#Raistlin Majere what are you doing to my heart

[alypagemage]

….

No, no no. No! no no no no RaiSTLIN I SWEAR TO SOLINARI-

Dammit, Raist! Now is not the time to get all pissy about how nature f’d you over you always were a whole person it’s not Caramon’s fault at least not intentionally now go sit down and comfort your twin-

Aaaaand he’s gone.

[wehavekookies]

Top 5 favorite characters of all time?

Okay, this is a big one, and i actually had tough time picking five (and i ended up with six ((or even seven XD)) anyway lol), but this is what i came down to, and it was pretty interesting to think on it to be honest, a good ask:

Master Twardowski - a character from several Polish legends to which i trace all my fascinations with the Deal with the Devil trope: a noble, a sorcerer, dealing in dark arts, kinda like a Polish doctor Faustus i guess? Witcher 3 Heart of Stone expansion was heavily based on these legends too, to add a more recognisable pop culture reference here. Anyway, these were some of the stories I was reading a lot as a kid, and I think they leaked through pretty heavily lol, so even tho I am not exploring the character as is that much I'm gonna give him first place on this list.

Honourable mention on this one: Devil as a character in general.

Raistlin Majere - ok, this is actually a crime that I never painted him, so something I have to definitely change in the nearest future. But this character had a massive impact on my interests, regarding fantasy in general, and in terms of specific character tropes, and I remember being absolutely fascinated by his arc. Gotta reread these books actually.

Sheogorath - yeah, so I don't paint this dude enough too, so another thing I gotta add to my list, but Shivering Isles may be my favourite game expansion still, the aesthetics, the plot, the reveal, and I have a feeling this character influenced quite a lot, directly or indirectly, also you know, I am not that big on Funko Pops but i got one of his, and that means a lot lol.

Baba Yaga - listen, this is just gonna be a list of characters I have to paint more or actually paint lmao, but in case you wondered where the witchy themes come from.

Morte - i didn't expect this dude to show up on this list, but here he is, both because he is a damn floating skull, duh, but also for sentimental reasons because Planescape: Torment, and i needed something to reference that influence, and Morte is the best face Planescape can get (tho Lady of Pain is a close second). Also he is a fantastic character.

Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy - okay, it is a top 6 apparently, but screw that, i need a vampire on this list too. both because a vampire and all fascinations related to this one, but also because of that gentle monster trope that I do adore.

[first-and-last-neocount]

Ask game:

N, P, & Y

Ah, thank you Potato :P

N: Is there a fic you wish someone else would write (or finish) for you?

Hmm, I wouldn't say that I have any really strong thoughts on this, since I've always tended toward the mindset of "if you want it, write it yourself" even before getting into fandom, so I don't have anything super specific. In very general terms, I'd be over the moon if more people got into Karril/Damien enough to write for that ship, even if it was just little drabbles. What can I say, I've really done myself in with this little rarepair that is now near and dear to my heart. :'D

P: Are you what George R. R. Martin would call an "architect" or a "gardener"? (How much do you plan in advance, versus letting the story unfold as you go?)

GARDENER. I go into most of my stories with more 'vibe' than 'plan', and even when I give the broad strokes of an outline, it's all subject to change as I go. Even in my original work, I tend to use an outline format I call "melody plotting" - I'll map out the big notes the story needs to hit, the pivotal character developments and the hooks for future storylines, and a couple of dramatic 'set pieces'. All the rest, the little ornamentation and flavour? All added in the process. The bulk of my worldbuilding bible for original works will grow alongside the story, with elements that come to me organically during writing getting put into the bible once I've checked them against existing material - and if I like the new idea enough, I'll throw out the old stuff that contradicted it. It sometimes means more work for myself if I decide to change a significant element mid-work, but it's worth it, because it's by far the most fun and natural way for me to work. It's also why my estimated word count/chapter count/series length will change often and rapidly, because it's very easy for me to get swept away with fleshing out a particular section that was only a footnote in the outline, which is what exactly happened with "And Its Dizzying Heights". I got so caught up in the dinner scene that it ended up filling out the whole fic, with the after-dinner scene getting pushed off to the next fic.

Y: A character you want to protect.

I mean, that's a fair thing to ask, since it's very obvious which characters I want to hurt. XD This is actually very well timed, because the first character that comes to mind is Raistlin Majere. He's one of my very oldest blorbos, and the fact that I imprinted on him before getting most of my own trauma means that rather than cathartically projecting worse versions of my own issues onto him as I tend to do with Gerald, I would prefer to just bundle Raistlin up in bubble wrap and make sure nothing bad happens to him ever. Which is... a tall order, given all of canon, but is also why every fic idea I've ever had for Dragonlance diverges from canon in either Soulforge era, Brothers Majere era, or early Dragons of Autumn Twilight at the very latest - I applaud every author who wants to tackle the absolute nightmare that is Raistlin's life post-Spring Dawning, but I prefer to keep my slightly-less-bitter-and-jaded Red Robe from going off the deep end in the first place. (I'm also far more in love with Raistlin's characterization as a Red Robe who prioritizes the magic above all else than after he decides godhood is the answer to all his problems. I love a maniacal villain as much as the next shipper, but that strange limbo between resentment and compassion that Raistlin spent most of his early life tenuously balanced in just resonates on a different level for me.)

[pellicano-sanguino]

I was recently made aware of the fact that there's a freaking Dragonlance musical (yes, made all the way back in 2014, I'm late on the news). It's uploaded to Youtube in full (according to them, it's uploaded with the permission of the creators) and with subtitles (it's a Russian production).

I went in expecting it to be just as badly made and cringeworthy as the animated movie, and I was motivated to watch it purely by nostalgic feelings about the books (they were the first fantasy books I read) and general interest in musical theater. But turns out I...   actually liked it??? Not in a so-bad-it's-good kind of way, I genuinely found it enjoyable. What an unexpected turn of events.

Heh. Quality subtitles.

Disclaimer: It's been ages since read the books, so if I remember something wrong, feel free to correct me.

Now, this is not the next Phantom or Elisabeth or anything like that. This seems to be a rather small production. The props and effect are minimalistic and cheap, looking more like a bunch of larpers than actors (not saying larpers can't have great props, I used to larp myself when I was younger). The singing carries the story, there is very little spoken dialogue and the actors don't dance. We do get a bunch of background dancers, who at first seem really out of place crawling on the floor while the main actors just stand there and sing.

I'm also going to point out that the Dragonlance books are not the easiest or most obvious choice for a story to be adapted into a musical. These books have long, complicated plots that often arch over several books and have a whole bunch of characters. Also, being able to open the vast world and history of Krynn to an audience who may not have read a single book is challenging. Not gonna lie, I am unsure how much someone without any prior knowledge of the series will get out of this show. They do plot explaining surprisingly well but there are plenty of times where you're going to be a bit confused if you don't know the backstory.

The musical's name is The Last Trial, and it's (somewhat loosely) based on the Legends-series, describing the rise and fall of the dark wizard Raistlin Majere, who is probably the most popular Dragonlance character ever. Well, it's a wise choice, since you can tell this story with a slightly smaller cast and don't have to prop dragons. However, I question one thing. You're really going to make a musical about Raistlin? One of his trademark characteristics is his failing health, his violent, chronic cough, resulting in a creepy, raspy voice. And this is the guy you're gonna make sing.

More quality subtitles.

Oh yeah, and another thing I'm going to have to question. Are we really making this a love story? I mean, yeah, I get that all that happens between Raistlin and Crysania does also happen in the books, but I never saw any kind of romance between them. All I saw was a heartless bastard manipulating the feelings of a sensitive and naive woman. The impression I got of Raistlin from the books was a person who's asexual, aromantic and hates everyone (and who's not handsome by any standards, but rather creepy looking, especially his eyes). Not a romantic hero at all. But hey, I can kinda understand the appeal (after all, I do like such musicals as Phantom and Elisabeth, so I can totally see why a cruel and cold character gets all the fangirls; everybody likes bad boys).

The musical opens with a short introduction of this story's Greek Choir-character, Astinus. Astinus is tasked with recording the history of Krynn so he makes a good plot exposition role. I recall there being some hints that he might not be fully mortal. After the intro, stage lights reveal a violin player, who begins to play the musical's theme. The violin player stands out a little, since she's wearing modern clothes despite the story being set in a medieval-ish world. But I got to admit, the music is very, very nice, with a rather calm melody that fits the setting of a magical world of fantasy very well. This could easily be soundtrack for a fantasy movie. The beautiful music is what made me like this show.

Speaking of music, it's time for the main character to deliver the show's first song. Despite rolling my eyes at the thought of Raistlin singing with his ruined voice earlier, I have to admit, they chose the actor really well. There are at least two castings (maybe even more) of this show, and the one I saw, had Evgeny Ergorov playing Raistlin. His voice is very pleasant to listen and it carries hints of ambition, arrogance and of a powerful will that is calm and calculating but under its seeming calmness also very dangerous. I am surprised how quickly I accepted the fact that Raistlin can sing and that instead of having a voice that mirrors his suffering he has a voice that mirrors his might. The lyrics being in Russian helps, being sung in a language I don't speak a word of makes everything sound more magical and poetic. There is certain lyrical beauty to Russian and it fits the songs perfectly (obviously, since the songs were written to be sang in this language).

If we handwave the fact that Evgeny is way too pretty to be playing Raistlin (I'm presuming he's not that bad looking by het standards here, as a lesbian I'm not really the person to be judging male beauty), he looks the part and gets nicely into character. He has Raistlin's prematurely grayed hair, black robes and the staff with a glowing gem held by dragon claws. The musical goes out of its way to disrobe him, though, probably as a fanservice thing (robes really don't let you see his body well...). In the books I don't recall him ever wearing anything else, the mages in Dragonlance wore their robes everywhere like uniforms. Oh well, if wizards can prance around in muggle clothes in the Harry Potter movies, we can do the same here.

