Written By Nurie
Jan. 20, 2019, 12:20 p.m.(6/4/1010 AR)
It has been a fortnight of very worrying events. As things trickled in here and there, whispered and gossiped in the market, hearing about what the baker's son's wife who is in service to an oathland's lord has said contrasted with what the butcher's sister's letters have said from the mountains and how the butcher is near beside herself with worry--there are so many worried people amongst the smallfolk as well. A trip to the market takes longer, to listen and light a hand on someone you've come to know since your time in the city. Just to listen. Perhaps to offer a handkerchief. It is a privilege to have others be so unguarded, knowing that you are willing to listen even if you can't help, exactly.
But it was far easier to do so, when I did not have to worry about Iriscal as well. So many slaughtered just outside our doorstep, and going to seek or having been honored already to serve the Thirteenth. Does this mean that those that hate the Thirteenth will steal over to hurt people in Iriscal as well? My beloved lady is here, and so there is a measure of safety I think. And my sweet brother as well, and they are well protected by Sir Elysio. But our old nurse is still in the family's home household, and so is the stern steward who has been there since...since my mother's mother I am sure! And the captain of the guards there. I couldn't bear to think of anything happening to them, or their children, or their children's children. When I was little and couldn't sleep, the captain of the guard didn't mind me walking along with him as long as I was quiet. And sometimes he would hold my hand and let me walk along the lower parapets, as long as the stone wasn't too slippery. I am sure that those that were slain, and yes even those that did the slaying--all of them surely have given and received little moments of kindness and love and unseen care for another. Perhaps they are more alike than they are different. Probably they are all doing the bidding of another far above their station.
What is it within us that we see not the man who cuddles and kisses and plays with his little child before he must put on his armor and take up his sword, the woman who keeps such meticulous journals of her faith and findings but yet has at her soul an eye for beauty that is so easy to see if only one takes a breath to look, the youth that embarks upon a journey away from home for the first time and is so excited and when he first sees the raised swords he might well wonder if it's some sort of strange salute? What makes us only see the cloaks our minds put upon others, to make them easier to harm and think it good and right?
I do not know. And here, things move forward as if nothing has happened, except for hidden tears in the market, and worries about profits (or happiness about them increasing, depending) because of the rising danger along trade routes.
It is a place most strange to be. But here I am, mending and creating and altering for so many that look quite the same when they're waiting for me in their underclothes.
But it was far easier to do so, when I did not have to worry about Iriscal as well. So many slaughtered just outside our doorstep, and going to seek or having been honored already to serve the Thirteenth. Does this mean that those that hate the Thirteenth will steal over to hurt people in Iriscal as well? My beloved lady is here, and so there is a measure of safety I think. And my sweet brother as well, and they are well protected by Sir Elysio. But our old nurse is still in the family's home household, and so is the stern steward who has been there since...since my mother's mother I am sure! And the captain of the guards there. I couldn't bear to think of anything happening to them, or their children, or their children's children. When I was little and couldn't sleep, the captain of the guard didn't mind me walking along with him as long as I was quiet. And sometimes he would hold my hand and let me walk along the lower parapets, as long as the stone wasn't too slippery. I am sure that those that were slain, and yes even those that did the slaying--all of them surely have given and received little moments of kindness and love and unseen care for another. Perhaps they are more alike than they are different. Probably they are all doing the bidding of another far above their station.
What is it within us that we see not the man who cuddles and kisses and plays with his little child before he must put on his armor and take up his sword, the woman who keeps such meticulous journals of her faith and findings but yet has at her soul an eye for beauty that is so easy to see if only one takes a breath to look, the youth that embarks upon a journey away from home for the first time and is so excited and when he first sees the raised swords he might well wonder if it's some sort of strange salute? What makes us only see the cloaks our minds put upon others, to make them easier to harm and think it good and right?
I do not know. And here, things move forward as if nothing has happened, except for hidden tears in the market, and worries about profits (or happiness about them increasing, depending) because of the rising danger along trade routes.
It is a place most strange to be. But here I am, mending and creating and altering for so many that look quite the same when they're waiting for me in their underclothes.
