Alhana Starbreeze Alhana Starbreeze, Silvanesti Elf, is first introduced in
Dragons of Winter Night as the daughter of Speaker of the Stars Lorac Caladon. During the War of the Lance, Alhana leads her people in exile to Ergoth. She later brings the Heroes of the Lance to Silvanesti where they encounter the nightmare and fight the dragon Cyan Bloodbane. Alhana fell in love with Sturm Brightblade and even gave him a starjewel, but their love could never be, and he died soon afterwards. She later marries Porthios Kanan and works with him to eradicate the dream from Silvanesti. Although their marriage is chilly and mainly political, they eventually grow to love each other. During the Chaos War, she gives birth to a son, Silvanoshei. Years later during the War of Souls, Silvanoshei would fall in love with Mina and follows her to Sanction. There, he kills
Takhisis and Mina kills him in turn. Alhana names her nephew Gilthas leader of the elven people and departs. In the
Elven Exiles Trilogy, it is revealed that Alhana has gone searching for Porthios, and she eventually finds him in Bianost. She joins his fight to free Qualinesti, comes with him to Khur to save the elves there, and then returns with him to Qualinesti to continue the struggle to free Qualinesti.
Alleran Waylan Alleran Waylan, human, also known as Wonderful Waylan is the biological father of
Tika Waylan. He had Tika with one of the barmaids at the Inn of the Last Home. Alleran was a minor mage who often entertained crowds, stealing from them in the process. He was, however, rather charming, a good distraction when he was pilfering his customers money. Alleran started off as a trickster skilled at sleight of hand and picked up some small magic from a wandering mage. Alleran eventually abandoned Tika and Otik became her adopted father.
Angriff Brightblade Angriff Brightblade, human, is the father of Sturm Brightblade. Angriff was a Knight of the Sword, in his time considered to be one of the three best swordsmen in the order of Solamnic knights. He was betrayed during the Siege of Castle Brightblade by Boniface Crownguard, and disappeared shortly thereafter, having traded himself for the life of his men.
Ariakan Ariakas Ariakan Ariakas, human, is the son of Duulket Ariakas and an aspect of the sea goddess Zeboim. He is the founder of the Knights of Takhisis (now the Knights of Neraka), formed from his study of the Knights of Solamnia. His Knights nearly conquered all of Ansalon, but the armies of Chaos interrupt him, and he is slain in battle. However, it is later revealed that his soul is in fact trapped in a game piece, and he is released from it. Zeboim restores him to life, and his current status is unknown.
Astinus of Palanthas Astinus of Palanthas, human, also known as Astinus Lorekeeper, is the head librarian of the Library of Palanthas. When Astinus hears of Raistlin, he orders his disciples to put him in a cell so that Astinus may see him "if he has time". When Astinus confronts Raistlin, he recognizes the essence of Fistandantilus and therefore refers to Raistlin as "Old Friend". Fistandantilus created the Sphere of Time for Astinus to view the land and record everything as it is happening—truly, he "sees all as it is happening". Astinus records all history as it happens until the Chaos War, when he disappears. Astinus is believed by some to be either an aspect of Gilean, god of the Book, or a son of his. A legend states that Astinus is being trained by Gilean to go back to the beginning of time and become Gilean, thus entering a time loop.
Berem Everman Berem Everman, human, also known as The Green Gemstone Man. The Foundation Stone of the Kingpriest's Temple of Istar was discovered in the Abyss by Takhisis, Queen of Darkness. Takhisis knew she could create a gateway back to the mortal world of Krynn via this, and forced the Foundation Stone out of the Abyss onto the plains of Neraka, where it began to grow a twisted, evil version of the Kingpriest's temple. This twisted temple was found by Jasla and her brother Berem, who decided to take one of the large emeralds decorating the central pillar. Berem is overcome by the force of evil emanating from the stones, though Jasla begs him to stop. Berem refuses, claiming the brilliant gem will more than pay for their needs for years to come. In his agitated state, Berem rushes Jasla and pushes her away, accidentally killing his sister when she gashes her head open upon the jagged rocks of the Foundation. The emerald fuses into Berem's chest, granting him a form of immortality (he can die, but is always reborn, not remembering how he came back). Without the emerald, the Foundation Stone is useless, and Takhisis is prevented from entering Krynn. She commands her forces to search for Berem, who is known to them as the Everman due to his immortality. After being stopped by Raistlin in the basement of the Dark Queen's Temple, Raistlin tells his brother "this happens because I want it to happen!" Raistlin releases The Everman from his immortality, and Berem impales himself on the jeweled column and spills his blood over it. His spirit then rejoins his sister, who had been holding the Dark Queen at bay, and the door to Krynn slams shut.
