The Great Library of Palanthas

An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Indigo.

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 small leaflet on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Indigo' scribed in faded purple ink.


Author:           Indigo
Date    Mon Feb 20 21:15:29 2006
Subject A Sleeping Giant Awakens

Indigo sat in his study, the same room where countless Lords of
House
Ebonhorn had sat for countless centuries.  He pondered the past
and the
future and his mighty brow was deeply furrowed.

It had been an interesting affair in the Hall of Emperors that
evening.
A storm had raged within the vast hall, and not for the first
time in
it's long and august history.  Once again the High Throne of
Mithas sat
vacant, waiting for the right Minotaur to ascend those marble
steps and
accept the chism of kings.  Once again Minotaur confronted
Minotaur,
sparring for the post when instead they should be standing united
and
conquering Krynn.

He sighed.  Such seemed to be the fate of the Chosen of Sargonnas
Just
when it looked like they were on the brink of true greatness
something
always seemed to happen which brought an end to their vast
potential.

At least this night bloodshed in the Hall had been averted.  It
was
sacriledge to defile that grand place with brother slaying
brother.
That's what the Collesium was for.  Even the Collesium though had
suffered from long neglect.  It's stones were crumbling and in
places
had tumbled.  The structure had become unsound and unsafe for the
crowds
to watch.  Not like there was anything much to watch these days.
Pathetic, scrawny slaves fighting to the death for scraps of
mouldy
food.  Truly, a pathetic spectacle.  Relegated to history were
the days
when Oliphants, huge Ogres and captured Knights had fought each
other to
the roaring applause of the mob.  Indigo still remembered the
last time
he had gone.  He had been but a child but his father had taken
him,
knowing it would be one of the last good matches.  The thrill of
the
chase, the moment of the kill had thrilled him and made his blood
race
in excitement.  The applause of the crowd had echoed off the
stands.  It
had been a deafening noise and his head had swam with the shared
bloodlust of his brethren.  In that place, at that moment, they
had been
one.  They were united then and nothing seemed impossible.

But of course it had to end, as always.  The Emperor had led a
fleet to
Ansalon to reap new captives for the Games.  His father had gone
too. No
one ever knew what happened for certain but the wreckage that
washed up
on shore a few days later had told the tale well enough.  All
hands, the
entire fleet of a dozen stout war vessels, lost at sea to a freak
storm.
 His mother had been shattered.  She never recovered and died a
year
later, not rising from her death bed for the last 6 months.  She
had
mourned his loss unto her death.  Leaving Indigo to fend for
himself.

He had his wits, his too young sword arm, a vast household to
maintain
and two younger sisters to look out for.  The only person he
could trust
had been Eldren, an outcast Elf who had chosen to serve his
father.
Eldren had trained his Grandfather in the Art of War, then his
father,
then Indigo.  He had taught Indigo every trick he knew, and they
had
been many indeed.  It was a good thing too for he ended up
needing every
one of them to stay alive.

When he was sixteen he, his sisters and Eldren had gone for a
hike in
the country surrounding their estate.  It was then, while the
small
group was unarmed, they had been beset by a group of Minotaurs. 
Indigo
was never certain why, but he suspected they feared he would use
his
family's ancient lineage and title to lay claim to the vacant
Throne. He
had as much claim as any other and more than most.  More than one
of his
ancestors had been Emperor and many who were not were still very
powerful Lords of their times.

His siters had been slain and if Eldren hadn't sacrificed himself
at the
last moment he would have been also.  But he had survived,
grievously
wounded and near dead, but he had survived and slain his first
foe.  As
he held Eldren's butchered form in his arms and thanked him he
understood then what sacrifice was, what duty was, what noble
honor
meant.  He had fought back the tears.  They had no place in the
world of
the Minotaur.

Author:           Indigo
Date    Mon Feb 20 21:50:01 2006
Subject A Sleeping Giant Awakens Part 2

The ancient Dark Elf's last words had been cryptic then, but he
knew now
what they meant.  The Elf must have been part seer.  'Claim your
right'
he had murmured as the light left his blue eyes.

