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Written By Vayne

Feb. 20, 2018, 2:12 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Rinel

Sister Rinel, I'm concerned there's a significant misspelling in your recent journal entry. You said "Twelve," but I'm certain you meant "Thirteen" as there are, after all, more than twelve in the Pantheon.

You might want to consider correcting the oversight.

Written By Rinel

Feb. 20, 2018, 2:09 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

I have neglected our Lord's commands to record our thoughts for too long. It is fitting that I return to the task with my thoughts on theology.

Certainly it is preferable that all in the Compact worship the Twelve as They should properly be worshipped. Yet we must not condemn those who have fallen into confusion and worshipped what should merely be recognized as powerful. The belief that strength alone grants a being the right to praise is an inherent flaw of humanity. The Gods should be praised, then, for leading House Rivenshari to House Valardin. As ever in matters of the Faith, the Oathlands stands ready to guide its errant brothers and sisters to propriety and devotion.

This is, of course, hardly limited to newcomers to the Compact.

Written By Eshra

Feb. 20, 2018, 1:33 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

I would like to clear something up.

Rivenshari has not come into the Compact and rejected the Pantheon. Prince Edain did not take a house in and say that this was acceptable.

Lord Vano, like many of my people, myself included, are struggling with finding their balance after the devastation that swept through our people. The Compact, the Pantheon, they are new ways of life. And to a people that has everything stripped from them, identity is the hardest thing to hold on to.

My people are finding their place, as individuals as well as a house. We are a young house by anyone's terms, I ask simply that you have patience as we sort out and work through those pains of childhood that all must face. We are a passionate people and those of us in a position to lead are wanting to bring that passion to the Compact as it is one of our greatest attributes. But to do that, we need to heal and we need to help our people heal.

But we will heal, we are. And in doing so we are learning and growing. Some parts we will hold on to, some we will let go and others we will adopt or meld together. That is the way of it. And let me assure you, The House Valardin has been nothing but helpful and supportive in our growth.

All that said, the point that needed to be understood with Lord Vano's words is, we hurt.. yes. Our beliefs are new and still learning to stand, yes. But we are here. We stand up beside those we fell in front of only two years past because what is out there, is something no one. No one. Should have to face alone. I beseech you, do not let pettiness or house politics to allow that to happen. Standing together is the only way to face the storm of nightmares that come towards us.

I invite any who need to speak to me about this to do contact me.

Written By Shard

Feb. 20, 2018, 1:29 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Orazio

I can't speak to the politics between the Faith and the Peerage. I also can't really speak to the way that Arx shamans might deal with the spirits; we've talked about this, I'm pretty ignorant on it. Perhaps it's the exact same way the gods are worshiped here.

That said, I should point out that, in your example, behaving that way only works until you piss off the spirit of the rock formation by ignoring what the spirit actually wants and asks for. Maybe the nobles you're talking about don't realize it either, but if a spirit wants to act, and it can act, it will act. It's not the power of a god, but that doesn't really matter too much when the spirit you've annoyed happens to be a living hill intent on crushing you (something that happened to us last year when the Grayson forces were in the Gray Forest until Khanne realized what we were dealing with and was able to communicate with it). People thinking about how shamanism is easier might want to consider that spirits are neither obligated to be friendly nor required to be helpful nor necessarily understandable to humanity at all. A rock is a rock, after all. If you form a relationship with it, you'd best hold up your end.

I've seen spirits. I've had a drink with a god. This world's too weird a place to ignore either.

Written By Thesarin

Feb. 20, 2018, 12:07 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

Speaking for me.

Days coming, I'll take swords and blessings from any House and god who'll send them, and call it welcome.

Written By Brigida

Feb. 20, 2018, 11:51 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

We’re taught as youths that the soil beneath our feet, the rock formations and thick towering trees that inspire awe and imagination in our fickle mortal hearts, are ours by the grace and generosity of the Gods. It is in their good opinion that a grounded individual, one concerned with quality of home and hearth, ought be concerned.

As surely as the field is the farmer’s to sow, it once belonged to another.

Written By Caspian

Feb. 20, 2018, 11:33 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

I can't keep up with the drama in white journals. I always have to hunt through them to find whatever started the drama, and ain't nobody got time for that!

In other news, I won my first duel as an official Champion! I represented Magpie Grayhope against Prince Luca Grayson, who represented Archlector Aleksei, in a duel to determine who was Archlector Aureth's best friend. It was a good fight. We started bantering each other about going out to dinner after the 'dancing', and after I made a joke about not putting out on the first night, he said he doesn't go out with those who can't hit him. And right after that I gave him a nice cut right across the chest! It was deeper then I meant it to be, but he was alright. Though having to fight bare chested and oiled up was not pleasent. At least the fairer sex seemed to enjoy it.

