Written By Karadoc
May 31, 2018, 10:59 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
As far as I am aware: Mistress Corsetina does not bake nor brew. Yet.
Written By Astraea
May 31, 2018, 10:31 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mirari
Mistress Mirari Corsetina makes some of the greatest perfumes and sets of jewelry I've ever seen. Now I'm just finding out that she also makes clothes! Is there anything this impressive lady can't do?
Written By Murdoch
May 31, 2018, 8:37 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Pasquale
As Malespero's Voice, he's agreed to let me "put the ledgers in order", but I haven't officially sworn any oaths yet.
Written By Iseulet
May 31, 2018, 7:22 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
After a project or two has come to fruition I may just entertain the idea of accepting a Patron for the first time in my life.
I'm taking some time to make considerations of what would be expected of me and what I should expect from a Patron.
I know I had sworn it off for so long but Arx has me firmly rooted here, I think. I'm not going anywhere. Maybe it's time to formalize some ties and relationships.
Something to think about, but far from the main course on my plate. For now.
I'm taking some time to make considerations of what would be expected of me and what I should expect from a Patron.
I know I had sworn it off for so long but Arx has me firmly rooted here, I think. I'm not going anywhere. Maybe it's time to formalize some ties and relationships.
Something to think about, but far from the main course on my plate. For now.
Written By Angelo
May 31, 2018, 7:09 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
From southern climes returned, to a Journal more dust and moth-eaten parchment than heartfelt thought. Overdue, this opportunity to reflect in the form of words upon the page -- in similar fashion I reflected upon myself, mirrored in reverse -- at the Shrine. A question of calling. Some are called to serve their Houses. Some called to serve the Faith. Others to serve the Crown. Yes, I have been thinking. To these latter concepts, I ask myself what I am willing to sacrifice in my life in order to follow my call. A calling to discover, inscribed upon my nature and hidden. The one to bring me fulfillment.
Written By Cambria
May 31, 2018, 7:06 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
Everyone unquestioningly believes that he or she is the leading authority on their own life, especially when it concerns ones thoughts and experiences. It is only when I began to doubt that such a realization came to me at all - as I do not imagine that many people frequently consider such things when they seem so very obvious. I was reading through a series of journals from several years ago and it struck me that if I were to die today, someone reading through these White Journals would know more about some of my own experiences than I would ever remember myself without having to resort back to these old journals.
Proof that memory is indeed fallible.
There are scores, if not hundreds, of such journals that seem to have little connection to me; that is to say my current version of me, though it was undoubtedly I who wrote them. Most alarming of all, one journal has my mother's dying words, which I wrote down at her request shortly before her passing.
'Dear family,
I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with you and appreciate your kindness and understanding. I am sorry to have to leave you.
Love, Adriana'
I only recall this vaguely, and could not swear before the Sentinel whether or not I passed her message on in person as well, or simply left it to be read after submitting the journal to the Archives.
Perhaps there are people who have recorded their lives much more thoroughly than I, but there must be even more who have left even less of a personal record behind. I must suppose that all description of mortal life, even a single life - ones own - is, at best, an approximation.
Proof that memory is indeed fallible.
There are scores, if not hundreds, of such journals that seem to have little connection to me; that is to say my current version of me, though it was undoubtedly I who wrote them. Most alarming of all, one journal has my mother's dying words, which I wrote down at her request shortly before her passing.
'Dear family,
I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with you and appreciate your kindness and understanding. I am sorry to have to leave you.
Love, Adriana'
I only recall this vaguely, and could not swear before the Sentinel whether or not I passed her message on in person as well, or simply left it to be read after submitting the journal to the Archives.
Perhaps there are people who have recorded their lives much more thoroughly than I, but there must be even more who have left even less of a personal record behind. I must suppose that all description of mortal life, even a single life - ones own - is, at best, an approximation.
Written By Merek
May 31, 2018, 7 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Still best Guildmaster!
Written By Merek
May 31, 2018, 6:59 p.m.(11/21/1008 AR)
I like to think that it will be a nice winter this season. It is always fun to play in the snow in general, when you can!