Indigo knew now what he had meant.  The Great Throne of Mithas. 
It made
him nervous as nothing else in this life could, the thought of
being
responsible for every single Minotaur life from the most powerful
noble
to the newest infant.  The Empire was in shambles.  To restore it
physicly was one thing but it needed more than steel and stone,
more
than a good sword arm and sacrifice.  The people were mentaly
defeated.
To rectify that would take a miracle.  He took a deep breath and
stood
up.  Walking over to the painting of his father he gazed upon it,
looking for guidance in the stern brown eyes and noble features. 
He
looked upon his father's massive ebon horns, the hallmark of his
line.
His father's had spanned three feet.  Indigo fingered his own.  A
paltry
two feet, maybe more.  A mere shadow of the Lord who had been his
idol.

Do I dare father ?  Do I truly have the right ?  It takes more
than an
old bloodline to make a great Emperor, and that's what they
needed.  A
Minotaur who could rally and hearten his people, make them again
the
bold and daring adventurers and corsairs of old.  He looked deep
into
his father's eyes, tried to hear him across the gulf of Death. 
For a
moment he hesitated, then something inside him changed.  He knew
the
answer.  He knew what must be and how to do it.  For the sake of
his
people, for his family and for himself, he must dare it.

He would dream the impossible dream, fight the unbeatable foe,
bear that
which was unbearable.  He should, and would, dare anything if it
meant
giving his people the most precious thing they had lost.

Hope.

He roared for his servants, his voice louder than it ever had
been.  It
echoed down the empty halls and in moment he heard startled
footsteps
running to him.  When they arrived he began to pen his orders. 
Giving
them to the servants he sent them out in the middle of the night
to
carry their Lord's commands to the masons and carpenters, the
nobles and
the High Court.

After they had left he stormed about the study, hammering his
fist into
his open hand.  His blood began to boil, his heart raced and he
knew
then the same excitement he had known as a child in the arena.

Now he would be in the thick of it though, not a mere spectator. 
He was
putting everything on the line and he knew it.  His estate, his
heritage
and even his own life.

He stopped and laughed aloud, his mirth ringing down the silent
hallways
of his ancestors.  He cared not if he died and lost everything. 
For the
chance to awaken his people form their stupor he would risk
anything and
be glad for the bargain.

He hammered his fist down onto the old marble table top he stood
beside.
It shattered into a hundred shards which slashed his hand.  He
didn't
notice. The bloodlust was upon him and he howled with glee at the
future.

He dared it, defied it to flee from him.  He would hunt down his
people's destiny and wrestle it into submission if he must, but
his
people WOULD have their glory back, their honor, their lives.

By Sargonnas' left nut they would not be denied !  Not again. 
Never
again !

When his servants returned they found him in his study, drawing
plans
for the renovations of the Collesium to which he had dedicated
the last
of his family's wealth.  He would spend it all to make that
hallowed
place what it had been in centuries past.  They still had the
knowledge
and skill, they just needed the finances and motivation.  A Game
for the
Throne would inspire and if needed he would empty his family's
coffers
to finance it.  No price was too great, and it must be completed
in a
month.

He would carry the stones himself if he had to.  It would be as
it once
was, he swore it to himself, his ancestors and to Sargonnas.  No,
he
thought. Not as it was.  Better.

Author:           Indigo
Date    Wed Feb 22 10:05:32 2006
Subject That Which Binds

The sun over Nethosak was burning hot and bright and hung high in
the
air overhead, scorching the backs of those who toiled at the
Collesium
as they laboured to repair the great edifice to it's former glory
in
preparation for the Great Game which would determine the new
Emperor.

Promoted by the nobility and sanctioned by the High Court it
would be
the greatest specatcle seen in many a year and every Minotaur on
Mithas
and Kothas would be there to cheer on their favourite and to
witness the
accension the victor to the Great Throne.  Shopkeepers nearby
were also
repairing their stores and importing new supplies in anticipation
of the
vast crowd which would gather.

