Written By Brannen
Feb. 21, 2020, 12:41 p.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
Sometimes coincidences happen. And I wonder if what we call "chance" may actually be the will and deed of the Gods. I am certain that they touch our lives, but I suppose we are unable to see the divine spark hidden in the acts of others. The strong ones try to reduce the burden of the weak, the rich share their wealth with the poor -- and sometimes the hurt forgive their assailants.
Acts of kindness and forgiving are humbling. They remind me how grateful I should be that we are not alone. There are always turbulent storms in our life that make us forget the calmer waters, the silent moments of respite. We cannot always sail through the storm, sometimes we have to use the silence of the night to repair our vessels and sails to venture into the next voyage, to endure and withstand the next storm. And again and again.
Acts of kindness and forgiving are humbling. They remind me how grateful I should be that we are not alone. There are always turbulent storms in our life that make us forget the calmer waters, the silent moments of respite. We cannot always sail through the storm, sometimes we have to use the silence of the night to repair our vessels and sails to venture into the next voyage, to endure and withstand the next storm. And again and again.
Written By Nina
Feb. 21, 2020, 12:26 p.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
Now that I have entered the Bard's College, I am learning about the Heroes of Legend. I have begun study of all of Princess Sorrel's songs about the great heroes!
Ah, to be remembered forever in song! I want to write about a hero some day. But there's so much to learn about the old heroes! Should I write about the old heroes ...or shall new heroes arise?!
Ah, to be remembered forever in song! I want to write about a hero some day. But there's so much to learn about the old heroes! Should I write about the old heroes ...or shall new heroes arise?!
Written By Revell
Feb. 21, 2020, 12:10 p.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Ras
SUBJECT: RAS
I met Ras in the Murder of Crows, where I attempted to sell him a flower. I adore the weirdness that are business transactions. We somehow went from me offering him a flower for free if he admitted to looking pitiful, to haggling about the price (5 silver is cheap), only for him to eventually pay the full price /and/ add a meal on top of it. Success!
We talked for a bit, and he seems dad, but not in a weighed-down way. He certainly hasn't given up after experiencing.. whatever it is that he has experienced in his life. (I'll find out what that is eventually, this I swear.)
And I am sorry to anyone who might reads this entry, because I have to share this part of the conversation because otherwise, I won't be able to stop thinking about it; while we disgussed flowers, he said that he thought I used my own feces to fertilise my plants. I politely informed him that my garden is outdoors and my fences are too squat. And besides, everyone knows that the feces of cows work much better! I must admit that his.. choice of words took me a bit by surprise, and I accept that I will need to work on keeping my composure if I wish to become an official trader, a merchant.
Then, he left. He said we could not be friends because I prefer dogs over cats. He was smiling when he said it though, so I'm not too worried. I hope it meant that I managed to brighten his day a little.
Dogs will always be better than cats, though.
I met Ras in the Murder of Crows, where I attempted to sell him a flower. I adore the weirdness that are business transactions. We somehow went from me offering him a flower for free if he admitted to looking pitiful, to haggling about the price (5 silver is cheap), only for him to eventually pay the full price /and/ add a meal on top of it. Success!
We talked for a bit, and he seems dad, but not in a weighed-down way. He certainly hasn't given up after experiencing.. whatever it is that he has experienced in his life. (I'll find out what that is eventually, this I swear.)
And I am sorry to anyone who might reads this entry, because I have to share this part of the conversation because otherwise, I won't be able to stop thinking about it; while we disgussed flowers, he said that he thought I used my own feces to fertilise my plants. I politely informed him that my garden is outdoors and my fences are too squat. And besides, everyone knows that the feces of cows work much better! I must admit that his.. choice of words took me a bit by surprise, and I accept that I will need to work on keeping my composure if I wish to become an official trader, a merchant.
Then, he left. He said we could not be friends because I prefer dogs over cats. He was smiling when he said it though, so I'm not too worried. I hope it meant that I managed to brighten his day a little.
Dogs will always be better than cats, though.
Written By Amari
Feb. 21, 2020, 10:26 a.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
I'm not sure where all those ducks were coming from and why they seemed rather curious about baby Nora Woode. She must have some strange affinity for duck kind, or they mistook her for a cute little duckling.
Ducks aside, it was a very serious party otherwise. Thank you to all who attended, Lady Adalyn for comporting herself with great dignity and sobriety as co-host, and Baron Norwood who so graciously permitted us the use of his lovely garden.
