Written By Calla
Feb. 24, 2021, 7:16 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Titus
At last! I managed to drag another Vaevici to Arx. My cousin has arrived to help us with the war efforts, although I probably should have warned him about the weather in the Fall and Winter here. I remember my first experience with how cold it can get in Arx, it was only last year.
But Titus will do well here I think. He's a rare Vaevici, like me, who is more open-minded about this Compact and our new place in it. I can't wait to see how he settles in here.
But Titus will do well here I think. He's a rare Vaevici, like me, who is more open-minded about this Compact and our new place in it. I can't wait to see how he settles in here.
Written By Gwenna
Feb. 24, 2021, 3:10 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
Winter comes to Arx once again, which is my eighth here in the city. It is not like the winters of Farhaven, of course - winters here are not nearly as cold or serene, but I enjoy them all the same. There is still the same crisp scent on the wind, like snow is soon to come, and seeing your breath like tiny white chimney smoke as you make your way around the wards and beyond. I debate holding another bonfire event to celebrate, even though the world so often seems dim by loss and war to come.
Written By Tyrus
Feb. 24, 2021, 2:27 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Sina
The first time I met Sina was when I killed her father and sunk his ship to the bottom of the sea. He was a pirate and his execution the proper punishment for his crimes.
Yet his daughter was not guilty of the crimes of the father. I took her back to Maelstrom, where she found her place within the staff. I missed the years that saw her become a Godsworn and Archscholar, having returned when she had already become all these things.
Now, she is dead. Another name to add to the evergrowing list. Another to remember. Another.
May her future beginnings prove happier.
Yet his daughter was not guilty of the crimes of the father. I took her back to Maelstrom, where she found her place within the staff. I missed the years that saw her become a Godsworn and Archscholar, having returned when she had already become all these things.
Now, she is dead. Another name to add to the evergrowing list. Another to remember. Another.
May her future beginnings prove happier.
Written By Giada
Feb. 24, 2021, 12:26 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
Fuck winter. Fuck air that hurts my face. It's just not natural. - Every True Southern Person Ever
Written By Savio
Feb. 24, 2021, 12:03 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
People are really out here walking around in this SNOW like this is normal and it's okay?!
I literally can't even with this.
Also, don't lick frozen metal. Mistakes were made.
I literally can't even with this.
Also, don't lick frozen metal. Mistakes were made.
Written By Taliene
Feb. 24, 2021, 7:56 a.m.(1/2/1015 AR)
While I have only been in Arx a few days, I have already met such warm and generous women. last night, walking amidst the cold winter night of a new year with new hope, I encountered the Princess Sabelle, so truly the People's Princess, combining elegance and grace with mirth and kindness. She has so graciously offered to introduce me to others who may advance my scholarship of strategy and war, through library access and conversation.
I also met the gracious and warm Lady Mabelle, and I feel so drawn to speak with both herself and the princess more. It seems a terrible tragedy and loss has afflicted House Laurent, and my heart grieves for them. Such losses are hard to speak of, and harder to mourn.
Deepwood, too, has known such loss.
May this New year be one that brings solace to all who grieve, and perhaps ... I dare to hope ... the balm of new friendships.
I also met the gracious and warm Lady Mabelle, and I feel so drawn to speak with both herself and the princess more. It seems a terrible tragedy and loss has afflicted House Laurent, and my heart grieves for them. Such losses are hard to speak of, and harder to mourn.
Deepwood, too, has known such loss.
May this New year be one that brings solace to all who grieve, and perhaps ... I dare to hope ... the balm of new friendships.
Written By Cecilia
Feb. 24, 2021, 12:07 a.m.(1/2/1015 AR)
Well scholar, I have taken my vows to become a Mirrormask. Before you ask, yes it took a lot of introspection and no it was not something I did on a whim. I am glad though that I did it. I am glad that I was able to look into my reflection and see that because of my flaws, I can appreciate my finer qualities. I look forward to serving the Thirteenth.
Written By Cristoph
Feb. 23, 2021, 10:59 p.m.(1/2/1015 AR)
I was told rather specifically recently that I wasn't supposed to take all of the responsibility and guilt for this upon myself. But I'm not sure that I can stop myself from going over it in my mind and wondering where I could have done better. Where I could have been more alert and seen this coming before it happened? It's hard to look at my family and see all of the pain that they're enduring and not feel as if I've been negligent. How did I not see this betrayal coming before it happened? Is it possible I was that completely blind the entire time?
Written By Rook
Feb. 23, 2021, 10:22 p.m.(1/2/1015 AR)
Of late have I given over many hours of thought to the war - not the nations fighting it, perhaps, but of those who trod the gory fields to prosecute the conflict. I think, perhaps, that I have an idea...
Written By Sunaia
Feb. 23, 2021, 9:27 p.m.(1/2/1015 AR)
First snows. Took a walk. The forests are definitely sanctuary. Still. Icy. Kept quiet -- stayed quiet -- the pups and I.
