Written By Reigna
March 9, 2018, 1:19 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Rey
I have never wished ill to the children. Never. And I am glad for you, that House Laveer has such an interesting method of adoption. I am sure that has been good for you, but you have to understand that is not the norm within the Peerage of the Compact. Society is based on rules. Without them we descend to chaos. The ways we have, the traditions we uphold give us stability. A society in which rules are bent or blurred makes men uncertain of where they stand and chaos reigns. The justifications for ennoblement are few. It is supposed to be a rare thing. Because the privileges granted *must* come at a price. There must be a cost to keep us honest and righteous. Does any of this make sense?
Written By Thena
March 9, 2018, 1:13 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Well I haven't read a post yet saying those children should suffer so I'm not sure why people are acting like it.
Written By Thena
March 9, 2018, 1:08 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
Yeah, your journals made it sound like you thought Countess Reigna was plotting something. Guess I was wrong. Sorry!
Written By Rey
March 9, 2018, 1:07 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
I came here today to record a dream. But it was a very nice dream, and I feel like maybe it doesn't belong right now. Or maybe my dream does, but I don't. Nothing makes sense right now. I don't want anything to make sense right now.
I don't want this to make sense.
I don't know who my parents were. I can just barely remember my mother singing to me, and how strong my father was. My mother and I were washed overboard from a ship during a storm, and I was found at the shores of Brighthold, very sick, and very alone, with my mother dead beside me. I was taken in, and taken care of, adopted into the family, encouraged in everything I tried to do. When the storms used to scare me at night, our nanny comforted me. I was loved, and never once made to think I was someone less than anyone else because of how I came into the family or anything else about me.
I've always been very proud of House Laveer's tradition of taking in "flotsam". In fact, it's the thing about my family that I'm most proud of. I thought it was a capacity for love and generosity that really made us special, that when a child in need came to us, we took them in, no questions asked, and made them one of the family in every way. I thought that was something about House Laveer that should be admired. I certainly admired it, and still do.
Was it really only me who felt this way? Am I really the only one who admires this about Count Tibualt, about House Laveer? Does the rest of Grayson really sneer at us -- at me -- for taking in, and being 'flotsam'? If House Pravus is being looked down on for taking in the children of a dishonored man who was once a Prince and embracing them as part of the family, what must people think of my family? Of me? The odds are pretty small that even one of my parents were noble.
They're just children.
The world just feels really wrong right now.
I'm glad that I'm going north soon. There's an awful smell in Arx lately, and I think it's going to start giving me nightmares again.
I don't want this to make sense.
I don't know who my parents were. I can just barely remember my mother singing to me, and how strong my father was. My mother and I were washed overboard from a ship during a storm, and I was found at the shores of Brighthold, very sick, and very alone, with my mother dead beside me. I was taken in, and taken care of, adopted into the family, encouraged in everything I tried to do. When the storms used to scare me at night, our nanny comforted me. I was loved, and never once made to think I was someone less than anyone else because of how I came into the family or anything else about me.
I've always been very proud of House Laveer's tradition of taking in "flotsam". In fact, it's the thing about my family that I'm most proud of. I thought it was a capacity for love and generosity that really made us special, that when a child in need came to us, we took them in, no questions asked, and made them one of the family in every way. I thought that was something about House Laveer that should be admired. I certainly admired it, and still do.
Was it really only me who felt this way? Am I really the only one who admires this about Count Tibualt, about House Laveer? Does the rest of Grayson really sneer at us -- at me -- for taking in, and being 'flotsam'? If House Pravus is being looked down on for taking in the children of a dishonored man who was once a Prince and embracing them as part of the family, what must people think of my family? Of me? The odds are pretty small that even one of my parents were noble.
They're just children.
The world just feels really wrong right now.
I'm glad that I'm going north soon. There's an awful smell in Arx lately, and I think it's going to start giving me nightmares again.
Written By Alarissa
March 9, 2018, 1:06 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Since it would seem this is hotly debated and people scream into their whites, perhaps we shall set some things straight. With facts. We do so all love facts yes?
Fact. These children are acknowledged by Abbas Crownsworn. They were before his exile. Abbas Crownsworn is related to Pravus through a half sister. This would make the little Lord and Little Lady Pravus, viable members of their household, in as such as I know it.
