An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Kestren.

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 paper booklet on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Kestren' scribed in vibrant blue ink.

Author:  Kestren
Date    Tue Dec  4 00:19:28 2001


Subject  An act of courage? or an act of insanity?...



A bright light entered Kestren's Prayer Room, as he knelt upon
one of his
thick silk pillows, praying to Solinari for guidance.

"Wha?...Solinari?...Is that you m'lord?..."

The light condenses into a thin beam, and before Kestren now
stands the
grand form of the God of Good Magic, Solinari.

"Hello Kestren...It is good to see the mages have not forgotten
prayer. I am
glad you still remeber where your magic comes from"

"I think it is time for the magic of the Light to contribute to
the
salvation of Krynn. I have a request to make of you, but I will
understand if
you refuse."

"I will do anything you ask m'lord...anything. I am not afraid to
die for the
Art."

"It is time I contributed my magic to our cause. I have decided
to bless you
with a spell of your chosing, to enhance your ability to combat
the evil that
threatens the Art...what would you chose?"

I stood dumbfounded. I had been offered a gift of unimaginable
opportunity. I
could ask mylord for any spell. What would I ask? What could I
do?...

With a deep sigh I stood up straight and looked my lord in his
swirling white
and silver eyes. I knew I must use this opportunity to strike
against the
forces of Takhisis. No matter the preil.

"My lord, is there a way you could place an illusion upon me to
hide my true
nature from our enemies? A way to appear as one of them, or
perhaps to confuse
theier eyes altogether?"

Solinari nods solemly and clasped his hands together, and after
closing his
eyes, he opened them, revealing a brilliant white vial of silver
liquid. He
handed me the vial and bowed slightly.

"drink this potion moments before you need it, it will cause
all who look
directly at you to see you as one of thier own. Any who do not
look directly
upon you will dismiss you as a person of no importance. Do not
misuse this
gift Kestren..."

I placed the vial gently within a loop in my belt, and when I
looked up to
thank my God, he was gone. I sighed deeply, knowing what I had to
do. It was
time to find out once and for all the strength of Takhisis'
forces...

It was time to head toward Neraka...Perhaps Takhisis would be too
busy to
notice a single human who did not belong in Neraka, perhaps she
will. Either
way it was time to stop using others, and placing them in danger,
to gain
useless information.

I left my Prayer Room, gathered my things and walked out of the
tower, with
Talon on my shoulder toward Neraka. It was time to do what should
have been
done long ago...

(To Be Continued) ...



Author:  Kestren
Date    Tue Dec  4 01:39:58 2001


Subject  An act of courage? or an act of insanity?...(Part 2)



It seems I walked for years. I thought of my family, and friends.
My mages,
and magic. My dreams and hopes. I thought of everything I would
lose if I
failed in my mission. I thought mostly of Death...

I thought of all this, and I smiled. None of this compared to the
glory and
honor bestowed upon my by my god Solinari. I was chosen.
Everything I had to
lose was nothing compared to what I had to Gain. Life or Death, I
was content.

I arrived in the valley outside Neraka soon after dark, using a
personal spell
of invisilbility to sneak past the simple bandits and cratures of
the area.
Neraka was in sight. I walked on.

After a slow walk, I arrived within sight of Storm's Keep. My
destination. My
destiny. It stood there in front of me, a massive fortress and
KoT strnghold.
Dragons swirled in the skies above it.

After barely illuding scouts and sentries, I arrived at the Keep.
With a deep
sigh and prayer to Solinari I took the potion and quaffed it. It
was time to
test my faith.

I walked out from the shadow right at the gates, trying to to
look directly at
the guards. I almost turned and ran, but some inner strength kept
me walking
foward. Next thing I knew I was past them and thru the gate.

I could feel the effects of the powerful spell coursing thru my
veins, but
with every glance and look from a knight i could feel the spell
eweakening. I
had to act fast...

I managed to notice a few large, elaborate building up ahead, and
i quickly
headed toward them. The masses of knights that swarmed around me
horrified me.
The knights forces were massive.

I could see small units practicing thrusts and parries in small
arenas, along
with Skull and Thorn Knights practicing spells against practice
dummies and
slaves. This was not good.

I passed a few officers, but nothing of extreme rank to notice my
attention. I
decided to avoid the dragon stables, I was unsure if thier
ancient magic could
see thru my illusion.