Congratulations also to Prince Edain for proving himself quite resolute and appropriately sober. I hope the deadly serious Duskshire duck dagger will serve him well.
Ducks aside, it was a very serious party otherwise. Thank you to all who attended, Lady Adalyn for comporting herself with great dignity and sobriety as co-host, and Baron Norwood who so graciously permitted us the use of his lovely garden.
Congratulations also to Prince Edain for proving himself quite resolute and appropriately sober. I hope the deadly serious Duskshire duck dagger will serve him well.
Written By Malesh
Feb. 21, 2020, 4:17 a.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Petal
While there were certainly worse wounds than mine to be had when the Gyre's accursed forces made landfall at Stormwall those four and a half years ago, I will admit to a certain injury to my pride with mine. Ariel always loved my eyes, and to have lost one was terrible in ways beyond my half-blindness.
For years I have had my share of eyepatches from healers or gifts from friends, and I have also at times experimented with not concealing the result of that attack. While I have gotten more comfortable doing so, I find that it can be unsettling to others lacking rugged constitutions.
I write now to inform that I shall accept no further gifts of this nature as I have been gifted such a patch now as to put all others to shame. The Tailor Petal Penrose was commissioned to produce for me the most exquisite patch! It is positively divine in craftsmanship and design. The Sigil of Stonewood is rendered in such detail with the stitch that I marvel at the work, so delicate the embroidery! I have, so far at least, experienced no discomfort despite hardly taking it off since I received it, and it is a sad truth to eyepatches that even after all these years they seem designed only to cause headaches. Not so with this masterpiece! Already I feel my mood improved and my tolerance for reading reinvigorated.
Petal has earned her great reputation and a customer for life. You readers of the morrow, be it a single year or a hundred, if this tailor's work should be available to you do not hesitate to obtain it.
For years I have had my share of eyepatches from healers or gifts from friends, and I have also at times experimented with not concealing the result of that attack. While I have gotten more comfortable doing so, I find that it can be unsettling to others lacking rugged constitutions.
I write now to inform that I shall accept no further gifts of this nature as I have been gifted such a patch now as to put all others to shame. The Tailor Petal Penrose was commissioned to produce for me the most exquisite patch! It is positively divine in craftsmanship and design. The Sigil of Stonewood is rendered in such detail with the stitch that I marvel at the work, so delicate the embroidery! I have, so far at least, experienced no discomfort despite hardly taking it off since I received it, and it is a sad truth to eyepatches that even after all these years they seem designed only to cause headaches. Not so with this masterpiece! Already I feel my mood improved and my tolerance for reading reinvigorated.
Petal has earned her great reputation and a customer for life. You readers of the morrow, be it a single year or a hundred, if this tailor's work should be available to you do not hesitate to obtain it.
Written By Jules
Feb. 21, 2020, 12:53 a.m.(10/17/1012 AR)
I was able to get the needed resources to make things happen but I hope it still works out after all that work.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 20, 2020, 9:49 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Strozza
I am indeed fortunate, in more ways than one.
Written By Strozza
Feb. 20, 2020, 4:26 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
While I dislike the time it takes to travel home, I cannot help but forget those irritations when I remember how often I see the stars without city lights or sounds. Only the lap of the ocean. The whisper of sea breeze.
Arx can remain as far as it is.
Arx can remain as far as it is.
Written By Valencia
Feb. 20, 2020, 4:11 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Strozza
Lord Strozza Mazetti makes an interesting observation about me for such a very short but sweet meeting. It makes one wonder what other things he might see should our next meetings be longer and far less distracting.
Though, I'm sure he would agree that it is true that great things often come in smaller packages.
~~~~~~~<~<@
Though, I'm sure he would agree that it is true that great things often come in smaller packages.
~~~~~~~<~<@
Written By Mabelle
Feb. 20, 2020, 4:07 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Apollo
I have never felt more Lycene in an ensemble created by an.. Oathlander. Master Apollo's fall collection has made me feel more daring than ever and inspired me to design some new pieces for myself this coming season. With attention to detail and beautiful craftmanship, I do not understand why you are still reading this and not going over there.
Written By Strozza
Feb. 20, 2020, 2:19 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
The commoners are always an interesting type. You can't call them a breed - they're not animals.
Commoners is an off term. But functional.
Ah well
Commoners is an off term. But functional.
