Written By Amari
April 26, 2018, 10:26 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
I won't be entertaining any marriage proposals this week or the next.
Interested parties should instead submit their overtures, inquiries, and written proposals to Lady Margerie Keaton for review and later consideration.
I have a treatise on Economics to read through that's dense enough to crush a man's skull, so I'll be quite busy with that. Many thanks to the wonderful Duchess Ann Crovane for the ample study material and instruction.
Interested parties should instead submit their overtures, inquiries, and written proposals to Lady Margerie Keaton for review and later consideration.
I have a treatise on Economics to read through that's dense enough to crush a man's skull, so I'll be quite busy with that. Many thanks to the wonderful Duchess Ann Crovane for the ample study material and instruction.
Written By Oswyn
April 26, 2018, 9:34 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
A Casual Conversation with Shamans: Notes from a meeting in the Stone Grove of House Redrain
Second Draft
There are many paths of shamanism, though some commonalities exist in the observance of special days, such as astrological events and natural occurrences such as conjunctions, eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes.
How spirits came to be is unknown, though there is a theory they are the children of the old ones, or that they are called the First Children because they are the oldest beings in the world and came before all else.
Spirits are mostly related to the elements and nature. Spirits are particular, fickle, their will entirely foreign to us. They can communicate if they choose to; some send visions, while others are casually chatty. They communicate with those in search of wisdom, boons, blessings, or abilities. In such cases, a sacrifice is made in exchange. However, spirits abhor blood sacrifice and find it highly offensive. While the majority of people who hear from spirits are shaman, there are some who are not, and some who are Spirit Touched.
Spirits can be contacted through meditation, which can be a matter of hours or as long as a week, as well as via rituals involving runes, old sites of worship, or other means to prepare body and mind. Spirits do not seem to be limited by language, and can speak in languages unknown to the shaman with the shaman still somehow understanding them. They can also seem to be speaking 'into' the shaman, or use flashes of still events. Spirits occasionally give warnings, which are never to be ignored, but their communication can be difficult to understand.
Spirits are capable of change and forming affectionate bonds. They can feel pain, heartache, fear, and anger. They are capable of mourning. While it is difficult for us to comprehend what motivates them, they seem to want to see us thrive.
While separate from spirits, ghosts can also be communicated with. Souls can be searched in the Shining Lands.
Many thanks to Lady Khanne Halfshav, Lady Signe Nightgold, and Duke Asgar Crovane.
Second Draft
There are many paths of shamanism, though some commonalities exist in the observance of special days, such as astrological events and natural occurrences such as conjunctions, eclipses, solstices, and equinoxes.
How spirits came to be is unknown, though there is a theory they are the children of the old ones, or that they are called the First Children because they are the oldest beings in the world and came before all else.
Spirits are mostly related to the elements and nature. Spirits are particular, fickle, their will entirely foreign to us. They can communicate if they choose to; some send visions, while others are casually chatty. They communicate with those in search of wisdom, boons, blessings, or abilities. In such cases, a sacrifice is made in exchange. However, spirits abhor blood sacrifice and find it highly offensive. While the majority of people who hear from spirits are shaman, there are some who are not, and some who are Spirit Touched.
Spirits can be contacted through meditation, which can be a matter of hours or as long as a week, as well as via rituals involving runes, old sites of worship, or other means to prepare body and mind. Spirits do not seem to be limited by language, and can speak in languages unknown to the shaman with the shaman still somehow understanding them. They can also seem to be speaking 'into' the shaman, or use flashes of still events. Spirits occasionally give warnings, which are never to be ignored, but their communication can be difficult to understand.
Spirits are capable of change and forming affectionate bonds. They can feel pain, heartache, fear, and anger. They are capable of mourning. While it is difficult for us to comprehend what motivates them, they seem to want to see us thrive.
While separate from spirits, ghosts can also be communicated with. Souls can be searched in the Shining Lands.
