The War of Souls (421 AC) was a conflict that took place during the Age of Mortals, which saw the forces of the One God, under Mina, seek to take control of Krynn.
Background[]
After the end of the Chaos War in 383 AC, the Gods, along with Chaos, disappeared from Krynn, commencing the Age of Mortals. As a result, both clerical abilities and High Sorcery also disappeared, with the latter causing the disbanding of the Conclave of Wizards. These losses were somewhat balanced by Goldmoon's discovery of the healing art of Mysticism, and Palin Majere's discovery of Wild Sorcery. Goldmoon established the Citadel of Light on Schallsea, while Palin founded the Academy of Sorcery near Solace.
Another major development in the years following the Chaos War was the arrival of the Dragon Overlords from a world beyond Krynn. Between them, the overlords Malystryx, Beryllinthranox, Gellidus, Onysablet, and Khellendros took control of much of Ansalon, killing many of the native dragons to empower themselves. During this time, all of the metallic dragons, save one, disappeared from Krynn completely.
The start of the War of Souls[]
Although sorcery, discovered by Palin Majere, was adopted, it is slowly fading for reasons unknown. Everyone, including the Dragon Overlords, experience the effect. The Knights of Takhisis, with the loss of their Queen, became the Knights of Neraka, a somewhat less honorable outfit than their predecessors, led by Lord of the Night Morham Targonne. Goldmoon, one of the few remaining Heroes of the Lance, has established the Citadel of Light on the island of Schallsea. In the elven realm of Qualinesti, Gilthas, the "puppet king", rules only in title, while the nation is truly run by the occupying Knights of Neraka. Their cousins, the Silvanesti, have banished their heir, Silvanoshei, his mother, and his father. With the gods gone, the time period, fittingly, is known as the "Age of Mortals" as said by Fizban.
The War of Souls begins in 421 AC, 38 years after the events of Dragons of Summer Flame. A small band of Knights of Neraka meet Mina, a mysterious woman who appeared during a freak storm. Through incredible feats, she convinces them to pledge themsleves to "the One God" and follow her to march on the besieged city of Sanction.
Over and over, Mina is able to convert her opponents and save the day. The city of Sanction is retaken by the Solamnic Knights, and the old gods return to the world. The elven nations, now under the reign of Gilthas, seek a new home. Paladine, now mortal, takes on the name Valthonis and joins with Gilthas' fate. Her new followers all return to their lives with a new outlook.
Mina, an agent of the One God/Takhisis, leads an army of Knights of Neraka, Captain Samuval's mercenary company, and a horde of the dead who are kept as ghosts by Takhisis. Although many Dark Knights join Mina's cause, a number of them distrust her and her faith-driven motives. Primary among these is Morham Targonne, late leader of the Knights of Neraka. Believing her claims of the One God to be nothing but tricks, he attempts to have her killed and is instead slain himself. In addition, Marshal Medan's force of Knights of Neraka defies Targonne's orders and defends Qualinost from Beryl's assault, dying in the process. The Knights of Solamnia are the primary opposition of Mina, although they are often defeated. Notable among them are Gerard uth Mondar, and Odila Windlass, a temporary cleric of the One God. The Knights eventually retake Sanction. The elves play a crucial part in the opposition of Mina. Gilthas Pathfinder, son of Tanis Half-Elven and Laurana Kanan, leads the Qualinesti elves and eventually their cousins, the Silvanesti. They play a large part in the downfall of Beryl, and liberate Sanction with the help of the metallic dragons. By the end of the book they have no land of their own, but become a single nation. Their tale is continued in the Elven Exiles trilogy.The evil Dragon Overlords, particularly Malys, Beryl, and Skie, work for self-serving interests throughout the War of Souls. All three are killed by the end of the book, although Beryl destroys the elven capital Qualinost upon her death.
(Note: Terms "good" and "evil" are used only in reference to the War of Souls, and not to the characters' nature or status)