Written By Cambria
May 31, 2018, 6:23 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
A Scholar who's work I was reading wrote that it is easier to give good advice than it is to take it, to which I think I would add: it is also easier to agree with good advice than to act on it. Enacting wisdom is a little like having learned a foreign language, which in your mind sounds perfect, but when spoken comes out with a heavy accent.
If good advice were easy to take, the world would have long ago been perfect. Or, at any rate, a great deal better off than it currently is.
If good advice were easy to take, the world would have long ago been perfect. Or, at any rate, a great deal better off than it currently is.
Written By Malesh
May 31, 2018, 6:05 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
Having made many a gaff in my own life, I must reflect that I am fortunate to be ultimately responsible only to myself. Of course I serve my liege faithfully, but my embarrassments should be my own.
I can't imagine every publicly challenging the King's Chief Magistrate, but if I ever do there's something to be said for the fact that the only person I'll be shaming is myself, rather than my own cousin who both I and the target of my snub serve in different capacities.
Worry not, I can assure you from great personal experience that these things always blow over, and that our merciful King in his wisdom and humor is unlikely to deal too harshly with those that publicly question his judgement.
I can't imagine every publicly challenging the King's Chief Magistrate, but if I ever do there's something to be said for the fact that the only person I'll be shaming is myself, rather than my own cousin who both I and the target of my snub serve in different capacities.
Worry not, I can assure you from great personal experience that these things always blow over, and that our merciful King in his wisdom and humor is unlikely to deal too harshly with those that publicly question his judgement.
Written By Natalia
May 31, 2018, 5:44 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
Some of the reasons why I might say no to a contract:
1. It's to entertain you.
2. You're boring.
3. You didn't accept 'no' to #1. Or for any other thing. 'You didn't accept a no' is probably better.
4. You don't think I have the right to do so.
5. You're boring.
6. You think I owe you something because you're willing to pay me.
7. You talk to my chest and not my face. My eyes are really pretty too. Promise.
8. I don't feel like it at the time you ask.
9. I'm bad at whatever you're asking for (I can neither sing nor play any instruments, and have no interest in learning! as an example).
10. You socially abuse people who have no way to defend themselves against you.
11. You're mean to animals.
12. You're boring.
13. You disrespected one of the other Whispers and I found out about it.
14. You don't like dogs.
15. I would rather light myself on fire than do what the contract is requesting that I do. While there are a number of incredibly gifted and patient Whispers who would be more than happy to teach etiquette to your teenage children, I am not one of them. You don't want me to try. I promise. Unless it's for entertainment value, in which case I refer you back to no reason number 1.
This is not an all-inclusive list. Number eight is by far the main reason I say no. I am not calling anyone out in specific, so nobody who bothers reading my journals (I am still amazed when I find out anyone actually bothers, I am not an entertaining person, see #1!) should feel like I mean them. I don't. It does seem like a lot of people are surprised by the fact that we are able to decline particular contracts or refer people to others. We are not obligated to accept any given request; there are enough of us that someone can almost always be found, and if not, the request itself should probably be re-evaluated by the person making it.
These opinions are my own and do not reflect upon the other Whispers. Except that they have the right to say no for whatever reason they want, too.
1. It's to entertain you.
2. You're boring.
3. You didn't accept 'no' to #1. Or for any other thing. 'You didn't accept a no' is probably better.
4. You don't think I have the right to do so.
5. You're boring.
6. You think I owe you something because you're willing to pay me.
7. You talk to my chest and not my face. My eyes are really pretty too. Promise.
8. I don't feel like it at the time you ask.
9. I'm bad at whatever you're asking for (I can neither sing nor play any instruments, and have no interest in learning! as an example).
10. You socially abuse people who have no way to defend themselves against you.
11. You're mean to animals.
12. You're boring.
13. You disrespected one of the other Whispers and I found out about it.
14. You don't like dogs.
15. I would rather light myself on fire than do what the contract is requesting that I do. While there are a number of incredibly gifted and patient Whispers who would be more than happy to teach etiquette to your teenage children, I am not one of them. You don't want me to try. I promise. Unless it's for entertainment value, in which case I refer you back to no reason number 1.
