Written By Karadoc
Jan. 10, 2019, 5:13 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
For an omelette, you see, a few eggs do need to be broken. No, Scholar, that isn't a metaphor. I am truly just talking about breakfast -- I slept in far too late in the afternoon and I'm famished. So, I'll have to see about that after I leave the Archives. Perhaps with some buttered toast, a rasher of bacon, and sparkling wine with peach nectar added to it. Some fruit. Doesn't that sound divine? Honestly, it's a much better subject to consider compared to anything _serious._
Written By Karadoc
Jan. 10, 2019, 5:10 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Someone must truly appreciate the charitable cause, I think, if they are willing to participate. Though -- you'll never catch me within leagues of that esteemed dinner guest.
Written By Teagan
Jan. 10, 2019, 4:37 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Had the Road been raised successfully, without a hitch, I imagine the very same people decrying it would be singing its praises.
Some people simply have a need to stand by the sidelines, wringing their hands and waiting to choose a side. These are the people that history will forget.
The Cloudspine stands at a crossroads right now, both literally and figuratively. However, Bellerive and Threerivers have been at odds for a long time. They have been in dispute over a stretch of land for quite some time. The road merely provided a catalyst and brought things to a head earlier rather than later. Those among you who simply need a reason to whine and moan can blame the road all you want, but these battles would have occurred at some point: they simply came sooner rather than later.
Did they come at a convenient time? No. But the Gods never give us trials when it is convenient and we should thank them for this because it is in the fire that we are tested and come out stronger than ever.
Some people simply have a need to stand by the sidelines, wringing their hands and waiting to choose a side. These are the people that history will forget.
The Cloudspine stands at a crossroads right now, both literally and figuratively. However, Bellerive and Threerivers have been at odds for a long time. They have been in dispute over a stretch of land for quite some time. The road merely provided a catalyst and brought things to a head earlier rather than later. Those among you who simply need a reason to whine and moan can blame the road all you want, but these battles would have occurred at some point: they simply came sooner rather than later.
Did they come at a convenient time? No. But the Gods never give us trials when it is convenient and we should thank them for this because it is in the fire that we are tested and come out stronger than ever.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 10, 2019, 4:32 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Build it with their bones and wash it in their blood.
At what point does the cost of progress become too high?
At what point does the cost of progress become too high?
Written By Alrec
Jan. 10, 2019, 3:32 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(Scribe editor's note: We broke apart his primal scream for clarity and legibility.)
...OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(Scribe editor's note: We broke apart his primal scream for clarity and legibility.)
Written By Shard
Jan. 10, 2019, 2:40 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Gaston
Oh, I apologize. I had no idea you were mourning the thousands of dead Abandoned--men, women, and children--either left to rot in the wilds or burned in bonfires by their murderers. Mourning dead Abandoned isn't really something I've ever seen most people doing in the Compact, let alone from the Oathlands, let alone during this particular event. I've been seeing people talking about progress and necessity and how much they deserved to be murdered to the very last for daring to exist.
Ah, wait. You're talking about your vassal. Nevermind then.
No one should need some damned Prodigal sellsword to tell them that building an enormous road through the wilds claimed by dozens and dozens (if not more) of tribes that have been living there for potential centuries would end up being seen as a provocation, a threat, and/or a target. No one should need /me/ to tell /them/ that people were going to get killed. But I /did/ tell people. I /did/ warn people. I wasn't alone either. Do you think I'm writing just because I want to rub people's noses in it? I'm writing because thousands of people are dead on all sides, but particularly uncounted numbers of children, something being celebrated and seen as right and proper by a chunk of the very people who hold honor as their highest and most important value. No one's left to mourn them, and they'll be promptly forgotten, because a bunch of murdered children are inconvenient to remember.
This is why your vassal was attacked, I'll point out. Because the Abandoned don't bother to make distinctions between Houses any more than the Compact bothers to make distinctions between tribes. They were looking for justice for the dead. But, as I've already written, there will never be any justice over this. That's not how things work.
Ah, wait. You're talking about your vassal. Nevermind then.
