Written By Sparte
May 12, 2020, 11:34 a.m.(4/12/1013 AR)
In all of my journeys through the woodlands and wilds of Arvum, I have never learned one of the shav dialects. Never even tried. Truthfully, early on it was extremely intimidating to me. Yet in recent years the choice is something I recognize as that, a choice. A lack of willingness to sit down and focus upon it, always prioritizing other things.
In the task ahead I can see clearly that I have given myself a dangerous limitation. I will need to be able to understand those who may not wish to use the arvani tongue, and so I asked for teachers. Not one, but two came forward. I owe them both deep thanks.
I am still only at the start of the lessons, and I know they will not finish before I leave. I mean to repay the kindness ten fold upon my return.
In the task ahead I can see clearly that I have given myself a dangerous limitation. I will need to be able to understand those who may not wish to use the arvani tongue, and so I asked for teachers. Not one, but two came forward. I owe them both deep thanks.
I am still only at the start of the lessons, and I know they will not finish before I leave. I mean to repay the kindness ten fold upon my return.
Written By Wagner
May 12, 2020, 11:06 a.m.(4/12/1013 AR)
Northerners fighting with words? Did they misplace their axes? Fresh out of bears?
Written By Jaenelle
May 12, 2020, 11:02 a.m.(4/12/1013 AR)
My first marriage was to strengthen the alliance between House Thrax and House Velenosa. I did not love him.
My second marriage was for a number of reasons. The forgotten son coming home needed to establish himself within the family he had returned. We were told to play nice, so we did. It was a completely logical decision, one that happened as we were speaking one evening. It would be beneficial if we married. I am certain many people thought there was no benefit from marrying, but there was, things I will not speak of in public for he is dead and they are no longer important. Did love come? The word was rarely if ever spoken if memory serves me, but something transpired that was uniquely us. There was balance. Love coming from creating a child together. A love of understanding always the positions one holds. Flexibility.
A partner is more important than love. someone who will test you at every corner, who will make you rise to every challenge, a person who enhances your strengths and is there to strengthen your weaknesses. Who drives you insane because only they know that you are free to be yourself around them.
My second marriage was for a number of reasons. The forgotten son coming home needed to establish himself within the family he had returned. We were told to play nice, so we did. It was a completely logical decision, one that happened as we were speaking one evening. It would be beneficial if we married. I am certain many people thought there was no benefit from marrying, but there was, things I will not speak of in public for he is dead and they are no longer important. Did love come? The word was rarely if ever spoken if memory serves me, but something transpired that was uniquely us. There was balance. Love coming from creating a child together. A love of understanding always the positions one holds. Flexibility.
A partner is more important than love. someone who will test you at every corner, who will make you rise to every challenge, a person who enhances your strengths and is there to strengthen your weaknesses. Who drives you insane because only they know that you are free to be yourself around them.
Written By Tyrus
May 12, 2020, 8:32 a.m.(4/11/1013 AR)
I cannot say I do not understand the desire to marry for love. I married Damia for love, for this desperate anchor we could be to each other's humanity.
My wife was a slave, just as I was.
Do I think it is wise to marry for love? No. Not when it is done among Peers. Not when we've so many duties, when our actions affect so many lives.
Do I think it is wise to self-righteously take some imaginary moral high ground on the subject? No. To have a loveless marriage is no achievement. It's incredibly easy to achieve. To have a political marriage turn sour likewise.
To have a marriage that is both political and from which love may bloom? A rare and fortunate feat.
Just don't confuse which came first, else you might realize too late your moral high ground stands upon nothing at all.
My wife was a slave, just as I was.
Do I think it is wise to marry for love? No. Not when it is done among Peers. Not when we've so many duties, when our actions affect so many lives.
Do I think it is wise to self-righteously take some imaginary moral high ground on the subject? No. To have a loveless marriage is no achievement. It's incredibly easy to achieve. To have a political marriage turn sour likewise.
