Legends tell that beneath the mountain fortress of Skullcap lie the remains of the dark wizard Fistandantilus and the path to the gates of the ancient dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin. Buried somewhere along that perilous path is the magical helm of Grallen, son of King Duncan, tragic hero of the Dwarfgate War. Finding Grallen’s helm, it is prophesied, will herald the return of a united Thorbardin—but it will also open the gates of the realm to fresh horror and chaos.

Now, one exiled dwarf’s dreams of the fabled helm will lead him on an adventure to glory. Or will it lead to his ultimate doom?

The Gates of Thorbardin, the fifth volume in the Dragonlance: Heroes series and part of the Heroes II trilogy, is written by Dan Parkinson and explores the deep-rooted culture and ancient mysteries of the dwarves of Krynn. Set about twelve years before the War of the Lance, the novel centers on Chane Feldstone, a young dwarf haunted by recurring dreams of a mysterious, ancient helm—visions that hint at a hidden destiny and a lost heritage.

Chane’s dreams compel him to seek out the legendary Helm of Grallen, an artifact from the time of the Dwarfgate Wars that may be the key to understanding his origins. As he begins his quest, he gathers an eclectic band of companions: Chestal Thicketsway, an energetic and mischievous kender; Bobbin, an inventive gnome with unpredictable gadgets; Jillian Firestoke, a brave and fiercely loyal dwarf warrior who becomes Chane's romantic interest; and Glenshadow, a red-robed mage with a dry wit and guarded wisdom.

Their journey leads them through a series of dangerous and enchanted places, including the ruined fortress of Skullcap and the desolate Waykeep Valley. Along the way, they confront ghosts of the past—both literal and metaphorical—and face off against a growing goblin army led by Kolanda Darkmoor, a cunning warlord seeking to exploit ancient magic for conquest.

At the heart of the novel is the looming mystery of the gates of Thorbardin, the sealed and secretive entrance to the dwarven mountain kingdom. As the companions draw closer to the gates, they uncover long-forgotten truths tied to the legacy of the powerful and dangerous wizard Fistandantilus, as well as the secrets buried with the dwarves who fought in the cataclysmic Dwarfgate Wars.

Parkinson brings humor and warmth to the tale through the quirky personalities of the party, such as Bobbin’s wild inventions and Chestal’s constant chatter. A particularly imaginative touch comes from a sentient, unexploded spell called Zap, which adds both comic relief and magical danger to the story. Yet amid the fun, the novel explores serious themes like destiny, heritage, the burden of legacy, and the responsibilities that come with power.

The Gates of Thorbardin is both a personal journey for Chane and a larger tale of dwarven survival, culture, and pride. Though not as well-known as some other entries in the Dragonlance saga, it adds meaningful depth to the world of Krynn, shedding light on the rich traditions and inner conflicts of its dwarven peoples while delivering an engaging, character-driven adventure.