Written By Sabella
Nov. 7, 2018, 1:37 p.m.(12/13/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lore
There must be something pleasant about the kingdoms of Eurus, for all the people I've met from there have been utterly delightful! While I have heard strange tales, there is surely something redeeming about the place for it brought my sister her wonderful husband and I know there are others that have come to Arx from there who are generous and kind people. So, while on the surface it may seem a strange place to those of us who were not born there, I think there must be hidden depths to it that are fantastic and inspiring to produce such lovely people.
Written By Sabine
Nov. 7, 2018, 4:43 a.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
I remember you.
I remember you not as others do, backlit by candlelight, creature of fire and shadow, a captivation conjured by wine and the manipulations of music and clever tailoring. You made them dance to your laughter, contort to the subtlest crook of your smallest finger. You made them whisper when you turned away, tongues tingling with the scandal of your life. They loved you for it, for the fire and the shadows.
I remember you not as they do, for your warmth or your distance. Not as he did, for your tempest or your loyalty. You were their storm, and their eye as well.
No. I remember you. I remember your silences and the looks you would sometimes cast over your shoulder. The blood on your bitten lip a ward against what you wouldn't say, the ink turned to jelly in its pot a bar to what you wouldn't write. Complicated woman. What a ruin you tried to make of the world. Of them. Of us.
Me.
I remember you and I've captured you in marble. No more fire, no more shadows. Let it be a cool peace, deep as your legacy. Deep as legend.
I remember you not as others do, backlit by candlelight, creature of fire and shadow, a captivation conjured by wine and the manipulations of music and clever tailoring. You made them dance to your laughter, contort to the subtlest crook of your smallest finger. You made them whisper when you turned away, tongues tingling with the scandal of your life. They loved you for it, for the fire and the shadows.
I remember you not as they do, for your warmth or your distance. Not as he did, for your tempest or your loyalty. You were their storm, and their eye as well.
No. I remember you. I remember your silences and the looks you would sometimes cast over your shoulder. The blood on your bitten lip a ward against what you wouldn't say, the ink turned to jelly in its pot a bar to what you wouldn't write. Complicated woman. What a ruin you tried to make of the world. Of them. Of us.
Me.
I remember you and I've captured you in marble. No more fire, no more shadows. Let it be a cool peace, deep as your legacy. Deep as legend.
Written By Shard
Nov. 7, 2018, 12:55 a.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lou
Some likely were, some likely weren't. I doubt it much matters to him who comes willingly or not, who comes knowing the truth and who comes because they listened to his lies out of fear and anger at the Compact and a desire for protection or revenge. Certainly not what happens to them after. He's been haunting the wild lands and the Abandoned tribes for a very, very, very long time.
Written By Miranda
Nov. 6, 2018, 9:23 p.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Faruq
Thank you
Written By Miranda
Nov. 6, 2018, 9:22 p.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Domonico
No doubt you think you had a hand it in it, eh, Cousin?
... Seriously, though. Thank you!
... Seriously, though. Thank you!
Written By Lore
Nov. 6, 2018, 8:50 p.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Vanora
There is nothing, -nothing- pleasant about any kingdom of Eurus. And if that thirteenth kingdom does exist? It will be a kingdom of nightmares, not dreams. Please, for the love of everything you hold dear, do -not- try to romanticize Eurus in any way. That is how people die. Or worse.
Written By Ardee
Nov. 6, 2018, 8:22 p.m.(12/12/1009 AR)
I had a rather interesting night last night. It turns out if you're looking for an adventure in drinking, The Spirits is the place to find it. Who doesn't enjoy watching the occasional display of debauchery?
Written By Helia
Nov. 6, 2018, 6:25 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
I didn't die. Somehow I'm alive.
