‘Dragonlance’s Raistlin Cosplays are Masters of Past, Present, and Future

7 Minute Read

Apr 20 2022

The conflicted mage with hourglass eyes is easily the most recognizable character from Dragonlance. We’re peering into the Dragon Orb for these Raistlin cosplays!

I am morally obligated to start this article with the acknowledgement that the Dragonlance Chronicles by Margaret Weis and Tracey Hickman is my favorite book series of all time, and has been since 3rd grade. Of all the Heroes of the Lance, Raistlin Majere was immediately and irrevocably my favorite – the misanthrope with a hunger for power and a gigantic chip on his shoulder. This week I’m paying homage to my favorite Dragonlance character with this Raistlin cosplay feature!

The Master of Past, Present, and Future

Raistlin Majere was born in the village of Solace, a poor village boy constantly in the shadow of his outgoing, if dim witted, twin brother. He resented from an early age his physical weaknesses, and the ned of relying on his stronger brother, his protective sister, and the charity of those more fortunate than he. Raistlin grew with a thirst for power, a cunning and often cruel intelligence, and an inner tootsie roll softness for those who are unfortunate and bullied.

The mage outgrew his meager beginnings, clawing his way to great power beyond his imagining. His story is one of power, of tragedy, and of immeasurable sacrifice. He meets the cleric of Paladine, Crysania, in the Legends trilogy, and embarks on a fateful trip through time that ultimately changes his whole outlook on life and the gods.

There are two main cosplays for Raistlin – the beginning of his journey as a mage of Lunitari, a red robe, and inevitably his transition to Nuitari and the black robes. Black robed Raistlin has gotten more press in recent years because of the Russian musical version of the Legends tales, but it is the red robed Raistlin that is most iconic to fans of the Dragonlance Chronicles. Raistlin has unmistakable hourglass eyes, the staff of Majere topped in a dragon claw, and arcane scrollwork on his cuffs. He comes complete with an air of danger, and a sarcastic wit worthy of the best writers. This week, we’re celebrating all things Majere with this Raistlin cosplay feature!

*Raistlin Cosplay by Liliya Mevs, Crysania Cosplay by Faid Eyren*

Raistlin Cosplay by Anton Gorodetsky

“Interesting.” **Raistlin** coughed the word. Tanis glanced at him sharply. “What is interesting?” “I’ve never heard you lie before, Half-Elf,” **Raistlin** said softly. ” I find it … quite … fascinating.“

“Fortunately, our friend **Raistlin** taught me what to watch – ” “**Raistlin**!” Flint puffed. “That pasty-faced, skinny magician. He’s more than half charlatan himself. Always sniveling and whining and poking his nose where it doesn’t belong. If it weren’t for his twin brother looking after him, someone would’ve put an end to his magic long ago.“

Crysania Cosplay by Faelin

“**Raistlin** opened his eyes, looking at her without recognition. And in them, she saw deep, undying sorrow
the look of one who has been permitted to enter a realm of deadly, perilous beauty, and who now finds himself, once more, cast down into the grey, rain-swept world.“

*“**Raistlin** laughed until he thought he might have hurt something inside him. The laughter felt good. For a time, it banished the darkness.*“

“Cool wind soothed her. She could breathe sweet air. The only heat she felt was the warm, familiar heat from the mage’s body. Opening her eyes, she saw that she stood close to him. Raising her head, she gazed up into his face … and felt a swift, sharp ache in her heart.“

“**Raistlin**‘s thin face glistened with sweat, his eyes reflected the pure, white flame of the burning bodies, his breath came fast and shallow. He seemed lost, unaware of his surroundings. And there was a look of ecstasy on his face, a look of exultation, of triumph.“

Raistlin Cosplay by RichardUnd82

“And my eyes! I see through hourglass pupils and therefore I see time-as it affects all things. Even as I look at you now, Tanis,” the mage whispered, “I see you dying, slowly, by inches. And so I see every living thing.”