Many thanks to Lady Khanne Halfshav, Lady Signe Nightgold, and Duke Asgar Crovane.
Written By Cadenza
April 26, 2018, 9:20 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ignacio
Never thought I'd be married...like ever. I was content on the seas and on expeditions....didn't think I'd make it this far.
Thanks for being my best friend, my confidante and better half. Also.....thanks for putting up with my antics but I think we're even on that.
Thanks for being my best friend, my confidante and better half. Also.....thanks for putting up with my antics but I think we're even on that.
Written By Cadenza
April 26, 2018, 9:09 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Salvatore
It's been great spending time with my uncle. Even as a child he was one of the few people that got me and didn't scold me as my tutors did. I can't help but think about if things were different and I had stayed home. Where would I be? Would I have followed in my mom's footsteps? Would I have gotten closer to my Uncle Sal and followed in his knightly ones?
But then we talked and he told me how proud of me he was. That I didn't need to follow in anyone's footsteps but my own. It made me feel....happy. But to have been on the field with him would have be great...though when I did tell him I was in Setarco too that's when the over protectiveness came out. Wait until he hears where I've been...it might cause him to fall over.
But then we talked and he told me how proud of me he was. That I didn't need to follow in anyone's footsteps but my own. It made me feel....happy. But to have been on the field with him would have be great...though when I did tell him I was in Setarco too that's when the over protectiveness came out. Wait until he hears where I've been...it might cause him to fall over.
Written By Cadenza
April 26, 2018, 8:56 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Vayne
All I can say is.....
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Written By Cadenza
April 26, 2018, 8:54 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ann
He's one of my favorite people for a reason. And I'm sure those two would get along great...probably a little too great. We should worry if they ever meet.
Written By Venturo
April 26, 2018, 8:30 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Terese
In my travels, I've seen many things. From the mundane to the outlandish, the sensible to the crazy. I always try to keep my senses open to the world around me, to allow for new experiences and trials, however luck might put them before me. And yet, it is still a difficult thing to consistently surprise me. Despite this, the Princess Terese has pleasantly rose to the challenge. Do not get me wrong, it is nothing grand: but it is the small things in life that create a sense of wonderment, to understand and see the layers we all potentially hide beneath the surface of the exterior our position demands of us. It has been a vivid reminder to not judge a book by it's cover alone, a trap I'm happy not to have fallen into.
Written By Ann
April 26, 2018, 7:52 a.m.(8/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cadenza
War Elk?
He sounds decidedly Northern. And like Asger. Are we ~they? related?
He sounds decidedly Northern. And like Asger. Are we ~they? related?
Written By Behtuk
April 26, 2018, 1:30 a.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
This journal entry is written in Northlands Shav:
The longtooth tribe were the most dangerous tribe in the North. They raised their knives against every person, friend or foe. They would raise their knife if you looked them in the eye. They said to the Children of the Sun and Moon, it is disrespectful to look a Longtooth in the eye. The Longtooth and the Children are not equals.
The Children of the Sun and Moon did not want to fight the Longtooth, so they were always moving, east to west, but that was not enough. From East to West, the Longtooth followed the Children. So the Children went North. They went North to the End of the World. Where a great chasm split the real world from the world of spirits. An ocean lay in the chasm sideways. It's currents flowing down, instead of West or East. The Children could not go any further North. They had reached the end of the world.
And the Longtooth followed them, even to the edge of the World. And there they told the Children of the Sun and Moon to cast their eyes down. They said: 'Sun or Moon, it matters not, none can cast their eyes on the Longtooth tribe without looking down.' But they were so far North, that the Children of the Sun and Moon knew something that the Longtooth did not. So they said to the Longtooth: 'You are not masters of the Sun. You are not masters of the Moon. Look and see. Here the sun will not look down. It will stare at you forever.'
And the Longtooth Elder looked and saw it was true. The Sun did not set. It stared at the Longtooth Tribe without shame. This angered the Elder of the Longtooth and he told his men... 'The sun defies us. We will raise our knives against the sun!' So they did, they raised their knives and crossed the great chasm between this world and the next.
