Written By Piccola
Sept. 2, 2020, 10:01 p.m.(12/14/1013 AR)
Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet each situation without anxiety yet not recklessly. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax; when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Be neither insufficiently spirited nor over spirited; do not let the enemy see your spirit. Be unrestricted and fluid like rainwater flowing down a mountain path.
With your spirit open, look at things from the highest point of view. Cultivate wisdom and spirit through practice: learn public justice; distinguish between good and evil; and study the arts one by one. When you cannot be deceived by men you will have found the wisdom of strategy, for all warfare is based on deception, and makes victims of the foolish and closed-minded.
See distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword. The gaze is the same for single combat and for large-scale combat; to master strategy one must therefore master the duel.
With your spirit open, look at things from the highest point of view. Cultivate wisdom and spirit through practice: learn public justice; distinguish between good and evil; and study the arts one by one. When you cannot be deceived by men you will have found the wisdom of strategy, for all warfare is based on deception, and makes victims of the foolish and closed-minded.
See distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things. It is important in strategy to know the enemy's sword and not to be distracted by insignificant movements of his sword. The gaze is the same for single combat and for large-scale combat; to master strategy one must therefore master the duel.
Written By Svana
Sept. 2, 2020, 6:10 p.m.(12/14/1013 AR)
I'm not sure other people see in me. At least not compared to the other people they've surrounded themselves with in the past, or even in the present. I shouldn't compare myself to others. This much I know, and I've been told so many times. But it's hard to live in the shadow of such talented, beautiful people - especially in matters of the heart.
Such is life.
Such is life.
Written By Medeia
Sept. 2, 2020, 2:27 p.m.(12/14/1013 AR)
I can't say say I've ever had a man shout about my beauty across a crowded room before today. Nor have they left that room muttering to or about the gods.
I've only been in the city a few weeks. It's been a whirlwind adventure so far: I've met incredible people, heard fantastic stories, and even reconnected with important parts of my life. But this? This stands out.
I've only been in the city a few weeks. It's been a whirlwind adventure so far: I've met incredible people, heard fantastic stories, and even reconnected with important parts of my life. But this? This stands out.
Written By Porter
Sept. 2, 2020, 7:30 a.m.(12/13/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Brigid
Are you saying something about the cleanliness of my beard, Lady Brigid??? You know what, it could be days before you read this. I'm going to write a letter.
Written By Bahiya
Sept. 2, 2020, 12:34 a.m.(12/13/1013 AR)
A quilt of a populace; so different from each other, the one and the many and it turns into a comforting thing, stitched together and held at arms' length. This is Arx. This is Arvum.
And yet I know now I am beholden to a few, that most folk are. Even princes and kings are beholden at the core of themselves to a chosen few. My mind is clear and I feel more at peace than I have been in many years. A new friendship has done this to me, unexpected and very fresh; I am uncertain how I am meant to handle it. Embrace it and leave it to grow on its own? Hover over it fuss, touch, invoke again and again.
I am elated; uncharted territory this, and I am safe here, free to explore it at my own pace.
I am also happy I did not embarrass myself. At least, I do not think I did. I hope I did not. But he seems the type to not care. That, too, is a comfort.
And yet I know now I am beholden to a few, that most folk are. Even princes and kings are beholden at the core of themselves to a chosen few. My mind is clear and I feel more at peace than I have been in many years. A new friendship has done this to me, unexpected and very fresh; I am uncertain how I am meant to handle it. Embrace it and leave it to grow on its own? Hover over it fuss, touch, invoke again and again.
I am elated; uncharted territory this, and I am safe here, free to explore it at my own pace.
I am also happy I did not embarrass myself. At least, I do not think I did. I hope I did not. But he seems the type to not care. That, too, is a comfort.
Written By Piccola
Sept. 1, 2020, 8:35 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
If this is a kingdom of freedom, let it be a kingdom of freedom.
When facing an enemy who believes otherwise one must commit to war. Freedom comes to those who show their enemy that they will do anything to get your freedom. Nobody can give you freedom, just as nobody can give you equality or justice. Freedom is as much taken as it must be secured against those who will take it from you, and we are only so free as we are prepared to kill and die for it.
So it is that there can be no peace without freedom, for those who are not free must always be at war.
When facing an enemy who believes otherwise one must commit to war. Freedom comes to those who show their enemy that they will do anything to get your freedom. Nobody can give you freedom, just as nobody can give you equality or justice. Freedom is as much taken as it must be secured against those who will take it from you, and we are only so free as we are prepared to kill and die for it.
So it is that there can be no peace without freedom, for those who are not free must always be at war.
Written By Zyanya
Sept. 1, 2020, 8:27 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
Stars strewn recklessly bright
their winking tempts
a reach, a swipe,
joy of capture, their cold flutter
between my hands.
