Written By Luna
April 13, 2017, 9:18 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
So many years have passed
The dew is still on the roses
I left my childhood
In a garden green
Come in the garden and look at the trees
I used to play there when I was a child
Squirrels and birds, little fairies
Settled down there long ago
So many years have passed
The dew is still on the roses
I left my childhood
In a garden green
Come in the garden and sit on the grass
I used to sit there when I was a child
Ivy and moss, little daisies
Covered the lane long ago
So many years have passed
The dew is still on the roses
I kept my memories
In that garden green
I kept my memories
In that garden green
The dew is still on the roses
I left my childhood
In a garden green
Come in the garden and look at the trees
I used to play there when I was a child
Squirrels and birds, little fairies
Settled down there long ago
So many years have passed
The dew is still on the roses
I left my childhood
In a garden green
Come in the garden and sit on the grass
I used to sit there when I was a child
Ivy and moss, little daisies
Covered the lane long ago
So many years have passed
The dew is still on the roses
I kept my memories
In that garden green
I kept my memories
In that garden green
Written By Calista
April 13, 2017, 8:02 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aislin
A call was made throughout the city of Arx for those who seek and share an affinity for adventure. Naturally I was curious about a gathering of like minded individuals even though I have led something of a sheltered and pampered life until I came to Arx. Lady Aislin Ashford was at the helm that evening, guiding the mass of people who all had something to share. Never once did she seem overwhelmed of flustered by sheer amount of participants or the questions they asked. She directed every situation that came her way and offered information and her experiences freely. I knew then that she was a great lady of merit. Lady Aislin never disappoints and I am grateful for the wisdom she shares with me.
Written By Silas
April 13, 2017, 7:12 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Pride is a wonderful, terrible thing -- a seed that bears two vines: life and death.
Written By Ariel
April 13, 2017, 6:52 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Vibrating strings create lovely,
Intensely beautiful sounds
Of artistic expressions and emotions.
Lullabies, filled with
Internal longings discovered.
Nostalgia waves hello.
Slumbering Softly.
Intensely beautiful sounds
Of artistic expressions and emotions.
Lullabies, filled with
Internal longings discovered.
Nostalgia waves hello.
Slumbering Softly.
Written By Ariel
April 13, 2017, 6:51 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Finding solace in these troubling times
tears to my eyes though only in private
joy is there
as is sorrow
in something so simple, yet so complex
as a cello or violin or viola
emotions they hurt and awaken
but are so lovely and needed
feeling, cherishing each one
for it means I am alive and breathing
overcome and wonderfully overwhelmed by it
whispering of the breeze through the trees
a bright and dazzling smile
sweet dreams on fluffy clouds
every sight and sound
screaming its own personal emotion
as if saying hey you!
yes you
I am alive
tears to my eyes though only in private
joy is there
as is sorrow
in something so simple, yet so complex
as a cello or violin or viola
emotions they hurt and awaken
but are so lovely and needed
feeling, cherishing each one
for it means I am alive and breathing
overcome and wonderfully overwhelmed by it
whispering of the breeze through the trees
a bright and dazzling smile
sweet dreams on fluffy clouds
every sight and sound
screaming its own personal emotion
as if saying hey you!
yes you
I am alive
Written By Edward
April 13, 2017, 6:51 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Lay back tired soldier,
Put down your sword and come rest,
Your fight is over.
Put down your sword and come rest,
Your fight is over.
Written By Ailys
April 13, 2017, 6:47 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Shadow
I healed you gentle giant, please dont take a bath in the house fountain.
Written By Eleyna
April 13, 2017, 6:16 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
If only House Thrax could come up with a cache of magic swords to make everyone forget about the brutal slaughter of innocent people.
