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Written By Titus

May 15, 2021, 7:20 a.m.(6/22/1015 AR)

The banns recently were full of interesting items.

House Proscipi lost their Marquessa and much life and territory, but Lords Giorgi and Savio were raised to the nobility. As it’s spring, I’m reminded of Sangris and the offerings during the changes of the seasons at the altar of change. To smell the fresh flowers, fruits and incense as paper prayers and remembrances are offered up, we remember our promises to defend Sangris and ask the lady of change to help us continue to evolve to become stronger against our enemies, and thank those who have passed for their honourable service so that Sangris might live on long after their death. I will burn a written prayer for the fallen Proscipi, that Tremorus might gain strength with their memories held firmly.

There is a new guild master of the Crafters Guild, a Caprice Artiglio. I don’t know the name but that matters very little, the craft capability of Arx can’t be overstated in their capabilities. I’m not one to seek out art or fineries, but the Compact has an insatiable hunger to consume goods and I wish this person the best to lead the offerings for that beast.

The Kennex appointed lady Cecilia as the minister of public relations. This post seems like it’s diplomatic and political, I’m expecting to see lady Cecilia sometime in the future then.

Otherwise, it’s been an interesting week as I paid homage to the Goddess of War and offered up trophies from the Siege of Sangris to thank the Pravus, Graysons and Proscipi for their assistance. I also will close this with a statement I made to a friend:

Winning the battle is only one part. The more important part is winning and coming to a greater understanding as a person. If you gain this, it makes the actual battle nearly irrelevant in terms of glory. If you haven’t come to a greater understanding after the Battle at Pieros, Tremorus or the Siege at Sangris, then you’ve missed the opportunity and point. Beware wars simply for the sake of destroying, it’s a beast that has an unstable appetite and will consume you.

Written By Viviana

May 15, 2021, 6:33 a.m.(6/22/1015 AR)

Such enlightening thoughts. Each day, every time, I have Leila tell me of my newest protégé's philosophical conversations.

If he wonders why --

I'll suggest that he create a compendium.

Write a book.

Potent quotables.

Written By Thea

May 14, 2021, 10:26 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

And there it is. I don't know how well I'm going to do, but I know I'm going to give it everything I have. And then some. I remember where I was born and how I was raised. I'm not worried, as I know I have people depending on me. As well as standing beside and behind.

Written By Cirroch

May 14, 2021, 9:58 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

I've heard some say that a journey is not worth having unless there is someone to share it with. This can be a friend, lover, spouse, even a frenemy. Maybe not an outright enemy, though I can see some journeys never starting without someone chasing you or someone to chase. Thus an enemy can create the journey as well.

Either direction that is sought, without that one alongside of you the journey can become very lonely, very quickly. Things that once made you happy will only remind you of the times that they chased you to that spot, that direction, a shared moment... all lost until you can be reunited with the one that gave you that moment.

Memories are fleeting. Laughter fades eventually.
Until its time to find another to offer for a chase, or dance, even to sit upon the ground and watch the flames lick at each other as the fire is tended to.

The point here, is to find who helps you be better than you are now. Then let the journey begin.

Written By Volya

May 14, 2021, 8:03 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

Conversations with Existentialism

1: "Why does hate from strangers bother me so much?"

2: Well, they don't *you*. They can only hate the *idea* of you. Besides... it's unfair to the love around you to focus so much on a few angry voices."

Written By Volya

May 14, 2021, 8 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

Conversations with Existentialism

1: "I guess the family legacy will end with me..."

2: "How sad and short sighted to reduce yourself and any legacy to that of reliance upon the blood. There are far greater things you can contribute to your kin's future. You can help build a foundation with creations and teachings that will ripple across time. You are more than a name."