Bupu Bulp As a gully dwarf, little Bupu Bulp is never taken seriously except by Raistlin Majere. Raistlin casts a spell of friendship on Bupu, but soon Raistlin unexpectedly starts to really consider the little dwarf a friend. Bupu is one of very few people that Raistlin actually considered a friend. Bupu stole the spellbook of Fistandantilus from Khisanth, and later gave it to Raistlin as gift of farewell. In addition to being included in the original Dragonlance series, Bupu appears in the Legends series, and is often considered the only true symbol of a possibility of a "caring" side to Raistlin. She appears to be intertwined with the deepest parts of Raistlin's soul; in a last-ditch effort to save himself from a Dragon Orb, Raistlin dredges up his last reserves of power, in the form of an image of Bupu.
Caramon Majere Caramon Majere (Younger), human, was the first born son of a woodcutter and the twin of Raistlin Majere, with a complicated childhood. Caramon was strapping and healthy, while Raistlin was so sickly that the midwife feared he would die as an infant. Raistlin had to be nursed to health continuously by their half-sister, Kitiara. From an early age, Caramon's deliberate way of considering ideas earned him a reputation for mental dullness. Raistlin harbors a secret hate for his twin's physical power and easygoing manner, and for the attention and comradeship it seems to earn him, as Raistlin's own appearance and secretive nature causes others to be mistrustful and apprehensive. Caramon, conversely, holds Raistlin in high regard and tries to protect him. Caramon was also a participant in the final battle at the Queen's temple in Neraka when she was finally banished from
Krynn. After the battle was won, Caramon was confronted by his brother Raistlin, who had now turned to the Black Robes. Caramon offered to walk the path of evil with his brother, but Raistlin refused, and left Caramon alone for the first time in his life. Despite this, Caramon remains loyal to his brother, with a willingness to provide aid at any time. Caramon is an attractive and physically strong man. Having worked on farms since his youth, he favors physical activities. After training with Sturm Brightblade under Flint Fireforge's tutelage, he joined a mercenary army and began traveling with his brother. He was pulled into the past with Raistlin and Tasslehoff Burrfoot. Caramon then controls a mercenary army of Solamnic knights, thieves and hill dwarfs. He waged a short war on the mountain dwarves of Thorbardin so Raistlin could get to the portal to the Abyss. After time traveling, he married Tika Waylan, and together they had three sons (Tanin, Sturm, Palin) and two daughters (Laura and Dezra). After, he went to the future (present), and journeyed to stop the god Raistlin, with Tas and Tanis. Caramon died shortly after the Great Storm marking the beginning of the War of Souls. Caramon and Raistlin's relationship was explored in the NY Times Best Seller
Twins Trilogy.
Rino Romano voiced Caramon Majere in the animated film
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight. The 2002 winner of the American Library Association's Alex Award
Mel Odom reviewed the film and stated "Caramon is simple-minded and protective of Raistlin" without further characterisation although stating the film was a "lot of fun." The final book of the trilogy
Test of the Twins appeared on the NY Times Bestseller List for several weeks in 1986. In
Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature, Nadine Wolf wrote that while Caramon is the physically stronger twin compared to Raistlin, it is the latter who "dominates their relationship". This is equivalent to what studies of real life twins has shown happens. Caramon appears as one of the player characters in
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance. During the Chronicles Trilogy Paladine helped the Heroes of the Lance indirectly through Fizban. The kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot, one of the heroes, also became a close friend of Fizban. Weis and Hickman later created a similar character in the Death gate cycle named Zifnab, although they jokingly assure that he is completely different from the Fizban character that TSR owns the copyrights to.
