Written By Graziella
Dec. 15, 2020, 6:03 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Avary
Balance.
It is refreshing to hear members of the Faith preaching the wisdom of such ideologies... even when they take alot of words to say one simple truth.
Balance.
It is refreshing to hear members of the Faith preaching the wisdom of such ideologies... even when they take alot of words to say one simple truth.
Balance.
Written By Apollo
Dec. 15, 2020, 5:15 a.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
It's interesting that pity is so derided. Like we aren't meant to feel anything for each other, and certainly not if someone's done wrong, done wrong to us or to others. Like we aren't supposed conjure for ourselves the set of circumstances that lead, one thing on to the next, to whatever wrong was done. Test our sense of our own selves against those circumstances. Wonder: would I feel so angry? Would I feel so desperate? Would I be so even-headed, then, would I be rash, would I have done any better? Would I have done any different?
But when people talk about pity, the talk about it in a very different way. As if it is something done explicitly to someone lesser, someone whose circumstances are beneath imagining as one's own. Inspiring of stuff like mercy and charity on the grounds that their person is pathetic, their circumstances too distressing to really consider.
I was taught a different sort of pity.
When I was small, I saw things no child should see. I had the good luck that my lot was temporary; I didn't suffer endlessly, I had another chance that yielded on to another chance that yielded on to a hundred more. I remember when the guard brought me around to Keaton Keep to meet a woman that was, I recognize now, herself quite nearly a child. She didn't look at me like my circumstance was so different to hers. Her care for me was a kind of mercy. And it was also an act of faith or hope or something like both. A wish. Were I this child, I'd want someone to feed me bacon and biscuits. Were I this child, I'd want someone to carry me to a bed and tuck me in. I'd want someone to sit and let the world be quiet and still awhile.
I'm not who I am today because Baroness Margerie saved me. I'm who I am today because she saw me. And saw a bit of herself in me, a bit of me in herself.
There's nothing contemptible in being moved by another person. Even if they've done something wrong, especially if they've done something wrong. I bet every good heart in the world has something to regret. Being as most mistakes aren't fatal, most move on. Learn something, if they're lucky; struggle onward, if not. Being people and not the faceless Sentinel, we carry our knowing what it is to be a person living in the world into all our judgements, no matter the face we wear. Maybe that leads us on to more mistakes, misjudgements. But sometimes when we miss giving someone what they deserve we manage to land on giving them what they need.
But when people talk about pity, the talk about it in a very different way. As if it is something done explicitly to someone lesser, someone whose circumstances are beneath imagining as one's own. Inspiring of stuff like mercy and charity on the grounds that their person is pathetic, their circumstances too distressing to really consider.
I was taught a different sort of pity.
When I was small, I saw things no child should see. I had the good luck that my lot was temporary; I didn't suffer endlessly, I had another chance that yielded on to another chance that yielded on to a hundred more. I remember when the guard brought me around to Keaton Keep to meet a woman that was, I recognize now, herself quite nearly a child. She didn't look at me like my circumstance was so different to hers. Her care for me was a kind of mercy. And it was also an act of faith or hope or something like both. A wish. Were I this child, I'd want someone to feed me bacon and biscuits. Were I this child, I'd want someone to carry me to a bed and tuck me in. I'd want someone to sit and let the world be quiet and still awhile.
I'm not who I am today because Baroness Margerie saved me. I'm who I am today because she saw me. And saw a bit of herself in me, a bit of me in herself.
There's nothing contemptible in being moved by another person. Even if they've done something wrong, especially if they've done something wrong. I bet every good heart in the world has something to regret. Being as most mistakes aren't fatal, most move on. Learn something, if they're lucky; struggle onward, if not. Being people and not the faceless Sentinel, we carry our knowing what it is to be a person living in the world into all our judgements, no matter the face we wear. Maybe that leads us on to more mistakes, misjudgements. But sometimes when we miss giving someone what they deserve we manage to land on giving them what they need.
Written By Baz
Dec. 15, 2020, 1:32 a.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
I don't know shite about song lyrics though at this rate I'll be writing bawdy limericks in the streets for food before long. I better start thinking of words that rhyme with 'fuck'. Gods, how depressing.
Written By Dio
Dec. 14, 2020, 10:07 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
How will things play out in the war with Skal'daja?
There is much to fear. I see ships tossed on the most violent waves, set ablaze by bolts of lighting, arrows piercing arteries, people drowning - a sea of death.
But how much more should Skal'daja fear our valor? We are resolved, we who live brief but potent lives, whose traditions and virtues nourish the lives of our daughters and sons, who live in the hope that we will see our loved ones again in Elysia. The false prophet does not know our secrets. Skal'daja underestimates our gods. They have much to fear.
There is much to fear. I see ships tossed on the most violent waves, set ablaze by bolts of lighting, arrows piercing arteries, people drowning - a sea of death.
