Written By Kiera
Dec. 6, 2020, 2:07 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
I've had a delightful surprise this week scholar. An impromptu song from Nightengale Gianna Delvechio while I was visiting the Ambassador's ballroom . A splendid song of summer. What a treat
Written By Ripley
Dec. 6, 2020, 2:02 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
Toad. Oh Toad. Beloved lovely toad. Of the wrinkled face that you can put your hands to either side and smoosh around. All that skin that just squishes around and ears that flop way down low. I love you. Your fat belly turned up to the sky and your paws in the air when you sleep and the ears flopped to either side of you as you snore away louder than the bellows when I have to push air over the coals.
With that white toe, white tail tip and the three destroyed shoes already. Ohhh Toad.
Toad.
Beloved Toad.
I don't love you more than I love her though.
With that white toe, white tail tip and the three destroyed shoes already. Ohhh Toad.
Toad.
Beloved Toad.
I don't love you more than I love her though.
Written By Lou
Dec. 6, 2020, 1:16 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
Traveling across the ocean to a far away land in a caravel is quite the experience, but sometimes the land sickness is real after being out to sea for so long. My head still very much thinks that I'm on a boat. The rest of my body does too, and the land sways as if we're on the ocean. I'm not normally affected like this, but I've also never been at to sea for so long before. Past voyages in the Eventide vast always fell short of my goal because our ships were not ocean going vessels like the caravels.
I'll write more of my travels later, once the land sickness subsides and I can think of something other than not falling over.
I'll write more of my travels later, once the land sickness subsides and I can think of something other than not falling over.
Written By Gerrick
Dec. 6, 2020, 12:50 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
When war looms, this is when we see the truth that many have spent years trying to hide.
Written By Haakon
Dec. 6, 2020, 12:39 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
It has been asked what makes a Mourning Islander.
I was Abandoned before my people joined the Compact. Then and now, the Arvani Islesfolk may agree with me but little, but what follows is my truth.
Isles are defined by the sea, and so are the men and women who dwell upon them.
The Mourning Sea is harsh and unforgiving. It bestows great bounty and brings great calamity. The wind and waves do not compromise or care for the whims or wills of mortals, which have ever been fickle. We learn to respect what is constant: strength, courage, family, and tradition. The Old Ways let us survive where thousands of weaker rivals did not. To abandon these ways is to abandon survival. To call the Old Ways wicked is to call our survival wicked.
Wind and water are in constant motion; one may never gaze upon the same Sea twice. Every sailor knows that a course must be corrected a thousand times to be kept true, and change is not something we will inherently hate, but we will rage against being compelled to change, for our hard choices have allowed our families to endure, and no man or beast will cheerfully abandon its own life.
Life is harsh and painful. There is beauty and warmth as well, but life in the Mourning Sea remains cold and often ugly. Islesfolk see it as dishonest to pretend otherwise. To flinch at a coarse word is seen as weakness, to weep over what cannot be changed is folly. Only a fool shouts at the wind to change direction.
There is honor in suffering for the house.
The Mourning Isles are hard and they have bred hard sons and daughters. Sacrifice is in our blood, appeals to our emotion or sentiment will often falter on the cold rocks of pragmatism.
Eswynd Rock is not a rich island. Few outside the Compact are. In fair seasons, when fields and fishmongers harvest aplenty, enough will be left to see all folk through the winter. Most seasons are not so fair. In the worst seasons, when the life of the tribe flickers, the mothers and children will have all the food, while the warriors take to their longships, each captain swearing not to return without enough food to see their ship through until mid-spring.
Those too old or frail to pull an oar will dress as they wish Mangata to receive them, bid their kin fare well, and walk into the ocean rather than eat what could sustain a child.
Some may call us barbaric, if they come from wealthy lands with little want. They may call us savages if they cannot see past their own learned ways. But if nothing else, know this much: if all voices in Arvum were raised against you, demanding with threats of steel, silver, or sentiment that you change; that your coarse words be smoothed, your hard habits be softened, and with utter zeal in their eyes demand that your position is hopeless and you must relent..
