The Sellsword
Overview
The Sellsword is the first book in the Anvil of Time series, which features standalone stories told across different eras of Krynn’s vast history. This novel focuses on Vinas Solamnus, a man exiled and presumed dead, who survives as a mercenary (sellsword) in distant lands, battling for coin—and eventually for something more.
This is not a tale of grand destiny or divine prophecy—it’s a boots-on-the-ground story of a man scarred by loss, betrayal, and war, navigating a brutal world without heroes. Yet, through unexpected alliances and hard-won trust, it becomes a story of redemption, loyalty, and finding purpose again.
Protagonist: Barreth Forlo
- A former Solamnic Knight exiled from his homeland under mysterious and tragic circumstances.
- Assumed dead, he survives as a sellsword in the far south, a land far removed from the Knights’ politics.
- Haunted by betrayal and guilt, he has become bitter and hardened, but retains a code of personal honor.
Plot Summary
Exile and Reinvention
The story begins with Barreth Forlo, once a respected Solamnic Knight, now reduced to anonymity as a wandering sellsword. His past is kept secret, but it’s clear he once served something higher.
Forlo finds himself drawn into a regional conflict in a remote land, hired to fight on behalf of a noble house against a ruthless warlord. While initially just doing the job for coin, Forlo begins to see shades of his old ideals in the people he meets—especially a young noble heir who reminds him of himself.
Layers of Loyalty and Corruption
As Forlo rises in rank and trust, he discovers that the land he fights for is rife with its own corruption. He’s forced to navigate court intrigue, battlefield politics, and personal moral dilemmas—balancing the mercenary code with the ghosts of knightly honor he thought he’d buried.
His old life in Solamnia continues to haunt him—through dreams, enemies, and unexpected connections—and it becomes clear that his exile was not just political, but part of something much larger.
Turning Point and Redemption
When betrayal strikes and innocents are endangered, Forlo must decide whether to walk away and survive, or fight for something again. In a climactic battle, he rejects the safety of neutrality and reclaims his knightly principles, even though doing so may cost him everything.
He does not return to Solamnia or seek recognition. Instead, he chooses a path of quiet heroism, serving as a protector for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Themes
- Honor in Exile – What happens when a good man is cast out by the system he once served?
- Gray Morality – The world isn’t divided into good and evil here—just survivors, predators, and those trying to be better.
- Personal Redemption – Forlo’s journey is not about saving the world—it’s about saving himself.
- Legacy and Memory – The past shapes the man he becomes, but he ultimately writes his own legacy.
- Leadership Without Titles – Forlo learns that true leadership is about action, not rank.
Tone & Style
- Grounded and gritty – Less about dragons and gods, more about mud, blood, and hard decisions.
- Character-driven – Forlo’s internal journey is the heart of the story.
- Classic sword-and-sandals fantasy – Think Gladiator or The Black Company rather than Chronicles.
- Morally ambiguous – Characters on both sides make compelling, complex choices.
Connections to Dragonlance Lore
While The Sellsword is largely self-contained, it still connects to the larger world of Krynn:
- References to the Knights of Solamnia and their rigid code
- Echoes of the Cataclysm and the cultural fallout across the continent
- A rare glimpse into southern regions not often featured in the mainline series
It’s a perfect read for those who want a grittier, character-focused slice of Dragonlance outside the main epic timeline.
Reception
The Sellsword is praised for:
- Fresh perspective within the Dragonlance universe
- A compelling and morally complex protagonist
- Its tight, personal scale, which contrasts with the epic, god-filled arcs of other Dragonlance books
Some longtime fans found it less magical or grand than expected—but others welcomed the grounded storytelling and mature tone.
Final Thoughts
The Sellsword is a gritty, emotionally rich, and morally complex novel that explores what happens after the fall, when knighthood, loyalty, and belief have all been broken—and a man must find meaning in the ashes.
Recommended for:
- Fans of grizzled antiheroes and character-driven fantasy
- Readers looking for a standalone Dragonlance tale
- Anyone curious about the cost of honor in an unforgiving world