War of Souls
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The War of Souls is a fictional war in the Dragonlance fictional universe. It is recounted in three books written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman: Dragons of a Fallen Sun, Dragons of a Lost Star, and Dragons of a Vanished Moon.
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[edit] Background
The world of Krynn became a very different place with the disappearance of the gods. Dragons, much larger and more malicious than any native to Krynn, appeared and claimed much of the continent of Ansalon, calling themselves Dragon Overlords. Most of the native dragons are either dead or enslaved. The metallic dragons have disappeared. With the loss of the gods comes the loss of magic, and the Wizards' Conclave had been disbanded years ago. Although sorcery, discovered by Palin Majere, was adopted, it is slowly fading for reasons unknown. Everyone, including the Dragon Overlords, experience the effect. The Knights of Takhisis, with the loss of their Queen, became the Knights of Neraka, a somewhat less honorable outfit than their predecessors, led by Lord of the Night Morham Targonne. Goldmoon, one of the few remaining Heroes of the Lance, has established the Citadel of Light on the island of Schallsea. In the elven realm of Qualinesti, Gilthas, the "puppet king", rules only in title, while the nation is truly run by the occupying Knights of Neraka. Their cousins, the Silvanesti, have banished their heir, Silvanoshei, his mother, and his father. With the gods gone, the time period, fittingly, is known as the Age of Mortals.
[edit] The War of Souls
[edit] The Beginning
The War of Souls begins in 421 AC, 38 years after the events of Dragons of a Summer Flame. A mysterious storm wreaks havoc across the continent of Ansalon. A small band of Knights of Neraka enter the valley of Neraka, where the city of the same name once stood, and are caught in the storm's midst. After the death of his Talon Leader, Galdar, a one-armed minotaur, and the rest of the group meets Mina, a mysterious woman who appeared during the storm. Incredibly, she restores Galdar's lost arm, doing so in the "in the name of the One God". Galdar swears his allegiance to her. The rest of the band follows suit, but she insists they pledge to the One God as well. As they mount their horses, Mina orders them to march on the besieged city of Sanction.
Meanwhile, the exiled elf princess Alhana Starbreeze and her followers are camped outside of Silvanesti lands before the storm. On the night of the storm they are attacked by ogres and Alhana's son, Silvanoshei, is sent to bring aid from the Legion of Steel. However, Silvanoshei is injured when a bolt of lightning hits a nearby tree. He loses consciousness, and when he wakes up he finds that he has somehow passed through the magical shield that isolates Silvanesti from the rest of the world. He meets Rolan, a member of the elven kirath, who patrol the borders of the shield and are still loyal to Silvanoshei.
In the town of Solace, an elderly Caramon Majere enjoys breakfast within the Inn of the Last Home alongside Gerard uth Mondar, a stoic and somewhat introverted Solamnic Knight. Later, on his duty of honor guard of the Tomb of the Last Heroes, Gerard discovers none other than the kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot, trapped within. Naturally, Gerard neither believes his identity nor his story that he's from the past (by use of the Device of Time Journeying) arrived in the present to speak at Caramon's funeral. He also claims that this is not the first time he'd attempted to come. After reciting the eulogy to Caramon himself, the old man dies. As he passes, he extracts a promise from Gerard, beseeching the Knight to take Tasslehoff to Dalamar, who has not been seen for many years. Regardless, Gerard complies. During the funeral, Tasslehoff notes that many things are different from the last time he was there.
[edit] Gathering Forces
Mina's contingent arrives in a valley outside of Sanction, where they meet up with Captain Samuval and his company of archers, a powerful mercenary band in the service of the Knights of Neraka. Through merciless commanding, Mina sends the Solamnic Knights routing back to Sanction, and the Knights of Neraka secure the valley. Samuval and his company are soon following Mina's cause. Word of this victory reaches Targonne, seedy leader of the Knights of Neraka, and he sends orders to Mina to attempt to capture Silvanesti, believing that she will be killed by the hostile ogres on the way. Galdar is sent by Mina to summon General Dogah, the leader of the Knights of Neraka in Khur, to their force.
