Written By Khanne
June 10, 2018, 9:09 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Balance is the topic of the day it seems. Balance is something I have spoken about for years. When I speak of it, I speak of the balance of self... not something as grand as a balance of good and evil. I know some will say that it is important to have that balance too. And in some ways, to some level, I agree that good and bad are both necessary components of a full life.... but bad and evil are not exactly the same. There is something to be said about a balance of emotions. I have had conversations with someone about this... would we feel the highs of happiness, the elation of true love without the lows of sadness and heartache?
Laric spoke of the balance of architecture, which was a good example of a time that it is absolutely necessary... but can a person be perfectly balanced? Even I, who speak of the concept often, do not strive to be so balanced that my life is a straight line. My balance is being able to find that centered feeling when I need to. I enjoy the thrills of life. I experience its pain. It is these experiences that often drive us. But I know, when it is time to focus, I can find my center, my balance, and get the job done.
That is my balance.
Is there a balance of good and evil? Some say we must find it... that they are equally important to existence. I try to understand what they mean by this... but, with evil being the extreme of bad... I just can't see it. I can't wrap my mind around allowing evil to thrive. Unpleasant things, bad things... yes, I can understand that. There is often a purpose. A rose has thorns for a reason. but evil? I will continue to fight evil as much and as long as I am able. A person would be very hard pressed to convince me otherwise.
Laric spoke of the balance of architecture, which was a good example of a time that it is absolutely necessary... but can a person be perfectly balanced? Even I, who speak of the concept often, do not strive to be so balanced that my life is a straight line. My balance is being able to find that centered feeling when I need to. I enjoy the thrills of life. I experience its pain. It is these experiences that often drive us. But I know, when it is time to focus, I can find my center, my balance, and get the job done.
That is my balance.
Is there a balance of good and evil? Some say we must find it... that they are equally important to existence. I try to understand what they mean by this... but, with evil being the extreme of bad... I just can't see it. I can't wrap my mind around allowing evil to thrive. Unpleasant things, bad things... yes, I can understand that. There is often a purpose. A rose has thorns for a reason. but evil? I will continue to fight evil as much and as long as I am able. A person would be very hard pressed to convince me otherwise.
Written By Shae
June 10, 2018, 8:50 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
Let it lick your face.
Put it on the floor.
Try to hide from it.
Watch it scamper looking for you.
Or:
Find a clean old rag and put a good knot in it, or tie a bone in that knot. Let the puppy tug on one end, you tug on the other gently.
The purpose of the gift: to make you smile.
If it doesn't make you smile, you're using it wrong. Or maybe you're a cat person. No judgement.
Put it on the floor.
Try to hide from it.
Watch it scamper looking for you.
Or:
Find a clean old rag and put a good knot in it, or tie a bone in that knot. Let the puppy tug on one end, you tug on the other gently.
The purpose of the gift: to make you smile.
If it doesn't make you smile, you're using it wrong. Or maybe you're a cat person. No judgement.
Written By Cassima
June 10, 2018, 8:46 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Your position lacks a factual foundation. You have told me what not to do, but not why.
In the meantime I have spoken to the kitchen staff and learned that 'spaniel' is not a delicacy, nor is it judged as voluntarily edible at all.
I continue to be mystified as to the purpose of this gift.
In the meantime I have spoken to the kitchen staff and learned that 'spaniel' is not a delicacy, nor is it judged as voluntarily edible at all.
I continue to be mystified as to the purpose of this gift.
Written By Rohran
June 10, 2018, 8:28 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
There is no season I appreciate more than this season. Though life, as will tend to happen, has been full of rises and falls, there is always something distinct about this time of the year, for me. Something that invokes the sort of nostalgia which warms the heart, but also the sort of wonder which intrigues it.
It almost escapes me for words, though I try.
I can say, thankfully, that life has been more rise than fall as of late. Taking a permanent residence in Arx, closer to family, was a good decision. I should never have vacillated so long on it.
