Written By Aureth
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:12 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
I'm making a note to ask Brother Gregory to begin tomorrow morning by, instead of performing chandelier duty at the shrine, delivering a hot sausage on a crusty loaf and a jug of fresh brewed coffee to Lieutenant Calaudrin Estardes of the Iron Guard.
I'm concerned he isn't taking good care of himself.
I'm concerned he isn't taking good care of himself.
Written By Vesper
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:11 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
[ From the journal of Sir Vesper Nighthawk, Sister-at-Arms, Knights of Solace: ]
Newly returned from duty at Maelstrom. As it has kindly been said - it's a lovely place, but I wouldn't want to live there. The beauty of that location is highly subjective. Although the creation of certain shrines there has added an allure to it's stark, unforgiving landscape. The architecture and the decor of the fortress was also relative. To my eye: horrific. To theirs: commonplace. Either way, the locals have an obsession for detail and tentacles. So many tentacles. Although someone from our group tried to improve on those murals. (Thank you, whomever you were.)
While there, I had the opportunity to defend a mother and her children from a unsavory group of brigands that were seeking knowledge about weapons that I knew nothing about. It was more important to me that the mother had her children returned to her safely. Which was the goal that was set out and accomplished. Doing so without killing any of them, which has now become my personal best. It helped that I was surrounded by the good influence of a certain knight (you know who you are) and I witnessed great feats of daring and chivalry. She does her House proud. I'll admit that I gushed a little.
Until I took an arrow to the side. Then I didn't gush so much as seep, as I took to the ground and made very sure that the blackguard that surrendered to us did not escape. He saw me injured and did make an attempt. A feeble one. I tripped him up with my blade and he face-planted with a satisfying noise. I did well by naming my sword Patience, and he did well do eat sand. Which, I feel, gave him a moment to reconsider his hasty decision to flee.
It was a good day.
Newly returned from duty at Maelstrom. As it has kindly been said - it's a lovely place, but I wouldn't want to live there. The beauty of that location is highly subjective. Although the creation of certain shrines there has added an allure to it's stark, unforgiving landscape. The architecture and the decor of the fortress was also relative. To my eye: horrific. To theirs: commonplace. Either way, the locals have an obsession for detail and tentacles. So many tentacles. Although someone from our group tried to improve on those murals. (Thank you, whomever you were.)
While there, I had the opportunity to defend a mother and her children from a unsavory group of brigands that were seeking knowledge about weapons that I knew nothing about. It was more important to me that the mother had her children returned to her safely. Which was the goal that was set out and accomplished. Doing so without killing any of them, which has now become my personal best. It helped that I was surrounded by the good influence of a certain knight (you know who you are) and I witnessed great feats of daring and chivalry. She does her House proud. I'll admit that I gushed a little.
Until I took an arrow to the side. Then I didn't gush so much as seep, as I took to the ground and made very sure that the blackguard that surrendered to us did not escape. He saw me injured and did make an attempt. A feeble one. I tripped him up with my blade and he face-planted with a satisfying noise. I did well by naming my sword Patience, and he did well do eat sand. Which, I feel, gave him a moment to reconsider his hasty decision to flee.
It was a good day.
Written By Eirene
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:07 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
So don't do magic has become don't do -evil- magic.
Good distinction to note, as I've seen shit both magical and evilly magical in my time.
Good distinction to note, as I've seen shit both magical and evilly magical in my time.
Written By Petal
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:07 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
Princess Alarissa and myself have had our conflict in the past as many are aware.
Recently we have bonded over our shared worship of Blessed Managata.
The past is behind us. It is a new day and a new tide.
Petal
Recently we have bonded over our shared worship of Blessed Managata.
The past is behind us. It is a new day and a new tide.
Petal
Written By Calaudrin
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:07 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
I've arbitrarily decided that all of the Crownsworn will be boycotting breakfast sandwiches based on my sole authority.
Written By Merek
Sept. 21, 2017, 6:04 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Halsim
A man who keeps to himself quite a bit. All the same, I respect him and think much of him. He does a lot for the Compact. I hope he knows some think much of him.
Written By Vesper
Sept. 21, 2017, 5:59 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
[ From the journal of Sir Vesper Nighthawk, Sister-at-Arms, Knights of Solace: ]
Honestly, dissuading bears from putting out campfires with their piss is what we do. Never mind the important business of defending pilgrims and Mercies.