Evgeny has a rather strong stage presence. His eyes, while not as creepy as in the books, cast a very cold and powerful gaze, judging everything with distaste and cynicism but never underestimating anything in his arrogance. This Raistlin is full of pride but not blinded or hindered by it. The only trademark part of his character that I consider to be missing is his failing physical health, that creates an opposite to his powerful mind and allows him to manipulate people by using the compassion they feel when seeing a sick, suffering man. Many more prideful men would be insulted when offered help and proclaim that they can take care of themself, but Raistlin never does this; he relies on the help of others whenever it's convenient and never considers such a thing to be below the world's greatest wizard.

Astinus appears again and explains the next song number to the audience. In the war preceding the events in this show, Raistlin fought with a bunch of other heroes to defeat a dark dragon goddess called Takhisis, the primordial source of evil in the Dragonlance pantheon of gods. According to the musical, Raistlin's role was to work as a double agent – he swore an oath to Takhisis and became her servant only to stab her in the back so she could be sealed away in Abyss.  It's been ages since I read the books, so I can't tell if this is how it really went. My faint memories claim it wasn't quite like that, but this is what the musical tells us so let's just go with it. Takhisis, the highest ranking of all the evil gods, is trapped in Abyss, but she still plots her escape and bears grudge to Raistlin. She can't enter the world of mortals in the waking world, but she can appear in their dreams.

Like evil, Takhisis takes many faces aside from her iconic multiheaded dragon queen form. She invades Raistlin's dreams in the form of the Dark Lady and torments him with nightmares and ominous predictions that he'll one day be her servant again and open the gate of her prison. In this version, Takhisis is played by Vera Zoodena. And wow. Just...  wow.

Her Dark Majesty can easily be interpreted as a kinda succubus-like, sexy and seductive femme fatale (because god forbid we have evil female characters who aren't overly sexualized...). This kind of role is very easy to overdo and instead of intimidating and charismatic turn out to be just... cheesy and slutty. But Vera Zoodena knows that a revealing outfit and sexy posing isn't all you need for a powerful female villain. Yes, she is very much directed as seductive, but instead of making me feel like someone made her wear that costume and ordered her to pose like that, I feel that she is in complete control of everything. Vera's stage presence is amazing. Femme fatales rarely have any effect on me (well, they are usually geared towards a male audience anyway) but this Takhisis makes chills run down my spine when she sings. Her voice is so haunting and sexy, I can feel her fingers tipped with deadly claws menacingly caress my skin by just listening to it. (I'm sorry. I promise to keep the TMI to a minimum. But I'm totally hot and bothered for Takhisis.).

Raistlin's nightmares are interrupted by his twinbrother Caramon, who intuitively knows his brother is suffering and rushes to wake him up. Raistlin thanks Caramon for driving away the unwanted dreams, but remains distant. Caramon then begins to sing, advising Raistlin to give up his ambitious plan, which he now reveals to the audience; Raistlin intends to descend into Abyss and challenge Takhisis, ascending to godhood himself if he manages to defeat the goddess. We have fought our wars, says Caramon, the Dark Lady is safely locked away in Abyss and the world needs heroes no more. Well, that's easy for you to say, you're not the one getting your dreams invaded.

Let's talk about Caramon a little. He is supposed to be the opposite of his twin; physically strong but mentally not the brightest, a handsome fellow with a big heart that overflows with kindness towards his friends and family. No ambition, no selfish arrogance guiding his actions, all he longs for is a simple, comfortable life and he cares deeply about the wellbeing of his loved ones. Compare that to Raistlin, who cares not about the feelings of others, uses people as stepping stones to reach his own selfish goals and in his pride desires always more power; when he has become the most powerful wizard in the mortal world even that is not enough, he needs to challenge the gods.

While I do think the actors in this musical do a pretty decent job mostly, I have to say I'm a little disappointed in Andrei Loboshov playing Caramon. His acting is a bit wooden occasionally and he comes off as comically dumb sometimes (I mean yeah, Caramon wasn't the sharpest sword in the weapon rack but still). Also his voice is kinda mediocre compared to others. This is Caramon, he is supposed to be charming and lovable. And handsome. Again, I know I'm not the right person to judge male beauty, but compare this guy to the one playing Raistlin (who is supposed to be the ugly twin). Like, come on.

Raistlin refuses Caramon's offer of simple living. He points out that as a creepy weirdo he will never belong anywhere and will never be as accepted by others like someone normal like Caramon is. He is determined to seek godhood, and abandons his brother's company while making plans how to reach his ambitious goal. He receives a letter that informs him that a priestess of Paladine (the highest ranking of the good gods, adversary of Takhisis) called Crysania seeks to meet him. Fate seems to smile upon the dark wizard, for a priestess of Paladine is exactly what he needs for his plan...

So. Crysania. I have...  mixed feelings about this character. On one hand, I admire the sincerety of her character, her genuine kindness (she is the priestess of the greatest of the good gods after all) and her determination to attempt to do the right thing. And yet she is doomed to betray her god out of her love for a heartless man. Stories about a pure maiden who falls in love with a cursed prince are numerous and the appeal of such stories is clear. However, Beauty and the Beast this is not. My main problem with Crysania is this: I fucking feel bad for what happens to her! She is dumb and naive and thoroughly amai and a very good example of what happens when a woman tries to ”cure” or ”save” a cruel man. It's not even her own fault because Raistlin manipulates the fuck out of her (and even if it were purely because of her own stupidity, victim blaming is bullshit so there!). I just want to rush in there and swoop her in my arms and give Raistlin the middlefinger like NO, you do not deserve the love of this woman, you do not get to use her for your ridiculous ego-inflating power fantasy plans, farewell and up yours!

When I read the books, I imagined Crysania looking unearthily beautiful, like a Greek statue come to life, and having an aura of holiness and piety in her voice. Here she is played by Elena Minina and damn, she is amazing. I don't know how they managed to find someone who so much resembles the official artwork of the character. I find her beauty stunning (just my opinion, there are probably a ton of people who consider her mediocre) and her voice is incredible. It's so clear, like the singing of birds and the sounds of running water on a stream, like silver bells tied to a dancer's ankle. I don't know how to describe it. I know nothing of opera or other top quality singing but I could easily imagine Elena being a truly professional singer. And this is really what made me fall in love with this show; the songs and the amazing singers delivering them.

Raistlin and Crysania meet in the city of Palanthas and have a little talk. Crysania reveals to the black mage that her god Paladine is aware of his plans and does not approve. She attempts to convince him to abandon his plan, not just for the good of mankind and the cosmic balance (the proper balance of good and evil is very important in Dragonlance pantheon) but for his own sake. Repent before it's too late and save yourself! Knowing that this is a chess piece he very much needs, Raistlin immediately goes into manipulation mode and starts to suggest things to Crysania. Oh, you came to me just as a messenger of your god? What if I told you he sent you to me for different reasons – to help me. He proceeds to flatter Crysania, praising her faith and purity (maybe to suggest that someone like her couldn't commit anything unholy, and thus can help him without fear of angering her god) and plants the idea to her head that light and dark mages aren't so black and white, and that sometimes dark magic is necessary to reach a noble cause.

Crysania listens and admits that Raistlin makes many good points but still she advises him to give up his plan. At this moment Raistlin has a coughing fit (the only time we see the fragility of his body in the musical) and Crysania's heart is immediately melted by compassion and she offers her help (as a priestess of Paladine she has healing powers). Raistlin accepts her healing magic but refuses her plea to bring him to the temple to be treated properly there, since even Paladine's clerics can't cure the curse that ruined his body. But appealing to her compassion works for his advantage, as did letting her get close and touch him (it's like he knows she's going to fall in love with him and attempts to bond with her to make it happen.). He insists on leaving but invites Crysania to meet him at the Tower of High Sorcery if she wants to speak with him more. Once she's alone, Crysania sings about how she understands that her fate is tied to this mysterious man who she used to think of as an enemy but is fast growing more fond and respecting of. She feels sorry for him and wants to save him so badly. Let the fire burn my hands, I will endure it or die trying. Meanwhile, I'm here whispering ”don't do it” under my breath. This is a very pretty song.

Astinus steps once more on stage. Crysania asks him how does Raistlin think he can break open the gate of Abyss. Astinus reveals that the gates of Abyss were locked so that they could only be opened by a black mage and a light priest working together (which the gods thought would be unthinkable, apparently, since that would be bringing together two sworn enemies). Crysania understands now what Raistlin had in mind for her. So, he thinks I'm going to be his key. Despite knowing this, she still wants to see him to learn more and asks how to find her way to the Tower of High Sorcery. Astinus tells her that the road there goes through the Grove of the Dead, making it a very perilous journey. Crysania considers this a test of courage set upon her by Raistlin and declares that she will go there.

Next we visit a charming little place called the Inn of the Last Home. The inn is run by Tika, Caramon's wife and she merrily spends time with the customers who sing and dance the night away. Tika is played by Irina Kruglova and it's a shame she has such a small role, since she has a lovely voice.

Back during the war Tika was one of the heroes and fought just as well as everyone else, but now has settled down since just like Caramon she longed for a peaceful, adventure-free life.

When I saw this character, I got worried. It looks like it might be a kender. Good grief, the goddamn kender are the worst thing Dragonlance universe came up with. * shudders* Back in my larp days there was a universally known unwritten rule among gamemasters: no more than one kender per ten other characters. Everyone obeyed this rule and good for them. I never got to play one, but a friend of mine did. She crawled under the tables and stole everyone's shoelaces.  