To have a marriage that is both political and from which love may bloom? A rare and fortunate feat.
Just don't confuse which came first, else you might realize too late your moral high ground stands upon nothing at all.
Written By Martino
May 12, 2020, 7:28 a.m.(4/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Mihaly
When the Malvici Hawks had said they had seen a Lord Riven come-and-go from the House calling upon to see Lady Eirene, the path was set. At the Malvici Dinner, his protection over her and over the House showed a passion from the man that I could admire from far.
While Malvici loses one, we gain a steadfast ally in House Riven and for that Lord Mihaly, we have you to thank.
Downside. You have left me as being the eldest in the House and I am not quite ready for that.
While Malvici loses one, we gain a steadfast ally in House Riven and for that Lord Mihaly, we have you to thank.
Downside. You have left me as being the eldest in the House and I am not quite ready for that.
Written By Mihaly
May 11, 2020, 10:33 p.m.(4/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirene
So that's that, then.
Of all the things I have done, and have not done, getting married was not one of them I had placed on a list.
And then? In walks a Malvici woman and turns my life on its end. Then again, I was the one who walked into the bar.
Funny the directions where life takes you. It's been a good turn so far. Nice to be pleasantly surprised.
And yes, she still looks better in a corset.
Of all the things I have done, and have not done, getting married was not one of them I had placed on a list.
And then? In walks a Malvici woman and turns my life on its end. Then again, I was the one who walked into the bar.
Funny the directions where life takes you. It's been a good turn so far. Nice to be pleasantly surprised.
And yes, she still looks better in a corset.
Written By Khanne
May 11, 2020, 9:14 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Sometimes, I read something that makes my eyebrows furrow and my hand to reach for the ink and parchment to retort.
Sometimes, the pure absurdity of it ends up making me just shake my head and put the ink away before even a mere dot is formed. I ask myself if what I am about to write is true (yes), helpful (mmm... probably not), important or inspiring (yeah... probably not), necessary (doubtful), or kind (I mean... it wouldn't have been UNkind but no, probably not...). Doing this makes me realize, it just isn't beneficial for me to respond at this time.
This is one of those times.
Sometimes, the pure absurdity of it ends up making me just shake my head and put the ink away before even a mere dot is formed. I ask myself if what I am about to write is true (yes), helpful (mmm... probably not), important or inspiring (yeah... probably not), necessary (doubtful), or kind (I mean... it wouldn't have been UNkind but no, probably not...). Doing this makes me realize, it just isn't beneficial for me to respond at this time.
This is one of those times.
Written By Ravna
May 11, 2020, 7:45 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
H-have you ever wondered, Scholar man, yes. You. Have you ever wondered...why the shit anyone talks about weddings? No, no. Hear me now, don't lookitmelikethat. Hear me out - why would you /talk/ about them? Anything to be covered, yes, in a wedding is - you know, on a paper. Like a flier. Like theater...are weddings theater!?
Also: I have begun to throw things into the whirlpool, yes. Oh...like what? Well. You know. Stuff. Things.
Also: I have begun to throw things into the whirlpool, yes. Oh...like what? Well. You know. Stuff. Things.
Written By Catalana
May 11, 2020, 7:13 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Wash
But you married for love.
I hear it all the time. Lord Wash married you for love. Isn't that romantic? Isn't that so special? For years I have heard this and smiled through it.
People will always see what they want. They paint fantastical stories of love and romance and wooing. In truth it was lots of hard work. I am glad that my husband was so passionate about marrying me as we spent eight years working to prove that a union between Grayson and Kennex would be beneficial for both houses. In those eight years, I would roughly see my future husband for a total of five months. Even after our marriage we have spent more time apart working on bettering our house and leaving a positive legacy for our children. Even now, my husband works on getting past the maelstrom and plans for long trips. Again, possible months and years of not seeing him. If we had married just for love then we would be absolutely disappointed that we spend so much time apart. Yet, this is all seen as romantic.
