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Written By Valerian

April 1, 2021, 4:50 p.m.(3/19/1015 AR)

Scholar,

I am thankful that the worst I feared and the restless night I expected did not come to pass.
I am ever grateful to the sweet dreams that I was given instead in such dark times as these.

Though, with that sleep and reflection in my dreams now there are even more questions.
Ones that can't be found in books or scrolls or old journals in the archives.

Ones that require me to leave the comfort that I have come to rely on and the protective
walls formed by the stacks. That seem to keep much of the world and the dangers of
social maneuvering at bay.

And as such I have found myself expanding my horizons, reaching out to those I never
dared dream that I would reach out to or contact.

Written By Lyra

April 1, 2021, 9:41 a.m.(3/18/1015 AR)

For the first time since arriving in Arx, I have someone I can truly call friend. Someone to talk things over with, to seek advice from and to share a mug of chocolate with at the end of the day. Which of all my important nothings shall I tell him first today?

Written By Sydney

April 1, 2021, 6:01 a.m.(3/18/1015 AR)

I recognize the irony in these words spilling from the pen of a woman whose living is earned entirely by roughing folk up, but it seems to me that entirely too often, we make our minds up too quickly about what constitutes an enemy.

Seems to me that when we sit in the dark of a flame that's down to its embers, everything that jumps out appears a shade.

If they strike first, there's nothing for it.

But how many times lashing out first does it take before we're the ones in the shadows?

Written By Piccola

March 31, 2021, 8:15 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)

A horse in nature is always stronger and more robust in their forests than in our service.

It is the same with men: in proportion as he becomes sociable and servile, he becomes weak, fearful, and mean-spirited.

This is why, wise general, one should not be a stranger to savagery.

Written By Martinique

March 31, 2021, 7:29 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)

And so Stepan Horderacht is dead. Haakon got him before he could slaughter Romulius. I wish I'd gotten him myself, but at least he and that hell-tribe are gone, and my company is avenged.

Written By Tanith

March 31, 2021, 7:03 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)

I missed our anniversary.

It happens and it wasn't unexpected, but I didn't like it anyway. Two years on top of many orbiting each other, time is marked different now. It's not decades of being best friends and allies, it's not years and years of watching out for each other, making sure one is fed and the other out of trouble. Countless days chasing each other as kids, building dreams and telling stories. A thousand kisses before we knew what it could mean. A thousand more before we knew what it meant.

Being away for the first time since we decided we couldn't live without each other taught me a few things. I don't like being away, and nobody likes me when I don't have him around. I turn into a rotten ass.

I'm sure that the Princess will get an earful from the captain. No matter what he says, I didn't break -any- bones. I dislocated exactly one shoulder and any bruised bones and bodies, I made sure to tend to myself.

Actually as I recall, they found that really annoying.

See here; I did my best and I apologized.

Who'd have thought a cranky Ulbran would be what it takes to keep me peaceful and content?

Most of the time, anyway.

Written By Ida

March 31, 2021, 3:32 p.m.(3/17/1015 AR)

I'm feeling a bit...not quite old, not quite sad, and not quite left behind. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it comes from looking over my will, which I do from time to time in case it needs updating. Sometimes it feels like it needs updating far too often, for people I had hoped to give some cherished or meaningful memento, keep returning to the wheel or leaving the realm.

Prince Edain, who has so selflessly taken up arms in a great war that I doubt many of us fully comprehend, but which is vital to the survival of the Compact. Marquis Rymarr Deepwood, Dame Thena Grayhope, Sister Juniper Godsworn... Joscelin too, of course, in earlier versions. I am grateful to have survived the few things that could easily have sent my own soul to the wheel along with theirs, of course! There's just a touch of sorrow in my heart when I revisit my will, but I try to get a little lost in the great memories while I'm here.

Written By Gwenna

March 31, 2021, 9:44 a.m.(3/16/1015 AR)

I've had occasion recently to contemplate lessons I've had over the years, and the variety of areas they touch. Ones that some might consider beneath the peerage, and yet /someone/ needs to have an inkling of what they are in order to manage a household, holding, or even a small part of the realm. This lead to my thoughts wandering about how I might wish to be remembered. As a skilled diplomat? Steward of the Northlands? Vain, really.

I believe I'll be happiest having made my family proud, more than anything else, and been a small part of what we all do together to make House Redrain great.

Written By Natasha

March 31, 2021, 4:10 a.m.(3/16/1015 AR)

Out of all the weeks since making berth in Arx, this was, quite certainly, the worst one.

But it would have been even moreso without the swift and accurate intervention of Ladies Azova Darkwater and Medeia Eswynd, and Lords Haakon Eswynd and Dycard Blackshore.

For that, they have my eternal gratitude; more than I could ever eloquently articulate in these pages.

Written By Ripley

March 31, 2021, 1 a.m.(3/16/1015 AR)

The abyss is sitting in my head and making my nose run and my eyes water and dancing on my skull. I am misery incarnate. The soup was.. I've never had soup like that before. I want the winter tea from Jade Moon. Zyanya is traveling, I was told. That tea made things better. I could drink a great deal of tea right now. Toad too I think.