Remember. Only we can prevent bears from putting out fires.
Honestly, dissuading bears from putting out campfires with their piss is what we do. Never mind the important business of defending pilgrims and Mercies.
Remember. Only we can prevent bears from putting out fires.
Written By Aureth
Sept. 21, 2017, 5:52 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
When a bear blunders into your camp, in my experience, the Knights of Solace are on hand to drive it off before it extinguishes the fire with its stinking piss or knocks over the porridge pot with the whole camp's breakfast in it.
I enjoy metaphors as much as the next fellow but I mean really. Bears? Assholes.
I have been in a forest camp twice in my life, I know these things.
I enjoy metaphors as much as the next fellow but I mean really. Bears? Assholes.
I have been in a forest camp twice in my life, I know these things.
Written By Morrighan
Sept. 21, 2017, 5:05 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
It's as if people are surprised to find when they go and poke a bear that it'll come about at them to rip their head off.
Probably just as surprised to find that if you touch fire, you'll get burned. Fancy that. Who knew?
Probably just as surprised to find that if you touch fire, you'll get burned. Fancy that. Who knew?
Written By Rey
Sept. 21, 2017, 5 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
I dreamed of dissonant voices that clashed with each other. I couldn't understand them, because they had forgotten how to speak. They'd forgotten everything they should have remembered. I remembered the words, but my voice was gone. I was alone, and I knew that was wrong, too.
Then he came. The man without a face. He held out his hand to me, because it was my choice to take it. He took me away from the voices. He drew aside the curtain, took me by the hand, and led me through to the other place. And I wasn't afraid, because this time I was invited. This time, I wasn't alone. I went forward into the other place with my body filled with light.
I felt nothing so much that it was time to walk away.
Then he came. The man without a face. He held out his hand to me, because it was my choice to take it. He took me away from the voices. He drew aside the curtain, took me by the hand, and led me through to the other place. And I wasn't afraid, because this time I was invited. This time, I wasn't alone. I went forward into the other place with my body filled with light.
I felt nothing so much that it was time to walk away.
Written By Merek
Sept. 21, 2017, 4:57 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
I used to hear stories that rubicund was a useful tool in fighting strange creatures besides the ones that diamondplate and alaracite can fight. I've only heard of rumours though and none I'm sure are true. I'll be leaving this note at Thrax after sending a copy to the Archives. If anyone wants to tell me if that material is useful, or if it's already been tried, feel free.
Written By Ida
Sept. 21, 2017, 4:43 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Often, I feel I have somewhat accidentally sequestered myself away from all the doings, going-ons, and stories of the city. Adventures and explorations, discoveries and wonderment. On some rare occasions, though, I half wonder if that's not necessarily such a bad thing. Quiet life unexamined and all that.
Written By Fergus
Sept. 21, 2017, 4:37 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
If you want to criticize me for what I do, fine. You got that right, but you had better come at me with better fucking ammo than about a damn color, priest. I'm not going to waste my time or patience over something as stupid and as petty as ad difference of opinion on color. I figure that kind of shit would be beneath you of all people. Seems like the religious sort can be just petty as rest of us heathens.
Also, say another word about my mother and you and I will have fucking words.
Also, say another word about my mother and you and I will have fucking words.
Written By Daemon
Sept. 21, 2017, 4:07 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Do you know what I've found dulls all the worries of the world? Chocolate. Some sweet, lovely chocolate. Wyrmguard truly has the best delicacies in the Oathlands when it comes to sweets, I must say.
If you're worried about Thralldom or perhaps argumentative about the gods, I do implore you to partake in chocolate. It helps me quite a bit, perhaps it will help you too!
If you're worried about Thralldom or perhaps argumentative about the gods, I do implore you to partake in chocolate. It helps me quite a bit, perhaps it will help you too!
Written By Orazio
Sept. 21, 2017, 3:43 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
To the Faithful Reader:
One of the most fundamental and elemental questions a priest gets asked - usually very soon after their first day ministering the public, but sometimes even before, tends to revolve around the existence and/or efficacy of the gods. How much power do the gods have in our lives, and if they mean us well, then why are so many lives so very, very hard? If the gods are real, are they powerless? Or do they simply not care for our struggles and travails?