In words so recently written to me by a member of the faith to me, those in the family of one, are not automatically castigated and thrown away because of the sins of the one. These are innocents. These are two year old children who do fathom, know, or even care for the attitude, opinions or desires of others in the city. They are children, plain and simple.
So I state as voice of House Thrax. Our thanks to Pravus for taking in their kin. For giving them a home. For ensuring that they will never want for anything, receive a stellar education and grow up to be productive members of our society.
And to those who would castigate, winge and wail. They're children. We're at war.
Pick a better thing to get offended at, than over innocent children.
Fact. These children are acknowledged by Abbas Crownsworn. They were before his exile. Abbas Crownsworn is related to Pravus through a half sister. This would make the little Lord and Little Lady Pravus, viable members of their household, in as such as I know it.
In words so recently written to me by a member of the faith to me, those in the family of one, are not automatically castigated and thrown away because of the sins of the one. These are innocents. These are two year old children who do fathom, know, or even care for the attitude, opinions or desires of others in the city. They are children, plain and simple.
So I state as voice of House Thrax. Our thanks to Pravus for taking in their kin. For giving them a home. For ensuring that they will never want for anything, receive a stellar education and grow up to be productive members of our society.
And to those who would castigate, winge and wail. They're children. We're at war.
Pick a better thing to get offended at, than over innocent children.
Written By Reigna
March 9, 2018, 1:04 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
I did not single you out, your highness, when it came to taking the worst interpretations of words. Dame Thena was coming to my defense, for which I thank her most sincerely, but I did not think you meant that you thought I sought to wish ill upon the children with my 'ominous' and 'veiled references'. Nor was I attempting to make inflammatory accusations. Just to be clear.
Written By Reigna
March 9, 2018, 12:58 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
No. There *should* be political and social responses to this move by House Pravus. It baffles me how or why this was thought to be a good idea. As I outlined in my journal, there is, from an outside perspective (i.e. the rest of the Peerage's perspective), no reason to do this. None. There is no political rationale for doing this outside of showing affection for a murderous, traitorous exile and excommunicate. What boon do these children bring to Pravus? What other than the circumstance of their parentage, qualifies them to be elevated to the nobility? Explain that. Give a solid, justifiable reason about what makes these children any different or special than any of the other orphans of the Lowers. When we grant nobility to a Crownsworn baby who has done nothing more than be born, are we not cheapening what it means to hold title? I take my responsibilities incredibly seriously. It is an affront to me, to the rest of the Peerage to see such a thing given with no explanation. Who can say what their future holds? They may grow up to be exemplary citizens of the Crown and their deeds may very well earn them ennoblement. But why now? Why with no explanation?
So yes. Pravus should be held both politically and socially accountable for their actions. The babies are blameless, and I hope their futures are happy and bright.
So yes. Pravus should be held both politically and socially accountable for their actions. The babies are blameless, and I hope their futures are happy and bright.
Written By Laric
March 9, 2018, 12:47 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Countess Reigna has written wisely -- her concern mirrors Princess Tikva's, albeit from another perspective. We would all be interested to read why House Pravus decided to adopt the children, I think; most ennobled bastards or wards earn their title well into adulthood and Gods know there has been a good deal of unrest surrounding ennoblement in the past few months. Simply put, the circumstances make the decision seem sudden and surprising. Duchess Belladonna's announcement said little else on the matter.
That is the House's decision and of course doesn't change what has been done. I wish Lady Aisha and Lord Amir happiness. If their father cannot join them, I hope they are at least never too far from their mother.
That is the House's decision and of course doesn't change what has been done. I wish Lady Aisha and Lord Amir happiness. If their father cannot join them, I hope they are at least never too far from their mother.
Written By Cassima
March 9, 2018, 12:38 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
If we are to assume the best of each other, I daresay you would not assume that I in any way meant to imply that anyone wished to physically harm anyone else. Either you are guilty of not following your own advice, or you use inflammatory accusations to distract from the matter at hand and my own message.
My own message is this: I hope that others would seek to support House Pravus and the children at this delicate time, rather than seek to imply that there might be negative /social/ or /political/ consequences, either brought on by their own hand or that of another. I hope the nobility of the Compact to be capable of rising above such pettiness to support a House's acquisition of a young Lord and Lady in an already strained environment.
What? No scholar, I did not wish to use Princess Agatha's big letters. What is that supposed to mean, my tone implied otherwise?