The joyful tune is disturbed when Crysania comes in and asks if anyone can show her to the Grove of the Dead. Tika tries to convince her not to seek the Grove, explaining that wizards enchanted the forest so that non-magic users couldn't find a way to their tower.

The guests agree with Tika, no one knows what the Grove hides, for the Grove never returns its dead. Crysania is still determined, if no one comes to be her guide, she goes alone. The guests and Tika then come up with an idea to have Caramon go along to keep her safe. No one else dares to go there, but Caramon is a true war hero.

Unfortunately this is the exact moment Caramon enters the inn, drunk as a lord and holding a letter he wrote to Raistlin. Look, Raistlin sent my letter back unopened, and even wrote on top of it ”I have no brother.” The separation of the twins was hard for Caramon and he started to drink his depression away, becoming less like a hero and more like pathetic drunk every day. He sings a sad, drunken, wailing song about how this letter hurt him so deeply.

They are stealing his axe - they are kender! Out! Throw them out!

Crysania rolls eyes at such a guardian, baffled that the intelligent and well mannered Raistlin could have such a disgraceful twin and she goes forth on her own. Tika then shames Caramon for being such a wreck and giving everything up so easily like the opposite of Rick Astley and sends him after the priestess. Your brother messed with her head, now it's your job to get her back safely! Reluctantly Caramon goes, not thrilled to be back on the adventuring business.

The background dancers felt out of place earlier, but in the Grove of the Dead they fit in perfectly, creating an ominous atmosphere. These living shadows creep up to Crysania, who faces them without fear and sends them back with the power of faith. She's prevented from proceeding any further when she comes face to face with an undead warrior named Lord Soth.

In the books, the death knight was sent to assassinate Crysania by Raistlin's sister Kitiara, to prevent the opening of the gates of Abyss. Lord Soth failed in his attempt, Crysania didn't die but she was wounded. Kitiara doesn't appear in this musical, and we don't actually see Lord Soth wounding Crysania. Instead he just poses dramatically and seems to scare Crysania and Caramon from approaching the Tower. He and the rest of the shadows are sent away by Raistlin, who appears to sing a new song.

The song is all about how names have power. It's a very fitting song for a mage, but kinda out of place. I guess it implies that by the power of knowing the name and origin of the creatures of the Grove he can send them away and allow the travellers to reach the Tower. But it looks like he's singing it to Crysania, which makes no sense. Also, what is he doing there? He should be far gone by now, time travelling to the past (yes, this story involves time travelling, a kind of magic that I've always thought way too powerful to exist, since if you have the power to go back in time, wouldn't you be able to keep trying a thing over and over again until you reach a timeline where you're successful? Way too convenient for my taste in magic.).

In the Tower of High Sorcery the Conclave of Mages is holding a meeting re: what to do with Raistlin. There are the white robed light mages and the black robed dark mages, but where are the neutral red ones? Balance of power is important in Dragonlance lore, and besides the forces of good and evil there existed the middle path that was kinda allowed to do whatever they wanted because they held loyalty to neither side. They could have easily put some red mages in the background here, so I wonder why they didn't (local prop department only had white and black robes?).

The conclave calls forth Dalamar, an elf who was spying Raistlin for the Conclave while being his apprentice in dark sorcery. Dalamar reveals all that he knows of Raistlin's plans; that his teacher has time travelled to the city of Istar to look for the gate to Abyss and to learn from another dark wizard who lived there at the time. By doing so Raistlin has apparently broken some union laws the Conclave held and they are disgusted with this (I told you time travelling should be banned!). But then they decide to send Crysania back in time to Istar too, for whatever reason. In the book it was because she was injured and needed a level of healing only the clerics of Paladine back in Istar's days of greatness could offer. But here it's a bit unclear, since we don't see Crysania get wounded and the Conclave never mentions any reasons behind their decision to send her time travelling. Maybe they were just as naive as her and thought she could stop him. Crysania tells them she intends to prevent Raistlin from opening the gates of Abyss and they just...   seem to go with it.

Dalamar and Par-Salian (leader of the Conclave) high five at their decision. Classy wizards are these.

One nice detail they kept are Dalamar's scars. You can see them on his chest. Raistlin wasn't born yesterday, he knew damn well that Dalamar was spying him and to show him that he knows, he burned the elf's chest with his fingertips like branding a calf. Just so you know, I'm on to your scheme and could dispose of you any time I want, I just don't think of you as a threat and don't care if the Conclave finds out because they won't be able to stop me. In the books Dalamar had a bizarre habit of flashing his scars to people. Look at what he did to me! No, stop, put your robes back on, nobody wants to see that, you kinky biscuit!

While the background people are working on propping Istar (mainly just covering everything in white), Dalamar sings a short song that reveals that he actually sends Crysania back in time because he is loyal to his teacher. Whatever you say, Dalamar. Whatever. Anyway, we have travelled back in time to Istar now. Everything and everyone is white and shiny and full of faith. Crysania is awestuck at the beauty of the city and the grandness of faith. Istar is a theocratic city state, and we also meet the guy who runs the city, known as the Kingpriest.

Good god, Alexi Tolstorkorov who plays the Kingpriest has the perfect voice for the role. It's a powerful, booming and majestic voice, making him sound like a charismatic cult leader when he preaches his truth. His voice demands respect and acknowledgment of his authority. Alexi is also rather tall, which makes him look properly intimidating. And considering they probably didn't have much of a budget, they propped him rather decently. Very good Kingpriest, 10/10.

Kingpriest. Dude. You’re saying that to a blind person!

Crysania finds Raistlin among the crowd (disguised as a cleric, because he's smart enough not to prance around in his black robes here) and informs him that Caramon got sent back with her as well but they got separated in the crowd. Raistlin didn't expect his brother to join Crysania in her attempt to stop him, but accepts this new turn of events and is already figuring out how to use it to his advantage. Raistlin tells her that he has already located the gates of Abyss here and soon they will open them together. I was expecting Crysania to tell him she has no such intentions, but here she just seems to...  be too distracted by Wow such great city! Very pure! Much faith! Which is...  awkward. Because this is fucking Istar, in the past. Crysania should know what happens to this city. Like, did they not teach history in whatever school priests of Paladine go to? Apparently they did not and it is up to Raistlin to open Crysania's eyes and reveal the ugly truth to the audience.

Raistlin sings a song about the corruption of Istar, how the priests are drunk with power and use it in manners that should be blasphemous to do in the name of good gods. Not only is magic and the worship of evil and neutral gods forbidden, some of the good gods are banned too and there's racism (I wholeheartedly cheer at the guards jailing kender, though.) and all other disgusting misuses of religion as justification for evil. The city if full of narcisstic men who put their own words in the mouth of god and present it as truth. It's interesting that Weis and Hickman came up with Istar, since Hickman is a devout mormon, so you'd think he's not the kind of person to present a theocracy as a corrupt cult. Anyway, Raistlin uses this moment to again cultivate in Crysania the belief that light and dark are not the same as good and evil. If priests of Paladine can be capable of such wickedness, then logic follows that a black mage can seek a noble cause. Maybe I'm not your enemy, aren't the ones who betrayed your god while claiming to serve him much more deserving to be your enemies? I only seek to rid the world of the source of all evil, while they seek to tear the whole world apart in their crusade against even the smallest shadow.

And then Crysania goes and confronts her fellow priests and the Kingpriest himself like the dumb shit she is, accusing them of their false faith and questioning their authority. Like good grief Crys, how fucking amai can you be?! Did you really think that one woman marching in front of a cultist leader and his brainwashed minions could make them see the light and better their ways by just shaming them? Like oh no, she is giving us the shounen anime protagonist Convincing Shouting treatment and telling us to give up our corrupt religion that benefits us greatly, whatever shall we do? Tell her she's right and that we are ashamed of ourselves for not noticing earlier? Or how about...  we just burn her at the stake for heresy?

Seriously Crysania, did you stop for two seconds to consider what could go wrong with your master plan? Anyway, it's a very nice song between Crysania and the Kingpriest. It also shows Crysania's budding doubts about her faith. She is disgusted that she had to have this revealed to her by an enemy, that her brothers and sisters who she is supposed to trust were holding an ugly secret from her.

So, Crysania is held captive at the temple for heresy. Raistlin doesn't seem particularly concerned with this. Having Crysania doubt her faith works for his plan. Caramon gets imprisoned too, after asking people if they've seen his brother, who's a mage. Use of magic being forbidden, even family members of mages get thrown in jail. There Caramon sings a song how he trusts that his brother will soon come save him. It's sad to see Caramon projecting his own family loyalty to his brother who has never helped anyone if it wasn't relevant to his interests. You poor man, still blind to the truth that your brother can't be redeemed.

In the book Caramon was made to fight in a gladiator arena with other prisoners. This musical also makes him fight, but frames it differently. Here the Kingpriest arranges the fights to find the best warrior to be the Chosen One to deliver world of evil or something along those lines. Disguised as a cleric Raistlin declares Caramon as a volunteer to fight. He is brought to the arena but refuses to pick up his sword, because it's one thing to fight in a war and for self defence but this is just slaughter for the amusement of others and he wants nothing to do with it.

I like how when Caramon refuses to fight, his opponent strikes this seductive pose. Fight me, my love, you know you want to...

