In Dragonlance, The Orders of High Sorcery are governed by the three gods of Magic, Solinari, Lunitary, and Nuitari. Does that make the Wizards of High Sorcery Clerics? Buy Holy Orders of the Stars: https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/3239/holy-orders-of-the-stars-3-5e?affiliate_id=50797 

Wizards of High Sorcery serve the gods, obey strict laws, and can lose their power if they stray.

So… are they clerics?

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam, and today I’m going to answer a question that comes up surprisingly often: are Wizards of High Sorcery clerics? I’d like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga members and Patreon patrons, and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron–you can even pick up Dragonlance media or get $10 by signing up to StartPlaying.Games using my affiliate links. I’m referencing DLA Dragonlance Adventures, and the Chronicles and Legends for this information, if I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below.

At a glance, Wizards of High Sorcery look very much like clerics. They draw power from divine beings. Their magic waxes and wanes according to heavenly bodies’ cycles. They are bound by oaths, laws, and a rigid hierarchy. They can be punished, stripped of power, or even executed for violating doctrine. And like priests, their lives are defined by service to something greater than themselves. So the confusion is understandable.

But in Dragonlance, Wizards of High Sorcery are not clerics, and the distinction matters greatly—both thematically and cosmologically. To understand why, we have to start with what the gods of magic actually are.

Solinari, Lunitari, and Nuitari are gods, yes—but they are fundamentally different from the rest of the pantheon. When the other gods aligned themselves for the coming All-Saints War, the gods of magic refused to take sides. Instead of ruling from the heavens, they bound themselves to Krynn itself, revolving around the world as moons, anchoring magic directly into creation.

They do not demand worship. They do not ask for prayer. They do not require devotion, sacrifice, or moral obedience. They grant access, not favor.

A Wizard of High Sorcery does not serve a god in the way a cleric serves Mishakal, Paladine, or Takhisis. A wizard pledges loyalty to magic itself. This is explicitly stated in the doctrine of the Orders: a wizard’s only loyalty is to magic. That single principle is the reason magic survives in Krynn at all. This is the first and most important difference. Clerics are instruments of divine will. Wizards are custodians of a cosmic force.

Since the Second Dragon War, the gods of magic have not intervened to guide behavior. They do not issue commandments. They do not speak through visions demanding obedience. Instead, they allow the Orders to regulate themselves through law, tradition, and brutal accountability. The Conclave, not the gods, governs wizardry. The Test of High Sorcery, not divine judgment, determines worthiness.

And the Test makes this distinction crystal clear. The Test of High Sorcery is not about faith. It is not about morality. It is not even about good or evil. Wizards are not judged on why they want power, but on whether they will use it responsibly. Failure does not mean excommunication. It means death.

When a wizard takes the Test, they are not dedicating their soul to a god. They are pledging their entire life to magic. That pledge is enforced not by divine punishment, but by the Orders themselves. A wizard who breaks faith with their order does not lose magic because a god is displeased—they lose it because they have broken alignment with the cosmic structure that allows them to channel it. Even the moons reinforce this difference.

A cleric’s power flows continuously so long as they remain in good standing with their deity. A wizard’s power fluctuates mechanically, predictably, impersonally. Solinari waxing does not reward a White Robe. Nuitari waning does not punish a Black Robe. The moons do not care. They simply are.

When a wizard strays too far from the principles of their order, the moon ceases to affect them—not as judgment, but as consequence. And this brings us to the crucial dividing line. Clerics exist to serve divine purposes. Wizards exist to preserve balance.

A White Robe wizard must pursue good, yes—but only because unrestrained magic is destructive. A Black Robe wizard pursues self-interest, but within boundaries. A Red Robe wizard stands between extremes, maintaining equilibrium. These are not moral callings. They are functional necessities.

