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Written By Mirari

May 7, 2018, 4:21 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Aureth

War, and a few other things, possibly economics?

His name is Duke Gabriel Bisland.

Written By Aureth

May 7, 2018, 4:16 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

It requires no lack of critical thinking to point out that a snob is a snob. It is merely a statement of the obvious.

It may be as pointless as pointing out that an orange is an orange, but only in so far as there is no way it will change the subject matter.

Written By Mae

May 7, 2018, 3:59 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

I need to write the Commoner's Bulletin today. It's admittedly been a hard week, and despite having plenty of time to read, I couldn't get up to the Archives to read the journals. So what did I find today, when I could finally make it? Talk of oath breaking and princesses charging for tutoring. What an exciting world we live in!

If I missed any other spats in the whites over the past week could someone please send me a summary? I'm too slow a reader to go through these all.

<3 Mae

Written By Rook

May 7, 2018, 3:59 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

I will put this very, very simply. If one does not see the prospect of saving for weeks as sufficiently acceptable for time spent under the direct tutelage of a Princess-Consort of House Thrax, one of the Great Houses of the Compact, it is insulting. It should be something one aspires to, and if one does not, they needn't save their silver for such.

Placing a constraint on accessibility to such rare opportunities in the name of charity is reasonable. The decision to not participate is equally so. The disparaging of another's choice to value their time so highly shows thought lacking in critical thinking.

I worry for Marquis Fairen Leary and Lord Tomwell Leary, I truly do.

Written By Aureth

May 7, 2018, 3:57 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Did a member of the Peerage really charge 50,000 silver to anyone without getting castigated for it? Let us bring that back to the public eye at once if so, because I missed this gossip the first time around. My mother would be ashamed. Who was it? What lesson?

Written By Fairen

May 7, 2018, 3:53 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

We do a disservice to Vellichor if we restrict education to those who can afford it.

Lord Tomwell is correct in that a 'small sum' of anywhere between 4,500 silver to 5,250 silver coins is not, in fact, a small sum. It is quite a hefty toll, and most commoners beneath us cannot afford to pay such a fee. At that point, it doesn't matter if the coins are going to charity or otherwise. It still removes the ability to afford education to those of a lower status, and restricts it to those who have an amount readily available to them. This does not say that anyone providing a lesson to another should not be compensated for their time and effort. Again, that is the very method that many Scholars of Vellichor make their wages. But that is the beauty of Archscholar Bianca's movement, time and effort. It provides compensation for those who teach, and allows those who cannot afford to pay for education, with that very same education for free.

I would be in agreement with charging these costs of writs or silver to a member of the Peerage, but not to a commoner.

Written By Cambria

May 7, 2018, 3:50 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

I have had several marriage proposals come before me in the recent past. Some of them contained within a great deal of emotion between each party, while yet another, on its surface, appeared most beneficial. Two actually came from the same source for different members of my family, which I thought peculiar, but then, life is often peculiar. I declined them all. I declined them even though I knew it would hurt those involved. I declined them even though others could have argued strongly that it did not appear to make sense, politically. I declined them because they were not right for my family, or even that of the other House. I had many considerations which I will not make known here, but the possibility of either party potentially becoming an oathbreaker (through divorce, or annulment, let us not quibble) was not the least among them when I made my decisions. It did cause heartache, and headache, and tension, but I do not regret those choices. While it is my hope that perhaps one day those relatives of mine who were involved will also feel the same way, I realize that such is a luxury for my station.

Written By Tomwell

May 7, 2018, 3:41 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

If you believe that 15 writs, which I will generously value at 4500 silver, is a "small hurdle" for most residents of Arx, I suggest that perhaps our Minister of Coin should take some time to look into the average citizen's wages. That is several weeks of work, more once you account for the everyday costs of living. Not having weeks worth of silver ready to hand does not mean these people value the lesson or the instructor any less than those who can spend it without a second thought.

I understand very well that nobility of high rank have many responsibilities that take up their days. If they do not have time for instruction, I wouldn't fault them. Where it seems we differ is in what we believe is the responsibility of the highly ranked towards others. I say this merely as myself, not a representative of the Faith, but I view my oaths of fealty and my nobility as one that requires of me to make certain sacrifices towards those lower ranked than me. Others, of course, must reach their own understanding of their oaths.

Written By Rook

May 7, 2018, 3:40 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Mirari

I have, as ever, been a particular courtier. I have refused far more custom than I have ever accepted, simply because it didn't align with my whims at the time, and that is our right. Furthermore, I have chosen to forgo payment more than a few times as well for whichever reason suited me. It does however hurt the entrepreneurs among us when we refuse too often, and there becomes this strange expectation that everything in this realm should be free, and that we deserve it thus.

We are afforded many luxuries as commoners, and especially courtiers, and that is not something to be forgotten certainly.

If anyone is ever upset at you for charging and you do not wish to deal with them - which you are certainly capable of - please send them my way. It would be my sincerest pleasure to sit with them a while, and speak to them at length, so that I might educate them.

