The early Elric stories were gathered in a Lancer paperback under the title of Stealer of Souls, which led to a follow-up novel, Stormbringer. Michael Moorcock has evolved from the author of Stealer of Souls to the author of The Fortress of the Pearl, revisiting the early history of a young Elric. The stories and novels that Moorcock wrote to fill in the blanks in the Elric saga provide necessary context for the character's development from a spoiled princeling to the figure he becomes in Stormbringer.