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{{in-universe|date=July 2012}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2016}}

{{DL character
{{Infobox character
| name=Takhisis
| name = Takhisis
⚫
| alignment=Evil
⚫
| image = [[File:Takhisis.jpg|200px]]
⚫
| alias=The One God
⚫
| caption =
⚫
| image=[[File:Takhisis.jpg|200px]]
⚫
| first = ''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'' (1984)
⚫
| caption=
⚫
| creator = [[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
⚫
| title=Dragonqueen<br />Nilat the Corrupter<br />Tamex, the False Metal<br />Mai-Tat<br />She of Many Faces<br />Queen of Many Colors and None<br />The Dark Queen<br />Erestem<br />Tii'Mhut<br />Lady Chaos<br />Mwarg<br />The Dark Warrior<br />Shadow Sorcerer
⚫
| alias = The One God
| race=Deity
| race = Deity
| gender=Female
| gender = Female
⚫
| creator=[[Margaret Weis]] and [[Tracy Hickman]]
⚫
| title = Dragon queen<br />Nilat the Corrupter<br />Tamex, the False Metal<br />Mai-Tat<br />She of Many Faces<br />Queen of Many Colors and None<br />The Dark Queen<br />Erestem<br />Tii'Mhut<br />Lady Chaos<br />Mwarg<br />The Dark Warrior<br />Shadow Sorcerer
⚫
| debut=''[[Dragons of Autumn Twilight]]'' (1984)
⚫
| alignment = Evil
| home =
| series = [[Dragonlance]]
| lbl21 = [[List of Dungeons & Dragons deities#Ranks of divine power|Power level]]
| data21 =
| lbl22 = [[List of Dungeons & Dragons deities#Portfolios|Portfolio]]
| data22 =
| lbl23 = [[List of Dungeons & Dragons deities#Domains|Domains]]
| data23 =
| lbl24 = [[List of Dungeons & Dragons deities#Divine hierarchy|Superior]]
| data24 =
}}
}}

'''Takhisis''' is a [[fictional character]] from the ''[[Dragonlance]]'' universe. She is the main goddess of [[evil]] and head of the Dark Pantheon.
'''Takhisis''' is a fictional character from the ''[[Dragonlance]]'' universe. She is depicted as the main goddess of [[evil]] in the setting and head of the Dark Pantheon.


== Titles and forms ==
== Titles and forms ==
She is also called: Dragonqueen (among elves); Nilat the Corrupter (among the barbarians of the plains); Tamex, the False Metal (among dwarves); Mai-tat, She of Many Faces (among the people of Ergoth); Queen of Many Colors and None (among the Knights of Solamnia); the Dark Queen, Erestem, Tii'Mhut, Lady Chaos, Mwarg, the One God, the Dark Warrior, and Shadow Sorcerer. Some believe, such as original Dragonlance team member [[Jeff Grubb]], that she's also [[Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)|Tiamat]],<ref>{{cite web| last = Dragonlance Nexus| title = Interview with author and designer Jeff Grubb| publisher = Dragonlance Nexus| date = 2001-04-29| archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060813182108|url=http://www.dl3e.com/features/interviews/11253.aspx| archivedate = 2006-08-13|format = Interview| accessdate = 2008-02-04}}</ref> Goddess (or Queen) of evil dragons in many other [[Dungeons and Dragons]] [[campaign setting]]s, but the two are separate entities according to Dragonlance creator Tracy Hickman<ref name="tac">
Within the Dragonlance universe, Takhisis was a sister of Gilean and Paladine,{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} the goddess of control and evil, consort to Sargonnas, and mother to Zeboim and Nuitari. Takhisis was responsible for the corruption of the chromatic dragons, and appeared in one form as a dragon with heads the colors of blue, black, white, red, and green. Takhisis is also referred to as Dragon Queen (among elves), Nilat the Corrupter (among the barbarians of the plains), Tamex, the False Metal (among dwarves), Mai-tat, She of Many Faces (among the people of Ergoth), Queen of Many Colors and None (among the Knights of Solamnia), the Dark Queen, Erestem, Tii'Mhut, Lady Chaos, Mwarg, the One God, the Dark Warrior, and Shadow Sorcerer. [[Jeff Grubb]] believes that she is [[Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)|Tiamat]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Dragonlance Nexus |title=Interview with author and designer Jeff Grubb |publisher=Dragonlance Nexus |date=2001-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813182108/http://www.dl3e.com/features/interviews/11253.aspx |url=http://www.dl3e.com/features/interviews/11253.aspx |archive-date=2006-08-13 |format=Interview |url-status=dead |access-date=2017-05-16}}</ref> Goddess (or Queen) of evil dragons in many other ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[campaign setting]]s. However, the two are separate entities according to Dragonlance creator, Tracy Hickman<ref name="tac">
{{Citation
{{Citation
| last1=Weis
| last1=Weis
Line 23: Line 35:
| title=The Annotated Chronicles
| title=The Annotated Chronicles
| page=1237
| page=1237
| origyear=1999
| year=1999
| publisher=Wizards of the Coast
| publisher=Wizards of the Coast
| isbn=0-7869-1526-9
| isbn=0-7869-1526-9
Line 33: Line 45:
| author-link=Roger E. Moore
| author-link=Roger E. Moore
| title=The Dragons of Krynn
| title=The Dragons of Krynn
| newspaper=[[Dragon (magazine)]]
| newspaper=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]
| issue=98
| issue=98
| pages=15–16
| pages=15–16
| date=June 1985
| date=June 1985
⚫
| publisher=[[TSR, Inc.]]
| year=1985
}}</ref> The 4th Edition ''[[Draconomicon]]'' books confirm that Takhisis is Tiamat in fourth edition.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} This is confirmed again in the 5th edition ''[[Dungeon Master's Guide]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=5th Edition Dungeon Master's Guide|pages=225}}</ref>
⚫
| publisher=Paizo
⚫
}}</ref>


