Qainhandu was once a saffron dragon. He was once mortal. In the days of First Shem's Age of Miracles, a mad sorcerer attacked him and tried to enslave him. In the ensuing fight, some sort of spell sealed Qainhandu in a form of a sollarian. He killed the sorcerer and he began a long journey to return to his true form.

Over the course of many adventures, he found many possible cures, but none worked. Eventually, he met a being called the Curseweaver who told him that he was not enchanted, but cursed. He offered to help break the curse, but Qainhandu was too proud. He went his own way.

Later, during the Age of Night and Obelisk, Qainhandu left Shem for the sun, the only place he could find haven. There, he met his Goddess, whom he begged to help him. She took pity on this once proud being and she told him how to break the curse--to go and slay the sorcerer's dark master, the demon Hrulgradd. Qainhandu sought to do so, but the demon proved too strong. Qainhandu died a sollarian.

His Goddess rescued him from the Hells, however, and restored him, for his quest had touched her heart. She rose him up and made him her Immortal lover.

Currently, he works with the Order of the Sunflower to protect Palhur from trollish invasion.