Nine will have to stay with me a while longer, it seems. Weirdly, she's been following me around since I returned. I only sleep when my body and mind give out in exhaustion, but when I wake up drenched in sweat after another nightmare, there she is on the pillow right next to my face. She still gives me the same look of mild contempt, but it's good to know she's with me. If not for her I might have turned to the booze for comfort, and I don't want that. I feel that if I allow myself to seek answers at the bottom of a bottle, I might be searching forever.
I was fortunate to come out of the battle unscathed, but most of that luck was made by others -- those who stood, and those who fell. Without them, the outcome would have been quite different, and I doubt I would be here writing this. It was my honour to do my small part by standing beside them and fighting for them.
This is one of those situations in life that requires a dexterity with words -- some degree of acuity and delicacy that I can only wield when I have a sword in my hand. But I'm a fighter, not a wordsmith, so I'll leave others to speak more eloquently where I cannot.
Nine will have to stay with me a while longer, it seems. Weirdly, she's been following me around since I returned. I only sleep when my body and mind give out in exhaustion, but when I wake up drenched in sweat after another nightmare, there she is on the pillow right next to my face. She still gives me the same look of mild contempt, but it's good to know she's with me. If not for her I might have turned to the booze for comfort, and I don't want that. I feel that if I allow myself to seek answers at the bottom of a bottle, I might be searching forever.
I was fortunate to come out of the battle unscathed, but most of that luck was made by others -- those who stood, and those who fell. Without them, the outcome would have been quite different, and I doubt I would be here writing this. It was my honour to do my small part by standing beside them and fighting for them.
This is one of those situations in life that requires a dexterity with words -- some degree of acuity and delicacy that I can only wield when I have a sword in my hand. But I'm a fighter, not a wordsmith, so I'll leave others to speak more eloquently where I cannot.
Written By Ignacio
Nov. 6, 2018, 2:05 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
More and more Fidantes come to Arx. While it is an unexpected influx, I can't say I am disappointed to have so many of my family close by of late. It makes the villa feel at home even though Tor is so very far away.
Written By Ignacio
Nov. 6, 2018, 2:04 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucita
One of the first friends I made when I came to Arx and she remains to be a close friend to this day. She has welcomed Cadenza's and my child with a gift fitting from her. I am not sure she is aware of how much it truly means to me.
Written By Forato
Nov. 6, 2018, 1:57 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
So many interesting people to meet. I keep finding myself in awe and affection for those who sit high on their horses. Boldly with bravado and strength. I hear tell of this activity in the eastern forests, I need to prepare myself to face such things. I need to find a teacher in survival.
Written By Vanora
Nov. 6, 2018, 12:55 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
Perhaps there are 12 to leave room for dreams. The Thirteenth Kingdom is the one that does not yet exist.
Written By Harlex
Nov. 6, 2018, 12:34 p.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
At first they hated me for the drills. We ran them for sixteen hours straight.
So soon after such a battle--their bodies were right, but their souls were weary.
They needed the normalcy. I forced them through it.
We rented out an old, abandoned house in the Lowers.
I taught them ways to use siege tactics in urban environments. Scouts cover the windows. Heavy infantry man the front doors. Light infantry moves in the back, sweeping each room. Give them only one direction to flee or end up on the end of a spear. Archers stop anyone who makes it past the unit inside.
Ran another where the heavy infantry breached the front door. Harrying those inside to the back. Right into an ambush. Only had one fight break out among the soldiers.
By the end they were moving through that house like a breeze.
Normalcy.
You never forget the bad ones. They go on about sacrifice and 'knowing what they signed up for' and the fallacy that a death for a good cause is a good death. There's something to be proud of, in what we did, but I don't fault anyone for not feeling that pride.
I fought my very best that day and I came home unharmed. I can't help the feeling of guilt in that--this nagging sensation that maybe I could have fought a little harder, that my blood could've been split for the single sparing of a life: someone's son or daughter, husband or wife--father or mother.
I'm certain Private Jaidyn's parents would rather have their girl back, instead of wondering for the rest of their days what exactly she died to defend.