There are difficulties ahead. I would be remiss to forget that, but none which hold weight against the potential for happiness I have found, both in relationships with others and with myself.
It almost escapes me for words, though I try.
I can say, thankfully, that life has been more rise than fall as of late. Taking a permanent residence in Arx, closer to family, was a good decision. I should never have vacillated so long on it.
There are difficulties ahead. I would be remiss to forget that, but none which hold weight against the potential for happiness I have found, both in relationships with others and with myself.
Written By Shae
June 10, 2018, 8:25 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
What's this about my mother not being a spinster? I may need to break into her room again. When it's empty.
Written By Shae
June 10, 2018, 8:25 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Back from the Greenwood. It was cold.
Written By Ryhalt
June 10, 2018, 8:10 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thorley
It is good to have my old friend back in Arx, eve if it did take an order from me to do so. Things will be right again I am certain.
Written By Austen
June 10, 2018, 8:03 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Do be aware I sleep odd hours.
I bear no responsibility if you break into my room and I am naked.
I bear no responsibility if you break into my room and I am naked.
Written By Becka
June 10, 2018, 8:01 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
I have my answer. She is gone.. and to think.. what was it all for? To go years without her, to forget about her.. and to then run into my Lady by chance.
I blame her.. no, not blame. Blame is a poor choice of words.. But I feel.. something towards her. If not for her I would have accepted my fate as it were and I would have ignored any rush to my head and heart, but no. Of all the ladies in Arx, I had to find her, the one tied to my past.
How could she not have told me when she knew? How could she keep it from me? She does not like to tell the whole truth, it seems.. She prefers to skip about.. but perhaps that is a positive. In some instances.. I believe she did not want to hurt me, but when.. the love of your life is dead, it's cruel to leave another thinking they are still alive and that there is hope that you may see them again some day.
I dread this trip to Fair Harbour now. I had hoped I would have found her there, at least.. in some way, but now.. I suppose I will only be able to go and say goodbye. Never tell her how I felt. I wish I had never stepped foot on that ship. I wish I had run away as planned and spent my days in the orchard. Hindsight is a terrible curse upon man. I wish I had kept my promise.. Did she hate me for it? How long did I leave her waiting? Now I will never know. I'm so sorry.
Written By Jhond
June 10, 2018, 7:52 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Times change and so do people. maybe for the better.
Written By Jhond
June 10, 2018, 7:51 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Apparently not everyone appreciates a good sweat.
Written By Cullen
June 10, 2018, 7:50 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Alexis
I've praised her work before, but it bears repeating - Dame Alexis is truly an unparalleled armorer, and my commission she's been working on diligently is nothing less than spectacular.
Written By Joscelin
June 10, 2018, 7:22 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Austen
I didn't need one.
Your pies found good homes.
Your pies found good homes.
Written By Victus
June 10, 2018, 7:17 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
DON'T. KILL. THE DOG.
Written By Cassima
June 10, 2018, 6:47 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
To those who may bother to read my journal entries,
My sister, Caith Thrax, has gifted me with a living animal as a birthday 'gift.' It is small, with curly black hair. It makes a sound that I do not believe classifies as a 'bark' but my servants have informed me that it is, indeed, a dog.
No doubt it also eats, and slobbers, and produces excrement as a dog.
What do I do with this feral beast? To give it away is to slight a beloved sister, but to keep it is entirely impossible. Perhaps my guardsman Bastian has a wife or child to whom the responsibility of managing this wild creature might be settled upon.
Taking other recommendations on how to navigate this perilous situation.
My sister, Caith Thrax, has gifted me with a living animal as a birthday 'gift.' It is small, with curly black hair. It makes a sound that I do not believe classifies as a 'bark' but my servants have informed me that it is, indeed, a dog.
No doubt it also eats, and slobbers, and produces excrement as a dog.
What do I do with this feral beast? To give it away is to slight a beloved sister, but to keep it is entirely impossible. Perhaps my guardsman Bastian has a wife or child to whom the responsibility of managing this wild creature might be settled upon.
