Written By Savio
Dec. 16, 2020, 9:50 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
Attending a naval strategy discussion open to all persons and fealties was truly an experience. A summary:
PEERS: (assorted pleasantries)
OTHER PEERS: I'm bored. Get to the boats.
PEERS: Boats!
OTHER PEERS: You're supposed to pray before the part with the boats.
PEERS: whatever
OTHER PEERS: You impious dogs. You dare. You offend. I don't like you, the gods don't like you, and I would like to pick now to discuss every wrong done at any point in the last 50 years.
PEERS: Let's both discuss that, and definitely never let anything go.
OTHER PEERS: HELLO, WHAT ABOUT THE BOATS
PEERS: Oh yes (boat strategy)
OTHER PEERS: I hate your boat strategy.
PEERS: The enemy is very powerful.
OTHER PEERS: Not as powerful as my hatred for your boat strategy.
Pray for us.
PEERS: (assorted pleasantries)
OTHER PEERS: I'm bored. Get to the boats.
PEERS: Boats!
OTHER PEERS: You're supposed to pray before the part with the boats.
PEERS: whatever
OTHER PEERS: You impious dogs. You dare. You offend. I don't like you, the gods don't like you, and I would like to pick now to discuss every wrong done at any point in the last 50 years.
PEERS: Let's both discuss that, and definitely never let anything go.
OTHER PEERS: HELLO, WHAT ABOUT THE BOATS
PEERS: Oh yes (boat strategy)
OTHER PEERS: I hate your boat strategy.
PEERS: The enemy is very powerful.
OTHER PEERS: Not as powerful as my hatred for your boat strategy.
Pray for us.
Written By Teague
Dec. 16, 2020, 9:41 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Ian
I will beat you one day. But for now, we share a drink, spar, fight, war together. You have my blade at your side, my friend.
Written By Teague
Dec. 16, 2020, 9:40 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Ian
I will beat you one day till then share a drink, spar, fight, war together. You have my blade at your side, my friend.
Written By Ember
Dec. 16, 2020, 9:26 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
When our weaponeers, our alchemists, and our mistresses of war put themselves to the task of finding ways to set enemy forces alight and reduce them to cinder within their plate and their leathers, I wonder if they realized that the most brutal and efficient means of burning someone to death was all along found in the liquor of the Undying Empire.
I will not let this drink defeat me, though I may sacrifice my sense of taste in the process.
I will not let this drink defeat me, though I may sacrifice my sense of taste in the process.
Written By Evaristo
Dec. 16, 2020, 6:45 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
Today I made a chest. I put it up for sale.
I bought food, and ate it.
I read a book about maths, it's very boring, and I then told my neighbor all about it, he was trying not to fall asleep.
I went to the shrine and prayed, which was the most exciting thing of the day.
Another productive day!
I bought food, and ate it.
I read a book about maths, it's very boring, and I then told my neighbor all about it, he was trying not to fall asleep.
I went to the shrine and prayed, which was the most exciting thing of the day.
Another productive day!
Written By Macario
Dec. 16, 2020, 5:59 a.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
It’s odd how a moment can impact you profoundly for reasons that lurked in your mind, but were never dealt with. The blood. The jarring way the news came. The loss of life. It threw me to another time in my past that I did not deal with fully. Worse, I ignored the tragedy. I’ve been erratic. Cursed with emotion. Looking for an escape. But I found a place of healing. I’m enamored by the strength found there. May you find yours.
Written By Aiden
Dec. 16, 2020, 2:54 a.m.(7/27/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Valerius
It has been such a long time, such a very long time, since I've allowed myself a friendship as deep as the one Estaban and I had. Years, someone said 6... has it truly been that long? Six years then, without letting anyone close enough, truly close enough that my laugh wasn't a total malarkey. There are those, like my protege, Lady Monique, that I have rekindled a relationship with recently, but again, it was recent, after... Valerius... I came to realize the deep ties that I had before Estaban's death, I had let slip, let go, and sail away, as Estaban sailed away.