I had arrived as a luxurious building, and entreed quickly,
feeling the magic
as is was close to ending. With a quick scan i found a large
room, filled with
war maps and stratagies. In it, also, I came face to face wit I
had arrived as
a luxurious building, and entreed quickly, feeling the magic as
is was close
to ending. With a quick scan i found a large room, filled with
war maps and
stratagies. In it, I came face to face withe Dragon HighLord
Danvighar.

Before me stood the Commander of the Knights of the Lily, and the
general of
this war...and my illusion was fading fast. I quickly cast a few
spells of
protection upon myself, covering myself in armor and
strengthening my
defences.

This alerted the Highlord immediately. A knight casting spells?
He drew his
sword and growled at me...and it was then that the illusion
ended. I stood
ready, scimitar in hand, to send the armies of Takhisis into
chaos...

I have no taste for blood, but if the death of this man would
save the life of
my mages or the innocents of Krynn, then so be it. The battle was
engaged.

My inferior skills with the sword only lasted roughly 3 strikes
before
Danvighar drew blood. With a snarl I threw out my other hand,
acid streaming
out from my fingertips, covering his hands.

The acid caused him to drop his sword, but almost as fast as it
fell, he drew
out a second sword from a shieth on his back. He began to attack
again.

With a few lunges and thrusts I was cut and bleeding again. I
needed a way to
end his attack before it was too late. I had to get  something
between us.

With a deft dive i came up from behind a desk with a blast of
frozen water
aimed at the Highlords feet. The water knocked his feet out from
under him,
and he fell hard on his side. Before he could rise I launched
another stream
of acid at him.

The acid covered his breastplate, burning thru it, and as the
Knight stood he
quickly tore off his breastplate before the acid could reach him.
By then my
scimitar had slashed across his exposed chest twice.


(To Be Continued)



Author:  Kestren
Date    Tue Dec  4 01:53:51 2001


Subject  An act of courage? or an act of insanity?...(Part 3)



The Highlord stood agast, as his gaze shifted between myself and
the wounds
upon his chest. Mortal wounds if not treated immediately. I
myself fell to my
knees in exhustion. My arm and thigh bleeding badly.

I stood slowly and walked over to the Highlord, who sat weakly
against a wall,
intending upon ending his life quickly and mercilessly. I did nto
wish this
man to suffer the death of a stomach wound.

As I raised my scimitar to end his life the door to his room
burst open, and 4
elite guards entered the room. Each one wore the armor of the
Highlords
honorguard, and each held two longswords, covered in venom.

It took them a second to scan the room between myself and the
fallen Highlord,
but after that moment they charged me with swords raised. I had
only moments
to react. One spell, and four Knights.

Without thought my hands shot out, and a thick cone of ice and
snow shot from
my hands, pummeling the charging knights and blinding them
momentarily. I took
that opportunity to escape.

With the cone of frost slowing and almost freezing the knights I
pulled a
pouch from my belt and opened the contents out onto my hand. With
a word and a
sprinkling of the powder II managed to recall myself to my
personal prayer
room.

I fell immediately upon the table, bleeding profusely. I could
feel myself
loosing conscienceness, but I knew it was better to be here then
wher eI just
stood, a pin cushion to the eight blades of the honorguard.

Perhaps I would survive the ordeal...perhaps not. Either way I
had not failed
my Lord Solinari or my mages.

I had struck a blow for Solinari, and for the armies of the
Light. I could
close my eyes forever, and I would close them with a smile...

Kestren Bloodstream, High Archmage of the Order of White Robes.



Author:  Kestren
Date    Fri Dec 21 02:00:32 2001


Subject  an Unnatural encounter



It was late in the evening. I had been in my study for days it
seemed. Im not
sure why but i felt the need to get out...away. Search the forest
and walk
thru the trees alone. To think.

I stepped into my prayer room, and brought up a portal. I shifted
from image
to image, untill i came upon a peaceful looking image of a small
village just
outside of the High Clrist Tower.

It seemed quiet and peaceful, and hopefully remote enought not to
recognize
the High Archmage of the White Robes. I stepped thru quickly and
breathed
deeply the crisp night air.

I could hear mothers calling for children, farming hearding
livestock into
fences for lockup, and laughter and sings comming from the local
tavern. It
was so simple here.

I removed my sandals and walked thru the talk grass and sat down
against a
large oak tree. I lowered my hood and leaned back against the
tree with a
relieved sigh.

I closed my eyes and smiled. This was a wonderful break from the
rigorus life
of a mage. No worries, and no cares. Just life. Beautiful life. I
had hoped to
catch a sunset. Something I hadnt seen in a long time.