Indigo paused for a moment, resting the massive stone black he
carried
on his shoulder as he surveyed the scene before him.  The
Minotaur
Master Masons chiseled and chipped away at the stones, shaping
them from
lumps of nothing into works of art.  Their keen eyes and hands
were
slowly breathing new life into the ancient structure.  It will be
tight
thought Indigo but it would be ready.  Everyone, from the most
noble
Minotaur noble to the lowliest slave were working on it, and many
were
double shifting to make it happen.  Slowly but inexorably a dream
was
becoming reality.

Everyone, even the slaves, had been energised by the project and
worked
with a light heart.  The nobles who normally disdained such
manual
labour worked alongside their houehold slaves because they saw in
this
work the noble spirit of their which had forged the Minotaur
Empire. The
slaves worked with a passion too, seeing this as not only a
change from
the dreary lives of yesterday but also as a way to show their
masters
that they could be more than simple slaves or pets, that they too
had
something of worth to contribute.

Indigo shifted the load on his shoulder and strode over to the
Mason for
whom this roughly shaped rock destined.  In his hands it would
become
one of the many pieces of statuary which would adorn the
Collesium.  As
he set it down the enormous gong was struck, indicating it was
time for
all to stop working and rest for a bit to recover their strength
and
refresh themselves.

He had insisted from the start that all who worked on this
project, even
the slaves, be given ample time to rest and be well fed.  It was
back
breaking labour, even for a Minotaur, and to ensure both morale
and
stamina it was essential all be treated decently and not worked
to
death.  It was more economical this way.  Exhausted workers made
mistakes and worked more slowly.  Well rested and fed workers
enjoyed
their job more, were more creative and less likely to err.  Also,
it was
cheaper to feed and rest them than to import new slaves to
replace those
who died.  So far not one person had been killed.  A few minor
injuries
but considering how many were working here and the nature of
their tasks
it was impressive to have such a record.

Resting in the shade of an ancient oak he drew a drought from a
flagon
of water.  He looked around and saw Dwarven, Elven and human
slaves
talking quietly amongst themselves.  The Minotaur nobles sat in a
giant
pavillion or lounged under the trees and like Indigo quaffed
simple
water, waiting until after the day was done to drink their fine
wines.
Sighing contentedly he leaned back into the cool bark and closed
his
eyes.

At that moment he heard footsteps approach and a rough voice
spoke to
him, 'Lord Indigo ?  May I have a moment of your time sir ?  '

He sighed.  So much for rest he thought.  Opening his eyes he saw
before
him an ancient Dwarf who stood on one leg, the other being a
crude
wooden prosthetic limb.  Indigo had seen him hobbling about the
site
helping where he could, always trying to do whatever he could
despite
being a cripple.

'Aye slave, you may.  What is your need ?  Water ?  Food ?  Name
it and
you shall have it.  ' he replied.

'I require neither Lord, ' he said.  'I'd like to show you
something. If
you have a moment it's right over there.  ' he said and pointed
to a
small lump of rocks sitting beside a campfire.

Author:           Indigo
Date    Wed Feb 22 10:35:15 2006
Subject That Which Binds, Part 2

Indigo looked at the rocks, then back at the Dwarf.  Why not he
thought
and nodded to the slave and rose.  They walked over to the fire
and the
old Dwarf pointed proudly at a huge hammer nearby.  'Go ahead
Lord
Indigo, take the hammer and try to seperate the stones.  '. 
Indigo
looked at the rocks and noticed they had been mortared together. 
He
looked again at the Dwarf who nodded at him.

Indigo shrugged and picked up the hammer.  Not knowing what the
Dwarf
wanted but being willing to humour the slave he lifted the tool
overhead
and brought it down on the mortar seam.  Nothing happened.  The
rocks
wobbled around a bit but the seam held.  'Try again Lord, ' said
the
Dwarf.  Curious now Indigo did, this time using all his vast
strength.
Still, the rocks stayed joined.