A disguised Gerard and a confused Tasslehoff ride to Qualinesti in search of Palin Majere, who they believe can lead them to Dalamar. Fabricating a story, they enter Qualinesti borders and make camp in the forest, only to be attacked by a pair of elves, Kalindas and Kelevandros, and a mysterious human, who believe him to be a Knight of Neraka. Gerard is knocked unconscious, Tasslehoff detained, and they are taken away. Meanwhile in Qualinost, capital of the realm, King Gilthas unenthusiastically hosts a ball. As he retires, it is revealed that he is not the manipulated, feeble elf he seems.
The next day, Gerard comes to in the captivity of Palin, who, with the destruction of his Academy of Sorcery, has become a bitter shell of his former self. He explains his torture and disfigurement at the hands of the Thorn Knights, and was left scarred from the incident. At that point, Laurana Kanan, Queen-Mother of Qualinesti and Hero of the Lance, enters. Amazed, she recognizes Tasslehoff. They resolve to fly to Solace on griffons, to meet Jenna, of the Red Robes. However, they are intercepted by Knights of Neraka as they make for the griffons, and Gerard is captured after being spared by Marshal Medan, the commander of the Knights in Qualinesti. In Silvanesti, Silvanoshei meets the cunning General Konnal and his counselor Glaucous, the acting ruler and his counselor respectively. Silvanoshei is crowned Speaker of the Stars as an image for the benefit of the people.
[edit] Conquest
After speaking with Jenna, Palin decides to use the Device of Time Journeying to travel back in time. He does, returning momentarily. He tells them that, when he attempted to travel to the time before the Second Cataclysm, there was nothing. He says that because Tasslehoff used the Device when he was about to be killed by Chaos, he was never killed, his sacrifice could not be used to defeat Chaos, and Chaos's goal of destroying everything was accomplished. As Palin turns on Tasslehoff, the kender uses the Device to escape. They discern that he traveled to the Citadel of Light to try and see Goldmoon. Palin catches up with him at the door to Goldmoon's chambers. Tas persuades her to come out, and Palin is shocked to find her looking as young as she was during the War of the Lance, much to her despair. After much talking, they leave the decision to go back in time to die up to Tas, who needs time to consider it.
Mina's army marches onward through ogre lands as Galdar meets up with it. With an onslaught of miserable weather, the company's morale takes a beating, but Mina pushes them on. Ogres beset them, and she sacrifices supplies and troops to slow them down. The others push onwards, and reach the border of the shield before that night. They sleep, and, to everyone's astonishment but Mina's, awaken to find themselves within the shield.
Gerard wakes to find himself in the care of dark mystics, healers in the service of the Knights of Neraka, in Qualinesti, not as a prisoner, but believed to be a Knight of Neraka. He speaks with Marshal Medan, who knows the truth about him. Medan, however, does not turn him in, but takes a liking to him because of the knightly values he retains. Medan believes that the Overlord Beryllinthranox is going to attack the elven nation someday soon, and seeks Gerard's aid in delaying that day. Gerard accepts, but resolves not to trust him.
In Silvanesti, the young king grows restless from his inactivity, and marches to General Konnal in anger. Before they can speak, however, they receive reports of Mina's army marching inside the shield, much to the shock of everyone present. Silvanoshei quickly forms a plan to defeat the army and capture Mina.
Meanwhile, in the Citadel of Light, Goldmoon goes to the infirmary and is shocked to see ghosts stealing the power of the mystics. Terrified, she finds that nobody but her can see them. In Qualinesti, Gerard meets a Baaz draconian named Groul who has a message from Beryl to Medan. Gerard takes it, and, after some internal conflict, reads it. Reluctantly he delivers it, and Medan makes him read it aloud. It is revealed that Beryl knows of the Device of Time Journeying, and gives Gilthas six days to recover it or she will destroy Qualinesti. Medan readily states that he will not comply with the slaughter of the elves, and sends Gerard to kill Groul so his message is not returned. Meanwhile, he pretends to arrest Laurana in a show for Beryl's spy, who she determined is one of the two elves loyal to her, Kalindas and Kelevandros. The next day, as Groul prepares to leave, Gerard slays him.
