by Laura Hickman and [[Kate Novak]] and published in the ''Love and War'' (1987) recompilation, gives insight about her life after her mother died explaining that, as the Que Shu community is built around the figure of a high priestess, whoever marries her becomes Chieftain of the tribe, with the first daughter of the couple becoming the next priestess.<ref name="highpriestess">
A shepherd named [[Riverwind]], who had fallen in love with her, was one of the winners of the tournament. His standing in the tribe was low, as he did not consider their ancestors as gods, following his family's beliefs, about [[Deities of Dragonlance|ancient gods]] dating to before the [[Cataclysm (Dragonlance)|Cataclysm]]. Hollow-Sky was the other winner. Tradition forced Goldmoon to travel with Riverwind. Once she arrived at Tearsong's tomb, a vision of her mother appeared, and explained the truth of the ancient gods. Goldmoon also came into possession of the blue crystal staff, a symbol of the ancient gods.
{{cite book
| last = Pierson
| first = Chris
| authorlink = Chris Pierson
| title = Spirit of the Wind
| origyear = 1998
| origmonth = July
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/866650000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 1st edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1174-3
| pages = 79
| chapter = Chapter 6
}}</ref>


The focus of the story is the travel Goldmoon must do to the ''Hall of the Sleeping Spirits'', the place where the tombs of her ancestors are kept, to commune with their spirits in order to become the high priestess of the tribe. The travel ends with the confirmation of the love between Goldmoon and Riverwind, and the meeting between Goldmoon and Tearsong's spirit, in which Goldmoon is taught about the truth of the ancient gods and is given a task in the name of [[Mishakal]], goddess of healing and known as the ''Great Healer'' at that point in the story, which she fulfills.<ref name="firsttask">
An unfortunate turn of events gave her no choice but to flee for her life with Riverwind.
{{cite book
| author = Harold Bakst
| coauthors = Nancy Varian Berberick, Tonya R. Carter, Dezra Despain, Laura Hickman, Richard Knaak, Kate Novak, Nick O'Donohoe, Kevin D. Randle, Barbara Siegel, Scott Siegel, Paul B. Thompson, Michael Williams
| editor = edited by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
| title = Love and War
| origyear = 1989
| origmonth = October
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/083160000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 9th edition
| year = 1987
| publisher = TSR
| id = ISBN 0-88038-519-7
| pages = 261
| chapter = Heart of Goldmoon
}}
</ref>
At the end of the short story it is stated that Riverwind will be taking the ''Courting quest'', a task he must finish before being able to marry her.


[[Paul B. Thompson]] and Tonya C. Cook explain this quest in the novel ''Riverwind the Plainsman'' (1990), from the ''Tales'' series, where he succeeded in bringing back a [[List of Dragonlance artifacts#Blue Crystal Staff|Blue Crystal Staff]], proof that the [[Deities of Dragonlance|ancient gods]] existed.<ref name="courtingquest">
In [[List of Dragonlance locations#Xak Tsaroth|Xak Tsaroth]], [[Mishakal]] blessed Goldmoon and gave her a ''Medallion of Faith''. She was also given the [[Disks of Mishakal]], which she later delivered to a former ''seeker'', [[Elistan]].
{{cite book
| author = Paul B. Thompson
| coauthors = Tonya C. Cook
| title = Riverwind the Plainsman
| origyear = 1990
| origmonth = January
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/179850000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 1st edition
| year = 1987
| publisher = TSR
| id = ISBN 0-7869-3009-8
| pages = 300, 310-313
| chapter = Chapter 26, "Whom the gods favor is a hero born&mdash;Astinus, the Iconochronous"
}}</ref>


In ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'' (1984), Weis and Hickman, through Goldmoon, explain that the tribe did not accept the staff as a proof and, moments before the tribe [[stoning|stoned]] him, Goldmoon embraced his lover, and as a blue-tinted light coming from the Blue Crystal staff surrounded them, they vanished from the village.<ref name="vanishing">
Goldmoon and Riverwind married in a valley not far from Pax Tharkas, and had three children: Wanderer, [[Brightdawn]] and [[Moonsong]].
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of Autumn Twilight
| origyear = 1984
| origmonth = April
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/215740000
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 4th edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1574-9
| pages = 35
| chapter = Chapter 3, "Knight of Solamnia. The old man's party."
}}</ref>
Appearing just outside the city of [[List of Dragonlance locations#Solace|Solace]], they decided to travel, looking for someone who could tell them more about the staff, marking the proper beginning of the ''Chronicles'' trilogy.


==Development through the series==
[[Takhisis]] killed her in the [[Towers of High Sorcery#Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas|Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas]], while she was meeting [[Mina (Dragonlance)|Mina]], during the Fifth Age.
===Chronicles trilogy===
{{see also|War of the Lance}}
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Chronicles Trilogy|Chronicles]]'' trilogy}}


Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman introduce Goldmoon in chapter 3 of ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'' (1984), titled ''"Knight of Solamnia. The old man's party."'' She is presented as a heavily cloaked, silver-gold haired woman carrying a plain staff, accompanied by a tall stone-faced barbarian. The authors explain that shortly after the barbarian's arrival to the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Inn of the Last Home|Inn of the Last Home]] a fight breaks out and the true nature of her [[List of Dragonlance artifacts#Blue Crystal Staff|healing staff]] is revealed, forcing the barbarians and a group of friends to run away. It is after escaping when they get to know Goldmoon's desire of travelling to [[List of Dragonlance locations#Haven|Haven]], where she hoped the ''Seekers'', priests who were in search of the old gods but degenerated into a political movement, would be able to teach them about the healing staff.
== See also ==

In the following chapters Weis and Hickman continue to make the female barbarian the main focus of the story, stating that she discovered that two [[Night Sky of Krynn|constellations]] were missing from the firmament and then narrating about the staff protecting the barbarians when Riverwind was going to be stoned. However, her protagonism fades in the battle sequences that follow, where she is protected by Riverwind, [[Sturm Brightblade]], a [[Knights of Solamnia#Squirehood|Squire of the Knights of Solamnia]] and [[Tanis Half-Elven]], the leader of the group. This behaviour becomes a constant in the rest of the series.