I have to fight Luca again in a duel that is much more serious this time, for Princess Cadenza against Prince Luca again, who fights for Princess Tikva Grayson. I suspect Prince Luca will fight even harder in this fight,repersenting his sister-in-law (or cousin-in-law? I don't even know, the nobility is so intermarried at this point everyone is someone's cousin) in a fight with pride on the line.

I prepare my body and mind for this.

Written By Edain

Feb. 20, 2018, 10:56 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

I have nothing to add to the topic at hand. I will let my actions speak for them, and, for good or I'll, accept how history will judge them.

Written By Derovai

Feb. 20, 2018, 10:36 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

It strikes me that there are perhaps better times, on all corners, to discuss matters of faith and belief than when we have a threat at our doorstep that will take all, no matter their beliefs. Creating an "us versus them" situation does nothing but divide the field. Accept help from all -- Faith Militant from Rivenshari and shamans; Rivenshari and shamans from Faith Militant -- and we will have a greater chance than we might if we are divided among ourselves. I am no military tactician, but I know enough to know that I would accept help from anyone who reached their hand to me, even those whom I otherwise disdain. Trust and knowing the value of help offered is, I think, a virtue in all beliefs.

Let's focus on the battle at hand before we start creating our own battles among ourselves. We can settle dogma over whiskey or wine once the day is won.

Written By Thena

Feb. 20, 2018, 9:19 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Agatha

The Pit is in the Lowers cemetery. It’s not that bad, and I’m not sure why dropping fruit into it is any worse than dropping bodies. Not that I’m encouraging the practice (of fruit).

Written By Thena

Feb. 20, 2018, 9:15 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Jyri

You have an astonishingly singular view of what the Faith is.

Written By Orazio

Feb. 20, 2018, 9:14 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

It's always a pleasure to awaken of a morning to nervous acolytes and a stack of copied entries from various white journals, with nary an overwrought love poem among them.

Wait, no. Not pleasure. I mean the other thing.

While I have not had my tea, and thus will certainly not be trying to issue a point by point rebuttal to anything in particular, I shall say a few things.

First, while I do see much of the same disrespect that Sir Preston has noted, although by no means confined to the Oathlands, I will say that if one is going to 'call out' behavior, it is best to do it specifically and to name names. Being vague only diverts the conversation to people's insecurities, rather than specific points of behavior. For example:

Lord Vano's journal is a prime example of a most concerning trend with Valardin leadership of late. Lord Vano clearly states that his House was allowed to bend the knee without even a token conversion to the syncretic practice of the Faith which was allowed as a specific exemption to the Redrain lands, for their legendary courage and valor. And that he, as a noble of the Compact, feels comfortable stating that he is 'faithless'. That Prince Edain has accepted not just the Rivenshari but multiple heathen Prodigal Houses into the heartland of the Faith without requiring conversion is without precedent, and should be deeply concerning to any devout member of the Faith, but particularly anyone who shares privileges and vassal rights with them.

More, there seems to be a growing feeling among the nobility that the practice of shamanism is somehow of equal value to the practice of the Faith. Now, it is understandable that this would appeal to the nobility: shamans wed spiritual and secular power, with nobles often serving as shamans for their House and lands, which is certainly convenient for ensuring that spiritual guidance will always align with the goals of one's House and never give any uncomfortable criticism of the head of the House or any of the family members. Likewise, shamans are not required to give up lands, family, marriage, nor titles, nor are they required to adhere to any true canon or dogma - making it an appealing path for those who like all the warm fuzziness of feeling devout and being a spiritual guide, without having to compromise or give up anything else one might want. Personally, I continue to believe that the gods are more worthy of worship and respect as the embodiments of the virtues that all good men and women should aspire to - but as the nobility seem far more concerned about chastising a common-born soldier for daring to say something less than flattering than they do about opposing dishonor and mass murder in their own ranks, I imagine that praying to the spirit of a rock formation engenders less anxiety than having to consider the reaction of Gloria or the Sentinel to what they choose to speak up about, and where they choose to remain silent.

