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Written By Thena

March 21, 2018, 2:49 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I write more easily when I don't care. I speak more easily. I should probably write more about the war as news of losses comes trickling in. Thank the people for whom thanks will never be enough. Commemorate those who have died to save us. Make rousing speeches to rally those who returned.

I can't.

But I still feel it. Never think I don't.

Written By Eirene

March 21, 2018, 2:28 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Guess it's a damn good thing I wear a lot of black already.

I've officially been a widow longer than I was a wife. Must be some kind of sick record.

Written By Reese

March 21, 2018, 2:27 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Aiden

Prince Aiden is an amazing man on many levels. I have always loved him as a cousin, but it was not until more recently that I started to realize just how amazing he is. When Aiden first came to Compact from Bastian, I saw him as a pleasant cousin who loves his birds. Aiden accused me of not really knowing him or understanding him and he was right. I am sorry.

He took up command of the archers and has been at my side on the Gray Forest missions. He has never faltered in his duty has consistently been brave, honorable and skilled. I wasn't sure about making him a commander in the army at first, but I didn't have the eyes to truly see him and now I am so very glad that I did. Aiden seems sensitive at times. He seems quiet at times, but this the quiet of one who is empathic, who is aware, who is present, who cares, who is intelligent and who thinks deeply.

He has experienced heart break and lose. Lord Killian and Lady Aislin where his friends. Baron Silas and him broke up. Many would wouldn't rise after all that, but he did, he soared. He took command of the Grayson troops at the last moment. And he didn't just take command and he didn't just take leadership, but he rocked it. He made the right calls. He worked hard. He collaborated with Princess Marian and Marquis Mydas. I believed he saved many lives along with Marian and Mydas. He stepped up when their was a need. A true leader, a true commander adjusts, steps up and does what needs to be done and that was Aiden.

As many know Baron Estaban and Aiden were very close. My heart breaks when I think of his sorrow. I can say or do nothing to salve this pain and I am so sorry. Estaban would be be proud. He is proud of what you have done at Stromwall, Aiden. You are a great man.

Keep Soaring. We need you. Grayson needs you. Our army needs you. The Gray Forest needs you. I need you.

Reese

Written By Amarantha

March 21, 2018, 2:19 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Cadenza

Your bravery was inspiring. In the face of those horrors we saw while scouting, you kept wanting to go back.

To find more information. To find those commanders.

I'm not a skilled scout, at least not outside of a city but I was proud to serve as a guard for you and my brother--while the pair of you forged ahead until we found what we sought.

I think, if Alfir was still alive, he'd be proud of me.

(Tears stain the bottom half of this journal entry, blurring what appears to be a few lines of text. The ink has run too much to make sense of the hastily scrawled words. )

Written By Theron

March 21, 2018, 2:15 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Eleyna

You are no poison, Your Grace. You are a woman of many talents, some understated, some evident to even the most blind of individuals. You brought the Lyceum together against a fierce and ruthless enemy and we prevailed.

You made a promise to the Compact, that we would stand. And you fulfilled it.

Those of us who went out to fight that day never forgot those words, and as we carried the banners of the Hundred Cities with us, we knew in our hearts to be doing the right thing.

We will never forget the sacrifices that your family made to ensure our safety.

Written By Theron

March 21, 2018, 2:11 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Serafine

We weren't close, but we fought together.

I barely knew you, but I could see the prowess in your motions as you took the fight to things other people will deny even exist.

It was an honor to have met you, and I hope that, should I meet you again in this life, or in the next, that we become good friends.

Princess Serafine Velenosa, you will never be forgotten. By your deeds you will be known.

Written By Calaudrin

March 21, 2018, 2:11 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I won't claim to have deep personal relationships with Princess Serafine Velenosa (who I just called Officer Serafine, for the official record) or Baron Estaban Saik (who I called Guardsman Estaban or just Estaban, for the official record). But what I will say is that they were fine, good and solid people. That they both served the Iron Guard with honor and were a blessing to our barracks. That I will deeply miss their faces at meetings and debriefings and we are at a loss without them.

Iron and Blood.

Written By Marcos

March 21, 2018, 2:10 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Gods damn it.

Gods damn them all for bringing us the fight we had to meet and lay down the lives of so many for. Gods damn them for their evil. For their /things/ that crawled and slithered across sea and shore to seek our destruction. Gods damn them for taking my cousin Estaban with them.

We met you on the field. We've paid the price for freedom. We likely will again.
Gods damn that too.

Written By Cadenza

March 21, 2018, 1:47 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I can finally speak some....though my head is reeling still from all that has happened. This fight was full of loss but we shall remember those who fell.

I was in Setarco at the land battle with the Vanguard. On our first patrol we found nothing and returned to the city. But then we went out again and we saw them. They are coming from almost all directions. There were things I saw from my position that were things of nightmare....but I faced them. I was worried that I would be afraid in this battle due to some of the circumstances....but I faced them. I just hope that the duty that I had in that battle had some bearing....and that me and my fellow scouts helped turn the tide.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Archduchess Eleyna - I am so sorry about Serafine. I wish I got the chance to meet her like you wanted. So much with all of this prep kept us from doing so. Thank you....for your strength. Thank you...for your guidance. You are the Archduchess and I am happy to not only be your cousin but in service to you.