Written By Bonnie

May 14, 2021, 6:21 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

I've been many moons at sea and naught anything has changed with Shepherd Manor when I arrived in Graypeak. My brother is just as welcoming as ever even after my hasty departure of leaving the first time to sail. I've never been one whom can stay on land for long before my heart quivers for the sea once more. However, I may stay longer then I anticipated. Many friendships have already blossomed and everyday I'm meeting more people that I hadn't before. Needless to say Arx isn't all that bad and I'm hoping to make sure my brother is fruitful in his endeavor of being Duke. Can't be all bad I suppose?

Written By Gael

May 14, 2021, 2:47 p.m.(6/21/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Shard

You might never read this, but,
Shard,

When I first joined your band, the world saw us and the company for what we were: a manifestation of ambition girded with weapons. Everyone in our group, when I entered, had a clear dream and aspiration; and about half of those who did then had the arms and desire to shape them, to make them real. We weren't unique, far from outstanding, not even particularly dangerous if we're giving our old selves a good look in the eye without lie.

But we've made it this far.

After many doors shut in our face. The attempts at haggling and wrying for good deals that ended up crumbling them altogether. The spitting. So much spitting. It is a cold world and we dared to warm our own damn selves, and you taught us how. Thus far, we have succeeded, in no small part to the legacy you laid out before leaving us.

Contracts under our belt, contracts on the horizon, they are blurring together. A culture of success has started to wash over the Valorous Few and you have good reason to be proud of when you once commanded it, because it is in no small part because of you, Shard.

Maybe we won't even look half-bad and like one sorry lot when you're back to take command.
You take care now.

Written By Giada

May 14, 2021, 8:13 a.m.(6/20/1015 AR)

Surely not related to anything at all, but bitter truths make life infinitely more interesting.

Written By Aelgar

May 14, 2021, 8:02 a.m.(6/20/1015 AR)

All this research and transcribing may not be making me smarter, but I am becoming more knowledgeable. I have learned much of Lord Vellichor's service, and almost as much of the other dozen. Not to mention bucketloads of tidbits about The Compact and the world. I am beginning some planning to spread knowledge with those who are interested. The main concept is to enhance the missions of those Scholars who feel called to outreach teaching, but I am also interested in new schools and in enhancing existing locations. Now, for students. The reason I like the traveling missionary-style is that the teachers can go to where a student is expressing interest or need, making it more likely the knowledge will be accessed and used. Lord Vellichor tasked us with ensure the knowledge survives and grows. I intend to aid that cause to succeed.

Written By Raimon

May 14, 2021, 3:08 a.m.(6/20/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Ian

The bronzing sun casts light upon
the ocean's crisp blue waves
The breakers rush up to the sands
to backfill shallow graves

Mangata's Tears thus sanctify
the acres of the slain
But bloodstained walls and cobblestones
must wait for cleansing rain

A seabird screams in hunger
and in outrage and in pain
Its screams will go unheeded, for
No living ears remain.

https://pastebin.com/vTYbzGMG

Written By Claude

May 14, 2021, 12:18 a.m.(6/20/1015 AR)

The project is coming along steadily. Although happily delayed somewhat as I received several private commissions. I only have to paint the last set of pieces and number them. I haven't decided if fire-etching or perhaps some kind of stamped metal would be better. Probably the etching. Then to construct and paint all the boxes. Arrangements still need to be made with the appropriate authorities. But soon!

Written By Eirene

May 13, 2021, 7:02 p.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

I just had a gorgeous fucking dress made for an upcoming ball. Lagoma sees us all through changes, and even I change and wear dresses once in a while. My husband deserves a Lycene lady on his arm in all her glory now and again, so I'm going to indulge him. Besides, it's an excuse to be entirely frivolous and see if I can show up my sister Roxy for once for fanciest outfit.

Written By Cesare

May 13, 2021, 6:06 p.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

Last night's feast in Eswyndiol, hosted by the gracious Lady Medeia and Lord Haakon, was a rousing delight. While I find myself poorly suited to contests of martial ability - broken fingers and bruised muscles are not conducive to the playing of musical instruments, to say the least - I quite enjoy the display of skill and spirit when it's all done in the guise of friendship. There's something to be learned about a person from everything they choose to do and how they do it, and fighting is certainly no exception. Lord Ian Kennex did put on /quite/ an impressive display of skill and determination; not to speak any less of the other competitors, as each of them, including the hostess of the party herself, proved quite capable and demonstrated not only prowess, but dare I say, style?