Diamond moths,
you do not realize
I do not know these skies
or where I should return you.
their winking tempts
a reach, a swipe,
joy of capture, their cold flutter
between my hands.
Diamond moths,
you do not realize
I do not know these skies
or where I should return you.
Written By Brigid
Sept. 1, 2020, 6:53 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Porter
That sounds like a wonderful idea for a children's tale, "Knight Porter and his Beard" and it can be a teaching story on cleanliness.
Written By Medeia
Sept. 1, 2020, 1:10 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Thea
The Lady Thea taking me on as protege has been one of the most delightful surprises the city has delivered. It was nice enough to be reunited with my friend, but for her to have such belief in me is heartening. It's been a matter of days and already we're up to old (and new) tricks. What a blessing - for everyone.
Written By Bahiya
Sept. 1, 2020, 1:04 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
I have a story to tell you.
The slaves of Skal'daja have their own culture and traditions. The masters are not so keen to learn about such things; they would rather pretend they do not exist at all. Most, I think, believe it to be poor manners given the history of our peoples. Others feel guilt, evidence of the humanity in the 'things' they have enslaved. Still more are afraid, like my cousins; it denoted too much for them to fathom.
They have a story of a slave, a woman named Jihan, who ran away from the family that owned her and her kin for generations.
Her mistress was not outstandingly cruel by the conventions of the masters in Skal'daja, but she treated Jihan as all slaves were treated; she controlled every aspect of her life, when she slept, when she ate. How she grew, what she was trained in, the fates of her children (sold, of course). And like most good slave owners, she ignored the emotional outbursts of her slave, punished her for carrying on in her grief.
Normal. Traditional. What most would expect in Skal'daja of a respected noblewoman. Outlandish to think she would treat her slaves any different.
But then the noblewoman came into trouble with the law, a loophole exploited had her taxes far less than what they should have been. Men were sent to collect both the money -and- her.
Her mistress turned to her loyal slave, Jihan, who had been by her side since she was a baby. Jihan, knowing what was coming (and some suggest it was she that enlightened the tax collectors as to the loophole), had learned that the loophole included her mistress owning -nothing- on her property, until the tax collectors could inventory it all.
This meant the slaves, for the span of an hour, were completely free.
Silent as shadows, they left, took what little precious they could and abandoned the noblewoman. Jihan stayed, but not by choice.
"Don't leave me," begged the mistress. "Don't leave me and everyone you know and love, everything you know and love. They are coming to claim it all, don't leave me."
"I can't stay. Everyone I know and love is leaving. And the men are coming and I need to be gone from here before I'm counted."
"Please, stay, my Jihan, my friend. Stay and tell them this chest of gold is yours and not mine at all. Please."
"If I stay, I will tell them the truth. I will tell them your gold came from selling my children, and that every coin belongs to you."
As her mistress wept, bereft and betrayed, Jihan rested her hand on the noblewoman's head, touching her without permission, and said,
"I would rather walk into the Mirror now, than stay here. Your love is not enough for such a price. If they put you in chains, remember me, and be humbled; it could be much worse."
Jihan left before the noblewoman was collected, and what happened of the slave is still a mystery. But quietly she is spoken of, the loyal slave who left the moment she could, remembering that outside of her chains was freedom. Wild, unknown freedom, that was far better than the hellish existence she'd known her whole life.
The slaves of Skal'daja have their own culture and traditions. The masters are not so keen to learn about such things; they would rather pretend they do not exist at all. Most, I think, believe it to be poor manners given the history of our peoples. Others feel guilt, evidence of the humanity in the 'things' they have enslaved. Still more are afraid, like my cousins; it denoted too much for them to fathom.
They have a story of a slave, a woman named Jihan, who ran away from the family that owned her and her kin for generations.
Her mistress was not outstandingly cruel by the conventions of the masters in Skal'daja, but she treated Jihan as all slaves were treated; she controlled every aspect of her life, when she slept, when she ate. How she grew, what she was trained in, the fates of her children (sold, of course). And like most good slave owners, she ignored the emotional outbursts of her slave, punished her for carrying on in her grief.
Normal. Traditional. What most would expect in Skal'daja of a respected noblewoman. Outlandish to think she would treat her slaves any different.
But then the noblewoman came into trouble with the law, a loophole exploited had her taxes far less than what they should have been. Men were sent to collect both the money -and- her.
Her mistress turned to her loyal slave, Jihan, who had been by her side since she was a baby. Jihan, knowing what was coming (and some suggest it was she that enlightened the tax collectors as to the loophole), had learned that the loophole included her mistress owning -nothing- on her property, until the tax collectors could inventory it all.
This meant the slaves, for the span of an hour, were completely free.