The Kingpriest is not pleased for Caramon's refusal. Raistlin explains to him that the man is an honorable knight (yeah sure) who cares not for his own life but will defend the life of another. He suggests that they bring Crysania to the arena. The Kingpriest agrees to this, and Caramon immediately picks up his sword to protect the lady. The fight is fierce and has surprisingly many real swordplay techniques used (I usually expect very little realism from stage swordfights). Yes there's still lots of unreasonable things like turning your back to your enemy and coming way too close during the close combat (you come to a distance I can punch you, you will get pommel to the face) but this is still one of the best stage swordfights I've seen. It's also unusually fast, more often stage fencing uses slower, wider strikes to make it easier to follow the fight. Here, I noticed many of the techniques used only when I was taking screenshots, they happen so fast.

I didn’t even notice this block by grabbing blade at first viewing.

Oh, this looks like a throw! Are they really going to do a throw?

Apparently yes.

I have to tip my hat to the guy who plays Purple Fake Dreads here. He is agile!

He is fierce!

He is bouncy!

Fly away, Purple Fake Dreads!

I especially like the move where he places his foot on Caramon's leg and steps up on it to kick him in the groin.

Go, go, Purple Fake Dreads!

Caramon, who fought more carefully and defensively than his aggressive and impatient opponent, wins the fight, and the Kingpriest grants him and Crysania their freedom as a reward. The citizens of Istar then begin a mass with the Kingpriest, and the chanting gets more and more ominous until everything goes red. The event known as Cataclysm happens.

Angered by the corruption and arrogance of the Kingpriest, the gods threw a fiery mountain down on Istar, sinking the city to the bottom of the sea, changing the landscape and geography of Krynn permanently. Raistlin, Caramon and Crysania escape the divine wrath by time travelling again, to a timeline little after the Cataclysm. This they do offscreen.

Having witnessed the destruction of Istar, Crysania grieves for the innocent lives struck down for the crimes of a few. Her faith weakens once more. Her god doesn't answer to her call, so Raistlin asks her to follow him, which she does. After all, he is the one who showed her the truth and hasn't lied to her, and for that she respects him. She still believes that her fate is tied to the dark wizard, but she is beginning to doubt if her role ever was to help him see the light and not the other way around.

Istar being at the bottom of the sea now, Raistlin can no longer use the gates in there, much to his annoyance. However, there is a second Gate hidden in Zhaman fortress, in a well guarded dwarf kingdom. The black mage needs to find a way to get inside, and simple knowledge of history tells him how to do it.

Caramon comes to his brother, demanding to know why he betrayed him and made him fight in the arena instead of helping him escape. After listening to this for a while, Raistlin tells him that he's being an idiot; arranging for him to get chosen to fight in the arena was his plan to get him out from jail. You got yourself arrested out of stupidity, getting you to be chosen as the one to fight wasn't easy either, you know. So don't come to me claiming I didn't help you and Crysania to get your freedom so we could all escape together instead of leaving you behind to go down with the rest of Istar!

Okay, I get it, Caramon admits. But I'm still done with all of this and I'm going back home! Oh really, Raistlin comments, what a shame, I could have used your help. It hurts me to see the change in Caramon as soon as Raistlin says that, because the dumb man doesn't understand that he's just being manipulated. Caramon is so desperate for any sign of brotherly love from his twin that as soon as Raistlin hints that he could help him, he's ready to do anything. Of course I will help you in any way I can, my dear brother! You poor man, you poor faithful dog wagging your tail no matter how many times your master mistreats you.

What Raistlin has in mind for Caramon is war. Around this time in history, there was a war waged against the dwarf kingdom. Raistlin intends to make history repeat itself, and he needs Caramon to lead the army. What army, it's just the three of us, asks Caramon. And then Raistlin begins to sing, while the background dancers begin what looks like a yoga session. Raistlin is a good speaker and manipulator, he easily convinces warriors to join their attack to Zhaman fortress. Knowing history helps him, for he knows what kind of people went into this war and what their motivations were.  Little by little they gather quite an army to march into war. Caramon questions if what they are doing is the right thing and that they are lying to people to lure them into an unnecessary war. Raistlin convinces him the war is inevitable, and Caramon, too eager to please his brother, turns a blind eye to the unethicalness of it all.

While Caramon is working his hardest to earn them an entry to the gates, Raistlin focuses on working his mindgames with Crysania. He needs to get her to agree to go along with his plan. So he attempts to use her compassion, and sings to her a sad song about his childhood, colouring everything a little to make himself look more like a sympathetic victim of forces beyond his control. He claims to have began learning magic purely for self defence, being bullied as kid, and then goes on to claim that magic is an addiction that can't be fought once you've tried it. He also very clearly has become aware of Crysania falling in love with him and fans those flames as best he can, being all gentlemanly and nice to her even if he's a jerk when he's with his brother. This is one thing that people don't get about abusive people; they are perfectly capable of playing nice when it's beneficial to them and just because someone is ”such a nice guy” doesn't mean they can't be monsters.

Crysania is smart enough to call bullshit on Raistlin claiming to have always been an enemy to Takhisis, pointing out that he did fight on her side during the past war. But Raistlin pulls the ”It was all according to my plan, so I could betray her”-card out of his sleeve. I'm a traitor to both sides and both good and evil look forward to my funerals. Pity poor me who attempted to do what was right but ended up being unfairly hated by everyone. Well, Crysania buys it all, poor woman. They get closer and closer and looks like they are about to kiss...

But no kissels. Excited Caramon arrives to bring news that Zhaman has been conquered. Crysania leaves the men alone, and Caramon sings a happy song about how much glory he has gained in these battles and thanks Raistlin for making him the leader of the army, giving his life meaning and saving him from being a useless, depressed drunk.

Raistlin is initially annoyed that his alone time with Crysania was interrupted, but knowledge that he now has access to the gates he so desires to open puts him in a good mood and he joins Caramon in the victory celebrations. At some point it even looks like he...  smiles a little...   and not sarcastically. Who is this stranger and what have you done with the real Raistlin?

Now all Raistlin needs is to make sure Crysania will follow him to the gates. At night, when they are alone again he begins to sing a romantic song for her, posing sexily while he gazes at the starry sky, and she joins the song. By now she is completely and utterly in love with him and filled with joy when suggested that the feelings might be mutual.

Raistlin does an excellent job at seducing her considering he has no prior experience in romance whatsoever.  He often takes Crysania's hand while they walk but never makes any more forward moves himself, allowing her to be the one who initiates their first kiss.

Except this time too they are interrupted before the kiss can happen. This time by peeping tom Takhisis making her nightly visit to Raistlin's mind and being all Oh my, things are getting juicy in here, wait until I get my popcorn! Raistlin is startled, looks away and tells Crysania to get out. This is the first time Raistlin's behaved like that in front of her, so she's frightened that by making that first move crossed his line and angered him. She runs away, brokenhearted.

Raistlin is left alone with Takhisis, who in her turn tries to play mindgames. She suggests to Raistlin that maybe he wasn't encouraging Crysania's love just because it was convenient for his plan, maybe he too is falling in love.

Raistlin is horrified of such a thought but compliments her Dark Majesty for pointing out his weakness so he can make sure to overcome it. I made her fall in love with me, using her weakness of compassion and pity against her, surely I am above falling into my own trap! Well, regardless of how her love was born, comments Takhisis, your feelings are genuine – don't you want to keep her? Love is stronger than you are, puny mortal, it would overcome you.

Love brings no happiness, only suffering, sings Raistlin. Look at Crysania, who was so fearless, yet now is afraid, made so weak by her love. I must not return a false love, not fall for a creation of my own making. And so he fights to resists the basic human urge, the need to be loved, considering it a dangerous weakness. Without love I can't be hurt. I won't let my feelings hinder me, my brother is nothing but a sword for me and Crysania is nothing but a key. Love will break and weaken any ruler.

Nothing matters more than love, whispers Takhisis (rather uncharacteristic for the goddess of evil to spout such sappy fortune cookie aforisms). No, power is much more dear to me, answers Raistlin, but he is a complete emotional mess after fighting his feelings and can just tiredly beg for the Dark Lady to leave him alone.

Caramon, while unable to hear Takhisis, heard everything Raistlin said and his heart breaks when he finally learns that his brother doesn't love him. So it was all lies, I meant nothing to you? Or maybe I knew this all along and was lying to myself. When Caramon says he's leaving, Raistlin calls out to him, weak and exhausted after chasing Takhisis out of his mind. And even now, after hearing the truth, Caramon hesitates only a moment before coming to Raistlin's side, making sure he's alright. He even takes off his cape to cover the sleepy wizard warmly.

Kind people are unable to ignore a call for help, even when uttered by someone they know wouldn't return the favor, because for kind people there is no such thing as ”someone who doesn't deserve help.” I still want to kick Raistlin for being such a dick, though. While watching Raistlin sleep, Caramon sings a sad song about how he misses the lost happiness and innocence of their childhood.

The next song is very painful. It's Crysania basically slutshaming herself. Instead of recognizing that her broken heart is the result of Raistlin's mindfuckery, she blames herself. And more alarmingly, she makes a decision to change. By now she is as desperate for Raistlin recognizing her worth as Caramon was for any sign of brotherly love. It hurts me to see her like this, because it reminds me too much of real women who end up trying to change to better please their male lovers. This is what has become of her – the fearless lady who went forth to save a wicked man and prevent him from going through a horrible plan has turned into a blind minion of said man, willing to do whatever he wants. Raistlin has corrupted Crysania, broken her in an incredibly vile way. Instead of leaving the cruel man, she is finally convinced to aid him in opening the gates to Abyss. In her despair to be deemed worthy, Crysania decides to do the one thing Raistlin has always been asking of her, even if that means going against her god's will. At one point in the song it looks like she's talking to Paladine (kinda looking skyward) and saying something along the lines of ”I expect you to condemn what I'm about to do.” And so she betrayed her god and went down to Abyss for the sake of love.