[[Image:Goldmoon.jpg|thumb|200px|'''Goldmoon''' riding a [[pegasus]] on her way to [[List of Dragonlance locations#Xak Tsaroth|Xak Tsaroth]].]]
The authors give the story a harder push when they explain the group travels to [[List of Dragonlance locations#Xak Tsaroth|Xak Tsaroth]], the broken city where Riverwind found the magical staff. The sixteenth chapter, ''"A bitter choice. The greatest gift."'' presents a conversation between Goldmoon and her deceased mother, Tearsong, and an appearance of [[Mishakal]], goddess of healing and protector of the ''Blue Crystal Staff'' she carries, in which she explains the different sacrifices Goldmoon must do in order to obtain the goddess' gift and the tasks she must fulfill, including the retrieval of the [[List of Dragonlance artifacts#Disks of Mishakal|Disks of Mishakal]], sacred book of platinum with the teachings of [[Paladine]], highest god of light in [[Krynn]].<ref name="mishakal">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of Autumn Twilight
| origyear = 1984
| origmonth = April
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/215740000
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 4th edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1574-9
| pages = 177
| chapter = Chapter 15, Escape. The well. Death on black wings.
}}
</ref>
The novel continues, indicating that Goldmoon receives the power of healing before the goddess depart, which she promptly uses to save a mortally wounded Riverwind after an encounter against [[Khisanth]], the [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|black dragon]] protecting the broken city.

Goldmoon reaches the peak of attention when the authors write about her apparent sacrifice to defeat Khisanth, during the retrieval of the ''Disks of Mishakal''. However, it is soon explained that her sacrifice was the last test the goddess Mishakal needed from her, and as the group nears the exit of the dungeon, they find Goldmoon waiting for them, recently blessed by the deity as a true cleric of Mishakal with the power of calling upon her help when in need.<ref name="">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of Autumn Twilight
| origyear = 1984
| origmonth = April
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/215740000
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 4th edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1574-9
| pages = 260
| chapter = Chapter 22, Bupu's gift. An ominous sight.
}}
</ref>

Fulfilling her final mission, Goldmoon delivers the ''Disks of Mishakal'' to a former ''Seeker'', [[List of Dragonlance characters#Elistan|Elistan]], whom the group meets in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Pax Tharkas|Pax Tharkas]] after they have been captured by the [[Dragonarmies of Ansalon]], the forces of evil invading the continent of Ansalon.

In this way, at the end of the book Goldmoon marries Riverwind in a valley not far from Pax Tharkas after the [[Heroes of the Lance]], as the group that left Solace at the beginning of the book was later known, defeated [[List of Dragonlance characters#Verminaard of Nidus|Lord Verminaard]] in that city and freed the slaves.<ref name="marriage">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of Autumn Twilight
| origyear = 1984
| origmonth = April
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/215740000
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 4th edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1574-9
| pages = 431
| chapter = The Wedding
}}</ref>

Her involvement in the last two books of the trilogy&mdash;and therefore during the [[War of the Lance]]&mdash;abruptly diminishes at the beginning of the second book, ''[[Dragons of Winter Night]]'' (1985). Her appearances are mostly to give counsel, spread the teachings of Mishakal and order new clerics. During the second half of the last book, ''[[Dragons of Spring Dawning]]'' (1985), Goldmoon learns she is pregnant. Her goodbye to [[Laurana Kanan]] in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Kalaman|Kalaman]] is the last apparition in the Chronicles trilogy.

===Legends trilogy===
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Legends Trilogy|Legends]]'' trilogy}}
Although the series focus heavily on [[Caramon Majere|Caramon]] and [[Raistlin Majere]], Riverwind makes an appearance at the beginning of the first book of the ''Legends'' trilogy, ''Time of the Twins'' (1986), written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and published by TSR, in which he is recognized as leader of the Que Shu and other barbarian tribes by wearing the ''Mantle of the Chieftain''.

This apparition is also used by the authors to explain the current situation of the couple. With a two year old son&mdash;[[List of Dragonlance characters#Wanderer|Wanderer]]&mdash; and twin daughters&mdash;[[List of Dragonlance characters#Moonsong|Moonsong]] and [[List of Dragonlance characters#Brightdawn|Brightdawn]]&mdash;the couple have worked hard to join the different tribes of Abanasinia, their local region. It is also explained that Goldmoon is working hard spreading the teachings of her patron deity, but nothing more is said about her.

===Chaos War series===
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Chronicles Trilogy|Dragons of Summer Flame]]'' and ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Bridges of Time Series|Spirit of the Wind]]'' novels}}
Authors did not specifically include Goldmoon in books released about the [[Chaos War]], an event in which [[Ionthas]], god of Chaos, tries to destroy the world of [[Krynn]]. However, in ''Spirit of the Wind'' (1998), Chris Pierson explains that Wanderer, Riverwind and Goldmoon's son, has a three years old son, Cloudhawk, but nobody remember his mother. The author hints that Goldmoon's tribe was attacked by ''shadow wights'', chaotic creatures that vanish anyone they possess to utter oblivion, banishing even memories from others about the person in question. This hint is given through Wanderer's sisters, Moonsong and Brightdawn, when they speculate that one such creature killed her.<ref name="shadowwight">
{{cite book
| last = Pierson
| first = Chris
| authorlink = Chris Pierson
| title = Spirit of the Wind
| origyear = 1998
| origmonth = July
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/866650000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 1st edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1174-3
| pages = 73-74
| chapter = Chapter 6
}}
</ref>
The novel ends with the death of Brightdawn and Riverwind while fighting the red dragon overlord [[Malystryx]], and Moonsong scarred forever, events that weighted heavily on Goldmoon's spirit.

