Written By Alarissa
March 15, 2019, 4:21 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
There's something comforting about a new dress. And new jewelry. Even though the former can't be worn until I've given birth, but I can at least sit and look at it and wait for when I have a waist again.
Written By Aerwyna
March 15, 2019, 3:58 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
Well.. finally finished that collection for the end of summer. Hopefully persons will have another look now that I've corrected a few errors with it. Silly needle. But such is life when making beautiful things.
Written By Kaya
March 15, 2019, 2:46 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
(OOC: So totally Kaya's Theme Song https://youtu.be/w7y19ED6Vrk)
Written By Thea
March 15, 2019, 2:20 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
There is a saying, it's as follows--"I don't trust words, I trust actions." Upon my arrival here, I may not be saying much right now, but I'm watching.
My dear brothers, how I've missed you! I will remind you exactly what it's like to have your sister back, good or bad!
My dear brothers, how I've missed you! I will remind you exactly what it's like to have your sister back, good or bad!
Written By Monique
March 15, 2019, 2:03 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
There are many mysteries in the world today, many challenges that face us, crying to be unraveled. Somewhere, there is an Emperor bloodying his way across the Dune Kingdoms in fervent conquest. Somewhere, something rumbles, and it is our fault, but why? Somewhere, there are young children cowering in a cell, being terrified, being eaten, and this, too, is our fault, in tangent. But the where's and why's and how's are mysteries to be unraveled, some at greater cost than others. If you are willing to pay whatever the cost you might find, and you need only the information to attempt the transaction? Seek me out.
Written By Willow
March 15, 2019, 1:54 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
There is room to have grief on behalf of people you are responsible for suffering, without needing to share the beliefs of those people personally. There is room to have your own beliefs and still be empathetic for the upheaval you know those you are responsible must bear. There is room to celebrate the liberty of some and still empathize for the loss that others will bear. Loss of traditions, culture, stability, and ostensibly some backbone of their identity. None of this means you share that belief, it only means that as the one responsible for overseeing something that will cause a profound sense of loss in areas that many need not consider, that you understand that loss that they will be experiencing. In what view is having understanding for your fellow human beings, especially those you are responsible for in some way, a bad thing?
Written By Delilah
March 15, 2019, 12:57 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
There is a jewel I yearn to wear,
But not until first set by you,
Starlight, a celestial treasure rare,
Seek it, and weave enough for two.
But not until first set by you,
Starlight, a celestial treasure rare,
Seek it, and weave enough for two.
Written By Reigna
March 15, 2019, 12:45 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
Veronica you say? Hmmm. She *would* make someone a very fine wife. And there has been precedent for announcing the availability of one's House Sword. It worked for cousin Pharamond quite nicely I hear!
Written By Reigna
March 15, 2019, 12:42 p.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Elgana
I am so very glad to have found a patron like Princess Elgana! Talking to her very much felt like speaking with someone who shares my vision of the world. I am very confident that we will be able to aid one another in our journey through this world. Plus, she clearly has extraordinary taste, as my co-protege is non other than the inestimable Bliss Whisper.
Written By Corban
March 15, 2019, 11:55 a.m.(9/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Tescelina
How lovely it was to meet Lady Tescelina at the Gauntlet the other day. I was able to introduce her to a friend of mine and share a little bit about history she was interested in. The Wyrmguards are long allies of my ancestral family, and dear personal friends as well.
Welcome to Arx, Lady Tescelina. We are glad to have you.
Welcome to Arx, Lady Tescelina. We are glad to have you.
Written By Willow
March 15, 2019, 9:17 a.m.(9/27/1010 AR)
For the first time since I truly saw death... i have hope. And it is terrifying.
Written By Silas
March 14, 2019, 7:38 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Valdemar
This isn’t the first radical change that has led to bloodshed, nor it will be the last. It is unfortunate that such a price will be paid, but those who may choose to rebel are responsible for that decision.
Not those who aren’t kind to those who still wish to lawfully abuse other people.
Not those who aren’t kind to those who still wish to lawfully abuse other people.
Written By Amari
March 14, 2019, 7:02 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
There's an important intermediary step between having no children, and having children. I think that's the main reason there's fewer new Keatons than you'd like.