No one should need some damned Prodigal sellsword to tell them that building an enormous road through the wilds claimed by dozens and dozens (if not more) of tribes that have been living there for potential centuries would end up being seen as a provocation, a threat, and/or a target. No one should need /me/ to tell /them/ that people were going to get killed. But I /did/ tell people. I /did/ warn people. I wasn't alone either. Do you think I'm writing just because I want to rub people's noses in it? I'm writing because thousands of people are dead on all sides, but particularly uncounted numbers of children, something being celebrated and seen as right and proper by a chunk of the very people who hold honor as their highest and most important value. No one's left to mourn them, and they'll be promptly forgotten, because a bunch of murdered children are inconvenient to remember.
This is why your vassal was attacked, I'll point out. Because the Abandoned don't bother to make distinctions between Houses any more than the Compact bothers to make distinctions between tribes. They were looking for justice for the dead. But, as I've already written, there will never be any justice over this. That's not how things work.
Written By Delilah
Jan. 10, 2019, 2:32 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Farewell, yesterday.
The more things change...
The more things change...
Written By Ouida
Jan. 10, 2019, 2:24 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
It struck me somewhat powerfully before dawn, when I knelt at my prayers, that not once during the news of these most recent events has my prodigal squire turned to me with surprise in his eyes or mystification as to how could the people of the Compact engage in slaughter of as many or more innocents as combatants, and that even of those who have bent the knee and committed to serve the gods.
And why is that?
Sometimes I think that in our arrogance we cease to remember that the Abandoned and the Prodigals are not stupid. I think sometimes we risk being too far removed from the realities of living on the borders--for both people of the Compact and those outside it. I think that we are sometimes too forgetful, myself included, of how little time has passed since the last time one house attacked or destroyed or moved against one another.
When I took a knee before Niall Redtree's mother, to give her my word-bond that though yes, he would be in danger as any squire or warrior is, but that he would be protected by me as I would my own blood, both she and I knew I that meant protection from those within the Compact as much as outside of it. And there is no one on our Isles who does not know that I have put plenty of the Shav'Arvani to the sword when encroachments into our protected domain were made. I have hunted down and killed to a last those that participated or abetted in the slaughter of my cousin's entire family, Abandoned or not. I did not come to their family bloodless and pristine and pure, a woman of diplomatic acumen and right words, when they bent the knee to us. They knew what others that he would now serve alongside had done.
I might fret that I have brought this good lad away from the safety of the island or our keep within Arx to expose him to yet more hatred and danger than he might suffer in the usual circumstances--which would not have been trifling either. But he knows. His family knows. And I must push past my own heart to honor them, as people, who now have the full protection of Harthall, as part of our domain. It may be someday, when he is a knight, that he will find himself wielding his blade against someone he knew as a boy, who did not bend the knee. Just as I know as a sword bearer for my House that the day may come when I will cross blades with someone that I once fought alongside or shared a drink together at some Lady's hall or another if our banners are called against each other.
But I will say this. If anyone harms or spills the blood of those who have bent the knee to Harthall, Compact-born blood will not save them. You will be hunted down like any other bandit or murderer, and made to answer in kind, or brought to justice outside of our lands. An oath sworn is an oath sworn. A word given is a word given. I will protect and defend and serve those who have pledged to us. May the gods help anyone who thinks that they can put a hand on any of our people without consequence, regardless of their lineage.
And why is that?
Sometimes I think that in our arrogance we cease to remember that the Abandoned and the Prodigals are not stupid. I think sometimes we risk being too far removed from the realities of living on the borders--for both people of the Compact and those outside it. I think that we are sometimes too forgetful, myself included, of how little time has passed since the last time one house attacked or destroyed or moved against one another.
When I took a knee before Niall Redtree's mother, to give her my word-bond that though yes, he would be in danger as any squire or warrior is, but that he would be protected by me as I would my own blood, both she and I knew I that meant protection from those within the Compact as much as outside of it. And there is no one on our Isles who does not know that I have put plenty of the Shav'Arvani to the sword when encroachments into our protected domain were made. I have hunted down and killed to a last those that participated or abetted in the slaughter of my cousin's entire family, Abandoned or not. I did not come to their family bloodless and pristine and pure, a woman of diplomatic acumen and right words, when they bent the knee to us. They knew what others that he would now serve alongside had done.