The battle between the Silvanesti elves and the Knights of Neraka begins, but Mina intends on losing. Silvanoshei rides out to meet them, and is surprised at the youth of Mina. He rides out to capture her, and, aside from a furious Galdar, finds the way very easy. He is instantly smitten with her as he takes her back to Silvanost. Later, while talking with her, she reveals that the shield above Silvanesti is killing its populace with a wasting sickness. Their conversation is interrupted, however, when General Konnal sentences Mina to execution at noon the following day.
Goldmoon is still in the hospital, despite her claims of health. As Palin attempts to comfort her, she flees, down to the docks of the Citadel. She steals the gnome Conundrum's submarine, the gnome chasing after her. While searching for her, Palin encounters the ghost of Caramon, who warns him not to kill Tasslehoff. Palin, however, passes it off as a dream. Suddenly, the Citadel is attacked by Beryl, and Tas and Palin flee into the hedge maze. They almost die, but are saved by none other than Dalamar.
Mina is set for execution at noon, and as she is about to die, she is freed and exposes Glaucous, Konnal's advisor, as Cyan Bloodbane, the ancient green dragon and longtime tormentor of the Silvanesti elves. Mina rallies her would-be executioners and slays the dragon. Afterwards, she helps Silvanoshei destroy the shield around Silavnesti.
[edit] Qualinesti
Marshal Medan orders Gerard to ride the Marshal's dragon, Razor, back to the Knights' Council in Solanthus to seek aid in defending Qualinesti. As he returns to Laurana, they set a trap for Kalindas, who they've determined to be Beryl's spy. He almost succeeds in killing Laurana, but Kelevandros stabs him instead.
Mina's army marches into Silvanost, but, after she heals the elves in the name of the One God, they embrace her. Silvanoshei is still in love with her, and welcomes her gladly. Samar, a messenger from Alhana, arrives, and is disgusted at Silvanoshei's lavish lifestyle. Several days later, another messenger comes bearing a ring for Silvanoshei to give to Mina, with Alhana's blessing that it will make her fall in love with him. She dons the ring at a banquet, but instead it kills her, with a needle set in the band. At her funeral, however, she returns from the dead and kills Targonne, becoming Lord of the Night and leader of the Knights of Neraka. She flies off with chromatic dragons, leaving the Knights of Neraka to hold Silvanost.
Palin and Tasslehoff are captives of Dalamar in the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthas, which the wizard has moved to Nightlund. The enchantment on the lost Device of Time Journeying returns it to Tasslehoff, who attempts to escape through the chimney. Although he makes it out of the Tower, he is confronted with the ghost of himself in the forest outside. Soon after, Dalamar and Palin discover his escape, but realize they can do nothing about it.
Gerard arrives in Solanthus to seek the help of the Solamnic Knights, but Gerard is again mistaken for a Knight of Neraka and captured by Lady Odila, another Solamnic Knight. Despite his protests, she locks him in the Solanthus jail.
Beryl prepares to invade Qualinost, as her forces march through the realm, while below, Gilthas ushers his people into the tunnels, created by dwarves, that he'd been preparing while continuing the facade of the "puppet king". A small group of elves and trusted Knights of Neraka remain behind to defend Qualinost, to buy time for the elves' escape. Later, at a war council, Laurana volunteers to stay behind to aid in the defense of Qualinost. She leads Marshal Medan into the Qualinost treasury, where she shows him a dragonlance and a magic sword, the Lost Star. She plans to use the two weapons to slay Beryl.
Mina and a small band of Knights of Neraka cross the border into Nightlund, and she and Galdar travel to the Tower of High Sorcery. She confronts Dalamar as Palin watches from a secret location. She says that she will be meeting somebody there sometime later, although it is not said who. As she leaves, Dalamar mentions Tasslehoff and Mina reveals that she needs to find him.
