Written By Ansel
Feb. 5, 2017, 7:44 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Lilia
I don't know how I've managed in the city this long without Lily back. She manages to make even the Tower seem happy, brighter, and welcoming.
I know she's eager to meet the rest of the fealty, and I look forward to introducing her to the rest. If the Duke even makes mention of trying to marry her away....
I know she's eager to meet the rest of the fealty, and I look forward to introducing her to the rest. If the Duke even makes mention of trying to marry her away....
Written By Jaenelle
Feb. 5, 2017, 7:43 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Esera
Esera could have sent me back. She could have returned me to my family's doorstep upon the death of her brother. Instead, she enclosed me. She accepted me as her sister, protected me, and loved me as if I were always a Velenosa. I am not sure where my future lies now, but I will always remember this kindness.
Written By Valencia
Feb. 5, 2017, 7:36 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Being in love is a beautiful thing. It is a rare treasure but it is also the sharpest of double-edges swords.
I try to avoid it, lest I fall on that beautiful blade. It is a terrible wound that often takes long to heal if one is not careful.
But it appears that sometimes, despite best efforts, we slip.
So, unless you are very sure that it is worth the price you may pay, it is best to not play with sharp objects lest you cut yourself, or worse, someone else.
Sadly, despite all this wise advice, I'm still rather fond of certain blades.
~~~~<~<@
I try to avoid it, lest I fall on that beautiful blade. It is a terrible wound that often takes long to heal if one is not careful.
But it appears that sometimes, despite best efforts, we slip.
So, unless you are very sure that it is worth the price you may pay, it is best to not play with sharp objects lest you cut yourself, or worse, someone else.
Sadly, despite all this wise advice, I'm still rather fond of certain blades.
~~~~<~<@
Written By Morrighan
Feb. 5, 2017, 7:16 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Kieran
Ensuring this one stays out of trouble is a full time job. I mean, being a servant to a House in and of itself is a full time job, but this impish devil can be a handful. Frogs. So many frogs. Brahm ate a couple, he didn't like them much, though. Soirees in the Augury, bathing in the Augury, it's a wonder Mother Bear hasn't put him over her knee and given a proper smack or two. That's just the way he is, though. Such a troublemaker, but I wouldn't have him change for anything. Kieran is always chipper and carefree, always prepared for mischief. There's hardly a time that I see him that he's not smiling or laughing. He was one of the first people I met upon coming to Arx, and as such became one of my first good friends. Still is. Always will be. I think he needs to up his prank game though, the Villa could stand to be a bit more lively.
Written By Lailah
Feb. 5, 2017, 6:48 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Michael
After long fretting about my brother, he's finally returned to join the rest of his family in Arx. I heard the news, and upon finding that he was not home, I went to the next most likely place to find him, and as I expected, there he was in the Shrine of Gloria. There's always been something about Michael that brings out an easy spirit in me. I find myself jovial, and spirited in his presence. It's much like as a young girl, when I would follow him about. Though we much went our separate ways as adults, I'm glad to see that he still has that same effect on me.
Written By Lailah
Feb. 5, 2017, 6:38 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
People often ask me why I spend so much of my time cloistered alone with my books. They ask me why I don't come out, associate with the world and get some fresh air. The reason is quite simple; the world around me is an absolute madhouse. The news I've been hearing these last few weeks has done little to encourage my view from beyond my history books, but what I have found- it's been the best distraction I could ever hope for. Working on my own business, I wonder often how his own plans are going, and if we will ever have that moment of tranquility together again. For now, I'm focusing my efforts and doubling down on my work with the Scholars. If marriage comes, it comes. If it doesn't- well, few in my station are afforded the luxury of choice. I'll accept what I must.
As for the business. Dominus Fawkuhl accused of murdering the Grand Duchess Esera Velenosa? The disappearance of Duke Leo Fidante and Princess Dawn Grayson? A convocation being called for the first time in a century? I don't know what to expect next, but I hope it's a resolution to all that has been plaguing the city.
As for the business. Dominus Fawkuhl accused of murdering the Grand Duchess Esera Velenosa? The disappearance of Duke Leo Fidante and Princess Dawn Grayson? A convocation being called for the first time in a century? I don't know what to expect next, but I hope it's a resolution to all that has been plaguing the city.
