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Written By Leo

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:18 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Vincere

I spent many hours working with this man as Minister of Defense. Our duties often intersected at the outside edges of our responsibilities to the Crown. He was a tireless servant of the Regent, dedicated beyond any in his desire to see to the good of the realm and stretch beyond the role of Marquis to one that carried the Shield of the Compact upon his arm. He is determined, loyal and one of the greatest of us.

Thank you for all you have done. The realm is safer because of you and I will never forget.

Written By Lydia

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:14 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

I met them finally, these elves, although met might be a strong word. I accompanied Prince Darren to the docks where I gawked. I had half a mind to insert myself in the party that went after to the palace, but decided I'd rather not answer questions later, should anyone take umbrage at my tagging along.

Anyway, the elves are fine of feature and appear to come off as haughty as they've been reported to be. The young man with them has an air that reminds me of Prince Kieran, I'm sad to report.

Written By Angelo

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:13 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

I met my Lord Cousin, the Duke of Laurent, at Lianne's birthday. I made her a gift with two books that are dear to me. I do hope she likes them.

Written By Leo

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:13 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Valkieri

Our first meeting was one of awkward silences and disagreements about refreshments. The ones that came after brought about respect for a man who was straight-forward in his dealings, honest over dislikes and more true to himself than many. I have seen glimmers of what lies beneath and find only a good man. A friend.

Written By Tristan

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:08 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

The Gray Forest is dying.

I know that forest. I know it of old, when I was a grubby stableboy running around Bastion. I knew every animal in the woods and how to--or how not to--approach them. I knew which trees were which, and where to hide when mother was looking for me.

It's dying now. It's trampled under the feet of traitor Iron Guard and corrupted shavs and emotionless Bringers who want to 'purify' the world. That's what they're doing. 'Cleansing.' If I know anything, it's that desires to 'cleanse' things never go well for ordinary people.

So that's it. The Gray Forest is dying. A vast force lurks there. I've seen the evidence. I've seen a Bringer with my own eyes. They're waiting, and if anyone in the city thinks this is all fairy tales, or thinks we have plenty of time to come up with the perfect time, or thinks we're /safe/...

Well, please let me know so I can offer some instruction on how to extract your head from your ass.

Written By Muiryn

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:04 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Rowan

Son of my sister Maeve. Never one to sit still, or keep his hands to himself; hasn't changed since he was a boy, except that it probably got worse as he got older. We've probably fought more often than been civil to one another in all these years gone, but I know when it comes down to it, I wouldn't want anyone else at my side when everything goes to shit. He still has a lot to learn if he wants to be any sort of spiritual leader for our people, but I reckon he'll prove himself in time.

Provided I don't fucking strangle him before that time comes.

Written By Muiryn

Jan. 15, 2017, 10:03 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Neve

I'll never forget the day she was passed, hollering and red in the face, into my hands. Never going to forget the little creature with a wreath of flowers like a crown in her gold hair, or the way she'd smile at me like I was worthy of something as good, and perfect as her. I'll never forget her laugh when she played with her cousins or the tears when that play ended up in a scuffle or how she'd fret over them.

Now all I get is doors slammed in my face or wails over being embarrassing. I think we have more screaming matches now then I ever hear her laugh-- but I figure it's just that age. Not that I love her any less, just some days.. I'm not real keen on her fucking attitude.

Written By Leo

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:53 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Belladonna

When her father died the way he did, I feared for her. She is smart and strong-willed, but she was surrounded by enemies and young. I underestimated her. She has taken hold of her duchy with a firm and resolute will. She leads it with the hopes of her father, but with the determination and strength to ensure it moves as she wishes it. She is fierce about the safety and prosperity of her duchy and I am proud to call her both ally and friend.

Written By Harald

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:44 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

The end of his bloodline is a weight no warrior should hang on his swordarm, going into battle.

Written By Denica

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:42 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)


    A drawing accompanies the loose, looping script of the following page. It is of a dangling noose.

    Princess Useless' become Princess Usefuls, my princely cousin said, when they are wed. I daresay I dread it as much as he seems to, but I am not eager, given this second Reckoning befalling all of Arvum. A union is a powerful tool for healing political divides, as it should have been for Thrax and Grayson. I daren't ask, lest it prompt a response I don't want to hear quite yet, but I wonder if this was not grandfather's plan for me. I have not been mistakenly released upon Arx.

    My best course for delay is to be Princess Useful before shrugging me off on another house. If I can be her, then perhaps I can weather the coming storm with my family.

    I have a dreadful lot of work to do.

    A Tepid Princess Denica of Thrax

Written By Sigurd

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:25 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Eirlys

I am used to meeting people who are odd or eccentric, but Eirlys was a first.

She is lovely, amusing, friendly, and even charming. I look forward to sparring her in the near future.

But I have never had a woman start to strip five minutes after meeting me. Nice tattoos though. Very well done.

Written By Tristram

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:05 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Elves. They're certainly beautiful, I'll give them that, but their diplomacy is for shit. As I said to Princess Donella Thrax, even when Valardin/Thrax relations were at their worst, neither side were as casually dismissive of the other as the Nox'alfar are of us within the first minute of meeting us. To them, we are children--which *MIGHT* make sense from their immortal opinion, except for the fact that if we "children" were as useless as they would like us to be, they wouldn't be allied with us, now would they? I find it vexing, but I will maintain my peace. At least until I get a bow like that one elf's, at which point perhaps I will speak up a bit louder for myself. When you don't need something from someone, it becomes easier to talk shit to them and these people desperately need some shit talked to them.

