Written By Aislin
May 21, 2017, 12:45 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
One of my favorite parts of being an explorer, an adventurer, is learning to try to see the world through different eyes. And Prince Mason's recent white journal serves as a reminder to how we can become blind to certain aspects of our own culture that we take for granted.
To an Arvani, auctioning off time with someone may seem harmless; we see someone willingly putting themselves up there, auctioning off not themselves -- or so we tell ourselves -- but their time. And for a good cause! It's only for a short time, after all, and they chose to do so.
But to foreign eyes, it must look like we're play-acting at the slave auctions in Skal'daja, the City of Chains. And perhaps there's less difference than we'd like to admit. If the winning bidder demanded things of their 'purchase' -- to change their hair color, or shave their head, or perform actions they did not want to do -- we cross the line and become what Eurusi eyes see there. I'll admit, the ending of the auction -- around the point where I showed up -- did make me a bit uncomfortable, what with the demands that Count Darkwater change his appearance.
And while I don't think the charity auction is evil or corrupt in intention... it does make me think, nonetheless.
Perhaps we all could stand to learn to look at each other through different eyes, now and then. A Grayson looking at ourselves through Lycene eyes, a Thrax looking at themselves through Valardin eyes, and so on. Or through eyes more foreign still.
To an Arvani, auctioning off time with someone may seem harmless; we see someone willingly putting themselves up there, auctioning off not themselves -- or so we tell ourselves -- but their time. And for a good cause! It's only for a short time, after all, and they chose to do so.
But to foreign eyes, it must look like we're play-acting at the slave auctions in Skal'daja, the City of Chains. And perhaps there's less difference than we'd like to admit. If the winning bidder demanded things of their 'purchase' -- to change their hair color, or shave their head, or perform actions they did not want to do -- we cross the line and become what Eurusi eyes see there. I'll admit, the ending of the auction -- around the point where I showed up -- did make me a bit uncomfortable, what with the demands that Count Darkwater change his appearance.
And while I don't think the charity auction is evil or corrupt in intention... it does make me think, nonetheless.
Perhaps we all could stand to learn to look at each other through different eyes, now and then. A Grayson looking at ourselves through Lycene eyes, a Thrax looking at themselves through Valardin eyes, and so on. Or through eyes more foreign still.
Written By Rymarr
May 21, 2017, 12:38 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Gareth
I like him.
Written By Harper
May 21, 2017, 12:28 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
Dark Prince Patron. You and yer Black Widow Lady are the kinda relationship goals that all like-minded folks should aim for. It's kinda romantic. If serpents and scorpions and spiders could be considered an'such. I'd say so.
Written By Harper
May 21, 2017, 12:26 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Niamh
I'm was not gonna broadcast it, you know. But. But - sometimes - I can be wrong. Sometimes, I can admit it.
Written By Harper
May 21, 2017, 12:24 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Juliet
Fi-danty rhymes w'panty. I don't care what the Scholar told me. That's all I'm sayin. Silkydrawers is stayin.
Written By Ariel
May 21, 2017, 12:24 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Lights.
Dark outside.
Pretty night.
Light unveils the prettiest sights
that the darkness covers tonight.
I see it in the morning
when I shall wake up with you.
Tangled up like two sides of
my shadow near the shade.
And I miss you when you aren't holding me tight.
Dark outside.
Pretty night.
Light unveils the prettiest sights
that the darkness covers tonight.
I see it in the morning
when I shall wake up with you.
Tangled up like two sides of
my shadow near the shade.
And I miss you when you aren't holding me tight.
Written By Cirroch
May 21, 2017, 12:23 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Arx is as a I recall it- filled with silk and lace, silver and gold. A bit maddening, in truth. Yet, I've found some iron amongst those who live here. No doubt forged in the recent fires.
I was not made for cities, but I shall adapt, if I must.
I was not made for cities, but I shall adapt, if I must.
Written By Aureth
May 21, 2017, 12:20 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Today, we will break ground upon a new shrine for the Queen of Endings and Mother of Beginnings in the Sanctum of the Lost. In honor of the event, we'll be hosting an event full of drinks and snacks, with a comedy contest. For prizes for the comedy contest, Magpie Grayhope has created special rainbow mystery bags! If you happen to see this while you're perusing the Archive before the event begins, please come and join us today. It should be a fun time with lots of decent liquor and good company.