Takhisis most often takes the form of a five-headed [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragon]], each head being the colour of one of the evil dragons (red, blue, green, black, and white).<ref name=tac /><ref name="ozb">{{Cite book | last = DeKirk | first = Ashley | authorlink = Oberon_Zell-Ravenheart#Bibliography | coauthors = Oberon Zell-Ravenheart | title = Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry | publisher = New Page Books | series = Oberon Zell Presents | volume = | edition = 1 | date = 2006 | location = | pages = 224 | language = English | url = http://www.amazon.com/Oberon-Zell-Presents-Dragonlore-Archives/dp/1564148688 | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-1-56414-868-1 | mr = | zbl = | jfm = }}</ref> She also often uses the form of a beautiful temptress, said to be so lovely that no man could resist her. She also has another form known as the Dark Warrior.
Takhisis most often takes the form of a five-headed [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragon]]; each head is represented by the color of one of the evil dragons (red, blue, green, black, and white).<ref name=tac /><ref name="ozb">{{Cite book | last = DeKirk | first = Ashley | author-link = Oberon Zell-Ravenheart#Bibliography |author2=Oberon Zell-Ravenheart | title = Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry | publisher = New Page Books | series = Oberon Zell Presents | edition = 1 | year = 2006 | pages = 224 | isbn = 978-1-56414-868-1 }}</ref> She also often uses the form of a beautiful temptress, said to be so lovely that no man can resist her. Additionally, she has another form known as the Dark Warrior.


Sargonnas is Takhisis' consort. Together they have two children: Nuitari and Zeboim.<ref>{{cite book | editor1-last = King | editor1-first = J. Robert | editor1-link = J. Robert King | title = Tales of the Lance | publisher = TSR, Inc. | page=117 | year = 1992 | isbn = 9781560763383 | title-link = Tales of the Lance }}</ref>
Takhisis is the younger sister to Paladine and Gilean. [[Sargonnas]] is Takhisis' consort, and together they have two children, [[Nuitari]] and [[Zeboim (Dragonlance)|Zeboim]].