My own message is this: I hope that others would seek to support House Pravus and the children at this delicate time, rather than seek to imply that there might be negative /social/ or /political/ consequences, either brought on by their own hand or that of another. I hope the nobility of the Compact to be capable of rising above such pettiness to support a House's acquisition of a young Lord and Lady in an already strained environment.
What? No scholar, I did not wish to use Princess Agatha's big letters. What is that supposed to mean, my tone implied otherwise?
Written By Calaudrin
March 9, 2018, 12:20 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Whatever. I'm growing a cool beard. It's going to be two feet long when you all get back from Stormwall.
Written By Thena
March 9, 2018, 12:17 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Calaudrin
I’m just waiting for my own ennoblement. Any day now, yeah?
You’re right though, it’s above my pay grade too. And I make WAY more than you.
You’re right though, it’s above my pay grade too. And I make WAY more than you.
Written By Reigna
March 9, 2018, 12:14 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
To clarify my words:
The consequences I referred to are to House Pravus for this move, *not* to the children. For my take on that, see the first sentence under 'On adoption'. And to clarify my clarification, those consequences are the current furor regarding the move to adopt. Nothing more than that. Please, let us not assume the worst of each other? I was simply trying to express my own confusion over the move and perhaps offer perspective on *why* this action has caused such a debate. I am a healer and I have a deep aversion to physical violence. I am the last person to worry about when it comes to threats of violence.
The consequences I referred to are to House Pravus for this move, *not* to the children. For my take on that, see the first sentence under 'On adoption'. And to clarify my clarification, those consequences are the current furor regarding the move to adopt. Nothing more than that. Please, let us not assume the worst of each other? I was simply trying to express my own confusion over the move and perhaps offer perspective on *why* this action has caused such a debate. I am a healer and I have a deep aversion to physical violence. I am the last person to worry about when it comes to threats of violence.
Written By Calaudrin
March 9, 2018, 12:04 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
I'm just confused why they're not wards of House Thrax and are being straight adopted into the Lyceum. But this whole thing is way above my pay grade.
Written By Thena
March 9, 2018, 11:58 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
Are you suggesting the Countess Guildmaster means the children harm? Because that’s fucking ridiculous.
Written By Cassima
March 9, 2018, 11:54 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
I would say ending a lengthy white journal on the fate of children with veiled references to 'consequences' would be considered ominous, yes. I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what you're referring to, Dame Thena.
Written By Thena
March 9, 2018, 11:50 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassima
Ominous? Being raised in a wealthy loving home is ominous? Being, gods forbid, not ennobled is /ominous/?
Written By Cassima
March 9, 2018, 11:40 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
Whatever consequences may come of House Pravus' decision to take in two children, I should hope that all of the Godly members of the Compact might be willing to come together to support both the family and the children who are, in fact, the ones truly affected by all that has happened. To speak so ominously on the fate of innocents is disconcerting. I should hate to think that people might hold the charity of House Pravus or the innocence of Lord Amir and Lady Aisha against them.
Written By Reigna
March 9, 2018, 11:20 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
On adoption.
While I completely and unequivocally agree that the circumstances of birth are in no way the fault of the child, I feel it is a bit naive to think it will not effect them. I, of all people, recognize the desire to strive to rise above our baser principals and try to embody the ideals and values of our gods. Charity. Civilization. Gild teaches that we should work together to build a society, a culture that sees to the needs of us all. With that society, there are rules. Rules that require consequences when broken. Abbas faced those consequences.
Were his children granted the name Thrax and the titles of Prince or Princess? Were they fully acknowledged scion of the Great House? Or were they Crownsworn offspring? Does it matter? I think it does. If they were Prince and Princess, being lowered in title and adopted into House Pravus has far less impact or implication. It makes just about as much sense as adopting two Crownsworn babes into a House which seems to have no lacking of nobles of heir-making years.
If they were not acknowledged, if they were already Crownsworn... then I fail to see the logic in their adoption. House Pravus, as stated before has plenty of heirs, including the son of the Duchess. What purpose is served in elevating these two children? Instead of granting a title, if there was concern over their father's inability to care for them, to provide for them, why not simply take them in as a Ward?