Archduke Consort Talen - I needed that pep talk all those times. Along with the Archduchess, I grew stronger and recovered faster than I thought I ever would. I will continue to strive and do you both proud.

Princess Alis - I shall return it to you as soon as I see you. Thank you for entrusting it with me and I feel because of it....it did indeed keep us safe. I think you.

Vanguard - We did a hell of a job on that first round. Even as we divided up to our duties afterwards, it was great to serve next to you all. We had each other's backs and that's what was needed.

Lord Apollis & Lady Amarantha - You two....I have no words. When it was just the three of us going out to scout things out...I felt like we were all one. You two protected me though know I fought /with/ you. Not one of your lives was more important than mine. We were equals and we did what we needed on that filed to ensure the safety of the army.

Lord Ignacio - If you ever take a hit for me again....I will hurt you myself. You led your men bravely and still found a way to keep your word. Heal up....and I'll check on you soon.

Master Caspian - You did come by my side just as you promised. Thank you for being there and thank you for letting me cry it out when it was over. I needed it. It was anger....frustration....rage.....sadness.

Baron Estaban - I can't believe you're gone. I will never forget those words upon that wall. I will treasure them and hold onto them. I will try to keep my promise to you....I will do my damndest. We will miss you.

Written By Leta

March 21, 2018, 1:29 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Our Meowlarice is well. The kittens are weaned. They have grown a lot, and all seem healthy and happy as kittens are. I know I told some folk they could have some of the kittens but I don't think I'll be giving them away.

Written By Victus

March 21, 2018, 1:02 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I've set foot back in Arx. I'm counting my blessings for that.

Will be awhile before the arm is healed up.

Written By Monique

March 21, 2018, 12:41 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Greenmarch suffered many a loss, including Lady Eirlys Greenmarch. All will be honored for their sacrifice. Their families will be provided for. But we cannot undo their pain with praise and silver. This war was brought to our doorstep and our people fought; fought bravely and died, fought bravely and lived. We do not forget.

Let none judge our worth, our loyalty, again.

Let some good come of this folly.

Written By Tikva

March 21, 2018, 12:38 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I am home.

One of the first letters I opened when I got home from Setarco was a very nicely worded apology about the furor in the Whites about my husband, from a concerned friend.

Which of course led me here, to the Archive, to see what in the world.

What I have found is fucking ridiculous, you should all be ashamed of your pettiness, and I am not forgetting a single one of the white journals I have read on the subject, including Princess Marian's apology, which I commend for its complete insincerity as a masterful example of its kind.

A B S U R D.

What the fuck is the matter with you people?

House Grayson is TREMENDOUSLY proud of Aiden, NONE of you have any business commenting on OUR MILITARY COMMAND STRUCTURE, in which BOTH BROTHERS are commanders, and the idea that this is a matter for public comment is met-- well, never mind.

You know what?

I am going to simply reiterate an old song I wrote for Serafine Velenosa, who fell defending the Compact while you were all sitting at home complaining about who fought where. You may assume the fart noises are included and magnified to the best of my bardic ability.

*****

Our life together’s like a love song
When your warm hand touches mine
It seems like nothing could go wrong;
Your kiss goes to my head like wine.

Your eyes on mine, they shine like stars
and you hold my heart in your hand;
I’m caught in your arms, caged behind bars;
but my capture feels ever so grand.

Yet the sweetest thing about our love
More romantic than stardust on our hearts
or glowing moonlight on the wings of a dove--
I’m safe enough with you to release my farts!

Laugh with me, lover; hold me so close;
I’ll buy you some sweets, or maybe a book—
And when you think it’s safe, I’ll lick your nose!
A girl like you can melt me with a look,

But here’s the thing, with two lives intertwined,
It’s not just songs and chocolates here,
Hold my hand, my love, and bear in mind
It’s you and I; let all the rest disappear.

Written By Tikva

March 21, 2018, 12:29 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Sweet Lucita. I'm so sorry. Your happiness was so new, fledgling warmth.

I know this grief. I know it so well. I lost my Kelleth while I carried his first child, and for a time, there was nothing, nothing in my life that was not rage.

If there is anything that I can do, please but name it.

Written By Orazio

March 21, 2018, 12:16 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Eleyna

The Archduchess claims in her journals to have been a poison to everyone who has loved her.

This is manifestly untrue, and it behooves me as a priest who has a great love for the Sentinel to dispute it. Grieve, your highness, for the lost are worthy of grief as a remembrance of all the love and light they brought to the lives of those who knew them. But despite your great power as Archduchess of the Lyceum, there are some things which are out of your control, and that includes the time in which loved ones pass. Princess Serafine's life was better for having you in it, and those of your people who have died did so under the rule of a worthy woman, defending the things and the people that they loved.