Other specific actions which one might look to see the current relationship of the nobility to the Faith might recall that when Archduchess Esera was killed, it was not Velenosa who incited the blockade of the Rectory, but Prince Edain, to a resounding lack of protest from any vassals thereof. Or, for that matter, any other fealty. Lest we confine this to Valardin, let us not forget that it was Princess Lark who accused the Dominus of misuse of funds for...buying a sword for his chosen bodyguard. I, myself, have been accused of soliciting bribes by the nobility, and have had the Church accused of causing one of our ongoing issues by "lying to people for centuries" about doctrine. When Prince Victus defiled the Shrine of Mangata, much of Thrax nobility was quick to blame the Faith for their own High Lord's actions, to a resounding silence from the other fealties, including those who would proclaim to be most devout. Indeed, few have had any qualms from continuing to take naval orders from a High Lord who has sheltered a mass murderer, and a Duchess who has supported and defended the defilement of her House Blade, and thus the honor of her House, and reiterated that defense only recently in these very journals.

But, yes, clearly the true problem here is that a Templar made a vague insinuation that some people are not as respectful as they could be towards the Faith Militant. Please, continue to complain about that until the next terrible deed done by the peerage, so that you can be silent once again.

Written By Agatha

Feb. 20, 2018, 8:07 a.m.(3/23/1008 AR)

So far I have learned two important things about Arx.

Do NOT go into the catacombs ((Scholar, are you sure that is how to spell Cat's combs?))

Do NOT drop fruit into the pit ((No, scholar, I am not sure where the pit is. I guess just not any pits!))

I did not do either of these things. It only took about four people to convince me that when I said give me bad advice, the person did give me bad advice. She gave very good bad advice!

Written By Preston

Feb. 20, 2018, 6:04 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Ann

Very well spoken, Princess. And I have found it a good occasion to learn a great deal from the Redrain of late - Prince Darren has surprised and shamed me for he is not the man a younger and more blinded me would have expected from my prejudices. I am sure for many it will be an unpleasant sight, a reminder of other times, to see a Faith army marching into the North. I am glad this time we come as friends and cousins. But. Prince Darren has been most welcoming, and also each time tempers have flared, he has been the one to step in and deal with matters.

That said, I am not sure where this idea that my words refer to shamans has come from. I am not the most open minded on the matter, it is true - I am a champion for my Faith and of a tradition that sees Shamanism in a certain way - but I certainly obey the tolerances. But not seeing Shamans as part of the Faith I do not think is controversial - indeed the opposite would be the case - so I am not sure how to speak of people losing their connection to the Faith I could mean them.

Written By Preston

Feb. 20, 2018, 5:55 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Vano

I am not sure who you are quoting, but I do not think I used those words. I spoke of indifference of some nobility to the Faith - notably the Faith Militant - over time, and that I was most surprised that some of these who I had noted this in were Valardin. I did not speak of Faithlessness - to lose the Faith is not necessarily to lose belief, but it is to become untethered and thus vulnerable in that worship. Nor could it possibly be about you, for I do not think we have met in any meaningful way, certainly not lately, and nor could a Shaman lose the Faith for he never had it. The Shamans of the north were granted toleration long ago with certain caveats. I would wish that more would come over fully to our ways, of course, but it is not something that concerns me in the same way.

Written By Ann

Feb. 20, 2018, 4:48 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Driskell

I think your previous journal was well worded, poignant, thoughtful - and as always, enlightening. I look forward to every journal you make. But, Brother, may I give you this to consider with all due respect and love.

How does the Faith hold the monopoly on the gods and their followers, the gifts from them?

---
Secondly, but attached to this because it's on the same vein and would like Brother Driskell's thoughts on this, are some thoughts.

Let me preface this with the fact that I, like everyone else, can only hold one narrow viewpoint. We all view reality through a tiny, personal keyhole and much of this is speculation married to personal experience. I don't speak on behalf of any organization - only myself and my heart.

Lets see. I begin with a quote of Northlands Wisdom I am reminded of: "I seek the truth even though it may be a hard truth. I speak true words or stand in silence. I defend the truth from those who do not honor it." - it's something I have come to appreciate more and more each day and what motivates a lot of my recent decisions.

I find more and more each day that the uncomfortable truth of the matter is, that there is only One Truth about our History and our Creation and our Reality. We may have lost vast swaths of it, but as we learn more of the truth I have begun to find that this is more and more self evident. From this, both the Shamans and the Faith springs.

I think, before the Faith of the Pantheon was formed, everyone was a Shaman. Your ancestors. My ancestors.

Everyone held a very personal experience of the gods close and sacred and I think (speculation here) that all the paths that exist in Shamanism are rooted in their own experience of them. Since the gods and spirits are vastly different types of beings than we are, we are individually incapable of knowing them. Truly, wholly knowing them, their will, and their ways. I believe this is why they gifted to us their Seraphs and their facets and even the Spirits. So that we might know them, and so that we might find our own paths, and sculpt the world as they have.