I might fret that I have brought this good lad away from the safety of the island or our keep within Arx to expose him to yet more hatred and danger than he might suffer in the usual circumstances--which would not have been trifling either. But he knows. His family knows. And I must push past my own heart to honor them, as people, who now have the full protection of Harthall, as part of our domain. It may be someday, when he is a knight, that he will find himself wielding his blade against someone he knew as a boy, who did not bend the knee. Just as I know as a sword bearer for my House that the day may come when I will cross blades with someone that I once fought alongside or shared a drink together at some Lady's hall or another if our banners are called against each other.
But I will say this. If anyone harms or spills the blood of those who have bent the knee to Harthall, Compact-born blood will not save them. You will be hunted down like any other bandit or murderer, and made to answer in kind, or brought to justice outside of our lands. An oath sworn is an oath sworn. A word given is a word given. I will protect and defend and serve those who have pledged to us. May the gods help anyone who thinks that they can put a hand on any of our people without consequence, regardless of their lineage.
Written By Natalia
Jan. 10, 2019, 2:13 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
For a variety of reasons, I am going to be undertaking a journey into the wilds soon, the one I've been talking about for ages now. If anyone who reads this wishes to go with me, please do get in touch in the next few days.
Yes, I will be well protected.
Yes, I will be well protected.
Written By Reigna
Jan. 10, 2019, 1:34 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Change is pain. This is an immutable fact, one that I think healers and devotees of Lagoma understand more than most. Even good change, like healing is often a painful or deeply uncomfortable thing. This road was a massive change. To those that say we were invading other people's territory -- that is illogical. The land of Arvum, belongs as a whole, to the Compact. Just because all those living within those lands do not realize it (Outside of formalized treaties, such as with the Nox'alfar) does not make it untrue. Nothing is stopping those people from bending the knee to the Compact and living on those lands legally. This is not a condemnation or my saying their lives have no value. Of *course* they have value. I am a healer. But I am also a student of the law and a citizen of the Compact. They are living on our lands illegally. Living within the Compact is far better than living without it. They simply need to bend knee.
The inter-House disputes are awful, but again, misunderstandings and mistakes are part of being human. While the cost of human life is a terrible thing, it is not as though we as a culture are unfamiliar with this cost. The scale is deeply saddening and we should certainly make efforts to broker peace between our vassals where we can.
The price being paid now is sizable, and painful. I reiterate: Change is pain. But change, growth, is necessary. I pray to Lagoma and Gild tonight. I pray to Gloria to remind our people what valor and chivalry means. I pray to the Sentinel for justice to be found for those whose hearts are filled with hatred.
The inter-House disputes are awful, but again, misunderstandings and mistakes are part of being human. While the cost of human life is a terrible thing, it is not as though we as a culture are unfamiliar with this cost. The scale is deeply saddening and we should certainly make efforts to broker peace between our vassals where we can.
The price being paid now is sizable, and painful. I reiterate: Change is pain. But change, growth, is necessary. I pray to Lagoma and Gild tonight. I pray to Gloria to remind our people what valor and chivalry means. I pray to the Sentinel for justice to be found for those whose hearts are filled with hatred.
Written By Adora
Jan. 10, 2019, 11:45 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
Oh no, some people that wanted to kill us all got killed. If this wasn't required I'd be staying clear of here for at least a week while everyone hand wrings and flings accusations yet does fucking nothing about anything. So fucking tedious.
Written By Gilroy
Jan. 10, 2019, 11:28 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
Anyone else think the upcoming Prodigal meet and greet is going to be a lot more awkward now?
Maybe I'll go.
And, hey, at least now they've got plenty to talk about at the Assembly of Peers. All that Cardia/Platinum Empire/Eurus nonsense wouldn't have taken up a whole meeting, right?
Maybe I'll go.
And, hey, at least now they've got plenty to talk about at the Assembly of Peers. All that Cardia/Platinum Empire/Eurus nonsense wouldn't have taken up a whole meeting, right?
Written By Niklas
Jan. 10, 2019, 10:55 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
It must be very easy to be on the outside of these things and have such a clarity of vision.
No, you say, don't do that.
The end result, you insist, is predictable.