In saying that, I adore my husband. That has never been hidden. But, we would not of married for love alone.
I hear it all the time. Lord Wash married you for love. Isn't that romantic? Isn't that so special? For years I have heard this and smiled through it.
People will always see what they want. They paint fantastical stories of love and romance and wooing. In truth it was lots of hard work. I am glad that my husband was so passionate about marrying me as we spent eight years working to prove that a union between Grayson and Kennex would be beneficial for both houses. In those eight years, I would roughly see my future husband for a total of five months. Even after our marriage we have spent more time apart working on bettering our house and leaving a positive legacy for our children. Even now, my husband works on getting past the maelstrom and plans for long trips. Again, possible months and years of not seeing him. If we had married just for love then we would be absolutely disappointed that we spend so much time apart. Yet, this is all seen as romantic.
In saying that, I adore my husband. That has never been hidden. But, we would not of married for love alone.
Written By Jael
May 11, 2020, 6:03 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
I was reminded recently of how grateful I am for my siblings, though we were so often at odds growing up (mainly because of me).
Especially Cassie and Cris. Thank you for putting up with me long enough to get to where we are now.
Especially Cassie and Cris. Thank you for putting up with me long enough to get to where we are now.
Written By Sabine
May 11, 2020, 5:50 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Gaspar
Accusations of love matches have flown fast and thick of late. With the declaration of betrothal to Prince Gaspar recently made, it seems appropriate to state for the formal record that love was not a factor in my proposal. Once again I marry for reasons other than affection. Three reasons, in fact:
The first, to cement our loyalty to Velenosa, so it may never be in question, whatever comes.
The second and third are the matched pair of caravels he gifted Tessere as a gift of courtship. The Dark Queen and Bright Mirror stand-- float?-- as proof of his devotion to our betterment.
He is a worthy Prince. He will be a worthy Consort. A fortunate match, as most of mine have been. Excepting the previous deaths, of course. We shall pray he defies that trend.
The first, to cement our loyalty to Velenosa, so it may never be in question, whatever comes.
The second and third are the matched pair of caravels he gifted Tessere as a gift of courtship. The Dark Queen and Bright Mirror stand-- float?-- as proof of his devotion to our betterment.
He is a worthy Prince. He will be a worthy Consort. A fortunate match, as most of mine have been. Excepting the previous deaths, of course. We shall pray he defies that trend.
Written By Ian
May 11, 2020, 5:47 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
Neither Lord Rysen, nor Lady Brianna, nor myself have said a lot about what happened during the weeks that we were held captive by the white raven clan. I know a lot of it is stuff I don't want my family thinking about. But sometimes stories have value in the telling.
Lady Brianna was knocked unconscious soon after the fight started. She'd chosen to defend an area of the pass some distance away from the rest of us, and there was a wall of very angry shavs between us and her when she fell. I made an attempt to get to her, but I gave up on thinking it was possible. We were being overrun, and we were losing our window to get away. Lord Rysen, however, wouldn't leave her, and even though I did my all trying to defend him, he got pretty beat up in the act of dragging her out of the mob.
He plunged into a mob of angry shavs and let them beat on him while he dragged Lady Brianna to safety.
We both pretty soon realized that we were too beat up to carry her, and we were right at the point where our window to get away was closing. But Lord Rysen wouldn't leave Lady Brianna, even then. Neither of us knew at the time that we would be captured. Those shavs damned well looked like they wanted us in pieces. Lord Rysen chose to die rather than abandon Lady Brianna. It's because of him and only him that she's not dead on a hill somewhere, trampled into the mud. If it had been up to me and only me, I would have weighted the options logically and left her.
I'm glad it wasn't up to me.
In Prince Donrai's Thrax, such an act of self-sacrifice would only mark Lord Rysen as a fool, but I'd like to believe that the Isles aren't under the sway of Prince Donrai's values anymore, and the choice to sacrifice yourself protecting another isn't just foolishness for us, now.