When Kael and I were on a mission to the Eventide Vast, we came upon a village that had been decimated by a blood-mad group of Apostate Shav'Arvani. They had made war against another tribe of Abandoned. They did horrible, horrible things to these people. Images, scents... I will never get out of my mind. Among the dead I heard something. A feeble baby's wail. I found this child, starving, sick... She was so small. I was with child at the time, nearing the end of it, actually. There was no reason I should have been there. Yet I was. And I found this baby, feet from the corpse of her slain mother. And I took her in my arms, and I fed her from my body. I took her home and I named her Kata Oakwood. She is my child now. I love her fiercely and will continue to protect her from all the hurts I can. But she is not my daughter. She does not hold the name Keaton. Because I have an heir. Because it serves no purpose to Keaton to make her noble. Does that make me love her less? I will challenge anyone to says I do not love that little girl. But she calls me Reigna. Okay, she calls me Rei-Rei. Not mother. She is an Oakwood. Not a Keaton. Have I thought about adopting her? Of course I have. Many, many times. But it makes no sense to do so. And that is not a thing to just do. There must be purpose to the granting of nobility, else... why is there such a distinction made? Why not adopt all children to the ranks of the noble? Is not the purpose of the nobility to serve the people? If we are all made noble... who will serve the people? There will be no people left to serve.
I am not arrogant enough to assume I know all the details of this arrangement. I can but offer an outsider's perspective on why so many brows are lifted and glances to the side cast. Adoption is a weighty decision. Other options exist. What has been done is done. But as Skald teaches -- we do what we want. But the consequences are ours to reap.
While I completely and unequivocally agree that the circumstances of birth are in no way the fault of the child, I feel it is a bit naive to think it will not effect them. I, of all people, recognize the desire to strive to rise above our baser principals and try to embody the ideals and values of our gods. Charity. Civilization. Gild teaches that we should work together to build a society, a culture that sees to the needs of us all. With that society, there are rules. Rules that require consequences when broken. Abbas faced those consequences.
Were his children granted the name Thrax and the titles of Prince or Princess? Were they fully acknowledged scion of the Great House? Or were they Crownsworn offspring? Does it matter? I think it does. If they were Prince and Princess, being lowered in title and adopted into House Pravus has far less impact or implication. It makes just about as much sense as adopting two Crownsworn babes into a House which seems to have no lacking of nobles of heir-making years.
If they were not acknowledged, if they were already Crownsworn... then I fail to see the logic in their adoption. House Pravus, as stated before has plenty of heirs, including the son of the Duchess. What purpose is served in elevating these two children? Instead of granting a title, if there was concern over their father's inability to care for them, to provide for them, why not simply take them in as a Ward?
When Kael and I were on a mission to the Eventide Vast, we came upon a village that had been decimated by a blood-mad group of Apostate Shav'Arvani. They had made war against another tribe of Abandoned. They did horrible, horrible things to these people. Images, scents... I will never get out of my mind. Among the dead I heard something. A feeble baby's wail. I found this child, starving, sick... She was so small. I was with child at the time, nearing the end of it, actually. There was no reason I should have been there. Yet I was. And I found this baby, feet from the corpse of her slain mother. And I took her in my arms, and I fed her from my body. I took her home and I named her Kata Oakwood. She is my child now. I love her fiercely and will continue to protect her from all the hurts I can. But she is not my daughter. She does not hold the name Keaton. Because I have an heir. Because it serves no purpose to Keaton to make her noble. Does that make me love her less? I will challenge anyone to says I do not love that little girl. But she calls me Reigna. Okay, she calls me Rei-Rei. Not mother. She is an Oakwood. Not a Keaton. Have I thought about adopting her? Of course I have. Many, many times. But it makes no sense to do so. And that is not a thing to just do. There must be purpose to the granting of nobility, else... why is there such a distinction made? Why not adopt all children to the ranks of the noble? Is not the purpose of the nobility to serve the people? If we are all made noble... who will serve the people? There will be no people left to serve.
I am not arrogant enough to assume I know all the details of this arrangement. I can but offer an outsider's perspective on why so many brows are lifted and glances to the side cast. Adoption is a weighty decision. Other options exist. What has been done is done. But as Skald teaches -- we do what we want. But the consequences are ours to reap.
Written By Lavinia
March 9, 2018, 11:10 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
My thoughts exactly, yet it seems to be a preferred beverage of the Marquis-Consort. I'm having difficulty understanding the exotic ways of these Compact nobles.
Written By Khanne
March 9, 2018, 11:08 a.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Isn't non-alcoholic mead just.... flavored water? Would that make it tea?
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