Fantasy Aficionados discussion

Help! I recently recalled a trilogy (I think) of books I very much enjoyed at the time (which was at least 10-15 years ago). I'm unable to remember either the titles or the author's name, although I'm sure she was a woman. The main character was called Draco, or Drago, or something similar. At the beginning of the first book he is the villain but, as the story develops he turns out to be very much misunderstood & eventually proves to be the hero. I want to say the plot has something to do with a Gate - or Stargate - or something of that nature. For some reason, I was sure Kate Elliot was the writer, but she doesn't seem to be. Possibly another Kate, although that may be a false trail.
I know the details I'm giving are pretty vague, but I really hope one of you wonderful people will be able to point me in the right direction.
Many thanks
Nicole

Mercedes Lackey has written a number of trilogy-focused books that have different protagonists. As the world evolves, they (re)discover 'gates' that allow instant transport across space and time.

They do often have visually similar covers as well.

It wasn't the Gate of Ivrel series by C.J. Cherryh?

Brenda for the win!

Super. The first three are wonderful; she wrote a fourth some years later that is less good.

Definitely not Mercedes Lackey or CJ Cherryh, sadly. The only book by Lackey I've ever really liked is Sacred Ground. Tried the Diana Tregarde series recently but didnt get along with it.
Still hoping someone can solve this mystery for me, I very much want to revisit these books and see if they're as good as I remember.

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have the Death Gate Cycle. Not sure if it helps any.

DeathGate Cycle does seem to fit- Main character Haplo- starts off set on conquering and enslaving the "lesser races", slowly changes for the better. Goes through the DeathGate to get to other worlds.
There are 7 books tho, not a trilogy

What about Sarah Ash's Tears of Artamon series. It is a trilogy and the main character becomes something called a Drakhaoul. The first book is Lord of Snow and Shadows. I read it aeons ago and seem to recall that the Drakhaoul was feared but wasn't really supposed to be? Don't remember a gate though.

I’m about 5 years late on but you’re looking for The Wayfarer Redemption series by Sara Douglass! Drago is the main character in the last three books.