A young boy stood on the dock of his fishing village and watched the minotaur war barge approach. It would change his life from a lad who would have grown to follow in the footsteps of his father, to the greatest weaponsmith in the history of Krynn.

As a boy, Theros Ironfeld was captured and pressed to service under the minotaurs. As a man, he first fought draconians to a standstill in Solace, and later, by mysterious means, acquired a silver arm. And when the evil dragons came to conquer, he was the only man who could forge the fabled dragonlances necessary to defeat them.

The Warriors series details the exploits of the heroes and villains of the War of the Lance.

Theros Ironfeld, the fourth volume in the Dragonlance: Warriors series by Don Perrin, tells the powerful and inspiring life story of Theros Ironfeld, a man who rises from obscurity and hardship to become one of Krynn’s most important blacksmiths—and a key figure in the War of the Lance.

Theros is born in the coastal region of Nordmaar, where his early years are marked by sorrow. After his mother’s death, he suffers under the harsh and distant hand of his father. Seeking purpose and escape, he volunteers to leave his village when a minotaur ship raids the coast. Instead of resisting, he chooses to go with them, hoping a new life among strangers will offer him more than the one he left behind.

Taken aboard the minotaur ship Blatvos Kemas, Theros begins as a slave but earns the respect of the crew after saving the life of the captain. This brave act draws the attention of the minotaur god Sargas, who informs Theros that he will appear to him three times over the course of his life. Eventually freed, Theros continues his journey, traveling across Ansalon, working under different masters, and refining his blacksmithing skills. His commitment and talent allow him to grow into a master weaponsmith.

In Sanction, Theros establishes his own forge and falls in love with a woman named Marissa. However, his refusal to join the oppressive army of Dargon Moorgoth leads to devastating consequences—his forge is destroyed, and Marissa is killed. Theros is captured and forced into slavery once more, but he eventually escapes and finds refuge in the town of Solace.

When the War of the Lance begins, Theros supports the forces of good in subtle but meaningful ways. He helps the Qualinesti elves construct ships for their flight from danger and secretly sabotages the weapons he forges for the Dragonarmies. He also helps elven fugitives escape. These acts of resistance are discovered, and Theros is captured by draconians who cruelly sever his right arm.

However, this loss marks a turning point. He is healed by Goldmoon, a priestess of Mishakal, the goddess of healing. During this time, Theros receives another vision from Sargas, who offers him a choice—to remain in the service of the minotaur god or to follow a new path. Theros chooses Mishakal, embracing healing and renewal over vengeance and power.

Soon after, he is guided by further visions and receives the Silver Arm of Ergoth, a magical artifact that replaces his severed limb. This arm allows him to forge dragonlances, the legendary weapons necessary to defeat the chromatic dragons of Takhisis. With this sacred tool and his unmatched skill, Theros becomes the smith who forges the weapons that give the forces of good a fighting chance in the war.

Theros Ironfeld is a tale of perseverance, spiritual awakening, and the quiet strength of a craftsman whose work shapes the fate of Krynn. Through suffering, loss, and divine guidance, Theros emerges as a symbol of honor, redemption, and the power of creation over destruction. His journey shows that true heroism can be found not only on the battlefield, but also in the forge, in sacrifice, and in the unwavering pursuit of doing what is right.