An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Darcon.

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 beautiful hard bound book on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Darcon' scribed in unearthly red ink.

Author:    Darcon         
Date:      Thu Aug 14
20:37:48 2008
Subject     Darcon's Background

Darcon
was born in the outskirts of Solace to Justane and
Catrina
De'Orion. They were simple people who made their living
off the land.
Darcon's older brother Darious, born 5 years prior,
had already left the
home to squire under a local knight. That
left the family of 3 to get along
without the strapping boy.
Justane was sad to see his son go but knew that
it was for his
own good. He didn't want the boy to grow up and be a slave to
the
land as he had. He knew that his was an honorable trade, but also
knew
that his line would never make an impact upon the world
being simple
farmers. He wanted more for both of his sons.


Darcon was raised to know the value of a hard days work. His
father taught
him that there must be a delicate balance to the
land in order for it to be
prosperous and plentiful. He taught
him to accept the life and death of all
things as their life or
death contributes to that balance.

Darcon wasn't as strong or
tall as Darious had been but what he lacked
physically he gained
mentally. Justane recognized this and began making
plans for
Darcon's education. When he was 5 Darcon was enrolled in the
local
school. He took to it well and enjoyed learning all he
could from his
teacher. He constantly questioned everything
making sure that he knew every
detail of what he was learning.
Though his teacher was sometimes annoyed at
the constant
scrutiny, she tried her best to offer up any knowledge of
the
subjects to Darcon. She recognized that the other kids would
just do what
was needed to make it through while Darcon paid
every attention to the
slightest detail. She enjoyed this change
of pace and considered it the
challenge of her profession.

On
occasion an older gentleman would visit the school. He always
wore the
same red velvet robe that was lined in silver and black.
His name was Jenner
and turned out to be the local mage. He would
visit the school in the hopes
of finding a new apprentice to aid
in his research at his nearby tower. On
one such occasion, Darcon
was sitting in the school yard reading a book
about the
relationship of elements while the other kids were playing.
Jenner
had arrived earlier that day and was keeping an eye on the
kids while the
teacher attended to some other errands. Jenner
spied Darcon sitting alone
with his face buried in a book. Upon
walking toward the boy he took note of
its title.

"What is your
name boy?" Jenner asked in a low but kind voice. 

Darcon did not
look up from his book. "I am Darcon De'Orion master Jenner."
he
replied. 

"I know your father well. I buy the area's finest
produce from him. What is
it that you are reading?" 

"I am
studying the relationship of the elements Master. I wish to
understand
not only how things grow, but why they grow. This will
help me to understand
the balance between all things." 

"Well
then, I shall leave you to your studies Darcon." Jenner stated
and
then turned to walk away. The teacher returned shortly after
and Jenner took
his leave of the school. 

When school let out
Darcon gathered his belongings and walk to his home. He
expected
that his father would be out in the fields tending to the crops
and
his mother would be busy preparing tonight's supper. When he
got home we was
surprised to find the neither was the case. His
father and mother both were
engaged in conversation with Master
Jenner.

His father spied him first. "Welcome home my son. I
trust that your studies
went well today. Master Jenner, your
mother and I were just discussing you."
Justane stated bluntly.
"It seems that he has taken interest in your
education."

Master
Jenner stepped forward. "Darcon, do you remember our
conversation
earlier?" 

Darcon set his books down on the kitchen
table. "Yes, I remember Master
Jenner. I was reading about the
elements to better understand the balance."


Jenner smiled and
continued. "Darcon, I wish to teach you. I have devoted my
life
to the balance and can help you to understand it as well. If you
decide
to be my student you will live with me at my tower. Your
duties will include
helping me with my research in any way I deem
fit. In return, I will be your
teacher in more things then just
the balance. I shall teach you of magic as
well." 

Jenner's face
turned solemn. He knelt down and put his hands on
Darcon's
shoulders. "I live far from here Darcon. You must
understand that if you do
come, you will seldom see your family.
You will devote yourself to your
duties and studies." 

"I
understand Master Jenner." Darcon replied and turned to his
parents.
"What do you think?"

Justane spoke. "Darcon your mother
and I love you very much. You make us
proud to be your parents
and we thank the gods for you. We have discussed
this before on
several occasions and have always wanted the best for you.
We
believe that you should take this opportunity."

Darcon turned
to his mother. "Mother, I love you. I will miss you very
much."
He turned back to his father. "I have made my decision. I will
go
with Master Jenner."

Jenner clapped his hands together. "It
is settled then. Tonight you will
pack your things and say your
goodbyes. We shall leave for the tower on the
morrow."

Darcon
did just that. 

Several years passed by. All the while Darcon
was schooled in the magic
arts. Jenner was quite pleased with his
new apprentice. He found that
teaching Darcon was easy, and
having the extra help around the tower was a
relief to his aging
body. Occasionally they would travel back into town and
Darcon
would be allowed to visit with his parents. The visits were
always
pleasant. He would stay the night and Jenner would be
there in the morning
to begin the journey back. 

When he turned
17 years old Jenner came to him. "Darcon, the time has come
at
last. You must depart tomorrow. You are to seek out the Conclave
and
submit yourself for testing. It is time to see if you are
ready to uphold
the balance. I must remain here and continue my
work, but I have faith in
you and the balance. I have no doubt
that you shall succeed. After that you
may do as you choose. I
have done my best in your training, but there is
nothing more
that you can learn from me. Tonight you will pack your things.
I
will provide all that you need for your journey."

"Master, I am
grateful to you. You have been like a father to me as well as
my
teacher. I will do as you ask. After I am tested, and if I
survive I will
seek out a new teacher. I promise that I will
return to visit whenever I
can." Darcon moved across the room and
hugged his teacher. Jenner retired
for the night and Darcon did
as he was told and packed his things.

In the morning Jenner was
waiting in the courtyard when Darcon emerged from
the tower with
his belongings. He had horse already hitched to a cart
packed
with provisions. He handed a small belt pouch with some
money to Darcon and
helped him to stow his belongings in the
cart. Darcon climbed up into the
driver seat of the cart. Looking
down at his master he says, "Farewell
Master Jenner. I shall
return as soon as I am able to."

"Safe journey to you my
friend," replied Jenner, "May the gods grant you
good
fortune."

Darcon urged his horse on and began his journey to
Palanthas. 

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.'