Lord Toede
Overview
Lord Toede, written by Jeff Crook, is part of the Villains series in the Dragonlance universe. Unlike other entries in the series that explore tragic or terrifying origins, this novel takes a more satirical, ironic approach to one of the most infamous—and laughable—antagonists in Krynn: the pompous, overreaching hobgoblin known as Fewmaster Toede.
But Lord Toede is more than just a comedic footnote. The novel is a cleverly subversive tale of rebirth, ambition, and cosmic mishap, as Toede returns from death to attempt, once more, to grasp glory—proving that in Krynn, even the worst villains can have a second act.
Main Character: Fewmaster Toede
A cowardly, greedy, and self-aggrandizing hobgoblin who once served the Dragonarmies during the War of the Lance.
Killed ignominiously in the original Chronicles, Toede is given a second chance at life by divine accident.
His journey is an absurd but oddly sincere attempt to achieve lasting power and respect.
Though still buffoonish, Toede begins to grow in small, unexpected ways.
Supporting Characters
Divine Bureaucrats – Cosmic clerks whose error leads to Toede’s resurrection, serving as a tongue-in-cheek jab at fate and celestial order.
Cutter – A young, sarcastic companion who both mocks and aids Toede on his journey.
Toede’s Retinue – A gaggle of misfits, mercenaries, and opportunists, reflecting the absurdity of his ambitions.
Various Victims and Foes – From bumbling nobles to angry peasants, everyone underestimates Toede—sometimes fatally.
Setting
The novel travels through lesser-known regions of Ansalon, far from the epicenters of war and prophecy. Towns, keeps, and backwater provinces become the theater for Toede’s misadventures.
These humble settings serve the narrative’s satirical tone, contrasting grand ambitions with meager surroundings.
Plot Summary
After dying in comically humiliating fashion during the War of the Lance, Fewmaster Toede is mistakenly resurrected by divine clerks managing the balance of souls.
Seizing the opportunity, Toede sets out to reclaim and surpass his former stature. With a handful of dubious allies, he launches a self-styled campaign of conquest and reputation repair.
Toede blunders through battles, bizarre prophecies, and accidental victories, earning followers through sheer tenacity and unintentional