She knew exactly what she wanted and refused to let anyone get in her way. Let’s learn all about Kitiara Uth Matar. Buy The Art of the Dragonlance Saga: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17389/The-Art-of-the-Dragonlance-Saga?affiliate_id=50797
Transcript
Cold Open
Her crooked smile ensnared men and women alike, but it was her ambition and drive that drove her to victory.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about Kitiara Uth Matar. 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 link. I am referencing the Dragonlance Chronicles, Lost Chronicles, Legends, The Art of the Dragonlance Saga and Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home for this information. If I miss anything, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Discussion
Kitiara was the last of the original three characters created by Tracy and Laura Hickman as they traveled to TSR for an interview. This was before Dragonlance was the name of the campaign world, but the two game designers knew they wanted this new project to convey the idea of balance between good, neutrality and evil. Laurana, named after Laura Hickman, was that pillar of good, Tanis was the pillar of neutrality and Kitiara was the pillar of evil. I have always struggled with the idea of evil, especially when applied to Kit. She is only acting in her own self interest, and thus, I cannot see Kit seeing herself as evil.
Kitiara believes, as her father did, that “Power is the only truth.” There is nothing inherently evil in this belief, it’s how you exercise the power that defines good or ill. The framing of this dichotomy that Power exercised is evil, only muddies the pillar itself. This is further contextualized by the authors framing her evil actions through the following of Takhisis and by becoming a Dragon Highlord. But again, this is only evil if we are to believe the actions of Takhisis’ armies are evil and the actions of the Whitestone armies are good. But can there be good and evil when both sides are enslaving, slaughtering, and ultimately destroying innocence. This thought exercise is meant to frame the idea that I don’t believe Kit saw herself as good or evil at all, only the authors did. And it is because of their framing that any of us do.
Kitiara was a character that defied every norm. She was a skilled female warrior, a rarity in post Cataclysm Ansalon. She was cunning and steadfast in her control of her emotions, something most male warriors struggled with. She stood up to Lord Ariakas, Lord Soth, and won the respect of the Dark Queen, her armies and her mount, so much so that after her death, Lord Soth and Khellendros would scour the planes of existence in search of her soul. She used men, as men traditionally used women. She was one to celebrate the indulgences of life but never at the expense of her own greater goals. She was also capable of compassion and love, even if she refused to acknowledge it outwardly, and this is seen in her care for her brothers as a young woman. Let’s take a look at her history and see if we can understand the character any better.
Kitiara was the daughter of Gregor Uth Matar and Rosamun Aelan. Her father, a disgraced Solamnic Knight turned mercenary, would teach her to fight, and even took her with him, becoming impressed with her skill on one occasion. Gregor would tire of Rosamun, and eventually leave her. Rosamun would then marry Gilon Majere and they would have their twin sons Raistlin and Caramon. Kit would take care of Raistlin, seeing he was weak and the midwife gave up on him, she took it upon herself to care for him. She even named him from an old story of her fathers! When Raistlin was accepted to Theobald’s Mage Academy, Kit would leave for long periods, engaging in mercenary work as her father had before her. She would periodically return with gifts and to catch up with family and friend. It was here that she met Tanis as she was toying with some hobgoblins. Tanic came in and ‘rescued’ her, to Tanis’ dismay as she turned her attacks on him! They would learn to respect and love each other, finding their opposite natures attractive.
Kit was not one to stay in one place too long however, and when the companions split in search of the old gods, Tanis broke off his relationship with Kit, who left heading north with Sturm Brightblade. Kitiara was growing frustrated with Sturm’s self righteousness and still angry with Tanis, she decided to seduce Sturm. He, like so many men before and after, fell under the power of her charms. though he regretted it after Kit scorned him. This event planted a seed, literally, and a desperate and pregnant Kitiare came upon Sara Dustan’s home and gave birth to Steel. Leaving him with Sara, sending money and gifts to him.
Kitiara traveled to Sanction and was introduced to Ariakas through Balif. Ariakas was impressed and sent Kit on increasingly difficult missions, which she continually rose to. Eventually she would be paired with Skie and earned the position of Dragon Highlord of the Blue Dragonarmy. She was known as the Blue Lady and made six of her most loyal Sivak Draconians her personal bodyguards, learning their language, and forming even stronger bonds. She would lead most of the battles across Solamnia, and with each victory the thought of returning to Solace to meet her friends became unimportant. Kitiara presented a plan to take the High Clerist’s Tower, but Ariakas would reject the plan, sending her to undermine the Knights of Solamnia instead.
It is here that Kitiara learned of Tanis, her brothers and friends having killed Verminaard, with the aid of Laurana, Tanis’ old flame. This brought up even more memories and reignited her flame for Tanis. She would quickly pass the Dragon Orb info off to Derek Crownguard and head to Tarsis in search of Tanis and Laurana. Kit would confront Laurana numerous times, earning respect for this woman who wanted Tanis even more than she did. This only made her fight harder. This is a pattern that would cause scorn toward her from Skie first and later Lord Soth. Kitiara’s only weakness were the men surrounding her in positions of authority over her, and Tanis Half-Elven. She knew that he was Laurana’s weakness as well and decided to use that to capture Laurana as a gift for Takhisis. Kit was in fact the only Dragon Highlord to confront Lord Soth on behalf of the Dark Queen, though she only did it to save her hide after Ariakas discovered that it was her brothers and old companions that killed Verminaard.
Kit discovers and seduces Tanis in Flotsam, then leaves to assault the High Clerist’s Tower, killing Sturm, and claiming she didn’t realize it was him initially. I believe her, though I don’t think it would have mattered if she did know. The Dragon Orb became the downfall of her attack and frustrated by Laurana, she used the idea of Tanis to trap Laurana. Kitiara was of the mind that if she can’t win Tanis, she can poison his mind, which she is ultimately successful at until her end. Lord Soth saved her again from Ariakas hands and she uses Raistlin on behalf of her Queen, all for the promise of power. Kit bargains with Tanis for the Crown of Power, but loses him and Laurana in the chaos until, catching up with them, and seeing Tanis choose Laurana, Kit sets them free.
Kitiara would survive the chaos and rebuild her armies after the Dark Queens fall. Raistlin tells her of his plan to become a God, and Kit sends Soth to kill Crysania to stop him, still siding with Takhisis. Unbeknown to her she is playing into Raistlin’s hand. She ally’s with Dalamar to stop Raistlin but Lord Soth had other plans and told her that Dalamar was working with Raistlin and that she should take Palanthus. The Blue Lady’s War was successful in enacting Soth’s revenge on Palanthus and after attacking Dalamar, she was mortally wounded by him, and Soth came to claim his reward. Kitiara’s Soul. Kit begged Tanis to save her, but he ultimately had to let her go. Whether her soul is held in the Abyss still or lost to oblivion is unknown, but her mark on the most powerful beings on Krynn speaks to her true greatness as a character.
Outro
And that is all I have to say about Kitiara Uth Matar. Did Takhisis hide her soul in the Abyss? Was she a brilliant tactician or a slave to her desires? And finally, if it weren’t for Laurana, would Kit have ruled all of Ansalon? Leave a comment below.
I am able to create these weekly videos because of your attention and support. If you are not already a member of this YouTube channel, I would like to invite you to consider becoming one. If you would like to pick up any edition of Dragonlance gaming materials, feel free to use my affiliate link in the description.
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, remember:
If I am to be judged by those who come after me, let me be judged by the truth.
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