Written By Ailys
April 13, 2017, 6:13 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Edward
}Painted in watercolors, is Lord Edward within the gardens of the Grotto, The man is potrayed as a slim fellow with an athletic runner's build, the painting is striking likeness to the model from his dark brown hair and intense blue colored eyes. The painter embellished his eyes making them appear lifelike and glistening. A nice smile with soft gentle lips and the fine lines within them making him look almost kiss ready. His complexion was tanned and he looked nicely dressed in fine clothing. On the bottom of the portrait is signed "Princess Ailys"
<Default Dicestring> Ailys has rolled a critical success! Ailys checked intellect against difficulty 20, resulting in 69, 49 higher than the difficulty.{
<Default Dicestring> Ailys has rolled a critical success! Ailys checked intellect against difficulty 20, resulting in 69, 49 higher than the difficulty.{
Written By Dulcinea
April 13, 2017, 5:58 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Artorius
Dear Me,
I hope Lord Artorius falls and breaks his nose.
Because I'm selfish.
Love and Narcissism,
Me
I hope Lord Artorius falls and breaks his nose.
Because I'm selfish.
Love and Narcissism,
Me
Written By Ailys
April 13, 2017, 5:53 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Woah, look at that, one painting that actually looks like what I was trying to paint.
Written By Lianne
April 13, 2017, 3:43 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
I had wondered, upon hearing that there are cultists of the Silence, people who serve that which would see all life snuffed out, what might drive a person to serve such a thing, to further the end of all existence. Some of you, so diligently documenting your thoughts on current affairs and calling for justice, have answered the question I hadn't yet voiced, so ready to dismiss all humanity over who or how many fall on which side of a moral debate.
Surely, such sentiments are hyperbole, stated to make some point, to plead with for us to be better, to be worthy, but consider what you are saying: at a time when our enemy takes and takes and makes us suffer with every intention of ending all of our debates and deeds, whether heroic or horrific, you demonstrate sympathy for this enemy. You give those cultists their justification. You set a line that says there is some point at which we are not worth saving, that our Gods should turn from us and let everything they've created be devoured.
Debate morality all you'd like, but please be careful with your wording. There is no justification for joining our enemy. There is no validity to their goal. There is no line any one person, no matter their station, can cross, no moral ambiguity with which we might tangle that can render our utter and complete annihilation a right and worthy end.
We live. We will continue to live. We will offer no understanding to those who would have it otherwise.
Surely, such sentiments are hyperbole, stated to make some point, to plead with for us to be better, to be worthy, but consider what you are saying: at a time when our enemy takes and takes and makes us suffer with every intention of ending all of our debates and deeds, whether heroic or horrific, you demonstrate sympathy for this enemy. You give those cultists their justification. You set a line that says there is some point at which we are not worth saving, that our Gods should turn from us and let everything they've created be devoured.
Debate morality all you'd like, but please be careful with your wording. There is no justification for joining our enemy. There is no validity to their goal. There is no line any one person, no matter their station, can cross, no moral ambiguity with which we might tangle that can render our utter and complete annihilation a right and worthy end.
We live. We will continue to live. We will offer no understanding to those who would have it otherwise.
Written By Shadow
April 13, 2017, 1:46 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Esoka
~Written in Northlands Shav~
I spoke with the Dame from the forest, The one they call Dame GreenBlood. She seems to be a good sort, and thinks my plan shows merit and has some promise to it. She has offered her help which means I am perhaps one step closer to being able to help and do something about this siege to try and bring it closer to an end or at the very least help with the mood within the city and help to break the spirits of those outside its walls. I only hope I have the time and can find the rest of the help needed. Otherwise this is likely to be suicide.
I spoke with the Dame from the forest, The one they call Dame GreenBlood. She seems to be a good sort, and thinks my plan shows merit and has some promise to it. She has offered her help which means I am perhaps one step closer to being able to help and do something about this siege to try and bring it closer to an end or at the very least help with the mood within the city and help to break the spirits of those outside its walls. I only hope I have the time and can find the rest of the help needed. Otherwise this is likely to be suicide.
Written By Cara
April 13, 2017, 1:24 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
A liege has responsibility for that which is done by his or her vassals.
