Astinus' Office

Dominating the center of this room is a massive birch desk. Legend claims this desk has supported the thousands of volumes of history Astinus has recorded. A large pot of ink, a container of sharpened quills, and a candelabra complete the desks decorations. Small windows line the room, allowing light to trickle in and gently illuminate the entire room. A comfortable couch rests against the west wall. Tapestries hang on the walls between the windows. Shelves line the walls, filled with tomes of the more recent records of heroes and villians upon the face of Krynn.

The librarian notices you aren't reading anything... Astinus hands an enormous book to an Aesthetic standing by you. You note the spine bears the word 'Zopzer' scribed in deep purple ink. As you glance down at the page you read..

From the pages of Zopzer's book..

  
Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Fri Sep 18 05:34:39 2009
Subject     The Calling


The wind and rain roared this night in Northern Ergoth. The hair on the
back of Zopzer's neck stood at attention as the cold, night air chilled him
to his core. Zopzer stood outside his rudimentary tent and waited for any
sign of movement from within the murza's tent. It had been several hours
since an enclave of representatives from the Red Dragon Army marched into
the aul's village. Dull red eyes can be seen throughout the village, fixed
on the large tent towards the back. 

The representatives' visit was quite unexpected and caught the aul
off-guard, but sadly, Zopzer thought, they were only welcome by some. It was
no secret that the aul had flourished since it settled here in Northern
Ergoth, and the close proximity in which they lived to the Ergoths had not
been a problem. In fact, the Goblins and Ergoths had formed an almost
surprisingly peaceful relationship. What was a mytery was the purpose for
the enclave's visit. Rumors had already began to spread through the village
about why they were here, but Zopzer wanted nothing to do with gossip and
quickly dismissed them. Instead, he stood out in the cold air patiently
waiting. He kept his ears up and towards the murza's tent, hoping to catch
even a brief fragment of the conversation within that may betray the purpose
for the visit. 

Suddenly, the flaps of the tent flew open, and a group of finely armored
soldiers came out and formed around the entrance. Right behind them came the
man they escorted. Zopzer could clearly see the night winds catch the man's
cape as stormed out of the tent. He seemed to move easily and with little
diffulculty in his heavy armor - his face grimly covered by the tell-tale
dragon mask. The tall commander stopped just outside the tent and turned to
address the murza one last time. 

"Remember this night, Goblin! Remember my face. You WILL see me again... and
when your aul lies bleeding and dead from the full fury of the Queen's
armies, remember that you could have protected them." 

The enclave moved out of the village as quickly as it had arrived, never
looking back. Zopzer, alarmed at what he'd just witnessed, gave a slight
snarl and turned back into his tent. He grabbed a heavy cloak and turned
back towards the exit, where a rough and rusty sword caught his eye. He
stopped firmly in his tracks and stared blankly at the sword... 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Fri Sep 18 20:15:15 2009
Subject     The Calling Pt. III


 His gaze fixed squarely on the well-used sword propped against the
inside of the tent. He thought long and hard about what he would do next.
Time seemed to stand still around him. Zopzer didn't know why the soldiers
had come to his village, but he had a pretty good idea. It was no secret
around here that the Queen's armies had begun to mobilize. Their recruitment
tactics were firm, ruthless, and often times violent. 

Zopzer was a Hobgoblin and taught by example to be a ruthless killer,
showing mercy to none. But it had been a long time since the people of
Sikk'et Hul had embraced the instincts and the very essence of who
goblinoids are. Having then made up his mind to go and do what he believed
his race was born to do, he snatched up the sword and strapped it securely
to his person. He would leave at once, but there was someone he must see
first. 

Zopzer moved swiftly through the now bustling village. He made his way as
quietly as possible to Lahrag's tent, a small, wiry goblin that had always
been loyal and obedient... well, mostly. As he passed by the murza's tent at
a distance, he couldn't help but notice him pacing outside the entrance. He
was hanging hard on the tough decision -- whether or not he made the right
one. It was evident, however, to Zopzer that he had probably made the wrong
one. 

A fire burned low and warm from inside the little goblin's tent as Zopzer
approached from outside. Hushed conversation could be faintly heard from
within, but the topic was not discernable. He paused briefly outside,
wondering who else might be inside. Realizing there was no time for delays,
he flung open the flap and entered the goblin's tent. Lahrag, caught a bit
off guard by Zopzer's sudden entrance, stopped mid-sentence and looked up at
the imposing Hobgoblin. 

