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Written By Aleksei

Sept. 11, 2018, 12:16 p.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Thena

He won't be back for another month!

Written By Cristoph

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:54 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

My son's nanny is a real hero.

She fished Eadric out of a laundry shoot yesterday.

Sure, there's that lingering question of how he was able to get down there to begin with.

You'd have to know Eadric to understand. The child needs to be on a leash. This woman deserves every bit of her salary.

Written By Thena

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:52 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Aleksei

I miss you Aleksei, you big old hero you. Come visit and bring the kid.

Written By Aleksei

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:46 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Thena

Jeez, just tell you miss me and want me to visit!

Written By Jasher

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:42 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Lisebet

Heroes are the sword that's held on display in a case.

You can take the sword out and use it as a sword should be used, but doing so causes it to acquire the nicks and scratches a blade suffers under regular use. If you desire, you can spend time and manpower to whet back its edge, clean the tarnish, and make the sword look presentable again, but it will never be the same sword that it would be had it remained in its case, untouched except to be cleaned.

However, in order to be so valued that it was put on display, a sword would have already seen some use beforehand. It was already flawed before being placed upon its case of honour.

Written By Alis

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:38 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Lisebet

I do not think someone has to be dead to be a hero. Some of those I look up to as heroes, Princess Marian, Prince Edain, Princess Alarissa, are heroes in part because they are alive. Because they survived what seemed to be insurmountable odds. And they kept living. It matters not to me whether others consider them a hero though, and perhaps that is the key.

Everyone has a different standard, and different criteria for who they personally consider a hero. But usually? A capital H Hero seems to be someone who people from every fealty and every walk of life revere because of their actions. And that only becomes commonly known when they die. I like what Dame Thena has said as well. We'll never know most everyday heroes, because their work goes unnoticed and unrecognized. But without them, life would most assuredly be less.

Written By Thena

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:14 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Most of the real heroes in this world? The ones who do real, lasting good? You won't see them.

Written By Harlex

Sept. 11, 2018, 11:07 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Lisebet

I would aim to echo some of Bliss's comments. That it is--the business of heroism--setting yourself up for disappointment, so long as they live. That a hero-after-the-fact is an easier sell than one walking amongst us.

You see, I have just found in my time, that when you set someone up like that, you mark them. You make it so that when they come to the gates and find they cannot trespass, when they see their luck won't hold and it is wiser to retreat, that they will not. As though the hands of multitudes push at their backs. Push them into those black flames. Chanting their name.

That is a hard thing to do to a good soul. You lay that guilt on them and it's a kind of corruption in itself. But people are just like that; tradition-lovers, storytellers, singers and scribes. They want to honor sacrifice and noble deeds.

I don't know.

I only know the way I've seen it. But that is how I've seen it time and time again. That when I have seen stone statues lying in their coffins, they have all had feet of clay.

Written By Edain

Sept. 11, 2018, 10:50 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Lisebet

Difficult times make many heroes and that is perhaps the secret blessings of our turbulent times. Heroes are often flawed people, maid more heroic because of thier flaws rather than the absence of them.

This is a list of some living heroes. This is not all inclusive, some on this list are heroes for reasons that are stories that are no one's to share yet, and sometimes they just resonate more strongly with me:

Duke Gabriel Bisland
Princess Marian Redrain
Lady Aislin Ashford
Princess Alis Valardin
Duchess Margot Tyde
Sir Daemon and Dame Ida

This list is not complete as I don't have enough paper to list everyone I believe to have earned the title of hero in thier life time. I would wager most have thier own lists.

Written By Bliss

Sept. 11, 2018, 10:26 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Lisebet

There are a few people alive, today, who I would consider heroes, but there are a few problems with naming them such. The most notable issue, to me, is that when they're alive, they still have the opportunity to ruin everything good they have ever done in a single moment. It's something that you.can see happening again and again in the past, and it's something that I've had all too much experience with, in people who were not what they claimed to be.

The sad truth of the matter, though, is that many of the people we consider heroes and honor as such had sickening truths to them - truths that are easier to ignore once they are dead, truths that are easier to fathom in the contexts of their whole lives. They did not always do the right thing, by any means, yet some of the things they did are such shining examples that we choose to follow them. There is also the issue that what one people finds heroic, others might find monstrous. There are a number of statues in the Hall of Heroes you would never see outside of their own halls for this reason.

Heroism is embodying the ideals of your people. And if you are led to believe you are a hero while alive, well, then you are going to find it really easy to justify doing anything you want - after all, you're doing it, so it must be heroic. There are a few prominent, dangerous examples of this, so it's probably best to just wait until people die.

Or I suppose you say 'fuck it', recognize that your life will be a legendary thing, and work as hard as you can to make sure that when it's looked at, people will be inspired.

Written By Lisebet

Sept. 11, 2018, 10:02 a.m.(7/27/1009 AR)

My not so deep thought of the day yesterday - must one die in order to be a hero? I know that is not so deep as some questions others ask, but it seemed to be one that was worth considering. So, it was something that I spent some time considering, while in the Hall of Heroes. Duke Harlan happened by, and we chatted for a bit, but I am not sure I even voiced my question to him. Unsurprisingly I found no real answers. I then spoke with Lord Ingvar at Bold Espressions, and we had an interesting conversation on heroes.

