Tanthalas (Tanis) Half-Elven

Tanis was born to an unknown human father and an the wife of Solostaran's brother (who was raped by his unknown father). His mother, however, dies in childbirth. He was raised by the Speaker of Suns (Solostaran) in Qualinost with his children: Porthios, Gilthanas, and Lauranalanthalasa (Laurana). After a conflict with his adopted family, he left Qualinesti to try to learn about his human heritage. Thanks to his diplomatic skills, he became a business partner with Flint Fireforge. Eventually he meets the companions, adventures and even grows a beard!

After the companions reunion at the Inn of the Last Home, Tanis and the companions travel to Xak Tsaroth and back to the burned and ruined Solace. Tanis becomes the peacemaker in the group, "reconciling the conflicts without instead of within". When he and his friends are rescued by Qualinesti elves from Lord Toede's slave wagon though, he must face his past.

Laurana, still in love with him, asks about the childhood engagement they had made. Tanis gives her back the ring he had received from her. Insulted, Laurana throws it among the trees (where Tasslehoff retrieves it). However, even though she is angry and upset at Tanis, she follows the companions and her brother, Gilthanas, on their quest to Pax Tharkas.

On their trip through Sla-Mori, Tanis receives Wyrmslayer, the ancient sword of Kith-Kanan. He uses the sword to kill Lord Verminarrd in Pax Tharkas. Afterward, he helps retrieve the Hammer of Kharas and settle the refugees of Pax Tharkas in Southgate in Thorbardin.

Continuing their journey, the companions travel through Tarsis, Silvanesti, Port Balifor, and Flotsam. Here Tanis encounters Kitiara. Still desiring her from the old days of their adventures, he stays with her, seemingly forgetting his friends and his mission in the war. When he flees across the Blood Sea, however, she purses him, eventually driving the ship into the maelstrom. Tanis chooses death rather than climbing onto Kitiara's dragon.

She "repays" him by tricking Laurana into her trap by saying she has Tanis hostage. Tanis finds this out and goes to free Laurana, his true love. However, to do so, he must make an agreement with Kitiara. He must slay Ariakas and seize the Crown of Power for her.

After all of this, Tanis and Laurana are married. They spend most of their time on the road as peacemakers among nations. Just prior to Kitiara's attack on Palanthas, Tanis is called away from Laurana in order to consult with Lord Amothus. He sees her citadel fly overhead while he is at the High Clerist's Tower. He then goes out to face Lord Soth, barely escaping with his life. He and Caramon board the citadel in order to get into the Tower of Palanthas and stop Raistlin. He is in Raistlin's Laboratory when Kitiara is slain by Dalamar.

Next, he and Caramon escort Steel Brightblade, son of Kitiara and Sturm, to his father's tomb in the Tower of High Sorcery. Tanis and Laurana also have a son Gilthas (named after Gilthanas), who is forced to become "puppet ruler of the elves", despite Tanis's attempts to stop it.

Tanis fights his last battle in The Chaos War in Palanthas, at the High Clerist's Tower when it is under attack by the Knight of Takhisis. Abjured by the ghost of Sturm to protect his son, Steel, Tanis saves him from death only to be killed himself.