(I did not say good style, or fashionable, I simply said style.)

One cannot help but be particularly impressed when a combatant chooses to fight with nothing more than a subtly-sharpened spoon.

I enjoyed also a relatively short but piquant conversation with the newly-minted Lord Proscipi the younger, a man whose soul flows in a similar direction as my own, I suspect, and look forward to meeting him again. We bards must stick together, after all; there is a lot of ass-waving and yowling yet to be done in the world, and it is our solemnest duty to see it done.

Summertime always seems to set the blood running a little hotter and tempers a bit quicker, and there is always the usual profusion of feasts and celebrations to enjoy when the weather is at its finest, but I can't help but wonder if the instinct this year toward tumbling and drinking and fisticuffs is part the usual roused spirits and part the overdue reckoning of what many have brought home with them from war. It doesn't worry me - screwing and fighting are much more enjoyable and feel much more productive than contemplation and talking, I am aware. But I do hope those who need us will seek my fellow Whispers and me out, when the time comes. We have our part to play too, and are able and willing.

Written By Caprice

May 13, 2021, 1:18 p.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

I am honored to serve the Crafters Guild as its newest Guildmaster, alongside Assistant Guildmasters Audgrim and Samira, and I am so very grateful to everyone who has reached out to offer congratulations and support. I've stuck all the notes in amongst the pages of a new ledger, to remind me at random of these remarkable moments of kindness.

Oh, such beautiful things we build when we work together. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Written By Sydney

May 13, 2021, 1:05 p.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

Life in the service of death - be that fearing it, running from it, or dealing it - is as one lived in a tunnel without branches. The walls stretch around and enclose you. There is no wondering what's left, or what's right. Up is an impossibility. Down is the dirt and stone you've watched others fall upon. The only way is forward, as to stand still or turn back can lead only to ruin. A life lived in this way gives rise to certain ideas and expectations about how the world works, as well as its scope.

Should you find yourself at the emergence from such a tunnel, question everything.

Your beliefs are fallible. Your echoed words, which once resonated from every wall from with clarity verging on perfection may now ring hollow in the wider world.

And if your beliefs are fallible, so too are the beliefs of others.

Question everything.

Written By Demura

May 13, 2021, 11:48 a.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

I have decided to start fresh upon my return to Arx and seek a like-minded patron and perhaps a protege who wishes to pursue the unknown together. It is never an easy relationship to cultivate, as the role of a Patron is to lead and aide, to showcase the goals and dreams of those they have agreed to assist, and the role of a protege is to grow and flourish, to assist where needed and to seek to share the goals they have with their patron while also embracing the patron's goals as well. It can be a precarious path, as opening one's self up to another can be difficult and not all are willing to sacrifice their time to another.

I wish to form bonds, to form relationships, to see what new heights these can bring. Now we just wait to see if anyone else is as interested as I am.

Written By Demura

May 13, 2021, 11:42 a.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Cahal

He waited. Regardless of everything.

Written By Cirroch

May 13, 2021, 11:33 a.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

Why is it that the most amusing things can be spotted from the rafters of the hall? While I understand the worry that Petroc had for my sudden wish to be in the rafters, I was able to share a moment with Ansgar. And was able to see more clearly.

It might be time to go sit atop a mountain for a bit. Get a new perspective of what is constantly feeling stuck within the brick walls of the city.

Written By Demura

May 13, 2021, 11:28 a.m.(6/19/1015 AR)

With my return to Lyon's Redoubt then sailing to the Saffron chain, I have found myself away from Arx longer than expected. It feels as if everything has changed and everything has remained the same all at once, which is both a strange and comforting feeling. Jenessa has done a wonderful job with keeping our lives in the capital secure, and I have found myself relying on her more. She is one of the reminders of why I do as I do, and who I do it for.

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