Written By Evaristo
Jan. 20, 2019, 11:31 a.m.(6/4/1010 AR)
I'm getting really worried.
There's a wine shortage. Of Lenosian wines.
I need to hoarde them now.
There's a wine shortage. Of Lenosian wines.
I need to hoarde them now.
Written By Leta
Jan. 20, 2019, 10:14 a.m.(6/4/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Serafine
<This entry is dated to 24/05/1010. The handwriting is especially bad, even for Leta.>
It's been two years. It feels like it might as well have been yesterday.
The world has changed. Too much, if you ask me. But I always said that, didn't I? Truth is I liked it when things were simpler, when we didn't know about all these unnatural things that crawl in the corners of the world. I had a sword and I had my arms and that was that, and magic was something in the stories my nan used to tell me. I don't know what to make of all this, and I don't reckon I ever will.
For a while, it didn't matter. I had a star to guide me by, such as sailors do. I knew where my North was, or rather my South I suppose. I still ask myself what you'd want me to do, sometimes. What you'd think of things, like these foreigners and the road and all. But it's not the same. Used to be I had a purpose, and I don't feel like I've much of one these days. Things change but I don't. It's like I'm still stuck in the bloody muck of Setarco after all this time.
Maybe this ought to go in the Blacks, but folk forget too quickly. And maybe some day I'll do something heroic and worth speaking of. And then maybe Scholars of years to come, if they haven't all been killed, will want to learn more and ask why, and here they'll have it. Odds are I won't live to do great deeds, but you never know. And if I sacrifice myself for something, folk will talk about glory and honor and foolish things like that. Odds are I'll do because it would make you laugh.
I wish we'd never left home. Setarco would've done fine without us.
Meowlarice misses you too.
Your Leta.
It's been two years. It feels like it might as well have been yesterday.
The world has changed. Too much, if you ask me. But I always said that, didn't I? Truth is I liked it when things were simpler, when we didn't know about all these unnatural things that crawl in the corners of the world. I had a sword and I had my arms and that was that, and magic was something in the stories my nan used to tell me. I don't know what to make of all this, and I don't reckon I ever will.
For a while, it didn't matter. I had a star to guide me by, such as sailors do. I knew where my North was, or rather my South I suppose. I still ask myself what you'd want me to do, sometimes. What you'd think of things, like these foreigners and the road and all. But it's not the same. Used to be I had a purpose, and I don't feel like I've much of one these days. Things change but I don't. It's like I'm still stuck in the bloody muck of Setarco after all this time.
Maybe this ought to go in the Blacks, but folk forget too quickly. And maybe some day I'll do something heroic and worth speaking of. And then maybe Scholars of years to come, if they haven't all been killed, will want to learn more and ask why, and here they'll have it. Odds are I won't live to do great deeds, but you never know. And if I sacrifice myself for something, folk will talk about glory and honor and foolish things like that. Odds are I'll do because it would make you laugh.
I wish we'd never left home. Setarco would've done fine without us.
Meowlarice misses you too.
Your Leta.
Written By Kenna
Jan. 20, 2019, 9:31 a.m.(6/4/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Fiora
You know nothing of Officer Sparte Fatchforth.
I encourage you to speak to him before making more such public comments.
I encourage you to speak to him before making more such public comments.
Written By Iseulet
Jan. 20, 2019, 5:38 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
Matchmaking services are apparently a thing I do now.
Written By Preston
Jan. 20, 2019, 5:33 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
The proposals for the Compact were presented to the Assembly of Peers. Our role is to advise, and the Dominus will speak when he feels it is appropriate. What I will observe is that those who come want us for a reason, and they told you. We are special. We have gifts. We are beloved of the Gods. They wish to snuff out what is special about us, our freedoms, and replace them with safety. Safety that seems strong, but in truth we sit in a sheltered bay and we have no idea how the winds may buffet us if we sail out with a new friend, no idea how strong that safety will prove to be.