As one people, the Longtooth tribe leapt across the chasm to chase the sun with their knives. But the ocean was hungry, and it grabbed them, each and every one, and dragged them into the depths. But the Longtooths did not die. They did not. Instead, they were transformed into the longtooths of the ocean. And always they travel, West to East, then East to West, raising their long spiral teeth against the sun. Even at midnight, when in all the rest of the world the sun has set, the longtooth raises it's long spiral tooth against the sun.
But the Children of the Sun and Moon had the last laugh. Now that the longtooth tribe were only whales in the ocean, it was not forbidden to eat them. And they are unique among all whales in their flavor, for even today, the longtooth tribe believes only the finest fish are suitable for them. And this gives their skin a flavor that is much like the Oathlands favorite food. The pig. They are the pigs of the sea.
The longtooth tribe were the most dangerous tribe in the North. They raised their knives against every person, friend or foe. They would raise their knife if you looked them in the eye. They said to the Children of the Sun and Moon, it is disrespectful to look a Longtooth in the eye. The Longtooth and the Children are not equals.
The Children of the Sun and Moon did not want to fight the Longtooth, so they were always moving, east to west, but that was not enough. From East to West, the Longtooth followed the Children. So the Children went North. They went North to the End of the World. Where a great chasm split the real world from the world of spirits. An ocean lay in the chasm sideways. It's currents flowing down, instead of West or East. The Children could not go any further North. They had reached the end of the world.
And the Longtooth followed them, even to the edge of the World. And there they told the Children of the Sun and Moon to cast their eyes down. They said: 'Sun or Moon, it matters not, none can cast their eyes on the Longtooth tribe without looking down.' But they were so far North, that the Children of the Sun and Moon knew something that the Longtooth did not. So they said to the Longtooth: 'You are not masters of the Sun. You are not masters of the Moon. Look and see. Here the sun will not look down. It will stare at you forever.'
And the Longtooth Elder looked and saw it was true. The Sun did not set. It stared at the Longtooth Tribe without shame. This angered the Elder of the Longtooth and he told his men... 'The sun defies us. We will raise our knives against the sun!' So they did, they raised their knives and crossed the great chasm between this world and the next.
As one people, the Longtooth tribe leapt across the chasm to chase the sun with their knives. But the ocean was hungry, and it grabbed them, each and every one, and dragged them into the depths. But the Longtooths did not die. They did not. Instead, they were transformed into the longtooths of the ocean. And always they travel, West to East, then East to West, raising their long spiral teeth against the sun. Even at midnight, when in all the rest of the world the sun has set, the longtooth raises it's long spiral tooth against the sun.
But the Children of the Sun and Moon had the last laugh. Now that the longtooth tribe were only whales in the ocean, it was not forbidden to eat them. And they are unique among all whales in their flavor, for even today, the longtooth tribe believes only the finest fish are suitable for them. And this gives their skin a flavor that is much like the Oathlands favorite food. The pig. They are the pigs of the sea.
Written By Signe
April 26, 2018, 1:19 a.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
To those that reside within the Redrain Ward:
Tempest and Atila have taken on the habit of patroling the grounds near the manor houses. Please be mindful of your animal companions that stray from your homes as they might be considered a delicacy among the canine breeds.
Tempest and Atila have taken on the habit of patroling the grounds near the manor houses. Please be mindful of your animal companions that stray from your homes as they might be considered a delicacy among the canine breeds.
Written By Luca
April 26, 2018, 1:12 a.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Caspian
That's what I like to hear, my friend.
Written By Vanora
April 26, 2018, 12:14 a.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Niklas
Such excellent, personalized taste in gift giving.
Written By Saoirse
April 25, 2018, 8:13 p.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Caith
I have seen at LEAST three other girls who look remarkably like you.