Into the Abyss they go, singing a triumphant song together. They went with music forth to battle, not knowing what horrors lie beyond the gates. Crysania is made fearless by her faith, but not the faith she had for her god but her faith in Raistlin's might, sincerely believing it to be powerful enough to defeat a great goddess. Raistlin is made fearless by his trust in himself.

Not too long after passing the gates, they are welcomed by her Dark Majesty herself. Takhisis is aware of Raistlin's plan to kill her, but she pretends not to know. She congratulates Raistlin for opening the gates for her like a good little minion and offers him a place at the foot of her throne. Either she is being sarcastic, or she is attempting to avoid the fight with intimidation tactics, allowing Raistlin a peaceful way out if he chickens now that he is actually face to face with a powerful goddess.

Look at those four women standing beside her Dark Majesty. I didn't get it at the first viewing, but look at them; different colours, wearing a crown decorated with dragon horns – they are the rest of her five necks! The iconic fiveheaded dragon queen form does appear in the musical, cleverly interpreted!

Intimidation tactic seems to be working, Raistlin looks hesitant for a while, but Crysania turns his head so he can't see the Dark Lady and instead looks her in the eyes and this seems to break the fear instilled in Raistlin after so many nightmares. Time for mindgames and backstabbing is over, Raistlin steps up and voices his intentions loud and clear, challenging the goddess of evil.

This is the first time we see Takhisis express anger, now that all pretense has been thrown to the wind. You can almost see her breathe fire as she gives the INSOLENT MORTAL I WILL BREAK YOU IN HALF!-speech. She then summons her minions to fight for her. Including some weird glowstick-lightsaber wielding guys. They didn't have the budget to prop actual horrors from beyond, so they got creative. I think Takhisis should have summoned a bunch of her evil dragons. No matter how incredibly powerful your wizard is, if a flock of red dragons appears, he is toast. Delicious magical toast.

In the next song Takhisis sings about how great her powers are, with a big emphasis on the fact that she can take countless forms. One great way they show this is the actress playing Crysania also joining the song as clearly a Crysania-shaped incarnation of the Dark Lady. She has been tormenting Raistlin with nightmares and goes to work with his fears and darker memories again. It is fascinating that Crysania seems to be one of the things he fears, but that is probably because of his fear of falling in love and therefore becoming vulnerable.

You know, seeing Takhisis and Crysania together and hearing their beautiful voices simultaneously, makes me want to ship them. I know it's a ridiculous crackpairing, Crysania would deem it blasphemous and Takhisis would be like ”She's not as good as Mina.” But hey, if Crysania is ready to betray her god, why not go all out and fall in love with her god's literal rival? Like how deliciously angsty would that get? I'm sorry, this is stupid. Actually, no, I'm not sorry. Because you know what, I can't go to any show's fandom without seeing a fuckton of male/male ships of characters who hate each other in canon/are sworn enemies, so I should not have to be ashamed for blushing at the thought of femslashing Crys and Taksu. The ship may be full of holes but I will sail it!

More random minions. The background dancers just really, really wanted to show off their cool fedoras and scarves, no matter how unfit they are in a fantasy setting.

The next foe Raistlin faces is a succubus. She unfortunately lacks the charisma of Vera Zoodena and comes off as trying too much. I'm sorry, but whatever she's trying, it just doesn't work. Raistlin seems nervous though, and shouts to her ”Don't touch me!” Oh, the bookworm nerd doesn't like me, eh, says the succubus, I'll just pick his brother then. And she goes to snuggle with Caramon's doppelganger. This is a rather interesting scene, because there's a book that tells about the twins' childhood and apparently there was an incident where a girl initially showed intered towards little Raistlin and got his hopes up and then crushed them by deciding to go for the handsome twin instead. So, yeah, Raistlin has brother issues, and of course Takhisis uses them against him.

Time for more childhood trauma. Takhisis summons the images of the kids who bullied Raistlin when he was little. As someone who still occasionally has nightmares of my own bullies, I have to admit I feel sorry for him here. The cruelty of children can wound a person very deeply. The creatures make Raistlin retreat, tearing open wounds he thought had scarred permanently long ago. Anxious and unable to fight his fears, Raistlin falls on his knees and, much like in his childhood, instinctively cries Caramon for help. But his brother is not here to protect him, to chase away the bullies and watch over his sleep so he can wake him up from nightmares.

Now that Takhisis has Raistlin exhausted and crawling on the ground, she appears to him in the disguise of his mother. She calls for Raistlin, and the wizard reacts to the familiar voice, rushing towards her but stopping midway when he finally gets a grip of reality, that these are all shadows summoned by Takhisis and nothing more. Once Takhisis realizes her game is discovered, she drops the pretense and appears as herself, casting her dark spells on Raistlin, pulling him closer. Eventually all of his strength is consumed and he collapses, fallen victim to the Dark Lady's power.

Crysania to the rescue! Having been separated from Raistlin in the darkness of the Abyss, she finally finds him and immediately puts her healing powers to work. Takhisis tells her she is too late, death has claimed the wizard. I will not give him to you, Crysania exclaims, continuing to revive the man she loves. If needed, she is willing to give her own life in exchange of his. Takhisis speaks to Crysania, telling her that even she feels sorry for her, but a flame always leaves its mark. And then, just as life is returning Raistlin's body, the Dark Lady blinds Crysania's eyes.

And now we get to the most painful scene in the show. Blinded Crysania seeks Raistlin's hand and tells him that they have defeated darkness (What?! How? When? The last I checked, Takhisis seemed to be alive and well. I don't get it.). My eyes can see light no more and I am wounded, but your path to godhood is open now. And then Raistlin answers...  that I don't need you anymore. I...  I...  fuck...  Crysania begs him to stay with her, to hold her hand. She was ready to give her life for you! All she wants is for you to hold her hand! I don't cry often when reading books but I remember sobbing all the way through this horrible ending.

Singing arrogantly, Raistlin leaves Crysania behind, blind and wounded, all alone in the darkness of the Abyss. I did what was necessary to reach my goal. The gates were sealed cleverly but with the help of a fool's love I opened them. I don't need you anymore. The price of love in exchange of becoming a god is not too high.

Takhisis speaks to Crysania again, and it's clear now that when she said earlier that she feels sorry for Crysania, it wasn't because of her grief over Raistlin's death, but because she wasn't aware of being used.

Taksu, please, can you not. (Why is everyone in this musical such a dick to blind people?)

Crysania sings a sad song about the senselessness of cruelty and my heart breaks for her. After devoting her life to a man who abandoned her to die alone in the dark, the inside of her chest is pitch black and a void deeper than Abyss where her heart used to be. A final song of grief echoes among the shadows. The Dark Lady's minions dance with Crysania, surprisingly calmly considering they are creatures of evil. Even Takhisis herself holds her in her arms for a while (please kiss her. I know you're not the goddess of death but please. Just kiss her.). Eventually she collapses at the foot of her Dark Majesty's throne and ends her song. The only thing I can do is close my eyes before this void and wait for someone to push. And that's the image we leave Crysania with. A betrayed, blind woman standing on a cliff's edge, waiting for the moment she has to fall down.

Astinus appears again and tells what happened next. Raistlin went on to challenge all of the gods until he was the only one left. However, he did not possess the gods' ability to create. In his war against the gods he had left the mortal world in ruin, and now as the only god of Krynn, he could not repair it. The mortal world had become as desolate, dark and lifeless as the Abyss.

Now, in the books this is not what happens. It's what could happen, but Raistlin gets shown this grim future and that scares him to finally give up his ambitious plan. However he had already opened the gates and entered Abyss, so he chose to remain there and prevent Takhisis from coming through the gates until they had been properly closed behind him. Some versions of the musical also apparently have this ending. However, I prefer this one, where Raistlin reaches that future and has to for all eternity bear the heavy burden of being the one who brought forward the end of the world, all alone in the darkness, the only remaining witness to the devastating results of his actions. I think an ending where we allow him the chance to correct his errors and sacrifice his life nobly for the sake of preventing Takhisis from entering Krynn, is cheaper and doesn't give proper emphasis on the fact that actions have consequenses and often, even in stories involving time travel, once you've made a mistake, you cannot undo it! I prefer stories with the moral ”Don't do this, once you do it there's no going back” than ”Don't do this but if you do, there's always a second chance if you're ready to make some sacrifices.” I know this is fantasy, but in real life, there often aren't second chances. You can only break a fragile thing once. You can only lose someone's trust once.

We get one final song, Lord of Nothing, and it's a great song number. For whatever reason Takhisis sings it with Raistlin, despite the fact that she should be long since defeated in this timeline. Maybe she will forever live on in Raistlin's mind, a fragment of his imagination formed from the memory of nightmares. I don't know, but I don't even care, Vera Zoodena has such a great voice that she can raise Takhisis from the dead any time she wants.

One reason I love this song is that it's basically the Dark Lady vigorously rubbing salt on Raistlin's wounds. Yeah, you wanted this, you wanted this so bad, well look at your kingdom now, oh great Lord of Nothing! As she sings the background dancers gradually take away all of the props, including Raistlin's staff and his robes and then disappear offstage, leaving him standing there alone on the empty stage. It is very satisfying to hear Raistlin sing in anxious manner, desperately trying to lie to himself that he can still fix this, oh please don't let me be left alone in the void. The last one to leave is Astinus. He gives Raistlin his quill and scroll of history before disappearing.

