Raistlin Majere (placeholder)

In that first Dragonlance campaign (which was later to be retold through the Chronicles Trilogy), Raistlin was a Wizard of High Sorcery, bearing the Red Robes of Neutrality, making him as a worshiper of the Red Moon, Lunitari. In the five years in which the future Heroes of the Lance went their separate ways, Raistlin, after taking the test in the Tower of Wayreth, had changed. He had acquired golden skin, which offered him strong protection against magical attack, and was cursed with hourglass eyes, which caused him to see Time as it affects all things. His body was wrecked and he became even more sickly and physically weak than before. In Raistlin’s vision, all things wither and die before him; though longer lived races, such as Elves, are said to only appear to age slightly, while the Irda do not age to him at all. Physically far weaker than his twin brother Caramon, a strong and skilled warrior and swordsman, Raistlin made up for this deficiency with his skills in the magic, the height of which never ceased to shock his companions throughout the first quest, as more and more of his great power became apparent.

A torn individual, Raistlin exhibited a strong superiority complex (as far as his power in magic and his intelligence were concerned), and knew nothing of true loyalty. He only followed Tanis Half-Elven, the unofficial leader of the companions, because he felt that doing so would ultimately benefit him. He was also condescending, and extremely resentful of his lack of physical strength, often relying on his twin brother for support. This generated feelings of resentment and jealousy more than feelings of affection and gratitude. To be exact, Raistlin harbored a secret hate for his twin’s physical power, and for the attention and comradeship it seemed to earn him, which Raistlin’s own appearance and secretive nature denied him.

These factors ultimately culminated in Raistlin’s turn to evil, donning the Black Robes of evil wizards (those who worshiped the Black Moon, Nuitari), and, through a deadly deal he made in his youth with an ancient and legendary Archmage of terrible power, Fistandantilus, eventually rose to become the most powerful mortal in Krynn, who would one day seek to become a god himself.

However, the Archmage Raistlin does bear a soft spot for others who are treated poorly because of weaknesses that are not their fault, such as gully dwarves. He identifies with such people, and is thus quick to help them as he is quick to help himself. There are also rare instances when Raistlin feels genuine regret that he cannot return to the times of his childhood, when he was capable of feeling love.