“I understand,” Crysania said to herself, holding onto his hands. “I understand. This is why he cannot love me. He has only one love in this life and that is his magic. To this love he will give everything, for this love he will risk everything!“

“He could hear himself screaming and he knew it was his death cry. Still he fought on, as he had fought all his life.
I … will … control …
The words came from his mouth, stained with his blood …
I will control …
Reaching out, his hands closed over the Staff on Magius.
I will!“

Raistlin Cosplay by Belegilgalad

“What do you see to the south?” Tanis asked abruptly.
Raistilin glanced at him. “What do I ever see with these eyes of mine Half-Elf?” the mage whispered bitterly. “I see death, death and destruction. I see war.” He gestured up above. “The constellations have not returned. The Queen of Darkness is not defeated.”
“We may have not won the war,” Tanis began, “but surely we have won a major battle.”

“**Raistlin** coughed and shook his head sadly.
“Do you see no hope?”
“Hope is the denial of reality. It is the carrot dangled before the draft horse to keep him plodding along in the vain attempt to reach it.”
“Are you saying we should just give up?” Tanis asked, irritably tossing the bark away.
“I’m saying we should remove the carrot and walk forward with our eyes open,” Raistlin answered. Coughing he drew his robes more closely around him.“

*“…and someday, fat innkeepers will bow to me.*“

Raistlin Cosplay by Liliya Mevs, Crysania Cosplay by Faid-Eyren

*“I have sinned enough against the world. Teaching magic to a kender would ensure my damnation.*“

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

“Well, what do we do now?” Caramon asked, sitting astride his horse and looking both up and down the stream.
“‘You’re’ the expert on women,” **Raistlin** retorted.
“All right, I made a mistake,” Caramon grumbled. “That doesn’t help us. It’ll be dark soon, and then we’ll never find her trail. I haven’t heard you come up with any helpful suggestions,” he grumbled, glancing at his brother balefully. “Can’t you magic up something?”
“I would have ‘magicked up’ brains for you long time ago, if I could have,” **Raistlin** snapped peevishly. “What would you like me to do?-make her appear out of thin air or look for her in my crystal ball? No, I won’t waste my strength. Besides it’s not necessary. Have you a map, or did you manage to think that far ahead?

“*You cannot hide from danger. Death floats on the air, creeps through the window, comes with the handshake of a stranger. If we stop living because we fear death, then we have already died.*“

“Rule the world,” **Raistlin** repeated softly, his eyes burning. “Rule the world? You still don’t undestand, do you, my dear sister? Let me make this as plain as I know how.” Now it was his turn to stand up. Pressing his thin hands upon the desk, he leaned towards her, like a snake.
“I don’t give damn about the world!” he said softly. “I could rule it tomorrow, if I wanted it! I don’t.“

~Join us next week for more Cosplay Coverage~

Have a Cosplay question you would like Mayhem’s Muse to answer? Know a Cosplayer you’d like to see featured?

Send an email here!

Learn more about Mayhem’s Muse

Don't Miss:

Author: Jennifer Larsen

Jennifer aka "Mayhem's Muse" is the Cosplay Editor for BoLS and manages Ad Sales and Communications. Her cosplay awards include the RTX Judge's Choice Award and Dragon's Lair Austin's Cosplay Symposium. Jennifer has been a Cosplay Guest Judge at RTX, Tacticon and Genghis Con in Colorado. She regularly attends conventions to cover cosplay for BoLS. Her cosplay work has been featured in publications such as Girls Who Love Monsters, Geek Fuel, and Renaissance Magazine. Jennifer has modeled in the Her Universe Fashion Show, Precision Camera's yearly Precision Camera University, and has taught several workshops for photographers about partnering with cosplayers and creative muses/models. Jennifer is a lifelong enthusiast of retro video games and loves Dungeons & Dragons, urban fantasy, tabletop games, VR technology, and historical archery. She has set National Records through USA Archery’s Traditional Division for Asiatic Bows and earned 4th Place in the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan in 2018 for Women’s Korean Archery. Jennifer is currently studying for her Masters's Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Animation Books-Novels Comics Cosplay Dragonlance Dungeons & Dragons Movies and TV Pop Culture Retro Games Wizards of the Coast