Let’s examine the Cha’asii and their ancient, nearly forgotten form of magic on Taladas, Cha’asi magic–It is built on an intuitive understanding of nature. Buy Time of the Dragon: https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/16960/time-of-the-dragon-2e?affiliate_id=50797 https://youtu.be/oWNltKbtct8 Transcript Cold Open Deep in the jungles of Taladas, there are elves who do not build towers, do not write spellbooks, and do not believe magic is something you create. They believe magic already exists—hidden in stone, leaf, bone, and living wood… waiting to be revealed. And if you go looking for the ancient halls they protect, the jungle itself may rise against you. Intro Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam, and today we’re taking a look at one of the incredible cultures and forms of magic on the continent of Taladas, the Cha’asi Mages. I’d like to take a moment and thank the DLSaga members and Patreon patrons, and invite you to consider becoming a member or patron–you can even pick up Dragonlance media or get $10 by signing up to StartPlaying.Games using my affiliate links. I’m referencing the Time of the Dragon boxed set for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below. Discussion Today, we cross the sea to the distant continent of Taladas, as described in the Time of the Dragon boxed set, and journey into the steaming jungles of Neron. This is the story of the Cha’asii—the Wild Elves of Taladas—and their strange, beautiful, and nearly forgotten tradition of nature magic. Of all the peoples of Taladas, none are more secluded—or more misunderstood—than the Cha’asii, the Wild Elves of Neron. Though they share a name with the Kagonesti of Ansalon, the comparison ends quickly. Where the Kagonesti are seen as rough and untamed, the Cha’asii make them seem almost civilized by contrast. The Cha’asii are a small, slender people, rarely reaching five feet in height. Their skin reflects the jungle itself, ranging from deep wood-browns to yellow-green hues, while their hair runs from dark brown to green-black. Their eyes are a deep forest green, giving them an uncanny ability to blend into the foliage around them. They wear little clothing—woven leaves, grasses, palm fronds—shaped by necessity rather than modesty. Decorations, however, are another matter. Feathers, shells, carved bone, bright ribbons, and trinkets are worn proudly. Metal items, especially steel tools, are treasured—not as symbols of wealth, but as useful objects in a land where workable ore is rare. To outsiders, the Cha’asii appear primitive. To survive among them is to quickly learn that this judgment could be fatal. The jungles of Neron shape every aspect of Cha’asii life, especially warfare. Long swords and heavy bows are impractical in thick undergrowth. Instead, the Cha’asii favor throwing spears, thrusting weapons, javelins, and blowguns, many crafted from the dense wood of the irontree. Blowgun darts are carved from the barbed thorns of the inya vine. Bombs made from fermented fruit gas are used to overwhelm enemies with unbearable stench. Hornets’ nests are collected at night and unleashed to scatter foes. Vines are woven into traps and concealed caltrops. Though the Cha’asii reject poisons as taboo, they have no issue using sleeping juices, sickness smoke, and herbal compounds to disable enemies. Survival—not cruelty—is the goal. The Cha’asii possess a deep mastery of jungle herbalism. They prepare salves that speed healing, poultices that draw out poisons, powders that ease pain, potions that bring sleep or forgetfulness. These arts are not seen as separate from magic—they are simply another expression of nature’s power. This knowledge is common among the people, but among the Cha’asii, it is the mages who take this philosophy to its greatest height. Cha’asii mages practice a form of magic that, according to every known magical theory, should not work. They do not divide magic into schools like abjuration, evocation, or illusion. Instead, they see all magic as coming from one of two sources: natural or unnatural. To them, the difference between spells is not theory—it is intent and origin. Anything tied to nature, growth, weather, animals, stone, or elemental forces is natural. Magic that creates mechanical, artificial, or imposed effects is unnatural—and often associated with the hated yaggol. Because of this worldview, Cha’asii mages specialize almost entirely in spells that shape the natural world: fog, wind, fire, growth, transformation, and elemental change. Their spell lists are broad in power but narrow in philosophy. Entire categories of traditional wizard spells are forbidden to them—not because they cannot be learned, but because they should not be. The Cha’asii do not care that their magic defies accepted arcane theory. They never studied the theory in the first place. To the Cha’asii, ...
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Feb 10 202652 mins