Written By Marian
Jan. 10, 2018, 4:56 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
The Greenwood in the morning light when a gentle breeze stirs the trees. If you listen close, you can almost hear the ancient oaks gossiping to each other. A squirrel scurries in the undergrowth, looking for precious snacks to be saved by winter. A stag with twelve points stands guard over a doe and fawn. Rays of sunlight punch through the canopy of trees, the dew sparkling in the green grass. A gentle brook brings soft music when mixed with the robin's song. An older redheaded girl stands so still that her muscles shake as she plays hide and seek with her younger brother and sister.
Written By Monique
Jan. 10, 2018, 4:47 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
What is Arvum, to you? When you think the land, say the name, what is the first thing or place or sentiment that springs to your mind?
Written By Marian
Jan. 10, 2018, 4:35 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
They say love is a beautiful thing
Because of the joy that it brings.
Sweet nothings and gentle sighs
Hang on the poets' lyrical designs.
But I think these bards did miss
A brand of love with a sharper kiss.
Stand clear of their cuts and snipes
Don't ever claim that love is just nice.
Vases thrown, swords drawn and clash
Champions called, quick tempers crash.
Competition, deception, dark passion
Done with poise and scandalous fashion.
Because of the joy that it brings.
Sweet nothings and gentle sighs
Hang on the poets' lyrical designs.
But I think these bards did miss
A brand of love with a sharper kiss.
Stand clear of their cuts and snipes
Don't ever claim that love is just nice.
Vases thrown, swords drawn and clash
Champions called, quick tempers crash.
Competition, deception, dark passion
Done with poise and scandalous fashion.
Written By Derovai
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:56 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
Just to be clear, I wasn't offering myself as a participant. Only the spark for the proverbial fire, you understand.
Wait, when is your birthday? Why do I have a sinking feeling as I write this?
Wait, when is your birthday? Why do I have a sinking feeling as I write this?
Written By Serafine
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:51 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
I lived next to you for most of your 'courtship' and I'm pretty sure I heard the conception of my nephew from clear across the city.
Written By Serafine
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:51 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
I'm not near as good at poetry as my Leta, alas.
Written By Talen
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:44 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Serafine
Oh, you can hear us? Oops.
Written By Serafine
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:39 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
I once knew a girl with gold hair
who pretended to never've cared
for the princes and dukes
(always one for rebukes)
a insisted she'd never be paired.
But then came a man on a horse
dark, he was, and quite coarse.
his grip very divine,
(his ass? oh quite fine)
and his hips, aye quite the force.
Now? They're really quite gross,
writing sonnets of who-loves-who most.
Headboard loudly beats,
(gods I hate how sound seeps)
And two heirs theirs to toast.
who pretended to never've cared
for the princes and dukes
(always one for rebukes)
a insisted she'd never be paired.
But then came a man on a horse
dark, he was, and quite coarse.
his grip very divine,
(his ass? oh quite fine)
and his hips, aye quite the force.
Now? They're really quite gross,
writing sonnets of who-loves-who most.
Headboard loudly beats,
(gods I hate how sound seeps)
And two heirs theirs to toast.
Written By Cassima
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:28 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Dear Father,
I write to inform you that both Caith and I have arrived safely in Arx -- quite the feat considering the state of things in the world, now. As promised, I have endeavored to make myself as useful as possible to my Thraxian relations, and have otherwise done my very best to stay out of the way. I daresay my isolation will not please you over much, but if you truly thought I would arrive on the continent to blossom into a social butterfly, then I begin to worry that your wizened age has brought about a decline in your sanity. I still anticipate you shall be writing to me inside of a year asking me to come home. If I am wrong, I will as promised order an ornate custom ledger for your use.
You will, however, be pleased to hear that I have already made acquaintance of one of my Northern relations: The March of Giant's Reach, eldest son of your brother, Anali. He is a large man with dark skin and a booming voice, and he is as much a presence in a room as any Giant. No doubt his father is proud, and I daresay you should be pleased to know him. I intend to become better-acquainted with him and his sister, and will urge both to write to you that you may come to know these members of your own family.