You should arrange a marriage for Veronica, is what I'm saying, and Jaerith too.
You should arrange a marriage for Veronica, is what I'm saying, and Jaerith too.
Written By Willow
March 14, 2019, 6:09 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
I am very happy about the announcement about the thralls. Of late, I have been battling a lingering sense of homesickness. The end of summer is a welcome thing. The heat has been unbearable.
Written By Elgana
March 14, 2019, 5:53 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
I am honored to say that I have taken Marquessa Reigna Keaton as my protege. Hearing about everything Keaton has accomplished - both past and present - was enough to pique my interest in meeting with her and her family, I'm just sorry it took me so long to do so. Reigna is a bright and bold woman with a heart as deep as the sea.
I look forward to cultivating this friendship and relationship with her as her patron. I know we will do amazing things together.
I look forward to cultivating this friendship and relationship with her as her patron. I know we will do amazing things together.
Written By Shard
March 14, 2019, 4:38 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Valdemar
There was already a price in blood being paid, it was just the blood of criminals, or people the Compact doesn't consider to be worth caring about. Entire lifetimes of blood drained slowly through the years, or cut off brutally on an owner's whim. Generations upon generations of it, for longer than I think anyone actually knows. There are people suffering and dying in the Mourning Isles right now. Given the choice between caring about them or caring about the people causing all that misery, the choice seems pretty obvious. I don't shed any tears for slavers who love slavery so much they'll turn against all the rest of us to keep it.
And I don't care about unity for the sake of unity. Too often unity is held up as a shield against ever changing anything for the better, including Thralldom. Unity for a purpose is better. Unity for a cause is powerful. Unity for the sake of letting people do terrible things is neither of those. I mentioned unity because you brought it up, and seemed to value it.
The people who are going to revolt over this are already people who think I am scum on their shoe. If not now, then they thought I was better off in chains for the vast majority of my life, along with every single man, woman, and child in my tribe. If you don't care about my opinion, I sure as hell don't see why they would.
And I don't care about unity for the sake of unity. Too often unity is held up as a shield against ever changing anything for the better, including Thralldom. Unity for a purpose is better. Unity for a cause is powerful. Unity for the sake of letting people do terrible things is neither of those. I mentioned unity because you brought it up, and seemed to value it.
The people who are going to revolt over this are already people who think I am scum on their shoe. If not now, then they thought I was better off in chains for the vast majority of my life, along with every single man, woman, and child in my tribe. If you don't care about my opinion, I sure as hell don't see why they would.
Written By Aleksei
March 14, 2019, 4:07 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
In the aftermath of Prince Victus's proclamation, I started hearing more inaccurate ideas about thralldom -- it started as slavery, it didn't _turn into_ it, people, its origins were _never just_ -- and I went to write a whole response in the Whites when I realized that it just--
Didn't matter anymore. I mean, maybe it will in the coming days as we work to convince people to accept these changes peacefully and without rebellion. But right now? For me?
It doesn't matter. Because the impossible has happened.
I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. However passionately I felt or fought, I always assumed I was helping to build a foundation for future generations to continue fighting. I never expected this.
Seven years. It's a long time for the people in bondage, and I will never forget that. But despite popular opinion that all I've wanted to do is overthrow the Isles and ruin them all, I never called for that. I called for something shorter than _generations_, yes. I _wanted_ to make it uncomfortable for people to sit and live with what they were defending. Weighing a tradition over humanity and morality. But no, I never called for people to abolish it overnight. If for no other reason than the fact that the freed thralls would suffer as much as anyone else in that instance if everything was done without preparation.
Prince Victus Thrax has chosen the most difficult -- and most worthy -- path forward, and I will never, ever forget that. And I will be there in whatever capacity I can every step of the way, be it in raising money, arranging transport or housing or apprenticeships or work, the use of my swordarm or whatever knowledge or expertise I have, or anything that's needed of me. I will be there for the entire seven years and beyond, because I can do no less than that.
At least not without being a royal fucking hypocritical asshole. Pain in the ass I'll accept readily. Even _other_ types of assholes. But Thrax will have all of me for this fight.
Didn't matter anymore. I mean, maybe it will in the coming days as we work to convince people to accept these changes peacefully and without rebellion. But right now? For me?
It doesn't matter. Because the impossible has happened.