Silent as shadows, they left, took what little precious they could and abandoned the noblewoman. Jihan stayed, but not by choice.
"Don't leave me," begged the mistress. "Don't leave me and everyone you know and love, everything you know and love. They are coming to claim it all, don't leave me."
"I can't stay. Everyone I know and love is leaving. And the men are coming and I need to be gone from here before I'm counted."
"Please, stay, my Jihan, my friend. Stay and tell them this chest of gold is yours and not mine at all. Please."
"If I stay, I will tell them the truth. I will tell them your gold came from selling my children, and that every coin belongs to you."
As her mistress wept, bereft and betrayed, Jihan rested her hand on the noblewoman's head, touching her without permission, and said,
"I would rather walk into the Mirror now, than stay here. Your love is not enough for such a price. If they put you in chains, remember me, and be humbled; it could be much worse."
Jihan left before the noblewoman was collected, and what happened of the slave is still a mystery. But quietly she is spoken of, the loyal slave who left the moment she could, remembering that outside of her chains was freedom. Wild, unknown freedom, that was far better than the hellish existence she'd known her whole life.
Written By Ida
Sept. 1, 2020, 12:38 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
Sometimes business or duty (and sometimes a combination of both) bring the most intriguing people to the shop. A reminder to me that quite often, you really can't always judge a book by its cover - which, just as often, isn't a bad thing at all.
Written By Strozza
Sept. 1, 2020, 12:37 p.m.(12/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Hadrian
The weight of the world
Gleaming grin swallows it up
Silver hides thunder
Gleaming grin swallows it up
Silver hides thunder
Written By Lisebet
Sept. 1, 2020, 11:44 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Harlan and I spent some time in the shrine of Gloria. Neither of us is very martial, but it was an interesting time to think about the values that we ascribe to Gloria and the valour demonstrated by those enshrined in this shrine. There are many statues.
Many, many statues.
We decided to see if we could perhaps find a wonderful, kind, caring member of the Faith with a lot of information on Gloria and all the statues, who might be prevailed upon to share some stories about them with us.
I am looking forward to it.
Many, many statues.
We decided to see if we could perhaps find a wonderful, kind, caring member of the Faith with a lot of information on Gloria and all the statues, who might be prevailed upon to share some stories about them with us.
I am looking forward to it.
Written By Porter
Sept. 1, 2020, 10:54 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
I've reached a point in my life where people know more about my beard than me.
Written By Alrigo
Sept. 1, 2020, 10:46 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Svana
Very welcome Messere Svana. You and a few others found those delightful gowns to make.
Next shall have to be some not-so-winter gowns. For lounging by the fire or for the brave.
Next shall have to be some not-so-winter gowns. For lounging by the fire or for the brave.
Written By Strozza
Sept. 1, 2020, 10:45 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Green eyes see the night
Footsteps are like morning mist
My joy a dull roar
Footsteps are like morning mist
My joy a dull roar
Written By Domonico
Sept. 1, 2020, 9:58 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Piccola
The recent journal entry of Lady Piccola does seem to be close in describing the City-State of Southport. I wonder if she realises this?
Written By Martino
Sept. 1, 2020, 4:59 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Medeia
Ah, I should have known you would go looking for my writings. The quiet claps of joy when Guido does find and deliver a missive to Saik being the hint. Alas, did you notice how fine the penmanship used to be?
Don't tell them all I taught you or some shall seek me out for that same guidance, those steps and techniques that this Lord did show off in his prime.
Especially as there are a few that I had not dared to share with you.
Don't tell them all I taught you or some shall seek me out for that same guidance, those steps and techniques that this Lord did show off in his prime.
Especially as there are a few that I had not dared to share with you.
Written By Martino
Sept. 1, 2020, 4:59 a.m.(12/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Medeia
Ah, I should have known you would go looking for my writings. The quiet claps of joy when Guido does find and deliver a missive to Saik being the hint. Alas, did you notice how fine the penmanship used to be?
Don't tell them all I taught you or some shall seek me out for that same guidance, those steps and techniques that this Lord did show off in his prime.
Especially as there are a few that I had not dared to share with you.
Don't tell them all I taught you or some shall seek me out for that same guidance, those steps and techniques that this Lord did show off in his prime.
Especially as there are a few that I had not dared to share with you.
Written By Svana
Aug. 31, 2020, 11:39 p.m.(12/10/1013 AR)
I love when I get paid from commissions.
I hate when I spend it all the same day on things I think I need. But I did get a new gown. It's ravishing! Thanks, Alexio, Alrigo, and all the rest of the Donattis!
I hate when I spend it all the same day on things I think I need. But I did get a new gown. It's ravishing! Thanks, Alexio, Alrigo, and all the rest of the Donattis!
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.