== Ambition ==
== Ambition ==
Takhisis is the most ambitious of the Gods, frequently making plans to upset the balance and take over the world for herself. In ''[[Dragons of the Hourglass Mage]]'', for example, Takhisis attempts to take control of all magic.<ref name=bookwatch>{{cite journal | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-219307907.html | author= | title=Brilliance Audio | work=Bookwatch | date=February 1, 2010 | accessdate=September 21, 2012}}{{subscription | via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> After being driven back by [[Huma Dragonbane]] in the Third Dragon War and sealed from the world, she bides her time in the [[Abyss (plane)|Abyss]], always looking for new ways into the world. This brings about the [[War of the Lance]], and subsequently contributed to the [[Chaos War]] and the [[War of Souls]].
Within the Dragonlance universe, Takhisis is the most ambitious of the gods, frequently making plans to upset the balance and take over the world for herself. In ''[[Dragons of the Hourglass Mage]]'', for example, Takhisis attempts to take control of all magic.<ref name=bookwatch>{{cite journal | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-219307907.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610205732/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-219307907.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 10, 2014 | title=Brilliance Audio | journal=Bookwatch | date=February 1, 2010 | access-date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> After being driven back by [[Huma Dragonbane]] in the Third Dragon War and sealed from the world, she bides her time in the [[Abyss (plane)|Abyss]], always looking for new ways into the world. This brings about the [[War of the Lance]], where the dark goddess is ultimately thwarted by the [[List of Dragonlance characters#Heroes of the Lance|Heroes of the Lance]],<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first = Detlef|editor1-last = Wienecke-Janz|year = 2002|title = Lexikon der Zauberwelten - Gandalf & Co.|publisher = Wissen Media Verlag|isbn = 3-577-13505-0|page = 62}}</ref> and subsequently contributes to the [[Chaos War (Dragonlance)|Chaos War]] and the [[War of Souls]].
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Takhisishuman.JPG|thumb|left|Takhisis in her human form, that of a beautiful temptress.]] -->


[[Raistlin Majere]] attempts to destroy Takhisis and assume her role as head god of evil, and succeeds in one timeline, but destroys the world of [[Krynn]] in the ensuing magical battle. His brother [[Caramon Majere|Caramon]], with the aid of a [[Time travel|time-traveling device]], dissuades him from this path, and Raistlin sacrifices himself to prevent Takhisis from leaving the Abyss.
[[Raistlin Majere]] attempts to destroy Takhisis and assume her role as head god of evil. He succeeds in one timeline, but destroys the world of [[Krynn]] in the ensuing magical battle. His brother [[Caramon Majere|Caramon]], with the aid of a [[Time travel|time-travelling device]], dissuades him from this path; and Raistlin sacrifices himself to prevent Takhisis from leaving the Abyss.


== The War of Souls ==
== The War of Souls ==
After the [[Chaos War]], Takhisis steals the world from the rest of the gods and becomes the "One God" of the world. When the rest of the gods return to [[Krynn]], they realize that Takhisis has gone too far. Although [[Sargonnas]] has generally been loyal to her, the actions leading up to her being made mortal lead Sargonnas to declare she has gone too far and to support the decision. In order to retain the balance, [[Paladine (Dragonlance)|Paladine]] sacrifices his godhood and immortality in order for Takhisis to be stripped of her godhood and immortality. She is then killed by the [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elven]] king [[Silvanoshei]].
After the [[Dragons of Summer Flame|Chaos War]], Takhisis steals the world from the rest of the gods and becomes the "One God" of the world. When the rest of the gods return to [[Krynn]], they realize that Takhisis has gone too far. Although Sargonnas has generally been loyal to her, the actions leading up to her being made mortal lead Sargonnas to declare she has gone too far and to support the decision. In order to retain the balance, Paladine sacrifices his godhood and immortality in order for Takhisis to be stripped of her godhood and immortality.{{sfn|Wolf|2010|p=14|ref=Wolf}} She is then killed by the [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elven]] king [[Silvanoshei]].


