Written By Ysabel
June 24, 2020, 11:06 p.m.(7/15/1013 AR)
I fell asleep in the courtyard while reading a book and woke to the moon far above me and a handful of missives laid beside me. No one must have wanted to disturb me. Maybe. I think I spent an hour just watching the moon. The face in it. Thinking about how it looks back home compared to here. More stars I think, back home. Or out on the water. I suppose I should venture back to Caith and see to the specialists brought in for the shipyard. But first, I'm going to go back and watch the moon and sky some more tonight. Maybe another star will fall and I'll see it this time.
Written By Shard
June 24, 2020, 11:03 p.m.(7/15/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Haakon
So many Islesmen buying and selling people for silver does tend to leave that impression.
Written By Sunaia
June 24, 2020, 10:25 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
(It's that time again, Scholar, in which I natter on and you seem to listen. Uncannily well, I might add - which makes me wish to ask if you're truly interested in -- he nodded. I was planning to continue on no matter what the answer was. Note that Scholar Einar is indeed every inch the devotee to Vellichor.)
So, this entry is a catch-all for my current thoughts, set into one place that I can review later.
A partial list of the things I would like to do:
* I would like to secure for myself a new riding companion. A horse that can keep up on the trail. One that's unbothered and trained to the presence of dogs -- of other people -- of danger. A horse that's steady and not easily spooked. Or, barring that, a green horse that I can train myself. It would be a great act of patience. A good lesson.
* I would like to get a swordbelt. Something with lots of pouches and pockets. Lots.
* A cloak with a deep hood. A pair of leather gloves.
* I would really like to go on an adventure. Potential of unknown mysteries and dangers? Hopefully high. Yes, please. That adds to the fun of exploration.
* I would like to learn to be as quiet as a cat's shadow. I want to be able to slip and stalk and find that there is a kind of peace in the dappled shade of the forest. That it's all right to be afraid of the dark while you use it to your advantage. To shift from being loud and boisterous to being -- well, nuanced. Quiet doesn't lessen the focus, or of the force of the emotions that rule me, but I hope I can temper it.
I hope for a lot more these days.
(Maybe this is more of wish-list, Scholar.)
So, this entry is a catch-all for my current thoughts, set into one place that I can review later.
A partial list of the things I would like to do:
* I would like to secure for myself a new riding companion. A horse that can keep up on the trail. One that's unbothered and trained to the presence of dogs -- of other people -- of danger. A horse that's steady and not easily spooked. Or, barring that, a green horse that I can train myself. It would be a great act of patience. A good lesson.
* I would like to get a swordbelt. Something with lots of pouches and pockets. Lots.
* A cloak with a deep hood. A pair of leather gloves.
* I would really like to go on an adventure. Potential of unknown mysteries and dangers? Hopefully high. Yes, please. That adds to the fun of exploration.
* I would like to learn to be as quiet as a cat's shadow. I want to be able to slip and stalk and find that there is a kind of peace in the dappled shade of the forest. That it's all right to be afraid of the dark while you use it to your advantage. To shift from being loud and boisterous to being -- well, nuanced. Quiet doesn't lessen the focus, or of the force of the emotions that rule me, but I hope I can temper it.
I hope for a lot more these days.
(Maybe this is more of wish-list, Scholar.)
Written By Charis
June 24, 2020, 9:55 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
There's a difference between suspecting something and having it confirmed. Confirmation feels about as I remember it to: burning lungs, the sting of sweat in the eyes, flesh and bones all aching fire. But now, years past the prime of certain choices made, there's no laughing recovery or easy sleep to follow. Tomorrow will be worse, I know, as the strain sets in, and it's my own damn fault for overdoing. Overreaching. Some temptations aren't there to be chased; better to admire from afar.
Gran used to say: years bring regrets, and if you're fortunate you'll have fewer of them than you do birthdays but don't go expecting that to be the norm. Let this journal mark half a regret and I'll pray it won't blossom into a full one.
