Written By Morrighan
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:32 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
I rarely ever comment on anything in a public manner. I mostly keep my thoughts to myself, but the fuckery I've read today has prompted me to say something. I heavily disagree with this matter regarding Vowkeeper, as the Sword of Farhaven. What happened to Bliss was shitty, but to think one is entitled to the House Sword of a noble family is beyond ludicrous. Everard, the traitor, had no right or place to bet the family heirloom blade on a duel. None. No place at all. It's just not done. It was wrong. To demand a noble house to give you their FAMILY sword, though? Hahahahaha. No. It should stay with their family, in their fealty, where it belongs, duel or no duel, but that's just my two silver on the matter.
Written By Preston
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:32 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Rosalie
Indeed - I don't disagree. It seems that some accommodation is there to provide Bliss with a sword - for the history and meaning of the sword are not important to Bliss I do not think - in place of that. Just as if someone were to pay a 10000 silver bill with a prized ring they had no place to offer, you might ask for the ring back, but offer the 10,000 silver to ensure the person is whole.
It is regrettable that we need to even hear about it - I cannot believe it is beyond Telmar and Bliss to solve this. Both are honourable, after all.
It is regrettable that we need to even hear about it - I cannot believe it is beyond Telmar and Bliss to solve this. Both are honourable, after all.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:31 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Gerard
You are so quick to jump to a conclusion, Sir Gerard, without hearing my response. I have accepted Sir Preston's offer of Faith mediation.
Written By Mydas
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:29 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
The actions of a traitor can hardly weight upon a House. How could they, by the very notion of being a traitor to said House and the very Compact itself?
That's as much time I'm willing to waste on this pointless drama.
That's as much time I'm willing to waste on this pointless drama.
Written By Gerard
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:12 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
the issue that the sword had no right to be bet is entirely, completely central to the argument at hand, since your proclamation demands we relinquish it when he had no right to offer it.
If the Voice promised to make this up to you? then that is well, for a dishonor was done by this bastard of a traitor while he was still part of House Telmar. However, unless said Voice offered you this sword (and I have seen no evidence he has and in fact utterly has denied this), then the recompense does not need to include a House Sword that had no business being bet, could not be bet, and thus has no right to be held by anyone other than the chosen representatives of House Telmar.
As it stands, you seem to have rejected all efforts to repay this dishonor, and I wash my hands of you. As a personal measure unrelated to House Telmar, no words will evermore be spoken between myself and Bliss Whisper, save in matters of life and death should we be together on the battlefield against other foes.
If the Voice promised to make this up to you? then that is well, for a dishonor was done by this bastard of a traitor while he was still part of House Telmar. However, unless said Voice offered you this sword (and I have seen no evidence he has and in fact utterly has denied this), then the recompense does not need to include a House Sword that had no business being bet, could not be bet, and thus has no right to be held by anyone other than the chosen representatives of House Telmar.
As it stands, you seem to have rejected all efforts to repay this dishonor, and I wash my hands of you. As a personal measure unrelated to House Telmar, no words will evermore be spoken between myself and Bliss Whisper, save in matters of life and death should we be together on the battlefield against other foes.
Written By Arik
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:10 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
If one person cannot give away the heirloom that is not theirs than two people cannot do it either. House Swords fall with their Houses. Holdings fall with their Houses. Should House Telmar ever be annihilated, disenfranchised from the Peerage, or you raised an army and crushed them in battle. Than mayhap you would have the spoils of war claim to the House Sword. The Spirits and Gods both know -many- heirloom blades have histories of battle and bloodshed. Frostfang itself was taken from an Everwinter shav king known as Golkir. You defeated one member of a house and another was foolish. You did not defeat House Telmar.
