The Great Library of Palanthas
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 'Azriel' scribed in black ink. As you glance down at the page you read..
From the pages of Azriel's book..
Author: Azriel Date: Tue Nov 13 16:54:02 2012 Subject Learning from the High Priestess
[A [D[C[D[C [AI only half listened as High Priestess Kiyohime rambled on in a lecturing tone. My attention was focussed more closely on one lonely ant's pilgrimage across the crystal floor of the Celestial Hall. I followed the small creatures progress with my eye, never moving my bowed head "Was it because I was a human?" The elves often took a higher-than-mighty view of us. Maybe it was the fact I was a newly accepted acolyte and she a full priestess who had served her god since before I was born. I had been meditating on a cushion in the Celestial Hall when the High Priestess entered. She quietly folded herself into a meditative posture across from me and sat, contimplating. Then she had begun her discourse. First it was the importance of respect and duty within the order. Then she proceeded to preach about the virtues of the lawful deities. I let her words wash over me and around me, ODOCtaking the opportunity to focuss my mind on ignoring the distraction of her voice. Then, something she said caught my attention. For a moment, my eyes flitted from the ant to the High Priestess' face. "The charm spell can be your greatest asset. You should train this spell thoroughly. It doesn't mmatter who you charm, I like cats and dogs. You can teach them to do tricks, maybe entertain the local children." I grinned evily as a thought crossed my mind. I reached my arm downward and, with one finger, crushed the ant as it passed the corner of my tassled pillow. "Chemosh, take this offering," I murmured. "What was that?" The high priestess asked. "Nothing," I said, standing. "Thank you, High Priestess Kiyohime," I bowed deeply. "Your advice has been well received. I shall remember to change the incense in the future and I will practice charming." That is how I found myself, several hours later, before the altar in the temple of Chemosh. A crowd of now devoted followers made a half circle before me, their eyes glazed with the drug-like effects of the charm spell. "Chemosh!" I shouted aloud, "Please accept these souls as my sacrifice!" I raised my arms high and brought down upon them a tremendous storm. As the yowl of a kitten blended with the crashing thunder, I silently thanked the High Priestess for her enlightening advice.
Azriel nods warmly and flashes a broad smile at the at the Palanthas gate guards as he enters the city through the eastern gates. The guards fail to notice the way in which his eyes stare off into the far distance, never meeting their own. @ Nor do they notice the aura of evil that surrounds him. In fact, they seem strangely unaware of his dark nature. Azriel wanders up the broad avenues of the crowded city, heedless of the way pedestrians let an open space form round him. He searches for a particular destination, the exact name and location of which is uncertain. Chemosh will guide him, even here. Finally, the eyes that stare off into the far distance pass across a sign reading, "The Smilin' Mug." Yes.... it is here. Azriel pushes the door open and steps into the smoky bar. With some difficulty, he he brings his gaze into focus on the here and now, scanning the room for a likely candidate. There, at a table in the back corner, he spots the young elven man dressed in long robes. Azriel walks purposefully across the bar, a serving woman stepping quickly aside and pulling her skirts in close to avoid touching this new patron of 'The Mug'. Without preamble, Azriel sits down across from his young elven quarry. "You, too, have heard the voice of the gods." Azriel states with certainty. "I am here as a messenger, of sorts. Call me... a reccruiter. You are not alone." As the young elf looks up with a dawning hope, Azriel is somewhat disgusted. (Another one of Paladin's ilk,) he thinks. (Oh well, he can always be... convinced otherwise.)
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He states simply 'You might start with that one.. or you could take a look at the latest story..'
The Latest Entry
A Tale of some Contraption and Fairly Neat? by Zivilyn, posted on Fri Mar 7 16:53:04 2025.
Astinus barely looked up as a wild-eyed gnome tumbled into his study, dragging an assortment of whirring gears, sparkin(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
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