It took me a while to realize there was still a mother yelling
for her child,
well after the others had stoped. Her voice was growing frantic
by the moment.
She was growing increasingly worried, it was bvious.

I stood slowly, and walked to where the yell was comming from and
spotted the
frantic woman as i rounded a corner. "Jessie!" She called, oout
over and over.
I approached her slowly with my hands out and open, showing her i
meant no
harm.

She noticed me for a moment before she began yelling again, and
it took a
moment for her to speak to me when i hailed her. Her child was in
fact
missing, and it had been an hour since she had seen her.

I asked the woman if she would allow me to use magic to loacte
her, and the
woman agreed. I placed a hand on her head to find a mental image
of the girl,
in order to locate her more easily. I turned and opened a portal
that would
take me to her.

I told the woman i would return with her daughter and stepped
thru the
portal....I was not prepared for what i found on the other side.
Im not sure
anyone would have been.

(To be Continuatedlyextended)



Author:  Kestren
Date    Fri Dec 21 02:15:55 2001


Subject  An Unnatural Encounter (Part Duex)



The little girl was screaming. I could hear her though the large
form blocked
her from view. All over the clearing were corpses. Children
mostly, but a few
adults as well. All of them looked pale and sickly.

As i looked closly at the corpses i saw no cuts, wounds, gashes,
or
bruises...only two small circular bleedng wounds upon thier
necks. A shiver
ran thru my body as i knew what i had come across before the dark
form even
turned around.

I grit my teeth, determined to save the child, and end the life
of this vile
abomination. I would have traded my spellbook for a fine cleric
at the time,
but it seems this would be a task I wouldundertake on my own.

I needed to gain the creatures attention, but I was worried about
the girl, so
with a flick of my wrist i sent a single magic missle at the dark
form,
striking his shoulder.

He turned quickly with a snarl, and my suspicion was confirmed,
as his fangs
could be seen clearly. The shock however was the armor the
creature wore.
Black platemail adorned with the mark of a Knight of the Thorn.

The shock nearly cost me my life. Not expecting a magic user i
was ill
prepared defensivly, and the seconds of shoick were enough for
the Thorn to
aim a fireball my way.

I dove to my left, thankful i had removed my sandals, giving me
traction upon
the slick grass. I could feel the massive heat heating my back,
but couldnt
worry about that now. I came up on a quick roll, a spell on my
lips.

I released the stream of heated water from my fingers, but rather
than aim at
the vampire, i instead chose to heat and soak the ground benieth
him. I then
charged hard with my scimitar drawn and burning brightly.

I had heard about the ability for the undead to resist magic, so
I knoew i had
to battle this one as my father had done so long ago, with my
sword and my
wits. Using spell only to enhance myself. The Knight draw a fine
blade himself
and grined.

It was time to see how much of my father was truely in me, and
how well I had
been training...


(To Be Continuatedlymadelonger)



Author:  Kestren
Date    Fri Dec 21 02:53:00 2001


Subject  An Unnatural Encounter (Part Trios...Three if your
curious)



The Knight was well trained and it was obvious in the quick
parries and feints
he exectued, but I was better. If I were not I would have been
dead already,
this was no ordinary knight.

This was an undead vampire, one of the most powerufl of all
undead. His
strength was incredible, and his speed matched only by the spell
of haste i
had upon myself. If my sepll faded, my life was forfeit.

Round after round we fought, circling slowly looking for
openings. The clang
of metal bacme almost one loud sound, the exchanges were so fast.
 I was
fairing well but for how long? I managed to circle him to put him
between
myself and a large tree. With another flick of my wrist i sent a
small ball of
fire at the knight. He laughed as he ducked it easily, but his
grin quickly
faded as the tree caught fire.

He was also now standing on the heated, soeaked ground from my
earlier blast
of water, and his feet began to slip and his defenses fell. I
landed several
cuts along his ribs and was sure this fight was over. Almost.

With a cackle he crouched and sprang strait up into the air,
floating above
ground laughing insanely at me. This was far from over. It would
have to be a
magicla battle afterall.

I quickly shiethed my scimitar and with a quick few words i was
floating as
well, and after a few more words my hands became covered in
flame. My magic
might mot be very effective but fire was fire...and this was a
vampire
afterall.

He darted at me, his sword put away but his long claws extended
and aimed at
my throat. I dodged barely but he managed to grasp my claok and
send my
sprawling into a tree, i landed hard upon the ground.