Written By Rosalie
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:08 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
I understand your meaning, Sir Preston.. but I'm not sure I would equate an heirloom weapon held in a family for centuries with a few silver from a purse. It would be more the equivalent of the servant being entrusted with your great-grandmother's heirloom ring, and having the servant barter it away for something. While yes, the merchant still deserves their payment, the ring itself should be returned to its rightful owner and equal economic compensation accepted in its place. That ring was accepted under false pretenses, after all.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 13, 2018, 7:04 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
And yet, Vowkeeper was bet against me. And yet, had I lost the duel, I would have been expected to hold up my end of the bet - as is the honorable thing to do. And yet, Gloria guided my blade to victory.
And yet, a Voice of House Telmar promised to repay me what had been done to me, and what was done was a crippling and a theft.
The issue isn't whether the scumstain of a man that was Everard Telmar had any right to bet the sword, as much as the allies and sworn servants of House Telmar wish to make it seem that way. The issue is whether House Telmar is a house of its word or not.
I have offered no statement as to whether they are or aren't. I am simply making my personal dispute with them public, as I have kept it quiet long enough. Should the Radiants ask me to step down as Softest Whisper, I would do so, but for now, I can personally recuse myself from all decisions that might affect our treatment of House Telmar. Whisper House remains neutral.
And yet, a Voice of House Telmar promised to repay me what had been done to me, and what was done was a crippling and a theft.
The issue isn't whether the scumstain of a man that was Everard Telmar had any right to bet the sword, as much as the allies and sworn servants of House Telmar wish to make it seem that way. The issue is whether House Telmar is a house of its word or not.
I have offered no statement as to whether they are or aren't. I am simply making my personal dispute with them public, as I have kept it quiet long enough. Should the Radiants ask me to step down as Softest Whisper, I would do so, but for now, I can personally recuse myself from all decisions that might affect our treatment of House Telmar. Whisper House remains neutral.
Written By Preston
Oct. 13, 2018, 6:56 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
The idea that a House weapon would be treated so poorly is very sad, but given the man involved not surprising. But, the failings of Lord Everard seem tangential to the issue. It is true. A House weapon belongs to the family, not to any individual person named Sword who might wield it. That said, if you leave your purse with a servant in your house colours at the market, and he uses some portion of that silver to buy himself a pie - he had no right to spend your money, and yet it is spent and it would be wrong to deprive the baker of his money for your servants failings. With discussion I am sure those involved can find a suitable solution that sees both sides made whole, and the Faith can mediate if needs be.
Written By Gerard
Oct. 13, 2018, 6:45 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
I leave the particulars of the recent proclamation to be decided by my Lieges, but it is my understanding that no House Sword can, at any point, rightfully give away, bet, or otherwise relinquish their House Blade to another. This, it simply cannot be an honorable thing and therefore not a thing to be followed through. Combined with Everard, may the Gods curse him to eternity, being a traitor and very much deceased, renders this null and void.
However, I am no law student or a Lord of the realm, and my opinion is merely that. If I am factually incorrect, I am open to being corrected by one who would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, know the truth of such interpretation.
However, I am no law student or a Lord of the realm, and my opinion is merely that. If I am factually incorrect, I am open to being corrected by one who would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, know the truth of such interpretation.
Written By Vanora
Oct. 13, 2018, 6:30 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Belladonna
My beloved cousin.
We have all of this in hand. And one another's backs as well. Lets become bolder for it.
We have all of this in hand. And one another's backs as well. Lets become bolder for it.
Written By Arik
Oct. 13, 2018, 6:24 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
House Swords carry heirloom blades for their families and represent their honor. The former owner of Vowkeeper was a traitor and a black mark on House Telmar, but his choices and actions cannot part the heirloom blade from the family any more than a Voice could give away the family holding to some other family. Telmarch is the holding of Telmar and Vowkeeper is their family sword. These are facts and no single family member might change them.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 13, 2018, 6:15 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Everard
I swear, accepting the judgment of the gods in my future lives, that the following is true to the best of my memory. May the Sentinel look on my words and see the Truth therein. Should proof be required, I am happy to give the signed testimony which I collected to any who might ask for it. I am done living in the shadows, and I will happily answer any questions and partake in any investigation regarding the matters which I will put to parchment here.
