Written By Ajax
May 19, 2019, 3:49 a.m.(2/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Emmerly
You're doing fine, just stop being so humble when I want to spoil you with new weapons. You'll have to do my job quite a bit when I am out of town when spring comes.
Written By Ajax
May 19, 2019, 3:48 a.m.(2/17/1011 AR)
You know, I hate being cooped up. The winter when it really starts in earnest is usually that quiet period, contracts slow. Your body aches which is good as the fighting stops for a lot of areas, and always that uncertain feeling when you're waiting. Like you know once the ice breaks, you can go out and make some more coin.
I hate this season.
I hate this season.
Written By Iseulet
May 18, 2019, 8:11 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Now that was too close for comfort.
Written By Gwenna
May 18, 2019, 7:22 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Winter has always been a season of quiet for me. The world seems so soft, encased in white, and even sounds seems buffered by the snow that covers everything. Is there any storm so silent as a blizzard? While the winters in Arx don't really compare to those in Farhaven, there is still that feeling to them. Duties and responsibilities do not cease, of course, but more might be done by messenger than by trekking off to a meeting someplace in one of the wards. I try to spend the extra time at the villa going over the stores and what we might need brought in from Farhaven when the spring allows, sharing some mulled wine with the head of the kitchens and staff, and generally catching up on those things that get put off 'until winter' during the rest of the year. While not a break, really, it is pleasant to focus on hearth and home a couple of months out of the year.
Written By Rysen
May 18, 2019, 5:37 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
Thank you for your advice and confidence, Grandmaster. Such wisdom is strong armor against the bloody claws of Vengeance.
Written By Mirella
May 18, 2019, 4:34 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Some people write the weirdest things in their white journals.
Written By Brigida
May 18, 2019, 4:01 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Sophie
Not all miracles are big ones.
Thank you
Thank you
Written By Willow
May 18, 2019, 3:31 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Go figure an elf visits the Spirits and I am not there to see it. i hope next time I am there. I have always wanted to meet an elf.
Written By Sophie
May 18, 2019, 2:27 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Delilah
I find myself so often cloistered in my office at the House of Solace in meetings. I really should go outside more often. You meet the most fascinating people when you simply give them a chance.
I've made a new friend recently and we bonded over obscure scraps of information and tea. I have a feeling there will be many more pots of tea, and many more scraps of paper exchanged before it is all said and done, and I feel smarter already, just for having met her.
I've made a new friend recently and we bonded over obscure scraps of information and tea. I have a feeling there will be many more pots of tea, and many more scraps of paper exchanged before it is all said and done, and I feel smarter already, just for having met her.
Written By Joscelin
May 18, 2019, 1:38 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Stygia
You aren't wrong. Three are named after him.
Written By Radhilde
May 18, 2019, 12:59 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Marisol
My Patron, you are simply amazing!
Written By Corban
May 18, 2019, 12:51 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
In light of the recent discussion on 'warriors,' I offer an excerpt from 'On Chivalry.'
* * *
At its core, chivalry is the purest answer to the question of “how do we persuade humans to fight when they, personally, are not in danger?” It is not a question that lends itself to an obvious answer. After all, humans’ natural condition is to flee danger when it presents itself, and to fight only as a last resort. And there are good and sufficient reasons for that reaction. We wish to live, to thrive, and to die only after a long and fruitful life. To rush into peril when we are not personally and immediately threatened is contrary to those goals.
Yet if we are all to survive, some must commit themselves to danger, to fend off the Darkness, to protect the Light. The question is thus posed: How do we persuade some of us to take up that role, knowing that it may lead to a short life and violent end? Knights rarely die in their beds, surrounded by their families.
A leader could offer coin and wealth to those who are willing to fight, trading material reward for mortal risk. Those who answer that call we know as “mercenaries.” Or a leader could appeal to his subjects’ ties to their land and neighbors, exhorting them to fight for their homes and people. (Or a leader could simply draft them into service and punish those who do not fight.) Those who answer or accede to that call we know as “guards” or “soldiers.”
Chivalry arose as a third answer to this existential question. Put simply, chivalry answers the question in this way: “We fight, even though we are not personally in danger, because it is the right thing to do.” And that is what I mean when I say that chivalry is a pure answer to the question. Chivalry does not rely on appeal to greed or loyalty or obedience. The knight would fight even if there was no reward, even if it was for a stranger, even if no leader ordered it. The knight fights and protects because it is what ought to be done for the good of all.
* * *
At its core, chivalry is the purest answer to the question of “how do we persuade humans to fight when they, personally, are not in danger?” It is not a question that lends itself to an obvious answer. After all, humans’ natural condition is to flee danger when it presents itself, and to fight only as a last resort. And there are good and sufficient reasons for that reaction. We wish to live, to thrive, and to die only after a long and fruitful life. To rush into peril when we are not personally and immediately threatened is contrary to those goals.
Yet if we are all to survive, some must commit themselves to danger, to fend off the Darkness, to protect the Light. The question is thus posed: How do we persuade some of us to take up that role, knowing that it may lead to a short life and violent end? Knights rarely die in their beds, surrounded by their families.
A leader could offer coin and wealth to those who are willing to fight, trading material reward for mortal risk. Those who answer that call we know as “mercenaries.” Or a leader could appeal to his subjects’ ties to their land and neighbors, exhorting them to fight for their homes and people. (Or a leader could simply draft them into service and punish those who do not fight.) Those who answer or accede to that call we know as “guards” or “soldiers.”