These are sacrifices that we all choose to make, though it may shatter the hearts of our loved ones when the price comes due. Take every moment with those who still live; take these losses as the memorial to remind us that everything changes, and winter comes to every person's life eventually - that is not the fault of we who love, or we who are loved. It is simply the way things are. It is never by loving that we poison those around us - only by refusing to love so that we do not open ourselves to hurt.

You are a balm in the world, and I know that Princess Serafine would agree - whether she would ever say so or not.

Written By Kaede

March 21, 2018, 12:03 p.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Redrain's fleet survives. While damages were heavy, the most of the fleet remains serviceable, and we will now be sailing all that are seaworthy back to Arx.

I want it recorded in these journals that the men and women of Redrain, Crovane, and Ravenseye proved themselves more than capable. I am proud of my captains and my sailors, and I am gracious that the chiefs of Redrain gave me the chance to lead. Let the Compact know: Redrain can sail with the best of them. Well, okay, some of us in Redrain.

Thank you all that served and Spirits guide all those that are returning with us.

Written By Corban

March 21, 2018, 11:50 a.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Duke Arn,

The Telmarines performed admirably in the Battle of Setarco. Each did her duty, did not falter, and fought with courage and conviction. And -- together with the infantry of the Oathlands and the Lyceum -- they held the line. Setarco was not breached. And it did not fall.

I am conferring with the company commanders regarding the names and families, and Captain Reedy will forward them for your review when they are compiled. But these soldiers of the Great Red Wall were a brick in the wall of Setarco. We will remember them.

Yours in service to the Telmarch,

Lord Corban Telmar

Written By Alis

March 21, 2018, 11:17 a.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Edain

Prince Edain,

I write this all down from the ship as we sail back to the mainland, because I am not sure I will want to remember it all and repeat it word for word once I can stand in front of you to deliver the final tallies of our dead to memorialize.

First, I must tell you that every one of our soldiers fought well and bravely, with honor as befits an Oathlander. They did not flinch, they did not break, they did not fail. Even, no... especially the fallen, who died so that an innocent would never have to face the horror that was there. I have already begun the writing of their stories for us, so we can tell their families of their heroism. We have lost at least half of the cavalry that came to Setarco at the last minute from Southport. But they were sorely needed. There are many who should be given additional recognition. It was truly an honor to watch people from all three of the fealties represented fight together as one unit, helping one another, even in sorrow as Princess Serafine Velenosa fell to an enemy creature.

There are not enough thanks to go around, in describing how the Archduchess, the Archduke Consort, Prince Galen and I were able to work together to make sound tactical choices and see them carried out. I hope we have shown our strength in setting aside differences when it is time to face an enemy of the Compact.

I am not certain if you have heard of the creatures that met us on the battlefield. Giant dogs that were able to tear through even the hardiest of armor, and... strange amalgamations of things. A horse with tentacles (I believe Sir Thorley has coined it a Nopetopus), and a snake thing with spider mandibles and a halibut tail? I cannot decide between a Nopester and a Sniderbut to call it. I am sure we were all hallucinating. Perhaps from the fear and disgust and gnawing ... horror that overtook to many as the enemy came ashore. The mind does strange things.

At one point, the wind was so strong it felt as if we were all pinned to the wall like flies trapped in a web. But, fortunately, it subsided as the enemy retreated. Setarco stands. And thank the Gods for it.

Princess Alis Valardin

Written By Lucita

March 21, 2018, 11:09 a.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Estaban

Estaban, oh, my sweet Estie. We both knew there was risk, that one or both of us might not return but we chose to put our fears aside and do our duty, what had to be done. It just hurts so much, so very much. You had an impact on so many lives, meant so much to a great number of people. I'm not the only one hurting, you have friends who love..loved you, too.

I have trouble thinking of you as gone. I miss the sound of your voice, your laugh, the teasing note in your voice, the strength in the commands you'd give and your fierce determination, or your gentle words. I miss the way your arms comfort and drive away the simple nightmares of the horrors we had seen. I miss your patience, your wisdom, the way you opened up and shared your thoughts, your worries, your feeling with me, the way you sought my suggestions and listened, really listened to me. Every time I start to write tears start to flow. Some things are just too painful too personal to think about right now when I don't have the luxury of giving way to more grief. I have to be strong, for our child or children, to make my way back home and let Lord Vomas know, to try to handle things there, the way you wanted me to do. You have left me friends and family to help get through this, my mind knows this, but right now it is hard to not feel so alone, so lost without you.

We make...made a good team, Estie, both for our house, the Saiks, and as a couple. I'll try to not let you down. It is just so..damned ...hard. We had too little time together, and that small child, that little flutter I feel within me will have no time at all with you. My heart breaks.

Written By Eleyna

March 21, 2018, 10:37 a.m.(5/25/1008 AR)

I am a poison to everyone who has ever loved me.

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