Written By Daemon
Sept. 4, 2017, 9:47 p.m.(2/24/1007 AR)
Arx. It's a city I've heard many a tale of, but one I've never had the pleasure of seeing for myself until now. It has been a long time, Arvum. Longer still since I took my vows. Now here I am, a Knight who's place has withered with only the family sword to my name.
But I don't aspire to digress into such complaints. This place is beautiful and its people are plentiful and so very interesting! I must give many thanks to Marquessa Demura for meeting with me the very same day I arrived. A hot meal and a warm bed have been two things I've left without for far too long.
Here it shall be that I retake my vows and find purpose. To the Oathlands continued growth and to my dear father, who I miss every day.
But I don't aspire to digress into such complaints. This place is beautiful and its people are plentiful and so very interesting! I must give many thanks to Marquessa Demura for meeting with me the very same day I arrived. A hot meal and a warm bed have been two things I've left without for far too long.
Here it shall be that I retake my vows and find purpose. To the Oathlands continued growth and to my dear father, who I miss every day.
Written By Margot
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:26 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
I killed a man.
Well he wasn't a man so much as an insane man-shaped creature infected with demonic influence. Still, my axe bit into his skull, there was a crunch, and then a mush and then I had to put my foot on his chest to pull my blade free again. After, the fight was over I felt heavy and light, proud and horrified.
I know now what I can do if I need to. And I genuinely hope I never need to again.
Well he wasn't a man so much as an insane man-shaped creature infected with demonic influence. Still, my axe bit into his skull, there was a crunch, and then a mush and then I had to put my foot on his chest to pull my blade free again. After, the fight was over I felt heavy and light, proud and horrified.
I know now what I can do if I need to. And I genuinely hope I never need to again.
Written By Clara
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:33 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Calarian
Snuggle. Wait? No? Really? Fine then. I don't think yer pretty either! -- Just kidding.
Written By Merek
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:28 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Winter is my favorite season. I know it is a curiosity for one from the Lycene, but perhaps it is that same novelty that makes me like it so much. It seems my fellow brethern do not. Alas. Snow is beautiful though. In the spring, with the sun's love, there comes roses!
Written By Merek
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:27 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
I hope when His Highness Aiden is back around, he does more of that pet contest thing. I liked writing about mine. I think the many events, like the one Her Highness Katarina hosted, were wonderful for bringing people together. Also, snowball fighting alongside a King is not something I'd ever dreamed of in my youth. But it seems that I've done it anyways!
Written By Merek
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:24 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Denica
You are quite an intelligent woman, and I applaud you for the charity you do for Thrax with getting it back on its feet. If there is any way that I can assist Thrax further, I am willing. Velenosa and your people have long been allies, and I seek to make sure that I'll be an ally as much as possible. You all face something that needs us all to come together. Despite differences in people's opinions, I'd hope all would see through that just for the sake of protecting your people. I'd expect the same if any other House was in such a condition. We all need to stand together. I applaud recent decisions by your leaders, Your Highness. I believe together as a Compact we can face anything.
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:16 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Duty is heavier than a mountain, and bloody inconvenient as one. I left Aislin in charge of the men. To my men I told them to protect Ashland at all costs. It is all I can do, other than freeze on the trip back to the city.
Written By Denica
Sept. 4, 2017, 12:38 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
( A starry night sky in dreamy watercolors. Swirls of indigo, cobalt, deepest violet, and bright yellows for the stars. The moon is oddly oblong, robin's egg blue, with a zig-zagging crack going down the center of it, breaking open. Beneath the hatching egg moon there is a boy with a tousle of springy black hair, alert eyes, and a hawkish sort of nose. The boy's arms are flung open wide. The look upon his face is that of innocent wonder.
A lion's tail flicks out from behind the egg moon.
A few feathers, soft and pale, are at the boy's feet. )
A lion's tail flicks out from behind the egg moon.
A few feathers, soft and pale, are at the boy's feet. )
Written By Denica
Sept. 4, 2017, 12:32 p.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Regla
Aggressive Diplomacy.
( The Sword of Escuma. One of the Voices of Navegant. Her profile rendered with quill and ink. The beauty of fierceness. The portrait honors a woman that uses her strength to the good of herself, her family, her House. Her features are delicate, yes, but there is an element of determination in her expression that holds her place where others would flee. It's a brilliant wildness in the eyes, the wind-blown hair around her brow and shoulders. )
( The Sword of Escuma. One of the Voices of Navegant. Her profile rendered with quill and ink. The beauty of fierceness. The portrait honors a woman that uses her strength to the good of herself, her family, her House. Her features are delicate, yes, but there is an element of determination in her expression that holds her place where others would flee. It's a brilliant wildness in the eyes, the wind-blown hair around her brow and shoulders. )
Written By Reigna
Sept. 4, 2017, 10:49 a.m.(2/23/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirlys
But Lady Eirlys, you *are* family. You are close as a sister to Lady Shae, and therefore you are welcome into the greater Keaton Family. Our home is as yours. You are more than welcome to come by any time you wish, for food, or drink, conversation or simple meditation. And healing, though in truth I hope not to see you for that reason with any frequency. Perhaps after Squall is born you can teach me how to be a better warrior and I can show you how to stitch wounds? Something to think about!
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:45 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Can one train a mountain lion? If so I want one. If not then perhaps a huge moor or wolf hound. Something needs to protect me if the enemy gets in close as I am likely to do their task for them. Expert with a bow yes, a long sword in my hand is more a danger to me then them. I must correct this. Damn, how Lillian will crow over this...
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:41 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
You had best keep your bow under lock and key Captain or I may steal it. Damon it is a fine bow. Look at her strength, the way the recurve add to its power. You can put an arrow through a tree trunk with it. I must get one.
