Raistlin Majere | DragonLance Saga

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Transcript
If there was even an exception to the rule for a wizard on Krynn, it was always, and will always be Raistlin Majere.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about Raistlin Majere. I would like to take a moment and thank my collaborator patrons, the Heroes of the Lance, and invite you to consider becoming a patron or member of this channel by visiting the links in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate link. I am referencing novels and sourcebooks for this information, but we all know how deep and intrinsic Raistlin is to the history of Krynn, so If I skip over something or misspeak, please leave a comment below.
Discussion
The entire backstory for Raistlin was left for Margaret Weis to determine. She had to base it on Jeff Grub’s idea of him having hourglass eyes and golden skin. She had help as she recalls because of the painting Larry Elmore made of Raistlin, showing suffering in his face. The design team planned him as being the unlikable character as he was sly, greedy and weak. Weis saw Raistlin as the tragic anti-hero; The man who will finally be consumed by his fatal flaw--his thirst for power. She was insistent that readers and players understand him however. Raistlin turns to evil, but the Heroes would not have defeated the Queen of Darkness without him. We are first introduced to Raistlin in Margaret Weis’ short story ‘The Test of the Twins’ in Dragon Magazine #83. She described Raistlin as a frail and sickly magician and scholar. He and his twin Caramon made up one whole person. Caramon was the body and Raistlin was the mind. This would prove to be the driving force throughout the Chronicles and Legends trilogies which would propel Raistlin from that originally designed unlikable character into arguably the most popular character in all of Dragonlance.

Caramon and Raistlin were raised by their half sister Kitiara. Raistlin nearly died in his infancy and lived by Kitiara’s will alone, as he was weak and sickly. Their mother Rosamun was unwell and more than happy to allow Kitiara take up her role. It was Raistlin's father Gilon that would set him down on the path of magic, with the visit to a local illusionist Waylan. Raistlin was obsessed with the craft and by the evening had learned every one of the sleight-of-hand tricks through observation alone! His father would enroll him in a prestigious school, taught by a highly-reputed Master Mage Theobald. He was talented in math and memory. Raistlin even inherited his mothers Psychic abilities, though he was never able to control or channel them. The Mage did not like Raistlin and was going to turn him away when Raistlin began reading the master's spell books. This can be deadly to those too young or weak in the craft. He was immediately accepted as a pupil.

By the age of 16, Raistlin had outgrown his master. He was picked on and bullied by the other boys around his age and his brother Caramon would be the only one on his side. After their fathers death and mother’s retreat into her mind which preceded her death, Raistlin would find nothing but contempt for others. They were either less intelligent than him or outright harmed him. This would come to be a defining characteristic in Raistlin revealing itself in the defense of those marginalized. Eventually, they gained respect from the townsfolk. Caramon for his strength, and Raistlin for his skills in magic. They earned money from the strength of Caramon and performances by Rasitlin which only infuriated his master. They became friends with the other heroes of the lance and shared misadventures together. At the age of Twenty, Raistlin was offered an opportunity to take the Test of High Sorcery. He knew that it meant the possibility of death, but also, the possibility of realising his true potential...

[DLSaga]

Thank you for watching today's Dragonlance Setting episode. What do you think about Raistlin Majere? Leave a comment below.

[ksy]

"They gave me the eyes to see past, present and future of all living things, thinking it will teach me compassion. Instead, I only felt contempt"

[MacV]

Wow!! this brings back memories!! Read these back in the 80's...Raistlin was always my favorite...I recall when he went from red robes to black....uuuf.
Thank you for this!

[Dhyfis]

The part where I started to like Raistlin Majere when he showed kindness towards Bupu the gully dwarf. He has a disdain against most people because of how he's been treated by most people but he could still feel kindness towards a race that everyone treats with disdain.

[backroadmoto]

Raistlin is the greatest character period. Bring Dragonlance to the big screen!

[fatalexception]

When i read Dragonlance as a teenager, Raistlin was my favourite character because his power appealed to my D&D nerdism. When i read the books again in my 30's and again recently in my 40's, I liked him a lot less. His lust for personal power makes him a manipulator and he doesn't understand how to receive and return love, almost narcissistic. Characters i never used to think twice about, like Laurana, ended up becoming the ones i really identified with as they reflected my real life values.

[MobiusPrime]

“For me, the gates will open.”

These words embedded themselves in my heart. Power can afford you many things, yet not many heed the cost that must be paid.

[fullonsociopath]

Such a great character. My favorite part of any of his stories is when Takhisis mentally shows him the endless torture she has planned, something similar to Prometheus, and he actually smiles at the thought.

[SkullCowboy]

Raistlin has always been a kind of mirror for me and his story helped me avoid many pitfalls in my own life and path. You honor him well with this. I could go on but I will just say thank you.

[anthonysetters]

Best line spoken in Dragonlance and always sticks in my mind is from Raistlin.. "Hope is the denial of reality." Truly insane considering how his story ends.

[LazyTyrant]

As a young adult, I adored Raistlin. Everything and anyone would bow to me if I had The Power! Now that I'm older, I almost pity him. And I know he'd hate that.

[ZyloxDragon]

One of my favorite quotes:

"You cannot hide from danger. Death floats on the air, creeps through the window, comes with the handshake of a stranger. If we stop living because we fear death, then we have already died."

[cryssman]

Although it was originally initiated by a spell, I think Raistlin’s interactions with the gully dwarf, Bupu, highlights a compassionate aspect of his personality. Although it is overshadowed by his drive for power, and he strives to keep it hidden, it makes subtle appearances throughout his story. It’s been a long while since I’ve read Test of the Twins but I think I recall that it’s Caramon’s memory of Bupu, in that desolate future, that really convinces Raistlin to give up his plan and to sacrifice himself.

Thanks for the video!

[alexsarria]

Raistlin is the GOAT of Dragonlance. In the end, he redeems himself like Vader in Jedi. I read either the Chronicles or Legends every year just for all the great lines, story, and for the sly one.

[MikeSims]

Wow. This came up in my feed. I played Raistlin for TSR at Gen Con 1996. Still have the robes and Staff of Magius, but the $600 hourglass contact lenses are long gone. Fun days!

[plaz]

My favorite part of Raistlin's story arc is when the portal opens and the device of time travel interferes and causes the explosion. Everyone should go back and read the last couple paragraphs of The War of the Twins. He's being torn apart and refuses to fail. Uses words of command never spoken before. Badass.

[Fsudryden]

I love that he also denied his love for his brother throughout his life even though it was obvious that he did. Caramon to me is a great brother. He knows he is being used however he still loves his brother and feels that he can still save him.

[thenightowl]

He's one of my favourite characters in any book! Such a wonderful character arc, and teamed up with Caramon it's even better and grander! What makes Raistlin even more special is that he is both the protagonist and the antagonist in Dragonlance Legends. Superb! 🙂

[Locreai]

I still have 100 dragonlance novels. I care for them like a kid

[beauporter]

Oh wow haven't heard of raist for 25 years.
Such awesome memories reading dragon Lance when I was young.