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Written By Darren

Sept. 24, 2016, 6:42 p.m.(9/1/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Jaenelle

I've met Princess Jaenelle only a handful of times. Once, when she was lost in my home and I had to escort her to Duchess Nadia's spa day. The other was during her trivia competition. She is an all around a friendly and charming girl, but she seems to have a very by-the-book definition of victory. Sometimes, it is how you play the game that defines the victor, not how many points you earn.

Written By Nadia

Sept. 24, 2016, 3:09 p.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

When Princess Jaenelle asked me to assist her in hosting her quiz night, I was more than happy to agree. I'll admit that we could have spent a bit more time planning the actual execution of the game to make it more fair on the players, but it all turned out quite well in the end once the liquor started flowing.

We had an interesting mix of players split between two teams; Prince Darren, my baby sister, and Lord Tobias. On the other, Lord Valkieri, my cousin Aislin, and Sir Silas. We decided there would be no real victor, despite Prince Darren swearing it was his team that took home the win - I'll let him think that, if it pleases him. It was Aislin who tipped the scales into her team's favor, before she had to leave. Regardless, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the variety of alcohols from the different fealties we provided; even Lord Valkieri seemed to.

Written By Nadia

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:17 p.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Aislin

Aislin is a favored cousin of mine, from the Ashford brood, and is always a delight when one manages to pin her down long enough to enjoy her. She rarely frequents one location longer than a fortnight, so I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she'd returned to join her siblings here in Arx - even more so when she regaled us with her company at the quiz night I co-hosted with Princess Jaenelle.

Written By Nadia

Sept. 24, 2016, 1:45 p.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Anastasio

Anastasio Belardi is reputed to be a rather accomplished healer, and a charming one at that. I first encountered him in the Trader's Tavern several weeks ago during a tavern-crawl with several hunters under my House's employ to celebrate another successful hunt. The exact details of our encounter I don't recall, but he impressed me that night. Maybe it was the man's courage to try an experimental bottle of whisky unflinchingly, or that he was able to contemplate its uses in his medical practice and explain his plan to repurpose it several bottles in. Whichever it is, he has since become my protege - my first at that - and I have every intention of seeing him grow and prosper under my care.

Written By Anastasio

Sept. 24, 2016, 12:16 p.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

It has been a long week, and one for which I can be glad that it is ending. Not merely so I can chalk it up to another bit of change, and so say I have lived through one more week of Lagoma's service. Rather, I have slept little. Between my studies with the Pantheon, my research, and completing some orders I have just had little time for it.

Admiral Alrec is pleased with his beard oil. I heard some rumor that Lord Salazar has placed an order for a case, but for the life of me I cannot seem to find any such request. But that is of no matter, others are certainly requesting.

It's good to be busy.

I just hope I don't grow too cranky to deal with the customers.

Written By Valkieri

Sept. 24, 2016, 12:12 p.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Silas

I've run into Sir Silas several times now in recent weeks. His company actually manages to avoid most annoyances and even be satisfactory.

Written By Valkieri

Sept. 24, 2016, 11:58 a.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Aislin

I'm rather jealous of Lady Aislin, I have to admit. We share something of our upbringings, both being second children, but I was never given the freedom she was to take off and explore the world. I had to carve out my own contrary pursuits by force. Her adventuring has served her well, at least as far as her ability with a blade goes.

Written By Dawn

Sept. 24, 2016, 11:28 a.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Rook

The third of my proteges, and proof that my interests run a fairly eclectic range. Master Rook exemplified what I felt a courtier should be from the instant that we met. He has wit, insight, exquisite taste, and spine enough to look a furious High Lord in the eyes while explaining himself. He knows how to stand his ground, how to move to cross it, and how to help you find a different perspective in ground-crossing yourself. If I were a lesser woman, I might be flustered, even embarrassed, to compare my fewer talents to his. I'm fortunate to have him as a protege.

Written By Dawn

Sept. 24, 2016, 11:17 a.m.(8/28/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Joscelin

The second of my proteges and a woman of exceptional talent. I marvel at how she must see the world, to take what is expected, or mundane, and elevate it, to make it fantastic. Blessed by Jayus, and also with a sense of responsibility to her fellows, I know that she will make a wonderful Guildmaster of the Crafter's Guild. She has the strength of will and determined personality that's needed in such a role.

