Written By Ida
Aug. 6, 2018, 5:12 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
I have the greatest army of friends. I call them an army because there are few such fierce people who I get to count myself among, to laugh with, to share their joys and tragedies, and to pick up after months - even years - of not seeing them like no time has passed. These are people who I would kill for, if they asked, and probably not even question as to why first. When they are wounded of flesh or heart, I ask who might need to be harmed to pay for it. I've always been told by them, no, this will heal, and have had the true pleasure of seeing some of those hearts once broken, mended again, flesh healed and scarred over, and on we go. They have ridden those same sort of ups and downs I have had in my own life, always offering the same. They are an army, an extended family, and I could hardly name each one, though I am certain they already know who they are. They are treasures that I probably take for granted, but love them and hope they understand and forgive me if I do. I have lost some of these people in a way that doesn't allow trying to catch up again. My heart aches now and then for those, but how lucky I am to have been able to call them friend when the world allowed.
The kind words, the brief ones (you know who you are), and even the lovingly sarcastic ones since noting in the whites that I am to marry again, remind me how very, extremely fortunate I am for every one of them. I am blessed beyond measure and do not say that enough, though hopefully this goes a little way toward that. Thank you all for keeping me in your lives despite my faults, and for wishing both Gerard and I great happiness. I think we've managed the latter, at the very least.
The kind words, the brief ones (you know who you are), and even the lovingly sarcastic ones since noting in the whites that I am to marry again, remind me how very, extremely fortunate I am for every one of them. I am blessed beyond measure and do not say that enough, though hopefully this goes a little way toward that. Thank you all for keeping me in your lives despite my faults, and for wishing both Gerard and I great happiness. I think we've managed the latter, at the very least.
Written By Hadrian
Aug. 6, 2018, 5:11 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
I distinctly recall your showing up to the duel between Princess Alis Valardin and myself, where our Champions settled our difference of opinion through methods that did not include first blood. I distinctly recall both yourself and the former Archlector of Skald being present and enthusiastically joining with others in cheering on their respective Champions. As I recall it you, along with many others, actively participated by shouting out praise for the duelists.
In fact upon speaking with my ever resourceful assistant, Master Luigi? He recalled the words "Go Luca! You can do it! Get drunk and duel, I believe in you!" being shouted by you.
Was it a duel then? If your word has any value, then it would seem to have been. A duel that you cheerfully and enthusiastically supported through your presence and encouragement of the participants in it. That's not really the behavior of someone who disapproves of something. Rarely does one disapprove of something and then merrily leap with both feet to join in.
In fact upon speaking with my ever resourceful assistant, Master Luigi? He recalled the words "Go Luca! You can do it! Get drunk and duel, I believe in you!" being shouted by you.
Was it a duel then? If your word has any value, then it would seem to have been. A duel that you cheerfully and enthusiastically supported through your presence and encouragement of the participants in it. That's not really the behavior of someone who disapproves of something. Rarely does one disapprove of something and then merrily leap with both feet to join in.
Written By Alarissa
Aug. 6, 2018, 5:07 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
On that face it would seem that what is passing between Victus and I would be silly. I mean really, spoons.
It was brought to our attention that we were not be so very sociable a fealty or at least not as sociable as one individual within our fealty would like. In which, it was agreed that perhaps our focus had been less on engaging with our vassals and the compact as a fealty of late and more on business, business, business. So it was decided that we would attempt to do such.
In doing so, the man who so recklessly decided at my birthday party that he was going to slice my cake with an alacrite axe that not long before had been gizzard deep within a mirrorborn, stated that I was not allowed to throw anything that required more than one spoon. I pointed out that by his logic, one does not need more than one weapon. He objected. See, I understand well the need for multiple weapons. But he cannot understand the need for multiple spoons and that to compare the spoons to the weapons is just not done. Because a spoon never killed anyone. There would be no parties, with more than one spoon at the table.
Me. Not allowed to have a party, get together or gathering that had more than one spoon on the table. Thus ensued a spat. No, not a drop down, drag it all to the floor spat. But one that ended up with the High Lord sleeping somewhere that is not the Maelstrom bedchamber, with the claw of Arx at his side until he apologized. He did not. And so I've done what is in my right to do to find satisfaction and to prove a point.