Surprised, he struck again, and again.  Nothing.  The mortar
wouldn't
break.

He looked at the Dwarf in amazement.  'What is this Dwarf ?  Are
these
stones bound with magic ?  ' he asked.

The old Dwarf laughed heartily.  'Nay my Lord, not magic. 
Science. When
I was young I was a Master Mason in Thorbardin.  My Master taught
me the
secrets of Chemics and it is that which I applied to this mortar.
A
while ago I found some very strange sand in the cliffs near my
Lord's
home.  I've been experimenting with it and it seems that it makes
a most
excellent mortar.  It takes longer to prepare than normal mortar
but I
think you will agree the results are most impressive.  '.

Indigo looked again at the stones.  Impressive indeed.  'With it
we
won't need to replace as many of these old stones as we had at
first
thought, Lord, ' he continued.  'Instead we can uses this mortar
to
repair them without having to move them.  It can be applied as a
plaster, smoothed and shaped, and when dried it can even be
painted if
you wish adding colour and wonder to this beautiful old stone
stadium. '

Indigo called over a Minotaur called Herlen and told him to smite
the
stones.  Herlen was probably the most powerfull Minotaur alive
but very
slow witted.  He wasn't a good soldier due to his minimal mental
faculties but he was popular nonetheless.  Herlen picked up the
hammer
and smote the stones, striking so hard the hammer's head
shattered.
Herlen looked at the stump of wood he held in his hand, confused.
Indigo
laughed aloud and slapped Herlen on the back in joy.  Picking up
the old
Dwarf he tossed him high in the air much to his distress.
Catching him
again he set him down and looked him in the eyes.

'My friend, this day you have earned your freedom.  You have
saved us
countless hours of labour and with this creation the Collesium
shall be
stronger and more beautiful than ever it was of old.  ' said
Indigo. The
Dwarf looked stunned.  'Freedom ?  .  The unfamilliar word rolled
awkwardly off his tongue.  'Freedom ?  ' he said again and slowly
a
light began to gleam in his eyes.

'Aye, Master Mason.  It will be tough to get the High Court to
concent
but I will make them understand the priceless value of your
contribution.  You will be able to return to your home if you so
desire.
'

The old Dwarf sat down, still in shock, and shook his head. 
'Nay, Lord,
I shall not return.  I have lived here for almost 400 years and
know no
other home.  I love my fellow Dwarves who live here and cannot
leave
them.  My children live here.  They were born here, into slavery,
and
know no other life.  I won't leave them behind for all the jewels
of
Thorbardin.  ' he said and sighed.

Indigo thought a moment, then nodded.  'So be it, you shall
remain, but
as a free man.  I shall buy you a home, with my own money, and
purchase
your children that they may live with you there.  You shall pass
on your
knowledge of these Chemics to them and in time, MAYBE, they might
earn
their freedom too.  I make no promises however.  Only time will
tell how
their lives will unfold.  '

Author:           Indigo
Date    Wed Feb 22 10:53:19 2006
Subject That Which Binds, Part 3

The old Dwarf stood and bowed low to Indigo.  'I only wished to
save my
brethren toil and labour with this, Lord.  You do me an honour I
can
never repay.  From this day forth me and my kin are at your
service
until the Final Day.  ' 'And my family will hold you to that,
down the
ages yet uncounted.  For now though, rest my friend.  Rest your
old
bones and enjoy this hour, the first of your new life.  ' Indigo
turned
about and walked to the pavillion where the High Court rested
from their
labours under the harsh noon sun.

He brought them over to the old Dwarf and his miracle mortar and
with a
new hammer had Herlen strike again and again until the hammer
broke.
Then another hammer, and another.  The nobles were stunned.  None
had
ever seen anything like this.

Indigo called for a special meeting of the High Court, an
Emmancipation
Court, which had not been called for in centuries.  It would hear
the
case for freeing the old Dwarf and while it would be turbulent,
Indigo
was confident it would succeed.  The nobles were shocked but they
assented to the call, the undeniable value of the mortar plain
for all
to see.

