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 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 pulp magazine on the table in front of you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Yanlin' scribed in dull yellow 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.


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 mentions 'We have had over 868 storytellers on Ansalon pen their epic stories here for all to read.'

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