I feel like there's a stoat or a few raccoons living in my nose and my head. If I could just grab them by the tails and yank them out.

Written By Sydney

March 30, 2021, 9:12 p.m.(3/15/1015 AR)

I stare at the map of Arvum, and trace the paths I've walked in life. With some noteworthy exceptions, they all encircle Arx.

That the world should be so vast and my travels so infrequent feels often like some manner of cruel joke. Would that I could but sprout wings, and visit every place on the map that I've marked as a place to visit. Flights of fancy aside, a steadfast mare will do, with the occasional boat ride.

There's something mortifying about the thought of spending my entire life standing (or sitting, or lying) still.

I sorely need to scratch this itch.

Written By Evaristo

March 30, 2021, 3:31 p.m.(3/15/1015 AR)

I have had some queries about the stygian necklace - which is amazing - and I realise people read my whites, and I best clarify.
The stygian necklace will be sold in the auction to benefit healers, in the event that Lord Orland Amadeo is hosting. All money made from it will be going to healer organisations, in whatever way Orland wants to divide it up.

Written By Mabelle

March 30, 2021, 2:33 p.m.(3/15/1015 AR)

After the success of the Beer Festival in making everyone goofy yet happy, I cannot wait for the peerage to attempt to bake a cake this week's end.

I hope no one wears anything very expensive.

Written By Tython

March 30, 2021, 12:36 p.m.(3/15/1015 AR)

I finished my first bit of furnature today, it's a seachest, came out really, really good! Maybe I'm a natural! Also Raja and Samira thought of some funny names I could use for my shop.

Written By Piccola

March 30, 2021, 9:43 a.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

To believe that truth has any inherent power denied to fraud or prevailing against death is but sentimental.

Men are not more zealous for truth than they often are for error. The application of physical or social penalties will generally succeed in stopping the propagation of either. The only advantage truth has is that, when an opinion is true, it may be extinguished many times only to be rediscovered. And when one such reappearance occurs and escapes persecution, it may then withstand all subsequent attempts to hide it.

Thus, the best way to find the truth is to follow the pattern of those who have attempted to eradicate it.

Written By Evaristo

March 30, 2021, 4:17 a.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

I have not had much inspiration for making jewelry lately, but making something for the benefit of healers, came easy to me. A Stygian necklace with several jade pieces. The jade was given to me by Miss Zyanya from the Platinum Empire, to be used however I saw fit, and I can not think of a better use.

I hope it sells for a large sum.

Written By Medeia

March 30, 2021, 3:17 a.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

My sister is, as ever, my sister. Neilda will always be one of the most captivating personalities in a room. I am so, so glad she came back to the city in time for us to celebrate our birthday together.

In other news, the League of Stoic Husbands is now accepting applications. If you are interested in joining, simply seek out Lords Haakon Eswynd and Ian Kennex at any event and do the following:
1. Be stoic. Gruff, stern, aloof, dour, or brusque may be substituted at the lords' discretion.
2. Be a husband. Or be alright being referred to as a husband, regardless of gender or marital status.
3. Understand that membership requires your participation at large social events be mostly limited to other League members, with your wife or date taking second, and all other greetings and pleasantries being minimal. Membership benefits vary by social event, but typically include a seat or a wall to prop up and liberal amounts of alcohol.
4. Be prepared to discuss the latest trends in war tactics and strategy, weaponry, armor, naval maneuvers, and any information known about current enemies of the Compact or similar topics.

I am very excited to learn how to use the present my husband got me properly. He always surprises me with the perfect gift. And this just means I get the distinct pleasure of spending time learning from him. He is my equal when it comes to capability as a teacher, something which I am grateful for.

And Messere Zakhar? I am glad you have been keeping your cane handy. It gives me some small peace knowing that you're not hopping around on the ice and injuring yourself all over again. I appreciate the messages - even if they are tucked away in your white journals.

Written By Natasha

March 30, 2021, 12:02 a.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Medeia

It is welcome to see that the service you have performed and keep performing for myself and my family has been rewarded with an official post. We are, as always, grateful and indebted to your care, and trust our bodies and health to your capable hands.

Written By Savio

March 29, 2021, 11:01 p.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

Relationship Note on Medeia

Wishing a very happy birthday to the Lady Medeia! She said no gifts, but you can't go to someone's birthday party and not sing them a happy birthday song, isn't it so?


Sweet Medeia, perfect hostess
Social scene's apotheosis
Clever, lovely, strong and true
Act up and she WILL cut you

Or maybe stab you with a trident
We kinda love her when she's violent
We also love her looking splendid
Or when we're having stab wounds mended

Look at her, resplendent, charming
Persuasive and oh so disarming
Behind it all a rapier wit
Beauty paired with dauntless grit

Sweet Medeia, joy to know her
And in her honor, we're not sober
So raise your voice and raise your cups --
We want to be her when we grow up.

Written By Haakon

March 29, 2021, 10:56 p.m.(3/14/1015 AR)

Deia's name day came and went.

Revel were fair enough. Decent company, a bit of blood shed, and a song from Savio.

Two out of three isn't bad.

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