===Age of Mortal series===
{{spoilerabout|''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Chronicles Trilogy|Dragons of Summer Flame]]'' and the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Bridges of Time Series|The Silver Stair]]'' novel}}

The [[Dragonlance timeline#Age of Mortals|Age of Mortal]] starts at the end of ''Dragons of Summer Flame'' (1996) novel, with the departure of the [[Deities of Dragonlance|krynnish gods]] and the banishment of magic and clerical powers known to Krynn until that moment. Needing a new source of power, a special kind of magic named ''mysticism'' is created based on previous abilities found in the ''Dragonlance'' novels.<ref name="mysticism">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Don Perrin, Jamie Chambers, Christopher Coyle
| editors = Michele Carter, Cal Moore, Charles Ryan, Ray Vallese, Val Vallese
| title = Dragonlance Campaign Setting
| origyear = 2003
| origmonth = August
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/869900000
| format = Hardcover
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 1999
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-3086-1
| pages = 100
| chapter = Chapter Three, Magic of Krynn.
}}
</ref>

[[Jean Rabe]]'s novel [[List of Dragonlance novels#Bridges of Time Series|''The Silver Stair'']] (1999) explains how Goldmoon, following a recurrent dream, travels to the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Schallsea|Isle of Schallsea]] with [[List of Dragonlance characters#Jasper Fireforge|Jasper Fireforge]], where she finds the fabled ''Silver Stairs'', an endless stair that was thought to be a portal to reach [[Solinari]], the white moon of [[Krynn]]. The novel reveals that while climbing it, she experiences a new vision about the ''Power of the Heart'', a special magic that would come to replace the one provided by the gods of old<ref name="citadeloflight">
{{cite book
| last = Rabe
| first = Jean
| authorlink = Jean Rabe
| title = The Silver Stair
| origyear = 1999
| origmonth = January
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/865130000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 1999
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1315-0
| pages = 29-30
| chapter = Chapter 2, The Celestial Ladder
}}
</ref>
and which she first discovered while healing a dying Jasper, three years before in [[List of Dragonlance locations#Solace|Solace]].<ref name="heartdiscovery">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Fallen Sun
| origyear = 2000
| origmonth = March
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/218070000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 3rd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1807-1
| pages = 514
| chapter = Chapter 27, The Touch of the Dead
}}
</ref>

The novel continues explaining the different difficulties the group had to establish a campment, while at the same time introducing a branch of mysticism, ''dark mysticism'', which was discovered by Goldmoon's wish to talk with Riverwind. From that point Goldmoon continued using it to communicate with Riverwind spirit, although conversations between the couple is usually kept secret from the reader. Other authors like [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]] made use of that bound between the couple in subsequent books.

By the end of the novel she has managed to found the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Citadel of Light|Citadel of Light]], which was established as the healing center of Ansalon.<ref name="dream">
{{cite book
| author = Peter Archer
| coauthors = Linda P. Baker, Nancy Varian Berberick, Steven Stan! Brown, Sue Cook, Jeff Crook, John Grubber, Miranda Horner, Harold Johnson, Nicole Harsch, Kevin James Kage, Richard A. Knaak, Mary Krammes, Steve Miller, Kate Novak, Nick O'Donohoe, Janet Pack, Don Perrin, Chris Pierson, Jean Rabe, Paul B. Thompson, Margaret Weis, Michael Williams
| editor = edited by [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
| title = More Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home
| origyear = 2000
| origmonth = June
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlacc/865710000
| format = Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 2nd edition
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1516-1
| pages = 245-253
| chapter = A timeline of the Age of Mortals
}}</ref>
Because of this, Goldmoon has been used by ''Dragonlance'' authors to first bring clerical healing back to Krynn during the [[Dragonlance timeline#Age of Despair|Fourth Age]], and then to bring mysticism during the [[Dragonlance timeline#Age of Mortals|Fifth Age]]. The fact is mentioned in the books. {{citation needed}} <!-- I know I have read this quote in the novels, will try to find it. -->

===Dragons of a New Age trilogy===
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Dragons of a New Age|Dragons of a New Age]]'' trilogy}}
[[Image:DL_GoldmoonAndDhamon.jpg|thumb|150px|'''Goldmoon''' and [[List of Dragonlance characters#Dhamon Grimwulf|Dhamon]], with [[Khellendros]] at the back.]]
Goldmoon most controversial appearance was in the [[List of Dragonlance novels#Dragons of a New Age|Dragons of a New Age]] trilogy, written by [[Jean Rabe]] between 1996 and 1998, in which it is related the coming of the ''Dragon Overlords'', [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]] of exceptional size and power, to the world of Krynn.