And there is no moral justification for peeling the skin from a living man -- none whatsoever.
Until his liege has answered to what he has done, condemnation must be shared equally. If I ordered my general to such abhorrent desolation, I would be responsible for it as much as if I had wielded the blade myself; if he acted without my consent, I would be just as responsible should I fail to stand in judgment over it.
I value highly the contributions the Thrax have made to our unified war against the destruction of all reality, and look forward to the response of Thrax's leadership to the atrocities committed in their name.
And there is no moral justification for peeling the skin from a living man -- none whatsoever.
Until his liege has answered to what he has done, condemnation must be shared equally. If I ordered my general to such abhorrent desolation, I would be responsible for it as much as if I had wielded the blade myself; if he acted without my consent, I would be just as responsible should I fail to stand in judgment over it.
I value highly the contributions the Thrax have made to our unified war against the destruction of all reality, and look forward to the response of Thrax's leadership to the atrocities committed in their name.
Written By Tristan
April 13, 2017, 12:53 p.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
I could say a lot of nice things about Princess Donella too. She's someone I'm proud to call a friend, and I don't say that of many people.
But to say so would be to miss the point.
The point is this: the admiral of the Thrax fleet, under the Thrax banner, with Thrax forces, and thus apparently to all appearances acting in the Thrax did horrific things. People--real people, not some faraway characters in a book--died in agony, for the sake of a whisper of disloyalty. And that's what people are angry about. It's not because he's Thrax. It's for what he did, and what he apparently did in house's name.
If a Grayson prince did the same thing, I'd expect the reaction to be the same. Because it's the _right_ reaction.
There's a very simple question the people of Compact need answered: Did Prince Abbas act for Thrax in this? Because when a royal's using their house's forces, that's certainly what it looks like. Did he have Thrax's orders or approval? Or did he go rogue and use Thrax forces to satisfy his bloodlust?
We need these answers. If Thrax wants to distance themselves from Abbas' actions, they need to say so.
The silence on this is deafening. We need an answer. Until then, we cannot condemn Abbas without condemning Thrax, because he was acting in their name. I don't know why it takes a simple horseman to tell a high lord how great houses get things done, even one who's hoping hard we've forgotten how much effort he put into dividing the Compact himself. (I haven't. Memory like a horse, me.)
So, Thrax. _Speak_. Tell us what happened with Prince Abbas, because until you do, all most of us will hear is the screams of the dying and the suffering; the whimpers of those dying of disease, the crackle of flames consuming people's homes and shelters, the cries of a child for his dead mother. Those are not nightmares that are easy to banish.
There are monsters at our gates. That's no reason to ally with monsters--or become them ourselves.
If I ever believe that, I'd say we deserve to be wiped out of existence.
I'm halfway there as is.
But to say so would be to miss the point.
The point is this: the admiral of the Thrax fleet, under the Thrax banner, with Thrax forces, and thus apparently to all appearances acting in the Thrax did horrific things. People--real people, not some faraway characters in a book--died in agony, for the sake of a whisper of disloyalty. And that's what people are angry about. It's not because he's Thrax. It's for what he did, and what he apparently did in house's name.
If a Grayson prince did the same thing, I'd expect the reaction to be the same. Because it's the _right_ reaction.
There's a very simple question the people of Compact need answered: Did Prince Abbas act for Thrax in this? Because when a royal's using their house's forces, that's certainly what it looks like. Did he have Thrax's orders or approval? Or did he go rogue and use Thrax forces to satisfy his bloodlust?
We need these answers. If Thrax wants to distance themselves from Abbas' actions, they need to say so.
The silence on this is deafening. We need an answer. Until then, we cannot condemn Abbas without condemning Thrax, because he was acting in their name. I don't know why it takes a simple horseman to tell a high lord how great houses get things done, even one who's hoping hard we've forgotten how much effort he put into dividing the Compact himself. (I haven't. Memory like a horse, me.)