Flint Fireforge Flint is a Neidar (hill dwarf) who exiled himself from his village due to familial conflicts. Spending his life in Solace with eventual travels to Qualinesti to sell his craftsmanship, where he met and befriended Tanis Half-Elven. He met and befriended Tasslehoff Burrfoot when the latter tried to steal one of his trinkets. He is the oldest of the Heroes of the Lance. Flint appears as one of the player characters in the video game
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance. Flint is voiced by
Fred Tatasciore in the animated film
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Gerard Uth Mondar A Knight of Solamnia who was stationed as a guard at the Tomb of the Last Heroes at the start of The War of Souls. He is often described as having an unattractive face, a fact which is eventually overshadowed by his confident demeanor. He aided Laurana and the Qualinesti in their plight against Beryl. He eventually quits the Knighthood for their failure to assist the now exiled Qualinesti elves and becomes the sheriff of Solace.
Gilon Majere Gilon Majere is the father of Caramon Majere and Raistlin Majere. He was a woodcutter that was married to Rosamun Aelan Uth Matar.
Gilthanas Gilthanas is the brother of Porthios and Laurana. He plays a bigger role in the Dragonlance series during
Dragons of Autumn Twilight through to
Dragons of the Winter Night. During these books he shows a hatred and distrust towards Tanis. He does this because he knows the half elf is a bastard, but has captured the attention of his sister, Laurana, who holds the high station of being daughter of the speaker of the Suns. He aided in Tanis's decision to leave the elves and search for his own way. Gilthanas moves on to meet the beautiful Silvara, a silver dragon in Wild Elf form. Then he disappears with her, while in her elven form and falls in love with her. Gilthanas and the dragon bring the silver dragons into the war of the lance, but in the end he disappears. He reappears, saved by the Heroes of the Heart and joins them in Jean Rabe's Age of Mortals' trilogy, where he reveals being a prisoner for the better part of the period after the War of the Lance. Gilthanas is voiced by
Phil LaMarr in the animated feature
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Gilthas Gilthas is Tanis Half-Elven's and Laurana Kanan's son. Gilthas is the leader of the combined elven people, known as the Speaker of the Sun and Stars. He was once sickly and frail, but is now much stronger in his role as ruler of the elves. He is made the puppet ruler of Qualinesti by the Senate (after his uncle Porthios is cast out), but eventually works with a rebel group led by his wife Kerianseray, the Lioness, and takes much more control over the land. He commissions the dwarves to dig tunnels under Qualinost as an escape route; when the great dragon Beryl dies and falls in upon the city, the weakened bottom collapses and the city is turned into a lake. Gilthas, as of the Elven Exiles trilogy, is leading his people in the lands of Khur.
Goldmoon A barbarian princess, daughter of the chieftain of the Que Shu. She arrived to Solace carrying a blue crystal staff with strange powers, and seeking clerics who could explain the lost gods to her. She has a romantic interest in Riverwind, a warrior in her tribe, and he loves her as well. They travel together. She becomes the prophet of the goddess Mishakal. After the Chaos War and the loss of one of her daughters and her husband, she finds the strength to form the Citadel of Light, a beacon for hope, where she forms other to the mysteries of the power of the Heart. After the Great Storm that marks the beginning of the War of Souls, she journeys throughout Ansalon to the Tower of Nightlund where she confronts her former protégée Mina, now a cleric of Takhisis, the One God. Her dying prayer, sent through the portal of the tower, reaches Paladine who uses her pleas to find the planet Krynn.
Lucy Lawless voiced Goldmoon in the animated film
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Laura Majere Laura Majere (373 AC –) is the daughter of Caramon and Tika Waylan Majere. Unlike her siblings or parents, Laura did not follow the life of an adventurer, instead she took over running the Inn of the Last Home from her parents. She had red hair, though it later turned white.