An Islesman will answer "Nay."
An Eswynd will say "The Wind cares not."
This Eswynd will bid them "Go fuck yourself."
I was Abandoned before my people joined the Compact. Then and now, the Arvani Islesfolk may agree with me but little, but what follows is my truth.
Isles are defined by the sea, and so are the men and women who dwell upon them.
The Mourning Sea is harsh and unforgiving. It bestows great bounty and brings great calamity. The wind and waves do not compromise or care for the whims or wills of mortals, which have ever been fickle. We learn to respect what is constant: strength, courage, family, and tradition. The Old Ways let us survive where thousands of weaker rivals did not. To abandon these ways is to abandon survival. To call the Old Ways wicked is to call our survival wicked.
Wind and water are in constant motion; one may never gaze upon the same Sea twice. Every sailor knows that a course must be corrected a thousand times to be kept true, and change is not something we will inherently hate, but we will rage against being compelled to change, for our hard choices have allowed our families to endure, and no man or beast will cheerfully abandon its own life.
Life is harsh and painful. There is beauty and warmth as well, but life in the Mourning Sea remains cold and often ugly. Islesfolk see it as dishonest to pretend otherwise. To flinch at a coarse word is seen as weakness, to weep over what cannot be changed is folly. Only a fool shouts at the wind to change direction.
There is honor in suffering for the house.
The Mourning Isles are hard and they have bred hard sons and daughters. Sacrifice is in our blood, appeals to our emotion or sentiment will often falter on the cold rocks of pragmatism.
Eswynd Rock is not a rich island. Few outside the Compact are. In fair seasons, when fields and fishmongers harvest aplenty, enough will be left to see all folk through the winter. Most seasons are not so fair. In the worst seasons, when the life of the tribe flickers, the mothers and children will have all the food, while the warriors take to their longships, each captain swearing not to return without enough food to see their ship through until mid-spring.
Those too old or frail to pull an oar will dress as they wish Mangata to receive them, bid their kin fare well, and walk into the ocean rather than eat what could sustain a child.
Some may call us barbaric, if they come from wealthy lands with little want. They may call us savages if they cannot see past their own learned ways. But if nothing else, know this much: if all voices in Arvum were raised against you, demanding with threats of steel, silver, or sentiment that you change; that your coarse words be smoothed, your hard habits be softened, and with utter zeal in their eyes demand that your position is hopeless and you must relent..
An Islesman will answer "Nay."
An Eswynd will say "The Wind cares not."
This Eswynd will bid them "Go fuck yourself."
Written By Romulius
Dec. 6, 2020, 9:38 a.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
A friend and mentor posed a question to me:
What does it mean to be a swordsman?
While I will not share my answer to the query here, I will say that it is something that bears consideration for any who fancy themself any sort of warrior.
What does it mean to be a swordsman?
While I will not share my answer to the query here, I will say that it is something that bears consideration for any who fancy themself any sort of warrior.
Written By Lisebet
Dec. 6, 2020, 8:58 a.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
I made a short and uneventful trip recently to Princess Valencia's Gold Hart for one of her sipping and sparring events. I did not partake in the sparring, but did somewhat try the other. This particular event was for the Great Cathedral renovations, and I donated on behalf of myself and House Ashford.
It was an honour to do so, on behalf of our House - and I do hope that much more quickly than expected we can recover from this destruction.
Now I turn my thoughts to how best to continue to help those in need, so that they are hopefully not deceived by pretty lies that offer them everything that will fix their wrongs.
It was an honour to do so, on behalf of our House - and I do hope that much more quickly than expected we can recover from this destruction.
Now I turn my thoughts to how best to continue to help those in need, so that they are hopefully not deceived by pretty lies that offer them everything that will fix their wrongs.