When I was helping carry the dead back to camp I saw the look in their eyes, all the questions. In the corpses I saw broken promises. Faces I had seen before and some I would never know.
We'll account for them, we'll remember them, and when the graves are made we'll march on. But it never gets easier and I gather that, when it does--when they become just soldiers in an army--maybe the Enemy is a little closer to home than we care to admit.
So soon after such a battle--their bodies were right, but their souls were weary.
They needed the normalcy. I forced them through it.
We rented out an old, abandoned house in the Lowers.
I taught them ways to use siege tactics in urban environments. Scouts cover the windows. Heavy infantry man the front doors. Light infantry moves in the back, sweeping each room. Give them only one direction to flee or end up on the end of a spear. Archers stop anyone who makes it past the unit inside.
Ran another where the heavy infantry breached the front door. Harrying those inside to the back. Right into an ambush. Only had one fight break out among the soldiers.
By the end they were moving through that house like a breeze.
Normalcy.
You never forget the bad ones. They go on about sacrifice and 'knowing what they signed up for' and the fallacy that a death for a good cause is a good death. There's something to be proud of, in what we did, but I don't fault anyone for not feeling that pride.
I fought my very best that day and I came home unharmed. I can't help the feeling of guilt in that--this nagging sensation that maybe I could have fought a little harder, that my blood could've been split for the single sparing of a life: someone's son or daughter, husband or wife--father or mother.
I'm certain Private Jaidyn's parents would rather have their girl back, instead of wondering for the rest of their days what exactly she died to defend.
When I was helping carry the dead back to camp I saw the look in their eyes, all the questions. In the corpses I saw broken promises. Faces I had seen before and some I would never know.
We'll account for them, we'll remember them, and when the graves are made we'll march on. But it never gets easier and I gather that, when it does--when they become just soldiers in an army--maybe the Enemy is a little closer to home than we care to admit.
Written By Lisebet
Nov. 6, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
I am so exhausted. I don't think I have ever been this tired in my entire life.
Written By Corban
Nov. 6, 2018, 9:23 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
I am not a priest, nor am I a scholar.
But I have been meditating on the nature of knowledge and the past lately. There are those who search for knowledge to simply know things, because they are curious about what has come before. And perhaps, for some Scholars, knowledge for its own sake is worthwhile.
I have come to a different view. In searching the past, I prepare for the future. Even when Vellichor gave his great injunction -- that the most-studious among us should take a sacred vow to forever guard the knowledge of the world -- he did so in revealing secrets that allowed humanity to prevail in the Reckoning.
I hope to follow that pragmatic path in the future.
But I have been meditating on the nature of knowledge and the past lately. There are those who search for knowledge to simply know things, because they are curious about what has come before. And perhaps, for some Scholars, knowledge for its own sake is worthwhile.
I have come to a different view. In searching the past, I prepare for the future. Even when Vellichor gave his great injunction -- that the most-studious among us should take a sacred vow to forever guard the knowledge of the world -- he did so in revealing secrets that allowed humanity to prevail in the Reckoning.
I hope to follow that pragmatic path in the future.
Written By Domonico
Nov. 6, 2018, 9:01 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Miranda
Sword of Gemecitta. A fitting title and one that is well deserved now by my cousin. I wish for her heart to be pure, her arm to be strong and for Truce to never fall from her hand.
Written By Alrec
Nov. 6, 2018, 8:33 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
Perhaps I should leave the writing to my quartermaster now that my journals are so popular. There are currently two people still alive from that time: High Lord Victus and myself. So I don't expect people to understand. Past that moment, I have paid pennance to now dead men. But my crimes were not murder or betrayal. I dealt with a mutiny of my men and like I have always done, took a contract with someone else. When the Thrax called to sail against Tyde, they paid me in silver and gold. This was and always will be my price. Back then, this was understood.