Gran used to say: years bring regrets, and if you're fortunate you'll have fewer of them than you do birthdays but don't go expecting that to be the norm. Let this journal mark half a regret and I'll pray it won't blossom into a full one.
Written By Mirella
June 24, 2020, 9:54 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
What's the difference between questioning oneself and doubting oneself? I know my own opinion on the matter, but I shan't share it here.
Written By Raziel
June 24, 2020, 8:44 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
As a Mirrormask, it is customary to have a mask. Shocking, I know.
I suppose I could craft mine, myself. I would only require the materials, and an idea for the design.
Perhaps one of those masks of crow's design. I already have the laugh of one anyway.
I suppose I could craft mine, myself. I would only require the materials, and an idea for the design.
Perhaps one of those masks of crow's design. I already have the laugh of one anyway.
Written By Aleksei
June 24, 2020, 8:44 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Nurie
For what it's worth? If my opinion means anything?
I think she'd make an amazing member of the Commoners Council.
I think she'd make an amazing member of the Commoners Council.
Written By Shard
June 24, 2020, 8:20 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
It's Prima Shard, by the way.
If that's uncomfortable, I'm also Captain-General Shard. I run that mercenary company now.
If that's uncomfortable, I'm also Captain-General Shard. I run that mercenary company now.
Written By Lucita
June 24, 2020, 8:08 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
I made the mistake of reading Lady Eirene's twin's wedding outfit descriptions to my twins. Estie recommends the knife holding bunnies be riding big armored spiders and Kyllan agrees and (deep sigh) is planning other wild and imaginative outfits for when an occasion occurs. They recommend the Butterflies with stingers have have wings that are pond scum bright green (--no our pond does not have scum, you can see that for yourself, but they must have seen some somewhere) and that bright purplish pink color of pale beet juice, or maybe carrot orange, or both. Estaban would be laughing now.
Written By Shard
June 24, 2020, 8:05 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
It's extraordinarily funny that you feel the need to lecture me on the value of life and the importance of freedom. Let's just say that if you were offering money for freeing thralls and slaves without the stipulation that they must be brought to House Tyde, you would currently owe me more money than possibly anyone has ever owed to any sellsword at any time in the history of this entire city. Which makes this conversation a bit awkward for you.
By the way, I'm a sellsword because prodigals that come to Arx tend to vanish into the Lowers, often quite literally. Prodigals that aren't slaves or children (usually both) don't generally get charity from the nobility, and that charity usually only lasts so long. Being a sellsword was work that got me out of the Lowers, and, ironically, taking on an absurdly dangerous profession is why I didn't end up dead and dumped into the harbor. By the way, on the subject of charity, if you ever wonder why most prodigals, or commoners in general, like the Faith better than they like you, well, there you go, I've already revealed that mystery.
I accept that you're a woman who isn't entirely familiar with these things, so I, a woman who is /far/ too entirely familiar with these things, will elaborate a bit. You're correct that sellswords often kill people for money, but sellswords do that killing for money because people with that money (quite often nobles), pay them to do exactly that, with terms laying out which people, where, and how many. Sellswords exist because the people that sneer at them for being sellswords are quite often the same people willing to pay them to kill other people. Sellswords work on contract.
But as you brought up the subject of freedom and valuing human life, the only reason I lived long enough to end up in the Lowers is because a sellsword /didn't/ fulfill a contract to kill me and everyone I knew, a contract that he received from a Compact noble who wanted us dead because we were freefolk that happened to wander into lands he didn't actually hold but considered his. His enemies, in other words. You're familiar with that. But why didn't the sellsword fulfill the contract? It was because we paid him more.
Maybe don't lecture me on not knowing the value of human life. I know the exact value of human life here. I know exactly what price was put on my head, and why a bunch of nomads, who have to carry everything they own, had enough coin to buy off the leader of a mercenary company and every single sellsword he had with him.