It all started with a ball six years ago. After I became Bliss, but before I held the titles of Champion or Whisper. Anyone who cares to look into my history can learn that I was wounded after a ball, but the story that was told is not complete, and it is not quite what happened in any case. This is the real tale.
The Ball of the Wall, House Telmar called it. I didn't know what it was being held for at the time, I was simply a wandering duelist who was bored and looking for something fun to do. When I heard that this was going to happen, I decided that I wanted to be there - whether or not I was actually formally invited (I wasn't). It was fairly easy to talk myself in. I grew up alongside the Fidantes, and was able to pull off being noble well enough that no one really questioned letting me in, and the outfit that I wore was really quite spectacular. Some of my first seasilk ever was in that corset, and I am not ashamed to say that I looked amazing.
It was rather the event, particularly given how stark and stiff the Telmarch tends to be. The ballroom was beautiful, filled with Peers in their finest dress and their attendants, with food and drink galore to wow and impress. Resplendent is the word I will choose for it - for splendor was everywhere. Particularly on the face of one woman, a beautiful blonde whose name I never learned that night, but have since discovered is named Lady Brunhilde Steelhart. She is a distant cousin of the family, and fled Arx some years ago along with many others. But I digress.
She was the most beautiful person in the room. When our eyes met, I knew she thought the same of me. It is hard to describe this kind of feeling unless it has been experienced by another, but there are sometimes moments where eyes meet, and you feel something inside of you twinge, knowing without a doubt that you two are going to wind up in one another's arms by the end of the evening. Romance sings at its highest at these times, and I have never been the sort of woman who avoids the call of a feeling so intense. I am one who constantly searches for such things.
I started to make my way over to her, getting one glass of wine, then two, then three. I noticed she was speaking with some men, but thought very little of it, and when I approached her, I brushed her shoulder lightly with my fingers and asked if she wanted to dance. She said yes almost without hesitation. The first dance, our eyes never left each other. The second dance, our lips met, with no regard for who saw or what they might see. Intense passion and desire that neither of us shied away from - until he pulled me away from her.
You see, dear readers, what I had not known at that time was that this ball being held in the Telmarch was in honor of a betrothal. The betrothal of Lord Everard Telmarch ... and Lady Brunhilde Steelhart. It was Everard's hand that found my shoulder and yanked me off of her, and when I protested loudly, it was Everard who realized that there was no reason for a woman who was so clearly a Lycene commoner to be at the ball. He and his friends bodily dragged me out of the ballroom, throwing me outside.
I do not think it surprises anyone when I say: such a thing would not stand for me.
So began a back and forth. At first, Everard's friends joined in, but soon, that rather arrogant traitor decided that he would handle me on his own and told them to leave off. We began snapping insults and taunts back and forth at each other, but he couldn't keep up and became more and more visibly frustrated. Soon I was spinning songs about him, mocking him, and his friends were laughing with me, not at me. This drew the attention of the crowd, more and more came out of the ballroom to see what was happening, and by the end, we had an audience of at least a dozen nobles and scores of their attendants. Many of these are the ones who have provided the sworn and signed testimony on what happened next which I am able to offer.
After all, Everard was cocky - perhaps the best description of the man there is. All of this for a man who couldn't even kiss properly enough to hold his betrothed's interest. The challenge shifted to that of a duel, and I was willing to bet one of my big toes, and more and more as it kept escalating. Finally, Everard had had enough - he issued his bet, and he charged at me.
And he lost the duel against me in seconds. In front of everyone.
After betting Vowkeeper, the heirloom sword of House Telmarch.
To say that the crowd was stunned is an understatement. I've never heard a louder gasp, followed by a more potent silence. But I had won the sword. I walked up to Everard, claiming my prize - the beautiful thing that it is - and left. Really, I thought I had gotten far enough away before I started my celebration.
I was very, very wrong about that.
