Written By Aureth
April 16, 2018, 1:16 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Incidentally, the only jokes I have about Oathlanders keeping quiet (or not) are filthy, lewd, and entirely based upon my own personal experience.
Written By Dominique
April 16, 2018, 1:11 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Aye, we are honorbound to do so.
Blessed Aleksei gave a good joke.
Ha.
Blessed Aleksei gave a good joke.
Ha.
Written By Aleksei
April 16, 2018, 1:10 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
It's actually impossible to accidentally hire a Valardin spy. They're required to announce their spy status in the hiring process.
Written By Aureth
April 16, 2018, 1:08 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
If one wishes not to be the butt of a joke, it is generally advisable not to behave like a butt.
This is advice that anyone can take, however.
This is advice that anyone can take, however.
Written By Orazio
April 16, 2018, 1:07 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
To the Faithful Reader:
There is a game taught to children - or there was when I was growing up - in the Lyceum, which is called "liar's poker". It actually has many names, and they get progressively more vulgar as age and alcohol content at an event rises, but we'll go with the first for now. It's a card game played with two full decks, and the goal is simple: lose all your cards. The mechanics are also far more simple than standard poker - going around to every player, one places 1-4 cards of the same value (suit immaterial) in the pile at the center of the table, and when the turn passes to the next player, the card value advances by one. Player 1 might place 3 twos, Player 2 then plays 1 three, Player 3 then puts down 2 fours, etc. You cannot skip a turn - you /must/ play at least one card. Luckily, you play all your cards face down, and the only way for anyone to know what you play is by calling your bluff. If you were lying about what you put down, you have to pick up the whole pile. If you were telling the truth, the pile goes to your opponent. Play until you get tired or the number of players is small enough that it's no longer fun.
For children, this provides a fun and relatively simple way to learn two key skills: how to bluff, and how to detect when others are bluffing with enough confidence that you're willing to take a risk on action.
Adult players, however, recognize that there is a greater strategy than bluff and counterbluff. A great liar usually ends up no more than a mediocre player of liar's poker - because once people figure out that you're lying, calling every play ends up a reasonable risk. The people who consistently win liar's poker are the ones who can succeed in turning their opponents' own paranoia and suspicion against them - if every called bluff ends up being an honest play, then it is only the opponent that suffers, whether they call often, or not at all. This is often a most effective strategy when dealing with non-Lycene, for whom prejudice has persuaded that Southerners are simply incapable of truth, even when there is absolutely no value in lying.
Ah, but how does one ensure that one has the cards to play honestly on each turn, I can hear the savvy reader asking?
That, I leave as an exercise to the reader, and urge you to enjoy a good game or two trying out your guesses.
There is a game taught to children - or there was when I was growing up - in the Lyceum, which is called "liar's poker". It actually has many names, and they get progressively more vulgar as age and alcohol content at an event rises, but we'll go with the first for now. It's a card game played with two full decks, and the goal is simple: lose all your cards. The mechanics are also far more simple than standard poker - going around to every player, one places 1-4 cards of the same value (suit immaterial) in the pile at the center of the table, and when the turn passes to the next player, the card value advances by one. Player 1 might place 3 twos, Player 2 then plays 1 three, Player 3 then puts down 2 fours, etc. You cannot skip a turn - you /must/ play at least one card. Luckily, you play all your cards face down, and the only way for anyone to know what you play is by calling your bluff. If you were lying about what you put down, you have to pick up the whole pile. If you were telling the truth, the pile goes to your opponent. Play until you get tired or the number of players is small enough that it's no longer fun.
For children, this provides a fun and relatively simple way to learn two key skills: how to bluff, and how to detect when others are bluffing with enough confidence that you're willing to take a risk on action.
Adult players, however, recognize that there is a greater strategy than bluff and counterbluff. A great liar usually ends up no more than a mediocre player of liar's poker - because once people figure out that you're lying, calling every play ends up a reasonable risk. The people who consistently win liar's poker are the ones who can succeed in turning their opponents' own paranoia and suspicion against them - if every called bluff ends up being an honest play, then it is only the opponent that suffers, whether they call often, or not at all. This is often a most effective strategy when dealing with non-Lycene, for whom prejudice has persuaded that Southerners are simply incapable of truth, even when there is absolutely no value in lying.
Ah, but how does one ensure that one has the cards to play honestly on each turn, I can hear the savvy reader asking?
That, I leave as an exercise to the reader, and urge you to enjoy a good game or two trying out your guesses.
Written By Dominique
April 16, 2018, 1:01 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Saoirse
Upon rereading the journal, I disagree.
The joke is more 'You accidentally hired a Valardin' not 'they're a Valardin spy'
So I can't forgive it as a joke because it wasn't a good joke.
I would recommend you getting lessons in humor. I know I am a dour sourpuss, so I would happily pay for lessons in public relations for you as well considering the hubub you stirred.
The joke is more 'You accidentally hired a Valardin' not 'they're a Valardin spy'
So I can't forgive it as a joke because it wasn't a good joke.
I would recommend you getting lessons in humor. I know I am a dour sourpuss, so I would happily pay for lessons in public relations for you as well considering the hubub you stirred.
Written By Reigna
April 16, 2018, 12:59 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
I do not understand what about the concept of taking your word and your duty seriously is hard to understand.