Walked until I realized I needed to be home.
Went home.
Walked until I realized I needed to be home.
Went home.
Written By Piccola
Feb. 23, 2021, 4:49 p.m.(1/1/1015 AR)
Honor is realized in the presence of death.
If given the choice between life and death, wise general, choose death. There is no other reasoning; move on with determination. Those who believe that dying without attaining ones aim is a foolish sacrifice are ignorant. But it is difficult to see why this is the only correct choice.
No one longs for death. We can speculate on whatever we like, but the only thing that matters to a wise general is how she dies. This is an important point and the correct path of glory, for when we calmly think of death morning and evening we gain the freedom to choose the manner in which we greet the Queen.
Only then can we fulfill our duty without making mistakes in life.
If given the choice between life and death, wise general, choose death. There is no other reasoning; move on with determination. Those who believe that dying without attaining ones aim is a foolish sacrifice are ignorant. But it is difficult to see why this is the only correct choice.
No one longs for death. We can speculate on whatever we like, but the only thing that matters to a wise general is how she dies. This is an important point and the correct path of glory, for when we calmly think of death morning and evening we gain the freedom to choose the manner in which we greet the Queen.
Only then can we fulfill our duty without making mistakes in life.
Written By Jael
Feb. 23, 2021, 4:24 p.m.(1/1/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Tyren
He was an amazing father. He was calm and patient and kind and smart. I never in a million years expected to outlive him. He was the careful one.
He died protecting our children from the assassins that attacked us at Artshall. He got them to safety, though he lost his life in the process. When I found them, it was too late to save him.
He had suffered so much loss before we married. I think we were able to bring him some happiness again, the children and I. But he deserved more.
He died protecting our children from the assassins that attacked us at Artshall. He got them to safety, though he lost his life in the process. When I found them, it was too late to save him.
He had suffered so much loss before we married. I think we were able to bring him some happiness again, the children and I. But he deserved more.
Written By Gwenna
Feb. 23, 2021, 10:04 a.m.(1/1/1015 AR)
I am heartbroken for the recent losses, especially of my Laurent kin. Some days it feels like just too damn many are gone. I try to take comfort that they surely are welcomed back and embraced by the Queen, but that is not always easy to do.
Written By Titus
Feb. 23, 2021, 3:51 a.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
I’ve yet to meet many in Arx, but a goal is to have that addressed with invitations and work with the Academy of War. I'm also looking forward this week meeting someone I've corresponded with for a long time and look at their library. On my arrival, the archscholar was assassinated. While at the Red City things like this are commonplace, I don’t understand the reasons so many are choosing to be saddened and in mourning.
I don’t mourn the death of an Archlector who was assassinated. Not because I don’t know her but because what little I do know of her says she was a warrior in her own way. She didn’t die a victim. She met death through her choices not to stand still and let things simply happen. That's commendable.
There’s two options, to be a victim or a warrior. There’s no middle-ground and if you don’t choose, then you’ll become the victim. To be surrounded by problems, or see opportunities to try solutions to life’s challenges and move on. To allow something else be at the helm of your feelings and emotions, or instead be the only one to control your reactions. Being a warrior doesn’t mean you won’t fail, a general who hasn’t failed is a general who hasn’t been tested.
Never mourn the passing of a warrior, they’ve met their end as the crafter of their own fate. Let their memories live on in your soul, let their life empower your own so you might become better. Let your own life empower so many others. If this person would have passed in the Red City, we would have lit the fires and danced, we would have sang the songs as their body was committed to ash. And as the ash blows across the winds, their memories would have joined Sangria's and their life lived would strengthen us all. I hope that those in this city who feel mournful or saddened instead feel something else. A prick to the back of their mind and a whisper from the dark of night that says use what they can from that life that's passed and be stronger.
Be the warrior, never the victim.
I don’t mourn the death of an Archlector who was assassinated. Not because I don’t know her but because what little I do know of her says she was a warrior in her own way. She didn’t die a victim. She met death through her choices not to stand still and let things simply happen. That's commendable.
There’s two options, to be a victim or a warrior. There’s no middle-ground and if you don’t choose, then you’ll become the victim. To be surrounded by problems, or see opportunities to try solutions to life’s challenges and move on. To allow something else be at the helm of your feelings and emotions, or instead be the only one to control your reactions. Being a warrior doesn’t mean you won’t fail, a general who hasn’t failed is a general who hasn’t been tested.
Never mourn the passing of a warrior, they’ve met their end as the crafter of their own fate. Let their memories live on in your soul, let their life empower your own so you might become better. Let your own life empower so many others. If this person would have passed in the Red City, we would have lit the fires and danced, we would have sang the songs as their body was committed to ash. And as the ash blows across the winds, their memories would have joined Sangria's and their life lived would strengthen us all. I hope that those in this city who feel mournful or saddened instead feel something else. A prick to the back of their mind and a whisper from the dark of night that says use what they can from that life that's passed and be stronger.
