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.
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.
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.
Not only is this one of the earliest teachings instilled in me, it is one of the most important.
Written By Marian
Feb. 20, 2018, 2 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
You answer to a fifth, the Crown. While I am sure that your grandmaster, the Blessed Cassandra, His Most Holy and his voices, and the Gods appreciate your devotion, you at the end of the day are a citizen of the Compact. We all are. As others have eloquently pointed out His Majesty rules over not just the Faithful but people of other beliefs and customs. Unity does not mean a loss of identity. It means solidarity. I think we can all agree that there is a common foe for all, regardless of your religious beliefs, that needs to be dealt with. An enemy that is a threat to the /Crown/ and Compact. An enemy that His Most Holy and his voices wisely saw the need to get involved in.
Written By Sophie
Feb. 20, 2018, 1:57 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Driskell
The eloquence with which he imparts Vellichor's wisdom is a gift from Jayus that honors all of us and the Gods. I am grateful for such a blessing.
Written By Joscelin
Feb. 20, 2018, 1:15 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
There is peace in knowing the truth of oneself.
Written By Cadenza
Feb. 20, 2018, 12:54 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Well the Duel of the Century was amazing. My dear cousin Luca was representing Archlector Aleksei Morgan and my love Caspian was representing Magpie Grayhope.
The fight was so close. Both Champions fought beautifully! Congrats to Magpie/Caspian team!!! Well fought my cousin Luca on behalf of Archlector Aleksei!! It was a fun time had by all!
Now...round two will be coming up fellas! Give them a hell of a show!
The fight was so close. Both Champions fought beautifully! Congrats to Magpie/Caspian team!!! Well fought my cousin Luca on behalf of Archlector Aleksei!! It was a fun time had by all!
Now...round two will be coming up fellas! Give them a hell of a show!
Written By Joscelin
Feb. 20, 2018, 12:35 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
I met a man today who sold me the jewelry of his beloved wife, a woman deceased, a Prodigal like he. The designs are beautiful, inspiring, and though it wrenched my heart a little to take them, I daresay I gave him a good price for the pieces. He made a good point, insisting that she would approve of his reasons to sell them.
I hope I honor her with the pieces I make in the days to come, Prodigal-inspired designs in gold and silver, with blue and green cabochons, as bracelets, pendants, rings, earrings...
I hope I honor her with the pieces I make in the days to come, Prodigal-inspired designs in gold and silver, with blue and green cabochons, as bracelets, pendants, rings, earrings...
Written By Brogan
Feb. 20, 2018, 12:31 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Sigurd
*Ink splotches followed by some scribbling*
Sigurd,
Cheeky bastard. I've heard what you're up to, and now there's a damn list of 'How many get to wrestle with Brogan in the Mud at once'. Just remember, I'm the one that pulls us out of the damn Tavern fires, and I might just forget I've got a drinking partner next time someone sets fire to a man's pants...
Nah, nevermind, don't forget the matches next time.
Sigurd,
Cheeky bastard. I've heard what you're up to, and now there's a damn list of 'How many get to wrestle with Brogan in the Mud at once'. Just remember, I'm the one that pulls us out of the damn Tavern fires, and I might just forget I've got a drinking partner next time someone sets fire to a man's pants...
Nah, nevermind, don't forget the matches next time.
Written By Silas
Feb. 19, 2018, 11:46 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Kenna
I concur.
Written By Khanne
Feb. 19, 2018, 11:22 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
You can find unity not only in and with the faith, but with all people. That is unity. To say that you can only find it there, is quite limiting. More often, people have a marriage of beliefs; beliefs that combine the Gods of the Pantheon and the Spirits of Shamanism. There is unity in that as well. There is unity when a Shaman works along side one of the Faith. There is unity in all of the Great Houses working together. There is unity in learning about one another and trying to understand.... even if we might find it difficult at times. Unity is found in all of us working together to face a common foe. We are the Compact, and that alone unifies us, despite all of our differences.
Yes, the time for unity is now. True unity.
Yes, the time for unity is now. True unity.
Written By Thena
Feb. 19, 2018, 11:02 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Sorry scholar, I thought I had more to say but...I don’t.
Just a long fucking day.
Just a long fucking day.
Written By Kenna
Feb. 19, 2018, 10:19 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
If I can bring a smile to even one person's face, then it has been a day well worth my time.
Written By Wynna
Feb. 19, 2018, 9:20 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Soon enough, dear reader, I'll have many more words to show you.
Written By Darren
Feb. 19, 2018, 9:04 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Sometimes I think I forget how good an evening of drinks and meeting new people is for the soul. It is easy to forget that every living man, woman, and child here has a face, a story, and a name. It does me good to learn those every now and again, and if means I get to ply Northlander whiskey and ale? All the better.
Written By Alis
Feb. 19, 2018, 8:12 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Driskell
Very well spoken, Brother Driskell. To so eloquently describe the duties and responsibilities that come with nobility.
Written By Eleyna
Feb. 19, 2018, 8 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cadenza
As the head of House Velenosa, I have a duty to all members of the House to see to their welfare and protect them from harm. Yet, sometimes, affections grow beyond the bounds of duty, as it has with Princess Cadenza. She approached me from the start with openness and candor, offering me total trust. That's rare enough from family, much less a fellow Lycene. She came to the city and got right to work in making alliances and rising to position within the Explorer's Society, despite her rough start and what she experienced prior to her arrival. Anything I ask, she hasn't just been willing but eager to help. I admire her loyalty, tenacity, and humor. She is a credit to the House that I am proud and honored to call her my family.
Written By Joscelin
Feb. 19, 2018, 7:59 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
When you realize you always have a choice and you stop fighting who you are, the waters of your soul run calm and clear. Even the occassional ripple doesn't phase you much. The storm passes, the sky clears eventually.
I feel clean.
I feel clean.
Written By Corban
Feb. 19, 2018, 7:42 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
I, too, am troubled by Sir Preston's vague impugning of the faithfulness of the Oathlands nobility. Those I know of are god-fearing men and women and even those who follow other ways have a healthy respect for the Faith and Faith militant.
We welcome the Templars' swords, honor the gods, and do our duty.
We welcome the Templars' swords, honor the gods, and do our duty.
Written By Norwood
Feb. 19, 2018, 7:02 p.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
To sow division upon the white pages is most disheartening when we need unity so very much right now.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.