If your job is to speak with the voice of the Crown, should you not take that obligation seriously? Where is the line? What if she were to say that Thrax thought the Lyceum's way of dressing is too immodest and that they should go to war. Is that funny too?
At the *very* least it diminishes the value of the Word of the Crown. If you start down the slope of not taking her words seriously, then there may come a time when anything she says might be interpreted as a joke.
Is this nitpicking? Of course it is. But it is about the *principle* of what it means to be responsible. This is the heart of duty and honor and I am sorry, it is just not funny. It is offensive.
I know this is not the first time I have come down on the side of humorless adherence to responsibility. I know I am... unfun and not funny. But it *means* something to hold responsibility.
If your job is to speak with the voice of the Crown, should you not take that obligation seriously? Where is the line? What if she were to say that Thrax thought the Lyceum's way of dressing is too immodest and that they should go to war. Is that funny too?
At the *very* least it diminishes the value of the Word of the Crown. If you start down the slope of not taking her words seriously, then there may come a time when anything she says might be interpreted as a joke.
Is this nitpicking? Of course it is. But it is about the *principle* of what it means to be responsible. This is the heart of duty and honor and I am sorry, it is just not funny. It is offensive.
I know this is not the first time I have come down on the side of humorless adherence to responsibility. I know I am... unfun and not funny. But it *means* something to hold responsibility.
Written By Echo
April 16, 2018, 12:57 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucita
Geez Luci! There's a story I haven't heard in some time!
I admit, I'm... Slightly afraid that you've planted all sorts of ideas into Aggie's head.
I admit, I'm... Slightly afraid that you've planted all sorts of ideas into Aggie's head.
Written By Saoirse
April 16, 2018, 12:56 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
It was just a joke, I apologize. I was merely playing with the very old understanding of dislike between two houses. Just a quip. Everyone is fine.
Written By Agatha
April 16, 2018, 12:53 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Saoirse
Scholar, I would like to make an addition to my will. Should I die before Princess Saoirse, please leave her my big lettered HAH!
It sounds like she might need it.
Yes, she can borrow it from time to time until I pass.
It sounds like she might need it.
Yes, she can borrow it from time to time until I pass.
Written By Aleksei
April 16, 2018, 12:50 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Oathlands good humor on display! Sure makes me not miss home.
Written By Norwood
April 16, 2018, 12:49 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Lumen
I am grateful you have noticed the opened doors and pulled out chairs.
They are two of my favorite activities.
They are two of my favorite activities.
Written By Lumen
April 16, 2018, 12:46 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
I don't find Valardins uptight at all! Why I venture into Valardin Ward whenever I'm in need of a guarantee for doors to be held open and chairs pulled out for me. There's nothing quite like it for one's spirit.
Written By Monique
April 16, 2018, 12:43 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Vayne
Wonderful to wake up and see victim-blaming alive and well.
To the Valardin contingent: Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you…unless you believe them. Then, they can destroy you.
Do not let a joke made in exceedingly poor taste be more than an eyeroll in your day.
To the Valardin contingent: Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you…unless you believe them. Then, they can destroy you.
Do not let a joke made in exceedingly poor taste be more than an eyeroll in your day.
Written By Dominique
April 16, 2018, 12:41 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Edain
Yes your grace, but she speaks for the crown. It is very easy to take what she says out of context for a generally uninformed populace. I would like to hear King Alaric's take on this considering Saoirse has the authority to speak for the crown and this could besmirch the fine Valardin name.
I hope that Alaric has the wisdom to publicly chastise her for this slight.
I hope that Alaric has the wisdom to publicly chastise her for this slight.
Written By Reigna
April 16, 2018, 12:39 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Vayne
Blessed Vayne, when one speaks with the authority of the Crown, one's words are powerful. There is a trade off for such things. Statements of such a nature are seen and heard and repeated by the citizens of Arx. She speaks with the weight of the Crown. Perhaps if she seeks such power, she should be aware of the consequences that power carries.
The Oathlanders have fine senses of humor. But no one likes being the butt of poor jokes.
The Oathlanders have fine senses of humor. But no one likes being the butt of poor jokes.
Written By Jonathan
April 16, 2018, 12:39 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Arxian jokes are weird. Yes, scholar, that's all. What, you expected some big, grand announcement from a farmer just because I sat and read through this whole back-and-forth? Pffft.
Written By Edain
April 16, 2018, 12:37 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Before everyone gets very upset, I think Princess Saoirse is just having a little fun in good nature. Saying that she encountered a Grayson that is so stodgy and uptight that clearly they must be a Valardin in disguise. I don't think anyone is claiming we have carried out some nefarious infiltration of the Grayson family.
Written By Vayne
April 16, 2018, 12:35 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Lady Saoirse might have just been making a tongue-in-cheek joke, related to the stereotype of Oathlanders not having a very good sense of humour.
If she was, then the point has been well-made indeed by the replies.
If she was, then the point has been well-made indeed by the replies.
Written By Alis
April 16, 2018, 12:31 p.m.(7/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Saoirse
If you have proof of such treachery I would be pleased to hear it.
Otherwise, retract your claim. Publicly, and with an apology to House Valardin.
Otherwise, retract your claim. Publicly, and with an apology to House Valardin.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.