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Written By Valery

Aug. 10, 2017, 4:05 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

I have a place to grow my garden. Now, I need to get the flowers and start working on it.
I'm so happy with it...

Written By Larissa

Aug. 10, 2017, 1:53 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Curiouser and Curiouser
And down that hole we go
And how we fall and where we land
no one will ever know.

I've been asked for a list - a precious bit of fun to be spun around like thread for a snare. And who will be captured by it, I wonder? Which of us is really being hunted? The rules are simple, as rules of this nature should be... Be Maddening. Be Glorious. Be Promising. Be Adventerous. Be distracted by me. Hold on to your secrets. I don't want them yet. Be Brave. Do not underestimate me, I like the challenge too much. Do not pretend I am something I'm not because you are afraid of what I am. Do not condemn me - our night is still young and I will not be through with you, even when the night is done. Do not get my dress dirty.

Written By Silas

Aug. 10, 2017, 1:38 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

(a page filled with crude drawings of corgis, elves in flowing robes, and giant hearts)

Written By Tarrant

Aug. 10, 2017, 1:34 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Mere days removed from the Tournament of Roses, which will begin with the finest knights in Arvum crossing lances, and anticipation is coiled to its zenith. There are only so many times my charger can be groomed and my maile cleaned.

Countess Keaton has offered the honor of carrying the sable paw and vert field of her house on my shield, to show my overlords' confidence; the Moore surcoat has been mended with fresh embroidery, and I am inspired with fresh zeal each time I behind my lady's favor.

I burn with the desire to see this tournament begun, to try my quality against the most renowned orders of knighthood in the world: the King's Own, the holy Templars, and the highest champions of all the great noble houses.

The wait is difficult.

Written By Tikva

Aug. 10, 2017, 1:19 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Relationship Note on Calarian

Prince Calarian believes that no bard will sing of his qualities, but I believe he is mistaken. The following is what I have penned. There's room for stanzas. His is, after all, the finest pen in the Compact.

Duty drives in Grayson gray, writ large upon the stage
Bold Calarian of Bastion, one among us
Armed with pen and ink, deadlier than warrior’s rage
For words shape thoughts where war might crush us
but peace forges links blazoned on the page.

Here is a man who wholly serves his House,
heart and mind and spirit these endeavors lent;
For the Crown and Compact took he a spouse
of the wilds, for men and spears and arrows spent,
yet by Limerance’s grace their bonds forged, roused—

Yet he lost her, her blood stained the forest red,
But duty sustained him, unfalt’ringly loyal—
He put love and duty over pride and marriage bed
and served the Crown, and won his Majesty Royal
a Queen, and peace, and alliance ‘tween peoples sped.

This is love of Limerance, family, and faith’s grace,
when a man’s passion he spends for fealty,
and trust in him could never be misplaced,
for upholding the family by the hand of the deity
is the best love of a prince, no matter how he self-efface.

Written By Denica

Aug. 10, 2017, 12:26 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Relationship Note on Clover

( A page filled with nothing of delicate spiderwebs that have been traced over with illuminator's metallic gold ink. )

Written By Denica

Aug. 10, 2017, 12:11 p.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Fear of the inevitable.

Death, it surrounds us; it could be waiting for us at any corner (whether it be in the battlefield, a sickness, or a nasty slip on ice...). We tend to try not thinking about it too much, but it's something inevitable, something we all eventually come to. I believe that pretty much everyone dreads it in one way or another. I also believe that this fear usually arises from the fear of the unknown. A fear that's only started to be alleviated now that I've started to read and consider the doctrine of the Queen of Endings, Mother of Beginnings.

Sure, there's fear of the inevitable, but you can't spend all of your time being afraid of that unexpected moment.

(I hear that she likes puns.

A funeral ship is a sea hearse.)