Ah well
Written By Tyrus
Feb. 20, 2020, 1:04 p.m.(10/16/1012 AR)
Copper lived, fought and died to offer us something better than a choice between two sets of chains.
Her legacy remains alive to this day, among us. In the choices we make, in the battles that we face, in the hope for a better dream. Her legacy remain, though she was all too human. No goddess was she, the one whose watch guarded Arvum from the chains of the Undying Emperor or the Skylords of Cardia or even the slavemasters of Eurus.
She was human.
The Dream lost much when she passed. Yet I refuse to believe that with her is gone humanity's hope to live without chains, without having to fear the designs of entities so intent on keeping it leashed lest it threaten their schemes. She was human and every single one of us has the potential to be what she was. To defend all against those who would take advantage that one of our greatest defenders is now gone.
Where she fell, others will rise. The chains will be broken.
Her legacy remains alive to this day, among us. In the choices we make, in the battles that we face, in the hope for a better dream. Her legacy remain, though she was all too human. No goddess was she, the one whose watch guarded Arvum from the chains of the Undying Emperor or the Skylords of Cardia or even the slavemasters of Eurus.
She was human.
The Dream lost much when she passed. Yet I refuse to believe that with her is gone humanity's hope to live without chains, without having to fear the designs of entities so intent on keeping it leashed lest it threaten their schemes. She was human and every single one of us has the potential to be what she was. To defend all against those who would take advantage that one of our greatest defenders is now gone.
Where she fell, others will rise. The chains will be broken.
Written By Dycard
Feb. 20, 2020, 11:03 a.m.(10/15/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucene
As it turns out, the fact that you could likely have beaten your cousin once with one hand behind your back doesn't necessarily mean the same holds true near twenty years later.
I'm not quite sure why I was so readily beaten by Lucene on the training sands. It would be wrong to sully her victory - unlike her family's namesake, the Lady Gilden is anything but soft, and gave me the most thorough thrashing I've had since... well, in years.
But that as an aside, my own performance was as lacking as hers was proficient. Maybe it had to do with the lack of stakes - for all her rage, I knew my life was never in any real danger, whereas I can remember fighting tooth and nail for my - or Rom's - life on multiple occasions, frequently snatching survival from the jaws of death.
Maybe I've grown soft. Too much 'gentleman,' not enough 'reaver' to my lifestyle of late.
Or perhaps I'm simply worse at swords than I thought. Perhaps I should find someone to remind me which end of the weapon is the business end.
I'm not quite sure why I was so readily beaten by Lucene on the training sands. It would be wrong to sully her victory - unlike her family's namesake, the Lady Gilden is anything but soft, and gave me the most thorough thrashing I've had since... well, in years.
But that as an aside, my own performance was as lacking as hers was proficient. Maybe it had to do with the lack of stakes - for all her rage, I knew my life was never in any real danger, whereas I can remember fighting tooth and nail for my - or Rom's - life on multiple occasions, frequently snatching survival from the jaws of death.
Maybe I've grown soft. Too much 'gentleman,' not enough 'reaver' to my lifestyle of late.
Or perhaps I'm simply worse at swords than I thought. Perhaps I should find someone to remind me which end of the weapon is the business end.
Written By Strozza
Feb. 20, 2020, 10:19 a.m.(10/15/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
All the way to Ostria and back - I'm requested to bring a drink.
Cambria, you're fortunate that I like you.
Cambria, you're fortunate that I like you.
Written By Strozza
Feb. 20, 2020, 9:03 a.m.(10/15/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
Much spirit for so tiny a person - it drives me to wonder where it all comes from.
Don't get me wrong - from even so short a meeting as at the Oyster shucking it proved to be a most enjoyable trait.
Don't get me wrong - from even so short a meeting as at the Oyster shucking it proved to be a most enjoyable trait.
Written By Strozza
Feb. 20, 2020, 8:57 a.m.(10/15/1012 AR)
I wonder at the attempts of politics with the Eurus. It's a worthwhile gesture, I fully admit - but I wonder if reason can be found or if we are inevitably spiraling to open war.
Written By Rysen
Feb. 20, 2020, 12:22 a.m.(10/14/1012 AR)
Though others will know better, I believe Copper did not council the people of Arvum to join the Undying Empire. There are very deep consequences to answering the question of "Who are you?" with the response "I am a resource" whether or not one might append "I am a person" in some subordinate way.