It is a fair question. It is one I asked myself a very long time ago, as a matter of fact, after watching most of my family and many of my people die of plague, despite my most fervent prayers and cries to Elysium for succor. There was even a time when I, only a step out of childhood and still with the mindset and knowing of a child, cursed the gods and blamed them for the pain and suffering I saw around me.
In the decades of study, worship, and experience I have lived since, I have come to understand how wrong I was, both relative to the teachings of the Faith at the time, and the truth we are slowly reclaiming. For the past centuries, the Faith has spoken of the gods as ideals and virtues, models to be aspired to - the Faith promises no miracles, and does not support the expectations of anyone who believes that they are deserved them. The Faith has never claimed the gods to be all-powerful, all-knowing, or able to wash the ills of the world away with a wave of their hand. We, mortals, stand in the space between dark and light, and where we walk is a constant battleground, both in a spiritual and (we are learning) in a very real sense. The gods are our beacons and our guides - yes, they do have our best interests at heart, and they wish with all of their own soul that we will live and love and fight for righteousness wherever we go. But they are not servants or soldiers to come at our call and carry out our orders or our desires. They defend us against threats we cannot even imagine, the barest spillover of which form our worst nightmares and greatest challenges.
To be a worshiper of the Pantheon is not a path of 'unquestioning love', nor meek submission. It is a struggle. It is a war, every day and every moment, for our own soul, and the souls of others. And no one has ever said that it is not possible to /lose/ that war, when we sneer at the virtues which guide us and embrace darkness, either in our own minds, or through the practices we champion. One of the things I have come to understand is that we cannot expect the gods to do our work for us. They gave us hands, and eyes, and hearts, and minds, and the ability to use them. Vellichor demands that we dispel ignorance and champion wisdom - he does not just drop the knowledge we should know into our minds, nor does he wrap the lies in glowing lights so that we might never be fooled. The Sentinel directs us to seek the truth and fulfill the demands of justice - and it does not claim that either of those things are easy, nor does it simply hand us the answers and absolve us of the fear of failure, of misjudgment. Gloria calls us to courage in deed and in word, to stand by our own words, and defend our honor with steel and blood when required.
A child looks to the gods as parents, judges them as parents, and blames them for not upholding a child's idea of a good parent: endlessly powerful, wise, and protective, no matter the foolishness of the child. Part of one's spiritual growth often involves understanding that the world is larger than that simplistic view of god and mortal, that the gods love us and wish the best for us, but that they are not all-powerful, and the world has rules for gods, even as it does for men. We worship the Pantheon not because of their power, or because of what we think they can do for us (or demand they do for us), but because Love, Justice, Courage, Charity, Wisdom, Choice, Death and Rebirth, the Sea and Sky, the Land, Creativity and Dreams, Change, and yes, even the Great Dream that binds them all, and the knowledge of our own Reflections - these are things worth honoring, worth turning our eyes and hearts to and saying, "Yes, I will fight for you, I will love you, I will live my life with you in mind."
And then you spend the rest of your life questioning that, and reaffirming it, with each new heartache to come along. It is easy to mock faith. There is nothing more difficult than /having/ faith.
One of the most fundamental and elemental questions a priest gets asked - usually very soon after their first day ministering the public, but sometimes even before, tends to revolve around the existence and/or efficacy of the gods. How much power do the gods have in our lives, and if they mean us well, then why are so many lives so very, very hard? If the gods are real, are they powerless? Or do they simply not care for our struggles and travails?
It is a fair question. It is one I asked myself a very long time ago, as a matter of fact, after watching most of my family and many of my people die of plague, despite my most fervent prayers and cries to Elysium for succor. There was even a time when I, only a step out of childhood and still with the mindset and knowing of a child, cursed the gods and blamed them for the pain and suffering I saw around me.
In the decades of study, worship, and experience I have lived since, I have come to understand how wrong I was, both relative to the teachings of the Faith at the time, and the truth we are slowly reclaiming. For the past centuries, the Faith has spoken of the gods as ideals and virtues, models to be aspired to - the Faith promises no miracles, and does not support the expectations of anyone who believes that they are deserved them. The Faith has never claimed the gods to be all-powerful, all-knowing, or able to wash the ills of the world away with a wave of their hand. We, mortals, stand in the space between dark and light, and where we walk is a constant battleground, both in a spiritual and (we are learning) in a very real sense. The gods are our beacons and our guides - yes, they do have our best interests at heart, and they wish with all of their own soul that we will live and love and fight for righteousness wherever we go. But they are not servants or soldiers to come at our call and carry out our orders or our desires. They defend us against threats we cannot even imagine, the barest spillover of which form our worst nightmares and greatest challenges.
