Written By Elsbetta
Sept. 28, 2023, 2:57 a.m.(8/14/1020 AR)
Summer is almost spent, and in the meadow where I like to sit and write the dandelion suns have turned into moons.
How might dandelion wine taste? Summer on the tongue, perhaps? Caught and bottled, sealed away for opening on a freezing winter's night when the snow falls from leaden skies and when the sun has been unseen for weeks.
How might dandelion wine taste? Summer on the tongue, perhaps? Caught and bottled, sealed away for opening on a freezing winter's night when the snow falls from leaden skies and when the sun has been unseen for weeks.
Written By Jan
Sept. 24, 2023, 9:49 p.m.(8/7/1020 AR)
Almost done with my armor, I hope no one mistakes me for a knight
Written By Jan
Sept. 24, 2023, 9:47 p.m.(8/7/1020 AR)
It seems surreal to get everything I want and get to keep my family.
Written By Ann
Sept. 23, 2023, 3:25 p.m.(8/5/1020 AR)
A Summer Serenade was most excellent. I was moved to tears in a couple of the pieces. I really did enjoy the sets that Master Sira had put together. Oh and the musicians. The musicians, excellent in their craft. But really this concert would not have happened if it was not for the imagination of Lord Mattheu Rivenshari.
For those of you that had missed out perhaps you will find time in your busy schedules to attend the next one. My warmest thank yous to those that came out and enjoyed the reception after. It was a good night to honor the performers and the composer. It also was something nice to listen and attend to with the onset of war coming. We all need a balance and sometimes being lost in a night of music is what one needs in my opinion, Scholar.
For those of you that had missed out perhaps you will find time in your busy schedules to attend the next one. My warmest thank yous to those that came out and enjoyed the reception after. It was a good night to honor the performers and the composer. It also was something nice to listen and attend to with the onset of war coming. We all need a balance and sometimes being lost in a night of music is what one needs in my opinion, Scholar.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 23, 2023, 1:43 p.m.(8/4/1020 AR)
Practice for the Bard's College concert showed me just how much paperwork and obligations have cut into my music playing time. For the first time in years there were sore fingers to get back into condition to play for extended times. Reminder to self--don't neglect obligations and paperwork but allow more time for playing music.
Written By Mattheu
Sept. 22, 2023, 11:06 p.m.(8/3/1020 AR)
A Summer Serenade was beautifully played by Baroness Lucita Saik, Gianna Delvecchio, and Lady Zoey Kennex tonight. Master Sira outdid herself in making the Performance hall be able to transform from sunset to an evening sky complete with fireflies to early sunrise upon river.
It was good to see the Bard's college filled with music which left others in discussion again.
It was good to see the Bard's college filled with music which left others in discussion again.
Written By Medeia
Sept. 22, 2023, 9:01 a.m.(8/2/1020 AR)
There will be a new wine coming out of Saikland soon. It is such a perfect blend of summer flavors, balanced in a way that should please most tastes. It is not quite sweet, not quite dry, bearing red-wine-like color and boldness from the addition of blackberries to the grapes, but also bearing the easy-to-drink qualities of a white wine thanks to the addition of peaches. I think it tastes exactly as summer feels! Though, I should be careful saying that to northerners - they may assume I mean it tastes oppressive. It does not! Nothing about it is oppressive. It is delightful!
I am looking forward to the party on the beach that we are holding to introduce it to the capital.
I am looking forward to the party on the beach that we are holding to introduce it to the capital.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 19, 2023, 10:02 a.m.(7/24/1020 AR)
A visit from delightful friends was the highlight of my day. I hope they will be happy together.
Written By Jan
Sept. 17, 2023, 9:51 p.m.(7/21/1020 AR)
I miss my soldiers. The daily routine of camp and preparations for war. It makes sense one can't stage armies around the city but I wish I didn't need to leave to get a hand on things on making sure the Cosairs are ready
Written By Jan
Sept. 17, 2023, 7:52 p.m.(7/21/1020 AR)
I really have got to expand my wardrobe. How can I admire his fashion and yet would refuse to wear anything so fine as the fashions he favors?