There are some things that are too hard to do over. I didn't want to care that deeply for more people than I could possibly bear. My beloved Knight and my dearest wife and my children, are my inner circle allowed to see the deepest. And to the outsider of my heart, I let them see what they needed to see. A man who is flighty, one that is eccentric, one that is here and there like a bird. I wouldn't give myself, all that I could, for a friendship, when I know, I would inevitably be unable to be there for them when they needed me the most. Life is funny that way.
That glass shark stole something from me. Not only did it steal away my friend, it stole away my hope for being able to save my friend, the way he had saved me once. It left a hole inside of me. I accepted it, I did. I do, I got to say goodbye in a way many can never do. Yet, the loss lingered. I pulled away.
Six years...
This year, Emberly came into my life. Emberly, a woman I highly doubt would ever do as they claim she did. It was she who responded to a desperate plea for help, as I had a terrible realization of loneliness. I needed to try and connect again, with people. I had returned to the city of Arx after a year away in Gemecitta. I recognized the pain was an ache for friendship, TRUE friendship, one that didn't just take from you, but filled your cup as much as you filled their own. Emberly, bless her heart, helped me find the way toward such a friendship. It was at her event, hosted as a charity fundraiser at the Golden Hart, where poetry was read and the audience had to vote with silver on the best poem of the night, that I rediscovered the possibility for a long lived friendship.
That's the first night I saw Valerius. He stood upon the stage and read out loud a very bold poem. It was not long after, that he sat with me and we shared drinks, and I questioned him on who the poem was written for. He had written it on the whim, in that moment, spinning the needed words from his lips to get a few hearts to flutter. From there, we had drinks. Valerius got annoyed, perhaps by the many messengers I was getting that night, or that he was, and one of the messengers got wine tossed upon them by him. I scolded Valerius for it, and decided to call it a night.
He didn't let me go, not on that sour note. He followed me outside and made amends. It was enough, but I challenged him to "do better."
I would like to think, he took that to heart. That he wanted to 'do better' after we met. I would like to think that, but from the missives and journals, I have read of others touched by Valerius, I think he gave me the opportunity to do better, not the other way around.
He was in constant communication with me, encouraging as it was, I enjoyed the notes and finding my idle afternoons brightened by just a slip of a letter from him. A lot of the times, they were silly musings. Even from afar, he would make me laugh, and remind me, to do better. Do better with my day, go outside, go meet people, stop being scared. Stop being guarded.
I admit, we grew close. I was beginning to believe in being able to have a friend to be merry with. To drink and gamble with, to sit in quiet places with, to play music and song with. It was a comforting thing, but I knew we were both always busy in our own ways. Still, it wouldn't be too long before a missive came by, to say hi, to check in, to be a friend. It wouldn't be too long before we met for some weekly bantering.
Then lo and behold, the blood moon masquerade came. I felt in good spirits, to actually attend. I dressed as a Raven. And guess who showed up as the only other Raven that night? It was so ironic and yet, a tell tale story of the way we connected. I never told him I was going and he never told me. We certainly didn't coordinate our costumes, yet, that is what they were. What a party. Dancing. So much dancing. And laughing. Oh there was laughing.
It was sometime later, that Valerius confided in me, and I him. I admit, I was always a little hesitant, but when he threw down his cards, I bravely accepted he wasn't going to turn me into a pile of bugs or something horrific - wars with magical creatures does cause one to have trust issues - so I'm told. Valerius, though, he was truly, a friend. He wanted me to believe in him too, but he wanted me to believe in myself again as well. I remember the days of my youth where I was happy and had close friends. He made me believe in that feeling again.
He would be such a refreshing presence. He knew I needed something before I knew it myself. Like the gift he sent me, a corset vest, made for me. Did I give him something back? The man I was before, I would've, but I don't know if I did. And it's regrets like that, which anger me so for he was taken far far far too early. But those sweet moments, he knew I needed, before I did. That's the kind of friend, Valerius was.
I remember him telling me, when I questioned him hard about certain ways he expressed himself to the peerage, that all he wanted was to bring happiness into the lives of anyone who needed it. He wanted to bring sunshine into those lives who had seen far far too much rain. While, I will question the way he died later, and why no one heard his desperate fight, this journal is not for that. This is for him. This is for the man who saw that I had seen too much rain and needed the skies to clear up and the sun to pour through.
