Stormblade is set at the end of the War of the Lance, and it tells of two quests. Tyori and Kelida set out to find and rescue young Hauk, who has vanished mysteriously, and Stanache sets out to find and return the sword Stormblade to Kiero, the elderly craft master from whom it was stolen.

Stormblade, the second volume in the Dragonlance: Heroes series by Nancy Varian Berberick, tells a stirring tale of duty, friendship, and the quest to heal a divided people. Set during the War of the Lance, this novel turns its focus to the dwarves of Thorbardin—a kingdom plagued by political division, secrecy, and ambition—and the forging of a weapon meant to restore unity and purpose.

The story follows Stanach, a young dwarf orphaned as a child and raised in the halls of Thorbardin. Though not born of noble blood, he is taken in and trained by Isarn Hammerfell, a master smith and one of the few remaining idealists in the crumbling dwarven realm. Isarn secretly crafts a great weapon—Stormblade, a ceremonial kingsword forged with the intent to inspire the Council of Thanes to choose a new High King and reunite the fractured dwarven clans.

Before the sword can be presented, it is stolen, sparking a wave of unrest and political scheming. Wracked with guilt and determined to clear his master’s name, Stanach sets out to recover the sword. He is soon joined by a small band of unlikely allies: Lavim Springtoe, an irrepressibly curious and cheerful kender; Kelida, a human barmaid of surprising courage who briefly comes into possession of the sword; and Tyorl, a quiet, enigmatic elven ranger with a tragic past and a sharp blade.

Their journey takes them across a broken and war-scarred world. As they confront thieves, treacherous terrain, and dangerous foes, they also wrestle with deep-seated tensions between their races. Suspicion and cultural pride must be overcome if they are to work together and succeed in their mission.

Meanwhile, in the halls of Thorbardin, the villainous Theiwar thane Realgar is plotting to use Stormblade to secure his own claim to power. Allying himself with dark forces, including the dragonlord Verminaard and his black dragon, Realgar seeks to overthrow the delicate balance of the dwarven council and seize control for himself.

The final act of the story returns to Thorbardin, where political tensions erupt into open conflict. The companions arrive in time to confront Realgar and his followers in a desperate battle. Tyorl falls in the struggle, mortally wounded while protecting his friends. In a rare gesture of honor, he is buried in the Garden of Thanes—an unprecedented act for an elf in the heart of dwarven tradition, symbolizing a shift in centuries-old prejudice.

With Stormblade recovered and Realgar defeated, the hope of unity is reignited among the dwarves. Though much work remains, the companions’ courage has sparked the beginning of healing and cooperation between long-divided peoples.

Stormblade is a story of political intrigue and personal bravery, framed by deep explorations of dwarven culture and the transformative power of fellowship. Through its layered characters and emotional sacrifices, the novel reaffirms one of the central truths of the Dragonlance saga: that heroes can come from any race, and that unity is forged not just in battle, but in trust and understanding.