But how much more should Skal'daja fear our valor? We are resolved, we who live brief but potent lives, whose traditions and virtues nourish the lives of our daughters and sons, who live in the hope that we will see our loved ones again in Elysia. The false prophet does not know our secrets. Skal'daja underestimates our gods. They have much to fear.
Written By Ravna
Dec. 14, 2020, 9:28 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
You know, there was this uh, this one time. You know. Awhile back. Guys chasing us, I think we swiped some bread or something - one of my brothers and me. I think. Blurry, you know?
Anyways, once like, we swiped. Ran. These guys followed us, you ever see those big urns - yeah, with the ashes in it? Ever see them break? So like, we broke one, you know behind us and my brother, good kid him, he breaks fine glass.
These guys, they mangle their feet trying to chase kids stealing bread to eat. I feel like that's uh, you know, I don't know, like, The Gods balancing stuff out, you know?
Balance is important. How the hell do you think Mummers do what they do? I couldn't walk no rope.
Anyways, once like, we swiped. Ran. These guys followed us, you ever see those big urns - yeah, with the ashes in it? Ever see them break? So like, we broke one, you know behind us and my brother, good kid him, he breaks fine glass.
These guys, they mangle their feet trying to chase kids stealing bread to eat. I feel like that's uh, you know, I don't know, like, The Gods balancing stuff out, you know?
Balance is important. How the hell do you think Mummers do what they do? I couldn't walk no rope.
Written By Ravna
Dec. 14, 2020, 9:21 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
On Combat:
1) D-don't, you know, follow rules. You know? Cheaters aren't ch-cheaters if, if they win. You know? They're winners. Because, beee-caaauuuuse losers die. Dead. Mhm.
2) Cheat.
3) I-if fighting a cheater, cheat harder, a-and don't do that weird flippy nonsense with like, words and valor and whatever. Just stab them in the throat. Wham.
4) I-if you're gonna lose, loss. Run. Even wolves run, man. Bears run. Sharks run. Run! Th-then, find the guy you ran from later, you know? Burn his house down. Or something, I don't know, you do you.
5) If you meet a fist fighter, don't fighter her with your fists, you know? Shoot her with a bow or something.
6) Winning is for winners, dying is for suckers, and it's better to be lucky than dead. Also it's better to win. So, you know, win. You know?
7) F..Too many of these...vomit or a burp? ...Ohthankthegodsitwasaburp.
8) Fire, piss, and even dung. You wanna see a big macho warrior scream like a girl? Cover your knife in dung. Piss on your cloak. Light that fool on fire. That'll show'em.
9) Win.
1) D-don't, you know, follow rules. You know? Cheaters aren't ch-cheaters if, if they win. You know? They're winners. Because, beee-caaauuuuse losers die. Dead. Mhm.
2) Cheat.
3) I-if fighting a cheater, cheat harder, a-and don't do that weird flippy nonsense with like, words and valor and whatever. Just stab them in the throat. Wham.
4) I-if you're gonna lose, loss. Run. Even wolves run, man. Bears run. Sharks run. Run! Th-then, find the guy you ran from later, you know? Burn his house down. Or something, I don't know, you do you.
5) If you meet a fist fighter, don't fighter her with your fists, you know? Shoot her with a bow or something.
6) Winning is for winners, dying is for suckers, and it's better to be lucky than dead. Also it's better to win. So, you know, win. You know?
7) F..Too many of these...vomit or a burp? ...Ohthankthegodsitwasaburp.
8) Fire, piss, and even dung. You wanna see a big macho warrior scream like a girl? Cover your knife in dung. Piss on your cloak. Light that fool on fire. That'll show'em.
9) Win.
Written By Avary
Dec. 14, 2020, 9:15 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
Mercy is when we restrain our heart from compelling our mind to reach for vengeance when we are in a position of power to avenge. By removing mercy from the Sentinel's Justice, it creates a strictness that leads us to cruelty. By only giving mercy, we move too far to pity.
If we teach those who are watching us that we must always be strict and ferociously avenge, then we must not be surprised at what they learn from us nor can we be surprised when they too are unyielding or unforgiving.
If we teach those who are watching us that we always will be merciful, then dishonor will have no limits or meaning as order is thrown out.
Being too much of either strict or lenient leads us further from the Sentinel's Truth and closes our hearts to the guidance of the gods.
If we teach those who are watching us that we must always be strict and ferociously avenge, then we must not be surprised at what they learn from us nor can we be surprised when they too are unyielding or unforgiving.
If we teach those who are watching us that we always will be merciful, then dishonor will have no limits or meaning as order is thrown out.
Being too much of either strict or lenient leads us further from the Sentinel's Truth and closes our hearts to the guidance of the gods.