Written By Serafine
Feb. 5, 2017, 5:56 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
It was once a manor, this house, encased in an outer shell of solid stone, the smooth granite of water-tumbled rocks. It's several hundreds of years old, and during that time, the rest of the house, save the front room, was wood, and a fire set a century ago robbed the place of it's second floor and its many other rooms.
Since then, it's been empty. The front room is large, lofted, with high windows that were meant for a floor that doesn't exist, streaming in light from sun up to sun down. The kitchen, once further back, has been brought closer, tucked into the back corner but spacious enough to cook and eat in. The rest of the space is rather large, with a hearth, a true hearth, on the opposite side of the large room from the kitchen, with more beach stones and mortar.
There's one room rebuilt, a bedroom, lofted with a fireplace, a bathing room with true plumbing off of it.
The rest of the 'manor' is gone. All that's left is an outer shell that extends back, exposing the rest of the house to the elements.
The 'shell' of stone has been brought down a little; it now functions as a wall, with a few arched doors on either side, left over from servants' entries years and years ago. Inside the wall that extends from the living space is green and dirt. Well, as it's close to winter, it's mostly dirt with a great deal of brambles. Roses and briars, some kind of fruit tree. What looks like a fish pond. The back plot is actually bigger than the living space of the house.
It would shock people to know that I like to plant growing things, wild gardens that tend to themselves. I have ideas.
I like this place. It finally feels like 'home'.
Since then, it's been empty. The front room is large, lofted, with high windows that were meant for a floor that doesn't exist, streaming in light from sun up to sun down. The kitchen, once further back, has been brought closer, tucked into the back corner but spacious enough to cook and eat in. The rest of the space is rather large, with a hearth, a true hearth, on the opposite side of the large room from the kitchen, with more beach stones and mortar.
There's one room rebuilt, a bedroom, lofted with a fireplace, a bathing room with true plumbing off of it.
The rest of the 'manor' is gone. All that's left is an outer shell that extends back, exposing the rest of the house to the elements.
The 'shell' of stone has been brought down a little; it now functions as a wall, with a few arched doors on either side, left over from servants' entries years and years ago. Inside the wall that extends from the living space is green and dirt. Well, as it's close to winter, it's mostly dirt with a great deal of brambles. Roses and briars, some kind of fruit tree. What looks like a fish pond. The back plot is actually bigger than the living space of the house.
It would shock people to know that I like to plant growing things, wild gardens that tend to themselves. I have ideas.
I like this place. It finally feels like 'home'.
Written By Cristoph
Feb. 5, 2017, 5:47 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Jael
When did my little sister grow up? It seems only a moment ago that she was my much loved but endlessly frustrating family pest. Now she is still very much Jael but somebody I can rely upon. Which I am going to need to do.
Written By Niccolo
Feb. 5, 2017, 5:31 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Esera
Carlotta Velenosa, the Grand Duchess of the Lyceum. She was far from that when I first met her, she was a princess then, and I was a young lord. Much has been written about us, about the love that drove me to abandon my claim to my dear Setarco, the many journals my father filled calling me foolish for wishing a marriage that brought neither House an advantage. What a stubborn young man I was, driven yes, but stubborn.
So I challenged fate itself in order to marry this woman, because of a love that I never thought would find a rival. A love that I fully dedicated myself to. She was my everything, she was everything. Gods I still miss her presence, I still miss the way she looked at me when we saw each other after months of being apart and I thought, I thought I'd never feel a love so deep. I thought that was it.
But then my children were born. Of all the gifts Carlotta ever gave me, that is perhaps the sweetest. Yet again in my life, I was blessed enough by the Gods to experience a love like no other. The Gods might have taken my son from me, but they still left me with two daughters. Two beautiful parts of my now departed wife that I loved the moment they entered this life.
I find it hard to describe the love I felt for my wife sometimes. This is even harder. It is something that just doesn't feel like it can fit in my chest. To love someone so much, even before you get to know them. That is what I felt for Esera, for Isolde when I first met them, when they were born. It was of course a different kind of love, but no less potent, no less powerful and overwhelming.
Duty often kept my family apart, for often Carlotta would find herself in Arx, and I'd find myself in the lands around Lenosia spilling the blood of our enemies. But it was that knowledge of being reunited with my wife, with my children that made the days easy to tolerate, that made that distance easy to accept. That same distance that sometimes made me not the best of fathers, that kept me from experiencing so many of their lives. Both Esera's and Isolde's.