Tas makes his way to Solanthus, and finds Goldmoon and Conundrum, who reveals that Goldmoon is following the ghosts. The three meet Lady Odila and learn of the whereabouts of Gerard, who is on trial in a Knights' Council. She testifies, but is not believed. Goldmoon soon frees Gerard from his prison and they return to Razor, ready to depart for Nightlund, to speak with Dalamar. However, Lady Odila catches up with them, but after hearing Gerard's story, is forced to believe him. Before he can fly away, they hear the call to arms, and realize Solanthus is under attack. They ride back to the city. Before they arrive, they encounter Galdar. Gerard pretends to be a Knight of Neraka, and they are led back to the main camp. Mina allows them to escape, but gives Odila the disconcerting knowledge of the One God.
After leaving the Tower of High Sorcery, Mina seeks the dragon Khellendros, or Skie. Skie attacks, dealing Mina a seemingly fatal blow, but Mina simply stands and sends it back, mortally wounding the dragon. She leaves, and shortly after, the blind dragon Mirror enters. He begins to heal Skie, seeking answers.
The battle of Solanthus begins, and it seems that Mina's army is outmatched. However, a fog rolls in, and thousands of souls, conscripted to service, appear, fighting for Mina. The Solamnics are frozen in terror, and are routed and badly beaten. The survivors flee to Sanction.
On the day of Beryl's attack, Laurana and Marshal Medan make their way to the top of the Tower of the Sun. However, Kelevandros, distraught over the death of his brother, kills Medan, and falls to his death. Alone, Beryl comes to claim Laurana, but she captivates him with the power of Lost Star. Taking the dragonlance, she stabs Beryl as the elves capture Beryl with a massive net. The Tower of the Sun falls and Laurana dies, leaving Beryl severely weakened. She falls to the ground, and the tunnels below the city collapse, causing the dragon to fall to her death. Water from the White-Rage River fills them, and Qualinost is flooded, becoming the Lake of Death. The elves that escaped before the attack, led by Gilthas and his wife, begin travel to Silvanesti.
[edit] The One God
Goldmoon, Tas, and Conundrum arrive at the Tower of High Sorcery, meeting up with Palin and Dalamar. Mina arrives shortly after, and, with Palin and Dalamar watching, speaks to Goldmoon. Mina explains that she ran from the Citadel of Light three years ago to find a god, and found the One God. Goldmoon, horrified at what Mina has done, reveals that the One God is Takhisis. Goldmoon denies Takhisis, and is given her true age back. The strain becomes too much, and she dies.
By listening to Mina, Palin and Dalamar discern that after Chaos was defeated, Takhisis stole the world away and deposited it in a different part of the universe, hence the sun, single moon, different stars, and alien dragons like Beryl and Skie. At that moment, Galdar and Mina find the entrance to the room, and Mina breaks the door open. After shows of defiance, Mina kills them both. The Knights of Neraka arrive, and Mina encases Goldmoon's body in a sarcophagus of amber. She reanimates Palin and Dalamar, turning them into mindless slaves. Conundrum, meanwhile, has fixed the Device of Time Journeying, and he and Tasslehoff use it to escape.
In the lair of Khellendros, Mirror interrogates the dying dragon for information, and learns that Takhisis holds the metallic dragons captive. As Malystryx, the most cruel and powerful Dragon Overlord arrives to finish off Skie, Mirror escapes deeper into the lair. Razor arrives, and the two resolve to confront Mina, to press her for answers.
Gerard goes to Solanthus, still under the control of Mina, as a spy, but is captured yet again. Galdar releases him, and he encounters Odila, who has become a cleric of the One God. They meet later at midnight, where Odila reveals that Mina plans to use an army of dead, like Palin and Dalamar. The bulk of Mina's army marches on Sanction the next day, Gerard unwillingly among their ranks.
[edit] Reunions
Unbeknownst to any but themselves, the old gods hold a council. It is revealed that they did not abandon Krynn, but have been searching for it the whole time. The gods of magic bring forth Raistlin Majere, who informs them that he found the world by hearing the spell of Tasslehoff. He departs, as the gods formulate a plan.
