Riverwind from Dragons of Autumn Twilight

Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman is a fantasy book set in a world with magic, elves, dwarves, and monsters. Dragons of Autumn Twilight begins with a group of friends reuniting in an inn after 5 years apart. After a fight breaks out at the inn the party are in, the party run with 2 humans from the plains. One of them is chieftain’s daughter, the other is a tall human man who acts as her bodyguard. The chieftain’s daughter, Goldmoon, has a very strong magical staff and powerful beings are trying to retrieve the staff. The party is forced to run. After a while the bodyguard, whose name is Riverwind, warms up to some of the members of the party. Riverwind as it turns out, has been through so much.

 

When the party first meets Riverwind he has a ‘expressionless mask’ on his face. This ‘mask’ Riverwind wears prevents most of the party from interacting with him. Meeting and interacting with new people is an experience Riverwind dislikes and traveling with the party is difficult for him. However, after going through so much with the party, from fighting new monsters to flights on magical pegasi, Riverwind cannot help but warm up with some of the party. Riverwind bonds with Tanis, a Half-Elf ranger fastest. “‘I’m going to have a look north…see what’s moving on the road. Tanis added.’ ‘I’ll come with you’ Riverwind offered. This offer Riverwind makes of accompanying Tanis is a big deal because Riverwind is a very private person and doing more than necessary with others is not something he usually does.

 

Another defining characteristic of Riverwind is his dedication to those he serves or admires. Riverwind if of the same tribe as Goldmoon and being the chieftain’s daughter makes her the rank just under chieftain. So Riverwind serves Goldmoon. Riverwind is very devoted to Goldmoon, even when disagreements arises. This devotion is shown in a cave; she (Goldmoon) looked a Riverwind. ‘You know my mind’ he said… ‘But-you are the chieftain’s daughter’”. This shows that even while they disagree, Riverwind obeys Goldmoon.

 

I recommend Dragons of Autumn Twilight to everyone, but especially to those who enjoy fantasy, adventure, complex characters, or just a good page turner. The characters in this book are very well developed and keep developing while making their way to stand in the way of the forces of evil. If you play Dungeons and Dragons, Dragons of Autumn Twilight has a similar feel to D&D. If not, that’s great too. But either way, Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Dragonlance Chronicles Volume I, is a great book and I highly recommend it.