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Written By Lorenzo

Jan. 11, 2019, 11:06 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

I've been listening to the reports come in of progress on the great road. So much conflict is troubling, of course, but perhaps it should not be surprising when vast amounts of money and land are involved, along with freedom, independence, safety, privacy, ability to travel, and the rest of it that is so close to the human heart. While of course it's helpful to look at lessons learned from something like this, those involved need to decide where to go from here. The more blood that is spilled, the harder it will be to get both sides to agree to a peaceful solution. I encourage everyone to consider the Sentinel's justice and when we have harmed someone, what we can do to make them whole.

Written By Daniella

Jan. 11, 2019, 10:35 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

So sobriety, my old nemesis, we meet again.

Written By Gilroy

Jan. 11, 2019, 10:08 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Acantha

I appreciate that you're building roads between communities.

Written By Lucita

Jan. 11, 2019, 9:05 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Sometimes when receiving word of what has been happening, words to express the mix of feelings and thoughts simply are inadequate and silence grants its own form of eloquence.

Written By Lucita

Jan. 11, 2019, 9:05 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Sometimes when receiving word of what has been happening, words to express the mix of feelings and thoughts simply are inadequate and silence grants its own form of eloquence.

Written By Corban

Jan. 11, 2019, 8:55 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Sorrel

Welcome, Princess Lilah Thrax. May you have the strength, wisdom, courage, and compassion of your namesake.

As Arx endures, we will remember.

Written By Shard

Jan. 11, 2019, 7:49 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Reigna

I thought about this one. How to explain. Let me put it this way, and either it'll make sense or it won't. Or maybe it'll make sense later.

You went into battle as a healer. You saw war. Would you bend the knee to Cardia? To the Undying Empire? All of these great powers believe they know the best way. That their ways are right and true, and your ways are stupid and inferior and, in some cases, dangerous to yourself and others. At least one of them sounds as though they already believe Arvum is theirs. Another might lay a claim. What would you say to them, if they did? Would it matter to them if you told them the land was yours, and you and your people had been living on it for generations? What would you do if they brought armies instead of emissaries? Would you resist? Would you fight back? Why wouldn't you just bend the knee and accept their changes, instead of fighting for your people and your traditions and your beliefs?

I doubt any of those questions are hard to answer. They were never hard to answer for any of the people I used to know.

Written By Sabine

Jan. 11, 2019, 5:02 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Karadoc

A quarter of a year already spent and the moon turns its face, implacable. Inevitable. Every person's inspiration is different but I've the measure of my lord-husband now, every thread sorted, the tension exact.

There's satisfaction in knowing the weave and hues of someone's dreams.

Written By Evangelina

Jan. 11, 2019, 4:59 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

People that want a war will always find a way to get one. Instead of wringing my hands and trying to sound worldly for too long, I'm going to do something about this. I'm not sure exactly what, but I'm sure there are plenty of people looking to do something worthwhile, and I'm definitely interested in helping out!

Written By Sabine

Jan. 11, 2019, 4:49 a.m.(5/4/1010 AR)

Perhaps a little more of the steel fist, a little less of the velvet glove, is warranted in times such as these. At least in regards to those over whom we hold dominion. Not all steel need be delivered with the point of a blade, remember.

A first impression may never be made again and my darlings, you are doing their work for them.

Written By Mirk

Jan. 11, 2019, 1:06 a.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

I usually avoid wading into the controversy of the week, as I am not involved and therefore it's no business of mine. But this time? I am involved.

The Halfshavs have ruled one of the most remote lands in the Compact. Our lands border the Everwinter, and some of our vassals are so difficult to reach that I would consider hiring a skilled guide if I made the trip. Though I do not speak for my House, I speak from that perspective. The Great Road has brought us closer to the rest of the Compact, and I can only hope that our people will reap the rewards of the trade and communication that entails. Frankly, if Lord Kaldur hadn't approached me about this road, I was planning to do something much like it myself. My plans were for something far more modest, which would never have never been a tenth of the scope of this Great Road, and so I commend Lord Kaldur for his vision.

The Great Road is everything that I hoped for when I offered my support. Yes, there are difficulties that I did not foresee. But that means that it is not the completion of a project, but the beginning of a longer process of resolving our border disputes, untangling the delicate political situations, and reaching an accommodation or enforcing a peace on those Shav tribes that continue to raid along the road even now. All of that will involve problems and complications, some of which I'm sure I still haven't thought of. Those are problems I am willing to address, because the goal is worthwhile.

That is what the road is: the means to an end. Some people didn't have the same ends I did. Some are using it as the excuse to perpetrate massacres, or to start pointless wars. I don't blame the road for that, I blame the people. They have their reasons, I'm sure, but for the life of me I can't understand them.

I can't control their actions. All I can do is work to make the most of this opportunity, and try to realize the potential in what we have built, so that this road continues to be a boon to my House and my people. And maybe a boon to everyone else, too. But that's out of my hands.

Written By Thesarin

Jan. 11, 2019, 12:10 a.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

I like to reckon I've grown past the time of life a man spends breath making bold boasts, but there's days call for them.

Riven is home to thousands of Prodigals who've come seeking shelter from these storms.

