An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.

Stories of Ansalon from the view of Talin.

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 'Talin' scribed in dark blue ink.

Author:  Talin
Date    Fri Jun 28 17:53:59 2002


Subject  A Cold Story to Warm the Bones




*When its a cold day, and the sea is high, I like to tell this
story.  Its....
nothing special, just the story of my past, the things I have
seen.... and
hope to see. So pull up a chair and warm yer belly with sum rum,
and listen to
this little tale... maybe it'll beat the chill out of your weary
souls... make
you think of home... and how lucky you are with what you have.*

Back when I was just a lad.... well I wasn't ever that small..
but you get
my meaning... I learned a little lesson about what you know, and
what is
waiting to be known.

What I knew wasnt much.... but I did know one thing.  I had a
home, and a
family, and I felt good.  I know most of you don't know about
Mithas.... and
don't care that much either

So i'll make it clear.  You grew up storng or you died.... so...
thats what
I did.  My father taught me everything I knew .... and most of
what I know
about fighting... sailing.... killing.  It seems pretty simple in
my
homeland... but let me t let me tell you this... i've never
worked so hard
since then.... that is when i was with my father.

He was the biggest guy in the whole village... everyone looked up
to him...
especially me.  When I had grown... physically that is... I was
still as
foolish as a boy... that little thing about what is waiting to be
known....

well.. lets just say i reared its ugly head and.... she wasn't
pretty.  By
that time I was on my own... working on a sea vessle... old one
she was....
but rode like no other i've ever been on since.

but anyway... one day we pulled back into harbor, and were
greeted by one
hell of a reception.  It's a wonder we didn't see it from sea...
must have
been that foolishness again

Fire! a huge fire had broken out in the village.  As soon as we
landed ...
half stumbling out... we ran as fast as we could to help the
people.  Fire...
she isn't one to play with.... well... by the time we got
there... lets just
say the fire d  wasn't the concern anymore.... as we ran up the
hill... my
father.... my mother.... my brothers.... my friends... my own
flesh and blood
lay there...

Well... i don't remember much of what happened after that... but
it doesn't
really matter... i couldn't go back anyway.  That's the funny
thing about
knowledge... sometimes... you just don't want to know.

enough rambling... well it turns out it was a pirate raid or
something.... I
don't know what kind of pirate could do that to my village.... I
didn't see
any evidence of their bodies....

The years passed.... they always do... never stopping , no matter
how you
feel... I don't think about my family much anymore... I don't
think about
anyone much anymore.... just my work.... getting by.

After a couple of years of the high seas, I took to the land
again.  I never
went back to fishing.... I was a pirate... kind of ironic..
heh... but I loved
it.  It's a good life to have when there's nothing to worry
about... yes it
is....

On the continent I was hired as a mercenary... mainly becuase of
my
skills.... and my strength.  I met a lot of people in my time...
and there are
some mean bastards out there... but they never bothered me. 
Apparently I had
gained a reputation you see.... I am relaible.  I guess I was...
the work
comes in more and more every day.  I guess the reason i'm good at
it is I
don't care.... I just get by... nothing gets to me anymore... not
after what I
have seen.. done.

I have made a few friends along the way... some good ones too. 
But even
they fade after a while... thats the way this line of work is...
one day...
they just don't come back.

You don't ask why.... you know... but, with the rescent wars I
have seen my
faire share of action... I even fought for my Queen... heh thats
a good
tale...  I had fun then.  I was a leader... I felt powerful, and
thats what I
want some day....



Author:  Talin
Date    Fri Jun 28 17:57:43 2002


Subject  A Cold Story to Warm the Bones Cont.




maybe.  I haven't slept on a real bed in... well... since I can
remember ...
I prefer the ground anyway, its comforting in a way... and it
keeps you
strong.  I know i'm not that old when you really think about
it... but with
what i've experienc ed.... I feel that way.

Well... I had enough of your time boys... I think i'll head
off... go back
to your families... if you still have em... take care

Im off to look for work... maybe something will come along.

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.'