The Qualinesti cross the Plains of Dust with the help of The Wanderer, and arrive in Silvanesti to find forces scattered. They meet Alhana and Kiryn, and learn that Silvanoshei has run off on the trail of Mina. Silvan arrives outside of Sanction, where Mina appoints Gerard as bodyguard of the elven king.
The battle of Sanction takes place, and Mina, with her unstoppable army of souls, is behind the walls before the day ends. She establishes her presence in the city, turning the Temple of the Heart into a temple for the One God. There Gerard meets again with Lady Odila, who tells him that Mina plans to raise Goldmoon from the dead on the "Night of the New Eye", a festival taking place soon.
Gerard leaves and is confronted by Galdar, who reveals the true identity of the One God. Galdar finds Mina in the temple, where, amazingly, she steals the totems of power, giant stacks of dragon skulls, from the lairs of Malys, Beryl, and Skie. Galdar realizes that Takhisis intends on returning to Krynn by possessing Goldmoon's body. This is witnessed by the spirit of Palin Majere, still lingering near his body, and the dragons Mirror and Razor. Meanwhile, Dalamar's spirit, with an agenda of his own, alerts Malystryx to the fact that her totem has been stolen by Mina.
In Silvanesti, Samar returns with Gerard's request of help from the elven nations to storm Sanction. The rulers are dubious, until Gilthas attests to Gerard's nobility. Samar reveals the identity of the One God The Qualinesti and Sivanesti agree to travel to Sanction in hopes of defeating Mina. A week after they leave, however, a massive minotaur army slaughters the small force left behind, easily claiming Silvanesti as their own.
Meanwhile, in Sanction, the city prepares to recieve Malys. Captain Samuval sends a dragonlance to Mina, which she intends to use to fight Malys. She tells Galdar that if he can find a dragon, he can fight by her side. Later that night, Razor reveals his true form to Galdar and volunteers to bear him into battle.
Mina summons a great death dragon, and she and Galdar ride into battle together. Malystryx is slain, Razor dies, and Mina is horribly wounded. Galdar brings Mina to a cave. Below, in Sanction, dragonfear has settled over the populace. In the midst of it, Mirror and Palin destroy the totem, and Goldmoon's sarcophagus. An angry mob attacks Mirror, but Odila, realizing the true nature of the One God, comes to his aid. The dragon returns to his true form, and he and Odila fly off.
Galdar is tending to the dying Mina in a cave, when Takhisis enters. She throws Galdar back, and tends to Mina's wounds. Gerard, meanwhile, desperate to reach the Knights' Council, is trapped in an inn. He receives help from a familiar mage, who then disappears. Amazingly, he finds Tasslehoff, and the two use the Device of Time Journeying to travel to the Knights' Council. There they meet Lady Odila and Mirror. All four of them are whisked away by the Device of Time Journeying.
[edit] Victory
They arrive in a strange place, which they discover to be the prison of the metallic dragons. Tasslehoff frees them all, and Tas realizes that he has to go back in time. Bidding Gerard farewell, he uses the Devcie of Time Journeying one last time and disappears.
The elves have been pinned down in a valley by ogres, hopelessly outnumbered. They prepare for a final battle, when the metallic dragons descend and wipe out the ogre army. Gerard meets up with Gilthas and Alhana, and the elves mount the dragons and fly to Sanction.
Mina is caught off-guard by the call to arms in Sanction, and she receives reports that the elves are arriving on dragonback. Irritated, she abandons her forces, even slaying some who get in her way, and tells Galdar to follow. His loyalty unwavering, he follows her through a secret tunnel under the Lords of Doom. Trailing them are Silvanoshei and another mysterious elf. They arrive in an ancient arena.
Above, the battle begins. Mina's mortal army is somewhat diminished, and the souls of the dead do not affect the dragons. The city is effortlessly breached, with the aid of a mysterious contingent of draconians working alongside the Solamnics and elves. As the city is secured, Gerard, Odila, Gilthas, and others are mysteriously transported away.
They appear, trapped in the arena, unable to move or speak. They watch as Takhisis attempts to reenter the world, but is stopped by the mysterious elf. He is actually Paladine, who is now mortal, having sacrificed his godhood to revoke that of Takhisis. The Dark Queen, now mortal, is slain by Silvanoshei, who hurls a piece of a dragonlance into her heart. Mina, mad with grief, takes Silvanoshei's life, and leaves.