Any fucker, in the Compact or out, who does harm to them under my protection will spend their last hours wishing they'd done elsewise.

And that's all.

Written By Lisebet

Jan. 10, 2019, 11:13 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Aleksei

I don't know who it is, but I don't think I want to.

Written By Sparte

Jan. 10, 2019, 10:02 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

As has been pointed out, unity without purpose serves no good. It can even be something terrible. I find myself agreeing with the wisdom in those words.

It also reminds me of how very easily words can have many meanings. How context can be unclear. We find it in the archives regularly, accounts from distant eras that seem to mean one thing to some but something wildly different when properly understood.

But I can not pretend my words are taken out of context because they come from some dusty tome, or that the word had a different meaning when I wrote it. I must acknowledge the truth that others see things clearly that I don't, and that I have been guilty of choosing my words poorly. I strive to change for the better, but it has been shown that the intent of change is not always what is achieved. I will continue to try, while realizing stubborness is not a virtue but a trait I share with goats and donkeys.

When I wrote those words, it was while I looked at the current events. Two foreign powers have sought us out to speak, a third has come to spectate. With the snow so recently passed, and a clocktower broken. As if all of that was not enough, a grand road with grand vision for the compact's impact was felt suddenly and unexpectedly, good news that quickly soured. I felt anger and rage at the news of dead children and godsworn. That anger did not last, being replaced with sorrow. Then in turn, I felt numbness. Crawling away from that I found hope. Hope that we would face the challenges ahead of us together, because we are stronger together, and the challenges will be great.

But that hope has since chipped, and I see behind it the fear for more lives lost and injustices done. It was a fragile, blinding dream. I sought the positive because I hid from the truth of how bad things became so quickly. I should learn to stay away from the whites while I am still processing tragedy.

Written By Acantha

Jan. 10, 2019, 10 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Gilroy

Master Gilroy, hopefully the messenger I sent about the Prodigal Meet and Greet with answer all that you need to know. We will be going ahead with things unless the situations become more threatening.

Written By Brady

Jan. 10, 2019, 9:53 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

So often, I'm glad I'm no kinda diplomat, or some kinda silk. There's a lot I don't understand about laws and treaties and shit like that. I try my best to clean up my words and my clothes when I'm around folks that might be offended by my origins. Not that I think I should, I just know better than try and argue with people who have vested interests in their beliefs.

There's somethin about being poor I only recently learned. You can adapt without 'losing' what you've got, which is basically nothing, when you're poor. If you're one of the Abandoned, and you've got a vested interest in, say, land, them you probably think you can't afford to lose it. If you're, I don't know, heavily invested in your opinion, or some great project, you probably think you can't afford to lose that, either.

Even at the cost of someone else's life.

Everyone's got their reasons for doing something. Their beliefs, their family, their money, their honor. I don't judge, I've got no room to. I'm glad I'm only heavily invested in my family, and the Lowers. I'm glad I'm not responsible for anyone's death. Not yet, anyway, thank the Gods. I wouldn't wanna have that kinda weight on my shoulders, or have to make those kinda decisions.

Written By Andry

Jan. 10, 2019, 7:09 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

It saddens me to see so many people, abandonded and crownsworn both do the work of Ruin. But we most not let these forces of chaos convince us that the noble goal of greater connections throughout the compact is somehow foolhardy. I know that we have the strength to build prosperity together as long as we perserve through the troubles in our path. The compact wasn't built easily nor will it grow stronger easily but I firmly believe it's worth it.

Written By Sabella

Jan. 10, 2019, 5:33 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

Opening night was so incredibly wonderful I am walking about wondering if I am still somehow having the most delicious dream! Being up on stage and not watching from the seats! The intense feelings of anxiety and nervousness melting away as the first notes of music started and the only thing to do was become the character and sing! It was exquisite! I have for so very long in my life wanted to be up on the stage, to hear the applause, to have people laugh at the words I spoke and bring them to tears in another moment! It is intoxicating! For many years I was very discouraged that I never seemed to be able to make the leap, but now I know that nothing would ever have been as sweet as having my first debut be in a brand new type of play--a musical!--that my very own husband wrote. It was perfect. Completely, utterly perfect! I don't know that I shall ever see the like of opening night again.

Although I shall do my very best to recreate the performance for all our other engagements!

And of course, I must thank all of the other wonderful players who had such patience with me during rehearsals and give me so much to play off of every night! You are all amazingly and astoundingly talented!

The Nightingale and the Playwright deserve all the acclaim I am hearing and more!

Written By Karadoc

Jan. 10, 2019, 5:13 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

For an omelette, you see, a few eggs do need to be broken. No, Scholar, that isn't a metaphor. I am truly just talking about breakfast -- I slept in far too late in the afternoon and I'm famished. So, I'll have to see about that after I leave the Archives. Perhaps with some buttered toast, a rasher of bacon, and sparkling wine with peach nectar added to it. Some fruit. Doesn't that sound divine? Honestly, it's a much better subject to consider compared to anything _serious._

Written By Karadoc

Jan. 10, 2019, 5:10 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Aleksei

Someone must truly appreciate the charitable cause, I think, if they are willing to participate. Though -- you'll never catch me within leagues of that esteemed dinner guest.

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