This is for another Great and True friend who was supposed to be a life long friend but whose life was ended far too soon.
Valerius. I see you again.
But not yet.
Here's one for you.
"The Gambler" a poem by
Aiden Rubino nee Grayson
His words spun vibrance like the burst of the sun through long held clouds,
windlessly casting aside dark with the cadence of the verse on song,
laughing his furious passion of a Gambler on a thunders drum,
knowing that today, was the only day, that his heart had not been wrong.
For he lived and though he did not live long, his words, would go on.
Believe in yourself, open your heart, be awake this day, be not afraid.
Write that song, sing it, live it, be a part of the days held long.
Speak of love, live love, fly with it, give it, and be not dismayed.
Remember him, of young and noble heart, of true smiles and earnest love,
The courage of heart that gave without fearing, told without tearing
For none so evil, will erase the good that he released upon the wings of doves,
and to live better, it is easy to see, all we have to do, is be as caring as he.
Good bye my dear friend.
There are some things that are too hard to do over. I didn't want to care that deeply for more people than I could possibly bear. My beloved Knight and my dearest wife and my children, are my inner circle allowed to see the deepest. And to the outsider of my heart, I let them see what they needed to see. A man who is flighty, one that is eccentric, one that is here and there like a bird. I wouldn't give myself, all that I could, for a friendship, when I know, I would inevitably be unable to be there for them when they needed me the most. Life is funny that way.
That glass shark stole something from me. Not only did it steal away my friend, it stole away my hope for being able to save my friend, the way he had saved me once. It left a hole inside of me. I accepted it, I did. I do, I got to say goodbye in a way many can never do. Yet, the loss lingered. I pulled away.
Six years...
This year, Emberly came into my life. Emberly, a woman I highly doubt would ever do as they claim she did. It was she who responded to a desperate plea for help, as I had a terrible realization of loneliness. I needed to try and connect again, with people. I had returned to the city of Arx after a year away in Gemecitta. I recognized the pain was an ache for friendship, TRUE friendship, one that didn't just take from you, but filled your cup as much as you filled their own. Emberly, bless her heart, helped me find the way toward such a friendship. It was at her event, hosted as a charity fundraiser at the Golden Hart, where poetry was read and the audience had to vote with silver on the best poem of the night, that I rediscovered the possibility for a long lived friendship.
That's the first night I saw Valerius. He stood upon the stage and read out loud a very bold poem. It was not long after, that he sat with me and we shared drinks, and I questioned him on who the poem was written for. He had written it on the whim, in that moment, spinning the needed words from his lips to get a few hearts to flutter. From there, we had drinks. Valerius got annoyed, perhaps by the many messengers I was getting that night, or that he was, and one of the messengers got wine tossed upon them by him. I scolded Valerius for it, and decided to call it a night.
He didn't let me go, not on that sour note. He followed me outside and made amends. It was enough, but I challenged him to "do better."
I would like to think, he took that to heart. That he wanted to 'do better' after we met. I would like to think that, but from the missives and journals, I have read of others touched by Valerius, I think he gave me the opportunity to do better, not the other way around.
He was in constant communication with me, encouraging as it was, I enjoyed the notes and finding my idle afternoons brightened by just a slip of a letter from him. A lot of the times, they were silly musings. Even from afar, he would make me laugh, and remind me, to do better. Do better with my day, go outside, go meet people, stop being scared. Stop being guarded.
I admit, we grew close. I was beginning to believe in being able to have a friend to be merry with. To drink and gamble with, to sit in quiet places with, to play music and song with. It was a comforting thing, but I knew we were both always busy in our own ways. Still, it wouldn't be too long before a missive came by, to say hi, to check in, to be a friend. It wouldn't be too long before we met for some weekly bantering.
Then lo and behold, the blood moon masquerade came. I felt in good spirits, to actually attend. I dressed as a Raven. And guess who showed up as the only other Raven that night? It was so ironic and yet, a tell tale story of the way we connected. I never told him I was going and he never told me. We certainly didn't coordinate our costumes, yet, that is what they were. What a party. Dancing. So much dancing. And laughing. Oh there was laughing.