So, Thrax. _Speak_. Tell us what happened with Prince Abbas, because until you do, all most of us will hear is the screams of the dying and the suffering; the whimpers of those dying of disease, the crackle of flames consuming people's homes and shelters, the cries of a child for his dead mother. Those are not nightmares that are easy to banish.
There are monsters at our gates. That's no reason to ally with monsters--or become them ourselves.
If I ever believe that, I'd say we deserve to be wiped out of existence.
I'm halfway there as is.
Written By Charlaine
April 13, 2017, 11:50 a.m.(4/8/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aiden
Thank you for training my icebear, You are very good with animal training.
Written By Ailys
April 13, 2017, 11:12 a.m.(4/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aiden
The case of the missing teabox will go down in history. I am sorry Max lost your box brother, I will get you a new one.
Written By Aldwin
April 13, 2017, 11:09 a.m.(4/7/1006 AR)
A copy of An Open Letter to the Faith
In Arvum, in the Compact, we recognize two sets of laws that we abide by as a nation: The laws of man, and the laws of the gods. The laws of man are those set by one's liege or by the Crown; they are judged by one's liege or those delegated that authority. The laws of the gods are those dictated by our divine beings which prohibit or constrict our actions based on their natures. These latter are the laws that, when broken, the gods judge and which the Faith must take action.
To state clearly, so there is no misunderstanding here: the Faith of the Pantheon claims no jurisdiction over the judgement of the laws of men, save where the Faith acts as liege over the accused and the accused has broken the rules of the Faith. We are not here to judge an individual for being a murderer, for being a thief, or breaking any of the other laws of the Compact that are not spiritual in nature. Such individuals would be turned over to the judgement of the legal authority in question - as was done with Brother Fawkuhl when he was given to the care of the Iron Guard. The Lords of the Land, or their chosen - such as Chief Magistrate Octavia Kennex - hold these rights.
Now on the matter of what the Faith does have as jurisdiction are those matters which impugne the nature of the Pantheon. The Faith has an obligation and duty to the Pantheon to seek out and speak against those acts which go against the nature of our gods. We must stand firm in our conviction to our gods as a sign to others of where the righteous path is. We must lift our voice above the din and call out that which is against our gods. That is the divine mandate of the Faith.
As I stated in a previous proclomation, our gods are the gods of our aspirational ideals. Their natures are the pure and uncompromised essence of those ideals. While Baroness Kima speaks of men who can only see all Good and all Bad, this is a very true statement for the gods themselves. They each see our world through the lens of their ideal, and so view us all in the blacks and whites of their vision accordingly. The Sentinel judges because that is its nature. With this in mind it is important to understand that as the Voice of the Pantheon it is my responsibility to make their voice heard without filter.
There are differences in the actual judgements of men and those of the Faith, however. The judgement of men is often punitive - a punishment inflicted as a result. The judgement of the faith starts as prescriptive - a warning to guide someone back to the path they should be on. The Faith SHOULD condemn an ACT that is committed, and not the person that commits it. In this manner someone might see that area in which they erred but still know that while they erred, they still enjoy the embrace of the Faith and the gods and have a chance to repent and atone.
I wish to make clear my view on this as well. Diplomacy is the art of men to make compromise. The gods cannot, should not, and will not be compromised. If you see something that goes against them then you have a responsibility to stand against it. How you are to do this, though, requires a deft touch. It must not be so brash or so direct that it causes the hearts of men to harden against the lesson to be learned. We must always leave an opening for someone to earn forgivness, and not make them feel condemned only.
We are the spiritual parents of the Pantheon and must guide our children. A child will lie; a parent still loves them and teaches them why it is wrong to lie. A child will fight; a parent still loves them and teaches them why unnecessary violence is wrong. Like a parent, we must teach our children an ACT is wrong and not make them feel as if they, themselves, are bad for having done so in their ignorance of right or wrong.