Written By Titania
Sept. 17, 2023, 5:55 p.m.(7/21/1020 AR)
It's been a whirlwind of a week or so, I have learned to never give up on something you want. You never know when things will rise and bite you, I have met another who loves the sea just as much as I do. We stood the other day and listened to the waves crash into the rocks and I looked over. I didn't have to say a word to know how they felt in the moment standing there, to be able to have a conversation without words. Just looking to someone is truly an amazing thing. I feel blessed to have met this person and I truly look forward to the talks in days to come.
Written By Valencia
Sept. 17, 2023, 4:27 p.m.(7/21/1020 AR)
Life can be frustrating and difficult. We often find ourselves on unexpected paths, or even off the beaten track altogether, when we least expect it. There are twists and turns. Things to know and learn. Worries and challenges both within and without of our control.
However, despite it all, through it all, we find our way and if we are very lucky we realize that even in the darkest of times there are treasures to be discovered along the way.
And, if we are very, /very/ lucky, sometimes we realize how happy and blessed we truly are. How things can change for the better in a blink of an eye or a beat of a heart with one small step or even the simple act of not giving up.
~~~~~~~~~~~<~<~<@
However, despite it all, through it all, we find our way and if we are very lucky we realize that even in the darkest of times there are treasures to be discovered along the way.
And, if we are very, /very/ lucky, sometimes we realize how happy and blessed we truly are. How things can change for the better in a blink of an eye or a beat of a heart with one small step or even the simple act of not giving up.
~~~~~~~~~~~<~<~<@
Written By Lucita
Sept. 15, 2023, 4:34 p.m.(7/17/1020 AR)
My heart goes out to Medeia and Neilda as they cope with their sister's things.
Written By Medeia
Sept. 14, 2023, 9:53 a.m.(7/14/1020 AR)
I was recently entrusted with two paintings done by my sister, Arcelia. From a purely artistic view, they are fine pieces. She excelled at bringing her vision to the canvas, and the color choices alone are enough to evoke some emotion from the viewer.
I have tucked them into the closet of my bedroom. They are properly packaged - I am no monster - to keep from getting damaged. The problem is, I do not know what to do with them.
It is difficult for me to look at them and separate the art from the artist. In my eye, they are reminders of a sister turned stranger turned enemy. Would I grow numb to that over time if I put them on display? And where would I display them? Here in the city, in Saik Tower? Or the Sanctuary? Would our guests question if our display of her art was support of her actions?
I will likely never know why she did what she did. There have been rumors, and people have shared speculation, but none of that feels real. Eventually, I will need to make peace with never knowing. And I already accept that people are allowed to be complex, layered beings that contain contradictions. My sister can be both an inspiring artist that brought great beauty into this world and a heretical traitor that fanned the flames of a horrific war that will leave the Mourning Isles changed for at least the next several generations (it is not lost on me that there are some people who would attribute that second thing to me, instead).
Perhaps I should send them along to Mother in Saikland. Or bring them with me the next time I return home. I know someone might suggest destroying them, but I am not especially interested in destroying anything.
I have tucked them into the closet of my bedroom. They are properly packaged - I am no monster - to keep from getting damaged. The problem is, I do not know what to do with them.
It is difficult for me to look at them and separate the art from the artist. In my eye, they are reminders of a sister turned stranger turned enemy. Would I grow numb to that over time if I put them on display? And where would I display them? Here in the city, in Saik Tower? Or the Sanctuary? Would our guests question if our display of her art was support of her actions?
I will likely never know why she did what she did. There have been rumors, and people have shared speculation, but none of that feels real. Eventually, I will need to make peace with never knowing. And I already accept that people are allowed to be complex, layered beings that contain contradictions. My sister can be both an inspiring artist that brought great beauty into this world and a heretical traitor that fanned the flames of a horrific war that will leave the Mourning Isles changed for at least the next several generations (it is not lost on me that there are some people who would attribute that second thing to me, instead).
Perhaps I should send them along to Mother in Saikland. Or bring them with me the next time I return home. I know someone might suggest destroying them, but I am not especially interested in destroying anything.
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.
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.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.