Written By Venturo
April 25, 2018, 7:59 p.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
It was my pleasure to find something on such short notice for your gathering, and I hope it acts as a good reminder to encourage more questions. I also trust you had a rather pleasant birthday, Lady Halfshav.
Written By Cadenza
April 25, 2018, 7:51 p.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Salvatore
My uncle is here.....
Someone that has always made me feel proud to be me....is here. I've missed him and gods know I could use him around. I've missed his sense of humor and tenacity. He even threatened to run Lord Ignacio over with a....war elk....if he didn't do right by me.
I think my husband knows what side of the family I get it from now.
Someone that has always made me feel proud to be me....is here. I've missed him and gods know I could use him around. I've missed his sense of humor and tenacity. He even threatened to run Lord Ignacio over with a....war elk....if he didn't do right by me.
I think my husband knows what side of the family I get it from now.
Written By Monique
April 25, 2018, 5:10 p.m.(8/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Samael
I'll be in touch.
Written By Khanne
April 25, 2018, 4:13 p.m.(8/13/1008 AR)
It was a long time coming, but.... finally, I held an open talk in the Grove the other night. It was open to anyone who wanted to come ask shamans questions about the Spirits, what we do, Shamanism... or things along those lines. And boy, did they ever ask questions. I never imagined so many would come to do so... and many that have only more questions. I think the Spirit Walkers are going to try to hose such an event once a month or two... clearly, there is a desire or willingness to learn more. And knowledge is the key to opening so many doors.
I want to thank you all for coming. I have taken the names of those who wished more private meetings, and I will get to you all as soon as my busy schedule allows.
Thank you. And thank you as well to Master Brewer Venturo Thayne who sold me a lovely whiskey to offer to our guests.
I want to thank you all for coming. I have taken the names of those who wished more private meetings, and I will get to you all as soon as my busy schedule allows.
Thank you. And thank you as well to Master Brewer Venturo Thayne who sold me a lovely whiskey to offer to our guests.
Written By Merek
April 25, 2018, 3:05 p.m.(8/13/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Iseulet
I was on the divinely made couch!
Written By Carita
April 25, 2018, 2:52 p.m.(8/13/1008 AR)
Dear Friend,
It seems that the songs are all true: summer is the cruelest season. I return from my traveling to find that my House has had yet another little tragedy befall it with the sudden absence of one of our own. It's unfortunate. It seems rude and terribly heartless on my part to seek out the smallest delights that will no doubt brighten and lighten my stormcloud mood. I have been rude, forgive me. Oh, have I ever! Today was a glorious day of silken skirts and delicate slippers - and my armoire is once again full. I briefly considered similar adornments to my person. Perhaps a new necklace? Earrings? What do you think? Or is it too selfish of me to want for more pretty things to comfort myself with? ...Well, that's enough talk about me, my friend. How are you? I hope you thrive, as the majority of this war has moved beyond us and we work to rebuild. There is such a long - long road ahead, isn't there?
We'll manage.
I'll hum a jaunty tune in your honor, my dear. Always,
Carita.
It seems that the songs are all true: summer is the cruelest season. I return from my traveling to find that my House has had yet another little tragedy befall it with the sudden absence of one of our own. It's unfortunate. It seems rude and terribly heartless on my part to seek out the smallest delights that will no doubt brighten and lighten my stormcloud mood. I have been rude, forgive me. Oh, have I ever! Today was a glorious day of silken skirts and delicate slippers - and my armoire is once again full. I briefly considered similar adornments to my person. Perhaps a new necklace? Earrings? What do you think? Or is it too selfish of me to want for more pretty things to comfort myself with? ...Well, that's enough talk about me, my friend. How are you? I hope you thrive, as the majority of this war has moved beyond us and we work to rebuild. There is such a long - long road ahead, isn't there?
We'll manage.
I'll hum a jaunty tune in your honor, my dear. Always,
Carita.
Written By Joscelin
April 25, 2018, 2:42 p.m.(8/13/1008 AR)
I love this city.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.