I liked this show and was amazed how nicely it adapted the original material. It's very different to the kind of musical theater I usually watch (Takarazuka). But even a smaller production, with a very small prop budget and actors who sing well but don't dance at all, can be as entertaining as a big, colourful spectacle.

There's been some translating projects going on. Maybe some day there might be an English version done.

[primeacumen]

* A fandom Doppleganger is a character whose fairly similar in nature to my OC. In this case, I draw inspiration from Raistlin’s backstory and some of the events in his life, as well as morality, for how I write Viv. He was my favorite character from middle school onward when I first read the Dragonlance Chronicles. As such, the sarcastic mage holds a place in my heart and probably why I insist on writing Viv everywhere.

Doppleganger: Raistlin Majere (Dragonlance)

[ link ] - a full biography for those curious.

Raistlin Majere was the younger and weaker twin and left to die when he was born. It was only due to his older sister doing her best that he actuallly survived. Needless to say, the man had a chip on his shoulder from a young age, and a rough relationship with his twin brother who ended up being the stronger and more charismatic of the two. Raistlin ends up a mage and eventually becomes the most powerful mortal in the world. His arrogance and ambition ultimately lead to him challenging the Queen of Darkness and fighting her in an attempt to become a god. He would have succeeded, had his brother not been tossed into the future where Raistlin would ultimately devour the other gods and wipe all life from the planet due to being a god of destruction. Not wanting that future to unfold, Raistlin gave his life to keep the Queen of Darkness from entering the mortal realm.

                                   S I M I L A R I T I E S

+ Vivian almost always has a sibling whom she has this sort of relationship with.  They’re smarter, more charismatic, and stronger. She, like Raistlin, is the black sheep and deeply resents this. + Is deeply self interested and ambitious. + Usually a magic user in magical verses with some exceptions. (E.g. Dragon age, where she originally comes from Tevinter where magic is the norm and generally powerful.) + Ultimately an anti-hero character who ends up begrudgingly doing the right thing. Always pays her debts and keeps her promises. Unless the goal is to get what she wants. + Soft towards those less fortunate than herself and genunely kind. (e.g. androids, elves, etc depending on the verse.) + Very much a neutral evil character but is often guided towards being a halfway decent person because it’s expected of her by the people she cares about.

                                         Q U O T E S

"Yes I am smarter than you - all of you. And Someday I will prove it! Someday you - with all your strength and charm and good looks - you - all of you, will call me master!" - Raistlin, DoAT

"Weep Palin," Raistlin said softly. "Weep as I wept once, long, long ago. Then you will realize, as I did, that it does no good. No one hears you, sobbing in the night alone." - Raistlin, Legends 

Gently he stroked the gully dwarf's rough hair. "No, Raistlin would never laugh at you, little one. He knew, he remembered. There were too many who had laughed at him."  - DoAT

[pepperf]

5, 12, 13, 29, 33, and 49! (If you want to come up with answers for multiple fandoms for any of these so you don't have to pick ONE, that's totally fine by me.)

Finally answering this! 

5) If you had to choose a favourite out of all of your multi chaptered stories, which would it be and why?

I think it’d be Prove Me Wrong. I like the way it came together, I felt like I managed to build the stress on Jeff, and - I hope! - break it successfully. And, honestly, sometimes I do love pouring on the angst! Jeff knows just how to twist the knife in his own heart, all the different ways in which his life could be hellish, so I just really went to town with that - knowing that I was going to fix it all in the end. :D

12) Who is your favourite character to write for? Why?

I love writing for Jeff, bc when you’re writing his POV, there’s a few different levels to what’s going on. There’s objectively what is happening, there’s what Jeff is trying to make other people think is happening, there’s what Jeff tells himself is happening, and there’s what Jeff really believes, deep down. So he’ll have an ostensible motive (something that will him look good, or at least less like an anxious mess), but below that there are deeper reasons - often he’s trying to protect himself or cover up something he sees as a weakness. I just love that he’s this complicated bundle of neuroses, of several levels of untruth. And it makes sense that this makes him an expert at manipulation, because of all the practice he’s had with lying to himself.

I also love writing for Jack O'Neill, because, like Jack, I think I’m funny. ;)

13) Who is your least favourite character to write for? Why?

Hmm, difficult… okay, I don’t tend to enjoy writing for characters when they’re an expert at something, particularly when it’s something science-based - I find that difficult to fake. So… like, Raven, for example: I LOVE Raven, but she’s a frickin’ genius, and my brain is too tired to fire on all those cylinders right now. Or MacGyver, or Sam Carter… I hate writing fake science blabber, I find it exhausting, but it’s a good portion of what makes these characters tick.

On the other hand, they’re often terrible at relationships, or maybe they love cooking, or some other thing - I love writing those bits. I just sometimes feel bad turning them into these disasters when what I feel they deserve is: ‘BUT LOOK AT MY PRECIOUS SCIENCE BABY, THEY SAVED THE PLANET! AGAIN!!!’

29) Do you have a story that you feel doesn’t get as much love as you’d like?

Actually, I was talking to someone recently bc they got in touch about DVD Extras, and honestly, I’d almost forgotten that one - it’s the first one I wrote for Community, and while it did get lots of love, it didn’t get quite as much attention as some of my later fics, once I was more established as a Community writer. And I’m very proud of it, I love the concept (a collection of stuff, like you’d get on/with a special edition DVD, bits of script, behind-the-scenes photos, cast interviews, etc, that all build up into a story).

It was loosely inspired by a Stargate fic, Monkey Screaming (ETA: oh noes, that doesn’t seem to be around any more! Boo). At one point, they take a photo of Sam, Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c, and the photo was so beautifully described, so vivid, that it’s always stuck in my head - and I wanted to recreate something of that (albeit with a totally different plot!).

33) What’s the biggest compliment you’ve gotten?

I am a terrible person who doesn’t remember specific nice things that people have said to me… however, I think my favourite thing to hear is variations on 'I was re-reading this’ (I got an 'I stayed up all night re-reading these!’ once). That makes me so happy - because that’s exactly what I do with fic that I love, so I know that feeling (and that regret the next day!).

49) Can you remember the first fic you read? What was it about?

I… don’t think I remember the first fic I read, no. I don’t remember discovering fanfic, it feels like it was always in my life - I wrote it, my BFF wrote it… I think R and I wrote so much stuff that blurred between original fic and fanfic that it’s hard to define - we were trying to write original fic, but it often featured people or plots from books or shows that we loved. So the first fic I read that wasn’t by me was probably by her! :) Knowing us at the time, it probably featured one of the following: poorly-disguised Michael Jackson RPF, Raistlin Majere from the Dragonlance series, a wish-fulfilment self-insert teenage girl, long and detailed descriptions of improbable clothing / the luxurious setting, and either a spaceship on a mission or a kingdom on the brink of war.

This was just slightly prior to me having access to the internet - the first fic I read online was no doubt something X-Files.

Thank you for the questions, @bethanyactually! This is an excellent meme… I’m happy to answer more from this list if anyone wants.

[positivelyamazonian]

10 Favorite Game/Anime/Movie Characters

Tagged by: @a-super-evil-cat-who-murders (thanks!!! It was fun!)

The Rules: Name your top 10 favorite characters from 10 different fandoms, then tag 10 different people.

Well I’ve already done a tag for FEMALE CHARACTERS so I’ll leave this in case you wanna check it. For not repeating myself, I’ll do this time just male characters.

I’ll tag: @luluvonv @luthienamell @adayka @hydraballista @anyathebloodshell @anentireamazon @jar-cup @kim-v-croft  @autumn-star93 @lady-trent

Of course don’t feel obliged to do this. And yes my characters come in not a particular order!

1. Haplo the Patryn - The Death Gate Cycle (book series)

Posting an amazing fanart by Melusaaste because there’s not an official art that shows him so close-up, and honestly, this is the most accurate depiction of him I’ve ever seen. 

Haplo is the anti-hero and main character of The Death Gate Cycle series written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Personal childhood hero (despite being an antihero himself), husbando and whatnot, until today he’s one of my fav characters ever, because through him I learnt the most perfect character development, from a cruel, merciless and amoral villain, to... well, not a hero if you think so, but to redeemed human being. 

“A 'why' is a dangerous thing... It challenges old, comfortable ways, forces people to think about that they do instead of just mindlessly doing it.” - Haplo in Dragon Wing, the first volume of the series.

2. Johan Liebheart - Monster

You don’t know what’s a villain until you meet this bastard. I am not an otaku or very enthusiastic of anime series, but Monster by Naoki Urasawa are probably the best manga/anime series ever written. And his villain, Johan Liberheart, one of the most twisted fucks ever written by an author.

Tortured, mentally ill, twisted, cruel, amoral, there’s no way to explain Johan. He experiences no character development and he has not a single redeeming quality, yet you just can’t let him go. An unforgettable character, not recommended for the weak and vulnerable.

There's nothing special about being born. Not a thing. Most of the universe is just death, nothing more. In this universe of ours, the birth of a new life on some corner of our planet is nothing but a tiny, insignificant flash. Death is a normal thing. So why live?

3. Geralt of Rivia - The Witcher (book/videogame series)

I’m so sorry I met this amazing character through The Witcher videogame series, because he existed already in the book series of the same name written by  Andrzej Sapkowski, and I really feel like posting this video because it perfectly sums up the spirit of the character.

Geralt is a witcher, a mutant specialist in killing demons and monsters for coin. He’s shaped like an anti-hero and despised by his society because of his nature and his mercenary job, but despite having everything for being just a rogue scoundrel, he manages to become a very rich character. Full of redeeming qualities despite his grey morals, Geralt struggles in a cruel Middle-Ages world to keep something human for himself, when everyone surrounding him tries to turn him in the heartless freak he was trained to be.

