The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Valek.
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 concise treatise on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Valek' scribed in light yellow ink.
Author: Valek Date: Thu Oct 30 15:49:10 2008 Subject Pursuit of Power - Chapter 1 How does one being the story of their life? For our purposes, we shall start with the event that changed my path, and led me to become the person I am today. My parents and I left our village to go hunting on the second Majetag of Gildember. We travelled for 3 days into the forest before coming upon a family of wild boar. We were all excited due to the fact if we killed the whole family, we would eat well for the next week. As my father drew back his bow and let loose first arrow, I started to get that uncomfortable feeling that we were being watched. As the boar was stunned by the arrow lodged in its throat, my father dropped his bow and charged in, quickly decapitating the boar with his axe. Silently he turned to the two younger boars and slaughtered them as well. As we loaded the bodies on to our cart to make the long walk home, we noticed a rustling in one of the nearby bushes. Once more, with pinpoint accuracy, my father loosed his arrow, this time, only to see an elf fall down dead, an arrow piercing h is right eye. As my mother went to check the body, we heard a scream as a sword lashed out and sliced her midsection open, dumping her stomach on the ground. Three elves now surrounded the body of their slain kinsman, faces covered with tattoo's, dressed in green and brown tones. "Wild elves" my father whispered. Speaking in the common tongue but with heavy accent, the apparent leader stated "You have taken one of ours, and we one of yours. The balance is now restored. Leave our forest now and touch nothing else." I glance over at my father to see his hand resting on his dagger, anger filling his face. With a hoarse cry my father flings his dagger at the closest elf and charged, falling dead to another arrow. As I charged forward to my fathers side, only to find his usually bright green eyes, dull and lifeless, feeling for a pulse beside the arrow that pierced his throat. I reached down for something, anything I can use to attack the people that murdered my family. My hand closes around a stone, and as I jump up to attack these creatures, the elf nearest me kicks me in the temple. My last thought as I faded into the black was "Someday, I will have my revenge against these elven scum..." TO BE CONTINUED IN CH. 2 Author: Valek Date: Fri Jun 12 22:49:19 2009 Subject ...excerpt from Valek's Journal... Day of Nuindai, 22nd the Month of Hiddumont ...been stuck in this dank hole too long. One would think with my skill, escaping from this pit would be simple. All the spells I have mastered and committed to memory, all my work USELESS! This cell seems to have been specifically designed for those of us with knowledge of the arcance, for it prevents me from uttering a single sound, never mind the complex spells that would free me. This cage wont contain me for long... This thaumaturge will be free. Author: Valek Date: Sun Jun 21 19:13:23 2009 Subject ...Valeks Journal...15th the Month of Rannmont Day of Nuindai, 15th the Month of Rannmont ...three weeks and still no word from my Master. I was warned by one of the other mages at the Tower that he was furious with me for my actions. Still, this silence has me worried. There is more I must learn from him before my apprenticeship is ended. My actions may have been rash, but I need this. Still, mayhap it is best to behave, for the moment, I cant be removed before I am ready... Author: Valek Date: Thu Jun 25 22:33:18 2009 Subject The Fire Salts Standing outside the chambers of the Archmage, Valek ponders the task at hand. "Journey to Xak Khalan and collect a specimen of fire salt from the Fire Elemental in the forge." Walking downstairs, Valek enters his room in the Tower to collect what items he will need to the trip. A plain pair of black gloves, and a glass jar are placed in his pack. Unrolling a map on the floor, Valek loses himself in it, plotting the best course for the trip. The Archmage had given him a few days to complete the task, so mundane travel was more sensible to Valek, giving him time to prepare a plan of collection. Travelling to Xak Khalan took longer the Valek had hoped, running into a few creatins on his way through Tantallon that needed to be taught a lesson. Never bother someone when you have no clue what they are capable of. But even with the interruption, eventually he arrived at the ruined city. The enterance to the city seemed almost to shine in Nuitari's light. Valek gazes up at the black moon, noticing the moon in high sanction, grins confidently. Entering the ancient city, Valek finds his mind wondering if the storys of the kobolds some of the mages speak of is true. Walking south along a dark corridor, the Archmage's warning runs through his mind, ever thinking about the elemental. Coming to a 4-way intersection, the faint sounds of a hammer clanging off an anvil can be faintly heard coming from the east. Valek utters the words, 'invisibility'. Valek starts to fade from view