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Written By Edain

July 21, 2017, 8:36 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

Recently it was asked of me what is it that we as a compact offer the Abandoned that might wish to join us as prodigals. I think I can explain this best as a metaphor.

You see each fief is very much it's own meal. It is robust and hearty and filling. And it can sustain you for a time. But as each fief joins with others, either swearing an oath to become vassals, or accepting the oath of vassalage, we become more than just a meal, but rather a feast! A great bounty that can sustain us for a very long time.

In time we grew until there were five great feasts in the, and for the most part, we are all happy with the feasts we grew up around, but Arvum is a big place and as we want to share the other's bounty we need something to make these other 4 feasts palatable to the ones we grew up with. So what makes any feast better? Bacon. There is no meal, no libation, no confection that is not improved by the inclusion of bacon. That is the Compact. We are bacon that improves and binds these five might feasts into the massive buffet of variety and cultures that will sustain us all as long as well.

So to those that are on the fence about swearing an oath and becoming prodigal, I would encourage you to join us.

Let us be your bacon!

**Addendum**

The scribe I turned this into gave me a curious look after reading this passage and said I might want to 'workshop' this a bit. What does that mean?

Written By Khanne

July 21, 2017, 8:31 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

I attended a rather interesting gathering of people last night. I have been trying to get out and meet more people since my inner circle has become so very small. It wasn't a setting that allowed me to speak one on one to develop budding friendships but allowed me to learn more about those around me nonetheless. There was curiosity, mystery, amusement, and a touch of melancholy (at least for me). Things said were not full course meals of information that left one stuffed to the gills and ready to flop in the comfiest of seats. Instead, they were like little teaser tastes that often left you craving a bit more.

Which really gives us (or at least me) all the more reason to reach out to those we were made curious by to get another sampling.

Written By Shae

July 21, 2017, 8:11 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

Sometimes life brings people into your life that you were not expecting or even looking for and then BOOM! And you walk smack into them, not literally, but that probably would have made it all the funnier if I had.

But, no really, thank you for putting me on this path, even with the past that still clings and I can't quite shake off. These possibilities and the people that I have met make it all the more worth dealing with it.

And I am just thankful for finding them.

Written By Shae

July 21, 2017, 8:07 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Gaston

No more touching things without gloves on, dammit!

Other than that, good job!

Written By Shae

July 21, 2017, 8:05 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Fiachra

I'm pretty sure we had a, 'Did we just become best friends?' moment recently. This is going to be AMAZING! This is the best day EVER!

I hope he doesn't mind if I follow him around and talk his head off, cause it's going to happen. And soon enough I will turn into the annoying little sister that constantly talks and never stops. But I will be sure to bring bacon for Alis. I promise! Also, she is just as amazing too!

Written By Eirlys

July 21, 2017, 12:46 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Shae

Wonderful, bright and happy. She is so full of joy and life that is hard not to like her. She is like the sun shining through dark clouds. I am so glad to have gotten to meet her and to be able to become her friend. I feel like this is a friendship that will last. She is also so very talented with animals like my brother is.

Written By Fiachra

July 21, 2017, 12:41 a.m.(11/16/1006 AR)

I have been shown my true place in the world by a pygmy owl. Vex has completely abandoned all pretense of being my pet so that he may spend all of his time starting at or snuggling up to Alis' belly. Apparently we are but the incubator and the donor for his one true love.

On the plus side, seeing how very satisfied he was with himself, covered in blood, after he attacked an assassin that was threatening Alis (and thus our unborn child)? I feel very slightly sorry for anyone who will be trying to get near him or her without Vex feeling that they are acceptable.

Written By Margot

July 20, 2017, 10:54 p.m.(11/15/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Samantha

Despite the many things we agree to disagree on, we have in common the most important ones - a desire to see out families grow, our people thrive, and our children to never know the suffering that brought us to where we are today.

Written By Sameera

July 20, 2017, 5 p.m.(11/15/1006 AR)

My current goals.

1. Be more reasonable when dealing with people.
2. Create a divinely made item for all the High Lords and the King
3. Find a way to help those that survived the Blackshore destruction rebuild their home.

Not sure what to do after that.

Written By Cassius

July 20, 2017, 4:02 p.m.(11/15/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Alaric

I have met King Alaric, the fourth of his name.

The other evening, while at the Queensrest Inn, King Alaric arrived with his guards and took up a seat at the banquet table, invite those present to join him for a drink. I found the King to be a man of magnanimous good humor and generosity. He took the time to make personal conversation with all of those present and was kind and interested in every instance, even with someone who was not very politely behaved. I liked him, though I doubt I got to know him in any true way.