In ''The Dawning of a New Age'' (1996), the first book of the series, Jean Rabe indicates that Goldmoon appears as an illusion to [[List of Dragonlance characters#Dhamon Grimwulf|Dhamon Grimwulf]], a former Knights of Takhisis, summoning him to the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Last Heroes' Tomb|Last Heroes' Tomb]], the tomb where the heroes of the [[Chaos War]] are kept. The author gives the reader, at that point, the guidelines for Dhamon's mission throughout the trilogy.<ref name="guide">
{{cite book
| last = Rabe
| first = Jean
| authorlink = Jean Rabe
| title = The Dawning of a New Age
| origyear = 1996
| origmonth = September
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/882100000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2002
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2842-5
| pages = 121-122
| chapter = Chapter 14, The faces of Goldmoon
}}
</ref>

The author keeps Goldmoon's interventions small, especially through visions and communications with [[List of Dragonlance characters#Jasper Fireforge|Jasper Fireforge]] and [[Palin Majere]], until the second half of the second book in the series, ''The Day of the Tempest'' (1997), when the party of adventurers arrive to the Citadel of Light. It is here when the author details how an enchanted Dhamon is forced to slay Goldmoon.<ref name="goldmoondeath">
{{cite book
| last = Rabe
| first = Jean
| authorlink = Jean Rabe
| title = The Day of the Tempest
| origyear = 1997
| origmonth = August
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/882600000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 1st edition
| year = 2000
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2857-3
| pages = 284-289
| chapter = Chapter 22, Red Hands
}}
</ref>

The prologue of the last book in the trilogy, ''The Eve of the Maelstrom'' (1998), relates a shortened version of Goldmoon's death, adding her travel to the afterlife and her meeting with [[Riverwind]], her husband. However, while at the end of the second book Riverwind was expecting her, in the third book she is told that her time has not arrived yet. During the length of the book, Goldmoon appears as an encouraging voice when her friends need her. It is towards the end of the book when the author reveals how Goldmoon is brought back to Krynn, as Goldmoon tells a dying Jasper he was supposed to die in Schallsea, and that his faith and his death against Onysablet, the black dragon overlord, restores her life.<ref name="resurrection">
{{cite book
| last = Rabe
| first = Jean
| authorlink = Jean Rabe
| title = The Eve of the Maelstrom
| origyear = 1998
| origmonth = February
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/882700000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 1st edition
| year = 2002
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2860-3
| pages = 297-302
| chapter = Chapter 20, Rebirth
}}
</ref>

:''See also the [[#Controversy|Controversy]] section''

===War of Souls trilogy===
{{see also|War of Souls}}
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#The War of Souls|War of Souls]]'' trilogy}}
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman give Goldmoon a more prominent role during the [[List of Dragonlance novels#The War of Souls|War of Souls]] trilogy, when she is well over her nineties. During the first chapters of the first book, ''Dragons of a Fallen Sun'' (2000), Weis and Hickman explain how Goldmoon is transformed by a magical storm, regaining the body she had during the [[List of Dragonlance novels#Chronicles Trilogy|Chronicles]] trilogy. The authors use this occassion to show an angry, depressed and bitter side of the character that had not been exploited in depth before. Her new behaviour is explained due her expectation to die soon and join the soul of her already deceased husband in the afterlife,<ref name="youth">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Fallen Sun
| origyear = 2000
| origmonth = March
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/218070000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 3rd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1807-1
| pages = 447
| chapter = Chapter 23, The Hedge Maze
}}
</ref>
even calling this change a curse instead of a blessing.<ref name="curse">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Fallen Sun
| origyear = 2000
| origmonth = March
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/218070000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 3rd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1807-1
| pages = 441
| chapter = Chapter 23, The Hedge Maze
}}
</ref>

Her protagonism increases near the end of the first book when she becomes the first character to discover that the souls of dead people are draining the magic from [[Cleric (Dungeons & Dragons)|clerics]], [[Wizards of High Sorcery|mages]] and [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]], giving the reader the first solid reference of the reason about why [[Magic (Dungeons & Dragons)|magic]] has been weakening in the world of [[Krynn]].<ref name="weakeningmagic">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Fallen Sun
| origyear = 2000
| origmonth = March
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/218070000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 3rd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1807-1
| pages = 516
| chapter = Chapter 27, The Touch of the Dead
}}
</ref>
The initial shock is replaced with the urge of following the ''River of Souls'', also referred as the ''river of the dead'', the continuous stream of wandering souls moving towards a unknown meeting location. Goldmoon spends the end of the first book and most of the second book, ''Dragons of a Lost Star'' (2001), following the stream until arriving to [[List of Dragonlance locations#Nightlund|Nightlund]], where the [[Towers of High Sorcery#Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas|Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas]] was hidden.

The final chapter of the second book relates the meeting between Goldmoon and an orphaned girl she found in the [[List of Dragonlance locations#Schallsea|Isle of Schallsea]] whom she had raised and trained in the clerical arts, [[Mina (Dragonlance)|Mina]]. During this meeting the reader is revealed that Goldmoon's body was restored by the ''One God'' through Mina's prayings, and that the real identity of this god was [[Takhisis]], evil goddess of darkness. Refusing to become the herald of the ''Queen of Darkness'', Takhisis drains the life out of Goldmoon and orders Mina to secure her corpse in an amber [[sarcophagus]].<ref name="death">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Lost Star
| origyear = 2001
| origmonth = April
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/218070000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2002
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2706-2
| pages = 541-547
| chapter = Chapter 35, The One God
}}
</ref><ref name="booksample">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Vanished Moon
| origyear = 2002
| origmonth = June
| url = http://www.wizards.com/books/dnd/samples/88602.pdf
| format = [[Portable Document Format|PDF]] chapter sample
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2950-2
| pages = 3-13
| chapter = Chapter 1, Lost Souls
}}
</ref>

