An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Toma.

A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap is at 65. You change? 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 manilla folder on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Toma' scribed in dull blue ink.

Author:    Toma           
Date:      Sun Jan 17 02:30:33 2010
Subject     Winds of War (pt:1)

As the first rays of light filtered through the small slit
between the
dark, heavy fabric curtains covering the sole window of the small
room, it
heralded an eerie and oppressive feeling that awoke the occupant
from his
deep sleep. His wild charcoal hair lay matted flat against his
head,
drenched in a cool sweat and accompanied by an unrational sense
of dread of
some unknown threat. A strong sense of compulsion takes over him
and he
quickly climbs from his simple straw bed. Crossing the room to
the simple
chest and hooks placed by the door that contain his belongings he
proceeds
to don his simple clothing and retrieves a small short sword from
the bottom
of the chest and attaches it to his side. 

The sudden sounds of a growing commotion outside the small window
spurred
him through the door, across the circular center room, past his
younger
sister and out the main door onto the dirt path that connected
him to his
neighbors. Coming to a stop in the middle of the path he scanned
around
looking for the cause of the commotion and spied a few of the
other
townsfolk standing in a huddle by the stockades. 

"Toma! You should be at home protecting your sister. Not out
here, it is too
dangerous out here go back inside now!", an elderly man with
strong
shoulders and a gentle face bellowed at the young man as he
approached the
congregation.

"What is going on out here? Why is it so dangerous out
here...", Toma's
voice caught in his throat as he looked inside the group lying on
the
ground. "Father!" 

The body of an older man lays upon the ground in an ever growing
pool of
blood as the multiple wounds covering his body slowly seep away
his
ever-fading life. Slowly the boy steps towards his dying father,
tears
beginning to swell in the corner of his eyes. As he comes to the
side of the
bloody man he drops to his knees his hands laying on the gushing
wounds upon
the man's chest. 

"Please... help my father to end his suffering...", Toma's
eyes close as he
opens his heart to the gods and prays for mercy for his honorable
father.
Unexpectedly a faint glow begins to pulse from beneath the hands
of the
young man and his father begins to twitch and convulse in pain as
some of
the bleeding slows, but is not stopped. A sudden shock travels
throughout
those in attendance at the miraculous expression shown by the
rebellious
teen. 

With more light shining in his eyes the dying man turns to his
son and
whispers in a raspy, blood choked voice "Protect your sister.
Flee from here
at once... They come on black wings of death and carry the winds
of war!"
With the sputtering of those last few words his life is cut short
as a black
shafted arrow pierces his father's throat and ends the warning...

 
 
(To be Continued...)

Author:    Toma           
Date:      Thu Jan 21 20:55:26 2010
Subject     Winds of War (pt.2)

Staring down at the black arrow shaft protuding from his father's
throat
Toma begin to notice the dark rivulets of blood beginning to seep
up from
around the puncture. The shock of the sudden and unheralded
attack sent a
shiver of fear and loathing through his body like he had never
felt before.
The sounds of those around him echoing throughout his mind as
they scurry
off in an attempt to repel the unseen attackers.

He knelt there watching the growing pool of blood forming below
himself and
his father's body as he held him, ignoring all that was
proceeding around
him. The soft touch of a small hand awoke him from his reverie
and his faced
turned out over the darkened village. What was seen was pure
horror. Things
of nightmares were flitting from building to building and cutting
through
anything that tried to stand in their way. Surprisingly the
villagers were
holding their own against these abominations of nature. The dark
scales that
covered their body was glistening with the blood of those that
were not as
skilled. 

"Toma...", the small scared voice of his sister pulled him
from looking
about the brutal scene playing out before him and brought him
back to what
was closest to him. 

Standing behind my sister the other children of the village had
gathered the
stood there shivering in fright as they watched their families
and neighbors
being slaughtered. A sense of purpose over took him that he
couldn't
explain, he had to get these children to safety. "Follow me
Lysa. You have
to help me get all the children to safety. Can you be brave and
do that for
me?" 

(To be Continued...)

Author:    Toma           
Date:      Thu Jan 21 22:30:49 2010
Subject     Winds of War (pt.3)

Drawing the worn shortsword from it's sheath hanging from my side
I
twirled around to face the person approaching my back only to
stop from
landing the wildly swung attack before the blade bit into the
elder of the
village.

"Careful there young man. The look in your eyes says you plan
on protecting
these children. I am glad that your father's bravery flows
through your
veins., the graying man said as he wiped the blood a grim from
his hands on
his tattered shirt. Reaching into a pocket in his dusty pants the
elder
takes a letter out and hands it to Toma. "Make your way to
Paladine's Gates
to the north. The Solamnics have been ferrying citizens of
Palanthas and the
surrounding towns and villages from there to safety. Deliver this
to a
Knight there named Dalyar Uth Suveric. You will find him
somewhere upon the
waterfront."

Taking the sealed envelope from the elder I nod in understanding
and tuck it
safely inside my tunic. As the village elder turns to head back
into the
battle I begin to usher the children northward away from the
fighting and
hopefully towards safety. The last memories of Dart are being
those of death
and destruction, ones that will follow him and no doubt the
children, for
the rest of their lives. 
 
(To be Continued in Call of War...)

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 890 books from Ansalon from before the great Cataclysm through today.'