[Cerek the Barbaric]

Welcome Kronostia, glad you could join us.

I admire your passion and respect your opinion, but I would appreciate a more courteous tone.

AFA Raistlin being the "coolest" fantasy character EVER, I'm afraid that is just one opinion. There is a certain drow ranger that has been around for far less time and is HUGELY more popular than the Mage Majere. Not only has he starred in his OWN trilogy...he also prominently graces the Home Page of W.O.T.C.

And personally, I've always thought Gandalf was the coolest of the cool when it came to wizards...but he was also the first fantasy wizard that most of us over the age of 20 ever read about.

As I mentioned earlier, the two BIG differences between Gandalf and Raistlin are:
1) Raistlin is a mortal human and Gandalf is NOT. He is a Maiar (I think?) - a deva-type being with innate powers far greater than humans. He (like Fistandantulus) just chooses to walk around in human form.

2) Readers are shown JUST how powerful Raistlin is when he defeats Takhisis. However, I've always felt like the reader was only shown a small portion of Gandalf's true power. He never does REALLY cut loose with everything he has.

Still, it's always good to hear NEW opinions.

WELCOME TO IRONWORKS, KRONOSTIA!!!