In the first chapter of the last book of the trilogy, ''Dragons of a Vanished Moon'' (2002), Weis and Hickman rehearse Goldmoon and Mina's meeting, and is the last time Goldmoon is seen alive in the ''Dragonlance'' series. From that point, it is explained that her soul was enslaved and forced to join the other magic draining ghosts. Throughout this book, she is only present as a body in a coffin that is being carried to the ''Temple of Huerzyd'', which Takhisis would possess it to spread the word of her return, confident that people would worship her if one of her own greatest enemies, Goldmoon, has been converted.<ref name="worship">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Vanished Moon
| origyear = 2002
| origmonth = June
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/178810000
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2950-2
| pages = 416-417
| chapter = Chapter 18, Day's Dawning
}}
</ref>

In the last chapter of the book, the authors explain that her spirit is freed after Takhisis is defeated, and has joined her friends's souls to travel to the afterlife.<ref name="freed">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = Dragons of a Vanished Moon
| origyear = 2002
| origmonth = June
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/178810000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2003
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-2950-2
| pages = 610
| chapter = Chapter 32, The Age of Mortals
}}
</ref>
Her death puts an end to the [[Heroes of the Lance]], as she was the last surviving character from the original group created in 1984 by Weis and Hickman.

==Controversy==
{{spoilerabout|the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Kingpriest Trilogy|Kingpriest]]'' trilogy and "The Legacy" short story from the ''[[List of Dragonlance novels#Tales|The Magic of Krynn]]'' recompilation}}
The character of Goldmoon was killed in the [[List of Dragonlance novels#Dragons of a New Age|Dragons of a New Age]] trilogy, during events explained in ''The Day of the Tempest'' novel, and resurrected in the last novel of the series, ''The Eve of the Maelstrom''. In the ''Dragonlance'' environment, resurrection is extremely rare (with Beldinas Pilofiro, latest [[Kingpriest of Istar]], resurrecting Cathan MarSevrin with [[Paladine]]'s intervention in ''Chosen of the Gods'' (2001),<ref name="cathan">
{{cite book
| last = Pierson
| first = Chris
| title = Chosen of the Gods
| origyear = 2001
| origmonth = November
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/886940000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 2nd edition
| year = 2001
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-1902-7
| pages = 323-329
| chapter = Chapter 31
}}
</ref> [[Fistandantilus]] through his powerful magic and his [[List of Dragonlance artifacts#Bloodstone|bloodstone]] in ''Fistandantilus Reborn'' (1997),<ref name="fistandantilus">
{{cite book
| last = Niles
| first = Douglas
| title = Fistandantilus Reborn
| origyear = 1997
| origmonth = October
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/083840000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-21
| edition = 4th edition
| year = 2002
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-7869-0708-8
| pages = 295-296
| chapter = Chapter 44, Fistandantilus Reborn
}}
</ref> and [[Raistlin Majere]] returning from the Abyss through [[Dalamar]] and [[Palin Majere|Palin]] intervention in "The Legacy" short story in ''The Magic of Krynn'' (1987)<ref name="raistlin">
{{cite book
| author = Margaret Weis
| coauthors = Tracy Hickman
| title = The Magic of Krynn
| origyear = 1987
| origmonth = March
| url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dlnovel/083140000
| format = Mass Market Paperback
| accessdate = 2006-05-20
| edition = 17th edition
| year = 2002
| publisher = Wizards of the Coast
| id = ISBN 0-88038-454-9
| pages = 340-342
| chapter = The Legacy, chapter 10
}}
</ref> the main examples). Although there were several theories about her death and resurrection, the matter was apparently clarified by a mail sent to the ''Dragonlance'' list by Miranda Horner, [[Wizards of the Coast]] Web Content Developer, and a forum post in the official ''Dragonlance'' forums by [[Jean Rabe]], author of the trilogy.

According to Miranda Horner:
{{cquote|The underlying thing was that it was rather confusing to come into, and it affected my project to some extent. Steve and I worked on Citadel, and I think he and Sue ended up having to change the stuff in there to make Goldmoon alive. I know that I had to adjust Wings of Fury to reflect book stuff, and books had to change Eve to reflect some game stuff.}}

Jean Rabe wrote in the official ''Dragonlance'' forums:
{{cquote|I <nowiki>[Jean Rabe]</nowiki> "killed" Goldmoon in Day of the Tempest, after getting approval from the books department and Margaret to do so. After the book was in typesetting, the games division called me and said she couldn't die, as they had plans for her in a DL game product. Since my novel was "work for hire," I had to bring Goldmoon back. Sigh. Argh. Just doing what they told me to do.}}

Synchronization problems between novels and gaming material, and even between novels themselves are common in the ''Dragonlance'' environment where, except in few cases, the novel authors do not assist in the creation of the [[Tabletop role-playing game|role playing game]] [[Module (role-playing games)|modules]].

==See also==
* [[Riverwind]]
* [[Riverwind]]
* [[Deities of Dragonlance]]
* [[Deities of Dragonlance]]
Line 27: Line 583:


== References ==
== References ==
<div class="NavFrame">
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of Autumn Twilight: Chronicles vol. I | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1574-9}}
<div class="NavHead" style="text-align: left;">Citations</div>
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1609-5}}
<div class="NavContent" style="text-align: left;">
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of Spring Dawning: Chronicles vol. III | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1589-7}}
<div class="references-small">
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of a Fallen Sun: The War of Souls vol. I | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2003 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1807-1}}
<references />
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of a Lost Star: The War of Souls vol. II | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0-7869-2706-2}}
</div>
* {{cite book | author=Paul B. Thompson; Tonya C. Cook | title=Riverwind The Plainsman: Preludes vol. IV | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2003 | id=ISBN 0-7869-3009-8}}
</div> <!-- NavContent -->
* {{cite book | author=Several; Edited by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman | title=Love and War: Tales vol. III | publisher=TSR | year=1987 | id=ISBN 0-88038-519-7}}
</div> <!-- NavFrame -->

===Other books===
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis | coauthors=Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1609-5}}
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis | coauthors=Tracy Hickman | title=Dragons of Spring Dawning: Chronicles vol. III | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1589-7}}
* {{cite book | author=Margaret Weis | coauthors=Tracy Hickman | title=Time of the Twins: Dragonlance Legends vol. I | publisher=Wizards of the Coast | year=2000 | id=ISBN 0-7869-1804-7}}

==External links==
* [http://www.dlnexus.com/lexicon/13320.aspx Goldmoon] information at [[Dragonlance Nexus]].

