Written By Philippe
Oct. 25, 2020, 9:19 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
I am grateful for the coming of spring. Once more we can set to the work of planting. Construction projects may continue. There are roads that must be oiled and bridges that need fresh beams. The mundane work of keeping Chevalle together is a comfort to me. It makes me feel like my works matter when I can orchestrate something meaningful. So little in life endures, but steel, stone, and wood outlive many men. And so I look to those things when I think about the legacy of Blanchard in these lands.
Written By Sigismund
Oct. 25, 2020, 9:14 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Well today was a productive day. Other than my meeting of family and strangers at the Murder, I also got to visit some of my children still living in Arx. A little more than a dozen, in fact, some with families of their own! I shared with them the news from their siblings who left to move out to the other fealties and that took most of the day.
Meeting the grandchildren is always fun. I get to see whether their parents have understood what I taught them. It gives me a valuable opportunity to learn where my children have gone wrong and to correct the problem.
You'd think I'd have perfected the technique after more than two dozen kids but it's really more complicated than it looks like.
Meeting the grandchildren is always fun. I get to see whether their parents have understood what I taught them. It gives me a valuable opportunity to learn where my children have gone wrong and to correct the problem.
You'd think I'd have perfected the technique after more than two dozen kids but it's really more complicated than it looks like.
Written By Tarik
Oct. 25, 2020, 9:06 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
I am bit sad that winter is over with. It has been one of the happiest winters of my life. The worse thing is that I know summer is on the horizon. I really hate Arx summers, but at least this summer I will be married to Rowenova.
Written By Sigismund
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:57 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Ah, to have returned to Arx after my little trip. Nothing's changed, except the things that have, so on and so forth.
I hear we're to have a crusade. Should be entertaining to watch it unfold. From far, far away.
Someone has to stay home and look after the kids.
I hear we're to have a crusade. Should be entertaining to watch it unfold. From far, far away.
Someone has to stay home and look after the kids.
Written By Khanne
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:52 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Nobles of Arx, those of you who enjoy the freedoms of being where you are, who you are, and the families you were born into (or married into), this is for you.
Think about how it feels to eat a meal whenever you please, with whomever you please, and often, whatever foods you wish.
Remember the joys you felt when you attended your most recent fete, party, masquerade, or talk in the salon.
Cherish the moments when lively conversation stimulates your intellect, helps spread ideas for growth, shares knowledge, brings you closer to others as friends or family.
Recall the time you visited your favorite shop and were delighted to find something new that tickled your fancy, and you were able to pull silver from your pocket or pouch and pay for it to bring home.
These are things most of us can and do enjoy really whenever we wish. The same falls true for the most fortunate of Commoners who are able to live very well. These are things that we might often take for granted. Rarely do we think about the ease in which we are able to do near whatever we like... hopefully in the vein of it harming no one else.
Now, imagine that you could not.
Imagine that a Master was in control of your every move, every morsel you ate, every item of clothing you wore, every chore you worked your fingers to the bone to do, every person you associated with, if any.
Imagine every minutiae of your life being controlled by someone else.
Imagine having no freedom, no choice.
THIS is why the houses of Arx and the Faith call banners. To protect our own way of life, and to grant others the freedoms they may have never known the sweet taste of. This is not just a problem for the houses of the south. This is not for someone else to handle. This is something to be fought against together, as a Compact, as Arvani.
May Freedom of Choice prevail!
Think about how it feels to eat a meal whenever you please, with whomever you please, and often, whatever foods you wish.
Remember the joys you felt when you attended your most recent fete, party, masquerade, or talk in the salon.
Cherish the moments when lively conversation stimulates your intellect, helps spread ideas for growth, shares knowledge, brings you closer to others as friends or family.
Recall the time you visited your favorite shop and were delighted to find something new that tickled your fancy, and you were able to pull silver from your pocket or pouch and pay for it to bring home.
These are things most of us can and do enjoy really whenever we wish. The same falls true for the most fortunate of Commoners who are able to live very well. These are things that we might often take for granted. Rarely do we think about the ease in which we are able to do near whatever we like... hopefully in the vein of it harming no one else.
Now, imagine that you could not.
Imagine that a Master was in control of your every move, every morsel you ate, every item of clothing you wore, every chore you worked your fingers to the bone to do, every person you associated with, if any.
Imagine every minutiae of your life being controlled by someone else.
Imagine having no freedom, no choice.
THIS is why the houses of Arx and the Faith call banners. To protect our own way of life, and to grant others the freedoms they may have never known the sweet taste of. This is not just a problem for the houses of the south. This is not for someone else to handle. This is something to be fought against together, as a Compact, as Arvani.
May Freedom of Choice prevail!
Written By Preston
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:45 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Poetry can make us feel better about war, or stirring oratory from a great leader. At it's heart though it is a hard thing. And each will approach it differently and for their own causes.
For my part, I must weigh this simply - is it just? Is it right? Is it honourable? Does war fulfill the commands of the Gods? In this, the Skal'daja are a threat to our Faith, they have preyed on our people, they remove choice from people, their actions place at risk untold numbers of innocents. It is of course more complicated than a few words on a journal's page. But, all these things must be considered and weighed, and the harm done by acting weighed against it. But once you have undertaken this serious consideration, once you have decided the war is just? Then there is no reason to pause or fight with half measure.
That is the Templar way. To consider carefully our path, but once decided upon to forge it with faith and steel. To where it must go.