It was sometime later, that Valerius confided in me, and I him. I admit, I was always a little hesitant, but when he threw down his cards, I bravely accepted he wasn't going to turn me into a pile of bugs or something horrific - wars with magical creatures does cause one to have trust issues - so I'm told. Valerius, though, he was truly, a friend. He wanted me to believe in him too, but he wanted me to believe in myself again as well. I remember the days of my youth where I was happy and had close friends. He made me believe in that feeling again.
He would be such a refreshing presence. He knew I needed something before I knew it myself. Like the gift he sent me, a corset vest, made for me. Did I give him something back? The man I was before, I would've, but I don't know if I did. And it's regrets like that, which anger me so for he was taken far far far too early. But those sweet moments, he knew I needed, before I did. That's the kind of friend, Valerius was.
I remember him telling me, when I questioned him hard about certain ways he expressed himself to the peerage, that all he wanted was to bring happiness into the lives of anyone who needed it. He wanted to bring sunshine into those lives who had seen far far too much rain. While, I will question the way he died later, and why no one heard his desperate fight, this journal is not for that. This is for him. This is for the man who saw that I had seen too much rain and needed the skies to clear up and the sun to pour through.
This is for another Great and True friend who was supposed to be a life long friend but whose life was ended far too soon.
Valerius. I see you again.
But not yet.
Here's one for you.
"The Gambler" a poem by
Aiden Rubino nee Grayson
His words spun vibrance like the burst of the sun through long held clouds,
windlessly casting aside dark with the cadence of the verse on song,
laughing his furious passion of a Gambler on a thunders drum,
knowing that today, was the only day, that his heart had not been wrong.
For he lived and though he did not live long, his words, would go on.
Believe in yourself, open your heart, be awake this day, be not afraid.
Write that song, sing it, live it, be a part of the days held long.
Speak of love, live love, fly with it, give it, and be not dismayed.
Remember him, of young and noble heart, of true smiles and earnest love,
The courage of heart that gave without fearing, told without tearing
For none so evil, will erase the good that he released upon the wings of doves,
and to live better, it is easy to see, all we have to do, is be as caring as he.
Good bye my dear friend.
Written By Zakhar
Dec. 15, 2020, 11:35 p.m.(7/27/1014 AR)
First time back in the city in awhile. Not much seems to have changed. Though, it is good to see that fellow Shavs can hold a position of authority. I also see that the nobles are great at arguing with each other as usual.
Written By Eithne
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:40 p.m.(7/27/1014 AR)
I should probably teach. I'm not a patient woman by any means but as I am getting older and finding less time to actually doing the crafting of armor, I'm needing to reinvent myself somehow. Teaching seems like a natural progression.
Gods bless the souls who come willingly into my forge for lessons. I think I'll have to hire a healer on hand.
Gods bless the souls who come willingly into my forge for lessons. I think I'll have to hire a healer on hand.
Written By Leena
Dec. 15, 2020, 7:01 p.m.(7/27/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Marli
I've heard of a beauty right off of a boat - though I thought there was poetry involved, I did not realize that she literally had just walked off a boat and arrived in Arx!
I invited you to my home to welcome you and show you support, I did not realize that I'd meet a match of wits and challenge. I adore how you challenge me in the most interesting ways.
I'll be telling my family about you, I feel that you are someone we absolutely must get to know.
Welcome to Arx, Lady Marli.
I invited you to my home to welcome you and show you support, I did not realize that I'd meet a match of wits and challenge. I adore how you challenge me in the most interesting ways.
I'll be telling my family about you, I feel that you are someone we absolutely must get to know.
Welcome to Arx, Lady Marli.
Written By Damiana
Dec. 15, 2020, 6:17 p.m.(7/27/1014 AR)
I think about Eurus, and how my sisters will no doubt go to war there. What I might do.
Establishing a foothold in Eurus would be a positive thing, a fortified dock and citadel with accompanying chapel. Where scores of paladins and crusaders meet and destroy the Tyrant's armies of cruelty and oppression. Where we liberate those city-states and heal the damage that the Mad Prophet has done. No longer places bound and held in the clutches of evil, their very names twisted now to the reflections. Perhaps we might see the miracle with these places returning back to the Pantheon.