That is why White and Black Robes can slaughter each other on the battlefield, then calmly debate spell theory in a Tower of High Sorcery. Their loyalty is not to ideology, nation, or god—it is to magic’s survival. And it is why renegade wizards are treated more harshly than apostate clerics.

A fallen cleric has lost favor. A renegade wizard is a threat to reality. The Orders will hunt, capture, convert, or destroy renegades because uncontrolled magic destabilizes the world itself. This is not heresy—it is hazard containment.

So while Wizards of High Sorcery share surface similarities with clerics—hierarchy, obligation, loss of power—their role in Dragonlance is entirely different. Clerics are servants. Wizards are stewards. Clerics submit to will. Wizards submit to law. And that distinction is at the very heart of Krynn’s cosmology.

But that is all the time I have to talk about Wizards of High Sorcery and whether they are clerics. What do you think? Does the distinction matter to you as a player, or do they feel functionally the same at the table? And if you were playing a wizard in Dragonlance, which order would you choose, and why? Leave a comment below.

I would like to invite you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos, and click the like button. It all helps other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content. Thank you for watching — this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga, and until next time, remember:

I go where I choose in this world, and I choose to go with you, Tanis Half-Elven.

Welcome to Dungeon Mastering 101, my Dungeon Mastering course based on over 30 years of experience. In this series I will share my failures and successes and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, I will cover Core Foundations: The Five Pillars of Running the Table.

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga, Dungeon Mastering 101 episode! It is Palast, Newkolt the 12th, my name is Adam, and today I am continuing my Dragonlance Gaming series all about Dungeon Mastering. Most new Dungeon Masters think a good session comes down to one thing: combat. But if every session is only a fight, players burn out.  If there’s no tension, the world feels flat. And if characters don’t grow, the story doesn’t stick. Running a great game isn’t about doing one thing well — it’s about balancing multiple forms of engagement. Today we’re breaking down the Five Pillars of Running the Table, and how understanding them can transform the way you run your game. Welcome to Dungeon Mastering 101.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, ring the bell, and you can support this channel by becoming a Patron on Patreon, a Member of this YouTube channel, and you can pick up Dragonlance media and get $10 by signing up to StartPlaying.Games, using my affiliate links. All links are in the description below.

Before we talk about the pillars themselves, we need to reset expectations. A D&D session is not a sequence of encounters.  It is a dynamic system made up of:

The Five Pillars are not rigid categories — they are lenses. They help you diagnose what a session needs right now. A balanced table feels alive because it shifts focus naturally.

Combat is not just about tactics and damage. At its best, combat provides:

For new DMs:

Combat is the pressure cooker of the game — use it intentionally.

Exploration is about giving players the freedom to investigate the world. This includes:

Exploration works when:

For new DMs:

Exploration feeds player agency.

Social interaction is where players test who their characters are. This pillar includes:

Key points for new DMs:

Social scenes turn the world from a backdrop into a relationship.

Downtime is often overlooked — and that’s a mistake. Downtime allows:

For new DMs:

Without downtime, the game becomes exhausting.

Character arcs are the emotional backbone of the campaign. They answer:

For new DMs:

When characters grow, players stay invested.

You do not need all five pillars in every session. Instead:

Examples:

Balance is about awareness, not math.

Here’s the mindset shift that ties everything together: You are not delivering content —
you are curating experiences. The Five Pillars exist to serve:

Your role is to notice what the table needs and provide the right pillar at the right time.

Combat excites. Exploration invites. Social interaction connects. Downtime sustains. Character arcs endure. A great Dungeon Master doesn’t master one pillar — they learn to balance all five.

Once you understand these pillars, you stop asking, “What should happen next?”…and start asking, “What does this table need right now?” That is the heart of Dungeon Mastering 101.

And that’s it for this episode of Dungeon Mastering 101, Core Foundations: The Five Pillars of Running the Table! Do you have any tips or tricks based on your experience as a player or Dungeon Master? Was I off base on any of my suggestions? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. 

Thank you for tuning in. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, ring the bell, and you can support this channel by becoming a Patron on Patreon, a Member of this YouTube channel, and you can pick up Dragonlance Gaming materials, using my affiliate link. All links are in the description below. Thank you Creator Patron Aaron Hardy and Developer Patron Chris Androu!

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).

Join us as we continue our @Dungeons & Dragons actual play of a heavily customized Tyranny of Dragons with this session nineteen! You can buy Tyranny of Dragons here: https://amzn.to/3XJvuND 

Last time on Tyranny of Dragons: The heroes return to the caravan en route to Gander and Elowyn is near being strung up. At this point it seems the cult is ready to blame anyone for the death of their member even if it means manufacturing a reason. The heroes negotiate a solution to have her brought to Gander and turned over to the authorities. They make their way on this last leg of the trip and aside from regular road hazards and inclement weather, make it to Gander, finally. They let Elowyn go and she decides to head for the Temple of Paladine in Palanthas. The heroes meet up with Jamna and are all introduced to Seto. They decide to work together as they all are trying to discover more about the Cult and what they are planning with the stolen loot. The Cult’s wagons are going to be headed East, and the heroes learn of Lord Winterholm starting a building campaign to rebuild the road from Winterholm to Gander. Construction is already underway and the heroes join up with the High Road Charter Company. They are ambushed on the way to Carnath House, the drop off point for tradesmen and supplies for the construction, and overcome the Bullywug’s. Once at the roadhouse they realize some of the crates, specifically the cults’ loot crates are being stored in a secured area. The heroes deal with one furious cultist who calls out Gunner and as tensions are high, Bog Luck, the half-ogre who runs the construction effort, suggested Gunner retire to his room rather than have the cultists kill him. As Soto and Garrick discover a secret portal in the secure room, Bakali erupts from within. The heroes all come to help fight off the Bakali, but with the sounds of battle evident and the already high tension with the cultists, what will the heroes do?

An epic draconic adventure for levels 1-15

The forces of Tiamat, Queen of Evil Dragons, bring war to the Forgotten Realms. Led by the sinister Cult of the Dragon, an army of dragons and foul villains wage a merciless campaign to unleash their draconic god upon the world. Opposing them is a desperate alliance including the heroic Harpers and treacherous Zhentarim. This fragile coalition needs heroes to unite them and find ways to resist the draconic threat. Do you have the courage to stand against the Cult of the Dragon and the threat of Tiamat’s immortal tyranny?

Purchasing a digital copy of this book unlocks it for use in the D&D BEYOND compendium and toolset. D&D BEYOND is the official digital toolset for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS. Create characters in minutes, play directly on your character sheets with digital dice, and prep less and play more with Dungeon Master tools like the Encounter Builder and Combat Tracker. Unlock Maps, D&D BEYOND’s virtual tabletop, with a Master Tier subscription. Host game sessions on dozens of official maps, or make your own and use our player and monster tokens to take your gaming to the next level!

Welcome to the Order of Aesthetics News, LIVE! We are broadcasting directly from the Great Library of the Ages in Palanthas Alt Cataclius, and today we are discussing Starting an adventure, down time in game, RealmsBound project, and Dungeon Crawl Classics.

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga, Order of Aesthetics News episode! It is Bakukal, Newkolt the 9th. My name is Adam and today I was sifting through the Iconochronos and ran across this exciting bit of news. 

I would like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga YouTube members, and Patreon patrons and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can even grab Dragonlance media using my affiliate links and get $10 by signing up to StartPlaying.Games in the description below.

And that’s it for this OA News episode! How do you like to open your adventures? Do you mind long periods of player discussion above table in your games? And finally, have you ever tried dungeon crawl classics? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or comment below. 

I would like to take a moment and remind you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos and click the like button. This all goes to help other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content. Thank you Creator Patron Aaron Hardy, Producer Patron Azrael and Developer Patrons Chris Androu & Sam Ruiz!

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).

Welcome to part fifteen of my Gaming AD&D: Dungeon Masters Guide Reading series where I rediscover Advanced Dungeons & Dragons with a live audience by reading the core rules. In this episode I will continue reading aloud the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters Guide by Gary Gygax, released in August 1979. Buy the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters Guide now: https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/17004/dungeon-master-s-guide-1e?affiliate_id=50797 

Time Stamps:

The 1st Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide is Back! Dungeon Masters everywhere, rejoice! Too long have you had to suffer along with crucial charts and tables spread through many works. Too long have you had to use makeshift references trying to solve the problem. You now have a complete compilation of the most valuable material for your refereeing, the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Herein you will find:

This excellent tome is a must for every Dungeon Master!

Welcome to today’s Dragonlance Hangout! This is a casual series where we discuss all things Dragonlance, from characters, to modules, to game editions in a relaxed conversation with the live audience. Today I am discussing TTRPG actual plays and paid games.

Welcome to another DragonLance Hangout! It is Kirinor, Newkolt the 7th, and my name is Adam. Today I am discussing the forthcoming DLSaga Anthology and my process of writing!

I would like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga YouTube members, and Patreon patrons and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can even pick up Dragonlance media using my affiliate links in the description below.

Actual plays began as a way to share a game—but they’ve evolved into a distinct form of fantasy entertainment.

“Is watching an actual play closer to playing D&D… or closer to watching a fantasy series set in a D&D world?”

“If you could only choose one—would you rather be in Krynn, or observe it being explored by others?”

This is where things get spicy—and relevant to a lot of viewers.

Compared to free games, players often expect:

“Is paying for a game paying for quality… or paying for reliability?”

This is a great moment to subtly establish your philosophy as a DM.

“If you paid to play in Dragonlance, what would feel like a betrayal of the setting?”

Short answer: Yes—but not in the way players think.

Viewers can feel professionalism, even if they don’t know why. A paid-level game often produces:

Which—ironically—makes it better viewing.

“Are actual plays about showcasing a game… or showcasing a Dungeon Master’s philosophy?”

And for Dragonlance specifically: “Is Krynn better experienced as a place you visit… or a story you watch unfold?”

And that is all the time we have to hangout today. What do you think of actual plays? Would you ever pay to play a TTRPG? And finally, what is your favorite system to play Dragonlance in? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or comment below. 

I would like to take a moment and remind you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos and click the like button. This all goes to help other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content. Thank you Creator Patron Aaron Hardy, Producer Patron Azrael, and Developer Patron Chris Androu!

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).

Join me as I review The Citadel by Richard A. Knaak live! Share your thoughts on this third novel in the Dragonlance Classics series, released by Wizards of the Coast on July 1, 2000. You can buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/3LkFPxk 

Weapon of the Dark Queen

Against a darkened cloud it comes, framed by thunder and lightning, soaring over the ravaged land: the flying citadel, mightiest power in the arsenal of the dragon highlords.

In an age of war, an evil wizard learned the secret of creating these castles in the air and sought to use them to gain power over all Krynn. Against him were ranged a red-robed magic-user, a cleric, an ancient warrior, and — naturally — a kender.

Their battle shook the skies of Krynn.

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga review episode. It is Majetag, Newkolt the 6th. My name is Adam and today I am going to give you my review of The Citadel by Richard A. Knaak. I would like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga members and Patreon patrons, and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can even pick up Dragonlance media using my affiliate links. This is my perspective only, and if you have any thoughts or disagree with mine, I invite you to share them in YouTube chat.

This is a solid start to a story. We are in Christine with the red robe wizard Tyrus and white robe Leot. They are researching when the city is attacked by General Markus Cadrio. He was a former member of the Black Dragon Army who was trying to rally an army around him. He commands dragons, gargoyles and two citadels which pummel Crystine. However, the city is protected by two gold dragons who fight off many of the attackers. The gargoyles take the wizards, but Tyrus falls. He wakes after the battle to Captain Bakal who shares the outcome. Immediately Tyrus wants to travel to get back his friend Leot. He goes to the gold dragons who refuse, as one is ready to deliver her eggs. 

Cardio is met by a wizard named Valkan who wants to raise another Citadel in Atrium, so he travels there and they sacrifice Lemuel, a cleric of Takhisis to raise this new, but different citadel. They use it to destroy the town of Norwich, but the new citadel destroyed one of Cadrio’s other citadels in the process as well as fighting off the silver dragons defending the town. This infuriates Cadrio who doesn’t feel he can trust Valkan.

Back in Crystine, Tyrus is visited by a cleric of Branchala named Serene who asks where Cadrio is. He doesn’t know but he asks if she needs help, and introduces her to Captain Bakal. They travel with twelve soldiers to meet up with a kender named Rap who invites griffons to carry them all in search of General cardio. They eventually arrive at Norwich, shocked at the devastation and remains of a flying citadel.

They suddenly realized there was motion in the clouds, and saw the Atrium citadel flying, concealed in the clouds. They moved to intercept it as they sent Rap to Gwynned to get the Gold Dragons to aid in the attack. Simultaneously, the gargoyles that served Valkan were beginning to mutiny as Stone was speaking with both General Cardio and Tyrus about helping either of them overthrow Valkan. Once the battle began it was a brutal one, with lightning striking and decimating foes. The black dragons joined and the gold dragons were defeated. Serene and Tyrus were taken into the Citadel as captives as it slowly made its way to Gwynned.

General Cadrio and Vulkan were at each other’s throats as well, vying to power, but Vulkan is clearly the victor. Selene realized that the love of her life she was searching for, is actually Vulkan, but was shocked to see the transformation in him. Vulkan showed Tyrus how he has been powering the citadel, through the life force of captured magi. Including Tyrus’ friend Leot. He then curses him to be unable to cast magic, and imprisons Tyrus again. Tyrus is saved by a gargoyle and Leot, and escapes to report to Captain Bakal. Together they come up with  a scheme to stop the Citadel before it reached to Gwynned.

Captain Bakal, Tyrus, and Serene once again invaded the citadel as it was staged to attack, and Tyrus was captured and replaced Leot as the power cell. Rap went to save him and was killed by Valkan. Serene began to take control of the citadel and the gargoyles attacked each other. Valkan was playing General Cadrio off his officer Zander, as they fought the gold dragons with the black dragons.

In the Atrium citadel, they destroyed the help which steers the citadel, but needed to also destroy the magical columns which powered it. Tyrus sent Bakal and Serene off and he went to destroy Valkan, the calendars or both. When he arrived, Valkan was busy focusing on the power, but after a short battle Tyrus sent his staff hurtling toward a calendar and destroyed it, and the citadel began falling from the sky. Valkan was caught under rubble and doomed, as the gargoyles in his service fled. Outside the griffons saved them from the falling fortress as it plummeted onto its own army far below. Tyrus ended up living, and they made a cairn for Rap where he trained the griffons. THe gargoyles came to pay homage to the heroes and went off as free beings.

All in all the story was interesting but I had no idea when it was set. It kept referencing the war of the lance and even kitiara, but then made mention of the gods leaving, but everyone used magic, so I am just confused. I suppose it doesn’t really matter, as Knaak put together an entertaining story with a horrid villain and interesting characters. If you are a completionist, you should read this novel, but otherwise I think you could skip it.

And that’s it for my review of The Citadel by Richard A. Knaak. When do you think the story was set? Do you like the new type of citadel? And finally, will we ever see citadels in the age of mortals? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. 

I would like to thank Creator Patron Aaron Hardy, Producer Patron Azrael, and Developer Patrons Chris Androu & Sam Ruiz! I would also like to take a moment and remind you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos and click the like button. This all goes to help other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content.  

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).

He had a natural aptitude for magic as a young man, but clearly survived and benefitted from Fistandantilus. Let’s examine if Raistlin Majere was a warlock. You can buy Towers of high Sorcery here: https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/2940/towers-of-high-sorcery-3-5?affiliate_id=50797  

If there’s one character who bends the rules of magic on Krynn, it’s Raistlin Majere. But what if the greatest wizard in Dragonlance history… wasn’t purely a wizard at all? What if his unparalleled power came, at least in part, from a dark pact that echoes the mechanics of a D&D Warlock?

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam, and today we’re diving deep into a fascinating theory: Was Raistlin Majere secretly a Warlock? I’d like to thank the DLSaga YouTube members and Patreon Patrons, and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can also grab Dragonlance media through my affiliate links. This discussion pulls from the Chronicles & Legends novels, Dragonlance sourcebooks, and D&D 5th Edition 2024 rules, particularly the Warlock class from the Player’s Handbook. As always, if I miss details or get something wrong, let me know in the comments.

To understand this theory, we first need a quick refresher on how magic works in Dragonlance. Arcane magic on Krynn is tied to the three moons of magic: Solinari for White Robes and good-aligned wizards, Lunitari for Red Robes and neutrality, and Nuitari for Black Robes and evil. Wizards must take the grueling Test of High Sorcery, swear allegiance to one order, and draw power through rigorous study, meditation, and devotion to the moons’ gods. It’s a scholarly, disciplined path—very much like the classic D&D Wizard class, relying on Intelligence, spellbooks, and long preparation.

Raistlin starts firmly in this tradition. He wears the white robe of his instructor and his early life is all about mastering the craft through intellect and observation. But everything changes during his Test of High Sorcery in the Tower at Wayreth.

At the climax of the Test—the youngest mage ever to take it—Raistlin faces what seems like certain death against a powerful dark elf illusion. That’s when the spirit of Fistandantilus appears. This ancient, infamous archmage—known as the Dark One—offers Raistlin a bargain: immediate power to defeat the elf and survive the Test, in exchange for a steady drain on Raistlin’s life force. Raistlin, ever ambitious, accepts without hesitation.

The deal transforms him physically and magically. His skin turns golden (providing resistance to spells), his hair goes white, his eyes become hourglass-shaped (letting him see the ravages of time on all things), and he’s cursed with a chronic, debilitating cough. But he gains immense power in the moment, and Fistandantilus’s essence lingers within him, subtly feeding him knowledge and strength for years to come.

Now, let’s shift to D&D 5th Edition 2024 mechanics. The Warlock class is defined by one thing: a pact with a powerful otherworldly patron. Warlocks don’t grind through spellbooks like wizards—they gain their magic through a binding agreement with entities like fiends, archfey, celestials, Great Old Ones, or undying beings. In exchange for power, they often give up something: loyalty, service, life essence, or even their soul.

Some Key Warlock features include: Pact Magic: Spell slots that recharge on a short rest, not a long rest. Eldritch Invocations: Customizable magical abilities that feel like built-in perks from the patron. A subclass based on the patron type, granting themed spells and abilities. Often, the pact is sealed through a direct bargain, especially with Fiend or Undying patrons.

Raistlin’s deal with Fistandantilus fits this template almost perfectly. Fistandantilus is an undying archmage—a lich-like figure who extended his life by draining others via his Bloodstone and even bargained with Takhisis herself. He qualifies easily as an Undying Patron (from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide) or a Fiend Patron. The bargain is explicit: power now for life force over time. Post-pact, Fistandantilus inhabits Raistlin like a possessive patron, granting boosts during critical moments—helping him master the Dragon Orb in Silvanesti, providing insights in Skullcap, and accelerating his overall arcane growth.

This “patron” influence explains Raistlin’s meteoric rise. A normal wizard progresses steadily, but Raistlin goes from novice to the most powerful mage on Krynn in mere years, absorbing Fistandantilus’s ancient knowledge. It’s like gaining levels in Warlock on top of his Wizard base, with the patron providing “invocations” in the form of enhanced resilience and forbidden lore.

We see the patron dynamic play out further in the Legends trilogy. When Raistlin travels back in time, he apprentices under the living Fistandantilus, learns his secrets, and ultimately defeats him in a magical duel—absorbing the archmage’s essence completely. This flips the script: the “warlock” overpowers and consumes his patron, becoming the Master of Past and Present. It’s a classic tale of a Warlock who outgrows or betrays their patron, wielding its power against it.

There are other Warlock parallels too. Raistlin’s golden skin acts like a permanent magical ward—similar to the Undying patron’s features that defy death and decay. His hourglass eyes give him a unique perception of time, evoking Chronurgy Wizard elements but also the alien insights some patrons grant. And his addictive thirst for power mirrors how many Warlocks are portrayed: always chasing the next boon from their patron, even as it destroys them.

But here’s where the theory hits its limits—Raistlin is still, at his core, a wizard. He meticulously studies spellbooks every day. He relies on the moons for high-level magic. He wields the Staff of Magius, a classic wizard artifact. His spellcasting is Intelligence-based, rooted in arcane theory, not the Charisma-driven pact magic of Warlocks. The Fistandantilus deal enhances him but doesn’t replace his foundational wizardry. He never gets short-rest spell slots or true invocations; his power surges come from artifacts, study, and the lingering patron essence.

In modern D&D terms, the best way to build Raistlin is as a multiclass: primarily Wizard (maybe School of Divination or Chronurgy for the time themes), with a few levels in Warlock—Undying or Fiend subclass—to represent the pact’s boost. This captures the hybrid nature: scholarly depth plus a dark bargain for extra edge. A pure Warlock build would miss his vast spell repertoire and intellectual arrogance.

Other characters in fantasy have similar “warlock-ish” elements—think of Anakin Skywalker’s fall or Gandalf’s ring of power—but Raistlin’s story is uniquely tragic because the pact fuels his fatal flaw: ambition bordering on addiction. It costs him his health, strains his relationships (especially with Caramon), and nearly dooms Krynn. Yet without it, he might never have become the fulcrum that defeated Takhisis.

So, is Raistlin Majere a Warlock? Strictly speaking, no—he’s a wizard who made one fateful, devilish bargain that supercharged his destiny. But viewing him through the Warlock lens adds a thrilling layer, highlighting the cost of forbidden power and making him even more compelling for D&D adaptations.

That’s my take on whether Raistlin Majere could be considered a Warlock. Do you buy the theory? Would you play him as a Warlock multiclass in your game? Does the Fistandantilus pact change how you see his redemption? Leave your thoughts below.

These videos happen weekly because of your support—thank you. If you’re not a patron or member yet, I’d love for you to join. Grab Dragonlance books or games online via my affiliate link in the description.

This channel is all about celebrating the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you’ll keep watching. Thank you—this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga. Until next time, remember:

No my brother, where I go, you cannot follow. Strong as you are, it would lead to your death.

Welcome to Dungeon Mastering 101, my Dungeon Mastering course based on over 30 years of experience. In this series I will share my failures and successes and the lessons learned along the way. In this episode, I will cover Core Foundations: What a Dungeon Master Actually Does.

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga, Dungeon Mastering 101 episode! It is Palast, Newkolt the 5th, my name is Adam, and today I am continuing my Dragonlance Gaming series all about Dungeon Mastering. When most people think about being a Dungeon Master, they imagine rules mastery, monster stat blocks, or elaborate worldbuilding binders. But here’s the truth:

None of those things define what a Dungeon Master actually does. Dungeon Mastering isn’t about knowing everything. It isn’t about control. And it certainly isn’t about telling your story. At its core, being a DM is about facilitating a shared experience between very different people — and doing it with intention. Welcome to Dungeon Mastering 101.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, ring the bell, and you can support this channel by becoming a Patron on Patreon, a Member of this YouTube channel, and you can pick up Dragonlance media, using my affiliate links. All links are in the description below.

The first misconception new DMs struggle with is this: “I’m responsible for the story.” You’re not.

The Dungeon Master is not the hero, not the main character, and not the author of a finished narrative. Your role is to create situations, not outcomes. Your players:

You provide the structure that allows those choices to matter. Once you let go of the need to control the story, your games immediately improve.

A Dungeon Master wears many hats, but most of what you do falls into five core roles.

You keep the game moving. This means:

A facilitator doesn’t rush players — but also doesn’t let momentum die. Your job is to keep the shared experience alive.

You interpret rules and make calls. Not perfectly — consistently. Rules exist to support play, not interrupt it. When something is unclear:

Fairness matters more than precision.

You describe the environment and its reactions. The world speaks through:

You don’t tell players what to think — you tell them what happens when they act. A living world responds.

You decide who gets attention and when. This is subtle, but critical:

When everyone feels seen, trust forms. When trust forms, engagement follows.

Your energy sets the emotional temperature of the table.

 Calm → calm
Excited → excited
Tense → tense

Players take their cues from you more than you realize.  Managing your own reactions is one of the most important DM skills you’ll ever develop.

Understanding what you don’t do is just as important. A DM is not:

Conflict exists within the world — not between you and the players. You succeed when the table succeeds.

Most of what a DM does boils down to making decisions under pressure. Every moment behind the screen asks:

You don’t need perfect answers — you need timely ones. Confidence comes from decisiveness, not encyclopedic knowledge.

Here is the balance every DM must learn: You are responsible for:

You are not responsible for:

Great Dungeon Masters respect player agency — even when it leads somewhere unexpected.

Every player arrives with:

Your role is not to flatten those differences, but to work with them. Dungeon Mastering is as much about reading people as it is about running a game system.

Being a Dungeon Master isn’t about mastery — it’s about presence. You:

When you understand what your role actually is, the pressure drops, the game flows, and the experience improves for everyone at the table. This is the foundation. Welcome to Dungeon Mastering 101.

And that’s it for this episode of Dungeon Mastering 101, Core Foundations: What a Dungeon Master Actually Does! Do you have any tips or tricks based on your experience as a player or Dungeon Master? Was I off base on any of my suggestions? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. 

Thank you for tuning in. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, ring the bell, and you can support this channel by becoming a Patron on Patreon, a Member of this YouTube channel, and you can pick up Dragonlance Gaming materials, using my affiliate link. All links are in the description below. Thank you Creator Patron Aaron Hardy and Developer Patron Chris Androu!

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).

Welcome to the Order of Aesthetics News, LIVE! We are broadcasting directly from the Great Library of the Ages in Palanthas Alt Cataclius, and today we are discussing James Haeck, Ravenloft Anniversaries, Stranger Things Conclusion, and D&D in 2026.

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga, Order of Aesthetics News episode! It is Bakukal, Newkolt the 2nd. My name is Adam and today I was sifting through the Iconochronos and ran across this exciting bit of news. 

I would like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga YouTube members, and Patreon patrons and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron. You can even grab Dragonlance media using my affiliate links in the description below.

And that’s it for this OA News episode! Are you excited about a new D&D designer? Will WotC make anniversary Ravenloft products? And finally, what would you like to see in 2026? Feel free to email me at [email protected] or comment below. 

I would like to take a moment and remind you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos and click the like button. This all goes to help other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content. Thank you Creator Patron Aaron Hardy, Producer Patron Azrael and Developer Patrons Chris Androu & Sam Ruiz!

This channel is all about celebrating the wonderful world of the Dragonlance Saga, and I hope you will join me in the celebration. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time Slàinte mhath (slan-ge-var).