Obviously, in order to be buried and honored in the Hall of Heroes, one must be dead.

I think it might just be that in general, heroes do the right thing, even when it is dangerous, putting themselves in the way of harm and/or overwhelming odds.

And that perhaps leads to death more often than not.

Written By Calista

Sept. 10, 2018, 11:47 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

I do not say this often but I should make a special note on how proud I am to have such incredible vassals. House Mazetti works tirelessly to serve the people of Ostria, and trust me when I say their efforts do not go unnoticed. Marquessa Cambria is more than just a lovely face; She is driven, passionate, and dedicated to her cause. Anyone who knows the Marquessa knows I speak the truth.

When I asked for tales of good deeds, it was Marquis Hadrian who wrote of his lady wife's unflappable dedication to their people. Thank you, House Mazetti for being a prime example of how success is achieved through hard work and persistence.

Written By Calista

Sept. 10, 2018, 11:39 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

Recently, I asked to be told tales of good deeds and I was not disappointed. Much to my surprise, not all who wrote to me sought praise for themselves but for others which is quite noble and selfless in my book.

I was most impressed by Lady Delilah and Lady Miranda, who shared stories about the trials and tribulations of others they hold with great esteem and respect. Their stories have certainly inspired me and perhaps I will once more call upon the people of Arx to share their selfless and brave stories with me.

Written By Sophie

Sept. 10, 2018, 10:59 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

What a day it was! After my recent self imposed solitary soul searching I was much too busy with matters relating to the Mercies to focus on what is truly important -my relationship and service to Lagoma. I surmise that it is normal human nature to become lost in the daily grind and forget the bigger picture of why we do the things we do.
I took a relaxing walk to the Shrine of Lagoma, and once there I spent an entire glorious hour in silence, simply communing with Lagoma and seeking her guidance in the months to come. It seems almost as if she was drawing certain people there today. Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic, but I suspect there was something much larger at work today and I can't wait to see what comes of the acquaintances that were forged today.
Archlector Roran was there, of course, and though I like him and respect him for his work I feel that he is silently disapproving almost constantly. I fear he questions my ability to adequately fill my post and I suppose, in future, I'll have to watch what I say to him. I have a tendency to tease and he seems to take nearly everything quite literally. As nearly half of what I say cannot be taken literally, it makes for a rather interesting conversation.
Lord Aethan was perhaps the most surprising part of the day. I left thinking I hadn't left the least bit of an impression on him, and that I would have to make a concerted effort to try to bring him out of his shell, and within hours he had sent, via messenger, a generous donation toward the purchase of new linens for the House of Solace. I have invited him for tea and cake. I look forward to discovering why Lagoma saw fit to bring us together in that most fortuitous meeting in the presence of her holy flame.

Written By Sophie

Sept. 10, 2018, 10:59 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

What a day it was! After my recent self imposed solitary soul searching I was much too busy with matters relating to the Mercies to focus on what is truly important -my relationship and service to Lagoma. I surmise that it is normal human nature to become lost in the daily grind and forget the bigger picture of why we do the things we do.
I took a relaxing walk to the Shrine of Lagoma, and once there I spent an entire glorious hour in silence, simply communing with Lagoma and seeking her guidance in the months to come. It seems almost as if she was drawing certain people there today. Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic, but I suspect there was something much larger at work today and I can't wait to see what comes of the acquaintances that were forged today.
Archlector Roran was there, of course, and though I like him and respect him for his work I feel that he is silently disapproving almost constantly. I fear he questions my ability to adequately fill my post and I suppose, in future, I'll have to watch what I say to him. I have a tendency to tease and he seems to take nearly everything quite literally. As nearly half of what I say cannot be taken literally, it makes for a rather interesting conversation.
Lord Aethan was perhaps the most surprising part of the day. I left thinking I hadn't left the least bit of an impression on him, and that I would have to make a concerted effort to try to bring him out of his shell, and within hours he had sent, via messenger, a generous donation toward the purchase of new linens for the House of Solace. I have invited him for tea and cake. I look forward to discovering why Lagoma saw fit to bring us together in that most fortuitous meeting in the presence of her holy flame.

Written By Delilah

Sept. 10, 2018, 8:23 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Ophelia

I fear for all the songbirds that raise their heads before dawn, and those that sing an unwanted song. They might be gold-shot through the heart, their breasts skewered on the revenge of a Velenosa princess.

What have the birds done to move that fiery spirit to maintain such a fierce resistance against avian dominion?

Written By Joscelin

Sept. 10, 2018, 7:55 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Godric

I'm reminded that I still need to see a fresh spleen.

Written By Elloise

Sept. 10, 2018, 4:12 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Godric

I think the reward for solving any mystery is the introduction of a NEW mystery. The mysterious myth of mysteries --

I'll stop now.

Written By Thena

Sept. 10, 2018, 2:47 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Godric

I know better by now than to think any mystery is ever really solved.

Written By Godric

Sept. 10, 2018, 2:22 p.m.(7/26/1009 AR)

It's like you're asking me not to breathe, Elloise!

And not dying a horrible death is a good thing, I will concede that. Even if I note, Thena, you didn't say that you solved the mystery of the mystery.

You're both going to make me drink.

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