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Written By Edain

June 25, 2018, 12:51 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

On humility:

It is my favorite virtue so I thought I would weigh in my thoughts on the topic. Some of which others have already said but not with the same words perhaps.

Firstly I have learned in my life that acting humble and possessing true humility are not the same thing. It is a subtle thing but it can be significant. Humility is one of the most liberating virtues you can possess.

What do I mean by this? I mean that it frees you from pretense. The humble does not have to fear owning mistake, because the truly humble does not fear showing weakness. They can address them, acknowledge them, and overcome them. Humility is one of the greatest ways to escape from beneath heavy burdens and keep your eyes on doing what others need of you.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 12:41 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Cristoph

I do not find it odd that you read my journals. I read yours, as well! I admit that I do find it incredibly flattering, though. I can't imagine that you'd find it to be anything but nonsense. We have many people in common, though, and so I wouldn't say it is strange or odd.

It has been a delight to have the opportunity to work with you. Thank you for the compliments; I appreciate them deeply. I am proud of my work there, both in what has been accomplished and in what is to come.

Podraig assures me that you are a word that I cannot spell because it is in his language and the letters don't match up. I am pretty sure we'd spell it starting with a B or P. It seems to be a positive trait though, and roughly means someone that leads from the front.

Written By Orazio

June 25, 2018, 12:40 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

To the Faithful Reader:

When we speak of the Virtues which the gods of the Pantheon represent, which guide the Faith, the Church, and the Faithful, we speak primarily of the following: Justice, Mercy, Charity, Honor, Joy, Industriousness, Wisdom, Freedom, Love, Fidelity, and Patience. However, these virtues as the Church means them do not always mean exactly the same as the do in casual conversation. When we speak of Love, for one example, the Faith rarely means romantic passion - that is a /part/ of Love, but it is often fleeting and without commitment. The Love which is Virtue is that which endures and transforms us, which calls for the sacrifice of what is comfortable for ourselves so that what is loved may thrive - whether it ever recognizes our sacrifice or returns our love or not. Likewise, Industriousness is not merely being /busy/, although idle hands are no virtue. Rather, the Industriousness which is Virtue is to work in the world to create and strengthen and push forward the causes of the gods. Mere busy work, or fruitless complaining is no virtue - nor is Industriousness without Patience, launching oneself into project after project and never taking the time and focus to see them through.

One may notice that humility is nowhere on the list of divine Virtues. This is not an oversight - it has never been the Church's charge, nor the Compact's wont, to be humble. Humility would never have forged five great kingdoms into a greater Compact, nor had the pride to refuse to bow to enemies great and small over the thousand years of the Compact's history. There is, certainly, a time and a place to be humble, much as there is a time and place to be silent - but neither humility nor silence are universal virtues, as any member of Crownsworn or Crownlands fealty who has been raised to know the words of House Grayson words may attest. Humility may be respected, where it is not false, and where it is not an excuse to fail to uphold any of the other virtues. But it is not divine as the Virtues are.

The words of the Faith of the Pantheon are: "By the grace of the gods, we are their will."

This is a proud statement, to be certain. It is also a solemn charge that the Church takes with too much seriousness and solemnity to ever be humble about it. We of the Church seek to retain the gods' grace /by/ upholding their will, even when that requires making decisions which do not please everyone. We are not endlessly accepting - it is given to the Church to judge the apostate, the heretic, and the blasphemer. When we fail to uphold that charge, not just lives but souls are lost. And even without rising to the level of apostasy, heresy, or blasphemy, the Church must choose which people and viewpoints it wishes to represent the canon of the Church, the truth of the Faith. This does mean that some people who might wish to have the Church's authority to aid with their prestige and personal ambitions will not have it. But those who are truly Faithful will understand the Church's decision in this, and will strive to learn from it - whether they choose to seek a discipleship or not.

Those who choose to complain rather than to learn have the Freedom to make that choice, although it will avail them nothing, materially or spiritually. But they are welcome to continue to do so for as long as it pleases them, and I sincerely hope that they are able to do so in peace, without harassment from the more devout. There is no need to defend the Church's decision, for it has been made, and shall not be unmade. Nor is it subject to public referendum nor debate from the nobility, even up to the High Lords.

The Dominus is the Voice of the Pantheon, and he has spoken.

Written By Reigna

June 25, 2018, 12:40 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Natalia

Whisper Natalia is a hard working, charming, educated, gracious and wonderful woman.

Written By Cristoph

June 25, 2018, 12:31 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Natalia

I'm another noble that reads your journals. However I'd like to think that I'm doing it for reasons that aren't completely odd, for we've at least met in person previously.

For those who read /my/ whites, I would like them to note that I've had the honor of working with Natalia Whisper on a matter for Count Keaton. She has impressed me as being remarkably brave, cool under pressure and capable of extraordinary leadership in the face of dangerous circumstances.

