The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Mikael.
A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap Off 65 80.'
The gully continues 'Want color back? Turn Color Back ON!!
Astinus says 'Enter the main library here to view only the author list.'
Astinus gently places a private journal on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Mikael' scribed in dull black ink.
Author: Mikael Date Wed Jul 14 16:15:06 2004 Subject A Friend's Farewell Mikael woke with a sigh. An unpleasant dream yet again. This was the third this week. He'd had them almost every other day. With a sigh, he tossed off the silk sheets and stepped out of bed, wearing only leather breeches. The padded wooden floor was carpeted with animal furs. These simple, yet elegant furbishings were attributed to his status amongst the elves. Be it that he was a half-elf, his mother had held high standing. Since his mother's death, other elves openly referred to him as a bastard half-human. Most elves sneered and feigned contempt, yet it was he who actually was in contempt. He pitied them and their strict, ruthless, unbending ways. With a soft smile he threw on a silk shirt and walked into his breakfast parlor where his servant had prepared a small meal. Smiling, he thought fondly of his only remaining servant. When his mother died all of the servants left but one. He was as loyal to Mikael as he was to his mother. Finishing his meal, he quickly left for morning prayers. Although he attended, he did not hear one word spoken throughout the entire procession. Paladine was nothing to him. The only thing that the Platinum Dragon had done for him was to send one of his Knight's who loved Mikael's mother and produced him, a bastard Half-Elf. Or Half-Human as the elves so contemptly called it. Mikael hadn't had much training with weapons. The yeomen and swordsmen refused to even acknowledge him so he went off of what It was that day that he had his sservant pack his bags for travel. Not much was packed. There was some light, elven chaimail, a leather tunic, breeches, bedroll, and some provisions. He knew enough to survive off the land. As he slid on his leather boots, he called for his servant. "Spring has made it's advent and so must I take my leave of this blessed place. I am leaving this house eternally. And for your services I am indebted to you. Thus I am leaving this blessed establishment to you, and am bestowing my rank upon you. Congradulations, you are now an esteemed member of the Elven Society and are no longer part of House Servitor. Do with this what you may, it concerns me no longer." The look of pure astonishment and gratification welled up in his servant's eyes as they welled with tears of joy. Mikael nodded and slung his bag over his shoulder. Putting his arm on the elf's shoulder he wished him the best of luck. With a smile and a nod, his former servant returned the wish and followed him to the door. As Mikael stepped out, he turned around to say goodbye to find his former servant bowing to him. "There is no need for that." The elf rose and through teary eyes responded, "There is every need, for I will never forget this day. You are always welcome in my household." With a smile and a nod Mikael headed towards the elven borders. Just as he reached the borders he let out a laugh. Elves would never change, within two minutes of receiving the status and establishment, the old elf was already referring to it as his. (To Be Continued) Author: Mikael Date Sat Jul 17 03:16:02 2004 Subject Tasting the Forbidden Fruit Upon exiting the lands of his birth, Mikael headed in the direction of the Lords of Doom, for there it was rumored that bastard's were received better than in his homeland. Pumping his pack up higher onto his pack, he set out by foot to Sanction. Not two days later, he joined up with a caravan on it's way to Solace. Solace was heard to be en route to Sanction so he sprang at the opportunity to travel with them. Amongst them, they had a cleric of Paladine, who talked glibly of the Queen's Armies. Of how Paladine would surely triumph over evil. Being born and raised with this knowing engraved into his mind, Mikael was surprised when he heard one of the men, undoubtedly a mercenary, snort in derision. The cleric stopped his speech and glared down his long nose at the mercenary who spoke. "The Queen's armies will most surely Not be defeated. As we speak She gathers Renegade Mages and Heathen Cleric's to Her open, embracing arms. Where do you think I travel, the petty town of Solace? Or perhaps Haven? " This got a response from the other men riding with them. Obviously intrigued, Mikael knew he had no prowess