Laurana Kanan Lauralanthalasa Kanan (her full name) was a young, exceptionally beautiful princess of the Qualinesti elves. At an early age she fell in love with her father's ward, Tanis Half-Elven, and during the War of the Lance she followed him off to war. Laurana was then forced to mature very quickly, going from a naive, spoiled princess to a general leading armies. She displayed remarkable leadership ability and became known as the Golden General as she led the Whitestone Forces to many victories in the War of the Lance. She was later tricked into captivity by her rival in love and war, the Dragon Highlord Kitiara Uth Matar, but was eventually rescued by Tanis. After the war ended she married Tanis and together they had a son, Gilthas. Long later during the War of Souls, Laurana led the fight against the green dragon overlord Beryl, helping to slay the dragon but at the cost of her own life. Laurana is voiced by Caroline Gelabert in the animated feature
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Linsha Majere Daughter of Palin and Usha Majere, Linsha joined the Knights of Solamnia in honor of her father's brothers. Linsha specializes in missions where stealth is an important factor, usually collecting information for the Knighthood. She became the first woman to ever join the Order of the Rose, the highest Order in the Solamnic Knighthood.
Magius Magius is a mage who dons White, Red and Black robes, as well as becoming a renegade wizard for a time. He is the companion of Huma Dragonbane and aids Huma in the fight against Takhisis. Magius is killed by Galan Dracos when he is captured and tortured by him. His spellbook was kept in the Tower of High Sorcery until it was given to Palin Majere, who used a powerful war-spell even Magius could not use. The spell damaged the book, but it meant little as magic had left the world with the Gods of Magic. His staff is also in one of the most powerful magical objects and later it was used by Raistlin and Palin Majere. As a consequence of his death by the hand of Dracos, Huma decreed that from that time forward, all mages would be permitted to carry a small bladed weapon to aid in their defence when they had not the opportunity to cast their spells to that end.
Mina Mina was an orphan Goldmoon took in at the Citadel of Light. She could not remember what had happened to her before a shipwreck left her on Schallsea. She was drawn away from the island by Takhisis, posing as the One God, when she was 14. When she was 17 she emerged from the Storm that marked the beginning the War of Souls. She went on to lead the armies of Neraka, once knights of Takhisis, to conquer much of Ansalon—especially Solanthus, Sanction and Silvanesti. She reunited with her adopted mother, Goldmoon, in the Tower of High Sorcery in Nightlund, which led to the rediscovery of Krynn by the other true gods. At the end of the War of Souls, after having vanquished two Dragon Overlords (Malys and Skie), she was willing to give her life for Takhisis, now mortal, but was thwarted in that action by Silvanoshei who killed the Dark Queen before she could take Mina's life. Since then, Mina has left the hiding place where she left the corpse of her deceased Queen. For a time she served Chemosh, god of (Un)Death, and was the source of the blight that would be known as the Beloved of Chemosh. Mina's powers again inadvertently manifest, causing the beloved to serve her rather than the God of Death. Eventually it was revealed by Majere that Mina was a God of Light, tricked by Queen Takhisis into serving her. Mina refused to join the pantheons of Light or Darkness, and became the Goddess of Tears. Her symbol is an amber teardrop. In the last series, she kills Nightshade, Rhys Mason's friend.
Palin Majere The youngest son of Caramon and Tika Waylan Majere, Palin studied magic and wore the white robes of good. He traveled often with his brothers, Sturm and Tanin Majere, while they were trying to finish their quests to become Knights of Solamnia. He was with Tanin and Sturm when they were killed by enemies. However, the enemies decided to hold Palin for ransom. He later plays a large role in the
Chaos War and casts an incredibly powerful war spell, written in a spell book of Magius on Chaos. After Takhisis steals Krynn, at the end of the Chaos War, his magic waned. He opened a magic school in Solace, where he taught apprentices how to use what little was left of the magic of Krynn. Later, during the Fifth Age Trilogy, by Jean Rabe, he joins the Heroes of the Heart and helps stop Malys from becoming a god. During the War of Souls he is portrayed as aged and bitter, due to the loss of magic and the hardships he had to endure at the hands of dragon overlords. He is one of the major characters in that saga too, accompanying Tasselhof and Gerard in bringing the gods back to Krynn. He is currently the mayor of Solace, having given up the magic after the War of Souls.
Palthainon General Palthainon, also termed "senator" and "prefect," was introduced in
The Puppet King written by Douglas Niles. Palthanion is a manipulative character who influences Gilthas, son of Tanis Half-Elven. During the War of Souls, he attempts to rise into a higher position by convincing Silvanesti and Qualinesti elves that Gilthas was not a good leader and that without Palthainon's assistance Gilthas would not be leader, much to Gilthas's annoyance.