It is said that the monarch is more than the person. That, on some level, they are the embodiment of the realm. The idea had never made much sense to me until this night. There was something about seeing the King out in Arx, alive and well, laughing and engaged, that lifted a damper on my heart I had not realized was there, much like the sun slipping from behind a cloud. It was as if the Compact itself were there, and that, beyond simply surviving, it was healthy and perhaps a bit stronger than it had been before.

Written By Thena

July 20, 2017, 2:07 p.m.(11/15/1006 AR)

I was born sometime around this time of year. I don't know the day, so I'll forgive everyone for not throwing me a big fancy-ass shindig in the Botanical Gardens or some such.

Also I don't much like parties.

I do like arms and armor though, if anyone's keeping track.

Written By Leona

July 20, 2017, 12:07 p.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Titania

A gracious hostess and an unskilled as yet, but determined diplomat. I suspect she'll go far. Particularly if she shares around that Kennex vodka. But that's what diplomats do, right? Drink and talk until they have exactly what they want from you, and then ideally you'll think it's your idea in the first place and part as friends. I will be interested to see her future career.

Written By Kaldur

July 20, 2017, 12:05 p.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

I submit the letter the below with my white journal in the hopes that, if it is an inspiration for Lady Peri, it may be an inspiration for others as well.

Dearest sister,

I hope this letter finds you happy and well in Pearlspire, and that the troubles that continue to plague the Compact are held at bay there for the time being. Please give my love and respect to father and grandmother; I did not have time to get a letter out to each of them this week, focusing instead on getting this one to you.

I am writing to let you know that there is a Society of Explorers here in Arx! These men and women have made it their mission to expand our knowledge of the world, bet it by mapping new places, exploring known ruins, or unearthing knowledge that has been long thought lost. These expeditions are sometimes funded by noble houses and wealthy individuals, but also by the Society itself when they discover leads that are important to follow. As they grow in influence and stature, they are working on procuring equipment and resources like gear and ships to ensure that their members have what they need to succeed.

This is not to say the work is not dangerous. It is, I think, very dangerous, and one of the Explorers mentioned the discovery of demon wolves the size of bears only a day's ride from Arx! Talk about a discovery. As dangerous as it is, it is also important work, which is something new that I have come to understand; if rumors are to be believed many of the Compact's recent successes have been influenced by knowledge the Society has unearthed in recent years.

You can probably see right through my attempts to lure you to Arx. You have always been clear-sighted that way. Still, I hope you will consider it. I know that as father's heir you are not as free as you might be to do all of the exploring for which your soul longs. Still, I think the Society would be willing to work with you to find a place where you could satisfy your longings while also seeing to responsibilities. And where better to do that than here in in the capitol? There is currently no bar to entry for the Society, though they are considering requesting some basic competency based on the danger of the work. Nonetheless, I know they would be both glad and lucky to have you. My contacts there are Lady Aislin, Lady Lou (who doesn't like the 'lady' part), and Prince Mason, Graysons all.

I miss you and hope you will come to join me here, but in the meanwhile, please write and let me know how everything is at home.

Your brother,

Kaldur

Written By Eleyna

July 20, 2017, 9:47 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Talen

You should count yourself lucky that it's only vases. I could be throwing knives. You would deserve it.

Written By Leona

July 20, 2017, 9:41 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Merek

Serious Iron Guard is serious. I'd far rather he be too serious than too lax though, so I will probably not use him as a training exercise for the squires who want to one day wear the silver. He is, I think, like many of us - wanting very much to be just a normal soldier, while the world around us has little use for such a simplistic view.

Written By Tarik

July 20, 2017, 3:59 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

I went to work, and I am formulated the letters I need to write to people. I am not sure who I need to write to first, but I know, but I know there are great many things I need help on, and I cannot do them myself. There are several goals I want to accomplished before the Spring, and I hoped that I will be able to see them through. My body is strong, but sometimes I feel that my spirit has grown weaker by remaining in the city. Some days I just want to rest, but alas I must keep going. I must force myself to keep moving forward with my plans, because if I fail...... I do not wished to think about my life if I a fail.

Written By Clover

July 20, 2017, 1:17 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Aislin

*A shaky sketch of a light haired woman, leaning down with a hand held out, as if to help someone up, and a slightly exasperated expression. There's a hint of a smile on her lips, and her eyes are shining.*

Written By Silas

July 20, 2017, 12:57 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

All of the events within the Iron Pentathlon now have enough competitors for me to go forward.

The Crownsworn, House Grayson, and House Valardin all have good representation -- an interesting contrast to the Decathlon a few years back. I wonder what has changed.

Written By Aiden

July 20, 2017, 12:26 a.m.(11/14/1006 AR)

Congratulations to my Brother Ainsley and his new wife, my new sister, Tikva.

Written By Clover

July 19, 2017, 11:28 p.m.(11/13/1006 AR)

This just in: The River is still really wet.

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