Chivalry arose as a third answer to this existential question. Put simply, chivalry answers the question in this way: “We fight, even though we are not personally in danger, because it is the right thing to do.” And that is what I mean when I say that chivalry is a pure answer to the question. Chivalry does not rely on appeal to greed or loyalty or obedience. The knight would fight even if there was no reward, even if it was for a stranger, even if no leader ordered it. The knight fights and protects because it is what ought to be done for the good of all.
Written By Brigida
May 18, 2019, 12:47 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
I do think that sometimes challenges are issued over the silliest of things. Do people's possess honour that is so fragile that it can be insulted so easily?
Utterly ridiculous.
Utterly ridiculous.
Written By Mikani
May 18, 2019, 12:26 p.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
I think I am just really good at shoving my foot in my mouth. Turning something good into something uncomfortable. That could be my special power.
Written By Reigna
May 18, 2019, 11:50 a.m.(2/16/1011 AR)
There are so many roads before me, each spinning off in their own direction. Obscured by distance, clouds and time, I cannot see where they go. But choices must be made, the world cannot stop while I make my decision. I can allow myself to be paralyzed by fear or I can trust in my judgement, experience and faith to guide me on whichever route I take.
The times we live in are extraordinary, the challenges and opportunities both daunting and surreal. The stories we are told from the days of old Heroics are gilded by the centuries between us and as I study them, as I consider... I realize that it is highly likely that they were frightened too. The import of their choices likely gave them doubts and fears. What makes one brave is not a lack of fear, but rather the ability to move beyond that fear and the commitment to do what must be done, no matter the terror held in one's heart.
The times we live in are extraordinary, the challenges and opportunities both daunting and surreal. The stories we are told from the days of old Heroics are gilded by the centuries between us and as I study them, as I consider... I realize that it is highly likely that they were frightened too. The import of their choices likely gave them doubts and fears. What makes one brave is not a lack of fear, but rather the ability to move beyond that fear and the commitment to do what must be done, no matter the terror held in one's heart.
Written By Preston
May 18, 2019, 11:09 a.m.(2/15/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
May the Gods guide you in your pursuit of justice - strike hard against those who would harm the compact, strike without doubt. But, if I may humbly suggest, strike with certainty. Ensure those you attack and those such an attack would harm are guilty, or you will find that honour and justice you sought crumbles like dust in your hands. The anger and the mistakes it can force I fear as much part of our enemy's plan.
I have full faith that you will do what is just.
I have full faith that you will do what is just.
Written By Preston
May 18, 2019, 11:05 a.m.(2/15/1011 AR)
Faith. It's a simple thing. Many never even think about it. They know the Gods are there, they worship them, but they don't think about it. But it is so very important. That knowledge what you do matters, the ability to place others above yourself, the belief tomorrow might be a brighter day than today.
Faith is also delicate though. To take a recent one, Godsworn never had to worry - we had faith that people understood and would never attack those dedicated to the Gods. Of course, there were minor incidents, tragic deaths. But by and large this was true. Now, more prominent deaths and the events of the Great Road start to fracture that concept, that notion, that dream. And it needs to be stitched back together, carefully and with patience. There is no simple solution. No single action. It will require many acts, over a long period, but people will understand again, faith will be restored, the dream knitted back together. Until then, the Templars will guard that idea while it recovers - those who would do harm to the Godsworn, or through some mischance do manage it, will not win.
Faith is also delicate though. To take a recent one, Godsworn never had to worry - we had faith that people understood and would never attack those dedicated to the Gods. Of course, there were minor incidents, tragic deaths. But by and large this was true. Now, more prominent deaths and the events of the Great Road start to fracture that concept, that notion, that dream. And it needs to be stitched back together, carefully and with patience. There is no simple solution. No single action. It will require many acts, over a long period, but people will understand again, faith will be restored, the dream knitted back together. Until then, the Templars will guard that idea while it recovers - those who would do harm to the Godsworn, or through some mischance do manage it, will not win.
Written By Norwood
May 18, 2019, 9:14 a.m.(2/15/1011 AR)
Disappointment is a bitter pill to swallow.
Written By Gabriella
May 18, 2019, 8:59 a.m.(2/15/1011 AR)
Well. I've returned to Arx. I'm not sure if I am looking forward to facing my family. But I suppose it's inevitable! They love me, after all. They're going to want me to come account for myself.
It's what I get for wandering off to see Arvum. Everyone wants to know where you want and what you did.
Did I do anything worth knowing? Do they care?
It's what I get for wandering off to see Arvum. Everyone wants to know where you want and what you did.
Did I do anything worth knowing? Do they care?
Written By Arcadia
May 18, 2019, 7:40 a.m.(2/15/1011 AR)
I too saw the Nox'alfar and his spider Charlotte.
She was a beautiful creature even if she did make people cry and scream in fear.
According to her owner, 837 hatchlings survived and only two handlers were digested. There is a good percentage they won't eat their owners though it hasn't been thoroughly tested with humans.
How amazing would it be to ride around Arx on the back of a spider in a party hat?
She was a beautiful creature even if she did make people cry and scream in fear.
According to her owner, 837 hatchlings survived and only two handlers were digested. There is a good percentage they won't eat their owners though it hasn't been thoroughly tested with humans.
How amazing would it be to ride around Arx on the back of a spider in a party hat?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.