And now, I still have my Isolde, but my Esera is gone. Just like her mother, she is gone. And just like it's hard for me to describe the love I feel for her, it's hard to describe the pain that seeks to crush my heart with every breath I take. But it is that love that I've felt since the moment she was born that now drives me. It drives me to set my grief aside, for there is so much that must be done. I miss her, but I will honor her by keeping her dreams alive, by doing what must be done.
Esera, I love you. I miss you. I will forever keep you with me, until the day we get a chance to meet again among the stars.
So I challenged fate itself in order to marry this woman, because of a love that I never thought would find a rival. A love that I fully dedicated myself to. She was my everything, she was everything. Gods I still miss her presence, I still miss the way she looked at me when we saw each other after months of being apart and I thought, I thought I'd never feel a love so deep. I thought that was it.
But then my children were born. Of all the gifts Carlotta ever gave me, that is perhaps the sweetest. Yet again in my life, I was blessed enough by the Gods to experience a love like no other. The Gods might have taken my son from me, but they still left me with two daughters. Two beautiful parts of my now departed wife that I loved the moment they entered this life.
I find it hard to describe the love I felt for my wife sometimes. This is even harder. It is something that just doesn't feel like it can fit in my chest. To love someone so much, even before you get to know them. That is what I felt for Esera, for Isolde when I first met them, when they were born. It was of course a different kind of love, but no less potent, no less powerful and overwhelming.
Duty often kept my family apart, for often Carlotta would find herself in Arx, and I'd find myself in the lands around Lenosia spilling the blood of our enemies. But it was that knowledge of being reunited with my wife, with my children that made the days easy to tolerate, that made that distance easy to accept. That same distance that sometimes made me not the best of fathers, that kept me from experiencing so many of their lives. Both Esera's and Isolde's.
And now, I still have my Isolde, but my Esera is gone. Just like her mother, she is gone. And just like it's hard for me to describe the love I feel for her, it's hard to describe the pain that seeks to crush my heart with every breath I take. But it is that love that I've felt since the moment she was born that now drives me. It drives me to set my grief aside, for there is so much that must be done. I miss her, but I will honor her by keeping her dreams alive, by doing what must be done.
Esera, I love you. I miss you. I will forever keep you with me, until the day we get a chance to meet again among the stars.
Written By Inigo
Feb. 5, 2017, 5:10 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
What a curious thing, time... though moving at a constant rate there never seems to be enough of it.
Written By Anabelle
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:55 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Demura
Demura... Mur, Mur, Mur. I swear you... I'm never sure if you're happy, sad, or just something else. You have this air about you as if you're always waiting for everything to collapse. I never quite understand it. Maybe it's just me. You sent me a letter about having missed me, or to that affect, at the "event." Tournament? Sparring match? Let's call it the Sword Measuring Contest. So I missed you at the Sword Measuring Contest, and I get this messenger saying that. I sent you one back and... nothing. No response to me.
I do hope you understand why I do what I do. I hope you understand why I might not always be around or be free to talk to you - a bit like how you're not always able to talk with me. I miss you though. I miss our silly games when we were kids. I miss trying to talk you into a corset and a dress (still think you'd look great in one). I miss trying to scheme into the kitchens.
No matter what, I still think of you though. I hope you know that too. I've set myself on this task to help Lyonesse's economic state, a pressure to help build us back up, and I thought of you when I did it. I hope, in a way, to surprise you with the new practice swords when we start producing them. I doubt I'll be able to hide that from you, but I would love the look of surprise on your face when I deliver one to you. Painted pink with a lacy bow.
I do hope you understand why I do what I do. I hope you understand why I might not always be around or be free to talk to you - a bit like how you're not always able to talk with me. I miss you though. I miss our silly games when we were kids. I miss trying to talk you into a corset and a dress (still think you'd look great in one). I miss trying to scheme into the kitchens.
No matter what, I still think of you though. I hope you know that too. I've set myself on this task to help Lyonesse's economic state, a pressure to help build us back up, and I thought of you when I did it. I hope, in a way, to surprise you with the new practice swords when we start producing them. I doubt I'll be able to hide that from you, but I would love the look of surprise on your face when I deliver one to you. Painted pink with a lacy bow.