To be a worshiper of the Pantheon is not a path of 'unquestioning love', nor meek submission. It is a struggle. It is a war, every day and every moment, for our own soul, and the souls of others. And no one has ever said that it is not possible to /lose/ that war, when we sneer at the virtues which guide us and embrace darkness, either in our own minds, or through the practices we champion. One of the things I have come to understand is that we cannot expect the gods to do our work for us. They gave us hands, and eyes, and hearts, and minds, and the ability to use them. Vellichor demands that we dispel ignorance and champion wisdom - he does not just drop the knowledge we should know into our minds, nor does he wrap the lies in glowing lights so that we might never be fooled. The Sentinel directs us to seek the truth and fulfill the demands of justice - and it does not claim that either of those things are easy, nor does it simply hand us the answers and absolve us of the fear of failure, of misjudgment. Gloria calls us to courage in deed and in word, to stand by our own words, and defend our honor with steel and blood when required.
A child looks to the gods as parents, judges them as parents, and blames them for not upholding a child's idea of a good parent: endlessly powerful, wise, and protective, no matter the foolishness of the child. Part of one's spiritual growth often involves understanding that the world is larger than that simplistic view of god and mortal, that the gods love us and wish the best for us, but that they are not all-powerful, and the world has rules for gods, even as it does for men. We worship the Pantheon not because of their power, or because of what we think they can do for us (or demand they do for us), but because Love, Justice, Courage, Charity, Wisdom, Choice, Death and Rebirth, the Sea and Sky, the Land, Creativity and Dreams, Change, and yes, even the Great Dream that binds them all, and the knowledge of our own Reflections - these are things worth honoring, worth turning our eyes and hearts to and saying, "Yes, I will fight for you, I will love you, I will live my life with you in mind."
And then you spend the rest of your life questioning that, and reaffirming it, with each new heartache to come along. It is easy to mock faith. There is nothing more difficult than /having/ faith.
Written By Freja
Sept. 21, 2017, 2:56 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
To be honest, all of my father's children are caustic assholes.
Anze, you're included in this.
Well, minus myself of course! I'm the darling daughter, the baby, that has yet to cause a near political disaster. Yet.
I love them dearly though, admire them not only for what they have done and accomplished (blind to the public eye apparently), but also for what they continue to do.
Edain's gilded tongue is far more eloquent than my own.
Anze, you're included in this.
Well, minus myself of course! I'm the darling daughter, the baby, that has yet to cause a near political disaster. Yet.
I love them dearly though, admire them not only for what they have done and accomplished (blind to the public eye apparently), but also for what they continue to do.
Edain's gilded tongue is far more eloquent than my own.
Written By Ira
Sept. 21, 2017, 2:55 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
There is no such thing as atheism when the Gods speak in your head and magic is real.
I just have a practiced indifference to Them and Their machinations. I would explain why, and how, but quite honestly it would be akin to yelling into an empty bucket. That's just not pleasing to me. Considering your position in life, I think you are more than a little predisposed towards unquestioning love for Them. So why bother? But consider this: is it wise to worship some entity who cannot even keep their own Reflection in check? Do you really think these powerful beings, beings who can shape the very Fabric we breath every day, who can pierce the Veil and bend it to their will, have your best interests at heart?
I would love to debate you on the subject, priest. Father. Legate. Whatever you are -- I don't have a degree in theology, I have a degree in alchemy. A much more worthwhile pursuit. You have but to pick a time and a place of your choosing.
----
Alas, this brings up a concerning trend: people pretending to know me. Or speak for me. Don't do it. I am from Tor, where Thralldom is illegal -- I wish I the scholar recording this could appropriately record the sarcastic clapping of my hands right now. Because my fellows consider something illegal, that does not mean that it is wrong. It only means that somebody, somewhere, with enough power, decided to make it so. I'm not inclined to trust people that aren't me. Therefore, do you really think I give a Gods damned fucking wit about what people in my homeland think of Thralldom?
