Written By Margot
May 28, 2016, 6:07 p.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donrai
I have insight into the way the minds of most function but I have never been able to penetrate that of His Grace, or understand entirely what he thinks of me. What am I? Hostage? Daughter? Thrall? Pawn? Pet? Allie? Competition? Companion? Nothing? Like the waves which never quite mark the beach the same way eith each passing day, so too is being in the shadow of the Prince. I have learned to weather this as the years have passed, along with the reminders of how precarious my position is, and most recently his delightful game of taunting Donella with the prospect of potentially marrying me and cutting herself and Dagon out of the inheritance by making new heirs. Admittedly, while I should loothe my time in His company I find it refreshing. We play a very long game of chess he and I - I just hope it should always remain a friendly one.
Written By Margot
May 28, 2016, 5:59 p.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
Sometimes I wonder if My Prince delights in dangling me before Donella as a test to her, or out of fear of us ever having become allied. Or perhaps it is a shared joke between them that I shall not ever be privy to - likely all of the above. Regardless, despite the sameness of our goals, and shared loyalty to His Grace, we have been cast into our roles. I admit, her refusal to be what she was born to be is irritating to say the least - she is a woman and I wish she would see the strength in our position and potential rather than trying to steal up the tools of the princes in her grasping for further power and control - it's beneath her, beneath us. She can be the Voice and still maintain the respectibility and modesty she was born to.
Still, when I look to the alternatives I understand her need to perhaps over compensate. Victus and Val... and even Dagon for all I adore him, none of them seem to have been forged for what lays ahead.
We shall though, I have no doubt, continue to work our parallel paths and hopeful despite His Grace's games, never be forced to cross eachther.
Still, when I look to the alternatives I understand her need to perhaps over compensate. Victus and Val... and even Dagon for all I adore him, none of them seem to have been forged for what lays ahead.
We shall though, I have no doubt, continue to work our parallel paths and hopeful despite His Grace's games, never be forced to cross eachther.
Written By Margot
May 28, 2016, 5:44 p.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Denica
When she was younger, having failed to bond with Donella, Margot desperately wanted to be close to Denica and make a sister of her, and to share their grief at having both lost their families at such a young age. Denica though withdrew from everything and especially the daughter of the man who killed her parents, shunning Margot entirely. While years have passed and what once was a sore spot for Margot has long callused over like so many others she remains at a distance now from the youngest of Donrai's grandchildren. On occation she feels her hand twitch, wanting to tuck in Denica's hair, or quietly put a hand on her to soothe her restlessness she supresses these vestigial instincts and tries to keep out of the young Princess' way, maintaining instead a respectful distance from the young woman unless she's approached by her.
Written By Margot
May 28, 2016, 5:35 p.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Victus killed Margot's father and in the moment he did so he irrevokably changed the trajectory of both of their lives. For it he was plucked from the common masses and made Lord Victus, acknowledged officially as a nefew of Prince Donrai, and in the same moment she was stripped of her family, her lands, and her potential influence as a Duke's daughter. Still, what Margot has against Victus is not that he killed her father, no, he was a soldier and he did his job, for all his success at it she can't hold that against him. No, what grates on her is that Victus is so utterly ungrateful for his position within the Thrax family and so utterly unwilling to behave as if he's even remotely deserving of such. It's a disgrace to Thrax, Tyde and all the isles. On on hand he acts as if he's strong and ruthless but he takes no hand in his own fate beyond his complaints about the conditions and expectations that come with his station. Briefly Margot entertained the prospect that both as outsiders in the family there was a potential for an alliance between them she realizes now that there is nothing to be gained from Victus. All she can hope for now is to curtail the damage he may do to the faily with his churlish nonsense.
Written By Margot
May 28, 2016, 5:16 p.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
When Margot was very young she always assumed she, the daughter of the greatest Duke in the Isles would wed Dagon, the handsome young grandson of the terrifying Prince Donrai. She thought she would lead by his side and be a princess and while he went off and conquered pirates and won wars she would stay home and raise their children and run Maelstrom. It was a lovely little fairytale that very well might have come true had her father not decided he wanted Maelstrom for himself. After her whole family was murdered and she did end up living in the Thrax stronghold, Dagon, idealistic as he is, was one of the few safe harbors for her, and thankfully as a child himself did not have any Tyde blood on his hands. Over the years rather than thinking of a future together romantically Margot's come to think of Dagon as a replacement for her lost brothers. She's protective of him in a way and on one hand wishes he could allow him to have his idealist ways as long as possible but knows also that his safety and well being depends on him shedding them sooner than later.