This is not an all-inclusive list. Number eight is by far the main reason I say no. I am not calling anyone out in specific, so nobody who bothers reading my journals (I am still amazed when I find out anyone actually bothers, I am not an entertaining person, see #1!) should feel like I mean them. I don't. It does seem like a lot of people are surprised by the fact that we are able to decline particular contracts or refer people to others. We are not obligated to accept any given request; there are enough of us that someone can almost always be found, and if not, the request itself should probably be re-evaluated by the person making it.
These opinions are my own and do not reflect upon the other Whispers. Except that they have the right to say no for whatever reason they want, too.
Written By Lys
May 31, 2018, 5:38 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
Trust is such a peculiar thing, but how pleasant to give it and not have it betrayed.
Written By Ignacio
May 31, 2018, 5:23 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
The heavy weight of Duty (Week 17)
While I have been making good progress on the defensive measures I have been working on, I find that my duties take me away from my wife more than I like. I believe I might be getting ahead of things and I should see to correct this. After all, she means everything to me, she should at least feel that way.
While I have been making good progress on the defensive measures I have been working on, I find that my duties take me away from my wife more than I like. I believe I might be getting ahead of things and I should see to correct this. After all, she means everything to me, she should at least feel that way.
Written By Barik
May 31, 2018, 5:15 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
Even in the house where I was raised and born never did I feel like I belonged. There was a certain weight to my existence; a certain, unspoken understanding between father and mother that I was some sort of weight upon their shoulders. A burden, she called me once. And thus I always tried to make my existence as least bothersome as possible- I'd clean after myself; I'd wash after my used goods, and I'd eat as little as possible. Drink as little as possible. Made me stay skinny and puny for the better part of fourteen years, but it made me feel better when they argued, and came to unleash their blames upon myself. I don't feel that sensation here, in the House of Questions. There's a certain assertiveness to this sprawling tomb of a home, beneath the screams of the faithless and the sworn vows of shared Confessors. This is home now. We all have a duty; we all have an enemy, and while some haven't seen its face I have. The Inquisitor said our enemy doesn't know fear.
I believe him. We'll teach them fear, then.
I believe him. We'll teach them fear, then.
Written By Percephon
May 31, 2018, 4:06 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
It's not about the intent. It's not about the outcome. Those are inseparable. It's about the impact.
Written By Bliss
May 31, 2018, 3:57 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
I have spent this morning in contemplation of my reflection, looking in the mirror, watching her. This beautiful, scarred creature with such an easy smile, who feels everything so deeply.
I understand that to some, this is a difficult, terrifying task to perform. I know some even might think this is dangerous. But I have never been in doubt about who I really am - and I will fully admit, there are days that I am more her than I am the being I normally see myself as.
Is it so easy to look upon someone, I wonder, and see only the person that you wish to see, not who they really are? The answer is, of course, yes, unless you make sure to look with a critical eye. Watch how they behave with those they are trying to impress. With those they could care less about. Who they actively want to destroy. When they're angry. When they're afraid of loss. When they have something to prove. When they have nothing to prove. If you wish to really know a person, try to find a way to get them to show all these sides of themselves. You will see what emerges, you will see what they truly value - or even what they only value at those times. It is all important. Ignoring these sides of someone is dangerous. It is a lesson we have all learned far too often easily; it is a lesson far too easily forgotten.
There is much I could say about who I am seeing right now, but as I look between parchment and mirror, I realize these are things for the Blacks, or for private conversation - or perhaps better off left unsaid. She doesn't frighten me, though.
How could she, really?
I understand that to some, this is a difficult, terrifying task to perform. I know some even might think this is dangerous. But I have never been in doubt about who I really am - and I will fully admit, there are days that I am more her than I am the being I normally see myself as.