Come raise a glass to a new beginning!
(For those who may be concerned, I have to admit I'm not going to be giving drinks to the builders until they're ready to call it quits for the day.)
Come raise a glass to a new beginning!
(For those who may be concerned, I have to admit I'm not going to be giving drinks to the builders until they're ready to call it quits for the day.)
Written By Ariel
May 21, 2017, 12:20 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
I already have the sketch of my dress
Just awaiting for him to make the proclamation
Waiting to hear if my desired seamstress how long until she can work with Aeterna
Already reserved who is doing me jewelry
One of the people I trust most
Just awaiting for him to make the proclamation
Waiting to hear if my desired seamstress how long until she can work with Aeterna
Already reserved who is doing me jewelry
One of the people I trust most
Written By Ariel
May 21, 2017, 12:15 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Ever so excited since he came
Feel as if everything is blooming again
Ever so eager for the bells
To exchange the vows and be wed
New family
New Adventures
Thing to try
Tastes to explore
Who could truly ask for more
Feel as if everything is blooming again
Ever so eager for the bells
To exchange the vows and be wed
New family
New Adventures
Thing to try
Tastes to explore
Who could truly ask for more
Written By Tikva
May 21, 2017, 12:13 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ainsley
Ainsley Grayson appears to have forgotten that the white journals are meant to be a chronicle, a historical record!
This is probably because he is TERRIBLE.
But since this is meant to be a chronicle, I should probably be accurate.
Mostly, what is terrible about Ainsley is that I like him so much.
Hi.
This is probably because he is TERRIBLE.
But since this is meant to be a chronicle, I should probably be accurate.
Mostly, what is terrible about Ainsley is that I like him so much.
Hi.
Written By Tikva
May 21, 2017, 12:05 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
A few thoughts:
Nobility is important. Both the weight of blood, the power that inheres in blood and connection, and of course, the power of money. It is a responsibility. I spoke at drunken length about this last night at our table at the auction -- sorry -- that is firing up the Archive today: about the duty of a liege to protect his vassal, about how it is a duty undertaken in love and oath, about the love that drives and defines it.
It is easy to forget, to lose our awareness of that. Perhaps not for me, because my nobility was a gift, and I do not and cannot forget that.
Yet we have another privilege that, until last night, had not occurred to me in the same way that fish must not think about water -- in that we were born Arvani. We were born free.
Thank the gods for that. I do with my whole heart.
Nobility is important. Both the weight of blood, the power that inheres in blood and connection, and of course, the power of money. It is a responsibility. I spoke at drunken length about this last night at our table at the auction -- sorry -- that is firing up the Archive today: about the duty of a liege to protect his vassal, about how it is a duty undertaken in love and oath, about the love that drives and defines it.
It is easy to forget, to lose our awareness of that. Perhaps not for me, because my nobility was a gift, and I do not and cannot forget that.
Yet we have another privilege that, until last night, had not occurred to me in the same way that fish must not think about water -- in that we were born Arvani. We were born free.
Thank the gods for that. I do with my whole heart.
Written By Gisele
May 21, 2017, 11:51 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
It was an eye-opening event for me in many ways. To see the opulence of the Whisper House, to see how the nobility behave when assembled for a large event unconnected to religious observations. Most of them acquitted themselves well, but not all. It must be difficult, when one is a person who has always gotten what they wanted, to feel even the risk of not.
There is a fine line between being accustomed and feeling entitled. Gild counsels us to increase our wealth that we might do more for those around us, not so that we might deny the inclusion of others, or that we may indulge in greed over charity.
With the help of Lady Tikva Riven, I was able to contribute to the charity effort. I had hoped to bid on Fortunato, and so I did, but I was also happy to see him go to Lady Tikva as well. In the end, I came away having won time with the Duke Laurent, as well as having met the Lady Jael Laurent whose company is both thoughtful and pleasant. In light of Prince Mason's reaction to the spectacle of an auction of people turned to charity, I did feel some guilt for participating and so, to make right my pang of conscience-- which is mine and mine alone-- I will match my bid for Duke Cristoph with a donation to the formation of the discipleship of the First Choice, and make certain that when the Duke and I meet, our time will be spent doing as he chooses.
There is a fine line between being accustomed and feeling entitled. Gild counsels us to increase our wealth that we might do more for those around us, not so that we might deny the inclusion of others, or that we may indulge in greed over charity.