For now, father, I have no other news to report but shall remain focused on reviewing the family ledgers in the hopes I may be of some use in this time of transition and peril. That, as you very well know, is my only desire.
All my love and affection,
*~* Cass *~*
I write to inform you that both Caith and I have arrived safely in Arx -- quite the feat considering the state of things in the world, now. As promised, I have endeavored to make myself as useful as possible to my Thraxian relations, and have otherwise done my very best to stay out of the way. I daresay my isolation will not please you over much, but if you truly thought I would arrive on the continent to blossom into a social butterfly, then I begin to worry that your wizened age has brought about a decline in your sanity. I still anticipate you shall be writing to me inside of a year asking me to come home. If I am wrong, I will as promised order an ornate custom ledger for your use.
You will, however, be pleased to hear that I have already made acquaintance of one of my Northern relations: The March of Giant's Reach, eldest son of your brother, Anali. He is a large man with dark skin and a booming voice, and he is as much a presence in a room as any Giant. No doubt his father is proud, and I daresay you should be pleased to know him. I intend to become better-acquainted with him and his sister, and will urge both to write to you that you may come to know these members of your own family.
For now, father, I have no other news to report but shall remain focused on reviewing the family ledgers in the hopes I may be of some use in this time of transition and peril. That, as you very well know, is my only desire.
All my love and affection,
*~* Cass *~*
Written By Ariella
Jan. 10, 2018, 3:10 p.m.(12/10/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucita
My beloved sister is getting married to a wonderful man soon. She grew up so fast, and I didn't even have a chance to twist her arm to make her a little more bawdy and enjoy her youth more. I'm sure she will have an amazing marriage and I'm looking forward to watching their love and happiness together in the future.
Written By Reigna
Jan. 10, 2018, 2:54 p.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Kael
It seems I was wrong, and my husband DOES want to do battle with me! Perhaps I should throw a 'Teach Reigna how to hit things' Party! I could supply treats for all those willing to put in the effort to stand around and laugh at my attempts? My birthday IS coming up... Kael, take notes!
Written By Reigna
Jan. 10, 2018, 2:42 p.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
I am delighted that so many people are willing to let me whack at them with my feeble arms! Is this love? I think it is.
Written By Belladonna
Jan. 10, 2018, 1:59 p.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassius
I am pleased that my husband has returned to Arx; as helpful as it has been to have him in Setarco, having him here will be better.
Written By Leona
Jan. 10, 2018, 12:17 p.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
On shades of gray:
There are many who look at shades of gray. Some bad isn't all bad, is it? There are excellent people who serve dark masters, and by excellent we mean they do good things themselves, more often than not. And just as there are bad people who do good things, there are good people who do bad things, terrible things even.
There is always hope. There must always be hope.
And yet sometimes there are bad people who have done so many bad things that their best hope for doing better by the world is to be in it no longer. To return to the Wheel, and to try again with another round. And oh, perhaps you will point to this particular bad person who did these horrible things and then reformed. And you can say - we should show mercy, so that we do not become the monster we fight.
To those people I say this: How many innocent lives will be sacrificed to give one person another chance? How many innocent lives should be sacrificed to give one person another chance? Sometimes given what we know, and what we face, and our strength in that moment the best chance and hope we give someone is to commit them to the Queen of Endings and let them take their chances in the next life with forgiveness in our hearts and the implacable determination to protect our people from this particular evil's predations.
There are many who look at shades of gray. Some bad isn't all bad, is it? There are excellent people who serve dark masters, and by excellent we mean they do good things themselves, more often than not. And just as there are bad people who do good things, there are good people who do bad things, terrible things even.
There is always hope. There must always be hope.
And yet sometimes there are bad people who have done so many bad things that their best hope for doing better by the world is to be in it no longer. To return to the Wheel, and to try again with another round. And oh, perhaps you will point to this particular bad person who did these horrible things and then reformed. And you can say - we should show mercy, so that we do not become the monster we fight.
