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Written By Preston

May 28, 2018, 2:17 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Eleyna

I can understand that view, but it is not one I can share. You are unsure if the messages on the virtues the Gods call us to are indeed their summons, yet to me these are the words of the Faith, the words of the Gods, and that is the world I know. As surely as you know your left hand and your right, I know that the Faith guides us with the best that we know. And I accept that and I trust that, because it has endured us for over 1000 years. Even when the Crown has fallen, the Faith has righted us. But. I am a Godsworn as much as I am a Knight, so I bound to that. The Faith is the cause of my life. It has been my father and my mother, my sisters and brothers. It will be all I ever know, from my earliest memory to my death.

I am also a Knight - so I am in that sense simple. I see direct solutions. Straight paths. And there, the doubts you think are essential in the polite world - the world of Arx, the world of politics, the world of society - they are death on the field. One man falters, and so the wall is broken, the line is lost. One man decides the command of Gloria to be brave, to be honourable, to hold until you can hold no more, to think of your fellow soldiers and care for them, one man who decides all that is nothing and he seeks to save his life by running without need? So the rout begins. Perhaps this is why the Orthodoxy holds such strength in the Faith Militant. We live in a world that touches the polite realm of Arx as through a hazy curtain, parallel but not the same.

Still, I would not think me or my people slaves because of our choice of belief. Nor am I one who would say you are heretic or even misguided in your worship and beliefs. I would say that within the boundaries of the faith there are many voices. A choir that sings only one note is dull indeed, after all. We all share a purpose, and in 99 out of every hundred things we all agree. It is the balance in those voices that is important. So it is important the Orthodoxy is heard, and its view considered. Even as the Orthodoxy itself has considered and mellowed in its majority over the issues of public worship of the Thirteenth in the manner of the Lycene.

Written By Archeron

May 28, 2018, 1:56 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Amari

The Lady Amari seems in many ways similar to me - the sensible love of the forest and the outdoors. I'll maintain a badger is preferable to a small goat, but, still. We must accept these differences in life.

What she did make me think of with her questions about Thrax, is the view that we are scary. As I wrote about Victus, he can seem scary yet I have no fear because he is a man who is trying to be just. For my part, I wonder if I try to - if not be scary - if I cultivate a stand off nature? I do like to observe, even within social situations. I like to provoke others to emotional reaction, so I can understand them at their most honest, least guarded. Does that make me a bad person? Perhaps. I could say I am just a product of my past - that I avoid people because people are unreliable. They will say they are there to protect you, and then they will die. Everyone has these secrets they hold, and the dangers of those secrets are played out on everyone. I could say it is because the woods are my home. But in truth it is because I do not know my place, or how I relate to others. I am voice of a house I spent most of my life hiding my heritage to. I am an archer and woodsman of a fealty that values personal combat and the sea over the land.

Perhaps the secret to finding myself isn't in withdrawing into myself, but in seeking to expand my thoughts by meeting with others. Perhaps. It is worth a try.

Written By Mydas

May 28, 2018, 1:54 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Eleyna

Quite. Only a slave robbed of self blindly follows.

Written By Eleyna

May 28, 2018, 1:46 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Preston

Everything, even the supposed will of the Gods, should be questioned thoroughly. Even if you think you know the answer. If the answer is truly the Truth, then it will stand up to inspection again and again and again. Truth cannot be corrupted by questioning.

It's just the moment that we fall into complacency in the assumption that we know all the answers that we are the most prone to that corruption. Most often the will of the Gods is filtered through the mouths and actions of men. Without thorough questioning of the will and of oneself, how are we to trust that we speak for the Gods and not for our own desires being hidden behind those of the Gods?

I encourage everyone to question. Themselves. Others. Gods.

Blind obedience without careful inspection is a betrayal of those that fought to give us the ability to question.

Written By Reigna

May 28, 2018, 1:23 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Sparte

I think that the ideals you put forth are admirable ones. The goal of open debate and exposure to opposing thought is a necessity in a free society. The issue I think, is that, as it stands, the Salon had a reputation of being... somewhat... Mean and indolent. There have been multiple requests or interest shown in seeing the results of the debates archived and the response had been dismissive at best, and rude when pressed. They are often spoken of in association with excessive drinking and loudness. They are not always done much in advance and have had spurious or vindictive topics seemingly to publicly shame someone. I found myself the target of one such event held. So, if these issues were addressed I think we could move into a place where they might become more inviting and thus, more popular.

Written By Preston

May 28, 2018, 1:19 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

As we learn more about our history, more about the traditions, so I find myself with more questions than answers. I want to know our ancestors, to know where we came from, as well as I know myself now. And restore to glory all that which has been tarnished over the years. Yet. I am reminded at each step the importance of what I do know, and know with certainty, namely the commands of the Gods. Doubt, questions, they are not useful there. There is no questioning the Gods desires, their demands on us, when we know them. You obey, as best you can.

Questions and doubt have their place, where there is genuine uncertainty. But to interpose them into certainty, to have doubt for doubt's sake? That weakens us all. And for that weakness, at the wrong moment, entire bastions could collapse and fall like rocks into the sea.