Is it the case that Writs only exist in the Undying Empire in order to protect its resources from dangers? The ability to change and grow, so well represented in the fires of Lagoma, is smothered by the coercive effects of Writs. What does mean to be "of no use?" Who decides what is useful?
Surely it can be argued that giving up part of one's freedom to the Emperor is better than giving all of one's identity to the Traitor. But what if there's another option? A way that one could have even greater freedom, and share it with others? To find protection in liberation, in the full scope of what it means to be a being that grows and changes and chooses? Is that not the true legacy of the Great Unbound? The most creative weaver? Is that not, perhaps, what we are being offered by the Seraph Prism?
Is it the case that Writs only exist in the Undying Empire in order to protect its resources from dangers? The ability to change and grow, so well represented in the fires of Lagoma, is smothered by the coercive effects of Writs. What does mean to be "of no use?" Who decides what is useful?
Surely it can be argued that giving up part of one's freedom to the Emperor is better than giving all of one's identity to the Traitor. But what if there's another option? A way that one could have even greater freedom, and share it with others? To find protection in liberation, in the full scope of what it means to be a being that grows and changes and chooses? Is that not the true legacy of the Great Unbound? The most creative weaver? Is that not, perhaps, what we are being offered by the Seraph Prism?
Written By Arik
Feb. 20, 2020, midnight(10/14/1012 AR)
It is easy to cast the Compact as uncaring and genocidal to shavs. It is easy because it sounds so simple. They are abandoned and other and so we kill them. Yet when the Horned God marched on Arx and the Lodge parties were sent to warn the abandoned. Refuge was offered to the abandon. Not just the customary offer to kneel and become prodigals but a true refuge. Marquessa Samantha Deepwood had a policy of permitting shavs within her lands as long as they obeyed local law and her rule. Princess Reese Grayson fought to protect the abandoned of the Grey Forest regardless of their fealty to the Compact. Peers of the Realm ventured into the woods, near the armies of the Horned God to try and save shavs.
When the Gyre armada sailed on the Mourning Isles and then the Northlands how many tribes of abandoned were visited by the Compact? How much time was diverted from the defense of Darkwater and Stormwall to save these people? Holdings were razed to the ground in that war.
To claim the Compact has not sacrificed for the abandoned is a lie. Common blood, noble blood, silver in the palm has been spent to spare them the threat of the abyss. The Undying Empire doesn't offer anything the Compact does not, save unwavering writ. Though it is anathema to our beliefs an oath can be broken. A choice can be unmade with consequence. No shav kneeling to Jadairal can ever weigh that choice again.
How long will it be before regional shav'arvani dialects are not the sign of the abandoned and Jadairali becomes the cant used by those unlawfully trespassing on our lands?
When the Gyre armada sailed on the Mourning Isles and then the Northlands how many tribes of abandoned were visited by the Compact? How much time was diverted from the defense of Darkwater and Stormwall to save these people? Holdings were razed to the ground in that war.
To claim the Compact has not sacrificed for the abandoned is a lie. Common blood, noble blood, silver in the palm has been spent to spare them the threat of the abyss. The Undying Empire doesn't offer anything the Compact does not, save unwavering writ. Though it is anathema to our beliefs an oath can be broken. A choice can be unmade with consequence. No shav kneeling to Jadairal can ever weigh that choice again.
How long will it be before regional shav'arvani dialects are not the sign of the abandoned and Jadairali becomes the cant used by those unlawfully trespassing on our lands?
Written By Lisebet
Feb. 19, 2020, 9:23 p.m.(10.490061590608466/21.443449074074074/1012.790838465884 AR)
Fascinating things transpire when I am briefly away. I suppose it is quite true therefore that things do not revolve around me. Which is all in all not a bad thing.
I am certain that would make me dizzy.
I am certain that would make me dizzy.
Written By Zulana
Feb. 19, 2020, 5 p.m.(10.477018849206349/20.713055555555556/1012.7897515707672 AR)
Once again I return to study the state of Arx, and once again I visit the Compact's Great Archive and find lamentations about my actions in the northwest of Arvum. 'Grieving' the fate of those who willingly bent the knee, claiming they were forced into it and now labor as slaves, or some similar nonsense.
