Written By Arik
May 24, 2018, 10:33 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
Is the release of thralls such a great concern to the Compact itself when we absorb abandoned tribes so frequently? In the span of ten years how many shavs have bent a knee, how many tribe leaderships ennobled? I understand freeing a man and paying him a wage can wreak havoc on the finances of a domain, but to the Compact itself are the numbers so great they will affect the mainland?
Written By Saoirse
May 24, 2018, 10:28 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Written By Thena
May 24, 2018, 10:26 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Saoirse
Written By Saoirse
May 24, 2018, 10:13 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Written By Orazio
May 24, 2018, 10 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
The recent proclamation by Grimhall has, it seems, turned the city's conversation towards thralldom again. This is not a bad thing - it is important to remember that this injustice continues whether the rest of us are thinking about it or not. But the way the conversation tends to turn to the negative effects of abolishing brings to mind a metaphor.
Imagine, if you will, a tree. A young tree, growing up straight and tall. Imagine, then, that men come along, and hammer a series of iron posts through the tree's trunk, creating ugly and painful wounds deep in the heartwood. Given time, and strength, the tree will gradually grow around these intrusions, although in doing so, it will deform itself and be twisted off the course that the gods would hope for it. Given enough time, and enough growth, the tree will even come to cling to these posts in its flesh, embracing them as a native part of itself so deeply that attempting to remove those posts WILL do more damage to the tree, and will open up wounds that will have to be tended carefully, lest they get infested by parasites. But, at the same time, the posts themselves are a poison, making the tree vulnerable over the long years of its age to infection after infection, and potentially leading it to rot and fall long before its time.
So, if one would save the tree over the long centuries, one must - with care and support - remove the posts that afflict it, even though doing so will lead to pain and vulnerability in the short term. Of course, if no one had hammered the posts into to the tree in the first place, none of this would be necessary, but we must deal with what is, not what we might wish to be. If one is not of an arboral personality, you can also think of it as a rotting limb attached to an otherwise healthy person; amputation is painful, and dangerous, but failing to do it because one is squeamish about the pain leads to a dead person, as does undertaking the procedure without due thought and preparation.
Written By Fortunato
May 24, 2018, 9:48 a.m.(10/24/1008 AR)
May I never be in a situation where the powerful sit in the whites and argue about how I would be most acceptably free without being truly free. May I never be in a situation where my limited power is so sapped that my future has nothing to do with my own will, but only with the high will of others.
Written By Lisebet
May 24, 2018, 8:55 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ryhalt
Written By Gianna
May 24, 2018, 8:29 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Written By Sina
May 24, 2018, 5:54 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
I find that I have strange dreams and memories. Things that happened when I was a child, now coming to the forefront of my mind, and I do not understand the things that I remember. But I remember a man with a mask on his face, and an oath of fealty when I was very, very young. Even from beyond the grave, I think perhaps the ghost of Prince Donrai Thrax still haunts us all in some ways.
I still cannot fathom what possessed him to take me into his House when I was but ten, to serve in the kitchens. I suppose I must be grateful, given what happened to my father's ship, and my father. The same thing that happened to many pirates who encountered the reavers of House Thrax. Death. Destruction. Loss.
Still, these days, I can't help but wonder why. Why did he spare me? Later, Princess Donella's father brought me up from the kitchens, and assigned me as her handmaiden. Then she married off into House Redrain, and I have continued to pursue the life of a handmaiden, having offered my services to Princess Consort Alarissa. And so I serve House Thrax still.
I have so few memories of my early childhood, and it is like pulling teeth trying to get them to come about. I remember being terrified of Prince Donrai... and yet, reading through the white journals of others, it seems he was worthy of respect as well. At least in the eyes of some. How can one man inspire such awe and fear in the minds of others? Respect, and scorn? Why does he now linger so in my memories and thoughts? Now I find myself wishing I knew more about him.
But he is gone, and it is a new era for House Thrax. High Lord Victus and Princess Consort Alarissa have been so very supportive of me and my choice to continue to serve House Thrax. And yet... I still feel that call to other things. I am more than a handmaiden. I am a Scholar of Vellichor and a Disciple of the Faith. I am an Explorer, and an artist. I am so many other things than a mere handmaiden. And yet, most of all, I am drawn to the Faith. My heart lies there and I am torn between duty, my own heart's desire, oaths of fealty, and memories.
I do know one thing: I do not think that I am destined nor suited to a life of marriage and babies. Such is not my lot, nor is it my desire. It may seem strange to some, for one as young as I, to be so certain of these things. My heart has known love, but I lack that desire toward motherhood, marriage, and familial bonds. Perhaps it is because my own mother, a thrall aboard my father's ship, was sold off when I was barely old enough to walk, and my father died when I was young. Family... blood family... is not something I have known much of, and so I would have no understanding, I think, of how a proper family works.
I shall pray to all the gods for wisdom and guidance in these matters that so trouble me and keep me up at night. Soon, I must come to a decision and stop dithering back and forth. What it comes down to is where do I feel most useful? My heart answers, "The Faith."
Written By Barik
May 24, 2018, 4:25 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 3:23 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
What your propose is indeed something we can see come to pass. We in this regard are you very humble servants grateful for any introductions and your time you are willing to give either of us.
Written By Katarina
May 24, 2018, 3:20 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ryhalt
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 3:13 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Katarina
Abscond? I am wounded, truly. I as a merchant stand against outright thievery and all it entails. I merely would have her point out the many benefits and wealth to be had if such ships were to ever be put into our expert hands with trade. Once more a very sound investment we are.
Written By Katarina
May 24, 2018, 3:10 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ryhalt
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 3:06 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Katarina
Why should I stop writing? I have been told I am very good at it. House Farshaw is a progressive house for innovation an progression, with our eye towards expansion and the future. Are we perhaps the the very best investment in the Compact, I cannot say so with absolute certainty, but I can say with utter conviction you could do far far worse. Have coffee with my lovely and charming wife and you shall see.
Written By Percephon
May 24, 2018, 3:03 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
I think, sometimes, how could anything ever compare --
I worry, sometimes, that it's a moment that will turn into smoke.
Written By Katarina
May 24, 2018, 3 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ryhalt
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 2:53 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Lisebet
Can you give the name of the seamstress to Clover?
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 2:51 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Written By Ryhalt
May 24, 2018, 2:49 a.m.(10/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Katarina
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.