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
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. Autumn is dry and temperate allowing the citizens to celebrate harvest fests. The forest turns to hues of gold, bronze, silver, red and violet.
There are five settlements of note, though only one which hosts the vast majority of the population. Qualinost is a metropolis with just over twenty thousand citizens. Again, it is the capital and positioned on a defensible plateau surrounded on three sides by one hundred foot wide chasms of the White Rage River, and on the south by the Kharolis Mountains. There are narrow foot bridges spanning the rivers which can be brought down easily upon invasion. The city has four corner towers connected by graceful metallic arches able to hold an army marching across them, but looking as delicate as crystal. The city is constructed from gleaming white marble and rose-quartz so as to enhance the natural beauty of the forest rather than detract from it. Gardens line the sides and roofs of buildings creating an all immersive natural feel. Rising above it all is the Tower of the Sun where the Speaker resides. Solostaran, the current ruler, is trying to manage the oncoming war, and refugees from Silvanesti, not to mention the looming Red Dragonarmy at its borders. Porliost is the next largest town with just under four thousand residents. It was named for the Speakers eldest son Porthios, and founded just after the cataclysm. It is the headquarters for House Mariner. The Governor Araigol Swiftwater rules the city. Its docks are loaded with a fleet of ships ready to take the citizens of Qualinesti over the Straights of Algoni to Southern Ergoth in exile.
Shrivost is a small town of under a thousand. It’s the northernmost settlement. Its citizens pride themselves in their elven heritage and create works of art like delicate sculptures and ceramics for trade. On the second week of Spring Dawning, you will typically find elven artisans lined up with stalls featuring their work for purchase. This is a primary source of income for these elves. The village of Lauranost with under a thousand residents is nestled between Porliost and the grasslands of Kharolis. It’s named after the youngest daughter of the Speaker. It is the largest grain producing center in Qualinesti as well. Featuring great fields of wheat which stretch miles around the settlement. The village is governed by Ladine Avonathalanos, the head of House Gardener. Finally, Ahlanost is a fair village of over six hundred. It hosts a small Neidar dwarf population from the Chiselfist clan. They have lived here since the Swordsheath Scroll was signed. The current governor Mirianthalas Solaronsalun has begun preparations to leave, while the dwarves refuse, deciding to stay and fight instead.
With a kingdom as vast and sparse as Qualinesti, there are inevitably a few sites of note. The first of which is Mereklar. The city of white stone is located between the borders of Qualinesti and the Kharolis Mountains. It is surrounded by three massive stone walls, engraved with symbols. The origin of the city is a mystery even to its rulers, a council of ten noble families. The ruins of Nalune are north of Porliost. It has existed before the founding of the kingdom. It is believed to originally have been constructed by the mysterious race of huldrefolk. Its ruins magically seem to shift and reveal new ancient tombs or chambers. Of course Pax Tharkas rests on the eastern border of Qualinesti. This symbol of peace was all but abandoned by the elves after the Cataclysm. It now hosts the Red Dragonarmy ready to sweep through the nation of Qualinesti. The Tower of High Sorcery resides in the magical Wayreth Forest which is attached to the Qualinesti forest, though it magically manifests on its own accord. Finally the White Rage River runs along the northern border of the forest. Its tributaries, the Inthal-enatha and Inthal-inen form a protective barrier around the capital city of Qualinost.
Sadly upon returning about a decade after the War of the Lance, the Qualinesti discovered their forest decimated. They would rebuild it to its former glory over time, but the scars inflicted on the population would remain raw. The xenophobia of the Silvanesti seemed to infiltrate the Thalas Enthia, forcing Tanis Half-Elven and Laurana to work incredibly hard brokering peace between nations.
Outro
And that is all I have to say about Qualinesti in the War of the Lance Era. Have you ever explored the Ruins of Nalune? Should the elves reopen trade as they were before the Cataclysm? And finally, would you ever want to walk the arches bordering Qualinost? Leave a 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 for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time, remember:
The half-elf comes to me for advice, not because I can see the future. I can’t. I am no seer. He comes because I am able to think, which is something most of these other fools seem incapable of doing.
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