Written By Aislin

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:49 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Salazar

In my experience, the wildlife with the most vivid colors and outlandish shape is usually trying to mislead you in some way. Whether to masquerade as some larger and more dangerous creature, or distract you from a weakness, there's almost always a motive to it.

What, then, should I make of Lord Salazar Argento?

The man speaks like a poet, every other sentence a flowery turn of phrase meant to evoke a vivid image. He acts with flourishes meant to draw the eye, and oozes charm like a tree leaks sap. And I can't help but wonder how much of that is genuinely who he is, and how much meant to lead the eye in the directions he wants.

Written By Salazar

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:48 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Aislin

Lady Aislin Ashford is fierce, strong, beautiful and a little bit scary. A lot scary, perhaps, seeing as she's gone as far inland as I've gone outwards. She fights with the precision of a surgeon, wielding a sword like an extension of herself. But she seems, ultimately, uninterested in the political waters I find myself floating so often in, which may or may not be a boon. We've agreed to practice sparring, for the betterment of the both of us. There's certainly more to be had at the cost of but some time invested.

Written By Aislin

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:42 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Valkieri

Cara's brother, a Lycene lord whose general attitude seems to fall on a spectrum ranging from annoyance to amusement. (There may be other axis to this chart, but I've yet to observe them for myself in any of our encounters.) Still, he proved a willing sparring partner, and another contact in the Lyceum never hurts; enough expeditions do have to move through that territory. Besides, there is a notable shortage of people in this city willing to let me hit them repeatedly with practice swords.

Written By Salazar

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:41 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

Alrec Magaldi is a cockroach. Or maybe an exotic species of a bearded waterbug. The man served my father in the blessed good ole days that you heard the old-timers speak about on the beaches of Nilanza. He'd sell his mother if he thought there'd be any profit in it. But there's something likable about him - kindred souls that we are, reaving the high seas. I'd run past him in my father's study as a boy while he was a young man trying to make a bloody name for himself from the corpses of other unfortunate souls, but I truly made his acquaintance long after he'd already made it. Serving as the Admiral of Pravus after a truly draconian twist - putting his own bloody Islander men to the sword - Alrec ended up being the commander of the navy which I contributed my privateer services over, policing the seas on our side of the Saffron Chain.

Alrec took a liking to me immediately, and I to him, though we pranked each other mercilessly. The bastard once told me that there was a dolphin on the starboard, and then pushed me over the railing. But between the conquests on sea and at land, Alrec's been as trustworthy a friend as I could ask in a bloody pirate admiral. After the end of my commission, I'd come here and found myself reunited with him at the Hundred Cities Inn. It's clear our relationship has become far more mutually beneficial and mutually intertwined. Get in bed with a spider, get tangled with the webs. But my father and Alrec have a long-standing relationship that adds a framework with which we operate. And then again, Magaldi's bloody great fun even when he's not spinning webs.

I recently ran into Alrec and the bastard tells me he used to be a barber. A -barber-. He's crafting this scented beard oil and hoping to get rich on it. On a leap of faith - Gods, I hate myself saying this right now - I issued an order for the Argento navy to stock it as prevention against lice. I hope to hell it works, or Alrec's just got the company money tied up in an unwise investment.

Written By Salazar

Sept. 24, 2016, 2:40 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Alrec

Alrec Magaldi is a cockroach. Or maybe an exotic species of a bearded waterbug. The man served my father in the blessed good ole days that you heard the old-timers speak about on the beaches of Nilanza. He'd sell his mother if he thought there'd be any profit in it. But there's something likable about him - kindred souls that we are, reaving the high seas. I'd run past him in my father's study as a boy while he was a young man trying to make a bloody name for himself from the corpses of other unfortunate souls, but I truly made his acquaintance long after he'd already made it. Serving as the Admiral of Pravus after a truly draconian twist - putting his own bloody Islander men to the sword - Alrec ended up being the commander of the navy which I contributed my privateer services over, policing the seas on our side of the Saffron Chain.