Written By Sameera

Aug. 10, 2017, 11:24 a.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

*several pages are filled with sketches of hairpins, swords, and hair things*

Written By Sameera

Aug. 10, 2017, 11:23 a.m.(1/1/1007 AR)

Each day I realize peopling is difficult. I'll stick with jewels.

Written By Aiden

Aug. 10, 2017, 10:27 a.m.(12/28/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Calarian

While we didn't share more than a few words before recent times, I believe I can say now, Calarian is truly the cousin I can look up to. I'm eager to be in his company, for he has given me a chance and an opportunity to aid my House and my King. I have so much to learn from him.

Written By Calarian

Aug. 10, 2017, 4:23 a.m.(12/28/1006 AR)

Ever since my servant's reveille for me to wake up, I knew that today was going to be a laborious day at work for my House and the Crown. So toilsome was it that my bedtime bath was caressed by a deep, piercing headache. I am not a man who frequents pains on the head so you can imagine my surprise after the fact. You might already be casting an eye way from my white journal. The fellow lord or lady might decide never to do diplomacy with me. The bard might never write a song about me. 'Is this what the First Observer documents of his life?' To those I encourage patience, for my story comes not in vain.

While I was suffering my aches in bath-- one of the very few moments of my day from sunrise to sundown where I can enjoy the company of myself and the burdens of no work-- I happened upon the realization that I was enjoying my days. How could that be, judging by the fact that these days were bringing me pain? Just like you, dear reader, I am foreign to the motives behind my happiness except for the thrilling sensation of duty. Duty is what moves us and in duty I found a new purpose to my life.

It is time I disclose that the time I took off was for reflection, about myself, about my life, about my future and the future of the Crown. I wrote before about this, but now I write about it with more clarity. The future is what drives me forward every day. It is what makes someone die, suffer pain, for their Kingdom, for their Liege, for their Family, without being unhappy.

Like the warrior who would die in a battle for their King, I would suffer all the headaches I can suffer for the Crown. Blessed be every headache I get because of my work. Now I must repeat that while I try to concile some sleep. This blessed headache doesn't let me sleep either.

Written By Shae

Aug. 10, 2017, 4:17 a.m.(12/28/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Reigna

Cousin,

You have always been kind and thoughtful, in everything I have seen you do. I do not think what you are trying to do is in the wrong, your desire to want to help them is in the right place. And sometimes we are not always successful in helping others, but I think... no feel, that if you feel that trying to explain to this person that their view is misunderstood and that doing so will help them further in life, then you should do so. I trust in your ability to gauge if your actions are right and for the better good of others. But if you are questioning it, then remember that I believe in you and so does Kael. And many others.

In the end you should do what you think is best, and remember we stand with you! And you are a wonderful person full of good.

Written By Calarian

Aug. 10, 2017, 4:11 a.m.(12/28/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Aiden

I feel in my compendious attempts to fill in records of my friendships and interactions in the Realm, as the First Observer of the Crown, it is necessary for me to devote a few lines to my cousin, His Highness, the Prince Aiden Grayson.

In his eyes, I see the desire to become someone. Not the usual dream of the child to be the hero of a war, or an expert on theological matters, or a skilled politician at court, or the best ruler for a landed title. No, my cousin has more ambitious desire. My cousin wants the best for his House. In many ways, he reminds me of myself when I was reaching maturity. Like him, I am an ambitious man. It must be unorthodox to confess my most secret goals, but it is true. I wake up for my House, work for my House, breath for my House, and Gods know I would die for my House.

It is why when I saw he needed my help, I was ready to take him under my arm and make him my friend. Now, he is slowly becoming a part of the Crown Observers. It has been a long time since I have felt excitement.

Written By Calarian

Aug. 10, 2017, 4:04 a.m.(12/28/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Regla

I began my sessions with Lady Regla Navegant on how to use a weapon, in this case the shortsword, and how to perform a basic attack with one hand while appropriately taking advantage of footwork and stance. Passes, pivots and the likes were mentioned as necessities, as well as placing the weight of my body on my feet.