A point that the Queensrest has to kindly let me borrow. The challenge is cutlery after all. Table cutlery. Not servingware, not cookware, but table cutlery and perhaps if that man has the sense that the gods gave a cow, he'd be realizing his mistake. Because I know all about what spoon goes with what.
So we will have champions wield our table cutlery of choice and if I win, he gets no say in whether any event that Thrax may host has more than one spoon or even whether it has rum. But should he find victory, I shall defer to him and never shall there be a party, event, gathering or gala thrown where more than one spoon will be on the table.
And either way, maybe he'll get pillows and blankets back. But until then he can keep the demon of Thrax close to keep him warm. Or go lay on the floor by the fire.
Because apparently sitting on his chest in the middle of the night and holding a spoon to his chest and starting to dig is atttempted murder and not trying to prove a point and I have no intention of murdering my husband.
It was brought to our attention that we were not be so very sociable a fealty or at least not as sociable as one individual within our fealty would like. In which, it was agreed that perhaps our focus had been less on engaging with our vassals and the compact as a fealty of late and more on business, business, business. So it was decided that we would attempt to do such.
In doing so, the man who so recklessly decided at my birthday party that he was going to slice my cake with an alacrite axe that not long before had been gizzard deep within a mirrorborn, stated that I was not allowed to throw anything that required more than one spoon. I pointed out that by his logic, one does not need more than one weapon. He objected. See, I understand well the need for multiple weapons. But he cannot understand the need for multiple spoons and that to compare the spoons to the weapons is just not done. Because a spoon never killed anyone. There would be no parties, with more than one spoon at the table.
Me. Not allowed to have a party, get together or gathering that had more than one spoon on the table. Thus ensued a spat. No, not a drop down, drag it all to the floor spat. But one that ended up with the High Lord sleeping somewhere that is not the Maelstrom bedchamber, with the claw of Arx at his side until he apologized. He did not. And so I've done what is in my right to do to find satisfaction and to prove a point.
A point that the Queensrest has to kindly let me borrow. The challenge is cutlery after all. Table cutlery. Not servingware, not cookware, but table cutlery and perhaps if that man has the sense that the gods gave a cow, he'd be realizing his mistake. Because I know all about what spoon goes with what.
So we will have champions wield our table cutlery of choice and if I win, he gets no say in whether any event that Thrax may host has more than one spoon or even whether it has rum. But should he find victory, I shall defer to him and never shall there be a party, event, gathering or gala thrown where more than one spoon will be on the table.
And either way, maybe he'll get pillows and blankets back. But until then he can keep the demon of Thrax close to keep him warm. Or go lay on the floor by the fire.
Because apparently sitting on his chest in the middle of the night and holding a spoon to his chest and starting to dig is atttempted murder and not trying to prove a point and I have no intention of murdering my husband.
Written By Arik
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:57 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lumen
Don't argue with Priests. I can get behind that, arguing with shamans is fairly difficult and rarely productive. I know, Khanne is my sister.
Argue with a High Lord? Is this a do or don't. As a Voice of Redrain I have the 'privilege' of disagreeing with the Prince of Farhaven until he's made up his mind so I am unable to gauge the propriety.
What say you Whisper?
Argue with a High Lord? Is this a do or don't. As a Voice of Redrain I have the 'privilege' of disagreeing with the Prince of Farhaven until he's made up his mind so I am unable to gauge the propriety.
What say you Whisper?
Written By Aleksei
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:52 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
I'm willing to bet that I've been involved in a lot more honor duels than you have. I'm willing to bet that as a duel-crazy commoner kid in Sanctum, I've also _watched_ more honor duels.
So, I mean. Maybe you should take a seat, your grace. This is going to go about as well as when you try to pick fights over theology with Legates.
So, I mean. Maybe you should take a seat, your grace. This is going to go about as well as when you try to pick fights over theology with Legates.
Written By Edain
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:40 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
You left Sanctum when you were very young, had you stayed you might realize that a silly duel, is a silly duel and fighting it 'to the first blood' does not elevate it.
