Written By Victus
Sept. 23, 2017, 1:18 p.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
It's been a long time since I set foot on the Maelstrom's cold, unforgiving surface. Many I know were horrified by what they saw, but the people of the Isles have a certain... taste in art that is often more slated toward the horror. Though what's horrifying for some is home to me. Never have I felt more liberated then when I stand in the halls of the Fortress or sit upon its throne. It was a breath of fresh air and one that's left me returning to Arx more invigorated than fuckin' ever.
I wanna address something I brought up in my parting speech to the Maelstrom before I set off for Arx again. I specifically wanted to address all the women that had participated in driving back the Deeps, for there were many and they proved invaluable. Often times it is considered bad luck for a woman to even pray on board a vessel of the Thrax. As time goes on, I'm seeing how much more ridiculous it can be to ostracize based on someone's fucking privates.
When you think of when the Maelstrom was defended from the living dead, never forget Princess Reese and her shield wall. When you walk the Pilgrim's Path to pay your respects to the Gods, remember that it was Countess Arcelia that brought this to you. When you visit the soon to be Embassy of the Waves to learn from the Marin'alfar, remember that Prince Victus took a crew of female seers to broach those alliances in the first place (and that Duke Asger bit a shark. He really did.) Ladies came to the Isles bearing arms and prayer and they were answered by the Goddess herself to steer us true. I've seen it with my own eyes and I don't dare even think of denying it.
Remember who our allies are now, Thrax. We stood united together to drive back the threat of Mangata's Reflection from breaching the Compact and we did it fucking spectacularly. Now we are only stronger and we will use that strength to continue to defend our brothers and sisters, as we only should.
As a personal side note, it looks like I'll be stuck on the mainland for awhile longer with my wife's new cavalcade of perfume. The rest of you may as well make your stay tolerable as well.
I wanna address something I brought up in my parting speech to the Maelstrom before I set off for Arx again. I specifically wanted to address all the women that had participated in driving back the Deeps, for there were many and they proved invaluable. Often times it is considered bad luck for a woman to even pray on board a vessel of the Thrax. As time goes on, I'm seeing how much more ridiculous it can be to ostracize based on someone's fucking privates.
When you think of when the Maelstrom was defended from the living dead, never forget Princess Reese and her shield wall. When you walk the Pilgrim's Path to pay your respects to the Gods, remember that it was Countess Arcelia that brought this to you. When you visit the soon to be Embassy of the Waves to learn from the Marin'alfar, remember that Prince Victus took a crew of female seers to broach those alliances in the first place (and that Duke Asger bit a shark. He really did.) Ladies came to the Isles bearing arms and prayer and they were answered by the Goddess herself to steer us true. I've seen it with my own eyes and I don't dare even think of denying it.
Remember who our allies are now, Thrax. We stood united together to drive back the threat of Mangata's Reflection from breaching the Compact and we did it fucking spectacularly. Now we are only stronger and we will use that strength to continue to defend our brothers and sisters, as we only should.
As a personal side note, it looks like I'll be stuck on the mainland for awhile longer with my wife's new cavalcade of perfume. The rest of you may as well make your stay tolerable as well.
Written By Denica
Sept. 23, 2017, 11:42 a.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
I woke up, dragged myself from bed still dressed in my nightclothes, still so muddled and leaded from the evening before. Roses and honey, hidden thorns, softened with rum. I stood in front of the easel with the intent to paint what I saw.
I cannot. I likely will, when it's easier. But, I had to throw on my cloak and find my slippers - and run, run to record this into the Journal before it fades and I forget and it turns to nothing but the stuff of dreams and sketchbooks.
She's holding on, our brave and beautiful goddess of the water and the air - but. But not forever. Her hold is fragile, like a bubble. Like a bubble it will also pop. It's been slowed, but...
It, so beautiful and horrible. Is still coming.
I cannot. I likely will, when it's easier. But, I had to throw on my cloak and find my slippers - and run, run to record this into the Journal before it fades and I forget and it turns to nothing but the stuff of dreams and sketchbooks.
She's holding on, our brave and beautiful goddess of the water and the air - but. But not forever. Her hold is fragile, like a bubble. Like a bubble it will also pop. It's been slowed, but...
It, so beautiful and horrible. Is still coming.
Written By Merek
Sept. 23, 2017, 11:09 a.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
So, another note, this time while I'm on the ship back home. It seems by the time I'd arrived that most issues had been cleared up, but there is still much on the horizon. All the same, I'm glad to have visited Maelstorm, and I'm hopeful that the actions there and in Arx will help to hold back the darkness a bit longer, so that we can find more ways to fight.