In Arvum, in the Compact, we recognize two sets of laws that we abide by as a nation: The laws of man, and the laws of the gods. The laws of man are those set by one's liege or by the Crown; they are judged by one's liege or those delegated that authority. The laws of the gods are those dictated by our divine beings which prohibit or constrict our actions based on their natures. These latter are the laws that, when broken, the gods judge and which the Faith must take action.
To state clearly, so there is no misunderstanding here: the Faith of the Pantheon claims no jurisdiction over the judgement of the laws of men, save where the Faith acts as liege over the accused and the accused has broken the rules of the Faith. We are not here to judge an individual for being a murderer, for being a thief, or breaking any of the other laws of the Compact that are not spiritual in nature. Such individuals would be turned over to the judgement of the legal authority in question - as was done with Brother Fawkuhl when he was given to the care of the Iron Guard. The Lords of the Land, or their chosen - such as Chief Magistrate Octavia Kennex - hold these rights.
Now on the matter of what the Faith does have as jurisdiction are those matters which impugne the nature of the Pantheon. The Faith has an obligation and duty to the Pantheon to seek out and speak against those acts which go against the nature of our gods. We must stand firm in our conviction to our gods as a sign to others of where the righteous path is. We must lift our voice above the din and call out that which is against our gods. That is the divine mandate of the Faith.
As I stated in a previous proclomation, our gods are the gods of our aspirational ideals. Their natures are the pure and uncompromised essence of those ideals. While Baroness Kima speaks of men who can only see all Good and all Bad, this is a very true statement for the gods themselves. They each see our world through the lens of their ideal, and so view us all in the blacks and whites of their vision accordingly. The Sentinel judges because that is its nature. With this in mind it is important to understand that as the Voice of the Pantheon it is my responsibility to make their voice heard without filter.
There are differences in the actual judgements of men and those of the Faith, however. The judgement of men is often punitive - a punishment inflicted as a result. The judgement of the faith starts as prescriptive - a warning to guide someone back to the path they should be on. The Faith SHOULD condemn an ACT that is committed, and not the person that commits it. In this manner someone might see that area in which they erred but still know that while they erred, they still enjoy the embrace of the Faith and the gods and have a chance to repent and atone.
I wish to make clear my view on this as well. Diplomacy is the art of men to make compromise. The gods cannot, should not, and will not be compromised. If you see something that goes against them then you have a responsibility to stand against it. How you are to do this, though, requires a deft touch. It must not be so brash or so direct that it causes the hearts of men to harden against the lesson to be learned. We must always leave an opening for someone to earn forgivness, and not make them feel condemned only.
We are the spiritual parents of the Pantheon and must guide our children. A child will lie; a parent still loves them and teaches them why it is wrong to lie. A child will fight; a parent still loves them and teaches them why unnecessary violence is wrong. Like a parent, we must teach our children an ACT is wrong and not make them feel as if they, themselves, are bad for having done so in their ignorance of right or wrong.
Written By Eirene
April 13, 2017, 11:03 a.m.(4/7/1006 AR)
Found a bunch of fuckheads in league with the Bringers. Welcoming them in to our city. Sacrificing bodies and souls to them.
Should have cut off more than a hand but there were people needing saving.
Did they deserve my care? Probably not but that's for the Inquisition to judge, not me.
In other news, anyone who thinks I am just a surgeon has another thing coming. I am a Malvici. We are born and bred for war. I know how to cut with more than just a scalpel.
Also: Costas is a worthy member of our house and I am honored to have him fight at our side.
Should have cut off more than a hand but there were people needing saving.
Did they deserve my care? Probably not but that's for the Inquisition to judge, not me.
In other news, anyone who thinks I am just a surgeon has another thing coming. I am a Malvici. We are born and bred for war. I know how to cut with more than just a scalpel.
Also: Costas is a worthy member of our house and I am honored to have him fight at our side.
Written By Ailys
April 13, 2017, 10:57 a.m.(4/7/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Edward
A fine gentleman, treating me like a lady. Thank you for the tea.
Thank you..
Thank you..
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.