Lady Brianna was knocked unconscious soon after the fight started. She'd chosen to defend an area of the pass some distance away from the rest of us, and there was a wall of very angry shavs between us and her when she fell. I made an attempt to get to her, but I gave up on thinking it was possible. We were being overrun, and we were losing our window to get away. Lord Rysen, however, wouldn't leave her, and even though I did my all trying to defend him, he got pretty beat up in the act of dragging her out of the mob.
He plunged into a mob of angry shavs and let them beat on him while he dragged Lady Brianna to safety.
We both pretty soon realized that we were too beat up to carry her, and we were right at the point where our window to get away was closing. But Lord Rysen wouldn't leave Lady Brianna, even then. Neither of us knew at the time that we would be captured. Those shavs damned well looked like they wanted us in pieces. Lord Rysen chose to die rather than abandon Lady Brianna. It's because of him and only him that she's not dead on a hill somewhere, trampled into the mud. If it had been up to me and only me, I would have weighted the options logically and left her.
I'm glad it wasn't up to me.
In Prince Donrai's Thrax, such an act of self-sacrifice would only mark Lord Rysen as a fool, but I'd like to believe that the Isles aren't under the sway of Prince Donrai's values anymore, and the choice to sacrifice yourself protecting another isn't just foolishness for us, now.
Written By Teagan
May 11, 2020, 5:36 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
Oh, look.
I've found someone whose rhymes I hate worse than Lord Arik's.
I've found someone whose rhymes I hate worse than Lord Arik's.
Written By Scarlett
May 11, 2020, 5:18 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Once again I place my faith in this most beautiful of metals. Oh, is there an entire mine of this somewhere beyond the stars? Somewhere where I can travel? I almost hate to sell it, but at least I know that it will go only to those who have true appreciation.
Or at least, a willingness to pay.
If history shows I am ruined let it not show that I went down easily. Let my fortune grow, like the stars on a moonless night!
Please.
Or at least, a willingness to pay.
If history shows I am ruined let it not show that I went down easily. Let my fortune grow, like the stars on a moonless night!
Please.
Written By Martino
May 11, 2020, 4:05 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
It is the winter that makes spring the season of noble nuptials. All that cold drives us indoors to hide by the fireplace with someone.
Written By Jael
May 11, 2020, 3:30 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
I am not sure why everyone seems to be writing about their husbands all of a sudden but it seems like a good time to exonerate mine.
Yes, I missed Adalyn's wedding afterparty because I am pregnant.
No, my husband did not know that at the time.
Yes, I do like ham.
Yes, I missed Adalyn's wedding afterparty because I am pregnant.
No, my husband did not know that at the time.
Yes, I do like ham.
Written By Teagan
May 11, 2020, 2:40 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Well.
This explains some things.
I am with child. Time to remind myself -- perhaps daily -- that this is all a part of duty.
This explains some things.
I am with child. Time to remind myself -- perhaps daily -- that this is all a part of duty.
Written By Apollo
May 11, 2020, 2:35 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Leola
If a knight calls you Grandmaster, is that sort of like when the King calls common folk 'Lord' or 'Lady' and nobody argues? I do worry that people might mistake me for having martial skill. Are these fighting words? I'm woefully out of my depth.
Written By Brianna
May 11, 2020, 2:23 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
There once was a lord of Crovane
Who through couplets he did take great pain
Once forth and once back
To shame the ex-Thrax
But the logic was terribly lame
Love you all. No more bad poetry before I stab you all.
Who through couplets he did take great pain
Once forth and once back
To shame the ex-Thrax
But the logic was terribly lame
Love you all. No more bad poetry before I stab you all.
Written By Alecstazi
May 11, 2020, 2:15 p.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
...Does anyone else hear the sound of farting on the wind?
I swear it seems to be coming from somewhere in the Ward...
I swear it seems to be coming from somewhere in the Ward...
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.