I never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. However passionately I felt or fought, I always assumed I was helping to build a foundation for future generations to continue fighting. I never expected this.
Seven years. It's a long time for the people in bondage, and I will never forget that. But despite popular opinion that all I've wanted to do is overthrow the Isles and ruin them all, I never called for that. I called for something shorter than _generations_, yes. I _wanted_ to make it uncomfortable for people to sit and live with what they were defending. Weighing a tradition over humanity and morality. But no, I never called for people to abolish it overnight. If for no other reason than the fact that the freed thralls would suffer as much as anyone else in that instance if everything was done without preparation.
Prince Victus Thrax has chosen the most difficult -- and most worthy -- path forward, and I will never, ever forget that. And I will be there in whatever capacity I can every step of the way, be it in raising money, arranging transport or housing or apprenticeships or work, the use of my swordarm or whatever knowledge or expertise I have, or anything that's needed of me. I will be there for the entire seven years and beyond, because I can do no less than that.
At least not without being a royal fucking hypocritical asshole. Pain in the ass I'll accept readily. Even _other_ types of assholes. But Thrax will have all of me for this fight.
Written By Valdemar
March 14, 2019, 1:59 p.m.(9/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Archeron
I do not have a problem with violence, nor do I fear it. There are times when it is the best tool for the job at hand. Other times, it is not. What I would like to avoid here is a situation where it is not the best tool, but where we end up having to resort to it anyway. Just because I am a hammer does not make everything I see a nail.
Written By Valdemar
March 14, 2019, 9:38 a.m.(9/25/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
Actually, you are wrong. I don't care what your answers to my questions are. I don't care what any individual thinks the answers to my questions are.
I was trying to point out that there is likely to be a cost in blood for this vision, a price that will overwhelmingly be paid by Mourning Islanders who have never broken any other law. By Mourning Islanders who have kept their oaths so far, and who have fought and bled for the Compact the same as people from any other fealty. Not cultists, not servants of some foreign power. Now if you believe that cost to be worth it, that is a different argument that I am not going to have here, as that question has already been decided. Sometimes the cost must be paid.
However, attitudes like yours, if held by too many, will make this harder than it needs to be when those who survive must continue to live in the Compact. Refusing to respect the price that has to be paid will draw out the fighting and make it worse, further damaging the unity that I hear so many touting. So think what you want, but if unity is really that important to you, perhaps consider your words a little more carefully.
I was trying to point out that there is likely to be a cost in blood for this vision, a price that will overwhelmingly be paid by Mourning Islanders who have never broken any other law. By Mourning Islanders who have kept their oaths so far, and who have fought and bled for the Compact the same as people from any other fealty. Not cultists, not servants of some foreign power. Now if you believe that cost to be worth it, that is a different argument that I am not going to have here, as that question has already been decided. Sometimes the cost must be paid.
However, attitudes like yours, if held by too many, will make this harder than it needs to be when those who survive must continue to live in the Compact. Refusing to respect the price that has to be paid will draw out the fighting and make it worse, further damaging the unity that I hear so many touting. So think what you want, but if unity is really that important to you, perhaps consider your words a little more carefully.
Written By Duarte
March 14, 2019, 8:03 a.m.(9/25/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Valdemar
When I cheer for the promised end of thralldom I can assure you I am cheering for just that, and not cheering for the 'death of your people'.
You pretend as if an individual is incapable of changing their own mind, and they've no choice over what outmoded practices they will allow to drag them - willy-nilly - to the grave. As if the sweet aroma of thralldom was like a siren's song beckoning these houses to crash upon the rocks of modern times and fall as martyrs for the nostalgia of archaic constructs.
I'm afraid indentured servitude is no such drug. If people die trying to save the institution of thralldom, 'twas their pertinaciousness did them in - not my cheering.
You pretend as if an individual is incapable of changing their own mind, and they've no choice over what outmoded practices they will allow to drag them - willy-nilly - to the grave. As if the sweet aroma of thralldom was like a siren's song beckoning these houses to crash upon the rocks of modern times and fall as martyrs for the nostalgia of archaic constructs.
I'm afraid indentured servitude is no such drug. If people die trying to save the institution of thralldom, 'twas their pertinaciousness did them in - not my cheering.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.