in the Arcane Arts, nor was he much good with a sword, so he decided to speak privately with the cleric, who consented, assuming to convert another to his cause. Looking even further down his long nose, the Cleric spoke of the abilities clerics were granted by their God, and about the Divine Gifts granted by Paladine, whereas the evil Takhisis bestowed two-edged swords for Her gifts, or so was the rumor. The Cleric explained how to receive the powers from the Gods, and Mikael listened on, entranced by just the thought of the abilites. Thanking the Cleric for his time, Mikael waited until nightfall to speak with the mercenary who spoke of Takhisis. He knew he must determine which side was to be the winning side, Good or Evil? When they made camp, Mikael sat by the mercenary and asked him what he knew of Takhisis. The mercenary said he knew little else, but what he had afore mentioned. Thanking him, Mikael went and bedded down for the night. That night, he was visited by two contrasting sides of a scale of balance. One arrived upon a shining steed, his armor bearing the symbol of the Knights of Solamnia. Though his face was but a shining beacon, Mikael was in reverance of this man who he knew to be no mortal, but Paladine himself. He felt warm and embraced, willing to give and help others. The other visiter arrived on wings of perpetual death. Her beauty overwhelmed him, and as he bowed in reverance to the Queen of Darkness, Temptress, Her darkness enveloped Paladine's aura, and eventually, he faded entirely. Smiling, Mikael eased himself into a blissful sleep in which Her Majesty ruled. When he awoke the next morning, he at first felt a divine tugging within his soul, but then it ceased it's torment, and he was awash with darkness, even as the sun's first rays peeked over the trembling clouds that seemed strangely unaloof, fighting back almost the entirety of the suns brilliant rays. With these new thoughts and feelings, Mikael felt calm within himself, and looked over to where the Cleric of Paladine was. The Cleric looked at him oddly, then shook it off. The next day, when they arrived in Solace, and the group departed, Mikael went to talk to the Cleric, but could not find the man. After much searching, he found that the man had shunned him. For reasons unknown to Mikael, the Cleric called out the name of Paladine, directed at Mikael. Mikael felt as though the words were filled with malice. Unconsciously reaching for the medallion that hung around his neck, he held it up as a bolt of energy sizzled at him. The bolt fizzled as it came into contact with the medallion. With a gasp, the Cleric of Paladine let out another cry and this time, disappeared in a blinding white flash. Stunned and amazed, Mikael looked down at what he held in his hand, and saw a black medallion, and engraved upon it's surface was the five-headed dragon of Queen Takhisis. As he turned towards the Inn of the Last Home, he fingered the medallion thoughtfully and smiled. He let loose the medallion and let it hang about his neck in content. Author: Mikael Date Sun Jul 18 18:29:20 2004 Subject Crossing the New Sea Sitting on a roughly hewn wooden bench, Mikael gazed in wonder at the ferry transporting him across the New Sea. It creaked and groaned with every step. He had no doubt it would just as soon get him across, as it would dump him into the sea. Sighing, he crossed his arms and leaned back gently against the splintered railing. He imagined how it would feel to have a splinter driven deep into his neck had he been careless. Softly closing his eyes, he relaxed and let the swaying of the boat soothe him into a light, peaceful sleep. He opened his eyes to find they had crossed the New Sea and no one was left aboard the ferry except from himself and the captain. Smiling, he got up and walked off the ferry... Into a totally different landscape. Gone were the peaceful Vallenwoods. Gone were the friendly, cheerful faces. Gone was the fantasy. Here was the harsh reality of the world. The land was dotted here and there with bushes and trees. In the distance, the Lords of Doom cackled triumphantly as they spurted forth writhing hot magma. It was to there that Mikael set his eyes. To there that lay his final destination. Shouldering his pack, he headed off into the direction of the spurting, alive-like mountains. The closer he got, the brighter his medallion shone. He could feel Her Majesty as if she were breathing down his neck. He even turned around once for he thought She was there. Within a few days time he would reach Sanction.
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
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