A monumental task, one which the enemy has been working hard in achieving what they've done so far. I believe in us, I believe in the gods. Our faith will give us strength.
Establishing a foothold in Eurus would be a positive thing, a fortified dock and citadel with accompanying chapel. Where scores of paladins and crusaders meet and destroy the Tyrant's armies of cruelty and oppression. Where we liberate those city-states and heal the damage that the Mad Prophet has done. No longer places bound and held in the clutches of evil, their very names twisted now to the reflections. Perhaps we might see the miracle with these places returning back to the Pantheon.
A monumental task, one which the enemy has been working hard in achieving what they've done so far. I believe in us, I believe in the gods. Our faith will give us strength.
Written By Ravna
Dec. 15, 2020, 3:17 p.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
H-how is it that like, if you are what you eat...trolls are trolls? You know? Don't they eat princesses? Does that mean princesses are trolls?
I mean, no. No. I'm not sure if they're trolls or not but, you know, I know eating one d-dosn't turn you into a troll.
I mean, no. No. I'm not sure if they're trolls or not but, you know, I know eating one d-dosn't turn you into a troll.
Written By Selene
Dec. 15, 2020, 3:08 p.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
How the world changes, that we now welcome children of the Empire, those of Eurus and of Cardia.
Utterly thrilling!
Utterly thrilling!
Written By Victus
Dec. 15, 2020, 1:27 p.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
I have too many animals.
Written By Katarina
Dec. 15, 2020, 9:26 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Alis
Apropos of nothing in particular, I am very proud of my older sister. She has worn the title of Highlord with grace, steadfastness, and a commitment to not only the defense of the Oathlands, but the betterment of life for its people as well. I thank the gods and especially the Sentinel for gifting me a sister whose heart seeks what is just.
Written By Savio
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:52 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
The Hat wagered upon was mine within a day, of course, and the key to it all the indomitable Miss Lottie, a bard with the Useful talent and business of baking.
There has never been, in my life, a sweeter moment than taking Raven the Blackheart's hat in a wager she thought I couldn't win in front of a small crowd. I know that doesn't speak well of me. Am I good man? No. But am I trying every day to improve and be better? Also no.
I gave it back a day later and I think Raven hated that even more than losing it.
There has never been, in my life, a sweeter moment than taking Raven the Blackheart's hat in a wager she thought I couldn't win in front of a small crowd. I know that doesn't speak well of me. Am I good man? No. But am I trying every day to improve and be better? Also no.
I gave it back a day later and I think Raven hated that even more than losing it.
Written By Sloane
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:42 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Baz
Fuck has many rhymes! But one is best of all:
Duck.
(I know you thought I'd say luck. I hate being predictable. Quack! But really I believe in you. Some of the best songs have shit lyrics. Just ask - oh, this is for the whites isn't it? Nevermind.)
Duck.
(I know you thought I'd say luck. I hate being predictable. Quack! But really I believe in you. Some of the best songs have shit lyrics. Just ask - oh, this is for the whites isn't it? Nevermind.)
Written By Tyrus
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:35 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Sasha
I expect the Marquessa wished the Inquisition involved and avoid bounty hunts to avoid the misguided attempts and guesses of amateurs.
This is a murder, not a treasure hunt for the whole city to participate in.
This is a murder, not a treasure hunt for the whole city to participate in.
Written By Sloane
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:34 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Ravna
Who ARE you? I need a dozen more. A pantheon for the ages.
Written By Teague
Dec. 15, 2020, 8:28 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Orland
Last night, I had my first student of the blade. Each student in the past had been a soldier, a warrior, a killer. Minor adjusting was all that I need to do. This time it was fresh and new. He had never held a blade, he said. His stance was off, but his pluck and luck brought that blade down on me. I enjoyed teaching him. Maybe this is something I should do more of in my time in this city. Teach others how to live, given the state of the world and what is coming. He was a good study, I hope to see more of this boy. He can learn from me, and think he has things to teach me as well.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.