The city of Sanction is retaken by the Solamnic Knights, and the old gods return to the world. The elven nations, now under the reign of Gilthas, seek a new home. Paladine, now mortal, takes on the name Valthonis and joins with Gilthas' fate. Gerard returns to his post in Solace, with a new outlook on life.
[edit] Sides in the war
[edit] Mina's Army
Mina, an agent of the One God/Takhisis, leads an army comprised of Knights of Neraka, Captain Samuval's mercenary company, and a horde of the dead who are kept as ghosts by Takhisis.
[edit] Knights of Neraka
Although many Dark Knights join Mina's cause, a number of them distrust her and her faith-driven motives. Primary among these is Morham Targonne, late leader of the Knights of Neraka. Believing her claims of the One God to be nothing but tricks, he attempts to have her killed and is instead slain himself. In addition, Marshal Medan's force of Knights of Neraka defies Targonne's orders and defends Qualinost from Beryl's assault, dying in the process.
[edit] The Knights of Solamnia
The Knights of Solamnia are the primary opposition of Mina, although they are often defeated. Notable among them are Gerard uth Mondar, and Odila Windlass, a temporary cleric of the One God. The Knights eventually retake Sanction.
[edit] Elves
The elves play a crucial part in the opposition of Mina. Gilthas Pathfinder, son of Tanis Half-Elven and Laurana Kanan, leads the Qualinesti elves and eventually their cousins, the Silvanesti. They play a large part in the downfall of Beryl, and liberate Sanction with the help of the metallic dragons. By the end of the book they have no land of their own, but become a single nation. Their tale is continued in the Elven Exiles trilogy.
[edit] Dragon Overlords
The evil Dragon Overlords, particularly Malys, Beryl, and Skie, work for self-serving interests throughout the War of Souls. All three are killed by the end of the book, although Beryl destroys the elven capital Qualinost upon her death.
[edit] Dragons of Krynn
The native dragons of Krynn, particularly the metallic dragons, play a part in stopping Mina and her army. Notable among these are Razor, blue dragon of Marshal Medan, and Mirror, blind silver dragon and guardian of the Citadel of Light.
[edit] Characters
(Note: Terms "good" and "evil" are used only in reference to the War of Souls, and not to the characters' nature or status)
[edit] Good
Gerard uth Mondar: A serious and dour Solamnic Knight. Inducted into the Knighthood because of family tradition, Gerard's life is boring because his father, an influential man in the Knighthood, buys him a safe post against his wishes. He soon finds some action when a kender claiming to be Tasslehoff Burrfoot materializes in a tomb in Solace. Gerard is one of the main protagonists in the War of Souls.
Tasslehoff Burrfoot: One of the Heroes of the Lance, the irrepressible kender uses the Device of Time Journeying to arrive in the future to speak at Caramon Majere's funeral. He becomes entwined in the War of Souls as time advances, and he turns out to be the key to the very fate of the universe.
Goldmoon: A Hero of the Lance. Goldmoon was a benevolent cleric of Mishakal before the world was stolen, and founded the Citadel of Light and became a healer afterwards. Restored to youth, she follows the River of Souls for much of the trilogy. She is killed by Takhisis after denying her.
Lady Odila Windlass: A headstrong Solamnic Knight, she captures Gerard uth Mondar, believing him to be a Knight of Neraka. Mina shows her the true power of the One God, and that eventually drives her to become a cleric. The blind dragon Mirror soon shows her the truth, however, and she renounces the faith.
Mirror: A blind silver dragon and guardian of the Citadel of Light. He recognizes Mina, and realizes that Takhisis has control over her. He helps free his metallic dragon brethren, and destroys the dragon totems.
Gilthas Pathfinder: Son of Tanis Half-Elven and Laurana Kanan, Gilthas is crowned Speaker of the Sun and Stars by the end of the war, designating him ruler of the Qualinesti, Silvanesti, and Kagonesti elves. Appearing as a sickly, wan youth, Gilthas is actually a bold and wise leader, maintaining the pretense that the Knights of Neraka are in control. In fact, he secretly allies with the resistance led by his wife, Kerianseray.
