I was listing the Penhaligon Trilogy (Tainted Sword, Dragon’s Tomb, and Fall of Magic) for sale today, noticed they had some cool maps and art, and so was compelled to record them here.
TSR noted these as being the first novels set in the “Known World” setting (aka Mystara). They were written under a series pseudonym “D. J. Heinrich“, a tactic TSR employed at the time. The Avatar Trilogy’s “Richard Awlinson” comes to mind.
“Some other “insider” bits about the Awlinson name (all-in-one, get it?–no, that was not my creation; TSR management came up with that). The idea was to use the house name so the books would be shelved together alphabetically at the start of the sf/fantasy section of the bookstore. There was also a minor push to play down the fiction authors as individuals at the time; management was unhappy some authors were more important to the readers than the brands. The Book Department staff pushed back against those efforts where we could, at least until department management changed in 1992.”
James Lowder (see the full notes under the AVATAR TRILOGY section of my FR Modules reference page)
D. J. Heinrich was actually Dori Watry for Book 1 & 2. “The second author, Kevin Stein, assisted with The Dragon’s Tomb and wrote all of The Fall of Magic” (Pandius.com). Stein is noted as the author in the back of book 3.
The Tainted Sword, Book One
The first book got the most art. Opening the front cover reveals…
This piece is by Larry Elmore. TSR recycled this one a lot from its first appearance in the Dungeons & Dragons Companion box set. I’m fine with it mirror-imaged, repeated here; it’s always gorgeous.
Then we have some maps. All by Classic TSR artist David C. Sutherland III!
Heart of Karameikos
Compare this with prior maps of the region in my Night’s Dark Terror post.
Village of Bywater
Penhaligon Region
Inside back cover, we have another epic Larry Elmore painting
This one dates back to FR5 The Savage Frontier.
The Dragon’s Tomb, Book Two
Cover art by John & Laura Lakey. It seems familiar, but I can’t place it.
Book 2 is more miserly with the graphics. But we get an overhead map of the Castle of the Three Suns by Robin Raab.
The Fall of Magic, Book Three
Cover art by Sam Rakeland.
I don’t see a credit for the following piece.
Heart of Karameikos map by DCS returns here.
Mystara got a few more novels afterward
Dark Knight of Karameikos (1995) by Timothy Brown — A standalone novel focused on Karameikos.
The Black Vessel (1996) by Morris Simon — Another standalone set in the Mystara world.
Rogues to Riches (1995) by J. Robert King — Part of the First Quest young adult line.
Son of Dawn (1995) by Dixie Lee McKeone — Also in the First Quest line.
Also, there was the Dragonlord Chronicles trilogy by Thorarinn Gunnarsson: Dragonlord of Mystara,
followed by Dragonking & Dragonmage.
See Also: