Qualinesti – War of the Lance Era

Closed off after the Cataclysm, Qualinesti is in the sights of the Red Dragonarmy. Let’s learn more about this elven nation. Buy The Atlas of the Dragonlance World: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/182424/atlas-of-the-dragonlance-world-1e?affiliate_id=50797

https://youtu.be/24THDfvgHLI

Transcript

Cold Open

The Qualinesti elves and Dwarves of Thorbardin have more in common than they might think.

Intro

Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about Qualinesti in the War of the Lance Era. I would like to take a moment and thank the members of this channel, and invite you to consider becoming a member by visiting the link in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate links. I am referencing the The Atlas of the Dragonlance World, Tales of the Lance boxed set and the War of the Lance sourcebook for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below!

Discussion

The Qualinesti were open to trade and connections with the outside world, in stark contrast to their Silvanesti brothers and sisters. However the Cataclysm changed all of that. Much like their Thorbardin Dwarf neighbors, Qualinesti closed their borders, kicking all humans out. This caused the exact same reaction their Dwarven neighbors suffered. As the Neidar dwarves believed their mountain dwarf cousins sealed them out to die and had all the resources within Thorbardin, the human settlers around Qualinesti believed the same, and began raiding them. The humans were all repelled, but not before doing significant damage to the border towns and the Qualinesti elves therein. These Qualinesti farmers were brutalized, raped and murdered by the human bandits, many of the half-elves in the Age of Despair are direct results of these raids.

While the raids were terrible, they are the worst of the aftermath of the Cataclysm, which left Qualinesti largely unscathed. The Qualinesti forest lies in southwestern Ansalon. South of Abanasinia and east of New Sea, it is framed by the Kharolis Mountain Range. Its capital is Qualinost which is located between the eastern border on a plateau surrounded by the White Rage River and its tributaries. With its estimated population of just under forty-two thousand, only ninety percent of that total are elves. Dwarves, humans and centaurs make up what remains. Qualinesti is ruled by the Speaker of the Suns, a direct descendant of Kith-Kanan its founder, and Silvanos from Silvanesti. The speaker guides the Thalas-Enthia, or senate, a representative body made up from various guilds and communities of the Qualinesti. In this War of the Lance era, much of their time is consumed with preparations for the Red Dragonarmy invasion, and making peace with the elves of Southern Ergoth. The Qualinesti elves have always had foresight to work with the other races, and this era, though significantly reduced in effort, is no exception. Traditionally Qualinesti enthusiastically traded with the rest of Ansalon, exporting fruits, leather, wine, liquors, wood, bows and arrows.

The climate of Qualinesti can be erratic. The winters are severe. Between H’rarmont and Chistlemont the current brings up the harsh chill of the south with heavy snows. The cold is even known to split the massive trunks of trees. Spring naturally brings with it a rejuvenation. The snow melts to reveal wildflowers and soft grasses. Summers are traditionally rainy from Corij to Reorxmont with the occasional hot day.