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Written By Domonico

Feb. 9, 2019, 2:28 a.m.(7/15/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Audric

I can't stay I ever saw eye to eye with Baron Audric but the fact remains he is family through marriage to my cousin Enyo and father to her child. Thus I will mourn him and avenge him if possible.

Written By Domonico

Feb. 9, 2019, 2:24 a.m.(7/15/1010 AR)

It's truly a good thing when the important women in your life get along so well together.

Written By Orrin

Feb. 9, 2019, 1:58 a.m.(7/15/1010 AR)

I find myself strangely steered by circumstance these most recent days; a messenger arriving at a particular moment, a bit of conversation overheard, chance meetings. It gives a peculiar gravity to what my eyes see, as if events are rendered more important by the good fortune that surrounds them. I wonder shall I let this guide me, or steer yet this ship by my own accounting.

Written By Nurie

Feb. 8, 2019, 10:47 p.m.(7/15/1010 AR)

It's here! After all the work put in by our artisans, and all of my sister's careful devotion and vision to making it so. The brocade is so beautiful, I could scarcely believe my eyes--or my fingertips--when the first crate was opened here. I'd never thought I'd see something that captivated me as much as seasilk does, but...oh, it is lovely. And to think that Tessere was the birthplace of it!

Written By Kenna

Feb. 8, 2019, 10:32 p.m.(7/15/1010 AR)

Sometimes you think a thing and you know it's a bad idea. But then someone else goes, "No, that's a bad idea," and you realize HOW bad of an idea that thing was.

Written By Preston

Feb. 8, 2019, 6:26 p.m.(7/14/1010 AR)

It seems there is some confusion and some think that my last journal entry was one of frustration, or disagreement with leadership or others. Looking back, I can understand how people read it that way but that is my carelessness with words, not any true intent. It was a journal on self reflection and self doubt - in understanding perhaps for the first time the full responsibility of leadership, and gaining an understanding for why others made choices that they did. And how I could not allow my own moments of self doubt to ever divert me from a course i knew to be right, no matter the personal cost I might have to shoulder. Previously, I have had to shoulder often the responsibility of losing those I command - as I did at Stormwall. Recent events force me to send men on a mission of my own design for the first time since becoming Grandmaster, and so any deaths will not just be under my command, but stem from my design, from my directives. It was entirely a journal about myself, and not others. A journal to show each of us is human, and so my people might know that if I ask of them something great, it is not a callous or casual and uncaring thing. I am sorry for those who thought it more exciting than it was.

Written By Valdemar

Feb. 8, 2019, 5:28 p.m.(7/14/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Jeffeth

The thought is appreciated. Maybe if everyone else living in the Compact, every single adult commoner and noble alike, were willing to give of themselves in the same way, then perhaps the civil war and chaos that accepting Brass' offer will mean in my homeland could be averted. Maybe. Keep in mind that, in spite of the great generosity of the mainland houses of the Compact, Stormward still suffered for a time before matters were settled. And that was only a single march, without any of its vassal houses joining it.

Despite all of that, I do want to thank you for your support when many seem to be of the opinion that we deserve whatever befalls us if the Compact gives in to Brass' demands.

Written By Zeriax

Feb. 8, 2019, 4:46 p.m.(7/14/1010 AR)


    My pursuits have been fruitful.

A messenger arrived from Lord Vitalis Mazetti while I was browsing through the Great Archive, in search of answers to a number of questions I've been turning over in my mind. Distractions are plentiful these days, but this was one I had been waiting for. I had posted a petition not long after my initial return to Arx, and my request to join the Society of Explorers was soon picked up by the fellow I had originally met in passing in the Hall of Heroes. Small world.

With haste I made my way to the Chapter Hall to find my examiner appreciating the finer decor. After a small exchange of words and wit, he led me out of the building and into the streets. The twist? He had instructed me to close my eyes. At first I was hoping that the first test would be one involving a game of hide-and-seek. No matter how much I age, those children's games will always have a special place in my heart. It wasn't long before he began to spin me in circles, attempting to disorient me, which gave way to his first test; tell him which way was north. The intent was to see how well I would be able to work under extenuating circumstances, such as blindness or lack of lumination. The average person might find the prospect of his request difficult, having been walked blind through the city and then been spun like a top, but I'm far from average.