I have faith in the Compact to do what it needs to do. I trust that the peers will remember they are guardians of something greater than themselves and their lands. I know that the Faith will endure, because we will not let it be subsumed or destroyed by any foreign power, and if that is a task that needs me to die alone on a hill then so be it. But mostly, I want people to realise that survival is in and of itself not a virtue. To survive if it means giving away all you are, to survive if it means doing evil, to survive if it means losing the Gods, to survive if it means giving your children and your children's children's futures away? That is not what I would want. Nor do I think is it what Gloria would expect of us. I do not know if the choices ahead of us will force us to do such things, but we should not hunt safety at any cost.
As in all things, if it is in the service of righteousness, the Templars will stand with the secular forces of the Compact. As we have at Stormwall, at the Lodge, in the forests of the Lyceum, in the Gray Forest.
I have faith in the Compact to do what it needs to do. I trust that the peers will remember they are guardians of something greater than themselves and their lands. I know that the Faith will endure, because we will not let it be subsumed or destroyed by any foreign power, and if that is a task that needs me to die alone on a hill then so be it. But mostly, I want people to realise that survival is in and of itself not a virtue. To survive if it means giving away all you are, to survive if it means doing evil, to survive if it means losing the Gods, to survive if it means giving your children and your children's children's futures away? That is not what I would want. Nor do I think is it what Gloria would expect of us. I do not know if the choices ahead of us will force us to do such things, but we should not hunt safety at any cost.
As in all things, if it is in the service of righteousness, the Templars will stand with the secular forces of the Compact. As we have at Stormwall, at the Lodge, in the forests of the Lyceum, in the Gray Forest.
Written By Vincenzo
Jan. 20, 2019, 4:01 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
The forgotten sun rose on a Spring morning, unexpected
The world lost to ice and frost, a Winter unending.
Slowly the warmth returned, ten fingers and toes,
A heartbeat brought back to life like a crocus bursting through snow.
Face lifted into the warmth of the sun
Deep breaths drawn in, blood flowing, time still.
Unexpected and yet cherished, a reminder of what came before.
Before the endless, driving rain of icy knives.
Before the blade that carved skin from muscle,
Leaving raw ragged flesh exposed to cold and rain and sleet.
Before time and solitude rendered tissue as stone and steel.
As swift as it arrived, the light left, and in the wake the cold returns.
Veins freeze and light fades, swift and sure as the sun sets.
May it be forgotten again.
The world lost to ice and frost, a Winter unending.
Slowly the warmth returned, ten fingers and toes,
A heartbeat brought back to life like a crocus bursting through snow.
Face lifted into the warmth of the sun
Deep breaths drawn in, blood flowing, time still.
Unexpected and yet cherished, a reminder of what came before.
Before the endless, driving rain of icy knives.
Before the blade that carved skin from muscle,
Leaving raw ragged flesh exposed to cold and rain and sleet.
Before time and solitude rendered tissue as stone and steel.
As swift as it arrived, the light left, and in the wake the cold returns.
Veins freeze and light fades, swift and sure as the sun sets.
May it be forgotten again.
Written By Fiora
Jan. 20, 2019, 2:23 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
As a commoner who has in recent memory been teaching people heresy and performed an ill thought out plan that got you removed from your discipleship perhaps you should read and re-read a noble's journal before telling them what to do.
But what do I know? You're obviously the wise one here.
But what do I know? You're obviously the wise one here.
Written By Angelo
Jan. 20, 2019, 2:17 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
Much enthusiastic gratitude to Lady Ysbail Blackwood and Vala Khanne Halfshav for their most patient ability to suffer my barrage of questions earlier. Wonderful people, the both of them.
Written By Angelo
Jan. 20, 2019, 2:15 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
It's a pity they won't simply let us choose 'none of the above'.
Written By Mina
Jan. 20, 2019, 1:30 a.m.(6/3/1010 AR)
Things are going...I was going to write 'well', but I'm just please that things are continuing to 'go'. My investigation continues, and my work for the Iron Guard has kept me busy...but the reports of the theft of the Lenosian wine I find alarming. It feels like it's the first domino in a series that will fall if thieves and crooks think that the authorities are too busy to deal with them. I honestly don't know if that will be the case, I'm just a farmgirl...I'm not anything special. But I would hate for my inaction to bring about such a thing. As such I've written the lieutenants of the Iron Guard to request permission to look into it. I hope for a favorable reply, but we shall see. I still haven't proven myself, or at least I haven't to my own satisfaction. Perhaps this will allow me to do so.
