The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Taman_Busuk.
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 worn tome on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Taman_Busuk' scribed in dark grey ink.
Taman Busuk Capital: Neraka and Sanction Main Populace: Evil humans, Blue Dragonarmy, ogres, barbarians, goblins Languages: Draconian, Nerakese, Dragon, Mountain Barbarian, Solamnic, Lemish, Nordmaarian, Khur, Ogre, Goblin, Mountain Dwarf+, Kyrie+ National Alignment: Lawful Evil Government: Dictatorial Dragon Highlord Ariakus (Human P23/F10, AC 2, hp 88, AL LE) Disposition: Ambitious Geography: Although Taman Busuk as a nation is weak, it contains some of the most mystically and militarily powerful sites on Ansalon: Sanction, Neraka, and Gargath, as well as the ruins of Godshome. (The history and importance of Sanction warrants a separate entry. See "Sanction.") Mountains and sterile soil fragment the nation of Taman Busuk geographically, and Takhisis and the Blue Dragonarmy fragment it politically. But Takhisis prefers the country to be so divided: thus, none can stand against her. In the north, Taman Busuk borders Estwilde and Kern and in the south it borders Zhakar. Throughout its length, rugged and barren mountains stripe the land. The mountains in the north contain huge slabs of granite -- igneous shafts of former volcanoes that were forced into splintery ranges when the Cataclysm struck. Between these mountains lie wide valleys of grassy wasteland. In the south, the mountains become much more dense and the valleys disappear entirely. Here, thirteen volcanoes remain active. The lava flows of three of them reach into the very heart of the Dark Queen's occupied city of Sanction. Neraka, also, is surrounded by volcanoes, though they stand at a greater distance. The ragged Khalkist Mountains house more than just evil sites. The mystic sites of Godshome and the ancient city of Gargath lie in these mountains also. Godshome is- a bowlshaped depression in a mountain top. At the center lies a huge, polished circle of black rock, surrounded by an oddly shaped ring of boulders. Clearly, this site is not natural.but celestial in origin. Here, the companions discovered the true nature of Fizban and witnessed Paladine's epiphany. The ancient tower of Gargath is also said to lie nearby, where the Graystone was contained for a time and where the kender and tinker gnomes came into being. Even so, tales tell of at least five different locations for the Tower of Gargath. Most of the tales point to a site in the upper Khalkists, but perhaps the residue of chaos from the Graystone has cursed the tower to wander. Climate: Summers in Taman Busuk last from Corij to Reorxmont and remain temperate, due to the elevation. Also due to the height, the land receives little rain, making the stony mountains fairly barren. From Phoenix to Mishamont, the land grows quite chill and snows pile higher than a man's head. Only sites near volcanoes escape the accumulation of snow. It is said that when Neraka has snow, Sanction has rain. Politics: Neraka is ruled indirectly by Takhisis herself. The city arose 141 years after the Cataclysm, when Takhisis planted the cornerstone of the Kingpriest's temple in a remote glade. By patient magic, the cornerstone grew in to a new temple -- the twisted Temple of Darkness where Takhisis could muster and rally her servants. The city around the temple grew up only to serve the Dark Queen and her minions. Outside the city lay barracks for the five dragonarmies she commands. When travelers discovered the city, they mistook it for the "Lost City of Neraka," a mountain city destroyed by the Cataclysm. Those who escaped Takhisis's minions spread news of the city of "Neraka." Takhisis, wishing to hide her purposes, was content to let her capital of Evil be so called. Needless to say, no good comes out of Neraka. Takhisis has sent her Evil minions south to strike an alliance with Khur, hoping to unify against the traitorous ogres of Kern and the Knights of Solamnia. The dwarves of Zhakar occasionally raid Neraka, and the Nerakans willingly sponsor forays to explore and spy on the Zakharans' underground city. Godshome has no ruler lest it be Paladine himself, and Gargath is only a small settlement clustered about the ruined tower. Trade: Neraka and Sanction run a thriving trade in slaves, mercenaries, and weaponry with each other, Khur, and Zhakar. The dwarves of Zhakar barter with small gems, and the nomads of Khur offer fine warhorses, exotic spices, and artifacts from the Lost Cities of Istar. Sanction also deals in lime and llamas and serves as a point of entry for much stolen or black-market merchandise, which it trades through Neraka to the northern reaches of Taman Busuk. The nomadic barbarians of the north barter for these goods with mutton and wool.
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