Perhaps those who feel the need to "punch down" as Archlector Aureth so eloquently puts, should choose something else to do with their time.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 12:06 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fredrik

It should be beneath your notice. As you said, I am disgraced former nobility. Denobled, specifically. Cast out from my family and my rank. For good reason, at that.

Someone posted a topic for discussion in the journals. Her entry specifically said it was for discussion; that's why it was shown to me, at my request. It irritated me, and I made a comment about it in my own journal.

You, a nobleman with a great deal upon his plate (one hopes, considering I believe that I heard you were trying to restore a whole family), pulled my journal for whatever reason, and then started being rude in my direction for my response in my own journal for a discussion topic. You've insulted me, gotten digs in at me, and none of them were even honest enough to use my name. And yet you make commentary about me being snide and vague.

Go look in a mirror.

Written By Fredrik

June 25, 2018, 11:59 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Derovai

you are totally correct, my friend, in all counts. And I have realized that continuing to blow this morning is without real benefit, no matter how refreshed I feel after such a display of flexibility.

Written By Fredrik

June 25, 2018, 11:55 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fairen

Some people love to use a 'oh, poor little me?' argument to try and excuse when they make rude behavior, as if such things should be beneath our notice. and most of the time it is, especially for disgraced former nobility, for example. But occasionally, when either people who I admire are attacked, or a particularly offensive opinion is stated, I decide to make a comment. But then they insist on getting the last word every time with more veiled, snide remarks, and so I shall go back to simply reading, now with growing amusement.

Written By Derovai

June 25, 2018, 11:54 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

I hadn't previously thought it possible to blow smoke up one's own you-know-where, but the Whites appear to be full of that this morning, on all sides of the discussion.

A new acrobatic marvel has been performed, and nobody need pay even a single silver for the privilege of entering the carnival tent.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 11:54 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fairen

It's absurd.

You're being absurd.

Do you have any idea what the population of Arx is? Like, do you have any concept how many journal entries are written hourly, let alone daily?

Nobody buys for a second that either of you are reading any journals save ones you actively, specifically choose. You chose to read my journal. You're allowed to do that. It is strange to me that people I do not know or have never met have any interest in reading my journal, but it is indeed your right.

You're both still being utterly absurd.

Written By Fairen

June 25, 2018, 11:50 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fredrik

Here I was under the understanding that that was how everyone presumed the white journals functioned. Thank you for enlightening me to the contrary.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 11:50 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

I read a claim today that someone reads all of the white journals as they "come in".

I wonder how on earth he manages to get anything at all done, given how many tens of thousands of entries there must be every day written by all of the people that live in Arx.

It must be nice to have so much free time!

Written By Fredrik

June 25, 2018, 11:42 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

A gentle reminder that all White Journals are readable by everyone (and often are, and encouraged to do so as part of keeping their fingers on the pulse of at least part of the public opinion), and that if one has an issue with people reading them, then Black Journals are a lovely resource for recording things for posterity that won't be shared. And since I read /all/ public journals, more or less, as they arrive, not to think they are special for me reading theirs.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 11:38 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Strange nobleman are reading my journals again!

How delightful.

Written By Fredrik

June 25, 2018, 11:24 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Natalia

"But when you respond remain humble, remain respectful." From the initial journal entry in question.

Irony is ripe, given your initial response. All I will say on the matter.

Written By Fairen

June 25, 2018, 11:24 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Natalia

Someone is particularly aggressive about having the attention of the white journals placed on her. This most certainly must be another attempt to start an argument over something minor.

Written By Natalia

June 25, 2018, 11:21 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fredrik

How dare I answer a direct request for input on a particular topic! It isn't as if it were put forth as a discussion topic for the journals or anything.

Oh wait.

Written By Clara

June 25, 2018, 11:17 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Fredrik

Thank you for your participation, Fredrik. I am thankful for your kindness and support in sharing my general opinions with people. I would love to discuss this topic further with you in person or through messengers. I am certain that my own beliefs are not perfect and could use some debate on them. I in no way think that what I said is what everyone should practice. It is merely food for thought and I think everyone should form their own opinions and live in accordance with their own hearts. And of course, in accordance with the beliefs of The Faith to many of us hold very dear.

Written By Clara

June 25, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Natalia

I thank you for your wisdom. Your words will not be ignored. I hope you have a fantastic day and a peaceful life. ~ Clara

Written By Fredrik

June 25, 2018, 11:09 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)

Relationship Note on Clara

From: Desk of Lord Fredrik RedTyde
Subject: Humility

I appreciate your thoughts on humility, Lady Clara, and did not see, at any point in your post, where you placed yourself above the need to be humble. But apparently offering advice not aimed at any particular group or decision is something to be belittled and snarked upon these days, even when you pointed out these are personal opinions and not something to be taken as stone-written edicts.

I for one thank you for the ideas, and while I may not agree wholeheartedly with all of them, I will digest them more before remarking.

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