And yes I know there is some irony in me saying this being that I just accepted a duel from Duke Cristoph over notes and if they should always accompany a gift.
And yes I know there is some irony in me saying this being that I just accepted a duel from Duke Cristoph over notes and if they should always accompany a gift.
Written By Aureth
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:38 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
I had no idea that I was creating such outrage by expressing a hitherto commonplace opinion that duels to first blood are the norm and that duels that are not duels are silly, but since this is apparently offending some of you, I will launch into a brief discourse on the commonplace history of dueling since the idea that a priest may actually have a theological basis for speaking about theology has escaped so many.
The tradition of honor duelling exists to save public face. All other approximations with reference to the tradition of honor duelling that do not ascribe to this tradition honor it more in the breach. That is to say, if you duel over a fine point of etiquette over which neither party actually cares but follow the forms and put on a good show, there's little to offend anyone, and I myself have personally enjoyed attending, for example, the duel between Duke Cristoph and His Grace Edain on the subject of notes. I don't speculate as to their purpose, but in my experience of slights, even the most minor aggravation can develop into deeper frustration over time without the opportunity of being aired.
I'm sure the duel that was fought over me was to the purpose exactly: that is to say, at a glance it appeared silly to others, but if there is anyone reading this who would profess that they have never felt a moment's dismay, being left out, that a friend they were close to was spending more time with another person, that is a person that I will happily call a liar.
Honor and dignity are high on the list of those matters which should be foremost in the heart of any Peer, for the laws of Limerance require that integrity is the highest virtue, and that truth to oath or bond is nothing to joke with. If you put your honor on the line for something, it is ludicrous to suppose that it is unimportant. Honor is everything to a Peer, and the rules of chivalry have made that extensively clear.
Any duel may appear to be for a "frivolous" reason to other than its principals, but whatever the reason behind the duel, once honor is invoked it must be taken with the seriousness that honor requires, or else make a mockery of the very system of feudal loyalty and integrity on which all of our society is based. The idea that Gloria could be offended and not honored by a contest of honor that seems to be over something silly defies the purpose of the honor duel in the first place, which is to ensure that conflicts are resolved before they have the opportunity to grow into something more dramatic.
But honor is _everything_. I cite your attention now to a telling quotation from the published rules of etiquette on the subject that may be accessed in any good library or archive, to wit:
"The population of Arx would be extremely unforgiving of someone trying to appear to honor it on the surface while trying set terms or conditions that would make it impossible. In other words, trying to arrange on a date that would be impossible would make someone look extremely bad, and so would trying to insist on conditions that would be humiliating for the participants involved. 'We shall fight without armor to first blood' is appropriate, saying, 'We will fight naked in an insult contest declaring how much we suck with each swing' would not be, and even proposing the latter would cause opprobrium. In short, honor duels are always dignified, since they are about defending the honor of those involved -- never farcical."(1) Footnote.
The Champions don't get to determine what I find acceptable, and indeed to make them social arbiters of what is appropriate would be ludicrous in itself. The Champions depend upon a friendly relationship with their customer base and telling that customer base that it is being silly would obviously not do well by them.
________________
(1) Footnote to etiquette manual so quoted. [OOC: http://arx.mythicus.net/Theme_Questions#Honor_Duels]
The tradition of honor duelling exists to save public face. All other approximations with reference to the tradition of honor duelling that do not ascribe to this tradition honor it more in the breach. That is to say, if you duel over a fine point of etiquette over which neither party actually cares but follow the forms and put on a good show, there's little to offend anyone, and I myself have personally enjoyed attending, for example, the duel between Duke Cristoph and His Grace Edain on the subject of notes. I don't speculate as to their purpose, but in my experience of slights, even the most minor aggravation can develop into deeper frustration over time without the opportunity of being aired.
I'm sure the duel that was fought over me was to the purpose exactly: that is to say, at a glance it appeared silly to others, but if there is anyone reading this who would profess that they have never felt a moment's dismay, being left out, that a friend they were close to was spending more time with another person, that is a person that I will happily call a liar.