as he turns down the eastward corridor, towards the location he thinks is the forge. Stepping silently, Valek manages to pass a small group of kobold's muttering something in their native tongue. A distance away, Valek catches a glimse of a yellow glow, getting stronger, and warmer as he gets closer. Kneeling down about 30 yards from the doorway, Valek reaches into his pack and retrieves the glass jar, and his black gloves. Valek utters the words, 'fireproof'. black gloves are surrounded by a protective aura. Valek puts on the black gloves and picks up the jar, moving slowly towards the open door to the forge. Inching into the room, I see my quarry, the Fire Elemental watching another enterance into the forge. Stepping silently up behind the Fire Elemental, I hold my jar near his knees, trying to capture some of the salts his body so readily disguards. Smiling to himself, Valek is pleased with the progress he is making. 'This is such a simple task, the Archmage will be pleased with my progress.' 'This shall be enough for me to start my studies with the Archmage. This was easier then I feared.' Valek stands quietly, putting the cover on his jar, now holding a fair amount of the fire salts. Placing the jar in his pack, Valek turns quickly to leave, tripping over the kobold who had entered the room after him. With a loud curse, Valek falls to the ground near the door, alerting the Fire Elemental to his presence. Valek jumps to his feet and starts to flee the room, but not before his right arm is cut deeply by the axe of the Fire Elemental. Running down the hallway, turning north at the intersection, Valek never stops running to look back. Once outside of Xak Khalan, Valek stops to concentrate for a few moments. Valek utters the words, 'gate'. Walking back to the Tower, Valek looks forward to his next summon from the Archmage. Author: Valek Date: Wed Jul 22 20:43:27 2009 Subject Training under the Archmage Walking out of the Archmage's chambers clutching the book in his hands, he excitely heads out of the tower. Leaving the tower, Valek heads out into the garden near the Tower, and rests under a tree. Running his hands over the book lovingly, he opens it to the first page the Archmage has marked and begins to study. As the sun sets, Valek casts a small spell to give him some more light. Valek utters the words, 'continual light'. Valek twiddles his thumbs and a bright ball of light appears. After spending the entire night studying the spells the Archmage instructed him to, Valek decided to go out into the world, and try his luck with some of his new spells. Making his way from the tower to the woods surrounding Solace, he searches for a victim for his new abilities. Coming across a boar, foraging for food, Valek holds his hand up pointing at the boar, and speaks the spidery language of magic, and grins as the power pulse through his body, and 3 magic missiles strike the boar in the throat. As the boar stumbles over, badly injured, Valek walks over and while speaking the language of magic again, grabs the boar's shoulder as he casts chill touch and kills the boar. Grinning evilly to himself, Valek begins the walk back to the Tower, excited at the possibilities these new spells have given him. Arriving at the Forest of Wayreth, Valek takes his time to get back to the tower, eagerly awaiting his Masters next lesson. Author: Valek Date: Tue Aug 4 15:24:34 2009 Subject Training under the Archmage Pt. II and Ancient History intro The meeting with his Master, the Archmage of the Black Robes took only a few moments, but had been of immense importance. In his hands, palms sweaty with nervousness, the book of spells is held tightly. A new group of spells, protective in nature, had been assigned to him by his Master. The Archmage had said that with mastery of these spells he would be able to feel the darkness of Nuitari envelope him, protecting him from his enemies. To those he passes in the Tower, Valek seems a man possessed. He walks with a single minded, determined gait, heading straight for the library. Taking a seat at a vallenwood desk, Valek opens the book to the marked pages and begins to study. Checking the tabs the Archmage marked in the book, he sees the spells of armor, sanctuary, shield, and earthshield. Over the next week, Valek has just about disappeared from everyone, only those who come searching in the back corner of the library would discover him, still engrossed in the book, repeating the words to the spells assigned by the Archmage. Deciding to try one of the spells, Valek gazes at the book again, and speaks the language of magic while holding a chain link. The link expands into a shell of glowing armor that bonds to Valek. He grins evilly as he tucks the book into his robes, and leaves the library. If what his Master had told him was right, which it had so far been every time he spoke, the next step for him would be his hardest, the Test... But before the Test, he had some things to take care of that were starting to reappear from his past, some things only 2 others knew about.
The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD
Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.
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