"Zopzer.. what ar-", Lahrag began but suddenly stopped as he noticed the
hilt of a sword beneath the heavy cloak. 

Zopzer look around at the handful of goblins huddled around the small fire.
His eyes met with those of Lahrag, and he realized what made him falter. He
quickly shifted his cloak to cover the hilt of the sword and said, "We must
talk... now." 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Fri Sep 18 20:17:32 2009
Subject     The Calling Pt. III


His gaze fixed squarely on the well-used sword propped against the inside of
the tent. He thought long and hard about what he would do next. Time seemed
to stand still around him. Zopzer didn't know why the soldiers had come to
his village, but he had a pretty good idea. It was no secret around here
that the Queen's armies had begun to mobilize. Their recruitment tactics
were firm, ruthless, and often times violent. 

Zopzer was a Hobgoblin and taught by example to be a ruthless killer,
showing mercy to none. But it had been a long time since the people of
Sikk'et Hul had embraced the instincts and the very essence of who
goblinoids are. Having then made up his mind to go and do what he believed
his race was born to do, he snatched up the sword and strapped it securely
to his person. He would leave at once, but there was someone he must see
first. 

Zopzer moved swiftly through the now bustling village. He made his way as
quietly as possible to Lahrag's tent, a small, wiry goblin that had always
been loyal and obedient... well, mostly. As he passed by the murza's tent at
a distance, he couldn't help but notice him pacing outside the entrance. He
was hanging hard on the tough decision -- whether or not he made the right
one. It was evident, however, to Zopzer that he had probably made the wrong
one. 

A fire burned low and warm from inside the little goblin's tent as Zopzer
approached from outside. Hushed conversation could be faintly heard from
within, but the topic was not discernable. He paused briefly outside,
wondering who else might be inside. Realizing there was no time for delays,
he flung open the flap and entered the goblin's tent. Lahrag, caught a bit
off guard by Zopzer's sudden entrance, stopped mid-sentence and looked up at
the imposing Hobgoblin. 

"Zopzer.. what ar-", Lahrag began but suddenly stopped as he noticed the
hilt of a sword beneath the heavy cloak. 

Zopzer looked around at the handful of goblins huddled around the small
fire. His eyes met with those of Lahrag, and he realized what made him
falter. He quickly shifted his cloak to cover the hilt of the sword and
said, "We must talk... now." 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Mon Sep 21 07:08:46 2009
Subject     The Calling Pt. IV


"We must talk... now."

Without getting up Lahrag replied, "The soldiers, I know why they came. They
wish to-".

Zopzer quickly finished the goblin's sentence, "-to enlist us in the Queen
Mwarg's army." 

Lahrag fixed a perplexed expression on his face. "You knew already?"

Zopzer shook his head slightly and replied, "No, but I could have guessed as
much. And by the looks of our 'great murza', he likely told them no." 

Lahrag stood and asked, "What are you planning on doing with that?" He
gestures towards the poorly concealed weapon beneath Zopzer's cloak. 

At that moment Zopzer turned his gaze from the other goblins present in the
tent to Lahrag. His face frowned heavily and he almost looked enraged by the
question. The urge he had to leave was now evident in the fire he had in his
eyes. 

"I won't stay here living the pathetic life of a... a... a donek!", Zopzer
snapped. "Stay here if that is what you wish, but I won't waste anymore time
with this discussion. I'm leaving at once. You can come with or stay, but
you must decide now." 

Lahrag simply says, "We'll go."

Easily convinced, the handful of goblins seemed to nod and agree almost in
unison. With Zopzer in the lead, they headed out of the village as quickly
and quietly as possible. A few of the other resident goblins and hobgoblins
noticed the group, but were hardly concerned with the affairs of a few of
their own. They moved uncontested out of the village and down the small road
the soldiers had departed on. While the small goblins' convictions were
mostly unknown, Zopzer's were solid. One thing was certain for all them:
there would be no regret... there would be no looking back. 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Mon Sep 28 07:17:54 2009
Subject     Eye For An Eye

Zopzer woke slowly from a surprisingly good sleep. He yawned, stretched,
and sat up on the hard, stone floor -- a bit dazed... a bit confused.
Looking around was all it took to jar him from his sleepy stupor as he
immediately noticed the cannibalized corpse lying in the corner of the small
cell. He licked his lips and could taste still the dried blood crusted
around his mouth. He was damp from the wet floor and smelled of something
worse than death. 