Because it wasn't much.
By the way, I'm a sellsword because prodigals that come to Arx tend to vanish into the Lowers, often quite literally. Prodigals that aren't slaves or children (usually both) don't generally get charity from the nobility, and that charity usually only lasts so long. Being a sellsword was work that got me out of the Lowers, and, ironically, taking on an absurdly dangerous profession is why I didn't end up dead and dumped into the harbor. By the way, on the subject of charity, if you ever wonder why most prodigals, or commoners in general, like the Faith better than they like you, well, there you go, I've already revealed that mystery.
I accept that you're a woman who isn't entirely familiar with these things, so I, a woman who is /far/ too entirely familiar with these things, will elaborate a bit. You're correct that sellswords often kill people for money, but sellswords do that killing for money because people with that money (quite often nobles), pay them to do exactly that, with terms laying out which people, where, and how many. Sellswords exist because the people that sneer at them for being sellswords are quite often the same people willing to pay them to kill other people. Sellswords work on contract.
But as you brought up the subject of freedom and valuing human life, the only reason I lived long enough to end up in the Lowers is because a sellsword /didn't/ fulfill a contract to kill me and everyone I knew, a contract that he received from a Compact noble who wanted us dead because we were freefolk that happened to wander into lands he didn't actually hold but considered his. His enemies, in other words. You're familiar with that. But why didn't the sellsword fulfill the contract? It was because we paid him more.
Maybe don't lecture me on not knowing the value of human life. I know the exact value of human life here. I know exactly what price was put on my head, and why a bunch of nomads, who have to carry everything they own, had enough coin to buy off the leader of a mercenary company and every single sellsword he had with him.
Because it wasn't much.
Written By Eleanor
June 24, 2020, 7:02 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
I'm sure it will be a great joy to thralls in the Tydelands to be liberated from their working debt in exchange for slightly different working debt. Prima Shard is one of the staunchest adversaries of slavery in the Compact, and anyone working toward freedom would be wise to listen to her on the subject.
Written By Aureth
June 24, 2020, 6:53 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Really... really unwise choice of sparring partners on this particular topic.
Written By Poppy
June 24, 2020, 6:49 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Scholar!
I had the most surreal night last night. The companions I was having tea with were suddenly called into the forest. We followed along, led by princess Sorrel's song and Master Apollo's beautiful light. It was almost like a party. That was, until it wasn't.
Well! A high Lord yelled at a bush and was thrown through the air before a terrible wolf... Well, I think it was a wolf, shredded his breast plate. I am glad I always carry a small parcel of bandages and such on me, but after last night I'm reconsidering if I should carry a whole pack.
Who knew tea could be so exciting?
I had the most surreal night last night. The companions I was having tea with were suddenly called into the forest. We followed along, led by princess Sorrel's song and Master Apollo's beautiful light. It was almost like a party. That was, until it wasn't.
Well! A high Lord yelled at a bush and was thrown through the air before a terrible wolf... Well, I think it was a wolf, shredded his breast plate. I am glad I always carry a small parcel of bandages and such on me, but after last night I'm reconsidering if I should carry a whole pack.
Who knew tea could be so exciting?
Written By Porter
June 24, 2020, 5:29 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Mabelle
Lady Mabelle Laurent sent me a very nice beard oil that she won from some contest. I've already started using it and I'm positive that I see results after just a few hours.
Written By Margot
June 24, 2020, 5:04 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
On the emptiness of anger:
I wonder if people would rather that the unfortunate captives of the Eurusi and Sungreet's houses simply drown with their oppressors so they would be out of sight and out of mind. Would that be more pleasant than the idea that putting a value on their life may be the one thing that ensures their feet meet land again?
Oh how tender hearts rush to fury and wave our fists about when we do not like a method that is different from what they know. How do such people expect to integrate those who have never know their culture when they cannot even stop to consider what their known neighbor is doing before calling forth damnation? Champions of tolerance indeed.