Be the warrior, never the victim.
Written By Orland
Feb. 23, 2021, 1:19 a.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
Thoughts of a proud ...... leman, .. inamorato, fancy man...
You are the People's Choice, a Champion of their Hearts. Be proud, the crown you won, while it shines with all that glass, can never be as brilliant or as beautiful as you are. If anyone doesn't know your name by now, they are missing out. Congratulations my sky, my night.
As I reflect on how fortunate I am to have come across your wildness, your drift, your glitter and glow, and smile when we are like two kids running free in our revelry, I know too, the tragedy of it all.
Neither of us are afraid of the dark. Metaphorically, you are the velvet of the night sky and I am like a star, sharing the same space, and enjoying the time that we have together, each knowing that the dawn must come, but each wrapped in each others embrace until it does. You provide a backdrop for me to shine, yet you fail to see what I do. I am not the only star. You lift them all up, small specks of light, flickering, unsure of where they fit, and you easily show them, sweeping them up with your songs and giving each one their own twinkling glimmer. You are my sky, my night. But you are also the People's.
The night, will be the new day.
You are the People's Choice, a Champion of their Hearts. Be proud, the crown you won, while it shines with all that glass, can never be as brilliant or as beautiful as you are. If anyone doesn't know your name by now, they are missing out. Congratulations my sky, my night.
As I reflect on how fortunate I am to have come across your wildness, your drift, your glitter and glow, and smile when we are like two kids running free in our revelry, I know too, the tragedy of it all.
Neither of us are afraid of the dark. Metaphorically, you are the velvet of the night sky and I am like a star, sharing the same space, and enjoying the time that we have together, each knowing that the dawn must come, but each wrapped in each others embrace until it does. You provide a backdrop for me to shine, yet you fail to see what I do. I am not the only star. You lift them all up, small specks of light, flickering, unsure of where they fit, and you easily show them, sweeping them up with your songs and giving each one their own twinkling glimmer. You are my sky, my night. But you are also the People's.
The night, will be the new day.
Written By Viviana
Feb. 23, 2021, 1:04 a.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
Asked for poetry. Three lines. You can do so much in just three lines.
Written By Orland
Feb. 23, 2021, 12:42 a.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
Thoughts of a ... nearly drowned student, tossed once more off a ship...
I recognize that it is terribly ironic that I do not know how to swim, considering that Bravura is a coastal city and that I've lived by a river for most of my life...
It hurts terribly to breath in water and I've never liked that feeling...
The kindness is that people keep throwing me off their ships, thinking that I'd learn. It doesn't work that way. How I managed not to die, this time, was because I found the bottom and learned to walk on it.
But Savio taught me to float, last we were at Tremorus burning things righteously.
I know how to sink or float.
I recognize that it is terribly ironic that I do not know how to swim, considering that Bravura is a coastal city and that I've lived by a river for most of my life...
It hurts terribly to breath in water and I've never liked that feeling...
The kindness is that people keep throwing me off their ships, thinking that I'd learn. It doesn't work that way. How I managed not to die, this time, was because I found the bottom and learned to walk on it.
But Savio taught me to float, last we were at Tremorus burning things righteously.
I know how to sink or float.
Written By Sydney
Feb. 22, 2021, 11:51 p.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
The People's Tournament concluded, and I have to say that I am quite grateful for it - it kept me from paying much heed to the parade of ill news from the street criers and the journals of others, which I've taken less a habit of reading but took pause to do so, today.
When I see grief for those who I did not know well, I end up in a truly conflicted frame of mind.
Sorrow, for not having known them better, if at all.
Guilt, for not having known them better, if at all.
Relief, for not having known them better, if at all.
The mind is a selfish thing, scholars. That we should feel relief in situations like this is a cruelty, but it is an honest cruelty. We feel less grief for those we don't know - and it's in understanding this that we can bring ourselves closer to seeing the value all who live in this Dream. For most every death, there are those who grieve as keenly. We do not experience them equally, but they exist equally.
When I see grief for those who I did not know well, I end up in a truly conflicted frame of mind.
Sorrow, for not having known them better, if at all.
Guilt, for not having known them better, if at all.
Relief, for not having known them better, if at all.
The mind is a selfish thing, scholars. That we should feel relief in situations like this is a cruelty, but it is an honest cruelty. We feel less grief for those we don't know - and it's in understanding this that we can bring ourselves closer to seeing the value all who live in this Dream. For most every death, there are those who grieve as keenly. We do not experience them equally, but they exist equally.
Written By Thea
Feb. 22, 2021, 10:12 p.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
Sometimes there are no words to make anything alright, to make a person feel better. You can only be there. As a source of comfort. What happens next? Well---we wait and see. But revenge is sweet. And that sometimes moves that healing process right along.
Written By Sedna
Feb. 22, 2021, 9:42 p.m.(12/28/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Sunniva
I did not know her, but we shared a patron. For that, I held a regard and distant fondness for her. I still do.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.