The Great Library of Palanthas
An Aesthetic shows you to a small reading room.
Stories of Ansalon from the view of Yanlin.
A little gully dwarf runs by and says 'Wordwrap 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 giant book on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Yanlin' scribed in rich grey ink.
Author: Yanlin Date Sat Jul 9 16:37:01 2005 Stamp 1120945021 Subject Background Yanlin spent most of his childhood alone and confused. He wasn't told much about his parents. His mother had fallen in Love with a young elf that had befriended some human travellers and was deemed a Dark Elf. Yanlin did not even know why his father was considered a Dark Elf. His mother had died shortly after his birth. He was raised by one of the richest Elders in all of Silvanost. Everyone acted as though he did not exist and he never knew why. He would spend entire days alone in the Elders private Library. Yanlin read everything he could get in his hands. The Elder felt bad for him and tripled the size of his Library to keep Yanlin happy and occupied during the time he had left in Silvanost. The Elder knew Yanlin would leave because nobody could stand to treated the way they treat him. The Elder spent most of his remaining fortune on books teaching of Solinari and the path of pure magic. The Elder called Yanlin into his bedroom and explained what he hoped never would. The Elder was losing strength and was leaving this world behind. Yanlin learned for the first time why the other elves treated him differently. The fact that he had no parents was not the reason as he had suspected. His father was considered a Dark Elf and he would always be treated with distrust. The Elder explained how his father had really done nothing wrong but help some travellers get through the Nerakan forest and to Palanthas. Yanlin's mother had gotten personal letters from his father and the others demanded that she give them over to them. Fearing that they would hunt him down she burned the letters and refused to call him a Dark Elf. They immediately started treating her like an outsider. She went deep into depression that caused early labor. After her death the Elder took Yanlin in to teach him of the beauty in life and love. The Elder hoped to educate him and make him independent and good natured. With his dieing breathe he said "May you have the strength of Paladine, and be guided by the light of Solinari." Yanlin read everything on Solinari and began teaching himself magic. His skills grew rapidly and one night while sleeping he dreamed of travelling west to join the Conclave. Off in the distance he saw a silvery light getting larger until he realized that it was a Griffon. After the Griffon landed a rider climbed down and walked toward him. Yanlin looked around for an escape route until the most beautiful male voice rose into the air and froze him. "You are needed to advance the ways of pure and good magic and should seek the Conclave to further that path, and remember I will be watching." Yanlin woke and decided to leave Silvanost immediately in order to follow the light of Solinari. Yanlin was determined to clear his family name and be considered an asset to elven heritage. Author: Yanlin Date Sat Aug 27 23:02:07 2005 Stamp 1125201727 Subject secret Elven magic I Archmage, During my studies I knocked over a book labeled "Slug Recipes." I wiped off the dust and was about to replace it on the bookshelf when a piece of parchment fell out. It seemed to be a map with the title "Hidden Magic of the Elves." Being around so many humans must have changed the way I think, because I did not act like an elf in the days that followed. I should have taken the map directly to you but now I am glad that I did not. I explored the area of the map which took me to the edge of Qualinost. I tried to be careful not be noticed as I passed a Wildrunner encampment, however I may have been noticed. I do not believe they know why I came here, but i fear they tracked me into the secret entrance. Hidden by tree branches and mud one hand deep, I was able to find the entrance just as I noticed the Wildrunner scouts on my tail. I knew that I couldn't stay ahead of them long enough to make it back to Wayreth so I entered the secret cave. The cave seemed much larger than the mound in which the entrance was hidden. I wish you could have seen the writing on the walls, it was so majestic and artistic. It was written in a language I had seen before, however i did not immediately recognize what the symbols meant. With time anyone could decipher the meaning, but I had very little time. I spent the last few seconds I had memorizing everything on the walls. After what seemed like a very short time I heard voices that sounded like the were speaking Qualinesti. I was continuously studying the walls until I heard them start to enter the cave. I heard a rumbling much closer to me and i jerked around. The ground took shape at my feet and became a large ogre-like figure, it held up a rock hand toward one of my followers "You do not belong here!" At this point, I was wondering why did he not try to stop me from entering. Well this question was answered quickly. The lead follower made it past the golem without drawing attention, which caused me to pinch sulfur. Fear of the golem kept me from casting the spell. The lead follower was just about to grab me when I avoided his grasp by stepping deeper into the cave. The golem began speaking again "Elves only, you may not enter." Author: Yanlin Date Sat Aug 27 23:03:20 2005 Stamp 1125201800 