For some, the spirits of the seas and storms were extremely relevant. Perhaps the same Mangata, or just a part of her, the Faith reveres. For others, it was the ground under their feet that brought forth the sustenance they needed - Petrichor. We held a sense of honorable battle - Gloria. Dreams and crafts - Jayus, and so on. I won't bore you with an exhaustive list.

I find the spirits, or the gods, never spared their blessings on these people because they didn't ascribe a certain name to them or they didn't worship in the way the Faith has standardized. There were still rulers, and they were still divinely led. The Shamans were not a bunch of mud-wallowing heathen pigs with no sense of right and wrong and no sense of the divine or order. The Faith itself did not bring the gifts of the gods to the world. The Gods did. The Spirits did. And they existed long, long before the Faith.

I like to think since people at that time were very fragmented (along with knowledge of them, too) and some Shamans taking darker paths - the Faith was born. Again, speculation on my part... But I like to think that in the spirit of Vellichor they were formed to bring illumination to those that needed it and to collect information on the gods and spirits alike and draw the line where good and evil are concerned. Actually I think all gods played a part of inspiriting the Faith to what it is today, not just Vellichor - but I digress. (Again. Going to be a theme, here, probably)

But, to hold something sacred and divine and close to your heart is a true commitment. The Shamans, especially of the North, hold tradition and the beliefs of their forefathers sacred and I would say most believe quite firmly that no one person or even a collection of individuals should hold the power to tell another person how to worship and what to believe, because it all comes down to your experience. Personal, and that of your ancestors' experience - for what are we, at all, if not the accumulation of our ancestors' experiences?

So, there was friction and there was eventually bloodshed. But then there was peace. And maybe there will always be friction, but let us not forget what great strides Drea and Khanne and the Faith have gone to, to secure harmony here in Arx and the Compact between the Shamans and the Faith and to ensure that we all have a choice in which paths we take. (Thank you as well, Skald).

A choice is necessary, you see. The Faith and the Shamans are very necessary, I find, because both palettes the two provide are limited in describing my own personal experience as I paint my canvas of life.

We should all just step back for a moment, and consider why we hold things dear and close to our hearts and divine. For some it may be a lucky coin tucked into their underwear that reminds them of what they hold sacred (Thanks Preston for reminding me - I must have lost mine. Might be why I have gone unmarried for so long. Drat!) that replenishes their Faith and gives them succor when all seems lost and they seem to find themselves in a personal or spiritual desert and their lips parched for hope.

For others, it may be the strength of numbers - knowing that there is a wide family of the Faithful in which to rely with good leaders - the Dominus, the Legates, the Archlectors, or simply the learned scholars and disciples in which to have fellowship with that refills their barren wells of faith at the end of a drought.

To the whole of Arvum, whether you have chosen to give yourself completely either to the Faith or the way of the Elders, I genuinely hope it replenishes your spirit as much as walking in the light of both has done for me.

Shamans and Followers of our Elders, I call on you not to hold the Faith against themselves. Remember, their own paths have led them to the Faith and with each day they fight the same war we do. If you believe that the war doesn't bite at them the same way it bites at us, is to believe wrong.

To the Faithful, I call on you not to judge others too harshly. You are entitled to your personal beliefs, superstitions, and duties just as the Shamans are, but if you believe that we are godless, unblessed, and misled in our entirety is to believe wrong.

To those like me that follow both paths, I call on you for an exchange of whiskey, because... damn. I love Northlands finest, but I have drank Redrain Villa dry trying to pen my thoughts to paper tonight.

This is a Holy War, as decided by the Faith - rightfully so - because we face the unholy. Shamans, we will do well to remember this. A truth is a truth no matter how hard it is - to Shamans and the Faithful alike. To claim that it is only the Faith that thinks of this as a Holy War is misconception. This is much bigger than the Shamans. Much bigger than the Faith. Much bigger than the Houses. Much bigger than titles and social status. We face the destruction of our world as we know it. Again. Or, at least a piece of it. And they don't give up easily - neither will we.

It is only through unity will we find the strength to pull through. Remember this, not for my sake, but for our children, and our children's children.

Let us not fracture ourselves and squabble over details, semantics, and remember what is important: survival. Let us not sew dissent in any ranks but instead let us respect one another, strengthen the bonds of kinship that still stand on fractured foundations. Let us begin to rebuild and grow in the face of the Enemy who wants to see us fractured right now.