The Collesium would not only be fully repaired it would be
complete
ahead of schedule now saving time and money.  It would also allow
them
to embelish it in ways undreamed of at first and make it superior
to
what it had been.  The ancient Collesium would become the new
nexus of
the Empire, it's new heart and soul.  In it the Minotaurs would
again
share a common bond, find a new common spirit and a new strength
which
had been lacking for so many years.

When the break was over and work began again everyone, especially
the
Dwarves, worked with renewed vigor.  The Dwarves sang an ancient
Dwarven
work song as they toiled and their deep undulating voices
entwined with
the sound of hammer on stone.  Indigo toiled away alongside slave
and
noble and hummed happily to himself.  Yes, he thought, we will
become
one again.  We will overcome our past.  With a blessing from
above our
people will be bound together again like the stone of the
Collesium.

Into the night they worked, each looking forward to a day not far
off
when they could behold their completed project and enjoy the
fruits of
their labours.

Author:    Indigo         
Date:      Sat Nov 11 10:00:00 2006
Subject  Journey's End, I

Indigo squinted as he gazed skyward into a clear azure sky.  The
sun was
bright and warm this far south, the sky almost cloudless and the
wind slight
and refreshing.  He lowered his gaze and looked ahead trying to
scrye their
path through this last part of the mountains.  He knew they were
nearing
their destination but as yet they still only saw mountains.  

Laying a hand upon his chest he felt the light bulk of the
package strapped
there and felt proud that he had been chosen to retreive it, to
bring it
home after being lost for so many centuries.  It had been a very
long and
dangerous journey, one that had nearly cost him his life on more
than a few
occasions but in the end he had found it and defeated it's owner.
 That had
been the most dangerous part of this whole ordeal.  He didn't
think he had
killed the creature but he had at least disabled it enough to
allow entry to
a vast chamber where it had housed it's hoard of treasure.  Gold,
silver and
steel trinkets and baubles had nearly blinded him with their
brilliance but
he had ignored them all and searched until he found that
seemingly worthless
bundle of silksteel.  With joy in his heart he had gently picked
it up and
hurriedly left all the rest behind.  Crowns, sceptres, magical
weapons and
armour, chests of coins and bars of bullion held no sway over
him.  Only his
prize, the object of his quest, held his gaze and once in his
hands he
secured it to his torso for safety and made haste to depart lest
his foe
reform and assault them again.  Indigo wasn't sure if he would be
able to
defeat the undead Ogre mage again.  

Hours passed and as they crested a small rise they beheld a
wonderful sight.
On the other side the ground fell away sharply into a valley and
there like
some dark jewel lay the end of his travels.  The city of the Dark
Queen,
Neraka, lay only a short distance off now and with luck they
would be within
the safety of it's walls before nightfall.  Picking out a small
game trail
leading down the slope they moved with haste down into the
blasted and
broken rock of the valley and onto the rubble strewn road leading
to
Neraka's south gate.  

Once upon the road they made swift progress and soon the southern
wall of
Neraka could be seen, a distant bump on the horizon.  Another
hour and they
would be safe.  At that moment the sunlight faded and looking up
Indigo felt
his blood run cold as fear wormed it's way into his heart.  The
others of
his small band saw it too and, made of lesser stuff than their
Emperor, let
out a wail of dismay.  Obviously, the Ogre mage had not been
slain and now
he was upon them with allies in tow.  