I must be forthright. It is, after all, the whole point of these white journals. I come into my sermons with the Sword of Escuma with my expectations below ground level. I would not be disappointed if after months of weekly lessons I come out of it being an absolutely abhorrent swordsman, a true spectacle of mock in the arts of fencing, the effigy of unswordsmanly attributes, the pinnacle of malfuction in all matters of fighting.

Though I admit I like to be surprised, and the Lady Navegant may yet surprise me again, teaching me at least the basics of how to defend myself in case I find the undesired fate of having to fight for my life. For that, I am grateful to her kind lessons which come with no requirement but my friendship.

Written By Tessa

Aug. 9, 2017, 10:24 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Petal

Darling Readers,

Many of you have asked me... oh where do you get those most affordable but stunning clothing pieces you wear? The answer is simple: Madame Petal's work at the Tangled Skein! There you can get colorful fashion forwards items that fit into ANY budget!

Dearest monsters, I shall have more tips for you soon but today, head out to Madame Petal's to get your lovely cloaks and shoes and dresses.

Soon, my lovely followers I shall reveal where my jewelry comes from as well. And you then can be closer to the amazingness that is me.

Written By Clover

Aug. 9, 2017, 8:32 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

I must save blue from the spiders! HELP! *the rest is just scribbles*

Written By Samantha

Aug. 9, 2017, 4:54 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

I find myself considering what to do with myself in the final months of this pregnancy. I suppose when I become a mother I'll have even less time to devote to projects, but I don't enjoy being idle - though I have rediscovered a love of naps. Naps are amazing. There should be a royal decree. Naps are essential.

As an Observer, I am called to duty as needed. Most recently there has been no need, and there are others who may yet be called upon. However, there is someone I wish to recommend to the corps, if I can pin them down long enough to talk to them about it.

In the Ministry, I mostly delegate. I am there to review the projected of the respective Deputy Ministers and aid them in getting them off the ground. There's at least one task still pending, and I am at fault for neglecting it. I intend to rectify that promptly.

I continue to administrate the March, seeing to our finances, trade, and internal governship as is my responsibility and privilege, while Rymarr sees to our military efforts.

I prepare to welcome this child into the world.

My sponsorship of the Menagerie is established, and the Arboreal Dome is complete.

Perhaps we should try resuming our dinner parties? Every so often, the Marquis and I will invite a few people of diverse interests to dine with and enjoy some activity and discussion.

I've taken up tutoring in Diplomacy, mostly the younger generation of my fealty. It seems where the guidance of young people is concerned, the apple doesn't fall far from the foster-tree.

What causes should be brought to my attention?

Written By Reigna

Aug. 9, 2017, 4:24 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

I had my viewpoint shaken by a seemingly indomitable will the other day. It was one of those moments in which a viewpoint so utterly different than your own is thrust out with such intensity and determination that I had to momentarily question my own grasp of how society works.

I believe I am correct in my understanding. I tried to offer guidance, but the whole thing went so far field I simply am not at all certain I communicated anything effectively. I walked away baffled and torn between bearing down and attempting to impose my understanding of the world (the argument for this is, that in the long run this will help this person get something closer to their goals. The argument against this is, well... that's rather arrogant of me, is it not? But am I not being negligent in my duty to look after this person and see them succeed? So confused.) or simply allow them to be as they are.

Which is the right path?

I feel that the responsible thing to do is to try to drill in the reality of the world and how it works. is that not, in the end, the kinder thing?

Written By Ailith

Aug. 9, 2017, 3:10 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Alarissa

What a godsend. The delivering of goods brightened my day especially all the books and mead. I am intrigued to see what the Princess designs after studying the shared book. After the Night of White, I am certain to be left awe-struck by her talents.

Written By Aksel

Aug. 9, 2017, 2:47 p.m.(12/27/1006 AR)

I've been called mean a few times lately. In retrospect, perhaps I am. But, I don't know how not to be.

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