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:38 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Killian
I am glad you like armor so much cousin mine for you are going to be surrounded by it and men so you can never charge head first without some restraint. You blood is too precious to me, and I need your body whole so someone might marry you. God's above I do not wish too. You will thank me later I think. I am told the old saying women admiring and desiring men with scars is simply not true.
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:33 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Aislin
I will not coddle her or treat her like glass. She is a hunter and one whose skills have surpassed my own, which is good for we need those as well as her knowledge. Yet she is still family, still my blood and I will not see her without aid and protection. I thank her for seeing my view. It helps ease the burden.
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 8:29 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Arianna
Her passion and compassion are among her strengths and as one who has lived and knows the Abandoned and what we are up against, she will be key in the future. My admiration of her is strong as is my respect. We are not all alike, but we are together and share a purpose and more importantly, the desire to see it through. We are better for it, and for her.
Written By Shard
Sept. 4, 2017, 4:56 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Calarian
We have exactly one way of freeing those that were bound. They were freed.
I have been an extremely loud voice in the preparation for this mission on behalf of the Abandoned. What's done is done. From what I've heard since, the right call was made. For that matter, you and others talked down at least some of those who actually did have a choice, and you somehow managed it in the heat of battle. Those you didn't? They had a choice too. They chose.
I'm confident that there was never going to be a better outcome to this encounter. I suspect if we hadn't caught them mid-hunt, you would have had even less success in convincing anyone to defect, because their Writ-bound leaders would not have been distracted by other prey.
I have been an extremely loud voice in the preparation for this mission on behalf of the Abandoned. What's done is done. From what I've heard since, the right call was made. For that matter, you and others talked down at least some of those who actually did have a choice, and you somehow managed it in the heat of battle. Those you didn't? They had a choice too. They chose.
I'm confident that there was never going to be a better outcome to this encounter. I suspect if we hadn't caught them mid-hunt, you would have had even less success in convincing anyone to defect, because their Writ-bound leaders would not have been distracted by other prey.
Written By Merek
Sept. 4, 2017, 3:54 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
I have been working on setting up my home so that I can see the stars and view them safely from comfort while I relax with coffee. I am satisfied with this. I really like the stars and constellations as well as maps. Should order more drinks.
Written By Calarian
Sept. 4, 2017, 2:37 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
In regards to my decision, I am not a man who is made of much regrets. I had a contingent of writ-bound Shav'Arvani (in other words, people who couldn't be saved) and I had a contingent of manipulated and confused Shav'Arvani. They are attacking a group of scouts I sent, and another group of them is chasing something we want to protect. We are outnumbered.
Nobody from my team died. I returned with more than ten of those who could be saved, who dropped their arms in the middle of combat because of the words of our diplomatic members. Those who couldn't be saved, couldn't be saved. We protected what we had to protect. Can this be considered a 'great failure'? I take no qualms in confessing I would find it a great, if not bittersweet, victory. I honestly cannot imagine any other, better outcome. It was specifically listed in the mission of my operation. We have no way of freeing those under writ and we freed those who weren't. What could be improved is that we got some injuries after the battle. Of that, I am guilty.
I don't take offense from anything that was said and I believe most of the expedition was approving of the results, even if what we saw was quite grievous. But I hope to remind those in the expedition: we knew we would face this. Had we not fired that arrow, those who were writ-bound would have attacked and potentially killed members of our expedition who were in danger. I opted to command them to fire the first arrow. I had to react, when one of my scouting team was spotted. Let us stay strong. I appreciate the support we've received. Let us not fall in divide. Our enemies want that. Let us celebrate our victories, because we don't know if we have many.
And if we fail in the future, as some thought we had today, the worst we can do is look to those guilty and hammer at them. There will come a day when those who judge the man who made the command, will have to make commands too. Would they consider themselves to be free of error? Would they find it fair if I offered similar judgment?
Nobody from my team died. I returned with more than ten of those who could be saved, who dropped their arms in the middle of combat because of the words of our diplomatic members. Those who couldn't be saved, couldn't be saved. We protected what we had to protect. Can this be considered a 'great failure'? I take no qualms in confessing I would find it a great, if not bittersweet, victory. I honestly cannot imagine any other, better outcome. It was specifically listed in the mission of my operation. We have no way of freeing those under writ and we freed those who weren't. What could be improved is that we got some injuries after the battle. Of that, I am guilty.
I don't take offense from anything that was said and I believe most of the expedition was approving of the results, even if what we saw was quite grievous. But I hope to remind those in the expedition: we knew we would face this. Had we not fired that arrow, those who were writ-bound would have attacked and potentially killed members of our expedition who were in danger. I opted to command them to fire the first arrow. I had to react, when one of my scouting team was spotted. Let us stay strong. I appreciate the support we've received. Let us not fall in divide. Our enemies want that. Let us celebrate our victories, because we don't know if we have many.
And if we fail in the future, as some thought we had today, the worst we can do is look to those guilty and hammer at them. There will come a day when those who judge the man who made the command, will have to make commands too. Would they consider themselves to be free of error? Would they find it fair if I offered similar judgment?
Written By Arianna
Sept. 4, 2017, 1:50 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
I need to do better when it comes to reigning in my temper. There is always a time and a place. All of my companions on this sojourn are worthy of praise. Everyone did an exceptional job and Prince Calarian made a hard choice, I stand by it now as the right decision even if my heart hurts over the outcome.
Written By Harlan
Sept. 4, 2017, 1:36 a.m.(2/22/1007 AR)
It is with relief when away from battle with hot food and wine, and cooler tempers from battle lust reason and friendship come forward. I am proud of all parties and glad to be serving along side of them.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.