Written By Anabelle
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:46 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
My older brother. You know, it still feels like just yesterday when he took up the mantle of a Crownsworn. I don't know about everyone else, but it was a bit of a shock for me. I suppose I just expected him to be the head of the House. Instead, he decided to go off on his own path and leave us behind. I think that's the only reason it really bothers me -- it feels a bit like he left us all.
Either way I'm quite proud of him. He still makes me smile, and I'm glad he's not above playing a prank now and again even on the Marquessa (dear Mur). He pulled on her braid the other day, it made me smile. I also found out that he's talkin' to the ladies! Way to go! I mean, who knows if it's really in /that/ way, but that's not really the point. The point is that he's still living, he's not cloistering himself away now that he's shouldered that mantle. Above all else though:
I'm still proud of him.
Either way I'm quite proud of him. He still makes me smile, and I'm glad he's not above playing a prank now and again even on the Marquessa (dear Mur). He pulled on her braid the other day, it made me smile. I also found out that he's talkin' to the ladies! Way to go! I mean, who knows if it's really in /that/ way, but that's not really the point. The point is that he's still living, he's not cloistering himself away now that he's shouldered that mantle. Above all else though:
I'm still proud of him.
Written By Morrighan
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:40 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
Deva. Deva. Deva. She's very much a free-spirit. Wild and fiery. When Sherrod sent me here, I was to be her handmaiden, not that I really knew what someone of that particular station did, but it helped me to look after her. Kind of. She's sneaky. It's about as difficult as keeping Kieran out of trouble. The Princess is impish and spirited, does as she likes and she's not one to be bound or restrained. Also likes whiskey, but what proper Northerner doesn't? I'm particularly fond of Deva, and she's like family, much like the rest of the House. I thoroughly enjoy the freedom she gives from time to time to throat punch people who shouldn't be wandering into the Villa uninvited.
Written By Kima
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:40 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Things are always more complex than they at first seem.
Written By Morrighan
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:27 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
I'm not as close to the Ruling Prince as I am with other members of the House, but regardless of that he's always treated me like one of his own, never regarded me as an outsider. If I needed to talk or had something to say, he has always listened. He's been very much like a brother - one that will give me gray hair before I'm thirty, but very sibling-like nonetheless. With everything going on with the world, times have been tense, decisions have had to be made, and he's always voiced what he thought was right, what was best, even if a vast amount didn't subscribe to his opinions and beliefs. He has been a respectable leader for the House, and he's earned it several times over. During times of adversity he has stood tall and strong, solid like an oak, unmoving in his resolve and has remained well-grounded. I'm proud of him, proud to call him our Ruling Prince, and without a doubt I know Sherrod is just as proud of his son.
Written By Neve
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:27 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Marius
I was able to spend a few moments with my cousin today. It was good to catch up with him, after what seems like ages and ages. I've always thought he was one of the best kinds of men and it soothes my heart to here the determined hope he has for our future.
Written By Anze
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:12 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Ideas and questions from visiting southern temples:
We should get a shark for the augury
I think all the southern gods have their own knights? Do they fight each other? Do they all get together and play cards?
The temple of gild is -really- fancy
We should get a shark for the augury
I think all the southern gods have their own knights? Do they fight each other? Do they all get together and play cards?
The temple of gild is -really- fancy
Written By Anze
Feb. 5, 2017, 4:10 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
I was wary about the southerner priestess. She convinced me not to be. Regardless of what happened, I'm glad I met her and hope that we'll still talk in the future.
Written By Deva
Feb. 5, 2017, 3:52 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
I can't help but smile when I look back upon the time the king mixed me up with Esera as he gave that tour of the palace to us. It feels like ages ago, now. We were sisters in that moment. With technically only brothers of my own, I will always cherish that. I grieve for you and your family. I pray this new chapter brings hope.
Written By Cristoph
Feb. 5, 2017, 3:52 p.m.(11/10/1005 AR)
Meeting Jael again after these months apart is a pleasure, the circumstances of our encounter less so. Bizarrely, the near brawl in the nicest salon in the capital was not at all her fault, my sister has in fact grown up, which is fortunate given the smouldering inferno that is Arx right now.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.