For free, since they take issue with summoning up a few silver here or there.

Written By Alis

May 7, 2018, 3:38 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Simone

I would be more than happy to assist in keeping Princess Marian from overdoing! I believe I am now heavy enough to sit on her and scowl without fear of being beaten to a pulp for the attempt.

Written By Thena

May 7, 2018, 3:38 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Mirari

That is a good point. 50,000 silver is quite a lot more than the value of 15 writs, and was not, if I’m remembering right, offered to charity.

Written By Sabella

May 7, 2018, 3:35 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

My, there is a flurry of activity here today! I know that I have already put the word out but I thought to do so here since everyone is flocking to write down their thoughts and opinions this afternoon:

I am a great believer in making connections between people and have two delightful proteges: Lady Tabitha Whitehawk, a talented artist who is constantly surprising me with her whimsical and amazing works, and Lord Niklas Kennex, a brilliant playwright who can create and populate vast, entertaining worlds with a flourish of his quill. I have noticed that there are many in the city searching for either a protege or a patron and offer my services as a matchmaker of sorts! I know quite a few people and would love to see others coming together to share their skills and knowledge!

Please feel free to send a messenger or catch me out and about town to let me know of your interest!

Written By Alis

May 7, 2018, 3:35 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Katarina

I have it on good authority that Ellara is quite upset that she isn't the cause of enough grey hair. She vows to correct this overnight, because she is already ambitious even at such a young age.

Written By Mirari

May 7, 2018, 3:30 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

The one time that I did make an attempt to charge people for lessons, they were quite unhappy with it. Since then, I simply accept people I have a high regard for and I don't charge them. I make a decent amount of money, I can afford to be generous in this.

If my fortunes ever change, if my time becomes more valuable to me, it will change. Simple as that.

Once again, I am so very happy that I am a commoner. I wouldn't want to go through what nobles do for any amount of silver paid to me.

Written By Lou

May 7, 2018, 3:30 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Tomwell

The Scholars of Vellichor are paid to teach their students, with exception to a handful who refuse payment. The difference is, it's the Scholars coffers that offer payment, rather than the students themselves. If someone has something valuable to teach, they should be paid for that service. I imagine those crafts people and laymen who take on apprentices also charge for the teaching they give. If teaching is given freely, then it should be appreciated. But, it should never be considered a right to obtain free teaching from anyone.

And, if you want free teaching, then make certain to get on the list for the Scholars to be taught something. The Academy of Vellichor is open to everyone, but there /are/ long lines for certain, highly valued, skills. You might have to wait weeks, or in some cases months, to get that specially skilled teacher.

Written By Ignacio

May 7, 2018, 3:29 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Fire and Ash (Week 14)

Sometimes I feel totally engulfed. I have to remember to stay in the here and now and not just no where. I need to work on staying on task and getting what I need done for my home and my people. We have always been a defender of Lyceum and I intend on ensuring we remain being one.

Written By Rook

May 7, 2018, 3:25 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Mirari

We're courtiers, my dear. We're common, also. Charging is acceptable and even encouraged for our lessons, whatever they be. Blessed Aureth's charges that shift depending on our client is also our prerogative.

Whatever you do with the sum, that's your business, of course. If you take silver from someone, you'll give it to someone else eventually. Payment is taking and giving as you sell services and pay for them in turn. It makes our economy happy.

Written By Rook

May 7, 2018, 3:23 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Brannen

You are too kind, Sir Harthall, for documenting this in your journals. Nonetheless, it is I who should speak well of you again, whom agreed to watch over it until it was ready to be passed on.

Written By Rook

May 7, 2018, 3:21 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Tomwell

I'm not sure you're quite grasping it, either. That's alright, Lord Tomwell. Not everyone is perfect.

Princess Consort Alarissa Thrax has Household staff to attend to the minor matters, I am certain, that is how Great Houses operate. I doubt there is much she has to do that requires a prospective student to step in and do that for her. They can hardly handle the petitions of court which takes hours of one's day, after all.

When one has the capacity to fit, say, three students in a week? There'll be competition for those positions. To find those who truly wish you as the tutor, you place a small hurdle in front of them. That hurdle is not insurmountable at all. If it doesn't suit, that tutor is not for you, and you do not value them, their talents and skills, or their experience enough.

Written By Brannen

May 7, 2018, 3:18 p.m.(9/13/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

Some time ago, a man came to the shrine. He knelt down not far from me in silent prayer while I was washing clean the bricks. In manner and movement, I took him for highborn and might have never thought him otherwise had he not gently corrected me. He bore with him a finely crafted wooden chest. Once opened, it revealed a wealth of contents the likes of which I scarcely could imagine. With great humility, he asked that it be kept watch over for a period of time… at the end of which, the gilded contents -- surely worth a lifetime of earnings for any man or woman -- be gifted to the Gods. This was done with neither fanfare, nor pageantry, nor any public credit given.

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