Written By Ciro
Dec. 14, 2020, 8:38 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
I ran into someone tonight I had not seen in many years, From waif to warrior she has turned. How far she has come from the life she once knew, And how far she has yet to go. She found it odd that someone like me would find interest in the talks of war, the meetings to plan and discuss the coming campaigns against our enemies.
And then she thought of me a clerk, What an odd night.
And then she thought of me a clerk, What an odd night.
Written By Monique
Dec. 14, 2020, 5:35 p.m.(7/25/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Sydney
Smart woman.
Written By Delilah
Dec. 14, 2020, 5:07 p.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
I seem to have made someone's day most unexpectedly.
Who would have guessed?
Who would have guessed?
Written By Cirroch
Dec. 14, 2020, 3:24 p.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
To the scholar in charge of the whites.
One should investigate who is releasing people's personal thoughts. To have someone's personal opinion to be attacked because a loose leaf fell out of the scholars portfolio is a poor oversight of the scholars who have been trusted with our ramdon thoughts. They are not proclamations. Stop treating these writings as such.
Now is the time for the compact to come together. If we're at each others throats then the Eurusi have already won the war.
One should investigate who is releasing people's personal thoughts. To have someone's personal opinion to be attacked because a loose leaf fell out of the scholars portfolio is a poor oversight of the scholars who have been trusted with our ramdon thoughts. They are not proclamations. Stop treating these writings as such.
Now is the time for the compact to come together. If we're at each others throats then the Eurusi have already won the war.
Written By Sabella
Dec. 14, 2020, 12:18 p.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
The list in my last journal was accidentally cut off! So my utmost thanks to Princess Jaenelle, Lady Mabelle, and Baroness Lucita as well! Their donations were most welcome at the auction!
Written By Sydney
Dec. 14, 2020, 10:03 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
I've seen my fair share of sayings about combat now in these whites, so I'll posit here my own philosophies in brief.
1. Protect yourself.
2. There will be times when there is a choice between protecting yourself, and protecting someone who is unable, and that is when the coin is flipped, the die thrown, but always remember that Death guarantees us nothing. When your ride of the wheel ends, even if it's your first trip, it may always be your last.
3. Valor doesn't assure miracles.
4. Armor doesn't buy invulnerability.
5. Brave words do not imbue courage without fail.
6. Killing is painful, but dying is harder.
7. Remember every success, locking in the times you've done well - that your blow connected just in time, that you managed to save a friend.
8. Be ready, for your mind will cling to every failure if given half the chance. Guard well against it.
9. No Thing is forever. Cling too tightly to something, and the pain when you lose it will only be harder.
10. For every hero who summoned forth all of their strength and did what needed to be done, there are countless scores exactly like them who weren't favored by luck. Do not leave your fate to luck.
11. Trust in tactics, but be ready to pivot. Plans are a framework, not absolute. This works best if you're not under strict orders, I suppose, so it may apply more to mercenaries, sellswords, and openpalms.
12. Always have a backup weapon - even I carry a blade should the situation call for it.
13. Protect yourself.
1. Protect yourself.
2. There will be times when there is a choice between protecting yourself, and protecting someone who is unable, and that is when the coin is flipped, the die thrown, but always remember that Death guarantees us nothing. When your ride of the wheel ends, even if it's your first trip, it may always be your last.
3. Valor doesn't assure miracles.
4. Armor doesn't buy invulnerability.
5. Brave words do not imbue courage without fail.
6. Killing is painful, but dying is harder.
7. Remember every success, locking in the times you've done well - that your blow connected just in time, that you managed to save a friend.
8. Be ready, for your mind will cling to every failure if given half the chance. Guard well against it.
9. No Thing is forever. Cling too tightly to something, and the pain when you lose it will only be harder.
10. For every hero who summoned forth all of their strength and did what needed to be done, there are countless scores exactly like them who weren't favored by luck. Do not leave your fate to luck.
11. Trust in tactics, but be ready to pivot. Plans are a framework, not absolute. This works best if you're not under strict orders, I suppose, so it may apply more to mercenaries, sellswords, and openpalms.
12. Always have a backup weapon - even I carry a blade should the situation call for it.
13. Protect yourself.
Written By Piccola
Dec. 14, 2020, 10:03 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
Wise general, be careful with mercy.
Mercy blooms from love. The working of mercy is our keeping in love. But it is neither your duty nor your obligation to love those who show themselves to be your enemy. It is also neither nor your power nor your responsibility to temper your acts with mercy, for you are neither your enemies' liege or judge. Yours is to bear the sword and the banner, to accomplish the deeds, and to do so for the benefit of your realm.
Mercy feeds on pity. The working of mercy turns us to do good to others. But it is neither your duty nor your obligation in the pursuit of your objectives to do well to or on behalf of others. It is also neither your power nor your responsibility to malign or shame your enemies by giving them a pittance without their request. Again, you act for the benefit of your realm.