“People," Geralt turned his head, "like to invent monsters and monstrosities. Then they seem less monstrous themselves. When they get blind-drunk, cheat, steal, beat their wives, starve an old woman, when they kill a trapped fox with an axe or riddle the last existing unicorn with arrows, they like to think that the Bane entering cottages at daybreak is more monstrous than they are. They feel better then. They find it easier to live.” ― Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish

4. Raistlin Majere - The Dragonlace (book series)

Again, I’ve to go back to a character created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (man, this people CAN write characters I tell you), this time for the Dragonlance series. These books are less original and brilliant than The Death Gate Cycle, but more popular and beloved because they are easier to read. And Raistlin Majere is probably the best character written for these series, being saved among them because of being, probably, the less cliché and the more complex of them all.

And again, anti-hero at times, redeemed hero at other times, tortured, twisted, cynic and cruel, but also able to show kindness and a human heart at times. Raistlin was born weak and sick and sacrificed everything (including his own health) for one sake: magic. And power. His only life desire is what will lead him to his own destruction.

"Of course this means a lot to me, Caramon. It means everything! I have worked and studied almost my entire life for this chance. What would you have me do - cast it aside because it is dangerous? Life is dangerous, Caramon. Just stepping out that door is dangerous! You cannot hide me from danger. Death floats in the air, creeps through the window, comes in with the hand-shake of a stranger. If we stop living because we fear death we have already died."

5. Tyrion Lannister (A Song of Ice and Ice/Game of Thrones series)

This little amazing piece of awesomeness needs no presentation. I am again sorry I met through the Game Of Thrones TV series and not A Song Of Ice And Fire books, but it was totally worth it because it’s one of the most well-written characters I’ve had the pleasure to meet, and I must say Peter Dinklage was born to play him.

What can I say? Tyrion is one of those characters who are worth living. A dwarf, deformed, ugly, with no physical or war skills, relying only in his extreme intelligence and wisdom and his political talent to survive, he’s one of the most strong inspirations one can find. Definitely go check him.

6. Kurtis Trent (Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness videogame)

I included Lara Croft in my female characters list, it would be absolutely unfair to forget Kurtis as he’s the other character that got my heart in TR series. Not gonna rant long about him here, because you already know my opinion. He was amazing. He deserved better. Ex-legionnaire, demon hunter and Lux Veritatis warrior, I’ve devoted all my fanfics to develop him as there was no chance for Core Design to do it so.

Fitting more in the role of a hero, I think he was also the perfect partner for Lara. His background is very well written and he had a lot of potential. The fact I will never see it doesn’t change anything. He deserves his place here.

"And I thought this would be one of my easy days." - Kurtis, The Sanitarium.

7. L Lawliet - Death Note (manga/anime series)

Again, I reinforce the statement that I’m not a fan of manga/anime series, but definitely Death Note is, together with Monster, one of those you should watch. And yes for everyone who loves Death Note, I’m a L fan. You always choose between L or Kira sides, and despite I’ve to recognize that Kira is a very complex, well written character, it’s L who gets my heart.

Supertalented, amoral, brilliant, extremely unpredictable and surprising, L is the first one of the agents that will try to catch Kira, the murderer who uses a Death Note to implant his particular justice world. L deserves your attention more than Kira, I presume. Or at least, it’s what I think.

“There are... many types of monsters in this world: Monsters who will not show themselves and who cause trouble; monsters who abduct children; monsters who devour dreams; monsters who suck blood, and... monsters who always tell lies. Lying monsters are a real nuisance. They are much more cunning than other monsters. They pose as humans even though they have no understanding of the human heart. They eat even though they've never experienced hunger. They study even though they have no interest in academics. They seek friendship even though they do not know how to love. If I were to encounter such a monster, I would likely be eaten by it. Because in truth, I am that monster.”

8. V - V for Vendetta (graphic novel/movie)

I know, easy to love him, right? Again I’m sad that I met this character through the movie and not the original graphic novel, though you can’t say a thing against Hugo Weaving’s magnificent delivery. I wish I could get my hands on the graphic novel, so I can know him better.

Anarchist, terrorist, idealist, V is the incarnation of the protest against dictatorship and opression in a dystopian England that has supressed all the rights and human freedom. If you don’tknow him, I strongly recommend at least the movie, for the inspiration this character delivers goes beyond that the mask that has trascended the movie itself to become a symbol of citizen fight.

9. Roger - American Dad (TV series)

Well technically he’s not a he, he’s rather an it, but whatever. Also he’s it’s a different trend in this post since I love him particularly because he’s funny and incarnates all the non-political correct you can expect from someone.

He also gives me, kinda, TR vibes. Roger is an alien who landed in Earth during Cold War and was rescued and sheltered at his home by Stan, a CIA agent who’s the main character of the series. Honestly I think Roger is the best of American Dad - a TV show which basically and mercilessly mocks every American value - because despite being an alien is absolutely, indecently human. I prefer him and this show much more than the overrated Family Guy.

10.  Dwight Schrute - The Office (TV series)

Last but not the least, the efficient, clever and adorable bastard hillbilly from The Office. I loved him from the very first moment he appeared. Yeah I know many people hate him or prefer the goofy boss of the handsome Jim but Dwight is really my spirit animal and speaks to me in so many levels. No more comment needed. He’s the best of the show to me.

Well this took forever, right? Sorry for the length of this post but now I’m free I wanted to give it some thought. I see again that I’ve a soft spot for grey morals, redeeming qualities, bad boys and complex characters. This is how it goes! ;)

[git-writing-good]

10 Questions tag

Thanks for tagging me @writerlydays

  Rules: Always post the rules, answer the questions given to you, write 10 questions of your own, tag 10 people.

1.   What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

Personally, it’s my first novel, which is darn-near polished enough for eyes other than mine and my wife’s. But also the huge fanfic story I wrote for my wife that pushed me to write more. That holds a special place in my heart.

2.    What made you want to start writing?

Emotionally crippling my wife through my words… but long before that, writing scenarios and campaigns for Dungeons and Dragons and other such RPGs.

3.    At what age did you start writing?

I got into it at 13, writing scenarios and such. But as to novel writing, I was 26.

4.    Do you have music you listen to while writing?

Lots! I generally go for music with no lyrics that suits the mood, but I’m not too picky while editing my work.

5.    Who is your favorite writer?

At present, it might just be Neil Gaiman. My answer to this question will always fluctuate, depending on what I’ve read recently, but he’s been at the top of my faves for the past year or two, so it seems a safe bet.

6.    What’s your favorite show?

Doctor Who (had some rough patches, but it’s been great, lately!).

7.    Who’s your favorite fictional character?

Raistlin Majere from the Dragonlance books. His lust for power is commendable, and his tortured, twisted soul has inspired my own morally-grey characters since I was a youngin’.

8.    If you have a wip, give a summary.

From the back of my WIP: A young guard in a bustling trade city shows promise of soaring through the ranks. Though his aspirations are cast high—but not as high as others’ aspirations for him.

His destiny beckons him into the turbulent north, but before Edain leaves, he intends to redeem a city beleaguered with poverty, crime syndicates, and corrupt officials.

9.    What’s your favorite color?

Royal Purple.

10.    Do you like to write on paper or your computer?

I like to keep my notes on paper (unless it’s a particularly long set of notes) and my full-on writing on the computer. I can write quite a bit faster, but editing that stuff by hand is killer!

Considering it’s been a week or less since I’ve done this, I will refrain from tagging anyone again. For anyone who wants to answer, here are my questions from last time (To heck with the rules, I say!). Feel free to answer them and tag me, if you like!

1- What forms of writing have you done, and which is your favourite (ie. Poetry, song writing, screenplay, short stories, flash fiction, novel/las etc.)

2- Which genre(s) have you written in, and which is your favourite (if more than one).

3- Which author(s) do you feel have most inspired your writing (style/voice, or inspired you to write in the first place).

4- Who is the target audience for your WIP (even if you don’t intend to publish or otherwise release it?)

5- Do you intend to publish or otherwise release your current WIP, and if so, do you intend to go traditional publishing, self-pub, Wattpad, or something else?

6- If you had to compare your WIP to a published work of the same type and genre, which would it be, and is it a close relation, or vaguely similar?

7- How long have you been writing?

8- How much do you feel you’ve progressed as a writer since you began?

9- Using some sort of obscure food-based analogy, how would you describe your favourite OC?

10- What, if any, real world places have inspired the setting of your story?

[emirrea]

Tag thingy

I was tagged by @crystalized-flowers. Thank you for tagging me~ These are always so fun to do!

Rules: Answer the questions and tag 9 or more people you want to get to know better.

Relationship: Single! Favorite color: Turquoise or purple, I think. Pets: My parents have two dogs~ Wake up to: An alarm clock…? Cats or Dogs: Dogs, but Tumblr has made me into a cat person too. Coke or Pepsi: I guess Pepsi, since that’s what I’m drinking right now. Both are good though. Day or Night: Night! Text or Call: Text. Lipstick or chapstick: Chapstick . Last book I read: I have been rereading the first part of the Conqueror series by Conn Iggulden. Last song I listened to: Checkmate by Aoi Shouta. I listened to it in the morning before I got out of the bed and it has been stuck in my head the whole day. Last movie I watched: The Final Fantasy XV movie, Kingsglaive. Top 3 TV Shows: Uuuuugh, if I pick shows that are not anime, then probably Wild at Heart, House and Vain Elämää (=a Finnish version of The Best Singers show). Top 3 Characters: WELL THEN. Raistlin Majere, Orihara Izaya aaaaaaaaaaaand Takao Kazunari? Or Mikaze Ai or Kumo Tenka I am totally not trying to cheat here and list more than three I don’t know what you’re talking about. Top 3 Ships: This question is literally my nightmare as a multishipper. But if I have to name some, then Iwaoi and Shizaya are going to be at the top forever for me. And right now I can’t stop thinking about Makoto x Akira from Otonari Complex. Those two are the best.