Indigo yelled at his command breaking the magical fear and as the
undead
mage descended towards them upon his undead dragon they all ran
faster than
they had ever run before.  Indigo knew it was futile and, as he
yelled at
his troops to make for the city he stopped running and stood his
ground.  He
knew it would ignore them and come for him for he bore the prize.
 If
nothing else he would at least buy his men the time they needed
to reach
safety.  Hefting the waraxe of his ancient line in his capable
hands he
waited for the screaming skeletal beast to come closer.  Raising
his weapon
overhead Indigo quicklythrew it and the runecarved weapon flew
through the
air to strike a killing blow directly to the mage's head.  A
killing blow to
something that was alive anyway.  This Ogre had been dead for
centuries
however.  The blow snapped it's head back and threw it from it's
mount and
the abomination landed on it's feet facing Indigo.  The dragon
swiftly
turned and went after the fleeing troops while the mage stood and
faced the
Minotaur Emperor, a hideous grin on it's split face.  With one
yank it
pulled the axe free and hurled it back at Indigo who deftly
caught the
spinning blade as it sliced through the air towards his own head.
 The mage
howled in fury and now Indigo smiled darkly.  The waraxe was his
by right,
it had served his family for ages and it was impossible for the
axe to
injure it's rightful owner.  They were as one.  


Author:    Indigo         
Date:      Sat Nov 11 10:37:57 2006
Subject  Journey's End, II

The mage moved closer and Indigo backed away slightly.  He knew
this mage
was beyond his skill alone, even armed with such a powerful
weapon.  He had
been lucky before but this time luck would have no place. 
Suddenly the
mage's hands crackled with and as he flung it toward Indigo the
Minotaur
dove to one side as far as his powerful legs would take him.  He
avoided
most of the blast but was caught by a small part of it and his
brain was
wrapped in pain as the dark energy sapped some of his energy. 
Instead of
rolling out of his dive cleanly Indigo fell to the ground and
slid in a heap
to a standstill.  His legs were still wreathed in crackling black
energy and
had gone numb and the Ogre, sensing his prey was imoblised,
grinned
hideously as he approached.  

Indigo saw a small window of opportunity as he realised the
mage's arrogance
was bringing him into melee range.  Even after living for
centuries it was
still a foolish Ogre.  Feigning being senseless he waited for the
mage to
step just a bit closer and when only a few feet away Indigo
lunged as best
he could and swept the axe in a vicious arc.  The blow struck
true and the
mage screamed in agony as the blade's enchantments scythed
through his
torso, rending the magicly kept bones and the energies that held
them
together.  As the undead Ogre's cleanly bisected body began to
seperate the
fell creature smote Indigo upon the shoulder and he felt some
dark spike
enter his soul.  Flung backward by the blow the massive Minotaur
fell to the
ground and lay motionless.  As he began to lose consciousness
Indigo heard
the insane roar of the undead dragon as it raced back to it's
master's aid. 
Came damned close he thought.  At least he had brought it this
far.  If the
mage was disabled and gone then maybe his soldiers, if any had
survived the
dragon, might return and take the prize back to the Empire where
it
belonged.  

Blackness took him then and he slipped into oblivion with a last
sigh.  He
expected to see Sargonnas or something like an afterlife but his
next
impression was of a dim light.  Without thinking Indigo opened
his eyes and
found himself gazing into the eyes of Grisov, Nightmaster and
Lord of the
Temple of Sargonnas.  

The look of concern on Grisov's face instantly vanished, to be
replaced by
joy and relief.  He placed a hand quickly to his Emperor's chest
to feel the
strength of his heartbeat and nodded in satisfaction.  Smiling he
told
Indigo to rest and sleep.  Without further ado Indigo fell back
into
unconsciousness, this time into a natural sleep.  When he awoke
he looked
about and saw not only the Grisov but Tharion and Caius as well. 
All three
watched him anxiously and quickly approached him when they saw he
had
awakened.  Words of welcome poured from them and as Indigo sat up
in bed he
was glad to returned to them.  He had been gone two years on his
quest and
had not said a word when he had left.  Sargonnas had decreed that
he leave
instantly with only enough time to gather his axe and a few loyal
soldiers. 
He had often wondered how the Empire had fared in his absence and
had always
longed to return home but his god had sent him on this quest and
finish it
he would, at any cost.  