== Other publications ==
== Other publications ==
Takhisis is considered to be a central part of the Dragonlance world creation myth as the primordial source of evil. This central role is crucial to how creation myths are presented.<ref>{{cite book
Takhisis is key to the Dragonlance world creation myth as the primordial source of evil. This central role is crucial to how creation myths are presented.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Wolf
| last = Wolf
| first = Nadine
| first = Nadine
| title = Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature
| title = Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature
| publisher = GRIN Verlag
| publisher = GRIN Verlag
| date = 2010
| year = 2010
| language = English and German
| language = en, de
| ibsn = 9783640661428}}</ref>
| isbn = 9783640661428}}</ref>


In the [[Paganism (contemporary)|neo-pagan]] press a series of books published by [[Oberon Zell-Ravenheart]] looks at Takhisis in the Dragonlance world and compares her to the Babylonian and [[Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)|Dungeons and Dragons version]] of [[Tiamat]]. The book is written as a school book for young wizards and witches of the neo-pagan sort. Takhisis is described for her role in the wars of good vs. evil.<ref name=ozb />
In the [[Paganism (contemporary)|neo-pagan]] press, a series of books published by [[Oberon Zell-Ravenheart]], looks at Takhisis in the Dragonlance world and compares her to the Babylonian and [[Tiamat (Dungeons & Dragons)|''Dungeons & Dragons'' version]] of [[Tiamat]]. The book is written as a school book for young wizards and witches of the neo-pagan sort. Takhisis is described for her role in the wars of good vs. evil.<ref name=ozb />


This ultimate source of evil theme is looked into again in a presentation by Dr. Stefan Ekman of [[Lund University]] in [[Sweden]]. Dr. Ekman compares Takhisis and other fantasy "dark lords" such as [[Lord Foul]] and [[Sauron]] to the biblical [[Satan]]. In particular he states, "Even though not all of the Dark Lords above signify the ultimate source of evil, Lord Foul, the Dark One, and Takhisis certainly do. And all of thema re ultimately actants, characters whose raison d’être is to provide the final threat".<ref>{{cite conference
This ultimate source of the theme of evil is discussed again in a presentation by Dr. Stefan Ekman of [[Lund University]] in [[Sweden]]. Dr. Ekman compares Takhisis and other fantasy "dark lords," such as [[Lord Foul]] and [[Sauron]], to the biblical [[Satan]]. In particular he states, "Even though not all of the Dark Lords above signify the ultimate source of evil, Lord Foul, the Dark One, and Takhisis certainly do. And all of them are ultimately actants, characters whose raison d’être is to provide the final threat".<ref>{{cite conference
| first = Stefan
| first = Stefan
| last = Ekman
| last = Ekman
| title = Satan, Sauron, and Sundry Dark Lords: Evil Incarnate in Fantasy.
| title = Satan, Sauron, and Sundry Dark Lords: Evil Incarnate in Fantasy.
| date = March 22 to 26, 2000
| date = March 22–26, 2000
| location = 21st International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts, Ft Lauderdale, Florida,
| location = 21st International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts, Ft Lauderdale, Florida
| url = http://tolkiensarda.se/new/alster/sauropap.pdf
| accessdate = 2012-9-11 }} </ref>
| access-date = 2017-05-16}}</ref>


This theme of good versus evil, and human versus gods, is expanded in ''Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games''. The central focus of this thesis is the struggle of the human characters versus Takhisis. This struggle is compared with the human, or at least mortal, heroes of the stories of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Lord of the Rings]] and [[C.S. Lewis]]' [[The Chronicles of Narnia]].<ref>{{Citation
This theme of good versus evil, and humans versus gods, is expanded in ''Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games''. The central focus of this thesis is the struggle of the human characters versus Takhisis. This struggle is compared with the human, or at least mortal, heroes of the stories of [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' and [[C. S. Lewis]]' ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''.<ref>{{Citation
| last = Bajusz
| last = Bajusz
| first = Nikolett
| first = Nikolett
| title = Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games
| title = Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games
| pages = 69
| pages = 69
| date = 16-Jun-2011
| date = 16 Jun 2011
| origyear =
| hdl = 1800/6553
⚫
}}</ref>
| year = 2011
| month = June
| language = English
| url = http://hdl.handle.net/1800/6553 }}</ref>


