An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Solinari.

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 massive tome lined with fake jewels on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Solinari' scribed in light grey ink.

Author:  Solinari
Date    Sun Jan 13 12:20:38 2002


Subject  Grim tidings



To Astinus of Palanthas, from your ever humble servent,
Haarkold of the
Aesthetics.

Here is my brief summary of the state of affairs across Ansalon
since the end
of the Misfortune's Year War.  I have travelled the width and
breadth of the
land in search of this knowledge.

I first left the Lordcity of Palanthas at your bidding and
travelled south
from the city.  Since the fall of the Dark Queen, the Solamnics
quietly patrol
the streets and keep the peace, despite the forces of darkness
that lie to the
south.  A half day's ride from the city I came to the village of
Yarus, midway
between Palanthas and the High Clerists Tower.  The village is
busy now, as
forces of the Dark Knights tend to frequent a house of
"ill-favor", run by a
wizard of the Conclave, Sorthrus.  I continued on towards the
tower, and met
few travellers along the way.  Upon reaching the tower, I saw why
few people
travelled these days.  The Knights of Takhisis now check everyone
going
through the pass, as well as their belongings.

They look for contraband, such as magical items, weapons, or
anything else of
value.  The Solamnics cannot pass through, and must send
messengers by
dragonback or by sea.  After a rough search, I continued on
through the
Solamnic Plains, finding little evidence of the Dark Knights
presence.  The
Solamnics still control most of the plains from Vingaard Keep
down to
Solanthus and Lemish.  I continued southwards towards Caergoth,
arriving at
the at the city gates, finding them also guarded by the Knight of
Takhisis.

A few days later I found myself on a ship sailing towards
Sanction.  Upon
reaching that dreadful city, I found that it too was under
control of the Dark
Knights.  Not wanting to spend another day breathing the smoky
haze, I left
for Neraka, but ended up bypassing the city completely upon
hearing rumors of
ghastly undead creatures serving a Dark Priest of Takhisis there.
 Safely
through the mountains, I came across the ancestrial homeland of
the Elves,
Silvanesti.  An storm of arrows at my feet told me that they
Silvanestist
still hid from the world, and that strangers were not welcome. 
Dismayed, I
continued westwards across the Plains of Dust.  A few months had
passed since
the end of the war at this point, and yet as I rounded a hill
overlooking
Tarsis, I saw a force of, yes, Knights of Takhisis, encamped
outside the
gates.  It appears that while the population of the city favor
them, they
don't want to fully occupy the city and have the favor of the
citizens turn
against them.  Instead, the troops visit the city pubs and
brothels, bringing
money into the local economy, without the harsh oppression of
occupation.

Again I continued on in my search of knowledge and crossed the
Kharolis
Mountains.  The Dwarves of Thorbardin have again sealed
themselves under the
mountains, though rumors of dark Theiwar coming above ground have
abounded. 
Coming over the ridge into Qualinesti, I could feel the eyes of
the Elves on
me.  Although not as disdainful as their Silvanesti cousins, I
still felt
unwelcome, but I pressed on, needing to confirm a rumor I had
heard.  After a
few days travel in the forest, I came to what I was looking for. 
The rumors
of the forest of Zhan being removed from this plane are true.  A
giant crater
now sits where the forest once stood.  Where it is now, the Gods
only know. 
Having seen it for myself, I travelled northwards towards Solace.
 I almost
wandered into the magical forest of Wayreth, where the mages of
the Conclave
sit in their Tower.  Talk of discord in the ranks of the wizards
lead me to
believe that they are somewhat in disarray, with most mages going
their own
way, and little show of unity.  Of course, I was not able to go
in and confirm
this for myself.


To be continued...



Author:  Solinari
Date    Sun Jan 13 12:23:17 2002


Subject  Grim Tidings 2 (Soli fights back)  j/k :P



Finally, after many months of travel, I have come to the city of
Solace.  It
is here that I write this missive.  There is a small presence of
both Solamnic
Knights and Wildrunners in this city, but neither seem to be in
full control. 
I have not decided on where I will go from here, but having heard
grim tidings
of Dark Knights in Southern Ergoth, I may go there to
investigate.  As for
now, I will await your word before continuing on further.  I
shall be here at
the Inn of the Last Home in Solace, eagerly awaiting your
messenger.

Always your faithful servant, Haarkold Grimnar.

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.'