A talent for magic runs like fire through the blood of Dalamar Argent. Yet he is only a servant in the house of an elvish lord, not worthy of the High Art of Sorcery and denied all but the most grudging teaching.

As war simmers on the borders of Silvanesti, Dalamar will find a way to learn his art. His quest will take him along dark paths toward an awesome destiny.

Dalamar the Dark, the second volume in the Dragonlance Classics series by Nancy Varian Berberick, offers an in-depth and introspective look at one of Krynn’s most mysterious and morally complex characters—Dalamar Argent. This novel traces his transformation from a lowly servant in the elven kingdom of Silvanesti to a powerful and feared black-robed wizard, exploring the price of ambition and the lure of forbidden knowledge.

Dalamar is born into the strict, hierarchical society of the Silvanesti elves, where his low caste status limits his opportunities and stifles his potential. Despite his position as a household servant to a noble family, he possesses a natural talent for magic. Unable to openly pursue his passion, Dalamar studies arcane lore in secret, venturing into dangerous and forbidden territories of magical knowledge. His talents eventually draw unwanted attention, and when his illicit practices are discovered, he is branded a dark elf—an outcast exiled from Silvanesti society.

Now alone and disgraced, Dalamar embarks on a relentless quest for magical mastery. Traveling through dangerous lands and shadowy circles, he seeks out lost tomes, hidden teachings, and powerful mentors. His journey is fraught with trials, but through sheer will and cunning, he rises above adversity. He eventually comes before the Conclave of Wizards and survives the grueling Test of High Sorcery, choosing to wear the black robes of Nuitari, god of dark magic. This marks his full embrace of power unbound by conventional morality.

Dalamar's path leads him to the most infamous wizard of the age: Raistlin Majere. He becomes Raistlin’s apprentice—but not out of mere admiration. The Conclave assigns him to also serve as a spy, charged with watching Raistlin’s growing power and dangerous ambitions. The relationship between the two mages is complex—part mentorship, part rivalry. Dalamar gains profound magical insight under Raistlin’s tutelage but is also constantly aware that his master could destroy him on a whim. This dangerous balance forces Dalamar to walk a narrow line between loyalty and self-preservation.

As the story unfolds, Dalamar struggles with his own inner conflicts. He is not wholly evil, yet he is not bound by the ideals of good. His choices often come at great personal cost, isolating him further from others while drawing him deeper into the shadows. He is forced to reconcile the ambition that drives him with the loneliness and danger that come with it.

Dalamar the Dark is both a character study and a dark coming-of-age tale. It expands the Dragonlance world by giving voice to a character who often operates on the margins of greater conflicts. Through Berberick’s nuanced storytelling, Dalamar emerges as a deeply human figure—flawed, brilliant, dangerous, and tragic. The novel explores the nature of power, identity, and the unrelenting pursuit of purpose in a world that punishes those who step outside the lines.