The test was completed with ease, and I admit, I enjoyed a little showboating before opening my eyes. Perhaps that was something of an unwise proposition, as my ears rang for several days after bearing first-hand witness to Lord Mazetti's proficiency with a whip. What happened next as we squared off was perhaps an expression of the divine providence that follows me wherever I go; A messenger from Lady Peri Seliki interposed himself between Lord Mazetti and I. Later I learned that one portion of the heiress' letter bade me 'Good Luck' in my exam. Coincidence?

I know not what Lord Mazetti had planned, but the messenger was a much welcomed distraction. As I didn't have my bow on my person, it became necessary to improvise, my examiner planning to test my mettle. In his haste to get away from us, Lady Seliki's messenger happened to displace some soil underfoot. A perfect opportunity! My opponent began to circle around me, and I sprang forth like a wild animal, bounding around with techniques taught to me by the pack hunters in the mountain glades to the north. An embellished ruse meant to hide my true intent. As I tumbled and twisted, in my hands I gathered loose soil and stone, which promptly made its way into my examiner's eyes.

For those who fancy 'fair fights' and 'honour in combat', remember this: The victor writes of triumph, the vanquished write no more, and the pretty pictures painted after may not portray the conflict as it truly was. In any case, I would like to state once more, publicly; Vitalis was asking for it. Since I'm not a savage, I ran to the nearest merchant and borrowed his waterskin so I could help the Lord clean the dirt from his eyes. Shortly thereafter, I was inducted into the Society. I should also make special note here; Princess Lou Grayson, it wasn't my idea to start a tab in the tavern under your name to celebrate. Don't hate the player, hate the game. I'll make it up to you later.

Outside of my goals with the Society, I've made a little headway with the curator of the Gilded Page. There's too many ideas in my head to hold onto, so I've recently taken to spilling them across the parchment. Why not make a little silver for my efforts? I'm sure the bored gentry could use a few brain teasers to occupy their time. Notoriety isn't expected, as this is just something of a pleasant hobby, but we'll see what comes of it. The Minx of the Marches, for her part, seemed genuinely delighted to speak about authorship and works of fiction. A person with a clear passion.

As for my continuing search, I've turned up nothing besides more questions. I've sent messages out to those I've met, and those who I've caught wind of that might know a thing or two. Not every lead has gone somewhere. Poring over existing records has yet to provide any useful results either, but I've picked up another name. While I wait for my sources to get back to me, I can pursue another new lead. I have yet to meet with the owner of that asshole bird that kicked over my wine, but I'm certain we'll cross paths soon enough. Till then, I think it's about time I began a new search: proper city attire.

I've been spared no shortage of odd looks, all of which I'm well aware of. As much as I feel more comfortable dressed this way, it would do me well to maybe not look so much like one of the Prodigals. I have no sense of fashion, so I'll need help. I have to find someone who knows what they're doing, or at the very least, has an appreciation for their apparel. One person comes to mind when I imagine 'clothes shopping', oddly enough. We met entirely by chance on two separate occasions, and while I'm sure she might argue this feverently, I thought both instances were rather pleasant. Her insistence that I'm a nuisance may be warranted considering I was tossing berries at her, so I might have to find a way to appeal to her better nature first, before asking. For the time being, animal pelts it is.
All this, and only two weeks in. So far so good. Hopefully the momentum keeps up.

Written By Hadrian

Feb. 8, 2019, 4:14 p.m.(7/14/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Audric

The news of Baron Audric de Lire's death comes as quite the surprise. Not because I never once thought he'd have ever crossed someone to the point that they'd want to kill him. One doesn't accomplish all that the good Captain-General has in life and not expect to make some particularly bitter enemies along the way.

In truth it was his prowess that gave me such a sense of security in his future and safety. It wasn't at all that he was unkillable - there are very few who could claim such a thing, because as we know the Queen of Endings always takes her due. No, it was the fact that he was so in possession of an abundance of cleverness. He was the sort that legends speak of; the plucky warrior on the battlefield, alone and surrounded, who somehow talks their way out of that situation through guile and tact.