Tiamat, in her Dragonlance/Krynn incarnation is also the subject of in the Dragon Gods and Evil dragons sections of the Practical Guide to Dragons. She is discussed in universe style with sidebars detailing her real-world publishing significance.<ref>{{cite book
Tiamat, in her Dragonlance/Krynn incarnation is also the subject of in the Dragon Gods and Evil dragons sections of the ''Practical Guide to Dragons''. She is discussed in universe style with sidebars detailing her real-world publishing significance.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Trumbauer
| last = Trumbauer
| first = Lisa
| first = Lisa
| authorlink = Lisa Trutkoff Trumbauer
| author-link = Lisa Trutkoff Trumbauer
| title = A Practical Guide to Dragons
| title = A Practical Guide to Dragons
| publisher = Mirrorstone
| publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]]
| series = Practical Guides
| series = Practical Guides
| edition = 1st
| edition = 1st
| date = September 26, 2006
| date = September 26, 2006
| language = English
| isbn = 9780786941643 }}</ref> This is continued in the follow-up series ''The Dragon Codices'', in which Takhisis is the main, if somewhat hidden, antagonist.<ref>{{cite book
| isbn = 9780786941643 }}</ref> This is continued in the follow-up series ''The Dragon Codices'', in which Takhisis is the main, if somewhat hidden, antagonist.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Henham
| last = Henham
| first = R.D.
| first = R.D.
| title = Red Dragon Codex
| title = Red Dragon Codex
| publisher = Mirrorstone
| publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]]
| series = The Dragon Codices
| series = The Dragon Codices
| vol = 1
| volume = 1
| edition = 1st
| edition = 1st
| date = January 8, 2008
| date = January 8, 2008
| language = English
| isbn = 978-0786949250
| url-access = registration
| isbn = 978-0786949250 }}</ref>
| url = https://archive.org/details/reddragoncodex00henh
}}</ref>


== References ==
==Reception==
In the ''[[Io9]]'' series revisiting older ''Dungeons & Dragons'' novels, Rob Bricken commented that "The primary adventure of the novel is Tanis and his comrades' attempt to bring Berem—aka the Green Gem Man—to the Temple of Takhisis at Neraka so he can do something that will help seal the goddess away again. Takhisis is well-aware of Berem and sends her draconian armies and dragons to find him, because if she gets her claws on him, she'll be free and unbeatable. [...] Apparently, the column had imprisoned Takhisis and the removal of the gem allowed the goddess a little bit of freedom, which is why she's causing trouble in the present. But all it's going to take to save the world is to take a bit of super-glue and sticking the gem back on the column. It all feels quite banal, especially compared to throwing the most powerful enchanted item on the planet into an open volcano."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bricken|first=Rob|date=December 21, 2021|title=Dungeons & Dragons & Novels: Revisiting Dragons of Spring Dawning|url=https://gizmodo.com/dungeons-dragons-novels-revisiting-dragons-of-spri-1848253142|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2022-01-06|website=io9|language=en-us}}</ref>

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


=== Sources ===
* {{cite book | first=Nadine | last=Wolf | title=Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature | publisher=GRIN Verlag | year=2010 | isbn=978-3640661428 | ref=Wolf}}


{{Dragonlance Deities}}
{{Dragonlance Deities}}
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{{dragonlance}}
{{dragonlance}}


{{D&D topics}}
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[[Category:Dragonlance deities]]

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[[Category:Dragonlance characters]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons deities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1984]]
[[Category:Fictional dragons]]
[[Category:Fictional dragons]]
[[Category:Fictional goddesses]]
[[Category:Fictional queens]]
[[Category:Fictional queens]]


[[ca:Takhisis]]
[[es:Takhisis, la reina de la Oscuridad]]
[[fr:Takhisis]]
[[it:Personaggi di Dragonlance#Takhisis]]
[[it:Personaggi di Dragonlance#Takhisis]]
[[fi:Dragonlance#Jumalat]]
[[fi:Dragonlance#Jumalat]]
[[tr:Takhisis]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 20 March 2024

Takhisis
Dragonlance character
First appearanceDragons of Autumn Twilight (1984)
Created byMargaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
In-universe information
AliasThe One God
RaceDeity
GenderFemale
TitleDragon queen
Nilat the Corrupter
Tamex, the False Metal
Mai-Tat
She of Many Faces
Queen of Many Colors and None
The Dark Queen
Erestem
Tii'Mhut
Lady Chaos
Mwarg
The Dark Warrior
Shadow Sorcerer
AlignmentEvil

Takhisis is a fictional character from the Dragonlance universe. She is depicted as the main goddess of evil in the setting and head of the Dark Pantheon.