Par-Salian Par-Salian was a white-robed mage and leader of the Conclave of the Tower of High Sorcery in Wayreth in the time around the
War of the Lance. Par-Salian was the testmaster of Raistlin Majere when he took the Test of High Sorcery. When confronted with the young mage's arrogance and cynicism, Par-Salian cursed Raistlin in the final stages of the test, giving him hourglass eyes that allow Raistlin to see things only as they wither and die, apparently to teach Raistlin compassion. It did not have the intended effect. After the passing of the Test, which veers out of Par-Salian's control due to the intervention of Fistandantilus, Par-Salian also gives Raistlin the very powerful staff of Magius as compensation for the physical breakdown Raistlin experiences in his fight against a dark elf, leaving his innards broken, his skin golden and his hair white. When Raistlin travels back in time to become one with Fistandantilus, Par-Salian compels Caramon Majere and Tasslehoff Burrfoot to come to the Tower of Wayreth, then sends them both back in time to stop Raistlin. In a timeline that might have happened, had not Tasslehoff Burrfoot altered it with a Time Travel Device, Par-Salian would be cursed by Raistlin to be petrified, but only from the waist down, then made to watch as the last living human while Raistlin destroys the entire world.
Raistlin Majere Twin brother of
Caramon Majere,
Kiefer Sutherland headlined the animated film
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, voicing Raistlin, who was one of the main characters in the film.
Riverwind Grandson of Wanderer of the Que Shu, Riverwind was a sheepherder who fell in love with Goldmoon, the chieftain's daughter. After fulfilling a quest to discover proof of the true gods in order to prove his worth (successfully returning with Mishakal's Blue Crystal Staff), he was sentenced to death for blasphemy. The crystal staff spirited him and Goldmoon away, managing to rescue them by taking them to Solace where they met up with Tanis Half-Elven and companions.
Phil LaMarr voices Riverwind and
Gilthanas in the animated
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight film. Riverwind appears as one of the player characters in
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes of the Lance. Describing Sturm's actions as "maddening" to his compatriots, Gerke went on to write, "while people might object to Sturm's internal code of conduct, it was impossible not to like the man." Sturm Brightblade is voiced by
Marc Worden in the animated feature
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Sturm Majere The second son of Caramon and Tika Majere, Sturm was named after Sturm Brightblade. Like his older brother Tanin, he had wanted to become a knight since his youth, and joined Tanin in applying to the Knighthood. Sturm was squired and knighted almost at the same time as Tanin, and the siblings traveled together with their youngest brother, Palin Majere. Sturm died just before the outbreak of the
Chaos War, when the Dark Knights of Takhisis assaulted Kalaman. His body rests in Solace.
Tanin Majere Tanin was the eldest son of Caramon and Tika Majere. Named after Tanis Half-Elven, he had red curly hair and green eyes, like his mother. During his youth, he adventured with Sturm and Palin Majere, searching for adventures to prove their worth to the Knights of Solamnia. He was eventually knighted, becoming the first Majere to join the Order of the Crown. While on patrol duty, the Majere siblings discovered a fleet of boats approaching the coast. Instead of running away, their group stayed on the beach, awaiting the enemy. Although vastly outnumbered, they fought bravely. Ultimately, the patrol party was defeated, leading to the death of Tanin and Sturm Majere.
Tanis Half-Elven Tanis Half-Elven (elven name
Tanthalas Quisif-Nan Pah) is considered the leader of a group of heroes that prevented the evil goddess Takhisis from returning to Ansalon during the War of the Lance. Tasslehoff is voiced by
Jason Marsden in the animated feature
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight.
Tika Waylan Tika was the adopted daughter of
Otik Sandath, owner of the Inn of the Last Home before the
War of the Lance. Her true father, the conman Alleran Waylan, disappeared shortly after her tenth birthday. Despite being a simple inn's maid, Tika is also brave and spunky; she has been known for whacking
Draconians in the face with her frying pan, and coming with Caramon on adventures on occasion. When she joined the Companions from slavery to Pax Tharkas, her initial ineptitude at sword wielding led to her proficiency in shield bashing, and even developing it into an art, especially effective against baaz draconians who turn to stone when they die as a blade will be stuck until the stone disintegrates. She married Caramon Majere during the War of the Lance. Otik retired and left his Inn in charge of the couple. Tika is also known for her loveliness and kindness. Her fragility in love has given her some disadvantages at times.
