Time of the Twins
Overview
Time of the Twins launches the Legends trilogy, picking up after the end of the Chronicles and shifting focus to the twins Raistlin and Caramon Majere, along with the devout cleric Crysania. Where Chronicles was about saving the world from external evil, Legends is about confronting internal darkness, moral ambiguity, and the cost of power.
This novel blends personal struggle, high magic, and time travel, and it begins Raistlin’s infamous journey to challenge the gods themselves—a path that could either elevate or destroy him and the world.
Main Characters
Raistlin Majere – Now the most powerful archmage alive. Cold, brilliant, and utterly determined to challenge the Queen of Darkness (Takhisis) and ascend to godhood.
Caramon Majere – Once Raistlin’s protector and physical strength, now broken by grief and alcoholism, he begins as a shell of himself—but his journey is one of painful growth.
Crysania of Tarinius – A high-ranking cleric of Paladine, pure in heart but dangerously naive. She believes she can redeem Raistlin, but is slowly drawn into his ambition.
Tasslehoff Burrfoot – The ever-curious kender whose involvement in the story’s time travel adds unpredictability and irony. He’s also more than comic relief here—he’s a walking paradox in time.
Setting
- Post-War of the Lance, but mostly takes place in the past—specifically just before the Cataclysm, a pivotal moment in Krynn’s history.
- Centers around Istar, the religious empire ruled by the Kingpriest, whose hubris led to divine judgment.
- The Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas also features prominently.
Plot Summary
Raistlin’s Plan
Raistlin reveals his ultimate ambition: to enter the Abyss and defeat Takhisis, the Queen of Darkness, thereby claiming her godhood for himself. To do this, he needs:
- A powerful cleric of good to open the Portal to the Abyss (Crysania),
- Protection from interference (Caramon), and
- Time travel to place him at a moment of weakness in the gods’ vigilance—the Cataclysm.
Manipulating Crysania
Raistlin plays on Crysania’s compassion and faith. She believes he can be redeemed; he sees her as a means to an end. Their dynamic is deeply complex—full of spiritual tension, emotional confusion, and tragic foreshadowing.
Caramon’s Fall and Rise
Caramon is devastated by Raistlin’s descent into darkness. Once a proud warrior, he is now drunk, aimless, and resentful. Tasked with “protecting” Raistlin and Crysania, Caramon embarks on a reluctant journey that slowly forces him to reclaim his strength, even as it tears him apart emotionally.
Journey to the Past
Using a device created by the gnomes and guided by the enigmatic Astinus of the Great Library, the trio (along with Tas) travels back in time to Istar, just before the Cataclysm.
They witness the decadence, corruption, and arrogance of the Kingpriest, whose attempt to banish evil from the world is about to provoke the gods’ wrath. Raistlin plans to use this moment to gain the power he needs—but time travel is never clean.
Raistlin’s Test & Tower of High Sorcery
Back in the present timeline, Raistlin re-enters the Tower of High Sorcery in Palanthas to solidify his control over magic. He passes a new test and fully claims the robes of a Black Robe, accepting darkness not as evil, but as necessary.
His duel with the guardians of the Tower and his final separation from the Conclave mark a turning point: Raistlin is no longer just a mage—he is a rival to the gods.
Ending & Lead-in to War of the Twins
- Crysania remains conflicted, wounded emotionally but still loyal to Raistlin’s cause.
- Caramon, betrayed and horrified, begins to see that his brother’s plans could end the world.
- Tasslehoff, through accidental time travel, sees a future where Raistlin becomes a god and the world dies.
- Raistlin stands at the threshold of the Portal to the Abyss, his plans set in motion.
Themes
- Ambition vs. Humanity – Raistlin sacrifices love, compassion, and connection to pursue godhood. Is greatness worth the cost of isolation?
- Redemption and Delusion – Crysania believes she can save Raistlin, but her faith blinds her to his true nature.
- Brotherhood and Dependency – Caramon’s identity is wrapped around Raistlin. His arc is about separation, self-worth, and loss.
- The Abuse of Power – Both Raistlin and the Kingpriest mirror each other in their quest for absolute control, showing how noble ideals become twisted.
- Free Will vs. Fate – Time travel raises questions of inevitability. Can the future be changed, or is it fixed?
Tone & Style
- Darker and more introspective than the Chronicles trilogy.
- Full of philosophical dialogue, emotional confrontations, and slow-burning tension.
- Rich in magic lore, especially about the Orders of High Sorcery and the balance of gods.
- Deeply character-driven, with a tragic, almost Shakespearean quality.
Reception
Time of the Twins is considered:
- A classic of character-driven fantasy, especially for its treatment of Raistlin.
- The point where Dragonlance shifted from traditional epic fantasy to something more morally complex and psychologically rich.
- Essential reading for fans of mage characters, twin dynamics, and dark ambition.
It’s often praised for:
- Raistlin’s razor-sharp dialogue and chilling intelligence
- Caramon’s painful but compelling redemption arc
- A fantasy world that feels mythic, spiritual, and lived-in
Final Thoughts
Time of the Twins is a masterpiece of fantasy character development, launching a trilogy that explores godhood, mortality, loyalty, and legacy. It takes familiar heroes and shows them fracturing, evolving, and confronting fate itself.
Recommended for:
- Fans of Raistlin Majere, arguably one of the greatest fantasy antiheroes ever written
- Readers who love introspective, morally gray fantasy
- Those interested in faith, time travel, and tragic ambition
“I do not serve evil. I serve myself. And in that, I serve the future.”
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