Titles and forms

[edit]

Within the Dragonlance universe, Takhisis was a sister of Gilean and Paladine,[citation needed] the goddess of control and evil, consort to Sargonnas, and mother to Zeboim and Nuitari. Takhisis was responsible for the corruption of the chromatic dragons, and appeared in one form as a dragon with heads the colors of blue, black, white, red, and green. Takhisis is also referred to as Dragon Queen (among elves), Nilat the Corrupter (among the barbarians of the plains), Tamex, the False Metal (among dwarves), Mai-tat, She of Many Faces (among the people of Ergoth), Queen of Many Colors and None (among the Knights of Solamnia), the Dark Queen, Erestem, Tii'Mhut, Lady Chaos, Mwarg, the One God, the Dark Warrior, and Shadow Sorcerer. Jeff Grubb believes that she is Tiamat,[1] Goddess (or Queen) of evil dragons in many other Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings. However, the two are separate entities according to Dragonlance creator, Tracy Hickman[2] and others.[3] The 4th Edition Draconomicon books confirm that Takhisis is Tiamat in fourth edition.[citation needed] This is confirmed again in the 5th edition Dungeon Master's Guide.[4]

Takhisis most often takes the form of a five-headed dragon; each head is represented by the color of one of the evil dragons (red, blue, green, black, and white).[2][5] She also often uses the form of a beautiful temptress, said to be so lovely that no man can resist her. Additionally, she has another form known as the Dark Warrior.

Sargonnas is Takhisis' consort. Together they have two children: Nuitari and Zeboim.[6]

Ambition

[edit]

Within the Dragonlance universe, Takhisis is the most ambitious of the gods, frequently making plans to upset the balance and take over the world for herself. In Dragons of the Hourglass Mage, for example, Takhisis attempts to take control of all magic.[7] After being driven back by Huma Dragonbane in the Third Dragon War and sealed from the world, she bides her time in the Abyss, always looking for new ways into the world. This brings about the War of the Lance, where the dark goddess is ultimately thwarted by the Heroes of the Lance,[8] and subsequently contributes to the Chaos War and the War of Souls.

Raistlin Majere attempts to destroy Takhisis and assume her role as head god of evil. He succeeds in one timeline, but destroys the world of Krynn in the ensuing magical battle. His brother Caramon, with the aid of a time-travelling device, dissuades him from this path; and Raistlin sacrifices himself to prevent Takhisis from leaving the Abyss.

The War of Souls

[edit]

After the Chaos War, Takhisis steals the world from the rest of the gods and becomes the "One God" of the world. When the rest of the gods return to Krynn, they realize that Takhisis has gone too far. Although Sargonnas has generally been loyal to her, the actions leading up to her being made mortal lead Sargonnas to declare she has gone too far and to support the decision. In order to retain the balance, Paladine sacrifices his godhood and immortality in order for Takhisis to be stripped of her godhood and immortality.[9] She is then killed by the elven king Silvanoshei.

Other publications

[edit]

Takhisis is key to the Dragonlance world creation myth as the primordial source of evil. This central role is crucial to how creation myths are presented.[10]

In the neo-pagan press, a series of books published by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, looks at Takhisis in the Dragonlance world and compares her to the Babylonian and Dungeons & Dragons version of Tiamat. The book is written as a school book for young wizards and witches of the neo-pagan sort. Takhisis is described for her role in the wars of good vs. evil.[5]

This ultimate source of the theme of evil is discussed again in a presentation by Dr. Stefan Ekman of Lund University in Sweden. Dr. Ekman compares Takhisis and other fantasy "dark lords," such as Lord Foul and Sauron, to the biblical Satan. In particular he states, "Even though not all of the Dark Lords above signify the ultimate source of evil, Lord Foul, the Dark One, and Takhisis certainly do. And all of them are ultimately actants, characters whose raison d’être is to provide the final threat".[11]

This theme of good versus evil, and humans versus gods, is expanded in Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games. The central focus of this thesis is the struggle of the human characters versus Takhisis. This struggle is compared with the human, or at least mortal, heroes of the stories of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia.[12]