Written By Calista
May 28, 2016, noon(8/10/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Alaric
King Alaric Grayson IV is tall, handsome, and charming. Worst of all, he knows it. His reputation preceded him but that didn't necessarily stop me from wanting to know the man a little more. When he personally invited me for a tour of the Palace, I was a fresh faced maiden, recently arrived from Tor. The messengers came in a flurry and naturally I was impressed by his persistence. At first, he was everything I had heard about, including a bit daft, which saddened me because really, he's so cute, yet so dumb. The man is quite animated and passionate about his possessions. He walked me through the palace rooms, explaining to me the purpose of the room and other small facts about the decor and the history behind some of the portraits and works of art. Surprisingly, His Majesty was a consummate gentleman. He made me feel welcomed and at ease. He listened to me when he inquired about my travels and my family. And when the tables turned, he was more than willing to share things about his life with me. For what it's worth, I am truly hopeful he will overcome the tragedy that has befallen him.
Written By Calista
May 28, 2016, 11:24 a.m.(8/10/1003 AR)
%xnToday's date: 8/4/1003 AR. Current time: 14:42
It has been a few weeks now since my arrival to the city of Arx from the only home Ive ever known on Tor. I followed my brother, Duke Leo Fidante. In truth, I didnt have much of a choice. Now, the city of Arx is certainly not disappointing. There are shops and salons where nobility can gather to socialize as well as a theater, houses of worship and justice, beautiful parks sprawling with exquisite landscaping and floral artistry.
The people of Arx are also interesting. There is such a mixture of culture and customs that it is refreshing for someone like me to be a part of. While my brother wants to hold onto more rigid formality, Im young and want to take advantage of this time before he decides to marry me off. For now all I can say is Let the Games Begin!%xn
It has been a few weeks now since my arrival to the city of Arx from the only home Ive ever known on Tor. I followed my brother, Duke Leo Fidante. In truth, I didnt have much of a choice. Now, the city of Arx is certainly not disappointing. There are shops and salons where nobility can gather to socialize as well as a theater, houses of worship and justice, beautiful parks sprawling with exquisite landscaping and floral artistry.
The people of Arx are also interesting. There is such a mixture of culture and customs that it is refreshing for someone like me to be a part of. While my brother wants to hold onto more rigid formality, Im young and want to take advantage of this time before he decides to marry me off. For now all I can say is Let the Games Begin!%xn
Written By Hellfrog
May 26, 2016, 3:53 p.m.(8/4/1003 AR)
Dear diary, today I tested out
THIS STUFF
THIS STUFF
Written By Victus
May 23, 2016, 7:56 p.m.(7/24/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Ida
I've hired this smith to do some work for me. Im not certain if I'm amused or insulted that she would presume to think she understands me, simply for dancing around playing at fisticuffs on the training field. Both, perhaps. Its not a game, its not a dance, don't dress it up as if it is.
Written By Victus
May 23, 2016, 1:08 p.m.(7/23/1003 AR)
I hate horses. They're big, they're ugly and they never do what they should, and everytime I spend any time on one my arse hurts like I got bent over and had to take it where I least want it. Put one on a ship and it'll shit everywhere, too. I won't deny their combat effectiveness, but I'll trust my own two feet any day of the week. I remember when I was first learning my way on a ship. You always start at the bottom on a ship, even if you've got noble blood in you. All I had was bastard blood, mind, so it didn't matter much to me. This knight's horse, Gods but I hated it. Ate better than us, treated better than us, and tried to brain me everytime I got close. Fuck but I hated it. Still had to shovel its shit, the scour the planks afterwards with the Captain cussing me out like it was my fucking fault. Fuck horses. If there's any justice in the world, the parchment I'm writing this on was made from a horse. Heh.
Written By Isolde
May 22, 2016, 2:23 a.m.(7/18/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
A Thraxian Lord, quite unlike what she would expect. He seems eager to hear what she has to say, even if he does have a difficult time processing the words, poor thing. He might have some potential, and only time will tell if he will be worth Isolde's time.
Written By Victus
May 20, 2016, 7:19 p.m.(7/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donrai
He has brought me here to Arx, and I never thought lazying about in this cesspool of perfume and flapping tongues would grate on my nerves quite as much. Still, Uncle knows best.
Written By Victus
May 20, 2016, 7:16 p.m.(7/15/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Valerius
There is nothing worse than great potential wasted in self indulgence. And what's the point of a smile or friendship if you give it to anyone at all?
