10. Tanis Half-Elven

AKA: Tanis, Tanthalas Kanan

Featured In: Dragonlance: Chronicles Trilogy by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. He is also a character various other Dragonlance subseries and novels including the Meetings Sextet, Dragons of Summer Flame, and the Preludes Series.

Biography: Tanis is the half-elven, half human hero of the Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy. His mother is sister-in-law to the Speaker of the Suns (the leader of the Qualinesti elves). According to the original Chronicles (whose information is considered more correct than other accounst by different authors), she is raped by human bandits who also kill her husband. She dies soon after Tanis's birth and he is never truly accepted by most of the elves. After passing his youth in Qualinost, the capital of Qualinesti, Tanis leaves and travels with Flint Fireforge, a well respected Dwarven smith who became a friend and father figure. During the intervening years, Tanis befriends Caramon and Raistlin Majere, their half-sister Kitiara Uth-Matar, the kender Tasslehoff Burrfoot, and Sturm Brightblade. Tanis also adopts the town of Solace at his home. A few years later Tanis and his friends seperate and search for evidence that the old gods have not abandoned Krynn. They promise to meet again in Solace in five years. The meeting is less than joyous and leads to Tanis and his friends going on the run with new aquaintences, Goldmoon (who holds a staff that is proof of the old gods) and Riverwind. Tanis becomes a widely worshipped hero due to his part in the War of the Lance that follows. He eventually marries his childhood sweetheart, Laurana Kanan and fathers a son, Gilthas, before dying tragically in the Chaos War 

Why He is On the List: Quite simply Tanis is someone you can enjoy reading about time after time. I have read every book in which he appears at least once and the Chronicles themselves several dozen times. I love following his struggle between the two sides of his nature. I can relate to it because who hasn't had trouble figuring out who they really are. When he finally figures out that he doesn't have to define himself as being either human or elven I practically cheered. I also really got into his struggles with leadership. He was a natural leader, but he was never comfortable with having that kind of authority. He was just so different from any other hero I'd read about up to that point and that's what has kept me coming back. 

Quotes: (The first, second, fourth, and fifth quotes are from The Chronicles Trilogy. The third is from the Legends Trilogy)

"It’s the sensible, logical thing to do, of course, which is why we don’t do it."

"The darkenss might conquer, but it could never extinguish hope, and though one candle, or many, may flicker and die, new candles would be lit from the old. Thus hopes flame always burns, lighting the darkness until the coming of day."

"The last war, I could afford bravery. I had nothing, so i had nothing to lose. But I have never wanted so much to live as i do now. I am like a miser, coveting the joy and happiness we have found, loath to give it up. I think of our plans, the children we hope for. I think of you, my beloved, and what grief my death must bring, and I cannot see this page for the tears of sorrow and fury that I cry. I can only ask you to let this consolation be yours as it is mine-this parting will be our last. The world can never seperate us again. I will wait for you, Laurana, in that realm where time itself dies. And one evening, in that realm of eternal spring, eternal twilight, I will look down the path and see you walking toward me. I can see you so clearly, My beloved. The last rays of the setting sun shining upon your golden hair, your eyes bright with the love that fills my own heart. You will come to me. I will fold you in my arms. We will close our eyes and begin to dream our eternal dream..."

"Don't judge Raistlin, Laurana,' Tanis said harshly, thrusting a torch into a bucket of water. The light vanished with a hiss. 'Things aren't always black and white, as you elves are inclined to believe. The mage has saved our lives more than once. I have come to rely upon his thinking- which, I admit, I find easier to rely on than blind faith!"

"Only the dead are without fear"

Fascinating Fact: Despite his mixed heritage, Tanis is the only one who can wield the ancient blade of Kith Kanan, founder of Qualinesti.