Written By Rowynna
Dec. 6, 2020, 8:46 a.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
Is there ever anything more wonderful than finding yourself immersed in a new piece of research. I have Lord Martino to thank for this, he piques my curiousity with mentions of this and of that, and I'm able to lose myself in the Vellichorian Archives once again. The scholars will soon tire of me, so perhaps I'd better see if our cook can rustle me up some treats to ply them with to endear my cause to them.
Written By Sunaia
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:39 p.m.(7/7/1014 AR)
I'll probably forget, Scholar, so I'll need to make a note of it.
Two less than a fortnight. A torrid heel.
Two less than a fortnight. A torrid heel.
Written By Zyanya
Dec. 5, 2020, 7:27 p.m.(7/7/1014 AR)
The promise of dawn, of this
rose-gold cacophany is a secret kept
behind the fanning clouds.
Only the clouds know how to smile as you do,
how to smile and how to move on.
rose-gold cacophany is a secret kept
behind the fanning clouds.
Only the clouds know how to smile as you do,
how to smile and how to move on.
Written By Graziella
Dec. 5, 2020, 5:18 p.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
I have purchased a few Calderan Bloodstones and am having some unique jewelry created using them... not precisely the way to prepare for war but I don't know what else to do with myself lately. I have been spending quite some time around Lord Romulius and I am very much looking forward to meeting some of his family and friends.
Lady Leena Igniseri, for example, has already proven an eager new friend and I fear I have already failed to make her feel welcome... I am simply rubbish at returning missives... perhaps I'll write her back later. If I don't forget again... I am curious how her dinner went.
Lady Leena Igniseri, for example, has already proven an eager new friend and I fear I have already failed to make her feel welcome... I am simply rubbish at returning missives... perhaps I'll write her back later. If I don't forget again... I am curious how her dinner went.
Written By Rysen
Dec. 5, 2020, 4:09 p.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Alistair
I am deeply honored to have been named Senior Confessor by the High Inquisitor. I'll strive to be worthy of the position, and serve the inquisitors as best I can.
Written By Orland
Dec. 5, 2020, 11:56 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Fredrik
Thoughts of a Friend and Student:
Who comes to a tavern and brings work with them? Someone who obviously isn't looking to do work. The conversation we got into about economics has had me thinking on it for days afterward. I can't say I'm as skilled as this man is with his numbers, I barely got through the third test he flung at me, and I'm certain there was more waiting. I think I spent the rest of the afternoon, quite puzzled about it all. I need more of his time, if he's willing, to consider me a friend and student both.
Is it terrible that I'm learning to smile more.
Who comes to a tavern and brings work with them? Someone who obviously isn't looking to do work. The conversation we got into about economics has had me thinking on it for days afterward. I can't say I'm as skilled as this man is with his numbers, I barely got through the third test he flung at me, and I'm certain there was more waiting. I think I spent the rest of the afternoon, quite puzzled about it all. I need more of his time, if he's willing, to consider me a friend and student both.
Is it terrible that I'm learning to smile more.
Written By Macario
Dec. 5, 2020, 10:52 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
What’s the definition of good? At a high level, that’s an easy answer. But let’s expand the thought. What’s best for the greater good? To who’s benefit? The people? Which people? Our civilization is complex enough where there’s no one greater good. There are conflicting greater goods, and what might be deem lesser goods. I ask, because I’m working on a contract that defines the usage of a thing only for good. It’s a good contract. But I struggle with, how do we define good? There could be two sides of the same issue both for a greater good, but a different greater good. There could be an assumption that helping one faction will build a greater good, but it takes risk that might not always benefit the greater good.
So what is the greater good? Thankfully, as a lawyer, I don’t need to define this. I just need to work on a structure of mediators that are impartial to define the greater good in specific instances. That’ll work, right?
So what is the greater good? Thankfully, as a lawyer, I don’t need to define this. I just need to work on a structure of mediators that are impartial to define the greater good in specific instances. That’ll work, right?
Written By Lyra
Dec. 5, 2020, 10:35 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
The city treats me well and the transition here from Cedar Vale couldn't have gone better.