Written By Victus
May 20, 2016, 7:05 p.m.(7/14/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
I support my family, even the willfully delusional of them. He still has time to wisen up a little bit, and embrace the Thraxian in him.
Written By Victus
May 20, 2016, 7:01 p.m.(7/14/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I butchered her father and cut my bloody way through Tyde. You would think that would make her plot against me, against us. Perhaps she is. Heh. Until she shows her hand she's useful, though.
Written By Denica
May 16, 2016, 7:55 p.m.(7/4/1003 AR)
((Written on fine vellum, in black ink and often flourishing script, which occasionally teeters between a steady and terribly unsteady hand))
So I'm not really sure how to start, but I haven't exactly been doing as the scribes of Vellichor so earnestly advocate. Still, it's been suggested to me that by beginning one of these 'White Journals,' I would better embody the image of a 'proper noblewoman.' And the heavens forbid (also, dearest Grandfather) I act like some undomesticated thrall while representing the exalted House of Thrax. So, here goes:
At long last, I've left that crusty old castle floating in the eastern sea. As of this writing, I am sitting in the back of a carriage on its way to the grand city of Arx. May Lagoma sail me to new beginnings and unforgettable excitement! Of course, I do not doubt that Grandfather Thrax intends this as an opportunity to marry me away, so I can 'bestow headaches upon some other man.' Still, I won't let that bring me down. This is an adventure, and not even my family's scheming can stop me from enjoying it. Along the way, I saw all sorts of different flora and fauna too lovely and graceful to ever have the faintest chance of surviving along the salty Mourning Isles. I managed to put over a dozen to sketchpad, and can hardly wait to arrive so I can paint them in all their glory. This morning, I heard the most achingly beautiful songbird chirping away in the trees. I would have found it too, if I just had a few more hours of freedom, while the servants enjoyed breakfast. But naturally, my brackish guards strongly advised me to stay near the caravan, so I didn't get the chance. Part of me still can't believe they threatened to tell on me to Grandfather. But gods, I'm sure it looks as enchanting as it sounds. Maybe later, I can bribe some more agreeable sorts to escort me outside the city limits. Until then, I'll be busy immortalizing the plants and animals I did see on canvas, and exploring Arx in all its highly esteemed glory.
A thousand years ago, the place was just a tiny little unremarkable fortress. Today, every single great house is represented in the five of its nine different wards. People of all walks of life live here, from cultures that run the gamut of the entire Compact. It will be delightful to walk through the markets, collecting gorgeous dresses and dazzling trinkets as a reminder of my time spent here. Perhaps even more exciting, I've heard many other nobles, from Redrain to Velenosa, live here. Which means I'll have the chance to meet and greet more remarkable people than I can count. Maybe I'll even get to see the King himself! Wishful thinking, I know, but perhaps his Voice will let me see him, or even draw him (hint, hint). It would be an incredible honor to be one of the few artists distinguished enough to put his royal visage to canvas. Anyway, we're just about to reach the gate to the city, and I don't want to miss my own dramatic entrance. Adventure awaits!
Princess Denica, the Little Devil of Thrax (better to own the moniker than leave it open for ridicule!)
Written By Isolde
May 16, 2016, 1:36 a.m.(7/2/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Fawkuhl
Dominus of the Faith, and oh so proud of that fact, Isolde enjoys her conversations with him. She, almost certainly, enjoys them for entirely different reasons than the Dominus might assume. Their first meeting, he even went so far to say that they would have been married, if they weren't called to the Faith. The poor dear.
Written By Isolde
May 15, 2016, 1:39 p.m.(6/28/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
The lovely Lady Tyde, who has such a tragic history. Isolde has encountered her, and just pities the poor wilting flower. Hopefully the woman can do good things in the Assembly. She may be an interesting conversationalist from time to time.
Written By Isolde
May 15, 2016, 1:36 p.m.(6/28/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Esera
Isolde adores her older sister. She's far more capable to lead than Isolde could ever be, and so she does everything she can to make her life easier. If some of Isolde's adventures in misadventure may cause her harm, she'll actually think twice about it. The Lyceum states are all about backstabbing and plotting. Everyone needs someone to rely on without question, and Isolde is determined to be that for Esera.
Written By Brianna
May 14, 2016, 11:20 p.m.(6/26/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
I admire Princess Deva Redrain so much. She has all the passion of the Northlands and refuses to surrender it even for a moment. Father was always pressing me to play the perfect southern lady when at court, and it chaffed. Some moments could be enjoyable, but it never fit right. It's so refreshing to see a woman who refuses to change who she is for anyone.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.