I stood up, shaking my head to clear it, and looked up. He was
comming at me
again. I allowed him to think me injured and slowed untill he got
near and at
the last moment dove at him, instead of away, wrapping my arms
around his
neck.

I placed my hands, still covered in flame, upon his face. He
screamed in pain
as the fire burned his face and eyes, and drove his claws into my
ribs. The
same spot where the Dragon Highlord had wounded me.

I cried out in pure agony as his claws reopened the deep wound.
Damn me for
not healing completely. I was almost blinded by the pain but knew
the pain
would become death soon if I did not recover. I let go quickly
and dropped to
the ground.

I quickly drew my scimitar, and before the knight could recover i
drove it
into his chest, it exploded thru his back, causing the creature
to scream in
utter agony.

I pulled the sword out and fell back on my back from weakness,
praying that
wound would end the knight. I could not fend off any more
attacks. To my
relief the creature began to seemingly dissolve into smoke.

I stood slowly and limped toward the young girl who was still
screaming as she
fiercely hugged a tree. It took a moment but the girl soon turned
and clung to
me and witha few words I raised the portal back to her mother.

I fell as I emerged from the portal, and the girl ran over to her
mother,
hugging her as tight as possible. The woman hugged her daughter
but soon
stopped and came over to help me. I stood on my own, wincing
painfully and
told her i was fine.

With a word I was back inside my room within the tower, bleeding
profusely and
leaning weakly upon my table, as I had done before after my
encounter with the
Dragon Highlord.

I called quickly for Tarantel and bid him summon a cleric. My
vision was
blurring and I soon fell onto one of my many pillows,
unconscious.

It seems thre would be no rest for the High Archmage of the Order
of White
Robes...And at least I knew what to expect within the Tower.

(OOC: the thorn was Vinzentius, i PKed him...we rped...it was
fun...THE END)

Kestren Bloodstream, High General of the Stormtrooper Armies.



Author:  Kestren
Date    Sun Jan 20 01:15:24 2002


Subject  It must be done.



I approached the outskirts of Solace. The town was slowly
recovering from the
occupation of the Knights of Takhisis, but it seemed they would
indeed
recover.

I walked randomly throughout the city, smiling broadly as
children played
games of stickball, and the elder women spun wool and thread into
beautiful
cloathing. Perhaps these people would forget the horrors that so
recently
plagued this place.

I could smell the wonderful potatoes from the Inn, and the
laughter and
happiness of the townsfolk made my decision easy for me. What
happened to this
place so recently will not happen again. By Solinari it will not.

I noded solemly to myself and headed toward the city hall. After
a few
inquiries i managed to find the Lord Mayor at his desk, sighing
scrolls, and
dictating letters to his aides.

I introduced myself calmly, and after much unneeded bowing and
welcoming the
aides left and i sat down with the Lord Mayor to talk. He asked
to what he
owed the "honor" of my visit, and after calming the man I soon
told him why i
had come.

I gave him my heartfelt sympathies for the plight of his people,
and my
apologies for his losses. He thanked me and seemd to sigh a
little in pain at
the thought, but soon again we spoke of my reason to visit.

After inquiring to the cities current defenses, and the Lord
Mayors obvious
worries of thier lacking were made clear I finally gave him my
true purpose. I
was offering the protection of the entire Order of White Robes
for his city.

Needless to say he was shocked. He stammed over questions and
babbling
confusion finally claimed him as he sighed and slumped happily
into his chair.

I sighed as i felt it my obligation to tell him my otehr reasons
for such
action. I told him that the last occupation of this city bothered
me greatly,
for the army of the dark queen was FAR too close to my Tower in
Wayreth.

I told him plainly that while i truely wish to see the people of
Solace live
in peace, my con cern for my Tower, and the art came 1st, and
that this tower
would be too easy a staging point to attack the tower, therefore
i wished it
protected.

I think the Lord Mayor understood this. He noded and told me he
would
appreciate any help for his people, no matter the alterior
motives. He said he
dispised the Solamnic and Wildrunner "occupation" due to thier
warlike ways.

I told him my mages were peaceful men and women of compassion,
and that we
would not be a police force for the city, but rather
Guardians against any
threat.

He quickly stood from his chair and grasped my hand, shaking is
fiercely and
thanking my whole heartedly. I smiled at the weary man and
promiced to do all
I could to see his city live in peace again. One day war will not
be a worry
of his people.

With a slight bow i left his office and proceeded to walk again
throughout the
city. With each new smile and laugh i heard, with each new hug
and kiss the
people of solace shared with each other i knew i had made the
right decision.