Honor and dignity are high on the list of those matters which should be foremost in the heart of any Peer, for the laws of Limerance require that integrity is the highest virtue, and that truth to oath or bond is nothing to joke with. If you put your honor on the line for something, it is ludicrous to suppose that it is unimportant. Honor is everything to a Peer, and the rules of chivalry have made that extensively clear.
Any duel may appear to be for a "frivolous" reason to other than its principals, but whatever the reason behind the duel, once honor is invoked it must be taken with the seriousness that honor requires, or else make a mockery of the very system of feudal loyalty and integrity on which all of our society is based. The idea that Gloria could be offended and not honored by a contest of honor that seems to be over something silly defies the purpose of the honor duel in the first place, which is to ensure that conflicts are resolved before they have the opportunity to grow into something more dramatic.
But honor is _everything_. I cite your attention now to a telling quotation from the published rules of etiquette on the subject that may be accessed in any good library or archive, to wit:
"The population of Arx would be extremely unforgiving of someone trying to appear to honor it on the surface while trying set terms or conditions that would make it impossible. In other words, trying to arrange on a date that would be impossible would make someone look extremely bad, and so would trying to insist on conditions that would be humiliating for the participants involved. 'We shall fight without armor to first blood' is appropriate, saying, 'We will fight naked in an insult contest declaring how much we suck with each swing' would not be, and even proposing the latter would cause opprobrium. In short, honor duels are always dignified, since they are about defending the honor of those involved -- never farcical."(1) Footnote.
The Champions don't get to determine what I find acceptable, and indeed to make them social arbiters of what is appropriate would be ludicrous in itself. The Champions depend upon a friendly relationship with their customer base and telling that customer base that it is being silly would obviously not do well by them.
________________
(1) Footnote to etiquette manual so quoted. [OOC: http://arx.mythicus.net/Theme_Questions#Honor_Duels]
Written By Joscelin
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:34 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
I argue with him when he's being dumb, even if he doesn't believe me. But that's usually over non-religious things. I would never recommend arguing with a priest favored by Death Herself. Maybe just give him some side-eye? And a wide berth. Maybe some pie. And compliment his hair, he likes that.
Written By Lianne
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:25 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
Spring is when I breathe again, when I set aside all the memories which keep me warm and lonely through the winter and rejoin society. As much as I ever do.
Spring presents possibility.
Hope.
Spring presents possibility.
Hope.
Written By Lumen
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:24 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
If that's your stance, I certainly won't disagree!
Written By Saoirse
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:22 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Sabella
I sure hope I sent Sabella the less poison-y salve.
Sabella, did you get the less poison-y salve?
Sabella, did you get the less poison-y salve?
Written By Thena
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:21 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Daemon
You are usually very calm! I just know you get twitchy when I start rampaging about in the archives, shooting my commoner mouth off. I know this because you leave me calming glasses of milk, and calisthenics.
Written By Rymarr
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:20 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Thank you Skald for the ability to choose to change.
Written By Rymarr
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:17 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Thank you Lagoma for teaching us that change is acceptable and can be embraced.
Written By Arik
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:16 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Would the Champions Guild ever accept a duel that was an insult to the tradition of dueling? Surely not thus the duel must be acceptable?
Written By Daemon
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:16 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Contrary to her words, I'm usually quite calm! Usually! Grandmaster Thena is one of the only priests who also neither terrifies me nor invokes a strong fight or flight reaction from my belly!
Written By Aureth
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:15 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
I am the last man in Arvum to suggest that anyone shouldn't argue with a priest, particularly _this_ priest, but I do think that if you do plan to pick a fight with _any_ priest, me or otherwise, it ought to be one that makes more sense than this one.
Written By Aureth
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:11 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Mae
Octohopper missed you, I'm sure of it.
Written By Riagnon
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:09 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
I can attest to this, having caused serious personal injury with a spoon in the past. To myself. Unintentionally.
Written By Thena
Aug. 6, 2018, 4:09 p.m.(5/3/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lumen
Gods, if no one argued with priests I would spend so much less time in the archives and Sir Daemon would be so much more at ease.
It is a shame though.
It is a shame though.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.