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Written By Marina

Sept. 13, 2023, 8:37 a.m.(7/12/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Desma

A breath of fresh air in the city, I've found Desma's company quite reinvigorating. There may have been a moment of thoughtlessness when I promised her a round in the sparring grounds, but perhaps it's time to get some proper training in. The bruises will heal eventually.

Written By Medeia

Sept. 12, 2023, 1:02 p.m.(7/10/1020 AR)

There is something to be said about maintaining your honor, about living up to the virtues of Gloria and Gild in particular, when not doing so could be reasonably accepted by your peers or the masses given the circumstances. The people who do this are the kind of people you can learn valuable things from - even if you are one such person's captive. I realize how absurd that must sound to anyone who has never had to engage in taking or keeping prisoners.

I have spoken on this before, but I think it bears repeating: Lord Anders Nightcove was an absolute gentleman when I was taken in the wake of the siege of Redreef Shores. I had a clean, appropriate bedroom to sleep in. I had the ability to move about the keep - with a guard escort - to stretch my legs or read in the library. I was fed, able to bathe, and given clean clothes. This may surprise some and anger others. In particular, I imagine that some of his compatriots will gnash their teeth at what I write next: I likely would not be alive today if not for Lord Anders.

Inevitably, this puts me in a strange position of being grateful for this man who, by all rights, I should hate. However, I can not bring myself to view him or his memory with the same righteous fury I felt toward others on his side of the Isles civil war. He had dignity and integrity, and he afforded me both in all our dealings.

I find, now, that I hold people to the most unexpected of standards - do they treat me at least as well as the man who abducted me and kept me from my children? What an odd bar to have to make it over; an odd bar that some people still fail to step over. Even I could not always clear that bar, both in how I treated myself and others.

We can always take a lesson from those who oppose us.

Written By Jan

Sept. 11, 2023, 7:20 p.m.(7/9/1020 AR)

I got to catch up with Catalana and Wash, it's been far too long. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her.

Written By Sen'azala

Sept. 11, 2023, 2:45 a.m.(7/8/1020 AR)

In the forest, in the wilds, there's nothing worse than silence. Silence is when every living thing around you holds its breath, hoping that whatever deadly threat has drawn their collective attention will pass by without noticing them. Silence is when you don't know what's there, or which direction to run. Worst of all, silence is always temporary, like the space between a lightning flash and thunder.

Written By Kenjay

Sept. 10, 2023, 8:16 p.m.(7/7/1020 AR)

I visited the armoursmiths this week, and Master Emele had finished my helm. It is a lovely piece, kin to the helm I trained with and fought in for so long - and yet it is the helm of a free man rather than one in chains. The smith excelled herself, in truth, and I thank Jayus for the inspiration she surely received in its making.

Written By Jan

Sept. 10, 2023, 7:34 p.m.(7/7/1020 AR)

I have met a fellow kindred spirit. Shared with her what little I know about some of the woes that menace the compact.

Written By Jan

Sept. 10, 2023, 7:31 p.m.(7/7/1020 AR)

Had a discussion today about the merits of painting on clothes. I am intrigued with this prospect.

Written By Marina

Sept. 10, 2023, 2 p.m.(7/6/1020 AR)

Ah. Back on firm land again, returned to Arx. There are so many people to meet, so many things to set in motion, so much to learn, to see, to feel, to do. I am excited!

Written By Mabelle

Sept. 10, 2023, 1:01 p.m.(7/6/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Zakhar

News of your death caught me completely off guard. A man of such talent and passion for all aspects of life.
You will be missed, however your spirit will live on in your creations. I am just lucky our mansion possesses so many of them.

Written By Ann

Sept. 9, 2023, 7:15 p.m.(7/5/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Zakhar

I was looking up some things in the Stacks as I am wont to do from time to time. I cam across Lady Medeia's journal where she spoke of Master Zakhar's death.

I had wondered why I was being gifted these items all of a sudden only with a simple note of it being a raffle and my name had been pulled out in the drawing. This man was a creative soul. I remember the first time I met him. Lord Pasquale encouraged me to go see him after I couldn't solve one of the puzzles that Pasquale had fun showing me. I found the man charming with his chickens and his kittens. But frightening at the same time. I remember being cautious and on the fence when he pulled out his Blood of Thy Enemies necklace in Golden Hart. Now? I own it.

It is strange in how people impact you and you don't realize it until they are gone. The few conversations we did have he always challenged me. He had a rich history. I realize a lot of people probably thought he was off his rocker or a true warrior or both. I mean who is going to have a tea party in the middle of a skirmish? Why Master Zakhar of course. I will miss him but I will also remember him and the impact he had on me and my life here on this side of the wheel.