Written By Venturo
Jan. 19, 2019, 9:25 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Ida
While I have yet to meet Dame Ida in person, she has been a pleasant joy as a recently formed penpal. Her reputation in her work is clearly well earned, and given the perfect blend of politeness and charm in her words, it is no wonder she's held up as an example of Oathlands honor, and find myself looking forward to being able to review her work first hand.
Written By Duarte
Jan. 19, 2019, 8:47 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Amund
No. I could think of a few other cities as well.
Written By Merek
Jan. 19, 2019, 8:29 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
The winds of change seem to come to Arx often. I think that we have the benefit to learn with each thing we combat that comes to our city. I am hoping that we can offer our supplications to Lagoma, keeper of change. I am hopeful that they will guide us towards the best paths to take.
Written By Jennyva
Jan. 19, 2019, 6:11 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Okay, Mal goes and gets me sick for a week and I come back and just... everything happened.
So let me get this straight. Maybe. I'm probably wrong because this feels like a FEVER DREAM.
Copper died. Now we have to choose who's going to protect us from a huge threat on the horizon.
Our choices are Cardia, Platinum/Empire, Brass/Ashe, and Ashe.
Cardia will cut of trade with this Empire, but we'll be taught magic. But they will bring back slavery. King and Highlords will be demoted. We will all be much richer though, probably. The Empire will be upset.
The Empire will limit magic and not let us play with the Abyss (by force). Cardian goods will halt and Cardia will probably come down on us swiftly.
Brass says he can arm us if we just economically sink Thrax. But, apparently Alaric has a bastard and this Brass kidnapped it and attempted to kill it for revenge on Cardia. Call me cautious with this one.
Ashe, the final option is Copper's apprentice. She wants us to stand on our own two feet like big boys and girls. It's going to hurt a lot. But if we stand together we might be able to pull it off. We are going to lose a lot of life and limb.
--
Now, I don't know what Cardia or the Empire want from us. It seems a little one sided, all of this. I also didn't know Copper, and I feel all the poorer for it, she seems to have touched a lot of people. Maybe... we should hear more about this Ashe and what she has in mind.
And we are not without other options for allies. We now have something called a Prima! I don't know what that is. Maybe she's on our side. We still have the Nox'alfar. We still have us. And you know, we aren't so bad. We are smart and we are not weak.
And now we wait for decisions to be made. It's not an easy one to make. Nor is it one to wait for.
So let me get this straight. Maybe. I'm probably wrong because this feels like a FEVER DREAM.
Copper died. Now we have to choose who's going to protect us from a huge threat on the horizon.
Our choices are Cardia, Platinum/Empire, Brass/Ashe, and Ashe.
Cardia will cut of trade with this Empire, but we'll be taught magic. But they will bring back slavery. King and Highlords will be demoted. We will all be much richer though, probably. The Empire will be upset.
The Empire will limit magic and not let us play with the Abyss (by force). Cardian goods will halt and Cardia will probably come down on us swiftly.
Brass says he can arm us if we just economically sink Thrax. But, apparently Alaric has a bastard and this Brass kidnapped it and attempted to kill it for revenge on Cardia. Call me cautious with this one.
Ashe, the final option is Copper's apprentice. She wants us to stand on our own two feet like big boys and girls. It's going to hurt a lot. But if we stand together we might be able to pull it off. We are going to lose a lot of life and limb.
--
Now, I don't know what Cardia or the Empire want from us. It seems a little one sided, all of this. I also didn't know Copper, and I feel all the poorer for it, she seems to have touched a lot of people. Maybe... we should hear more about this Ashe and what she has in mind.
And we are not without other options for allies. We now have something called a Prima! I don't know what that is. Maybe she's on our side. We still have the Nox'alfar. We still have us. And you know, we aren't so bad. We are smart and we are not weak.
