Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes
Overview
Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes is a thematic anthology of short stories set in the world of Krynn, focused on the most chaotic, unpredictable, and underappreciated races in the Dragonlance universe:
- Kender – fearless, curious, kleptomaniacal (but they don’t steal, they borrow)
- Gully Dwarves (Aghar) – dim-witted but oddly resilient
- Gnomes – brilliant but obsessively literal, often over-engineering solutions to comic results
This book offers a mix of comedy, heart, and surprising emotional moments, using the “less serious” races to explore themes of courage, absurdity, and ingenuity during and after the War of the Lance.
Purpose and Structure
The anthology’s main goals are to:
- Showcase the ‘comic relief’ races in a deeper light
- Offer short stories with heart, mischief, and cleverness
- Provide levity after the heavier stories of The Magic of Krynn
- Use humor to explore resilience, cleverness, and community
It contains ten stories, most set during or shortly after the events of the Dragonlance Chronicles.
Notable Stories and Summaries
1. “Snowsong” by Nancy Varian Berberick
Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Sturm Brightblade, and Flint Fireforge are trapped in a blizzard. A surprisingly heartfelt and humorous survival story, showcasing how even a kender’s antics can save lives. Tas is at his most endearing here.
2. “The Wizard’s Spectacles” by Morris Simon
A kender finds a pair of enchanted glasses that allow him to see the future—and chaos ensues. Classic kender misadventures with magical items. This tale plays like a fantasy sitcom, but with real stakes.
3. “The Storyteller” by Barbara Siegel & Scott Siegel
A gully dwarf thinks he’s a great storyteller and embarks on a quest to share his “wisdom.” It’s both hilarious and subtly sad—a reminder that even the lowest-ranked peoples of Krynn have pride, dreams, and stories.
4. “A Shaggy Dog’s Tail” by Danny Peary
A tale told from the perspective of a talking dog who ends up helping a kender and a gully dwarf escape danger. Full of slapstick humor and fantasy absurdity.
5. “Lord Toede’s Disastrous Hunt” by Harold Bakst
One of the most iconic stories in the book. Lord Toede, a bumbling villain from Chronicles, goes on a hunt that spirals into a series of embarrassing (and hilarious) failures. Perfect Dragonlance satire.
6. “Definitions of Honor” by Richard A. Knaak
Previously featured in The Magic of Krynn, this tale grounds the collection in a more serious tone. A Solamnic knight must decide what true honor means. While not about kender or gully dwarves, its presence offers contrast and thematic depth.
7. “Hearth Cat and Winter Wren” by Nancy Varian Berberick
A magical, almost folkloric tale involving two kender and a quest involving an ancient artifact. It’s quieter than most, with a mythic and emotional tone that surprises readers expecting pure comedy.
8. “The Secret of the Egg” by Nick O’Donohoe
A group of gnomes try to engineer a dragon egg and create something monstrous and silly. This one dives deep into gnomish logic, highlighting their bizarre obsession with overly complex inventions.
9. “Do You Love Me?” by Paul B. Thompson & Tonya C. Cook
A sweet and strange romance between a kender and a gnome, told with quirky charm. It explores innocence, curiosity, and emotional depth, proving these races can love just as fiercely as elves or humans.
10. “The Search for the Lost Rank” by Roger E. Moore
A hysterical tale of a gnome trying to recover his proper bureaucratic classification after a paperwork error. Brilliant satire of gnomish society and a reminder that red tape exists even in fantasy realms.
Themes
Comedy as Survival – These stories show how kender, gully dwarves, and gnomes use humor, hope, and naïveté to endure war, loss, and fear.
Underdogs with Heart – Despite their silliness, these characters often act with genuine courage, loyalty, and resourcefulness—qualities often overlooked.
Magic and Mayhem – Many stories explore how magic intersects with chaos, especially in the hands of characters who don’t understand (or respect) its dangers.
Friendship and Acceptance – Several tales focus on how these races forge bonds with others—and how their outsider status gives them a unique role in Krynn’s world.
Satire and Reflection – Lord Toede’s antics and gnomish logic often reflect real-world satire—bureaucracy, ego, hubris—filtered through Dragonlance’s tone.
Tone & Style
This anthology is the most lighthearted in the Tales trilogy, with:
- Slapstick humor
- Wordplay and absurd situations
- Moments of real tenderness and melancholy (especially in stories like Snowsong, Hearth Cat, and The Storyteller)
Most stories are fast-paced, dialogue-heavy, and full of classic fantasy hijinks, but a few introduce quiet, poignant moments of introspection or wonder.
Reception
Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes is often cited as a fan favorite, particularly among readers who love:
- Tasslehoff Burrfoot and the companions
- Non-traditional fantasy heroes
- Dragonlance’s blend of humor and heart
It’s also considered the most approachable of the Tales anthologies—great for new readers, young readers, or fans looking for a break from epic battles and dark magic.
Critics praised it for being genuinely funny without turning the characters into caricatures. Many fans remember this volume fondly as a gateway to the wider world of Krynn.
Final Thoughts
Kender, Gully Dwarves, and Gnomes is a joyful, mischievous, and heartwarming anthology that celebrates Dragonlance’s most chaotic and loveable misfits. Whether you’re laughing at a failed gnome experiment or wiping a tear from a tale about friendship in a blizzard, this volume proves that bravery and magic can come from the unlikeliest of heroes.
Recommended for:
- Readers who love Tasslehoff, gnomish inventions, and underdog stories
- Fans who want humor mixed with meaning
- Anyone needing a break from war epics—but still craving that Dragonlance charm