For my part, I must weigh this simply - is it just? Is it right? Is it honourable? Does war fulfill the commands of the Gods? In this, the Skal'daja are a threat to our Faith, they have preyed on our people, they remove choice from people, their actions place at risk untold numbers of innocents. It is of course more complicated than a few words on a journal's page. But, all these things must be considered and weighed, and the harm done by acting weighed against it. But once you have undertaken this serious consideration, once you have decided the war is just? Then there is no reason to pause or fight with half measure.
That is the Templar way. To consider carefully our path, but once decided upon to forge it with faith and steel. To where it must go.
Written By Rowenova
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:39 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
And then... there is that random person who shows up, gives you a sling shot, tips their hat, and slinks back into the shadows from whence they came.
Written By Tarik
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:37 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Sometimes all one can do is throw a pebble in the water with the hopes that it might become a mighty wave....
Written By Hamish
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:32 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Each time someone is thought to be dead for some time and then shows up someone feels the need to say that they 'cheated Death'. I'd ask that people move past this turn of phrase. Not actually being dead isn't cheating Death. Somehow being allowed to return when one seemed lost is not cheating Death. Death is not easily cheated. Some have managed to do so, certainly, but it should not be seen as a good thing. She certainly doesn't care for it. There may never be another Dance of Skulls, but cheating Death doesn't leave the cheater unmarred.
So be happy your friend is back and don't tweak the nose of a goddess.
So be happy your friend is back and don't tweak the nose of a goddess.
Written By Domonico
Oct. 25, 2020, 8:14 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
I hosted my first ever official dinner as Count of Magnotta recently. The house servants did an excellent task of preparing the main hall for the guests and the cook Casio Rybac provide a fare that was relatively simple but very filling. Managing to procure the former Southport army cook for the House proved worthwhile.
The conversations varied from serious to very lighthearted and I believe that the guests enjoyed themselves, with representives from Malvici, Saik, Blackshore and Grimhall present.
I will attempt another sometime soon, this time with a co-hostm
The conversations varied from serious to very lighthearted and I believe that the guests enjoyed themselves, with representives from Malvici, Saik, Blackshore and Grimhall present.
I will attempt another sometime soon, this time with a co-hostm
Written By Seren
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:46 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Svana
Mistress Svana Grayhope is one of the nicest people I have come across in Arx. I have not had time in her company which I have not enjoyed.
Written By Serena
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:28 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Spring has home. That always makes a Lycene happy when living in Arx. The snow should melt away, the mud should dry up soon enough, and we will once more be surrounded by flowers.
Written By Monique
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:24 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Not all things arE created equal. life is so full of choicE and with that choice comes the perfectly natural Deed of questioning existence.
Really, when you think about the nature of Existence, you are well within your rights to wonDer if that existence has a point to it.
i think that What you might want to focus on is the nAture of life itself and all that such a thing entails. if i stop to pondeR all the intricacies of Daily life, it strikes me that Each New day provides many challenges, many choices, and it is in those challenges and choices that we find meaning.
Purpose. Love. one leads to the other and they are both driving forcEs with the Ability to provide meaning. all one must do is Search within to find where thEir purpose lies. it is almost always found in love. perhaps the protection of those they love.
Really, when you think about the nature of Existence, you are well within your rights to wonDer if that existence has a point to it.
i think that What you might want to focus on is the nAture of life itself and all that such a thing entails. if i stop to pondeR all the intricacies of Daily life, it strikes me that Each New day provides many challenges, many choices, and it is in those challenges and choices that we find meaning.
Purpose. Love. one leads to the other and they are both driving forcEs with the Ability to provide meaning. all one must do is Search within to find where thEir purpose lies. it is almost always found in love. perhaps the protection of those they love.
Written By Kastelon
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:06 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
The small weapons event last night, held by Lady Monique, was quite the fascinating happening. I must admit that I'd not had thought before about the possibilities for concealing small weapons on a person or their use in such cases, and am embarrassed I did so poorly on attempting to not-quite-garrote Lord Ian. But, mistakes are how we learn to do better in the future, as my old master Gerrick used to remind us.
Written By Patrizio
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:03 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
It's hard to believe that the Eclipse of Mirrors is almost upon us once again. I'm finding it very enjoyable, the thought of having it as a distraction with these poor omens and whispers of trouble from home, even if part of my mind's not willing to let go of the things I'm hearing. A few nights of revelry, a needed break from these troubles, and then on to the larger things, I think.
Written By Romulius
Oct. 25, 2020, 7:02 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
The Isles are fortunate to have champions of progressive ideals in positions of authority. When a tradition outlives its purpose, it must die just as anything else. Time is unconquered, and progress marches on.
Written By Kiera
Oct. 25, 2020, 6:59 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Patrizio
A pravus prince who reminds me of an oathlander. I love when preconceived notions I might hold are challenged. there was no doubt when we spoke I was speaking to a knight of gloria
Written By Martino
Oct. 25, 2020, 6:32 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Pasquale
You were right about the Jade Moon. It is a delight.
Written By Valdemar
Oct. 25, 2020, 3:08 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
While I still hold out a measure of hope that some of the Mourning Islanders who have chosen to follow Ivan the Apostate can be reasoned with before committing themselves to violence on behalf of a foreign power, I'm not foolish enough to believe it will be enough to keep this coming war from being a drawn-out and bloody affair. All in rebellion against the Compact have had more than enough warning, and thus my conscience is clean in calling the Grim Fleet and the Grim Legion to action.
Written By Thea
Oct. 25, 2020, 2:30 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
Spring is upon us, the snow melting. Changes are coming, you can sense them. It's supposed to be a fresh start, but you can feel the tension on the horizon. Is Spring really going to be fresh start this time around? Time will tell----
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.