Tracy Hickman explained that the Dragonlance design group wanted to have a balanced and typical group in terms of
role-playing games, and thought Tika as the female warrior of the party.
Margaret Weis attributed her appearance
because the artists wanted to have a "babe" to paint. In later novels, they had five children:
Tanin, Sturm, Palin, Laura and
Dezra Majere. Sturm and Tanin were later killed off. Tika is voiced by
Michelle Trachtenberg in the animated feature
Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight. Jason Heller, of
The A.V. Club, identifies Tika as one of the more charismatic characters in the series, as her "no-nonsense fierceness and agency, not to mention her job as a waitress, reminded me of my mom when I was a kid—gets a compelling story arc. It isn't exactly as evolved in terms of feminism as it could be, but is still miles ahead of many popular fantasy novels of the era." Lauren Davis of
io9 notes that "Tika, a barmaid who has been swept up in the action" and comments on her as one of the strong female characters: "Tika, who in times of peace is more hearth mother than warrior, but when pressed in action will pick up a knife (or a frying pan) to defend herself and her friends). The women of Krynn are much like the men—no better and no worse. (Although some of them did tend to be a bit less dressed than their male counterparts in the artwork.)"
Ulin Majere Son of Palin and Usha Majere, Ulin became a white-robed wizard. He also became good friends with a gold dragon, Sunrise.
"Uncle" Trapspringer A kender of some renown whom other kender tell extraordinary tales about, while all claiming he is their uncle. After the Chaos War, kender begin telling stories of their "Uncle" Tasselhoff. Trapspringer Furrfoot is known to be the actual uncle of Tasslehoff Burrfoot and Earwig Lockpicker. Trapspringer makes his appearance in the five years prior to the War of the Lance, travelling with a human named Phineas around Kendermore. They search for and find Damaris Metwinger, the betrothed of Trapspringer's actual nephew, Tasslehoff. Eventually Damaris and Trapspringer fall in love, deciding to marry, which also relieves Tas of his betrothal. Trapspringer plays a large part in keeping one of the portals closed which the Dark Queen tried to use to re-enter Krynn.
Usha Majere Usha Majere is married to Palin Majere. She lives with and is raised by the
Irda, the original ogre race before their fall from grace, until just before the Chaos War, when the Irda send her away before breaking the Graygem of Gargath. She meets up with several characters in Palanthas, and later travels to the Abyss to fight Chaos. She collects a drop of his blood in the Graygem and banishes the particular aspect of Chaos. She marries Palin later, and later reveals to him she cheated on him during the time he becomes absorbed in himself. At the start of her arrival in the human land, Usha is mistakenly believed to be the rumored daughter of Raistlin Majere. Her almost white colored hair and golden colored eyes cause this belief. She is even beginning to believe her parentage when Raistlin appears in person once again and assures her he is not her father. Raistlin told Usha that her parents were captured by Minotaur slavers. They jumped from the ship in an attempt to escape. They prayed to the goddess Zeboim. She gave them ship wreckage to float on. After floating at sea they found themselves at the Irda's island. While there, her father was accidentally killed by the Irda. They were just trying to teach him a lesson, but their magic was too powerful. After she was born, her mother walked into the sea and drowned.
Wanderer the Elder Wanderer was Riverwind's grandfather, notable for being one of the only Que-Shu to still believe in the ancient gods, perhaps instilling those beliefs in Riverwind.
Wanderer (Riverwind's Son) Wanderer, son of Riverwind and Goldmoon, was born 352 AC and named in honor of Riverwind's grandfather, Wanderer the Elder. He later had a son of his own, but during the Chaos War, when shadow wights attacked the tribe, his child's mother was essentially wiped from existence, with not even Wanderer able to remember her. Wanderer saves the Qualinesti people by guiding them through the Plains of Dust. ==Renowned groups==