Is it so easy to look upon someone, I wonder, and see only the person that you wish to see, not who they really are? The answer is, of course, yes, unless you make sure to look with a critical eye. Watch how they behave with those they are trying to impress. With those they could care less about. Who they actively want to destroy. When they're angry. When they're afraid of loss. When they have something to prove. When they have nothing to prove. If you wish to really know a person, try to find a way to get them to show all these sides of themselves. You will see what emerges, you will see what they truly value - or even what they only value at those times. It is all important. Ignoring these sides of someone is dangerous. It is a lesson we have all learned far too often easily; it is a lesson far too easily forgotten.
There is much I could say about who I am seeing right now, but as I look between parchment and mirror, I realize these are things for the Blacks, or for private conversation - or perhaps better off left unsaid. She doesn't frighten me, though.
How could she, really?
Written By Joscelin
May 31, 2018, 2:39 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
I had another dream that I stood on the shore and stared into the fog, but this one wasn't as pleasant as the last.
I stared into the gray mist that clung to the sea, watched it creep towards the shore like wispy fingers full of time and history, my history. The voices I heard in the fog voices only I knew, people that had come and gone, leaving by Death or by will. I was waiting to see their faces, I was reaching out to touch them, any of them. But there was nothing.
Only a feeling of dust on my fingertips; the empty promise of a past left behind.
I should either quit drinking, or drink more.
I stared into the gray mist that clung to the sea, watched it creep towards the shore like wispy fingers full of time and history, my history. The voices I heard in the fog voices only I knew, people that had come and gone, leaving by Death or by will. I was waiting to see their faces, I was reaching out to touch them, any of them. But there was nothing.
Only a feeling of dust on my fingertips; the empty promise of a past left behind.
I should either quit drinking, or drink more.
Written By Preston
May 31, 2018, 2:20 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
I am neither a philosopher nor a disciple, but a Godsworn priest, so I hope Lord Arik will forgive me if I answer. As Blessed Aleksei says, one cannot fully separate the two - everything is connected and will in various ways affect everything up and down the chain, it is why the question of choice is not one which can solely relate to the individual in isolation, because no person lives in such a way (and if they do, who cares about them?). Gloria would argue however that paramount be given to your behaviour and your intent over the outcome. That a good man failing through honourable means is better than a man succeeding through unsavory practice. However, doing good just because it is good and ignoring long term consequences is in and of itself a false kind of honour. This is why Gloria accepts at times it is better to withdraw, your duty to oppose done, and fight another day when you m ight win than lose your entire force in a hopeless battle that need not be the end of your struggle.
Written By Aureth
May 31, 2018, 1:42 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
There is always a choice. The question becomes, what is the cost? Are you willing to pay it? But there's a not insignificant moral difference between the success of your plan for a price that you pay or at a cost to you, and when it comes at a cost, you must ensure that it's worth it.
Or else what it costs is everything, and what you gain is moot.
As it happens, sometimes the bargain is worth it, and would be cheap at twice the price. But there's no moral certainty about this. It's a balance. Always, it depends what is on each side of that scale.
Or else what it costs is everything, and what you gain is moot.
As it happens, sometimes the bargain is worth it, and would be cheap at twice the price. But there's no moral certainty about this. It's a balance. Always, it depends what is on each side of that scale.
Written By Arik
May 31, 2018, 1:24 p.m.(11/20/1008 AR)
I likewise see a theme to the whites and so I will participate...
Intentions and outcomes are for Disciples and Philosophers. In truth what matters is what you can live with... What you are willing to tell your family and your people. If you cannot bring yourself to speak of your intentions or what outcome they brought you have erred. If you cannot live with what you have wrought or the reason behind such, than you have erred.
[in a slightly different slant, the writing clearly at a different angle from the original script]
Fools will be fools and the prideful will be arrogant. The blindness to error does not preclude the truth of wrong deed or misguided intent.
Intentions and outcomes are for Disciples and Philosophers. In truth what matters is what you can live with... What you are willing to tell your family and your people. If you cannot bring yourself to speak of your intentions or what outcome they brought you have erred. If you cannot live with what you have wrought or the reason behind such, than you have erred.
[in a slightly different slant, the writing clearly at a different angle from the original script]
Fools will be fools and the prideful will be arrogant. The blindness to error does not preclude the truth of wrong deed or misguided intent.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.