The events that had transcribed the day before were enough to wear out the
young solider-in-training. He didn't remember much past when the Emporer had
so easily sent him into a bloodlusting rage. Zopzer stood as one of the
Sergeants on duty fumbled around with a rather large and loud set of keys
till he found just the one he was looking for. The door opened with a
*clank* and the Sergeant motioned for Zopzer to exit. A bit confused as to
what exactly was going on at this point, Zopzer hesitated for a moment in
silence. 

The Sergeant motioned again in a more exagerated manner saying, "Get the
hell out of my cell, recruit, lest ye be spending another day in there." 

Zopzer might have been a "slow" Hobgoblin, but he wasn't completely dumb. He
quickly made his way out of the cell and turned to the Sergeant. 

"I free?", muttered Zopzer.

"Free as a raptorbird. Don't know why the Emporer himself would take
interest in a dumb, smelly recruit like you.. and I don't care. Now, get
outta' here. I got shit to do besides chat you up all day." 

Zopzer boggled at what the guard had just told him, but he made his way out
of the dungeon nonetheless. He peered into every cell that he passed
wondering what might have come of his Goblin comrade, but Lahrag was in none
of them. As he continued on his way towards his living quarters inside one
of the crude recruit barracks he bagan to notice a substantial crowd moving
out in one direction. He stopped one of the other soldiers and asked where
everyone was going. 

"Where do you think, guy?", the soldier replied in a snobby tone. "Wages are
dispersed today." 

Zopzer paused dead in his tracks as an internal conflict began to wage
heavily within him: Go crash back out on his bunk or stand in line for hours
for his meager pay. He thought of his rusted and battered sword and how hard
it was to handle in combat because of its cumbersome and poor design.
Perhaps a new one could improve the quality of his performance in training.
Or at least a little work on his old one, depending on the wages he would
get. 

As a recruit, he was expected to acquire his own weaponry and any armor he
could muster. Maintenance was of course his responsibility as well. So he
waited in the long line until he finally collected his meager wages and
headed out into the city to find a smithy who might service his weapon for a
reasonable price. He wandered slowly through the streets, a bit lost in his
new surroundings. He moved through the slave market, peering around every
corner hoping to see a sign or anything directing him to one of the local
armorsmiths. 

The streets were crowded with new recruits, weathered soldiers, and
sell-swords alike. Zopzer heard the distinct pounding of steel on iron in
the distance and set out towards it. As he rounded a corner to head down a
small side street that he hoped would turn out to be a shortcut, he bumped
into a cloaked figure with it's hood pulled down low. The figure kept
moving, but Zopzer paused momentarily, snarling under his breath at the
carelessness of whoever that was. His anger lasted only a minute, and he
turned back down the small side street. Only now his pocket felt a lot
lighter. 

It took him only moments to realize he'd just had his wages boosted straight
out of pocket. He turned and peered out into the crowd of people bustling
back and forth when he spotted that same cloaked figure from moments ago
bee-lining away from him. Anger set in heavily again and he quickly took off
after the quick moving person. Most of the people moving around him hardly
noticed the chase in progress, but a few seemed to be staring now at the
hideous Hobgoblin running full speed through the crowds. Zopzer began to
think he would lose the figure in the crowded streets and with it his hard
earned wages. He yelled for someone to stop the person, but before he could
finish his sentence, a large Baaz stepped from what seemed out of nowhere
and slammed a heavy club into the figure's face. 

The "club-to-face" action had a nasty looking clothesline affect and planted
the cloaked person immediately on their back. The draconian simply nodded
towards Zopzer and disappeared as quickly as he'd came. Zopzer, now panting
for air from the persuit, lumbered up to the downed figure and pulled back
the long hood. The creature was an ugly, female Half-Elf. Easily enraged,
Zopzer's blood boiled at this point. He rooted through the girl's pockets
till he found his wages, and then stood directly over the unconscious
halfing. A grin slowly crept over his face as he decided to take more than
just his wages back. 

He looked around to see if anyone paid him any attention, and not
suprisingly, they didn't. Bending down quickly, he pulled the girl into a
nearby alley and began to rip every article of clothing from her body. Just
as he began to undo his trousers, a deafening horn began to sound back at
the camp. Zopzer paused and looked in the direction of the horn, then back
down at the naked body of the thief that had just tried to steal his hard
earned copper. Remembering the harsh conditions of the cell he had woke up
in, he leaned down to the ear of the Half-Elf...