People might die, you say. This so-called progress is despicable.
Funny, we have no stories about the people who told King Alar that forging the Compact would be difficult or who told Queen Alarice that taking the fight to the sylv'alfar could backfire, that it would lead to wars, that it would lead to death.
I absolutely condemn these mass killings, just as any decent person condemned the tactics of men like Abbas Thrax in previous struggles. Every life lost is lamentable, but the fault is not the road. That this project could have lead to so much strife just means that we have always been at this tipping point, waiting for this disaster. Something was going break eventually. The Abandoned attacking caravans, the so-called nobles slaughtering innocents, men and women being hanged for not being able to prove their ancestry enough generations back for the orthodox nobility in some parts of Arvum. These people were just looking for an excuse. And that's all the road is when it comes to these troubles. It was an excuse.
As Legate Aureth says, unity is not expected of us by the gods. The Hall of Heroes is filled with men and women who became legends by slaughtering other members of the Compact. Men and women who became legends by killing Abandoned a dozen at a time. We like to look at these and then the relative peace we've had since the Crownbreaker Wars and say that we are so much more civilized now. We really do like to lie to ourselves.
Clearly there are some who believe that the newly forged Compact was no longer in danger of cracks the day after Valeria knelt as a Queen and rose as a Princess.
If you find yourself saying "we seem on the brink" you're just demonstrating how good we all are, noble or commoner, Crownsworn for fifty generations or Prodigal, at pretending otherwise.
No, you say, don't do that.
The end result, you insist, is predictable.
People might die, you say. This so-called progress is despicable.
Funny, we have no stories about the people who told King Alar that forging the Compact would be difficult or who told Queen Alarice that taking the fight to the sylv'alfar could backfire, that it would lead to wars, that it would lead to death.
I absolutely condemn these mass killings, just as any decent person condemned the tactics of men like Abbas Thrax in previous struggles. Every life lost is lamentable, but the fault is not the road. That this project could have lead to so much strife just means that we have always been at this tipping point, waiting for this disaster. Something was going break eventually. The Abandoned attacking caravans, the so-called nobles slaughtering innocents, men and women being hanged for not being able to prove their ancestry enough generations back for the orthodox nobility in some parts of Arvum. These people were just looking for an excuse. And that's all the road is when it comes to these troubles. It was an excuse.
As Legate Aureth says, unity is not expected of us by the gods. The Hall of Heroes is filled with men and women who became legends by slaughtering other members of the Compact. Men and women who became legends by killing Abandoned a dozen at a time. We like to look at these and then the relative peace we've had since the Crownbreaker Wars and say that we are so much more civilized now. We really do like to lie to ourselves.
Clearly there are some who believe that the newly forged Compact was no longer in danger of cracks the day after Valeria knelt as a Queen and rose as a Princess.
If you find yourself saying "we seem on the brink" you're just demonstrating how good we all are, noble or commoner, Crownsworn for fifty generations or Prodigal, at pretending otherwise.
Written By Aleksei
Jan. 10, 2019, 10:41 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
So now that I definitely know who this "Mystery Guest" is, I have to ask:
Why the fuck? Just. _Why_ the _fuck_?
Why the fuck? Just. _Why_ the _fuck_?
Written By Lore
Jan. 10, 2019, 10:29 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
If you're mad about this Great Roads project...
Don't sling mud from the sidelines, challenge someone to a duel! Use the Champions to settle your dispute! We love to jump in the ring to settle shit just like this!
Don't sling mud from the sidelines, challenge someone to a duel! Use the Champions to settle your dispute! We love to jump in the ring to settle shit just like this!
Written By Sabella
Jan. 10, 2019, 10:23 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
While there has certainly been troubling news coming in I hear a great many people laying the blame at the feet (or stones) of the Great Road. Please remember that while bad things may be happening, so are good things. Because of the road trade has increased. Food that might otherwise spoil is more quickly finding its way to the market and thus to the tables of those who would have gone without. For many of the skirmishes I am hearing about it seems that there are deeply running grudges that would have come to a head even if the road had not been there, although it being built may have helped give those prone to violence an excuse to do so.
But those who seek to harm others will often find any excuse and invent one when there is nothing else to blame.