It was when I was heading back to my campsite, drunk and out of my mind, that Everard Telmar and Addison Ashford found me. I could beat Everard easily in a duel of honor one-on-one when I was only a little tipsy, but defending myself against both of them, in an ambush, when I was still recovering from such a night? I hate to say it, but I didn't stand a chance against them. What they did to me in that forest was brutal, it was vengeful, and they were trying to make me hurt and pay for having shamed Everard so publicly.
Everard ran my shoulder through, knowing that I am a duelist, trying to ruin me and my career.
Everard stole Vowkeeper from me, and they rode off into the night.
There was nothing I could do about it but bleed.
When I first tried to tell this story, no one believed me. Everard had told them he'd had another duel of honor with me where he won it back, and he was Lord Commander of the Iron Guard and, at the time, the Sword of the Telmarch. I knew I had to build my reputation, I knew that I had to be a woman of honor, one of my word. I hope, in the six years since this happened, I have done so.
***
This is my story. This is what happened to me.
House Telmar, make this right. Fulfill the promise that your heir, Voice and Sword, Lord Ansel, made, when he said that he would repay the wrongs that Everard had done to me ten times over. I have given you chance after chance to resolve this peacefully.
Prove that you're a House of your word. Prove that you're a House of honor.
It all started with a ball six years ago. After I became Bliss, but before I held the titles of Champion or Whisper. Anyone who cares to look into my history can learn that I was wounded after a ball, but the story that was told is not complete, and it is not quite what happened in any case. This is the real tale.
The Ball of the Wall, House Telmar called it. I didn't know what it was being held for at the time, I was simply a wandering duelist who was bored and looking for something fun to do. When I heard that this was going to happen, I decided that I wanted to be there - whether or not I was actually formally invited (I wasn't). It was fairly easy to talk myself in. I grew up alongside the Fidantes, and was able to pull off being noble well enough that no one really questioned letting me in, and the outfit that I wore was really quite spectacular. Some of my first seasilk ever was in that corset, and I am not ashamed to say that I looked amazing.
It was rather the event, particularly given how stark and stiff the Telmarch tends to be. The ballroom was beautiful, filled with Peers in their finest dress and their attendants, with food and drink galore to wow and impress. Resplendent is the word I will choose for it - for splendor was everywhere. Particularly on the face of one woman, a beautiful blonde whose name I never learned that night, but have since discovered is named Lady Brunhilde Steelhart. She is a distant cousin of the family, and fled Arx some years ago along with many others. But I digress.
She was the most beautiful person in the room. When our eyes met, I knew she thought the same of me. It is hard to describe this kind of feeling unless it has been experienced by another, but there are sometimes moments where eyes meet, and you feel something inside of you twinge, knowing without a doubt that you two are going to wind up in one another's arms by the end of the evening. Romance sings at its highest at these times, and I have never been the sort of woman who avoids the call of a feeling so intense. I am one who constantly searches for such things.
I started to make my way over to her, getting one glass of wine, then two, then three. I noticed she was speaking with some men, but thought very little of it, and when I approached her, I brushed her shoulder lightly with my fingers and asked if she wanted to dance. She said yes almost without hesitation. The first dance, our eyes never left each other. The second dance, our lips met, with no regard for who saw or what they might see. Intense passion and desire that neither of us shied away from - until he pulled me away from her.
You see, dear readers, what I had not known at that time was that this ball being held in the Telmarch was in honor of a betrothal. The betrothal of Lord Everard Telmarch ... and Lady Brunhilde Steelhart. It was Everard's hand that found my shoulder and yanked me off of her, and when I protested loudly, it was Everard who realized that there was no reason for a woman who was so clearly a Lycene commoner to be at the ball. He and his friends bodily dragged me out of the ballroom, throwing me outside.
I do not think it surprises anyone when I say: such a thing would not stand for me.
So began a back and forth. At first, Everard's friends joined in, but soon, that rather arrogant traitor decided that he would handle me on his own and told them to leave off. We began snapping insults and taunts back and forth at each other, but he couldn't keep up and became more and more visibly frustrated. Soon I was spinning songs about him, mocking him, and his friends were laughing with me, not at me. This drew the attention of the crowd, more and more came out of the ballroom to see what was happening, and by the end, we had an audience of at least a dozen nobles and scores of their attendants. Many of these are the ones who have provided the sworn and signed testimony on what happened next which I am able to offer.