===E-mail and forum posts===
* {{cite web | last = Horner | first = Miranda | title = <nowiki>Re: Jean Rabe and Goldmoon, a new perspective (I think and hope) was: Re: [DL] Populations in cities and towns?</nowiki> | date = 2000-06-01 | url = http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0006a&L=dragonlance-l&D=1&F=&S=&P=907 | accessdate = 2006-05-21}}
* {{cite web | last = Rabe | first = Jean | authorlink = Jean Rabe | title = On Goldmoon's "Tempest" Death | date = 2005-01-11 | url = http://dragonlanceforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=40063&postcount=5 | accessdate = 2006-05-21}}


[[Category:Humans of Dragonlance]]
[[Category:Humans of Dragonlance|Goldmoon]]
[[Category:Fictional heroines]]
[[Category:Fictional heroines|Goldmoon]]
{{dragonlance-stub}}

Revision as of 19:48, 28 May 2006

Goldmoon and Riverwind. Illustration by Keith Parkinson.

Goldmoon (also known as Goldmoon of the Que Shu tribe or just Goldmoon of the Que Shu) is a fictional character from the Dragonlance fantasy series of novels and role playing games, originally published by TSR, Inc. and later by Wizards of the Coast.

Introduced in the first book of the original Chronicles Trilogy, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman in 1984, Goldmoon became a recurring character for over 16 years in multiple Dragonlance novels and series, as either a protagonist or a support character.

As with the other protagonists of the trilogy, Goldmoon first appearance was during a tabletop role-playing game session in which Tracy Hickman and his wife, Laura Hickman, Margaret Weis and Terry Phillips between others, set up the basic storyline of Dragonlance.[1] Goldmoon was designed to be a female barbarian, who was kind, understanding, loved to travel, advising, and taking care of other people. Gifted with a good voice, she finds pleasure in singing. As a high profile member of her community, she is a natural speaker, able to inspire others to reach for their own goals.[2]

Character background

Template:Spoilerabout

The Dragonlance novels do not cover Goldmoon's childhood, however through official timelines and biographies her birth date, February 5, 322 A.C., her parents, Arrowthorn, Chieftain of the Que Shu—a tribe located in Central Abanasinia plains, a desolated area in the northern area of Ansalon in the fictional world of Krynn—and Tearsong, the high priestess of the tribe, and her position as princess of the tribe and next high priestess, are known. In addition, a first childhood love in the barbarian Hollow-sky is discovered, although, interested in the art of war, did not acknowledge her and, once adult, only considered her a prize.[3]

The short story "Heart of Goldmoon", written by Laura Hickman and Kate Novak and published in the Love and War (1987) recompilation, gives insight about her life after her mother died explaining that, as the Que Shu community is built around the figure of a high priestess, whoever marries her becomes Chieftain of the tribe, with the first daughter of the couple becoming the next priestess.[4]

The focus of the story is the travel Goldmoon must do to the Hall of the Sleeping Spirits, the place where the tombs of her ancestors are kept, to commune with their spirits in order to become the high priestess of the tribe. The travel ends with the confirmation of the love between Goldmoon and Riverwind, and the meeting between Goldmoon and Tearsong's spirit, in which Goldmoon is taught about the truth of the ancient gods and is given a task in the name of Mishakal, goddess of healing and known as the Great Healer at that point in the story, which she fulfills.[5] At the end of the short story it is stated that Riverwind will be taking the Courting quest, a task he must finish before being able to marry her.

Paul B. Thompson and Tonya C. Cook explain this quest in the novel Riverwind the Plainsman (1990), from the Tales series, where he succeeded in bringing back a Blue Crystal Staff, proof that the ancient gods existed.[6]

In Dragons of Autumn Twilight (1984), Weis and Hickman, through Goldmoon, explain that the tribe did not accept the staff as a proof and, moments before the tribe stoned him, Goldmoon embraced his lover, and as a blue-tinted light coming from the Blue Crystal staff surrounded them, they vanished from the village.[7] Appearing just outside the city of Solace, they decided to travel, looking for someone who could tell them more about the staff, marking the proper beginning of the Chronicles trilogy.

Development through the series

Chronicles trilogy

Template:Spoilerabout

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman introduce Goldmoon in chapter 3 of Dragons of Autumn Twilight (1984), titled "Knight of Solamnia. The old man's party." She is presented as a heavily cloaked, silver-gold haired woman carrying a plain staff, accompanied by a tall stone-faced barbarian. The authors explain that shortly after the barbarian's arrival to the Inn of the Last Home a fight breaks out and the true nature of her healing staff is revealed, forcing the barbarians and a group of friends to run away. It is after escaping when they get to know Goldmoon's desire of travelling to Haven, where she hoped the Seekers, priests who were in search of the old gods but degenerated into a political movement, would be able to teach them about the healing staff.

In the following chapters Weis and Hickman continue to make the female barbarian the main focus of the story, stating that she discovered that two constellations were missing from the firmament and then narrating about the staff protecting the barbarians when Riverwind was going to be stoned. However, her protagonism fades in the battle sequences that follow, where she is protected by Riverwind, Sturm Brightblade, a Squire of the Knights of Solamnia and Tanis Half-Elven, the leader of the group. This behaviour becomes a constant in the rest of the series.