"Till we meet again.." 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Mon Sep 28 07:34:31 2009
Subject     Eye For An Eye

 Zopzer woke slowly from a surprisingly good sleep. He yawned, stretched,
and sat up on the hard, stone floor -- a bit dazed... a bit confused.
Looking around was all it took to jar him from his sleepy stupor as he
immediately noticed the cannibalized corpse lying in the corner of the small
cell. He licked his lips and could taste still the dried blood crusted
around his mouth. He was damp from the wet floor and smelled of something
worse than death. 

The events that had transcribed the day before were enough to wear out the
young solider-in-training. He didn't remember much past when the Emporer had
so easily sent him into a bloodlusting rage. Zopzer stood as one of the
Sergeants on duty fumbled around with a rather large and loud set of keys
till he found just the one he was looking for. The door opened with a
*clank* and the Sergeant motioned for Zopzer to exit. A bit confused as to
what exactly was going on at this point, Zopzer hesitated for a moment in
silence. 

The Sergeant motioned again in a more exagerated manner saying, "Get the
hell out of my cell, recruit, lest ye be spending another day in there." 

Zopzer might have been a "slow" Hobgoblin, but he wasn't completely dumb. He
quickly made his way out of the cell and turned to the Sergeant. 

"I free?", muttered Zopzer.

"Free as a raptorbird. Don't know why the Emporer himself would take
interest in a dumb, smelly recruit like you.. and I don't care. Now, get
outta' here. I got shit to do besides chat you up all day." 

Zopzer boggled at what the guard had just told him, but he made his way out
of the dungeon nonetheless. He peered into every cell that he passed
wondering what might have come of his Goblin comrade, but Lahrag was in none
of them. As he continued on his way towards his living quarters inside one
of the crude recruit barracks he bagan to notice a substantial crowd moving
out in one direction. He stopped one of the other soldiers and asked where
everyone was going. 

"Where do you think, guy?", the soldier replied in a snobby tone. "Wages are
dispersed today." 

Zopzer paused dead in his tracks as an internal conflict began to wage
heavily within him: Go crash back out on his bunk or stand in line for hours
for his meager pay. He thought of his rusted and battered sword and how hard
it was to handle in combat because of its cumbersome and poor design.
Perhaps a new one could improve the quality of his performance in training.
Or at least a little work on his old one, depending on the wages he would
get. 

As a recruit, he was expected to acquire his own weaponry and any armor he
could muster. Maintenance was of course his responsibility as well. So he
waited in the long line until he finally collected his meager wages and
headed out into the city to find a smithy who might service his weapon for a
reasonable price. He wandered slowly through the streets, a bit lost in his
new surroundings. He moved through the slave market, peering around every
corner hoping to see a sign or anything directing him to one of the local
armorsmiths. 

The streets were crowded with new recruits, weathered soldiers, and
sell-swords alike. Zopzer heard the distinct pounding of steel on iron in
the distance and set out towards it. As he rounded a corner to head down a
small side street that he hoped would turn out to be a shortcut, he bumped
into a cloaked figure with it's hood pulled down low. The figure kept
moving, but Zopzer paused momentarily, snarling under his breath at the
carelessness of whoever that was. His anger lasted only a minute, and he
turned back down the small side street. Only now his pocket felt a lot
lighter. 

It took him only moments to realize he'd just had his wages boosted straight
out of pocket. He turned and peered out into the crowd of people bustling
back and forth when he spotted that same cloaked figure from moments ago
bee-lining away from him. Anger set in heavily again and he quickly took off
after the quick moving person. Most of the people moving around him hardly
noticed the chase in progress, but a few seemed to be staring now at the
hideous Hobgoblin running full speed through the crowds. Zopzer began to
think he would lose the figure in the crowded streets and with it his hard
earned wages. He yelled for someone to stop the person, but before he could
finish his sentence, a large Baaz stepped from what seemed out of nowhere
and slammed a heavy club into the figure's face. 

The "club-to-face" action had a nasty looking clothesline affect and planted
the cloaked person immediately on their back. The draconian simply nodded
towards Zopzer and disappeared as quickly as he'd came. Zopzer, now panting
for air from the persuit, lumbered up to the downed figure and pulled back
the long hood. The creature was an ugly, female Half-Elf. Easily enraged,
Zopzer's blood boiled at this point. He rooted through the girl's pockets
till he found his wages, and then stood directly over the unconscious
halfing. A grin slowly crept over his face as he decided to take more than
just his wages back. 