Mercy is ultimately selfish. The working of mercy is to unburden our hearts from the weight of the death we are asked to deliver. Feel no shame indulging oneself when it is convenient; however, your life is neither of convenience nor gratification. At all times when executing your orders keep in mind the three pillars of virtue: devotion to your realm; excellence to your liege; and loyalty to your soldiers.
There is no room for the meek and mild in service.
Mercy blooms from love. The working of mercy is our keeping in love. But it is neither your duty nor your obligation to love those who show themselves to be your enemy. It is also neither nor your power nor your responsibility to temper your acts with mercy, for you are neither your enemies' liege or judge. Yours is to bear the sword and the banner, to accomplish the deeds, and to do so for the benefit of your realm.
Mercy feeds on pity. The working of mercy turns us to do good to others. But it is neither your duty nor your obligation in the pursuit of your objectives to do well to or on behalf of others. It is also neither your power nor your responsibility to malign or shame your enemies by giving them a pittance without their request. Again, you act for the benefit of your realm.
Mercy is ultimately selfish. The working of mercy is to unburden our hearts from the weight of the death we are asked to deliver. Feel no shame indulging oneself when it is convenient; however, your life is neither of convenience nor gratification. At all times when executing your orders keep in mind the three pillars of virtue: devotion to your realm; excellence to your liege; and loyalty to your soldiers.
There is no room for the meek and mild in service.
Written By Delilah
Dec. 14, 2020, 8:46 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
A fresh morning, and the city bubbles with activity. Carts trundling by, horses and labourers on foot, the docks no doubt busy with a thicket of ships. You could almost forget the bruises at the heart of the city, the cracked windowpanes and crooked lintels. Everywhere I look, I can see the marks of recent activity to repair these vestiges of damage.
Stone chips. Wood buckles. Glass cracks. We can plaster and sculpt, build and shape, and that will give us strength and purpose.
Stone chips. Wood buckles. Glass cracks. We can plaster and sculpt, build and shape, and that will give us strength and purpose.
Written By Tyrus
Dec. 14, 2020, 8:44 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Valerius
Another of my family dead. Another more than a decade younger than I. I remember the boy, as I grew to know the man he became, though less so.
I will not offer threats. I will not imagine elaborate punishments for those responsible.
The Inquisition is to investigate. I look forward to see how they might have changed from the ways of their previous Master of Questions.
I will not offer threats. I will not imagine elaborate punishments for those responsible.
The Inquisition is to investigate. I look forward to see how they might have changed from the ways of their previous Master of Questions.
Written By Duarte
Dec. 14, 2020, 8:09 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Sasha
I'm sure Prince Valerius would be equally shocked that one would use his very name to impugn the character of his widow - whom he so dearly loved.
There is not a soul on this continent whose ire is more frightening to countenance than Lianne Malespero.
Her patient, calculated maneuvering needn't be diluted by scrambling and uncoordinated efforts fueled by just the sort of reckless emotion you've already displayed.
Mourn as you must, but don't get in the way.
From tragedy, strength.
There is not a soul on this continent whose ire is more frightening to countenance than Lianne Malespero.
Her patient, calculated maneuvering needn't be diluted by scrambling and uncoordinated efforts fueled by just the sort of reckless emotion you've already displayed.
Mourn as you must, but don't get in the way.
From tragedy, strength.
Written By Evaristo
Dec. 14, 2020, 6 a.m.(7/24/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
Being a bard is a profession that earns you money. People pay you to sing and play music and tell stories and generally make everything BETTER.
So, I don't even understand what this Raven is on about. Bards are, by definition, useful - or there wouldn't be a profession, or something people PAY for. One of the most prestigious organisations in the Compact is the Bard's College. I could go on ahead and list the merits of music and song and what USE it has, but if Raven can't figure this out themselves, they might want to go get some lessons by the disciples of Jayus.
So, I don't even understand what this Raven is on about. Bards are, by definition, useful - or there wouldn't be a profession, or something people PAY for. One of the most prestigious organisations in the Compact is the Bard's College. I could go on ahead and list the merits of music and song and what USE it has, but if Raven can't figure this out themselves, they might want to go get some lessons by the disciples of Jayus.
Written By Mabelle
Dec. 14, 2020, 4:41 a.m.(7/23/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
It seems mischief comes with a price and that of mine is to give my dog away for a week to serve as an emotional support pet.
Written By Mabelle
Dec. 14, 2020, 4:39 a.m.(7/23/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Valerius
It has begun. The names.
The ones you know.
He was far too young and was only beginning to discover his place in the world after a struggle of coming to terms with it.
What a tragedy.
The ones you know.
He was far too young and was only beginning to discover his place in the world after a struggle of coming to terms with it.
What a tragedy.
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