Written By Merek
Sept. 23, 2017, 11:05 a.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Aislin
Those that come to many at once are often much clearer.
Written By Rey
Sept. 23, 2017, 10:56 a.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
I walked into a ballroom in the castle of eternity. There were only two dancers there, on the great gray expanse of the floor, a woman and a beast, somehow not exhausted yet, either of them, even though they've been dancing for so very long. It's a dangerous dance, more dangerous for the woman, because the beast has such terribly sharp teeth...
But there is danger for the beast, as well.
As I watched them dance, a door opened on the other side of the room, and HE came inside. The man from the mirror. He looked at me from across the room, and his gaze pinned me to the floor. He smiled, and I was terrified. He offered me his hand...
That was when I woke up.
Before, a part of me hoped that he would find his daughter. Fathers and daughters should be together. But now... I suppose it doesn't matter much. He's going to find her.
But there is danger for the beast, as well.
As I watched them dance, a door opened on the other side of the room, and HE came inside. The man from the mirror. He looked at me from across the room, and his gaze pinned me to the floor. He smiled, and I was terrified. He offered me his hand...
That was when I woke up.
Before, a part of me hoped that he would find his daughter. Fathers and daughters should be together. But now... I suppose it doesn't matter much. He's going to find her.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 23, 2017, 10:16 a.m.(4/8/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Quenia
Marquessa Quenia and I have been getting along quite well. I like her, and we seem to trust each other. I'm acting as one of the voices of our house and together we're hosting events, making trade contacts, renewing contact with those of our fealty. It is not all just house business between us. We've been sharing a glass of wine and a few laughs, talked together for hours. I think we are growing to be a good team under her guidance.
Written By Lou
Sept. 23, 2017, 7:08 a.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
I attended Mason's art show this week, entitled Freedom. The paintings provoked quite a bit of thought and questioning on the matter of slavery. He's told me that they've raised a goodly sum of money, which will go toward paying down the debts of thralls in Thrax. I'm very proud of him for his work. I also got to meet the infamous Copper, who helped to rescue him. She is a lovely young woman. We've invited her to Safiyya's birthday party, which we'll be hosting in a few weeks time.
Written By Mirari
Sept. 23, 2017, 3:07 a.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
In my mind Princess Alarissa and scents that make me think of the sea-- or of Maelstrom-- or of Mangata that are also subtle in their strength; flowers that are sweet and faint yet come through the strong notes of the sea --have become one. When I begin to mix scents that call to mind the spray of the sea-- salt water, kelp --but mix it with delicate but clear notes of florals-- carnations, lilies, and frangipangi-- it calls to mind the Princess of the Maelstrom.
That is not to say that no one else would wear these scents well, but when I think of Princess-Consort I think of scents that marry the beauty of the mainland with the sea.
That is not to say that no one else would wear these scents well, but when I think of Princess-Consort I think of scents that marry the beauty of the mainland with the sea.
Written By Alarissa
Sept. 23, 2017, 2:54 a.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
I think perhaps, I have far too many bottles of perfume. This is what happens when the Works Obscura produces yet more scents and Mistress Mirari seem to know me far too well and directly sends me one of everything and I send her back all my coin.
Dear Victus. Do you really need your side of the bed?
I think not.
Or maybe you need to get me a vanity.
Dear Victus. Do you really need your side of the bed?
I think not.
Or maybe you need to get me a vanity.
Written By Fortunato
Sept. 23, 2017, 1:14 a.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Every action or proclamation that makes the world larger must be celebrated. I feel a faint tremor, like inspiration shook-through. I see new avenues for exploration.
Ready to paint like I've never painted.
Ready to paint like I've never painted.
Written By Calypso
Sept. 23, 2017, 1:01 a.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
The words of Legate Orazio's proclamation yesterday are an incredible step in the right direction. As I understand it, humanity has always been capable and strong in the ways of magic. It was our given right to seek with in us the strength to fight equally against those who oppose us. I am very grateful to see this ban lifted once again and I hope that it will be met with the same seriousness, discipline and reverence we approach the learning of any weapon with.
Written By Thena
Sept. 22, 2017, 11:02 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
I was knighted tonight, and swore my blade to the Faith to whom I have already sworn all else. This may come as a surprise to some, as I've been the acting leader of the Knights of Solace while Grandmaster Armel is away on other duties. Believe me, it surprises me too.