This town was now under the protection of the Guardains and
the Order of
White Robes. With a quick word i returned to my room within the
tower to begin
th e preperations. Not only was this for the citizens of Solace,
but for my
Mages as well.

Perhaps it is time for Tarantel to undertake an assignment to
truely test him.
I will have to leave this city in good care...I wish I could be
here to guard
it myself...but I have other things to do...

It is time my Order took its place within this war. It is time we
do what must
be done...

Let the dark forces think twice before crossing my Order, and may
Solinari
light our way.

Kestren Bloodstream, High Archmage of the Order of White Robes.



Author:  Kestren
Date    Tue Jan 29 15:45:55 2002


Subject  A Daring Move...



I had spent 2 full days deep within the spell. I could feel the
moisture
gathering as the fog thickened. Soon it would enough to render
thethe archers
and war machines of the city useless. Soon it would be time.

My allies had been digging for days, and word had arrived that
they were
nearly under the right area of the city. The falcons had reported
the blue
dragons had left, rendered useless by the fog. It was time.

I positioned my hired mercinaries along the southern plains,
along with the
hobgoblins that had been so easy to charm. The falcons we all
given word to be
ready, and the giants had been told thier part.

At my signal, all hell was unleashed. A small gate opened before
me and i send
an apprentice thru to Kaeptakus with the word to attack. He did.
The dragons
flew overhead and wit hits breath signaled for the army to
attack.

The giants charged 1st, launching boulders at the walls, then
crashing
shoulder 1st into the gates, shattering them. The falcons, each
one holding a
flamable vial in its claws flew overhead dropping them onto the
defending
army.

The mercenaries and hobgoblins charged into the city like a flood
of death,
the defenders notified of attack at the last moment were dying
quickly. The
dwarves had entered the city opposite the gate and were
butchering the evil
knights.

The forces inside, unsure of who and what was comming for them
could only
stare and cring in fear as the great dragon roar from above froze
them in
place. It was only the horns of retreit that woke them.

I growled as the first Thorn began to cast spells. I could feel
the distorted
magic being used, though I was far off in the hills. I began to
head towardthe
city, wanting to deal with them personally.

I was seathing as i entered the gates, but calmed as i watched
them flee thru
gates of magic. Apparently the only thing Thorn magic is good for
is escape.

The attacking forces all cheered. Victory was ours! I ushered a
few commands
to my forces. Giants began to gather supplies for defending the
city, and I
sent the hobgoblins off to search the city for remaining enemies,
while the
mercinaries posted watches.

I quickly ordered my apprentices and initaites to cover the
standing walls
with glyphs of warding and preparing defensive spells, as i sat
down quickly
to cast.

I had shielded off the city from portal magic, if escape was
needed at a later
time, the dwarven tunnel will suffice. The Thorn did leave thru
magic, but Ill
be damned if they would re-enter the same way.

After a few hours of rebuilding and refortifying, I sent a
message by falcon
to Tarantel, telling him of the victory and of my plans
currently. It would be
days before the city was at full defensive ability again, but for
now......

Tarsis...is Mine!

Kestren Bloodstream, High Archmage of the Order of White Robes.



Author:  Kestren
Date    Thu Dec 26 18:21:18 2002



Subject  End Game



You cannot see the game you are all caught in. I can.

You cannot see the strings that hang from your back. I can.

You do not see the board that you walk upon as Pawns of your
petty, childish
Gods. I can.

I was once a Pawn, as you all are. I once danced to the whims of
a petty God.
I too once obeyed and followed orders without question. I even
once killed and
sacrificed the lives of others for the puppetmaster who called
himself a God.
No more.

My strings have been cut. I see the truth. I see the game you are
playing for
your Gods.

I watch you move and position, plot and scheme all in the name of
this vile
game of slaves.

Soon this game will end. Soon I will end it.

This is a warning to the "devout" Pawns of those petty and
selfish creatures
you call Gods.

If you encounter me. Leave. If you threaten me. Pray. If you
anger me. Make
peace with yourself.

... For I will end your life. I will remove you from the game.

If you wish to see the truth, simply ask me. If you wish to truly
be free, I
can show you how.

If you wish to make choices that are truly your own, then I can
make that
possible.

If you do not... Well, for your sake, I hope that is not the
case.

Your lives mean more than simply oberdience and devotion to a God
who cares
nothing of you.

Do not waste this life you are given.

Kestren Bloodstream, Assassin of Pawns.

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