Quickly they told him what had happened.  When the wallguards of
the city
had seen the undead black dragon they had immediately sent word
to the
Temple of Takhisis and the High Cleric had stormed to the walls
in rage. 
Indigo had just fallen and the dragon was returning to destroy
him when the
Cleric of Takhisis mounted the wall.  Seeing the once beautiful
child of the
Dark Lady turned into such an abomination he had raised his hands
to the sky
and beseached his Queen to retake her child into her arms.  The
sky had been
rent asunder and the dragon had screamed as the Mistress took her
child
back.  Chemosh had twisted her child but it was still her child
and her grip
was stronger.  She ripped it from the Dead God and with a howl
the beast
returned to the side of it's mother.  In a heartbeat it was over.
 

Author:    Indigo         
Date:      Sat Nov 11 11:10:42 2006
Subject  Journey's End, Finis

In the aftermath Grisov, Tharion and Caius had raced out of the
city to
find that the Minotaurs they had seen belonged to their Emperor's
household
and that the only apparent casualty was the Emperor himself. 
Hurriedly the
Nightmaster had woven his magic and with the aid of Sargonnas had
taken the
mortal wound caused by the wrath of the Ogre mage from him. 
Indigo had lain
in bed for over a week, lost in the limbo between life and death.
 His
comrades had not known if he would survive or ultimately fail and
fade into
history but his will to live, and the grace of Sargonnas, had
compelled him
to and now they were reunited in the city of the Dark Queen.  

They pelted him with questions about his absence but, as much as
he wanted
to answer them, the geas placed upon him by Sargonnas still
prevented him
from disclosing the nature of his quest.  All he could tell them
was that
his departure had been neccessary and for the good of the Empire.
 His task
was almost complete.  Once returned to their home then he would
be able to
tell them all but for now he could say nothing.  

They nodded in silent acceptance but Indigo could tell they were
not
satisfied.  He enquired about the status of the Empire and was
dismayed when
told that after he had vanished they had stayed for a time but
that the
Empire had begun to decay almost immediately.  Tharion had gone
in search of
the Lady of Knight for reasons known only to him and Grisov and
Caius had
eventualy left to seek their Emperor and implore him to return. 
The Empire
had begun to spiral into disarray and only a short time ago a
Minotaur had
usurped the Blood Throne.  From there bad got worse.  They told
Indigo of
shades upon the street and chaos in the Palace.  The Collesium
had begun to
decay in neglect and the populace had fallen into despair.  

Indigo listened and was dismayed.  After a moment of silence he
told them to
ready themselves.  In the morn, healthy or no, he would depart
for the
Empire and he wished them to accompany him.  He had been gone too
long and
now had to fight his way home.  Fury brewed in his heart at the
thought of
another upon his Throne and his eyes smouldered with the wrath he
would
bring to this fool.  They nodded and Tharion spoke then, telling
Indigo that
before they departed they should meet with the Lady Ayasana for
she was in
Neraka and might be able to render aid.  

Indigo nodded and rising from bed told Tharion to lead the way. 
As they
walked he felt the parcel upon his chest and was glad the old
customs were
still being honoured.  They had left him clothed as they had
found him for
ancient Minotaur custom held the Emperor's bod to be inviolate
until a week
after he had died.  They had not touched him other than to heal
him and his
prize was still intact and unknown to them.  

Through the city he led them, coming eventualy to the Temple of
Takhisis. 
They entered the vast and dark halls and after a few turns
Tharion knocked
softly upon a huge oaken door.  A voice from within beckoned them
to enter
and upon doing so Indigo found himself gazing once again into the
eyes of
the Baroness Ayasana, Lady of Night and loyal servant of
Sargonnas' consort
the Dark Queen Takhisis.  

She rose from behind a desk strewn with papers and bowed
slightly.  The
Emperor of the Blood Empire bowed deeply in return and after a
few brief
pleasantries they all sat and began to discuss the future.  

Vowes were made, alliances struck and a viable plan of action
formulated. 
Although Takhisis and Sargonnas had some differences in the end
their
general objectives matched and so their servants also found
common ground
and realised that they could help themselves by helping each
other.  Since
he had met this small human at his coronation Indigo had felt she
had
strength and honour that matched or exceeded many a Minotaur and
had always
thought that she and her servants would be admirable allies.  

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