What ground will we have to protect, if it is blighted?
What water will we sail, what horizon will we look to, if it is blotted out by darkness?
What dreams, hopes, aspiration, choices will we or our children have if we are enslaved?
What oaths will we hold if our families and loved ones are dead?

In conclusion, I'm reminded of an old Northlands Wisdom: "Your name is not your own. It is borrowed from your ancestors. You must return it unstained. Your honor is not your own. It is on loan from your descendants. You must give it to them unbroken. Your blood is not your own. It is a gift to generations yet unborn. You should carry it with responsibility."

I think it's incomplete. The next line should definitely read, "This world is not your own. It is borrowed from your ancestors and it is a gift to generations yet unborn. Every last one should defend it to the last."

And to the fuckin' last we will,
Ann

Written By Jyri

Feb. 20, 2018, 3:37 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Shard

The faith will not be what saves them. It is those that stand firm, and rise against the tide.

Their prophets will not come swooping from the sky to collect and protect them from the horrors to come.

Conformity and faith makes them soft and weak.

It is only as One and trust in yourself and your weapon that you may survive.

As I come to this city and see their festivals. Their palisades. I wonder will they scream their betrayal if their day is not won.

I do not fear for myself. I fear for conformity breeding contempt. I fear Jyson growing up in this light.

I have no fear of my words, scholar. Put them to paper.

Written By Shard

Feb. 20, 2018, 3:26 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

I don't understand. Does the Faith feel unappreciated on the eve of battle? They're in everything, every day, everywhere, no matter where you look, or stand, or walk, or what you read or listen to. There are statues and songs, tapestries and cathedrals and giant armies. The gods and the Faith are on jewelry and clothing and weapons and woven into the proclamations and laws and meetings and decisions of everything the Compact does. They've declared this a holy war. People from every end of the Compact have come to fight in it, prodigal to princess. Nobody is ignoring the Faith or their contributions.

Is it because you're not alone in this? Is it because you're not the /only/ ones on that battlefield? Don't confuse unity with conformity. One is a great strength. One is the weapon of an enemy we haven't fully faced yet, and need to be ready for once we survive the Pirate King.

Written By Vano

Feb. 20, 2018, 3:08 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Preston

As one of these 'faithless Oathlanders' you've been talking about, Rivenshari makes no bones on the fact that the majority of us do not ascribe the Arx's Faith. We have, as we always have, followed the Wind and River.

And while I respect the members of the Arx faith, hold no ill words to them and hope that whatever belief they believe brings them comfort, at the same time, we don't hide the fact of what we are. And as one of Rivenshari's Shamans, I would never tell anyone in my clan to be ashamed of what they believe, no matter who it comes from.

Marian makes a good point. Unity, despite faith, despite many things, is what will lead to survival. This is a lesson we have learned. Because the Rivenshari should be viewed as a warning and an inspiration to the rest of the Compact. We were alone. The things Brand did our clan I will not speak of here, but enough of you are aware of it. But we all remember, there is not a day that goes by that any of us in the clan don't think about it. What happened to us could happen to any clan, to any house. But we survived, and we still stand. Through family, through faith, through will. And through unity, strength.

To make someone change, to force them to be something else, even if it's something like faith, like you're so suggesting, to make people be less of 'faithless Oathlanders', you're suggesting the very ideas, the very things we're fighting against. The loss of freedom, the loss of knowledge, the loss of choice. It should not matter what anyone else believes in. You look at these 'faithless Oathlanders', and it almost sounds like you view them as less. When oddly enough it is your close-mindedness that makes you less.

These are enemies that want to strip us of our mind, our freedom, our lives. These enemies do not care who you pray to. What religion you practice. What house or family you belong to. This enemy will strip us of who we are. Bare and down to nothing. I know. The Rivenshari know. We have suffered it once already. Almost two years ago, we threw ourselves mindlessly at your walls. I was one of them. So if it doesn't matter to them, why the hell does it matter to you.

And that is why we apart of this Compact. Unity. We were alone once, and it almost cost us everything we were. Now we know more, and we can impart what we know so that maybe, just maybe, it doesn't happen to anyone else. I may not trust the Compact yet, but I do respect it. And that for me, is enough. So whether I worship the Wind and River, which some would say is one side of a coin with the Arvani gods on the other, it shouldn't matter to you or to anyone else whatever someone puts their faith in.

Written By Sophie

Feb. 20, 2018, 2:47 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)

"Every one of us can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. We can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is our response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized."

Not only is this one of the earliest teachings instilled in me, it is one of the most important.

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