Alrec took a liking to me immediately, and I to him, though we pranked each other mercilessly. The bastard once told me that there was a dolphin on the starboard, and then pushed me over the railing. But between the conquests on sea and at land, Alrec's been as trustworthy a friend as I could ask in a bloody pirate admiral. After the end of my commission, I'd come here and found myself reunited with him at the Hundred Cities Inn. It's clear our relationship has become far more mutually beneficial and mutually intertwined. Get in bed with a spider, get tangled with the webs. But my father and Alrec have a long-standing relationship that adds a framework with which we operate. And then again, Magaldi's bloody great fun even when he's not spinning webs.

Written By Joscelin

Sept. 24, 2016, 1:52 a.m.(8/27/1004 AR)

It has been a week of unexpected business, and busy-ness. Between speaking to every crafter I can get a messenger to, meeting newcomers, speaking to new clients, creating custom pieces for all manner of reasons, and even some personal matters... it's been a very long week indeed.

I think I am done with my journal tonight. I haven't the energy to detail all my thoughts and feelings for the moment.


Also, my back is killing me.

Written By Acacia

Sept. 23, 2016, 9:01 p.m.(8/26/1004 AR)

I find myself constantly reminded how capable Mistress Joscelin Arterius is at her craftsmanship. I was gifted a stunning set of earrings in a black and white box, exquisitely worked by her hand. I find myself often in shops, from one side to the other, trying to show my support and get others to purchase from artisans I feel are especially skilled - and there are many of them. But this particular gift, like the person who gave it to me, is truly remarkable. I would greatly encourage anyone seeking gifts to employ her talents.

Written By Acacia

Sept. 23, 2016, 8:22 p.m.(8/26/1004 AR)

There are some memories that need to be kept only mentally, never applied to paper or perhaps even shared on a personal level. Retained near the one's core and kept locked away. And then there's other memories which can be knocked off a list of things to do before you die.

I dived into the Palace Pools, loitered beneath their waterfall and gorged myself on a feast which took a half-dozen carts just to carry. Lady Star (Lady Dawn) certainly pulled through with her word and so much more. I have no regrets for how determinedly I fought for the opportunity and certainly would do it again.

Written By Acacia

Sept. 23, 2016, 7:44 p.m.(8/26/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Salazar

Lord Salazar Argento, or so I at least overheard him be called. I'd kind of rather think of him as the bold and memorable nameless Lord Corsair with a stewing animosity against lascivious bankers. He has a cavalier personality though and one that's flooded with lures and light. I can see him being one of those men that captures ladies in every port. Maybe not literally, though. Maybe.

We crossed blades, if only exceptionally briefly. The fact his was covered by scabbard and the amusing manner by which he engaged me were perhaps the only things that kept me from holding back. I've gone up against keen-bladed swords before and it isn't really my first choice of things to frivolously charge into. It really shouldn't be anyone's first choice, now that I think about it. But I'd certainly enjoy taking him on again.

Written By Barric

Sept. 23, 2016, 4 p.m.(8/26/1004 AR)

Relationship Note on Jaenelle

Princess Jaenelle Velenosa is a charming and clever woman. She was originally a Thrax but married into house Velenosa and was widowed. There seem to be a lot of young widows in this city. Perhaps I should be careful. In any event, she's very lovely and sociable. An excellent conversationalist, which I can appreciate. I believe she could be a good friend in time.

Written By Donella

Sept. 23, 2016, 3:04 p.m.(8/25/1004 AR)

It is easy to make decisions in an administrative capacity; for one's personal life, it is ever so much harder. Yes, No, Maybe. I don't know. Is it because from the family, I can step back and be objective? I can ask, what would Himself do? And at least then, I can navigate and be confident in how I turn the wheel. But I can never step back from myself. It will always be Donella in here, and whoever she is, whatever she is to anyone else, she... no, I, have to carry the uncertainty, and after, any recriminations by myself. Only feeble-minded weaklings crave someone else to decide for them, for the tide to pull them this way or that. I am Thrax. I chart my own way, and turn into the wind.

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