Laurana Kanan: Hero of the Lance. Mother of Gilthas and Queen-Mother of the Qualinesti. A strong leader and full supporter of her son Gilthas in his resistance of the Dark Knights, Laurana is first encountered in Qualinost, where Palin Majere waited for Gerard and Tasslehoff. She remains behind to fight Beryl when she attacks Qualinost, and dies in the fight.
Marshal Alexius Medan: Leader of the Dark Knight occupation in Qualinost. Medan is a compassionate but logical man, and harbors none of the violence and malice that is prone to Knights of Neraka. This is probably because of the time he spent in Qualinost, among the elves. Despite his allegiance to the Dark Knights, he orchestrates the plan to kill Beryl and her army, with whom they have an alliance.
Alhana Starbreeze: Mother of Silvanoshei. A strong willed dark elf banished from Silvanesti. She leads the rebel elves in their attempts to enter Silvanesti lands. Maintains an undying love for her son, one that often clouds her judgement. She recommends that Gilthas leads both nations upon Silvanoshei's death.
Silvanoshei Caldon: Ruler of the Silvanesti by birthright. Spoiled and naive, the young king is magically transported inside the shield surrounding Silvanesti after his mother sends him to seek help. He assumes his proper position as Speaker of the Stars, but soon falls in love with Mina, who uses him. He kills Takhisis, but is slain by Mina in turn.
Palin Majere: Son of Caramon Majere, and nephew of Raistlin. Hero of the Chaos War, Palin was a powerful wizard before the leaving of the gods. Distraught, he found the ways of sorcery, but that soon fails him too. Although he is killed during the war, his spirit plays a crucial part in the downfall of Takhisis. Palin forsakes the gift of magic at the end of the war, realizing that it was not worth consuming his life.
Dalamar: Master of the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthas, Dalamar the Dark was once the apprentice of Raistlin Majere. He turned to necromancy at the loss of true magic. He saves Palin and Tasslehoff from dying in the Citadel of Light, holding them captive in the Tower of High Sorcery, which he moved to Nightlund. He dies along with Palin, but betrays him at the possibility of being returned to life.
[edit] Evil
Mina: A mysterious girl, Mina appeared to Galdar and his troops during the mysterious storm. She captivates everyone she meets with her amber eyes and charm, and performs miracles in the name of "The One God". She is a brilliant and merciless commander, overthrowing Silvanesti, Solanthus, and breaking the siege at Sanction in the favor of the Dark Knights. With the death of Takhisis, Mina leaves for parts unknown. Her tale is followed in The Dark Disciple trilogy.
Galdar: A powerful minotaur of the Knights of Neraka, Galdar is the first to meet Mina. She restores his sword arm, producing his undying allegiance for Mina. Despite that, he is wary of the One God, especially once he learns her true identity. He remains with her until the end, and eventually follows her.
Malystryx: A massive Dragon Overlord, Mina earns her wrath after stealing her totem. She is eventually slain by Mina and Galdar, and, indirectly, Takhisis.
Beryllinthranox: Another Dragon Overlord. She claims the realm of Qualinesti, and attacks it as a result of Laurana and Gilthas defying her wishes. She is killed by Laurana, but destroys the entire city of Qualinost as well.
Khellendros (Skie): A blue Dragon Overlord, Skie is mortally wounded by Mina for defying Takhisis, and is finished off by Malys.
Morham Targonne: Lord of the Night of the Knights of Neraka. A weasel of a man, Targonne was a shrewd tactician and a telepath, which allowed him to advance to his lofty position. He manipulated the various sides to his advantage, but erred when he attempted to have Mina killed. He was killed by Mina in Silvanesti.
Captain Samuval: Leader of a mercenary company of archers. Samuval used to be a Knight of Neraka, and still offered his services to them. A dedicated follower of Mina, his archers played a key role in Mina's first victory at Sanction.