If you care about the unfortunate souls so much get off your ass and do something about it or shut your yap and go about your business.
Empty words have no righteousness, only actions.
I wonder if people would rather that the unfortunate captives of the Eurusi and Sungreet's houses simply drown with their oppressors so they would be out of sight and out of mind. Would that be more pleasant than the idea that putting a value on their life may be the one thing that ensures their feet meet land again?
Oh how tender hearts rush to fury and wave our fists about when we do not like a method that is different from what they know. How do such people expect to integrate those who have never know their culture when they cannot even stop to consider what their known neighbor is doing before calling forth damnation? Champions of tolerance indeed.
If you care about the unfortunate souls so much get off your ass and do something about it or shut your yap and go about your business.
Empty words have no righteousness, only actions.
Written By Haakon
June 24, 2020, 4:56 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
I'm in a good mood this day.
Thus, I find it funny that so many Mainlanders seem to think that Islesmen will resort to selling people at the first hint of a few silvers.
The damned fools really do think we're all slavers.
Thus, I find it funny that so many Mainlanders seem to think that Islesmen will resort to selling people at the first hint of a few silvers.
The damned fools really do think we're all slavers.
Written By Ravna
June 24, 2020, 12:36 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Haaaaaaa!
See, if your beard was down to your knees, yeah? This wouldn't have happened. That impenetrable beard, a bulwark of the gods - I bet you've let ships just crash into that thing once or twice, yeah? Yeeeaaah. How many axes have you broken with that thing?
I bet, the only way you can trim that piece of natural armor is by having the Iron Maiden get her grindstone powered by twelve horses and a prayer.
See, if your beard was down to your knees, yeah? This wouldn't have happened. That impenetrable beard, a bulwark of the gods - I bet you've let ships just crash into that thing once or twice, yeah? Yeeeaaah. How many axes have you broken with that thing?
I bet, the only way you can trim that piece of natural armor is by having the Iron Maiden get her grindstone powered by twelve horses and a prayer.
Written By Margot
June 24, 2020, 12:12 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
I am only a woman and not schooled in military norms but I was generally under the impression that mercenaries accept coin to kill people.
Freefolk do not need to be bought or brought to places, yes. But slaves and thralls are not free and this seems to be a concept you do not understand.
You cannot remove people from incarceration and simply expect them to survive in the world with nothing any more than one can set a chicken free in the wild in winter and expect it to thrive and not be devoured by wolves. That is cruelty.
I am going to great expense to save lives and provide freedom. And I will not be lectured on the value of those lives by someone who takes coin to snuff out lives and does not understand how to govern or care for people in the long term.
Freefolk do not need to be bought or brought to places, yes. But slaves and thralls are not free and this seems to be a concept you do not understand.
You cannot remove people from incarceration and simply expect them to survive in the world with nothing any more than one can set a chicken free in the wild in winter and expect it to thrive and not be devoured by wolves. That is cruelty.
I am going to great expense to save lives and provide freedom. And I will not be lectured on the value of those lives by someone who takes coin to snuff out lives and does not understand how to govern or care for people in the long term.
Written By Zoey
June 24, 2020, 12:09 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Some friendly advice to those who may or may not have read recent journal entries by His Grace Prince Victus and Princess Sorrel:
Do not go chasing after fallen stars. They bring nothing but trouble.
Do not go chasing after fallen stars. They bring nothing but trouble.
Written By Sorrel
June 24, 2020, 12:02 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
I really wish there were a way to keep His Grace from talking shit to bushes.
At least the bush could have been polite enough to be intimidated!
But no. No. It damaged his armor and I had to drag his bleeding but conscious person to safety. Thank the gods for conscientious medics.
At least the bush could have been polite enough to be intimidated!
But no. No. It damaged his armor and I had to drag his bleeding but conscious person to safety. Thank the gods for conscientious medics.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.