Written By Lucita

Sept. 9, 2023, 6:59 p.m.(7/5/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Zakhar

Medeia said Zakhar is dead!!! He was such a ... personality, Improvising things, making do with what he had, enjoying food, protective of friends. An interesting person.

Written By Medeia

Sept. 8, 2023, 1:44 p.m.(7/2/1020 AR)

This has been a quiet thing over the last many weeks, but I believe the time has come to write about it. Messere Zakhar is dead. My intention is to hold a remembrance service for him, but I know the old man would have thought the whole thing silly. He was a polarizing man - people either seemed to be fiercely loyal to him or intensely displeased that he was present. I admit, his methods and madness were troubling at times. However? I suppose I fall into the camp of those who were loyal. He, at least, was to me - in that strange way he showed his loyalty.

There are several instances in which I can say I remain alive today because he was there to protect me. Many houses across the Compact, particularly in the Isles, have him to thank in part for their victories in battle. Beyond his fearsome martial ability, his creativity and knowledge helped make windspun wool and peachskin a reality. His mind was truly a unique and precious thing, dreaming up trinkets and furnishings unlike any other.

May the Queen grant him rest and peace at last.

Written By Mikani

Sept. 6, 2023, 3:20 p.m.(6/27/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Artorius

When I joined Magnotta as Countess, I was excited for a new adventure. Don't mistake my words, I am still excited for the new adventure that awaits me, I was just talking about my feelings on the wedding day. If I had known what would be available to me since joining this amazing house, I don't think I could have waited to visit Caer Morien or join the house.

My amazing husband has encouraged me to redecorate the house!

I love the transformation. The house was beautiful before, but now it's starting to become stunning. I have looked over reports and histories and am bringing in things that have meaning to the house. It is starting to feel more and more like a home. So much of the family is here in Arx and I am growing in fondness to each and every one of them.

Written By Medeia

Sept. 4, 2023, 3:21 p.m.(6/23/1020 AR)

I love that there are times in this life when I get to spend a beautiful evening sharing a story with so many familiar and friendly faces. My sincerest thanks to them for joining me at Lovers' Park, and my greatest thanks to the Jadairali Embassy - Cai Jian in particular - for supporting the event.

The story of the love Platinum and Silver shared - whether one believes it to be a historical record or a fantastical one - is inspiring and heartbreaking. To open yourself up to love, to loving another or being loved, is to be vulnerable. It will change you in unexpected ways. At some point after, you will find yourself doing things a certain way because that is the way the one you love likes it or does it. Perhaps something you never cared about before is suddenly a thing you know everything about. It is good to be able to trust and learn and grow. I can only imagine the grief one would feel losing their love, especially when that love made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others.

It is a risk to pursue such as they had. May you be a risk taker.

Written By Jan

Sept. 4, 2023, 12:15 a.m.(6/21/1020 AR)

Relationship Note on Titania

Cousin but more like a sister. Blessed that she's safely returned to us.

Written By Jan

Sept. 3, 2023, 9:11 p.m.(6/21/1020 AR)

I think we are making good progress in the project to map movements and now we are expanding the area we are monitoring so fingers are crossed!

Written By Jan

Sept. 3, 2023, 8:58 p.m.(6/21/1020 AR)

One of these days I will wash that damn scarf. I'll give it right back but some day...it will be clean.

Written By Kenjay

Sept. 3, 2023, 6:13 p.m.(6/21/1020 AR)

I have received many missives from far and wide, offering congratulations after congratulations. I had not realised that so many paid attention to my doings, but it seems that I was wrong in this case. Or perhaps it is that the Silver Swords have a new member, and that in itself is worthy of note. I do not know, Scholar, but I am glad nonetheless.

Written By Ann

Sept. 2, 2023, 1:56 p.m.(6/18/1020 AR)

Matti and I along with the children went to the Lovers Park the other night to listen to some storytelling that Lady Medeia Saik told about how the name of the park came to be. It was a captivating story. But at the same time sad. I wonder if any love stories have a happy ending or do they all end in a tragedy? I need to read more stories and find out myself and perhaps graph my findings.

Written By Mabelle

Sept. 2, 2023, 5:33 a.m.(6/18/1020 AR)

It has dawned on me with the assistance of others that I have been absent from the social life of the city for two years.
I have spent so long on the roads between the city and home, trying to fix what was broken.
Perhaps soon I'll have cause to celebrate.

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