After all, Everard was cocky - perhaps the best description of the man there is. All of this for a man who couldn't even kiss properly enough to hold his betrothed's interest. The challenge shifted to that of a duel, and I was willing to bet one of my big toes, and more and more as it kept escalating. Finally, Everard had had enough - he issued his bet, and he charged at me.
And he lost the duel against me in seconds. In front of everyone.
After betting Vowkeeper, the heirloom sword of House Telmarch.
To say that the crowd was stunned is an understatement. I've never heard a louder gasp, followed by a more potent silence. But I had won the sword. I walked up to Everard, claiming my prize - the beautiful thing that it is - and left. Really, I thought I had gotten far enough away before I started my celebration.
I was very, very wrong about that.
It was when I was heading back to my campsite, drunk and out of my mind, that Everard Telmar and Addison Ashford found me. I could beat Everard easily in a duel of honor one-on-one when I was only a little tipsy, but defending myself against both of them, in an ambush, when I was still recovering from such a night? I hate to say it, but I didn't stand a chance against them. What they did to me in that forest was brutal, it was vengeful, and they were trying to make me hurt and pay for having shamed Everard so publicly.
Everard ran my shoulder through, knowing that I am a duelist, trying to ruin me and my career.
Everard stole Vowkeeper from me, and they rode off into the night.
There was nothing I could do about it but bleed.
When I first tried to tell this story, no one believed me. Everard had told them he'd had another duel of honor with me where he won it back, and he was Lord Commander of the Iron Guard and, at the time, the Sword of the Telmarch. I knew I had to build my reputation, I knew that I had to be a woman of honor, one of my word. I hope, in the six years since this happened, I have done so.
***
This is my story. This is what happened to me.
House Telmar, make this right. Fulfill the promise that your heir, Voice and Sword, Lord Ansel, made, when he said that he would repay the wrongs that Everard had done to me ten times over. I have given you chance after chance to resolve this peacefully.
Prove that you're a House of your word. Prove that you're a House of honor.
Written By Evaristo
Oct. 13, 2018, 3:51 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Berenice
I can only hope to reach such levels of cleverness. She almost made me give her my shirt off my back... with one touch and a few words. (Alright, it was my coat but had she asked for the shirt she could've had that - it's an old shirt. The coat is new and armoured and I need it for those times someone wants to stab me which happens frequently enough I need this coat... but so tempting to give it.)
It's much easier waking up being robbed, than facing such sweet danger as Princess Berenice Velenosa. I am defeated and I like it.
It's much easier waking up being robbed, than facing such sweet danger as Princess Berenice Velenosa. I am defeated and I like it.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 13, 2018, 3:47 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
I will not be ignored. I will not be pushed aside.
I will not be forgotten.
I will not be forgotten.
Written By Miranda
Oct. 13, 2018, 1:36 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Prisila
'Tis the season for hunting pirates....
They are most plentiful!
They are most plentiful!
Written By Miranda
Oct. 13, 2018, 1:34 p.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Liara
"Warm, wet things."
Our own inside joke.
Fabulous.
Our own inside joke.
Fabulous.
Written By Kenna
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:07 a.m.(10/10/1009 AR)
The general consensus seems to be 'don't'. I promise I'm listening.
Written By Iseulet
Oct. 13, 2018, 10:26 a.m.(10/9/1009 AR)
I head out on the waves with House Seraceni again soon. This time I think I'll wear something that I can easily wipe spit off of. Diplomacy on the High Seas sometimes involves getting spat on, don't you know.
Written By Fairen
Oct. 13, 2018, 10:17 a.m.(10/9/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Iliana
My daughter is learning how to crawl, and is doing so at an exceptional rate. Last night, the little bugger crawled under our bed and made a game of trying to escape my hands. Meanwhile, my wife had a great laugh, watching me try to get her out from under there.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.