The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Caelanth.
A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Eyes hurt? Turn Color OFF!! (regular story dates)
Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a small volume on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Caelanth' scribed in orange ink.
Author: Caelanth Date: Tue Dec 10 02:18:30 2024 Subject Caelanth 1
Sometimes, things just don't work out the way you thought they should. My dad was a bricklayer, honest work but the weight of all them bricks broke his back something fierce. Whenever he was home, he was drunk to fix the pain or pawing at his latest wife Mirabel. Mirabel wasn't my mom. She died a long time ago. Dad said we needed a ma in the house to take care of things, so he found a new one. Her main hobbies included spreading nasty rumors with the other womenfolk, rearing babies, and trying to kick me out. Whenever dad was home and awake, he'd agree with the hag, saying it's time for me to be my own man and start earning my own keep, so I would only come home once a week just to prove that I wasstill alive. I spent most of my time with Gnat, the orphan girl down the river. She lived in an old hunting shed that she found that nobody used and only stunk a little like old blood. We spent most of our time foraging, fishing, fantasizing, and another word that start with "f." Those days weren't easy, but they were better than listening to Mirabel or any of their brats. After maybe a month or two, Gnat told me that she met an out-of-towner named Leeds who was going to make us rich. Leeds ran an "imports and exports" business, whatever that meant. He said that he worked with "enterprising youths" like us to grow his business. He and his associate Lazy Eye Martin would send one or both of us to pick up or deliver packages all across the countryside. We'd get paid for each on-time delivery we did as long as no one saw us. Gnat and I hoarded our coppers and talked about buying a rowhouse further up the river so we could start a new life. I didn't want anything more. After a season or so, Leeds started running out of work, and most days, he only had enough for Gnat and nothing for me. Gnat kept on telling me that Leeds was working on something big for us and that I just needed to be patient, so I stayed patient. One night, Leeds called me to the old house they used when they were in town. Gnat had already been working for him that day so she was sitting at their table while Lazy-Eye Martin relaxed by the fireplace. Leeds told me that he was leaving town and not coming back because business was drying up, and Gnat was coming with him. She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his shoulder, and I saw red. I stomped up to get in his face but all I saw were stars because Lazy Eye Martin smacked me for getting uppity. I started yelling at him, and he drew a knife. I raised my hands up and some wave hit Martin. He stumbled backward, tripped over his dumbass cloak, and fell into the fireplace. Before anybody could react, his clothes went up in flames and he staggered out, screaming, flailing, and fell into the table. The fire spread out around him in seconds, and Leeds bolted out the window, leaving Gnat and me in the fire. Gnat jumped out after him. I ran out the door. I don't know how the house went up so fast. I just kept running. I didn't see Leeds or Gnat again after that night. I eventually made my way along the river toward Caergoth, working and scavenging to survive. Whenever I had time, I practiced whatever I did in the house that night, and I got pretty good at doing it on command. Close to the city, there was a small group of men who were about to mug a single old man. I didn't hesitate at all; I jumped in and blasted the guy threatening the old man, knocking him down and startling the others. The old man took astep back in surprise, but reacted quickly, reaching into his pouch and muttering something that I couldn't hear. That was the last thing I remembered as I blacked out. I awoke again some time later that day with the old man looking down at me, the would-be robbers trussed up on the side of the road away from us. The old man introduced himself as a traveling wizard, and smiled faintly at me as he told me that I needed a proper education to use the gift that I had...
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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