My diary is quickly filling with business and social invitations, and I foresee that I'm going to be terribly busy in the upcoming months. Thank goodness for Master Asterion, our Master of Coin, who has taken me under his wing. I couldn't wish for a better guiding hand than his.
My diary is quickly filling with business and social invitations, and I foresee that I'm going to be terribly busy in the upcoming months. Thank goodness for Master Asterion, our Master of Coin, who has taken me under his wing. I couldn't wish for a better guiding hand than his.
Written By Leena
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:19 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Cirroch
This giant powerful man is perhaps one of the more jovial, and gentle that I have ever seen. Spending some brief time with him at the Golden Hart was surprising and illuminating. I hope you continue to grow your house, and your presence in Arx. He's a spot of interesting in a sea of what can become a monotonous bore.
Written By Leena
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:17 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
As I grow closer to the Princess, it's easy to see that how could anyone not? Beauty, warmth, an inner and out embrace of positivity and beauty. I feel blessed to count her as a dear friend.
Congratulations on your successful fundraiser my friend, I'm quite certain you will have so many, many more successes.
Congratulations on your successful fundraiser my friend, I'm quite certain you will have so many, many more successes.
Written By Leena
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:15 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Patrizio
I go back and forth, what is more wonderful? Your depth of character, or your hair? *sigh*. Perhaps the world may never know, and we shall all simply just enjoy both.
Written By Leena
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:14 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Trueth
Met quite by happenstance at the Jade Moon, a rising little teahouse where..as far as I am aware may be the only little teahouse in Arx. Charming it is however, just like the Lady Trueth. True to her name she seemed rather true.
We shared a dumpling - a particularly curious thing. A chewy soft thing filled with sweet, salty meat. It was not as strange as it sounds, but was still a delight - as was the lady's generous company.
The Jade Moon, or the Lady Trueth. Visiting either one I would highly recommend.
We shared a dumpling - a particularly curious thing. A chewy soft thing filled with sweet, salty meat. It was not as strange as it sounds, but was still a delight - as was the lady's generous company.
The Jade Moon, or the Lady Trueth. Visiting either one I would highly recommend.
Written By Dio
Dec. 5, 2020, 9:11 a.m.(7/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Tatyana
We sail soon for the Isle of Markets in the hopes of improving its laws of trade. The island itself remains contested with the slavers of Skal'daja, though Salvador's fortifications have thus far proven themselves steadfast protection against our enemies. Because of the distance from Ischia and the diverse nature of the market, smuggling runs rampant, and violence between petty factions threatens the prosperity of all.
The gifted legal scholar Lady Tatyana Grimhall has agreed to sail into this tempest, for which I am most grateful. I have long admired House Grimhall, having had the opportunity to work with Duke Valdemar and his protege in the construction of a new class of ships, and hold in high regard Duchess Vanora's insights into The Thirteenth. Duchess Grimhall has also maintained close ties with House Pravus, and the splendor of her parties and gatherings in Arx have been praised by more eloquent writers.
Lady Tatyana, though, I had not met till recently. Her dedication to the law cannot be questioned. She seems driven by challenges, and unmoved by fear. She is perhaps the greatest chance for prosperity in the Isle of Markets, and I hope that she will one day provide me the opportunity to repay her for the long hours wandering labyrinthine legal codices to bring order out of chaos.
The gifted legal scholar Lady Tatyana Grimhall has agreed to sail into this tempest, for which I am most grateful. I have long admired House Grimhall, having had the opportunity to work with Duke Valdemar and his protege in the construction of a new class of ships, and hold in high regard Duchess Vanora's insights into The Thirteenth. Duchess Grimhall has also maintained close ties with House Pravus, and the splendor of her parties and gatherings in Arx have been praised by more eloquent writers.
Lady Tatyana, though, I had not met till recently. Her dedication to the law cannot be questioned. She seems driven by challenges, and unmoved by fear. She is perhaps the greatest chance for prosperity in the Isle of Markets, and I hope that she will one day provide me the opportunity to repay her for the long hours wandering labyrinthine legal codices to bring order out of chaos.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.