Goldmoon riding a pegasus on her way to Xak Tsaroth.

The authors give the story a harder push when they explain the group travels to Xak Tsaroth, the broken city where Riverwind found the magical staff. The sixteenth chapter, "A bitter choice. The greatest gift." presents a conversation between Goldmoon and her deceased mother, Tearsong, and an appearance of Mishakal, goddess of healing and protector of the Blue Crystal Staff she carries, in which she explains the different sacrifices Goldmoon must do in order to obtain the goddess' gift and the tasks she must fulfill, including the retrieval of the Disks of Mishakal, sacred book of platinum with the teachings of Paladine, highest god of light in Krynn.[8] The novel continues, indicating that Goldmoon receives the power of healing before the goddess depart, which she promptly uses to save a mortally wounded Riverwind after an encounter against Khisanth, the black dragon protecting the broken city.

Goldmoon reaches the peak of attention when the authors write about her apparent sacrifice to defeat Khisanth, during the retrieval of the Disks of Mishakal. However, it is soon explained that her sacrifice was the last test the goddess Mishakal needed from her, and as the group nears the exit of the dungeon, they find Goldmoon waiting for them, recently blessed by the deity as a true cleric of Mishakal with the power of calling upon her help when in need.[9]

Fulfilling her final mission, Goldmoon delivers the Disks of Mishakal to a former Seeker, Elistan, whom the group meets in Pax Tharkas after they have been captured by the Dragonarmies of Ansalon, the forces of evil invading the continent of Ansalon.

In this way, at the end of the book Goldmoon marries Riverwind in a valley not far from Pax Tharkas after the Heroes of the Lance, as the group that left Solace at the beginning of the book was later known, defeated Lord Verminaard in that city and freed the slaves.[10]

Her involvement in the last two books of the trilogy—and therefore during the War of the Lance—abruptly diminishes at the beginning of the second book, Dragons of Winter Night (1985). Her appearances are mostly to give counsel, spread the teachings of Mishakal and order new clerics. During the second half of the last book, Dragons of Spring Dawning (1985), Goldmoon learns she is pregnant. Her goodbye to Laurana Kanan in Kalaman is the last apparition in the Chronicles trilogy.

Legends trilogy

Template:Spoilerabout Although the series focus heavily on Caramon and Raistlin Majere, Riverwind makes an appearance at the beginning of the first book of the Legends trilogy, Time of the Twins (1986), written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and published by TSR, in which he is recognized as leader of the Que Shu and other barbarian tribes by wearing the Mantle of the Chieftain.

This apparition is also used by the authors to explain the current situation of the couple. With a two year old son—Wanderer— and twin daughters—Moonsong and Brightdawn—the couple have worked hard to join the different tribes of Abanasinia, their local region. It is also explained that Goldmoon is working hard spreading the teachings of her patron deity, but nothing more is said about her.

Chaos War series

Template:Spoilerabout Authors did not specifically include Goldmoon in books released about the Chaos War, an event in which Ionthas, god of Chaos, tries to destroy the world of Krynn. However, in Spirit of the Wind (1998), Chris Pierson explains that Wanderer, Riverwind and Goldmoon's son, has a three years old son, Cloudhawk, but nobody remember his mother. The author hints that Goldmoon's tribe was attacked by shadow wights, chaotic creatures that vanish anyone they possess to utter oblivion, banishing even memories from others about the person in question. This hint is given through Wanderer's sisters, Moonsong and Brightdawn, when they speculate that one such creature killed her.[11] The novel ends with the death of Brightdawn and Riverwind while fighting the red dragon overlord Malystryx, and Moonsong scarred forever, events that weighted heavily on Goldmoon's spirit.

Age of Mortal series

Template:Spoilerabout

The Age of Mortal starts at the end of Dragons of Summer Flame (1996) novel, with the departure of the krynnish gods and the banishment of magic and clerical powers known to Krynn until that moment. Needing a new source of power, a special kind of magic named mysticism is created based on previous abilities found in the Dragonlance novels.[12]

Jean Rabe's novel The Silver Stair (1999) explains how Goldmoon, following a recurrent dream, travels to the Isle of Schallsea with Jasper Fireforge, where she finds the fabled Silver Stairs, an endless stair that was thought to be a portal to reach Solinari, the white moon of Krynn. The novel reveals that while climbing it, she experiences a new vision about the Power of the Heart, a special magic that would come to replace the one provided by the gods of old[13] and which she first discovered while healing a dying Jasper, three years before in Solace.[14]

The novel continues explaining the different difficulties the group had to establish a campment, while at the same time introducing a branch of mysticism, dark mysticism, which was discovered by Goldmoon's wish to talk with Riverwind. From that point Goldmoon continued using it to communicate with Riverwind spirit, although conversations between the couple is usually kept secret from the reader. Other authors like Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman made use of that bound between the couple in subsequent books.

By the end of the novel she has managed to found the Citadel of Light, which was established as the healing center of Ansalon.[15] Because of this, Goldmoon has been used by Dragonlance authors to first bring clerical healing back to Krynn during the Fourth Age, and then to bring mysticism during the Fifth Age. The fact is mentioned in the books. [citation needed]

Dragons of a New Age trilogy

Template:Spoilerabout

Goldmoon and Dhamon, with Khellendros at the back.

Goldmoon most controversial appearance was in the Dragons of a New Age trilogy, written by Jean Rabe between 1996 and 1998, in which it is related the coming of the Dragon Overlords, dragons of exceptional size and power, to the world of Krynn.