Subject secret Elven magic II The second follower looked elven to me, but must not have been pure elven. He took another step into the cave and the golem screamed "You were warned!" Rocks started flying toward the second follower and exploding. The ground started shaking and the entrance became sealed and the followers were both hidden from my sight. The were either buried in rock, dead, or my infravision was failing in that cave. I felt around in the cave for days in darkness remembering the writing in my mind. After realizing that I was not going to be able to get out on my own, I began praying. I asked Solinari to be my guiding light and aid me in getting out of the cave. My prayer may have been too effective. I am beginning to think I am on the surface of a moon. I feel the magic has grown immensely within me although I have not gotten complete control yet. I had no ink so I produced some magically and this has been the easiest to read in three days though i do appologize for the color. I believe I was able to remember all of the writing on the walls of the cave. I have been writing it down on scroll parchment for the last week and I think I have it all. As soon as I finish this letter I will try to get back to Wayreth. Your loyal Apprentice, Yanlin Author: Yanlin Date Sat Sep 3 18:54:40 2005 Stamp 1125791680 Subject secret Elven magic III Archmage, Many days have passes since my last letter. I have found the source of the writing on the walls. I asked Solinari to aid me in translating the text. I found myself in my homeland even though I thought I would never return. I have returned to the elders library which had been left to me when he died even though I was unaware. He had many texts that dated back far to allow me to translate. I have found out that it was written in an ancient language related to Silvanesti, Qualinesti, and magic. It seems that it was a historical record of magic concerning the ability to magically create an intelligent golem. Someone thought the magic was too advanced for the time but needed to be mastered in good time. It must have been an elf that knew that the Qualinesti would not accidently find it. I believe he also wanted it to be found by an elf with magical knowledge but not be able to use it right away. This is why it was written in a nonexistent language. The elves of the time outlawed the use of the magic because they did not know how to totally control the golems. Not only were the golems intelligent but they were able to learn and began using magic. The elves feared the power of the golems when they started copying the mages. I have been researching the possibilities of controlling the golems and being able to harness the magic within them. Because the golems are created by magic, I do not believe they can go against magic. I am trying to determine if adding magical rules that the golems are bound by in the incantation would prevent the golems from learning magic and therefore prevent the feared problems. It seems the golems were magically bound to never attack without specific command from its master, however it could cast a fireball at a chair on its own. This could be very dangerous unless we can find a safe solution. Your Loyal Apprentice, Yanlin Author: Yanlin Date: Mon Sep 19 16:06:20 2005 Subject Secret Elven magic IV Archmage, The Qualinesti have found out about my research. They have alerted my people and I left the library before they could confront me. I was on my back to Wayreth and determined that I was being followed again. If I had the ability for magical transportation, I would be reporting to you in Wayreth. I ran from the followers into a desert and seemed to shake them from my trail. Now I seem to be lost and will make it out in due time. I am searching for a way out at this very moment and writing and walking at the same time. I have made significant progress with the golem magic. It seems I am no longer skilled enough to continue. With the resources available in Wayreth, I will be able to show you my work and continue making progress. I have just found some buildings, I will be in Wayreth by the end of the week. Your Loyal Apprentice, Yanlin Author: Yanlin Date Sat Oct 1 12:02:30 2005 Subject Secret Elven Magic V Archmage, I fear that there is more politics involved than originally estimated. I was able to lose my trackers and made it to the forest of Wayreth when I realized that that something was not right. I have disguised myself and have been spying on the encampment of elves that keeps following me. I have found out some very interesting information. The Qualinesti are not trying to stop me it is some other forest army. There are many races involved including elves. It seems that my research is wanted by them because they are trying to steal all that they can. It seems that there is a Kender with a low self image and no actual talent trying to take things that do not belong to him. My people have been fooled into thinking that getting my research and turning it over will improve relations with the Qualinesti. Since it is not even the Qualinesti looking for me, they will figure it out in time. I must stay in hiding until my people realize they have been deceived. I will continue to gather information on this army. Your Loyal Apprentice, Yanlin By the Way, I hide my research and will retrieve it before returning.
The Storytellers of Ansalon, The DragonLance MUD
Astinus points to the massive wall of books behind him and bids you to make a selection.
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