On request he has provided me services that have witnessed both justice and revenge sated. He was enjoyable company and amusingly I'm not certain he ever quite understood the connection of bloodlines and how cousins fall within them. Or he did and he was just singularly focused on reaching his goal that he didn't care. Either way, it was amusing.

He was most assuredly rough around the edges, there is no way to deny that fact with a straight face. He had his moments like everyone does. He was human (or was he?) he was flawed, but he made the best of the situation and the hand he was dealt. I'm sad to hear of the passing of someone I considered a friend and hope that he will enjoy the succor of the Queen of Endings until his eventual return from the Wheel.

Written By Corban

Feb. 8, 2019, 1:24 p.m.(7/14/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

As Arx endures, we will remember.

Written By Jeffeth

Feb. 8, 2019, 11:09 a.m.(7/14/1010 AR)

I'll confess I haven't been keeping up on many of the journals of people I follow recently. If this thought has been going around already I suppose I apologize.

The issue of Brass and Thrax is a heated issue I'm sure. You can feel the heat coming off the pages in the archives even if you don't read them. Thrax asked for fifty years Brass said one. I've seen some of the arguments, that this would send Thrax into a civil war or they'd just collapse on themselves.

There are many islanders, and many of the Thrax bloodline that I deeply respect and cherish as people. I don't like thralldom, I guess I sort of just tried to ignore it when people I would deeply care about would speak about thralls or call that person that would in any other house a servant a thrall. It made me uncomfortable. But I suppose I sort of just stuffed that down. I regret that, and I'm sorry.

While I don't like it, I do very much like the people who have it. And if they're saying it will cause them pain, I believe them. Do they deserve the pain for simply being born into a system they did not create? I don't think so. I also don't think the thralls deserve to be in the situation they're in. Brass's offer could force something that should happen into happening rather fast. But there will be a cost.

My offer is simple and modest. I know I'm not much, and perhaps I wouldn't actually be able to help all that much. But I offer my full and complete support of House Thrax should they accept Brass's offer. Financially, physically, anything needed at all. If there are civil wars, I offer my ability as a fighter. If there are places people need to stay, I offer a few empty rooms in my house, if there is need for silver, I offer what I can.

It's a hard decision to make. But I stand behind all those in Thrax who, even if rushed into it, are making a very hard decision to do the right thing.

Written By Ysbail

Feb. 8, 2019, 3:03 a.m.(7/13/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Audric

You still owe me that drink and story.

What a way to go.

Written By Victus

Feb. 8, 2019, 2:06 a.m.(7/13/1010 AR)

And so she fought and so she stood,
Fighting through the night,
For saving others was a simple good,
Even if it meant dying in the light.

Written By Athaur

Feb. 8, 2019, 1:43 a.m.(7/13/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Gretchen

Jingling in the streets?! Whoever could you be referring too?

Written By Sophie

Feb. 8, 2019, 1:18 a.m.(7/13/1010 AR)

It's been a very long time since I've just been happy.

Too long!

It feels almost as if I'm remembering the person I once was. Life is more complicated, sure... but that's expected at this point.The essence of it though - the essence of it is good. It helps with the rest of it - things I'd rather forget.

Thank youl You know who you are.

Written By Monique

Feb. 7, 2019, 11:36 p.m.(7/13/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Niklas

There has been an influx of new works in the Gilded Page, and I couldn't be happier. My gratitude is extended in particular to Prince Niklas Grayson, who has been instrumental in finding books to grace the shelves and give patrons new reading to devour, without being asked and without asking for anything in return. His generosity is inspiring.

Written By Lucita

Feb. 7, 2019, 9:12 p.m.(7/12/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Sasha

You're cured at long last! Oh that is such wonderful, such absolutely wonderful news.

Written By Thesarin

Feb. 7, 2019, 7:52 p.m.(7/12/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Audric

Get well soon.

Written By Gretchen

Feb. 7, 2019, 7:12 p.m.(7/12/1010 AR)

This city is so musical! People singing in the taverns, jingling when they walk down the street!

I kind of hate it.

Written By Lucita

Feb. 7, 2019, 6:54 p.m.(7/12/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Ian

Thanks for letting me help work with uniting the families and children together, freed. The expression on their faces... priceless.

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