Tagging: Nine people, really?! That’s a lot of people. Either way, I think I’m going to pass tagging anyone this time. If someone wants to do this though, I would love to see it!

[meldelen]

Dragonlance’s Lost Chronicles III: Dragons of the Hourglass Mage - A heartfelt review

Cover art by Matt Stawicki.

With this third volume I finish the Lost Chronicles trilogy, a relatively recent attempt by the authors to fill in the plotholes that the original Chronicles trilogy had, also, to show us the events that we already know from another point of view. 

This volume is the shortest of the three and to begin with, that in itself is a disappointment for me, because the absolute protagonist is Raistlin Majere - and, as you may have already realized if you read my reviews, Raistlin is my favorite character -. The objective of this book is to tell the story of what Raistlin did and where he was since he managed to escape from the Perechon, the ship that sank in the Blood Sea with his brother and his friends on board; until he makes his spectacular reappearance at the end of the third volume of the original Chronicles - Dragons of Spring Dawning - already an archmage of the Black Robes, clothed with great power, to betray the goddess Takhisis and help defeat Evil, being himself also part of such evil. This moment is another of the climaxes of the original saga and for this reason, neither I nor the same authors in the Prologue recommend reading this book if you have not read the Chronicles, because much is lost with it. You must already know the original story, to be able to enjoy this.

With Raistlin there is no room for error, reading about him is always a guaranteed success. He’s the best character in the Dragonlance universe, the best written, the authors love him and it shows a lot. That is why I feel unsatisfied his part is the shortest of the present trilogy, although surely I am being unfair since many other stories, books and short stories have been dedicated to him, and at this point, we really have little more to know about him.

The best part about Raistlin is his complexity and versatility. We are rarely allowed to see things from his point of view, and this is what this volume offers you, in much the same way as The Raistlin Chronicles did. Seen from the point of view of other characters, particularly his companions - with the exception of his twin Caramon, of course - Raistlin is a true monster, selfish, cruel, sociopathic and hateful. However, when you see things from his point of view, you can't help but empathize with him, feel sorry for his condition - an abused, brutalized, chronically ill and disabled creature, and in short, thirsty for love even though it is hard for him to admit it -. The best thing is that both points of view are totally true and are combined in the same person.

Intelligent, decisive, audacious and brave to the limit, although health doesn’t help him, Raistlin manages well alone, first, to get rid of that larva that sucks his soul - Fistandantilus, go to hell - and then to make his way in his rise to power. Contrary to what it may seem when you read the Chronicles, or the Legends, Raistlin doesn’t have everything planned - that's what he likes to pretend - but he changes plans or improvises as needed. He has a great capacity for adaptation and no fear, neither to die nor to suffer, only to fail. That is why he has plenty of will to change his loyalties from neutrality to evil, to risk doing things that often go wrong, rather than well; to recover from his mistakes and take advantage of them to keep going... at first, his plan is to put himself at the service of the Black Robes and the Dark Queen because it seems that they’re going to win the war; But it is a façade. Those of us who know him know that, as he himself says, he doesn’t come to serve, but to command. He displays a brilliant trajectory of promotion, control, dominance and adaptation to circumstances that even the best double agents do not - and with hardly any harm done to anyone, which unfortunately, will soon be reversed, in the Legends.

Highlights to remark are those that make him more human, more relatable; the recurring memory of his twin Caramon and the painful certainty that he misses him and sometimes feels lost without him; the sweetness and tenderness with which he treats those who are more helpless than himself - in this volume it’s about a kender named Marigold -; his momentary compassion for those who suffer, even if they treat him badly - his concern for Flint’s physical pain, who’s dying of a heart disease- or the honest and loyal memory for the virtues of those who are gone - his respect when finding about Sturm’s death, who certainly hadn't done anything to earn his appreciation either. Even a certain affection or recognition of the virtues of his stepsister Kitiara, without whom, and he’s perfectly aware of it, he wouldn’t have even reached adulthood alive. These little moments - which I have no doubt came from Weis's pen - are jewels to treasure and to remember when you read the atrocities that he will be able to commit in the Legends. Because that's how Raistlin is, an accumulation of contradictions, all of them real.

But in the end, I haven’t given this volume five stars, when I would’ve wanted with all my heart to do so. Firstly, because it is too short, Raistlin deserves more (c’mon, you will say, but what I can do, is what I feel); secondly, because there are parts of the plot that are not convincing, particularly related to the use of magic, which is not sufficiently clear. Thirdly, because of the bullshit I have to swallow - I bet it’s yours, Hickman - about Tanis's redemptive love for Laurana, and how beautiful Laurana is, and how good Laurana is, and how bad and perverted and corrupt Kitiara’s. Please. No more of this. No more.

And with this I close the Lost Chronicles trilogy and highlight, at least, three general points the authors have achieved since their original works of the 80s: more realism. More giving space and time to the"bad guys" and understanding how they work, are organized, their values ​​and flaws, excellent. More swearing and profanities, without falling into the excessively unpleasant. More violence. More darkness. I know it's you, Weis. Well done, buddy.

Hickman, go check your sugar levels. And leave us alone with Laurana, for God's sake. You make me wish she was sacrificed that day Raistlin won the War of the Lance, because in the end, without him, neither Tanis nor Caramon would have accomplished anything.

As always, highly, HIGHLY recommended for Dragonlance fans. And for Raistlin fans, even more.

[therealkrynnsub]

Every day, we're sharing lyrics from the English Adaptation of The Last Trial!

5. Appointment in the Chronicler's Study

Astinus:

That day at the Great Library, I waited in my study for Lady Crysania to arrive. The priestess, young and beautiful, was from a wealthy family but she preferred a modest life devoted to her God. Already she’d accomplished much: Her zealous faith had earned her quite the name.

Crysania:

Greetings, Astinus.

I’m here before the appointed time.

Astinus:

Not to worry. I don’t foresee the wizard 

being late. Please, come and have a seat.

Raistlin: Greetings, most Revered Daughter/

Crysania: Greetings, mage/

Crysania:

I’ve heard a lot.../ 

Raistlin:

I’ve heard much.../

Both: ...about you/

Crysania:

I have brought a warning from Paladine/

He’s aware of what you’re planning to do/

In a dream he sent an ominous sign,/

Which I’m here to discuss with you/

Even those within your circle of peers/

Dare not mention your name,/

Fearing you from the shadows/

No one’s brave enough to stand in your way,/

But you’ll find I am not the same/

You must repent while there’s still time!/

You must heed the voice of Paladine!/

Raistlin: (Sarcastic) You speak for heaven? Is that all?/

Please, priestess, don’t be so humble.../

I’m certain you witnessed an omen/

Your faith was never in question/

But could it be an assumption/ 

To label me as the villain?/

Your soul is pure like newly fallen snow/

And yes, you’re fearless--That much clearly shows/

But maybe you misread His true intent/

And helping me’s the reason you’ve been sent/

Crysania: Me? Help you?/

Raistlin: Hear my philosophy and maybe then you’ll see/

The person you debate is not the foe you’ve painted/

Crysania: Then by all means proceed/

And rest assured, good Mage, I’ll listen closely/

Raistlin:

Don’t you think your gracious God/

Designed the world according to a plan?/

If so, then the dark belongs/

For all was as he wished when time began/

Wouldn’t you agree that He/

Can keep the dark from getting out of hand?/

Crysania: God is in command!/

Raistlin:

Equal wings of black and white/

Suspend the planet, keeping it aflight/

Dark is neither wrong nor right/

It balances the power of the light/

Toward the sun the sprout may rise,/

But underground the seed was granted life/

Crysania: It’s as you say.../

Raistlin:

Common is the fallacy/

That evil makes the dark magician dark/

When he just as easily/

Could have a goal of good within his heart/

Someone who manipulates the strength/

Takhisis grants-- that’s a dark mage/

Crysania: He’s but Her slave/

Raistlin: Her slave...and foe/

Did you know the Queen of Night/ 

Was trapped in the Abyss by a dark mage?/

Did you know that both the light/ 

And dark magicians swore to guard its gates?/

Let me be condemned but there’s/

No stopping me from going through with this.../

I’ll breach the Abyss!/

Crysania:

You won’t succeed!/

(Raistlin begins coughing)

Majere...Raistlin—What is wrong?/

Raistlin: It’s nothing...let us finish with our talk/

Crysania: I could soothe your pain if you won’t mind/

Raistin: Please do, that’s very kind.../

I see you truly care despite your preconceptions/

Crysania:  I’m sure the temple could relieve this affliction/

Raistlin: No. It’s not to be.../

I’ll end concisely, since what I’ve told you for now suffices/

If you want answers, the truth will guide you/

Maybe you’ll stop me, maybe you’ll help me--/

Whichever your God deems worthy/

Choose wisely, but till then farewell

Astinus: It would seem your conversation has yet to be concluded.

Crysania: Indeed. Our meeting was cut short. It’s strange...He doesn’t keep his plan a secret. It seems he’s reaching out for help—that he’s even searching for salvation. But where did he disappear to?

Astinus: Find him at the tower hidden deep in the Wayreth Forest.

Crysania: It’s to be a test of courage. Very well, then. I accept!

(The subtitles of this video show the raw translation, not the lyrical translation that is shared above.)