Tiamat, in her Dragonlance/Krynn incarnation is also the subject of in the Dragon Gods and Evil dragons sections of the Practical Guide to Dragons. She is discussed in universe style with sidebars detailing her real-world publishing significance.[13] This is continued in the follow-up series The Dragon Codices, in which Takhisis is the main, if somewhat hidden, antagonist.[14]

Reception

[edit]

In the Io9 series revisiting older Dungeons & Dragons novels, Rob Bricken commented that "The primary adventure of the novel is Tanis and his comrades' attempt to bring Berem—aka the Green Gem Man—to the Temple of Takhisis at Neraka so he can do something that will help seal the goddess away again. Takhisis is well-aware of Berem and sends her draconian armies and dragons to find him, because if she gets her claws on him, she'll be free and unbeatable. [...] Apparently, the column had imprisoned Takhisis and the removal of the gem allowed the goddess a little bit of freedom, which is why she's causing trouble in the present. But all it's going to take to save the world is to take a bit of super-glue and sticking the gem back on the column. It all feels quite banal, especially compared to throwing the most powerful enchanted item on the planet into an open volcano."[15]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Dragonlance Nexus (2001-04-29). "Interview with author and designer Jeff Grubb". Dragonlance Nexus. Archived from the original (Interview) on 2006-08-13. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  2. ^ a b Weis, Margaret; Hickman, Tracy (1999), The Annotated Chronicles, Wizards of the Coast, p. 1237, ISBN 0-7869-1526-9
  3. ^ Moore, Roger E. (June 1985), "The Dragons of Krynn", Dragon, no. 98, TSR, Inc., pp. 15–16
  4. ^ 5th Edition Dungeon Master's Guide. p. 225.
  5. ^ a b DeKirk, Ashley; Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (2006). Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry. Oberon Zell Presents (1 ed.). New Page Books. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-56414-868-1.
  6. ^ King, J. Robert, ed. (1992). Tales of the Lance. TSR, Inc. p. 117. ISBN 9781560763383.
  7. ^ "Brilliance Audio". Bookwatch. February 1, 2010. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  8. ^ Wienecke-Janz, Detlef, ed. (2002). Lexikon der Zauberwelten - Gandalf & Co. Wissen Media Verlag. p. 62. ISBN 3-577-13505-0.
  9. ^ Wolf 2010, p. 14.
  10. ^ Wolf, Nadine (2010). Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature (in English and German). GRIN Verlag. ISBN 9783640661428.
  11. ^ Ekman, Stefan (March 22–26, 2000). Satan, Sauron, and Sundry Dark Lords: Evil Incarnate in Fantasy (PDF). 21st International Conference on the Fantastic in the Arts, Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Retrieved 2017-05-16.{{cite conference}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  12. ^ Bajusz, Nikolett (16 Jun 2011), Dragonlance, a Shared World of Fantasy Fiction and Role-Playing Games, p. 69, hdl:1800/6553
  13. ^ Trumbauer, Lisa (September 26, 2006). A Practical Guide to Dragons. Practical Guides (1st ed.). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 9780786941643.
  14. ^ Henham, R.D. (January 8, 2008). Red Dragon Codex. The Dragon Codices. Vol. 1 (1st ed.). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0786949250.
  15. ^ Bricken, Rob (December 21, 2021). "Dungeons & Dragons & Novels: Revisiting Dragons of Spring Dawning". io9. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

Sources

[edit]
  • Wolf, Nadine (2010). Religious Concepts in Fantasy Literature. GRIN Verlag. ISBN 978-3640661428.
List of Dragonlance deities
Good: Paladine Majere Kiri-Jolith Mishakal Habbakuk Branchala Solinari
Neutral: Gilean Sirrion Reorx Chislev Zivilyn Shinare Lunitari
Evil: Takhisis Sargonnas Morgion Chemosh Zeboim Hiddukel Nuitari
Other: High God & Chaos Mina
PANTHEON OF DRAGONLANCE
High GodChaos
PaladineMishakalGileanTakhisisSargonnas
BranchalaMajereReorxMorgionChemoshHiddukel
ShinareSirrionChislevZivilyn
Kiri-JolithHabbakukSolinariMinaLunitariNuitariZeboim
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Takhisis&oldid=1214689104"