Written By Tristram

Jan. 15, 2017, 9:03 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Alistair

Having met Inquisitor Alistair, I was convinced of two things almost immediately. First, I doubt the man has laughed at any point in the last year, at least. He is impurturbable. Second, he is utterly committed to the good of the realm. I do not believe he is harsh, but I am often told that I have much too much trust in people. That being said...if I have to deal with any Inquisitors, he would be my choice.

Written By Magden

Jan. 15, 2017, 9 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)


Lord Inigo Malvici has excellent eyebrows and should try not to walk backwards.

Mistress Bethany's stuffed hawk is named Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff. We call him 'Dorff'.

I want a dog.

People in Lycene Ward, apparently, have a lot of sex. The city's already crowded. They should slow down.

I'm the new rat catcher!

Captain Gian has never had a persimmon.

Welcome to Arx, mind where you step!

It's been a very busy day.

Live while you're alive.

Written By Ida

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:55 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Some think it selfish of me to stop taking commissions. It is not that I don't need or want the work, and it is not that I dislike the work. I love forging weapons. There are few things as rewarding as someone sending word upon receiving an item you labored over, to note how much they favor it.

Do you know when I last sat in a tavern to have a drink with friends? I don't even remember. I've lost touch with too many people. If recent events have taught me anything, it is that I should make time outside of the forge. I need to live more.

Written By Valencia

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:52 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

An earnest wish....

Dearest gods and goddesses, please help those I know and adore to realize that if I offer a kind compliment it is sincere and from the heart.

I wish it was not so hard for people to understand this about me.

I do not mean to complain, saddens me that an earnestly sweet compliment can be so easily turned to taint and labeled mere flattery or worse?

I am by no means perfect. So far from it. But I cannot help that I see lovely things in most people.

Perhaps it is just easier for people to hear about the wicked and not the wonderful.

~~~~~<~<@

Written By Jeremiah

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:50 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

I don't often like to speak of my past--some parts of it are terrible, but mostly it is because I am busy with my future--it has been so for the last thirteen years. Since my arrival in Arx...much has turned around. Much has changed for me.

Of the past, though? I have starved, I have been poor, I have been the least able. I have been ill I have lost I have gone without. Above all, I have survived, taken what I am given, and thrived with it.

Of the present...I am still a Prodigal--as I always will be. I am not an overly rich man. I hold ideals which I put above everything else--I am dangerously opinionated, usually unsubtle, and often too quick to take any action. Rash, heated, and at my worst hateful. I have behaviors and habits which are not worthy of praise. But I hold positions, skills, and serve those who may enact true change. I will not bury my coinage, fearing the future--I will spend it all in the hope that I may see sevenfold repayment. Coin, prestige, and position? What I earn I will use--not in the service of more of each. Gods and Spirits may provide those(I hope they will), but in the service of betterment.

Of the future...we can never know. But if the present is a seed, then the future will be my soil. I will survive and thrive whatever comes.It stands as a measure of my change that this is not in the Black Journals--when I first came, certainly such Reflections would be. But--let it be public. Few enough read what I write--let it be public. And if, in the future, I do not stand by these ideals and promises, and you wish me to? Say so. Point it to me. Pride and ambition are mine, yes--humble me if you need to and wish better of me.

Written By Fortunato

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:37 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Perception is subjective.

That can be terrifying, when you think about it. Take a friend. Stand on a precipice and look down. Don't speak to each other, not one word. Estimate the distance to the bottom, together, silent. If you stare long enough, the gulf becomes deeper. Or shallower. For you, the world changes merely through the length and intensity you stare at it. Of course, tritely, obviously, it's you that changes. At least for a moment.

Change is subjective. Unpredictable. Flickers of flame. Even a soft breeze can change the shape of a fire, however minutely. Or did you just think it did? Did you blink? Did you blink and forget?

Does it matter?

The need for control is the same as fear. You decide in the moment. You embrace the moment. Take a step and you may be somewhere else. Life is change. Take a breath. See where you are. Accept tomorrow will be different. Accept that tomorrow, you may be different.

Accept that every moment we have is a miracle.

Written By Kieran

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:19 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

So elves have arrived in the city. Everyone's abuzz about the news. A third of the city is curious and wants to learn more about them, another third thinks they're awful and wants to be rid of them, and a final third don't give a shit. I think I may fall into the later camp, but I haven't decided yet. I stopped by the city gates when the news went through the city. They look a bit odd, but that's to be expected, considering they're mythical people that aren't human. Apparently they're also a bt crazy, which, who knows, maybe I will get along great with, considering I am a bit nutty myself.

Anyways, they're staying in the Valardin district. Of all the fealties to welcome in mythological, faith-shaking, blood-sacrificing crazy people, Valardin would have definitely been my bet. I think there's a joke being played there, and I rather like it. At some point this coming week I intend to head over and maybe chat a bit with them to see if they're my kind of crazy or just plain crazy. Either way, it should be entertaining.

Written By Sylvie

Jan. 15, 2017, 8:01 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Dagon

I am glad to provide what support that I can to Prince Dagon Thrax. He has a long road ahead of him, and if I can provide any guidance or counsel, he is free to seek me out.

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