I grew up here in Arx, and then I ran away. I came back right before the Siege, looking for help for my mentor. I became trapped here when the gates were shut and the Iron Guard took me in. When I finally returned to the Gray Forest, I found that my mentor had been brutally tortured and murdered by what I realize now were Abandoned under writ. They had been looking for me. It should have been me.
In many respects I have felt like a shell since then, a walking dead woman. But the Faith has helped, the work of the Silver Order has helped. Everyone who came to my ceremony tonight, who sent me notes of congratulations, has helped.
I think it's getting a little better.
I grew up here in Arx, and then I ran away. I came back right before the Siege, looking for help for my mentor. I became trapped here when the gates were shut and the Iron Guard took me in. When I finally returned to the Gray Forest, I found that my mentor had been brutally tortured and murdered by what I realize now were Abandoned under writ. They had been looking for me. It should have been me.
In many respects I have felt like a shell since then, a walking dead woman. But the Faith has helped, the work of the Silver Order has helped. Everyone who came to my ceremony tonight, who sent me notes of congratulations, has helped.
I think it's getting a little better.
Written By Korka
Sept. 22, 2017, 10:53 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
I think it might be time to get out of the city for a week or two. Now that it's warming up out, I really should be out there making myself useful.
Written By Halsim
Sept. 22, 2017, 10:38 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Just got back from handling matters in Maelstrom, only to go to Arx to find out magic is no longer banned, and that people are butting heads in the archives over thralldom and serfdom.
The former was not unexpected, if a bit surprising they did it now. Maybe now we'll be able to move forward.
As someone who is one in authority over dealing with abyssal matters, if anyone would like some tips on what to look out for in regards to abyssal magic, please feel free to send me a messenger.
The former was not unexpected, if a bit surprising they did it now. Maybe now we'll be able to move forward.
As someone who is one in authority over dealing with abyssal matters, if anyone would like some tips on what to look out for in regards to abyssal magic, please feel free to send me a messenger.
Written By Esoka
Sept. 22, 2017, 10:36 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
My friend Thena of the Knights of Solace has become DAME Thena. I wish to enter my congratulations here for posterity in Vellichor's records. She's a woman of courage, dedication, and admirable faith, and I'm sure she'll be a credit to the knighthood. I'm often unsure how to feel about my own title. It felt heavy when I was given it, and I still think I wear it oddly. It warms my heart to see it bestowed on someone so deserving, though.
Written By Charlaine
Sept. 22, 2017, 10:32 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
They say my homeland is in trouble, and may be burned down. I will do as I can to not let this happen. Alas there is only so much books can help... I seriously need to consider weapon training should I live through this siege.
Written By Silas
Sept. 22, 2017, 9:51 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Eshken asked me if he should know anything about the guest Aiden has invited over for dinner.
I gave him a useful book to read...
I gave him a useful book to read...
Written By Aislin
Sept. 22, 2017, 9:51 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
It's strange; I've so often tried to decipher the visions of others, and now I've had one of my own. It seems almost straightforward, but visions so rarely truly are. Some are truth, some are truth obscured behind analogy, and some are lies sent to mislead. I hope this is the first, though given the circumstances I had it in, I cannot be entirely certain.
Either way, I can genuinely say that this has been an unusual week all around, even leaving aside the vision; I don't usually make a habit of being kidnapped by cultists, much less nearly sacrificed.
Though it has happened more often than it ought to have, which I suppose could be taken as comment on my chosen profession.
Either way, I can genuinely say that this has been an unusual week all around, even leaving aside the vision; I don't usually make a habit of being kidnapped by cultists, much less nearly sacrificed.
Though it has happened more often than it ought to have, which I suppose could be taken as comment on my chosen profession.
Written By Rymarr
Sept. 22, 2017, 9:29 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Promotions bring with them new opportunities and duties.
Armor still looks nice. Finally caught wind of her name.
She's come a long way already and I don't think Gild will be turning away her service any time soon.
Armor still looks nice. Finally caught wind of her name.
She's come a long way already and I don't think Gild will be turning away her service any time soon.
Written By Alarissa
Sept. 22, 2017, 8:47 p.m.(4/7/1007 AR)
Never. Again.
I could feel it trying to escape.
But I will note, that I kept my promise. Even if I couldn't keep the small beast down.
I could feel it trying to escape.
But I will note, that I kept my promise. Even if I couldn't keep the small beast down.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.