----
I am not crazed. If you want to see crazy, you really should come by the Asylum sometime. It will provide you some much needed... perspective. I'll do tours, for ten thousand coins a piece. Consider it my blue-blood discount.
I just have a practiced indifference to Them and Their machinations. I would explain why, and how, but quite honestly it would be akin to yelling into an empty bucket. That's just not pleasing to me. Considering your position in life, I think you are more than a little predisposed towards unquestioning love for Them. So why bother? But consider this: is it wise to worship some entity who cannot even keep their own Reflection in check? Do you really think these powerful beings, beings who can shape the very Fabric we breath every day, who can pierce the Veil and bend it to their will, have your best interests at heart?
I would love to debate you on the subject, priest. Father. Legate. Whatever you are -- I don't have a degree in theology, I have a degree in alchemy. A much more worthwhile pursuit. You have but to pick a time and a place of your choosing.
----
Alas, this brings up a concerning trend: people pretending to know me. Or speak for me. Don't do it. I am from Tor, where Thralldom is illegal -- I wish I the scholar recording this could appropriately record the sarcastic clapping of my hands right now. Because my fellows consider something illegal, that does not mean that it is wrong. It only means that somebody, somewhere, with enough power, decided to make it so. I'm not inclined to trust people that aren't me. Therefore, do you really think I give a Gods damned fucking wit about what people in my homeland think of Thralldom?
----
I am not crazed. If you want to see crazy, you really should come by the Asylum sometime. It will provide you some much needed... perspective. I'll do tours, for ten thousand coins a piece. Consider it my blue-blood discount.
Written By Brianna
Sept. 21, 2017, 2:51 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
Instead of speaking on slavery, I would like to reflect on freedom. I recently referred to myself as a free woman, and asked a man if he were free as well. He spoke of duty, responsibilities, the ties that bind us all. But, that is not what I think of when I think of being /free/.
There is a freedom in passion, in what drives us forward. It may be honor and duty for nobles; it may be putting food on the table for commoners. That drive, however, is a freedom in itself. Being able to throw ourselves forward to right wrongs, to follow our hearts, to keep our minds open. All of this is freedom.
When I find a man that I want to kiss, I kiss him. When I find a tree that should be climbed, I climb it. When I find a fight that needs fighting, I will fight it. A shot of whiskey burns, but I find pleasure in having a drink. A broken heart hurts deeply, but I do not stop myself from feeling.
I am free.
There is a freedom in passion, in what drives us forward. It may be honor and duty for nobles; it may be putting food on the table for commoners. That drive, however, is a freedom in itself. Being able to throw ourselves forward to right wrongs, to follow our hearts, to keep our minds open. All of this is freedom.
When I find a man that I want to kiss, I kiss him. When I find a tree that should be climbed, I climb it. When I find a fight that needs fighting, I will fight it. A shot of whiskey burns, but I find pleasure in having a drink. A broken heart hurts deeply, but I do not stop myself from feeling.
I am free.
Written By Edain
Sept. 21, 2017, 2:42 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
I feel I should speak in defense of Prince Fergus who I think is being unfairly lumped in with the Defenders of Thralldom. He suggested that people should mind thier own business. And while it is certainly a debatable point if that is indeed the right answer it is an opinion that is his to have.
Maybe he believes that since change IS indeed coming to the Mourning Isles it is time to let them finish sorting through this change on thier own. If that is Prince Fergus' opinion then I will respect it even if I do not share.
Prince Fergus' has been through shit, blood and battle that would fold you, me and pretty much anyone that comments in these journals with regularity like a paper doll and he survived. Is he a caustic asshole at times? Certainly! But by the Gods he has earned that.
Maybe he believes that since change IS indeed coming to the Mourning Isles it is time to let them finish sorting through this change on thier own. If that is Prince Fergus' opinion then I will respect it even if I do not share.
Prince Fergus' has been through shit, blood and battle that would fold you, me and pretty much anyone that comments in these journals with regularity like a paper doll and he survived. Is he a caustic asshole at times? Certainly! But by the Gods he has earned that.
Written By Ford
Sept. 21, 2017, 2:31 p.m.(4/4/1007 AR)
This morning a friend of mine directed me towards the Journal entry that referred to me as Lord Ian's Voice.
Thank you.
I haven't laughed that hard in months.
Thank you.
I haven't laughed that hard in months.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.