Taking other recommendations on how to navigate this perilous situation.
Written By Aiden
June 10, 2018, 6:47 p.m.(12/18/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Estaban
The world allowed me a chance to give you a proper goodbye.
Rest well, Lion of Saik.
Rest well, Lion of Saik.
Written By Austen
June 10, 2018, 6:21 p.m.(12/17/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Who gave you a key?!
Written By Orazio
June 10, 2018, 6:19 p.m.(12/17/1008 AR)
Balance.
I find this concept frustrating when it is applied to ideas of good and evil, because it inevitably feels like an excuse. An excuse not to fight against evil with all of your heart. An excuse to allow one to tolerate the intolerable. I confess that I have never known one on the side of evil to spare any innocent lives because of a concept of 'balance', although I have certainly known them to try and manipulate those on the righteous path to stay their hand because of it. "Balance", in practice, seems inevitably to be about good people allowing evil to exist and prosper, and never about evil retreating or ceasing to exploit and corrupt.
If one would strive for some nebulous balance between good and evil, one must then ask oneself - what atrocities are you willing to turn a blind eye to in order to win it? What lives that you could save, will you not? What horrors that you could end, will you instead allow to thrive? All for a concept which has no true meaning for the average mortal life.
Perhaps the universe seeks balance on a cosmic scale. But if that is true, then I would remind one of the other nations of the world, and the horrors they live under in even what little we know of them. Arvum could be a paradise of justice, compassion, and civilization, and the scales would still be tilted towards misery. As one who signs the funding requests for orphanages, homeless shelters, food kitchens, and Mercy deployments across the continent, I assure you that we as a people, a nation, and a land are in no danger of being "too good" or bending "too far" towards justice and righteousness. Children of the Faith, I say fight - fight against evil, against the vices that dwell within the world and our own hearts, and fight with every thing that you have. You are in no danger of upsetting a balance.
Hold to the Virtues of the Pantheon, and you will not go wrong.
I find this concept frustrating when it is applied to ideas of good and evil, because it inevitably feels like an excuse. An excuse not to fight against evil with all of your heart. An excuse to allow one to tolerate the intolerable. I confess that I have never known one on the side of evil to spare any innocent lives because of a concept of 'balance', although I have certainly known them to try and manipulate those on the righteous path to stay their hand because of it. "Balance", in practice, seems inevitably to be about good people allowing evil to exist and prosper, and never about evil retreating or ceasing to exploit and corrupt.
If one would strive for some nebulous balance between good and evil, one must then ask oneself - what atrocities are you willing to turn a blind eye to in order to win it? What lives that you could save, will you not? What horrors that you could end, will you instead allow to thrive? All for a concept which has no true meaning for the average mortal life.
Perhaps the universe seeks balance on a cosmic scale. But if that is true, then I would remind one of the other nations of the world, and the horrors they live under in even what little we know of them. Arvum could be a paradise of justice, compassion, and civilization, and the scales would still be tilted towards misery. As one who signs the funding requests for orphanages, homeless shelters, food kitchens, and Mercy deployments across the continent, I assure you that we as a people, a nation, and a land are in no danger of being "too good" or bending "too far" towards justice and righteousness. Children of the Faith, I say fight - fight against evil, against the vices that dwell within the world and our own hearts, and fight with every thing that you have. You are in no danger of upsetting a balance.
Hold to the Virtues of the Pantheon, and you will not go wrong.
Written By Tikva
June 10, 2018, 6:17 p.m.(12/17/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Antonio
No, Princess Alarissa Thrax was a Valardin at the time those arrangements took place, and the arrangement between the Mourning Isles and the Oathlands was so celebrated.
This is the first success we have had at negotiating such a treaty in years. To be celebrated! Likewise! Huzzah!
This is the first success we have had at negotiating such a treaty in years. To be celebrated! Likewise! Huzzah!
Written By Valery
June 10, 2018, 6:10 p.m.(12/17/1008 AR)
I still need to talk with so many people...
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