They were offered the same choice the Compact was, with the same condition. For the Great Unbound -- Copper -- defended Arvum against darkness, protecting /all/ who live here; not just those in the Compact, but all of Arvum. For Arvum is far more than merely the Compact, regardless of what your maps like to claim. She considered those 'Abandoned' just as worthy of protection and salvation as the Compact, and the Empire believes no differently. This is why the new province of Tongdjiyi was named in her honor, and with the full approval of its citizens: it means "Legacy of Copper" in Jadairali.
And it was in respect to her and that legacy that the offer was made to the Compact that should you join with the Empire, only those who chose to learn the Art would need take a Writ. Tongdjiyi is the same; only those who choose to start training in the Art -- as what you would call adepts, or mages, or druids -- need take a Writ. Some others have willingly asked for it nonetheless, for it can be a shield when facing the Horned God and his master. One cannot compel you to give up your name -- and your free will -- if you are already bound not to surrender it to the abyss.
Others claim that I -- and the Empire -- see the citizens of Tongdjiyi as nothing but resources to be used. This is half-true.
Yes, the people who have pledged themselves to the Empire here are resources, that much I admit. They are people to be trained as weapons against the Horned God, should they choose to fight. They are people to stay behind and help those who are injured, should they choose to heal. They are people to build a new city, and to keep it running smoothly so the others have a place to come back to.
But I'm no less a resource to my Father. To be a resource is not a bad thing; it means you have value in a greater plan, a bigger picture. I am proud to be a resource. All people can be resources: yours, the people of Tongdjiyi, the people of Daobujin Bo such as myself... even the citizens living in the Black Spire's vile shadow are resources to something.
It is the 'nothing but' which is untrue. Just because you are a resource does not mean you are not also a person. I can be a weapon in my Father's hand to be wielded against the darkness, and still be a person.
Young Emery has become a shining star of the new province -- an aspiring adept whose efforts inspire others, who could easily have found a home among the Children of the Emperor. She has done more than I care to detail to oppose the Horned God. She is unquestionably a valuable resource in this fight, but she is also a person. And one who I have come to respect and call a friend.
I would rather be a person seen as a resource than to be someone seen to have no use. I expect Emery would agree, as would most others in Tongdjiyi training to act in defense of their home and families.
They were offered the same choice the Compact was, with the same condition. For the Great Unbound -- Copper -- defended Arvum against darkness, protecting /all/ who live here; not just those in the Compact, but all of Arvum. For Arvum is far more than merely the Compact, regardless of what your maps like to claim. She considered those 'Abandoned' just as worthy of protection and salvation as the Compact, and the Empire believes no differently. This is why the new province of Tongdjiyi was named in her honor, and with the full approval of its citizens: it means "Legacy of Copper" in Jadairali.
And it was in respect to her and that legacy that the offer was made to the Compact that should you join with the Empire, only those who chose to learn the Art would need take a Writ. Tongdjiyi is the same; only those who choose to start training in the Art -- as what you would call adepts, or mages, or druids -- need take a Writ. Some others have willingly asked for it nonetheless, for it can be a shield when facing the Horned God and his master. One cannot compel you to give up your name -- and your free will -- if you are already bound not to surrender it to the abyss.
Others claim that I -- and the Empire -- see the citizens of Tongdjiyi as nothing but resources to be used. This is half-true.
Yes, the people who have pledged themselves to the Empire here are resources, that much I admit. They are people to be trained as weapons against the Horned God, should they choose to fight. They are people to stay behind and help those who are injured, should they choose to heal. They are people to build a new city, and to keep it running smoothly so the others have a place to come back to.
But I'm no less a resource to my Father. To be a resource is not a bad thing; it means you have value in a greater plan, a bigger picture. I am proud to be a resource. All people can be resources: yours, the people of Tongdjiyi, the people of Daobujin Bo such as myself... even the citizens living in the Black Spire's vile shadow are resources to something.
It is the 'nothing but' which is untrue. Just because you are a resource does not mean you are not also a person. I can be a weapon in my Father's hand to be wielded against the darkness, and still be a person.
Young Emery has become a shining star of the new province -- an aspiring adept whose efforts inspire others, who could easily have found a home among the Children of the Emperor. She has done more than I care to detail to oppose the Horned God. She is unquestionably a valuable resource in this fight, but she is also a person. And one who I have come to respect and call a friend.
I would rather be a person seen as a resource than to be someone seen to have no use. I expect Emery would agree, as would most others in Tongdjiyi training to act in defense of their home and families.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.