Written By Lou
Nov. 6, 2018, 8:24 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
I cannot commend Prince Talen, Baroness Enyo, or Lady Emily enough for their fine fighting skills. Meriah for her quick ability to work when given a task. I know it could not have been easy for everyone, to see what the one we fight has done to other people. Or, to see the stark reality of the information we've been passing to each other stare us in the face. Each of them comported themselves well, and I would have them at my side again were they up to the task.
Though, I did not escape entirely unscathed. Thought it might have seemed to them that I was focused on a single task, I can't say I won't have nightmares about those we fought, nor the way they were so in sync with each other. Their movements the same. Their speech patterns in unison with each other. I choose not to believe that all of them were willing subjects, not after the many villages I'd been to, gathering information and seeing just how decimated the shav'arvani populations had become at his hand.
Though, I did not escape entirely unscathed. Thought it might have seemed to them that I was focused on a single task, I can't say I won't have nightmares about those we fought, nor the way they were so in sync with each other. Their movements the same. Their speech patterns in unison with each other. I choose not to believe that all of them were willing subjects, not after the many villages I'd been to, gathering information and seeing just how decimated the shav'arvani populations had become at his hand.
Written By Audric
Nov. 6, 2018, 6:09 a.m.(12/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Alrec
No, no no, you're going about this all wrong! If you want to be an inflammatory individual, you have to do something interesting before you start spouting wild shit. Trust me, I'm an expert. I sing loudly my love of battle and killing, but I've shown again and again that it's directed in the service of the Compact, so it's just a -quirk-. What you're doing now is just a good way to get yourself Abbas'd. What's the way that you boatfolks say it? Turn hard to stern, cap'n, you're heading hard for the permanent fuckup strait!
Written By Violet
Nov. 6, 2018, 1:46 a.m.(12/10/1009 AR)
The Blades met the enemy. Duke Aiden was there aiding in our work with the Fluffybottom chapter house. It was just before dawn. It was quiet, too quiet, and many of us, myself included, were still waking. No excuse of course. We sensed nothing, but as the animals started to wake there was the start of a cry, that ended as they all fell into what appeared to be sleep. Even as the burrows beneath our feet trembled and collapsed. It was then we were able to reveal the enemy and engage it. Even as the Blades sought to dig out those trapped in the earth below.
The creature we faced was a thing of nightmare. I'm sure the scholars will be tutting over this journal for awhile to come. It resembled a bear. Maybe it was at one time, but it was huge and its eyes glowed green. I mean it, they glowed green. And it was covered in horrible sores. It exuded a wickedness and horror that was like every bad thing that has happened over the last five years all rolled into one. Was like a punch to the gut. As we engaged it arrows began to fall on us from the woods. Human helpers apparently.
Many people fell to the claws of that creature and others to arrows. That creature, that demon, feasted on the lives trapped below the ground. Until it was distracted enough by our attack. The Blades worked beautifully as ever in their tasks. It was Corporal Arianna, Lieutenant Harlex, and Private Starra who landed the telling blows which felled it finally. Afterwards our people searched the woods to rout the archers and any other unknown adversaries, but that seemed to be all. Once things have settled there will be a vigil for the fallen.
The creature we faced was a thing of nightmare. I'm sure the scholars will be tutting over this journal for awhile to come. It resembled a bear. Maybe it was at one time, but it was huge and its eyes glowed green. I mean it, they glowed green. And it was covered in horrible sores. It exuded a wickedness and horror that was like every bad thing that has happened over the last five years all rolled into one. Was like a punch to the gut. As we engaged it arrows began to fall on us from the woods. Human helpers apparently.
Many people fell to the claws of that creature and others to arrows. That creature, that demon, feasted on the lives trapped below the ground. Until it was distracted enough by our attack. The Blades worked beautifully as ever in their tasks. It was Corporal Arianna, Lieutenant Harlex, and Private Starra who landed the telling blows which felled it finally. Afterwards our people searched the woods to rout the archers and any other unknown adversaries, but that seemed to be all. Once things have settled there will be a vigil for the fallen.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.