Surely there had been terrible news, but the road has given those who seek shelter and safety a place to find it. And perhaps shown the true colors of many around us on all sides.
But those who seek to harm others will often find any excuse and invent one when there is nothing else to blame.
Surely there had been terrible news, but the road has given those who seek shelter and safety a place to find it. And perhaps shown the true colors of many around us on all sides.
Written By Gianna
Jan. 10, 2019, 9:36 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
A successful opening night is so satisfying. Everyone performed beautifully, and The Good Duke of Gemecitta was, of course, a rousing success. My patron, Prince Niklas Grayson, is an astounding talent.
I think I should like to perform in one of these musicals. Do write me a part in one, Prince Niklas.
I think I should like to perform in one of these musicals. Do write me a part in one, Prince Niklas.
Written By Rymarr
Jan. 10, 2019, 9:19 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
Just once I would love to see a problem at least brought under control or resolved before the public spectacle begins. I really do dislike politics.
Don't reach out to me for this situation. I'd just make things far, far worse in most scenarios. Not even because I'd go on to intentionally create additional skirmishes and open conflicts, but because my words would cause others to become incensed and want to pick a fight.
On that note? If anyone would like skilled and tested diplomats to round out their attempts to stymie these many conflicts cropping up as a result of choices made? Do please consider reaching out to Marquessa Samantha Deepwood and Lord Grady Deepwood.
Don't reach out to me for this situation. I'd just make things far, far worse in most scenarios. Not even because I'd go on to intentionally create additional skirmishes and open conflicts, but because my words would cause others to become incensed and want to pick a fight.
On that note? If anyone would like skilled and tested diplomats to round out their attempts to stymie these many conflicts cropping up as a result of choices made? Do please consider reaching out to Marquessa Samantha Deepwood and Lord Grady Deepwood.
Written By Kenna
Jan. 10, 2019, 8:09 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
I feel ashamed to be greatful each night that we have received no words of violence from Whitehawk in retribution for the roads now stretching though our lands.
But I am greatful. Our barony is small enough that I have been able to meet some prominent people in each of our towns, and have received correspondence from others though my duties as minister of coin am voice. To lose them to this violence would rip my heart apart.
I hope that if an effort is made to resolve things peacefully that I might be a party to it too perhaps calm my guilt.
If this can not be though, then Bisland will have my dubious skill at the sword and what little I have learned from my time in the Guard, Dame Esoka, and Deepwood as a scout to fight.
May we be Always Soaring.
But I am greatful. Our barony is small enough that I have been able to meet some prominent people in each of our towns, and have received correspondence from others though my duties as minister of coin am voice. To lose them to this violence would rip my heart apart.
I hope that if an effort is made to resolve things peacefully that I might be a party to it too perhaps calm my guilt.
If this can not be though, then Bisland will have my dubious skill at the sword and what little I have learned from my time in the Guard, Dame Esoka, and Deepwood as a scout to fight.
May we be Always Soaring.
Written By Preston
Jan. 10, 2019, 8 a.m.(5/2/1010 AR)
And before someone says it, no. I am not the reasonable soft voice. For this you have much wiser people than me, in the Legates, in the Dominus. I would always wish things to be solved before it comes to the Templars - I would wish indeed that the Templars had nothing to do, that there was no threat to a shrine, that holy men and women could walk Arvum with no threat to them, that nobles and commons would follow the teachings of the Faith as they are bound to do. Alas it is not so. Because it is not so, it means we must continue to offer our advice so the Faith can be prepared for those moments when we are needed, and hopefully in our use in small mounts, by our use to help as well, so any larger involvement might be avoided.
We are not a fine tool, we are not a careful pair of scissors to cut out a beautiful pattern in cloth, as the Legates and the Dominus can achieve with talk and negotiation and great theological points. When it comes to the Faith Militant, we will solve a problem but we will solve it as we know how. As an army of the Faith.
We are not a fine tool, we are not a careful pair of scissors to cut out a beautiful pattern in cloth, as the Legates and the Dominus can achieve with talk and negotiation and great theological points. When it comes to the Faith Militant, we will solve a problem but we will solve it as we know how. As an army of the Faith.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.