He looked around to see if anyone paid him any attention, and not
suprisingly, they didn't. Bending down quickly, he pulled the girl into a
nearby alley and began to rip every article of clothing from her body. Just
as he began to undo his trousers, a deafening horn began to sound back at
the camp. Zopzer paused and looked in the direction of the horn, then back
down at the naked body of the thief that had just tried to steal his hard
earned copper. Remembering the harsh conditions of the cell he had woke up
in, he leaned down to the ear of the Half-Elf...

"Till we meet again.." 

OOC: We fought, I won. Because of some mitigating circumstances, I looted
all of the pathetic crap (even for a newbie) from the corpse. Everything,
plus some, was later returned in order to avoid further temper tantrums.
Eiron and I now maintain a healthy relationship similar to that of predator
and prey. 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Wed Sep 30 01:34:09 2009
Subject     Etilyn: First Impressions

The sergeant's orders were explicit this time, made all the more clear
with the threat of a good whipping if they were not followed. It was a
simple mission, track and capture. We tracked for several days outside the
city of Palanthas for any weak targets that could easily be wrangled into
submission. Afterall, we needed them alive. It didn't take long before
Zopzer, Lahrag, and the small patrol of goblins crossed a rather undefended
and small keep. Nothing Lahrag couldn't sneak through, with his
extraordinary thieving skills he scouted out the entire perimeter. Before
long he and Zopzer had broken into the building. It looked deserted at that
hour.

Upon entering the foyer, they both paused at the sound of movement in an
adjacent room. Zopzer quickly motioned for Lahrag to make his presence
unknown before hurrying into a small closet. Zopzer heard slow footsteps
enter the foyer but could see nothing inside the dark closet. Then a muffled
and almost inaudible sound came from outside the closet. To Zopzer's
surprise, the door opened immediately following the odd noises. 

Lahrag stood in front of the closet and whispered, "Me got her. All done. We
go now, Zopzer?"

Still surprised, Zopzer stepped slowly over to the now unconscious victim.
She wore little clothing and almost no armor so her rank within the
Brotherhood was unclear. Zopzer nudged the woman's leg -- no response. He
then remembered being interrupted with the young female in Sanction. He
wouldn't let an opportunity get away from him again. He turned and grinned
at Lahrag. 

"They let females fight now...", Zopzer said with a hideous smile. "Watch
the door, Lahrag... this could take a while." 

Zopzer grabbed the girl by the hair and drug her into the bedroom she had
come out of. Just as Zopzer began to unbutton his trousers, Lahrag popped
into the door. 

"Must go now, Zopzer!", Lahrag said almost yelling. "Many Knights come our
way down the path!" 

"Damn!", Zopzer growled. He quickly gathered his things, along with a few of
the girl's, and leaned down to whisper in her ear. 

"We'll meet again sweet thang..."

OOC: Looted an Undead's Touch, Elder's Pride, and a meager amount of coin.
Tried to give it back after yet another "emo-fit" but said fit-thrower was
being stubborn and wouldn't accept it. Oh well, I tried. 

Author:    Zopzer         
Date:      Tue Dec 22 21:04:04 2009
Subject     A Lost HA


This is a short:

While making my rounds around our newly acquired City of Palanthas, a large
skirmish erupted near the palace. It appeared that a small contigent of
Knights were attempting to retake a foothold in the city via the Palace. I
immediately charged north to the sounds of metal on metal. Among the Knights
was the same High Archmage I'd found snooping around in the Plains. I
guessed he was here to help restore the balance.

He failed this task, as he was unable to concentrate enough during the thick
skirmish surrounding him. I quickly pushed my way through the soldiers and
guards and came around behind him. Already in a weakened state, it didn't
take long before he fell by the heavy blows of my hammer. Shortly after, the
fighting died out as the "invaders" had all been struck down or fled to
regroup.

The entire DA occupying force was on edge as night fell... not even a
whisper could be heard. 
   

Read More

He states simply 'You might start with that one.. or you could take a look at the latest story..'

The Latest Entry

Attention to all you writers out there by Nuitari, posted on Sat Apr 20 07:52:27 2024.

So this is a Story Challenge I want everyone to right a story about their character. Any Story written for the next 5 (read more)....

The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD

Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.

Authors: All|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
Astinus sighs as he recants 'We saved 869 books from Ansalon from before the great Cataclysm through today.'