Astinus Lorekeeper is the head librarian of the Library of Palanthas, a fictional character in the Dragonlance world. He is often emotionless, expressing his feelings (if any) only at extremely rare occasions. He has proclaimed himself to be neutral in all things, using his knowledge of the current happenings to help others rarely. He is aided by his Aesthetics, who keep the library in shape and protect it. These men try to be like Astinus, gaining as much knowledge as possible.
Biography
In the novels, Astinus is known as the ageless one and sometimes as the "Loremaster."[1] Astinus' origin is a mystery which has spawned many theories. Astinus once claimed that he was the first being to walk Krynn, and will be the last one to leave it. Some say he was some immortal creature in human form, others that he was the son of Gilean. He endlessly records the history of Krynn, rarely stopping unless called for a meeting he deems worthy. It was said that when the Cataclysm struck Krynn, he continued writing, even while the world around him was devastated.
Astinus, like his patron deity, Gilean, strives to remain neutral sitting as the perfect impartial observer of everything occurring on Krynn. He initially obtained this knowledge through his "unseen agents" until Fistandantilus/Raistlin Majere gave him the Globe of Present Time Passing. This lets him see all things as they occur. He claimed to have born every time a new life on Krynn was born, and died every time a life ended. He said every tear was his, every drop of blood spilled his as well. He claims to have shared in every agony and joy on Krynn. He claims to have committed the darkest deeds, and made great sacrifices in the name of good. He claims to be of all races, both male and female, both borne and murdered children.
Astinus one day appeared in Palanthas, and took over the library, as well as forming the Order of Aesthetics. This order aides him in the collection of his knowledge. Astinus watched the curse on the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthas, writing it down as he watched. Many years later, Fistandantilus, along with the cleric Denubis, contacted him, hoping for knowledge on Fistandantilus's planned ascension to godhood. When Raistlin Majere, along with Crysania, interrupted the flow of time and took the place of Fistandantilus and Denubis, Astinus was forced to cross out Denubis's name in his writing's and replace it with Crysania's. Astinus would later witness Raistlin's ascension to godhood and ultimately the destruction of the world, which he recorded, but Caramon Majere and Tasslehoff Burrfoot altered time, causing that volume to never be written. Caramon and Tas had taken that volume when they witness the same events in the future as Astinus, and returned it to him, which he was profoundly shocked at.
After the Chaos War, Astinus disappeared, taking away all of the volumes he ever wrote. The Aesthetics carry on his work, doing their best to preserve history as Astinus did.
The Great Library of Palanthas is the center of knowledge in Ansalon, and is kept by Astinus and the aestians, monks usually at the service of Gilean whose only mission is to protect the stored books.
References
- ^ Margaret Weis. "Book 2, volume 1, chapter 8, Escape from Tarsis. The story of the Dragon Orbs.". The Annotated Chronicles (1st edition ed.). Wizards of the Coast. p. 580. ISBN 0-7869-1870-5. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
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Other books
- Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2000). Dragons of Winter Night: Chronicles vol. II. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1609-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2000). Dragons of Spring Dawning: Chronicles vol. III. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1589-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2000). Time of the Twins: Legends vol. I. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1804-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2000). War of the Twins: Legends vol. II. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1805-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2000). Test of the Twins: Legends vol. III. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1806-3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Margaret Weis; Tracy Hickman (2002). Dragons of Summer Flame. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-2708-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - The Dawning of a New Age- Jean Rabe