Qualinost was the former capital of Qualinesti, and was located on the eastern border of the Mithranhana Forest, on a defensible plateau surrounded on three sides by the White Rage River and on the south by the Tharkadan Mountains. Four towers rose from each corner of the city, crafted from stone of brilliant white marble and gilded in silver and crystal. Graceful sweeping metallic arches connected one tower to the next. The arches appeared so delicate as to look as if they may bend, but created by ancient dwarven metalsmiths to be strong enough to hold the weight of an army. The arches high above the city formed the only man-made boundary of the city as the elves preferred to leave their city open to nature. The buildings of Qualinost sought to enhance nature, not overpower it. Homes and shops were crafted from rose-colored quartz. Gardens lined the sides and roofs of most buildings. Delicate towers of pink and ivory soared above ancient trees.
The city was destroyed during the War of Souls. The ruin of this once mighty elven city currently sits at the bottom of The Lake of Death.
History[]
Age of Dreams[]
Following the signing of the Swordsheath Scroll after the Kinslayer War, Kith-Kanan took his followers west and founded the elven kingdom of Qualinesti. The architecture of the city was a mixture of dwarven craftsmanship and elven grace that enhance nature, but did not overpower it. Most of the buildings were crafted from rose-colored quartz, that were surrounded by gardens.
War of the Lance[]
During the War of the Lance, Qualinost was abandoned before the Red Dragonarmy could attack.
Chaos War[]
During the Chaos War, the city was occupied by the forces of the Knights of Takhisis.
Age of Mortals[]
When the Dragon Overlord Beryllinthranox took over Qualinesti, she allowed the Knights of Neraka, to continue its oversight of the city, as well as the nation. They collected the tax levied upon the elven people.
War of Souls[]
When the elves learned of the Dragon Overlord had decided to destroy the Qualinesti. Enacting a plan worked with the Dwarves of Thorbardin, many of the inhabitants of the city were evacuated out through a tunnel dug beneath the city. When the Dragon Overlord Beryllinthranox died, she collapsed the tunnels and leveled the city. The White-Rage River flowed into the city and created a Lake. The Lake of Death, also known as Nalis Aren, now covers the area where the city used to be.
Locations[]
- Hall of the Sky
- Tower of the Sun
Geography[]
References[]
- The Annotated Chronicles, Autumn Twilight, pp. 336-337
- The Atlas of the Dragonlance World, p. 30
- Dragonlance Campaign Setting, pp. 165-167
- Tales of the Lance, p. 28
- War of the Lance, pp. 125-126