Written By Signe

May 28, 2018, 12:29 p.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Maintaining both an open mind and an open heart blesses you with the opportunity to meet the most fascinating people of the city. A new face brings with it an opportunity for adventure.

That will be a goal for myself, to meet someone new every day.

Written By Sparte

May 28, 2018, 11:48 a.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

The Salon is an organization with many interpretations, like any other in Arx. It can be a force for enlightenment as much as ignorance.

I was recently accused of being an optimist to the point of foolishness, because I believe the efforts of The Salon were achieving their better self. That we were empowering people to ask questions, to seek answers, to recognize that the absence of an easy answer is not the same as there being no answer. Just not an answer we yet have, something worthy of more questions. Perhaps better questions.

Instead what was cited to me were events where people were shouted down for daring to disagree, where people declared 'winners' rather than acknowledging the value of the questions and perspectives posed. A notion that the results of the debates shouldn't be shared.

I find this troubling. I want to see The Salon be a force for the betterment of discussion in Arx and abroad, something that draws us together and pushes us forward.

I have not succeeded by myself at achieving those ends. I openly seek the help of others, both directly and through advice and guidance. I do not promise to follow the ideas of others, but I promise to listen.

Written By Thena

May 28, 2018, 11:45 a.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

I will be setting off on a sea journey very soon, and expect to be absent from Arx for some time. If you have urgent business with the Knights of Solace while I'm gone, Sir Daemon Dracone is serving in my stead, and Sir Jeffeth Bayweather is second in command. Otherwise I'll attend to everything when I return, as soon as I'm able.

Dame Thena, Grandmaster
Knights of Solace

Written By Aslaug

May 28, 2018, 8:20 a.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Kieran

(Drawn on a page is an area choked in smoke. It is difficult to discern anything besides a man who stands within the smoke. Even still, his features are difficult to make out through the smog.)

Written By Signe

May 28, 2018, 4:51 a.m.(11/12/1008 AR)

Not all dreams have profound meaning hidden in the imagery that pulls us along as we slumber. Maybe some of them do? Some profound wisdom that we may have stumbled upon and it was buried in the back of our minds, behind our more imperative needs or wants. When one dreams do they wake up inspired by a foggy recollection? To do something? To act?

I do.

Written By Elgana

May 28, 2018, 12:44 a.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Seax

I received a very sweet and thoughtful early birthday present from Lord Seax.

I admit, as childish as it sounds, I have a soft spot in my heart for stuffed toys usually given to children. He was kind enough to gift me with a beautiful stuffed bear with a blue ribbon for my birthday, which is still weeks away.

Written By Eshra

May 28, 2018, 12:06 a.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Lavinia

Have a cookie, go watch the Count mend nets with the kids. It will make you feel better.

Written By Selene

May 28, 2018, 12:05 a.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Bliss

Our Champion, and now my newest softest Whisper. She has been doing very well with the King's new project, and I am encouraged she will do wonderfully in other new endeavors now as well.

Written By Olivia

May 28, 2018, 12:04 a.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

I've finished moving everything to the Orangery. Harlan's present is just so lovely, and it's all coming in wonderfully, even the dahlias. It seems like the warm environment is quite good for them, which is not surprising.

Written By Eshra

May 28, 2018, 12:03 a.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Ginger cookies, bone dust, fat ass burns, sibling rivalry, gambling and first blood. Just another Rivenshari evening.

Written By Giulio

May 27, 2018, 11:55 p.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Southern Thunder appears to be doing well. I am looking forward to some of the new offerings coming from my brewmaster.

I hope the various new drinks are appropriate for the various palette's. I think the apricot brandy, as well as the various cordials will prove interesting. And of course, the new herbal liquor. I wonder if I should hold contests to name the new beverages.

Written By Aonghus

May 27, 2018, 11:50 p.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Day Six,

Found a pub called the Black Fox, good ale, may have to come back to try there other booze. Also met a Prince, well he said he was a Prince but many people say many things. But he seemed a good sort, introduced me to another Smith. This town is looking up as far as business goes, need to go and see the Craftersguild Master soon don't want to be in trouble for not being polite.

Written By Torian

May 27, 2018, 11:49 p.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

For the record, whatever Furen Culler did with this family while I was serving as a guard for hire, I am not Furen. I worked closely with many nobles in my youth and now, as head of the family, I understand very well their place (as well as ours) in this world.

Whatever Furen Culler was, I am a humble leatherwork and teacher. I care for dozens upon dozens of orphans, providing them shelter and an education that will allow them the same possibilities my training offered me.

As for my family, we can't control who you're related to can you? Down here in the lowers we don't have the burden of political marriages and so there's probably three figures worth of Cullers if I had to reckon it. Some of us serve the faith, some the crown. Dozens of us fought at The Pit in the war of silence. I don't have no legal power to force my kin to do nothing, but I can continue to set a good example and do right by our king, who I think is a fine fellow.

Don't think I haven't been asked to swear my oath to another, but I swore to the Crown and I intend to continue to honor our king by doing what I can for the common folk what need help.

Written By Aonghus

May 27, 2018, 11:48 p.m.(11/11/1008 AR)

Day three.

Finally found house Seliki, it is a nice place though I am kind of glad I don't have to live such a big manor. To many rooms for my taste, need to work on finding a place for my own shop.

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