With the help of Lady Tikva Riven, I was able to contribute to the charity effort. I had hoped to bid on Fortunato, and so I did, but I was also happy to see him go to Lady Tikva as well. In the end, I came away having won time with the Duke Laurent, as well as having met the Lady Jael Laurent whose company is both thoughtful and pleasant. In light of Prince Mason's reaction to the spectacle of an auction of people turned to charity, I did feel some guilt for participating and so, to make right my pang of conscience-- which is mine and mine alone-- I will match my bid for Duke Cristoph with a donation to the formation of the discipleship of the First Choice, and make certain that when the Duke and I meet, our time will be spent doing as he chooses.
Written By Eleyna
May 21, 2017, 11:45 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
From the outside, this marriage looks like madness. I'm perfectly aware of that. I'm also aware of at least two betting pools with odds on who kills who first and how long the marriage actually makes it. I've even heard rumors that some think I was forced into this for some reason.
Maybe it doesn't make sense from the outside, but from my perspective, it's as if I found my match. His jagged edges match mine.
Maybe it doesn't make sense from the outside, but from my perspective, it's as if I found my match. His jagged edges match mine.
Written By Fortunato
May 21, 2017, 11:29 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Prince Mason's interpretation of the auction, which I did participate in, caused me to reflect on the event. Yes, I know it was all in fun and the kind of fun we do every so often. It was not an unusual event which is why folk leap to defend it as harmless. And it is harmless, no one could, would, should blame Charlaine or Larissa for hosting such a thing.
But isn't it also worthwhile to step back and wonder why we have an auction as a game? Can we step back and be sure that it was /intended/ to be mockery? Because I wasn't thinking of the horrors of slavery and laughing away the dark. That wasn't really what the event was about - it's just a thing we do to raise charitable funds. And I don't understand telling a man who grew up around an especially dire iteration of slavery that a friendly echo shouldn't upset him.
Think we can recognize no harm was meant and also recognize some of our games might have troubling roots. That's all.
But isn't it also worthwhile to step back and wonder why we have an auction as a game? Can we step back and be sure that it was /intended/ to be mockery? Because I wasn't thinking of the horrors of slavery and laughing away the dark. That wasn't really what the event was about - it's just a thing we do to raise charitable funds. And I don't understand telling a man who grew up around an especially dire iteration of slavery that a friendly echo shouldn't upset him.
Think we can recognize no harm was meant and also recognize some of our games might have troubling roots. That's all.
Written By Talen
May 21, 2017, 11:20 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
Nobody died at your party, so it's probably success.
Written By Talen
May 21, 2017, 11:19 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Blacktongue
Whatever you gave me this time actually worked. You're learning to up the dosages, aren't you?
I have to be more careful.
I have to be more careful.
Written By Talen
May 21, 2017, 11:18 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
Are you saying I'm a disappointment?
Also, I just wanted to play a game, we were going to bet to see who could ride the 'unicorn' first. If I got someone to do it, I'd have won silver, instead I had to pay the Rose of Tor.
Ugh.
Also, I just wanted to play a game, we were going to bet to see who could ride the 'unicorn' first. If I got someone to do it, I'd have won silver, instead I had to pay the Rose of Tor.
Ugh.
Written By Lark
May 21, 2017, 10:25 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Whoa, wait... Stop the cart.
I missed an opportunity to go to an auction where several of my favorite people were up for grabs?
SIGH.
Woe is me.
Next time, someone come save me from my paperwork to attend such things. I would have loved to see /someone's/ face as I laid down a chunk of writs and /dared/ them to escape my company for the evening.
Guess I'll have to continue to do it the old fashioned way. With threats of flogging.
What, that's not how /you/ conduct dates? Tsk.
I missed an opportunity to go to an auction where several of my favorite people were up for grabs?
SIGH.
Woe is me.
Next time, someone come save me from my paperwork to attend such things. I would have loved to see /someone's/ face as I laid down a chunk of writs and /dared/ them to escape my company for the evening.
Guess I'll have to continue to do it the old fashioned way. With threats of flogging.
What, that's not how /you/ conduct dates? Tsk.
Written By Ysbail
May 21, 2017, 10:04 a.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Armel
Best. Hat. EVER. I must find out who made it for him that I can claim one for myself. The more I speak to Grandmaster Armel, the more I enjoy his company. For all our differences, we never lack topics of conversation!
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