An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Zarras.

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 large tome on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Zarras' scribed in maroon ink.

Author:    Zarras         
Date:      Sun Apr 12 00:56:15 2020
Subject     Marooned

It seemed like a long time. There was no one else to disagree with him;
therefore, he must be right. His world stood still.

Before he had sailed. Now he sat. Waiting for another ship. He'd been
marooned (not by his own men) on this island for seven days. Seven days with
nothing to do but pray and think. Thinking was the last thing he wanted to
do. He thought of his past which made him sick with rage and he thought of
his future which made him sick with regret. Regret of not saving his ship
mates, being beaten and worst of all, not going down with everyone else. Two
more days of raw fish, praying and thinking. He finally saw something on the
horizon. A ship. Not very large, a merchant vessel perhaps? They approached
and sent out a row boat. Zarras was picked up and taken by these humans to
their captain. 

Before Zarras could speak the man said, "Twelve men, two women, eighteen
bunks. 1, 000 silver, precious gems, and various goods (he listed weaponry,
armor, silk, fruits, jewelery, and an artifact that survived the cataclysm).
You touch anyone or steal any of it and you're dead." "Here," he said,
tossing me an apple, "real food in three hours, you know how to sail, Mac
will give you your post." I nodded at a man with an idiot's grin on his
face. 

"Gods you're big," Mac said. "Where are we going?" Zarras asked in Common.
"Stop in Caergoth and then on to Sanction." "Am I free to leave?" "Anytime,
but stay longer, make more." "Make more?" "Money. You're being paid 1 silver
a week. Not bad pay. Free meals. Place to sleep. I've worked ten years for
the Captain and will retire in another ten."

So it went. Pray, work, eat, talk, work, eat, pray, sleep. Weeks went by. We
traded food with two passing boats and continued to sailed. Wwe docked at
Caergoth and then two weeks later we docked in Sanction. I thank the Captain
and Mac, took my money (more than they owed me) and left. I went looking for
a weapon shop and found one fairly quickly.

"Mace," I said. The man looked back at me and pointed at the wall.
Worthless, all too small. "Commission?" "It'll cost ya, " he replied. "Four
silver." "Flanged?" "Five." "I'll take it - how long?" "Two days." I nodded
and left the shop. He yelled "wait" and chased after me. "Money?" I showed
him my purse. He asked for a silver as a down payment. "You understand what
happens..." He gulped slightly and nodded. "Which way to the armorer?" He
pointed down toward my left.

Several blocks later I found a man who decided it would be a good idea to
make me some custom studded leather armor for 4 silver. This left me with
enough for a cheap inn, some food, and some extra gold. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------- The
common room was crowded. Mostly humans, some goblins, hobgoblins, 2 fellow
minotaur who pointedly looked away when I saw them. I paid for my room and
some food and sat with my back against a wall.

As thin as I currently was I would still snap the furniture if I sat on it.
Men at the table next to me were reliving battles. Animated gestures. Drunk;
however, not unhelpful. They talked in more detail. The Dragonarmy.
Takhisis. Pay. Three words were all I needed to hear. I interrupted them
only to be eyed warily.

"Just curious. Looking for work." "It's more than just work mate." "It's a
calling," the second man said. "One I might have," I replied.

The second man broke off from his friends. "Look. I know your people. Proud
and smart. This requires true dedication."

I thought for a moment. "To Takhisis?" He nodded. "Not a problem. My God
failed me in my time of need. I sword alleigance to a great power." His eyes
opened wide and his grin lit up, "Tomorrow I'll take you to see the
Highlord." 

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 mentions 'We have had over 868 storytellers on Ansalon pen their epic stories here for all to read.'