And now we wait for decisions to be made. It's not an easy one to make. Nor is it one to wait for.
Written By Leta
Jan. 19, 2019, 5:28 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
<Wine stains.>
Not much is going on with me.
I put on my armor today. It still mostly fits, maybe a little tighter around the middle than it needs to be but not so as to bother me too much. Not that I expect I'll be fighting any time soon, but you never know. These are strange days and I don't rightly know what to think about all that's happened of late.
Lagoma forgive me, but I'm tired of things changing. I feel like a lump of wood or something, sometimes, just getting dragged down a river wherever it's going. Or not even that. But I suppose a log of wood's got some use. You can burn it for fuel and warmth. I reckon maybe I got some use too, in the end, if that's what it takes.
I hate this time of year.
Not much is going on with me.
I put on my armor today. It still mostly fits, maybe a little tighter around the middle than it needs to be but not so as to bother me too much. Not that I expect I'll be fighting any time soon, but you never know. These are strange days and I don't rightly know what to think about all that's happened of late.
Lagoma forgive me, but I'm tired of things changing. I feel like a lump of wood or something, sometimes, just getting dragged down a river wherever it's going. Or not even that. But I suppose a log of wood's got some use. You can burn it for fuel and warmth. I reckon maybe I got some use too, in the end, if that's what it takes.
I hate this time of year.
Written By Amund
Jan. 19, 2019, 2:30 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Only in this city will a blood sorcerer who aims to do human sacrifice will be hailed as a flawless hero. He may be heroic, but those are some glaring flaws.
Written By Harper
Jan. 19, 2019, 12:06 p.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Never been to an assembly before. Not sure if they're all like that, but if so, then that was kinda amazing and more than a little overwhelming.
And the commoner benches were the place to be this time, at least. Got to talk to good friends and family. Got to eat candy. Got to meet a legend. Got to see another legend. Got to see another person I've met be raised up to a queen in the span of a few minutes. And to top it all off, the visitors were real interesting too. Though that guy that kept dropping black sand and giving the Inquisitors fits at sweeping it all up was pretty creepy.
Wouldn't have missed it, cause it was quite the show. But for all that, nothing there really changed my mind on things.
And the commoner benches were the place to be this time, at least. Got to talk to good friends and family. Got to eat candy. Got to meet a legend. Got to see another legend. Got to see another person I've met be raised up to a queen in the span of a few minutes. And to top it all off, the visitors were real interesting too. Though that guy that kept dropping black sand and giving the Inquisitors fits at sweeping it all up was pretty creepy.
Wouldn't have missed it, cause it was quite the show. But for all that, nothing there really changed my mind on things.
Written By Lou
Jan. 19, 2019, 11:50 a.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Now that I've had some time to digest the events of the Assembly that occurred this past week, I can't help but point out something and make it very, very clear:
Several months ago, the Compact came together to fight hard against the yoke of having our freedoms and our names taken away from us, and to ensure that we do not become enslaved by one of the forces of darkness. We won that battle. I sincerely hope that we did not win that battle only to give any kind of serious credence to the offers that are being passed around now that involves become enslaved to yet another, no matter what kind of 'light' they are offering.
I did not fight for the freedom of all within the Compact and Arvum only to be enslaved by another. I will continue to fight for freedom what ever choice is made, for that is my choice, for all of us.
Several months ago, the Compact came together to fight hard against the yoke of having our freedoms and our names taken away from us, and to ensure that we do not become enslaved by one of the forces of darkness. We won that battle. I sincerely hope that we did not win that battle only to give any kind of serious credence to the offers that are being passed around now that involves become enslaved to yet another, no matter what kind of 'light' they are offering.
I did not fight for the freedom of all within the Compact and Arvum only to be enslaved by another. I will continue to fight for freedom what ever choice is made, for that is my choice, for all of us.
Written By Sparte
Jan. 19, 2019, 10:57 a.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Domonico
Please do not imply Thrax would hold the rest of the compact hostage over such a decision.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.