To those people I say this: How many innocent lives will be sacrificed to give one person another chance? How many innocent lives should be sacrificed to give one person another chance? Sometimes given what we know, and what we face, and our strength in that moment the best chance and hope we give someone is to commit them to the Queen of Endings and let them take their chances in the next life with forgiveness in our hearts and the implacable determination to protect our people from this particular evil's predations.
Written By Madeleine
Jan. 10, 2018, 12:02 p.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Lady of Wind and Wave - let these words on page be granted to you even as I speak them, my words a prayer, my thoughts benediction, my love an offering.
You whose love is as boundless as the seas and as ceaseless as the tides, as broad as the skies and as gentle as a summer's breeze. You whose wrath is the storm, the tidal wave, the riptide.
Grant us your blessings so we may in return magnify you. Grant us strength against your foes so we may in return strengthen you. Grant us your wisdom so we may in return work your will.
So we ask, so may it be.
You whose love is as boundless as the seas and as ceaseless as the tides, as broad as the skies and as gentle as a summer's breeze. You whose wrath is the storm, the tidal wave, the riptide.
Grant us your blessings so we may in return magnify you. Grant us strength against your foes so we may in return strengthen you. Grant us your wisdom so we may in return work your will.
So we ask, so may it be.
Written By Kael
Jan. 10, 2018, 11:30 a.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
Really, Reigna?
I think you and I might have a date at the gauntlet soon.
I think you and I might have a date at the gauntlet soon.
Written By Calypso
Jan. 10, 2018, 11:15 a.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
A reflection on decision making:
If the answer to any given decision needing to be made were a simple yes or no, making them would be much easier. As it stands, when faced with a difficult decision, especially a decision that you must make that will impact in ripples around you, one must consider all options. Know that between black and white there is gray. Judge based on your past experience, your current understanding, and listening to the input of others just where your decision sits between the balance of black and white. And when listening and gathering is over, and a call is made, do it knowing you weighed your options and chose the best one.
Nothing about choice is easy. But I would rather have choice than be bound to have my decisions made for me. Difficult as they may be, making them keeps us stepping forward.
If the answer to any given decision needing to be made were a simple yes or no, making them would be much easier. As it stands, when faced with a difficult decision, especially a decision that you must make that will impact in ripples around you, one must consider all options. Know that between black and white there is gray. Judge based on your past experience, your current understanding, and listening to the input of others just where your decision sits between the balance of black and white. And when listening and gathering is over, and a call is made, do it knowing you weighed your options and chose the best one.
Nothing about choice is easy. But I would rather have choice than be bound to have my decisions made for me. Difficult as they may be, making them keeps us stepping forward.
Written By Artur
Jan. 10, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
*A sketch in charcoal showing Artur (or at least someone who looks a lot like Artur) on horseback. He’s silhouetted against the setting sun and the horse is rearing up a little, while Artur himself is holding his sword aloft in the most heroic of poses! The picture is actually very good, a great deal of time and effort appearing to have been put into getting the shading and perspective just right. Overall, it gives the impression of something from a storybook.*
Beneath the picture, in elaborately swirled and lavishly embellished lettering, the piece is titled “Artur rides again!”
I collected my new sword from Felix today. He really did an excellent job with it AND I got a little bit of my silver back too – so bonus! I feel like I need some more princely regalia to really round out the look though. Armor of wyvern scales? cloak of manticore fur? Choices choices…
Beneath the picture, in elaborately swirled and lavishly embellished lettering, the piece is titled “Artur rides again!”
I collected my new sword from Felix today. He really did an excellent job with it AND I got a little bit of my silver back too – so bonus! I feel like I need some more princely regalia to really round out the look though. Armor of wyvern scales? cloak of manticore fur? Choices choices…
Written By Cirroch
Jan. 10, 2018, 11:04 a.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Brianna
A woman who's confidence is boundless. I respect her as a fellow practitioner of axes and wish her all the glory she desires.
Written By Eirene
Jan. 10, 2018, 10:58 a.m.(12/9/1007 AR)
Let me clarify my last journal because SOME dumb fuck will interpret it wrong.
Southport will answer the call to arms and assist. Make no mistake of that.
Southport will answer the call to arms and assist. Make no mistake of that.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.