In The Dawning of a New Age (1996), the first book of the series, Jean Rabe indicates that Goldmoon appears as an illusion to Dhamon Grimwulf, a former Knights of Takhisis, summoning him to the Last Heroes' Tomb, the tomb where the heroes of the Chaos War are kept. The author gives the reader, at that point, the guidelines for Dhamon's mission throughout the trilogy.[16]

The author keeps Goldmoon's interventions small, especially through visions and communications with Jasper Fireforge and Palin Majere, until the second half of the second book in the series, The Day of the Tempest (1997), when the party of adventurers arrive to the Citadel of Light. It is here when the author details how an enchanted Dhamon is forced to slay Goldmoon.[17]

The prologue of the last book in the trilogy, The Eve of the Maelstrom (1998), relates a shortened version of Goldmoon's death, adding her travel to the afterlife and her meeting with Riverwind, her husband. However, while at the end of the second book Riverwind was expecting her, in the third book she is told that her time has not arrived yet. During the length of the book, Goldmoon appears as an encouraging voice when her friends need her. It is towards the end of the book when the author reveals how Goldmoon is brought back to Krynn, as Goldmoon tells a dying Jasper he was supposed to die in Schallsea, and that his faith and his death against Onysablet, the black dragon overlord, restores her life.[18]

See also the Controversy section

War of Souls trilogy

Template:Spoilerabout Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman give Goldmoon a more prominent role during the War of Souls trilogy, when she is well over her nineties. During the first chapters of the first book, Dragons of a Fallen Sun (2000), Weis and Hickman explain how Goldmoon is transformed by a magical storm, regaining the body she had during the Chronicles trilogy. The authors use this occassion to show an angry, depressed and bitter side of the character that had not been exploited in depth before. Her new behaviour is explained due her expectation to die soon and join the soul of her already deceased husband in the afterlife,[19] even calling this change a curse instead of a blessing.[20]

Her protagonism increases near the end of the first book when she becomes the first character to discover that the souls of dead people are draining the magic from clerics, mages and dragons, giving the reader the first solid reference of the reason about why magic has been weakening in the world of Krynn.[21] The initial shock is replaced with the urge of following the River of Souls, also referred as the river of the dead, the continuous stream of wandering souls moving towards a unknown meeting location. Goldmoon spends the end of the first book and most of the second book, Dragons of a Lost Star (2001), following the stream until arriving to Nightlund, where the Tower of High Sorcery of Palanthas was hidden.

The final chapter of the second book relates the meeting between Goldmoon and an orphaned girl she found in the Isle of Schallsea whom she had raised and trained in the clerical arts, Mina. During this meeting the reader is revealed that Goldmoon's body was restored by the One God through Mina's prayings, and that the real identity of this god was Takhisis, evil goddess of darkness. Refusing to become the herald of the Queen of Darkness, Takhisis drains the life out of Goldmoon and orders Mina to secure her corpse in an amber sarcophagus.[22][23]

In the first chapter of the last book of the trilogy, Dragons of a Vanished Moon (2002), Weis and Hickman rehearse Goldmoon and Mina's meeting, and is the last time Goldmoon is seen alive in the Dragonlance series. From that point, it is explained that her soul was enslaved and forced to join the other magic draining ghosts. Throughout this book, she is only present as a body in a coffin that is being carried to the Temple of Huerzyd, which Takhisis would possess it to spread the word of her return, confident that people would worship her if one of her own greatest enemies, Goldmoon, has been converted.[24]

In the last chapter of the book, the authors explain that her spirit is freed after Takhisis is defeated, and has joined her friends's souls to travel to the afterlife.[25] Her death puts an end to the Heroes of the Lance, as she was the last surviving character from the original group created in 1984 by Weis and Hickman.

Controversy

Template:Spoilerabout The character of Goldmoon was killed in the Dragons of a New Age trilogy, during events explained in The Day of the Tempest novel, and resurrected in the last novel of the series, The Eve of the Maelstrom. In the Dragonlance environment, resurrection is extremely rare (with Beldinas Pilofiro, latest Kingpriest of Istar, resurrecting Cathan MarSevrin with Paladine's intervention in Chosen of the Gods (2001),[26] Fistandantilus through his powerful magic and his bloodstone in Fistandantilus Reborn (1997),[27] and Raistlin Majere returning from the Abyss through Dalamar and Palin intervention in "The Legacy" short story in The Magic of Krynn (1987)[28] the main examples). Although there were several theories about her death and resurrection, the matter was apparently clarified by a mail sent to the Dragonlance list by Miranda Horner, Wizards of the Coast Web Content Developer, and a forum post in the official Dragonlance forums by Jean Rabe, author of the trilogy.

According to Miranda Horner:

The underlying thing was that it was rather confusing to come into, and it affected my project to some extent. Steve and I worked on Citadel, and I think he and Sue ended up having to change the stuff in there to make Goldmoon alive. I know that I had to adjust Wings of Fury to reflect book stuff, and books had to change Eve to reflect some game stuff.

Jean Rabe wrote in the official Dragonlance forums:

I [Jean Rabe] "killed" Goldmoon in Day of the Tempest, after getting approval from the books department and Margaret to do so. After the book was in typesetting, the games division called me and said she couldn't die, as they had plans for her in a DL game product. Since my novel was "work for hire," I had to bring Goldmoon back. Sigh. Argh. Just doing what they told me to do.

Synchronization problems between novels and gaming material, and even between novels themselves are common in the Dragonlance environment where, except in few cases, the novel authors do not assist in the creation of the role playing game modules.

See also

References

Other books

  • Margaret Weis (2000). Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1609-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Margaret Weis (2000). Dragons of Spring Dawning: Chronicles vol. III. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1589-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Margaret Weis (2000). Time of the Twins: Dragonlance Legends vol. I. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1804-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

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