Written By Piccola
Aug. 5, 2020, 3:30 p.m.(10/14/1013 AR)
If you are a warrior, then you know this to be true: that to live is to suffer.
At all times, in war, you move or you die; move forward or invite destruction. For this reason, each day, plan to suffer so that you may improve yourself and live, else risk that the next morning shall never come.
The strongest steel comes from relentless tempering. When you have screamed at your limits you come to appreciate the beauty of silence, wherein the calmness of healing is the most exciting sensation.
Embrace the pain as the wise embraces ignorance, so that you can learn to overcome both. Defy comfort as the ambitious deny satisfaction, so that you can find something greater than you first imagined.
Greet every morning as the dawn of war, and you will defeat all.
At all times, in war, you move or you die; move forward or invite destruction. For this reason, each day, plan to suffer so that you may improve yourself and live, else risk that the next morning shall never come.
The strongest steel comes from relentless tempering. When you have screamed at your limits you come to appreciate the beauty of silence, wherein the calmness of healing is the most exciting sensation.
Embrace the pain as the wise embraces ignorance, so that you can learn to overcome both. Defy comfort as the ambitious deny satisfaction, so that you can find something greater than you first imagined.
Greet every morning as the dawn of war, and you will defeat all.
Written By Ilira
Aug. 5, 2020, 4:55 a.m.(10/13/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Galatea
Have I told you how greatly I enjoy your company?
I should.
I should.
Written By Evaristo
Aug. 5, 2020, 3:37 a.m.(10/13/1013 AR)
I had a near-birth experience.
Terrifying.
I hope everything went well, but I am sure Tanith and Raymesin took good care of Raja. I did suggest she name the baby after me I was after all an IMPORTANT part of it all.
Terrifying.
I hope everything went well, but I am sure Tanith and Raymesin took good care of Raja. I did suggest she name the baby after me I was after all an IMPORTANT part of it all.
Written By Thea
Aug. 4, 2020, 10:35 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Pasquale
We hosted Arx's biggest boast this evening. And while Pasquale and I have different tastes in a few things, we did agree on a winner. It looks to be that this will be a common event. And thank you to Apollo for his help. His first place prize is absolutely amazing! And if anyone knows of a man that sleeps in pillows and is friends with--a duck? Could you send him my way please?
Written By Piccola
Aug. 4, 2020, 8:31 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war. But struggle is everywhere. Without struggle there is no life, and if we want to go on living we must be ready for further struggles.
This is why a wise ruler must master the art of war: if her realm is to continue she must commit to the fray. The great questions of survival are not decided by pretty speeches and platitudes but by blood and steel.
This is why a wise ruler must master the art of war: if her realm is to continue she must commit to the fray. The great questions of survival are not decided by pretty speeches and platitudes but by blood and steel.
Written By Tanith
Aug. 4, 2020, 8:11 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Emara
Em,
So, today was weird. It started off alright, had to take care of Scarecrow, made sure he didn't sleep. Not for -those- reasons, but because of the accidental thump I gave him. I still don't know what happened- he says he doesn't remember, but gods he looks -so damn proud- about it, you'd have thought -he- was the one that accidentally knocked some powerful, seasoned, brilliant fighter unconscious.
He seemed better this morning, but by the time I was certain he could get himself about, we got a note that there was a woman giving birth in the Shrine. From -Evaristo- of all people. The last baby-catching endeavor, I wasn't yet a Harlequin. I am now, so I got to take point; do you know, it all came right back to me? Helping Mum and Dad with all those brothers ... I mean, most of them were already born, but I helped catch four of them. And then I've assisted with Raymesin now and then.
Still. Not how I expected my morning to go.
It went well! You saw the results, I was glad to help you with that, your flowers deserve better than my personal tending. Baby's healthy, mother's great, got everyone settled and resting, Harlequins checking in on her until she gets more help.
Came home, got cleaned up. Took a nap.
Then, promptly ushered out the door after dinner when Raymesin told me about a -boasting- contest, of all things. Tall tales! Unbelievable stories!
"Yer goin' ter that," he said, and he kissed me and put on his coat and his hat and went off to work. And me ... well. Fine then!
So I told a group of people, even a few that know the man, about how I, Raymesin Ulbran's wife, -not- a fighter, somehow manages to knock my husband out in a single blow. There were some great stories I was up against! One about some amazing feats of sailing, another about a golden duck!
Somehow ... I won? There was a money and a promise to immortalize the tale as some kind of tapestry! And then I was warned by Apollo that, "I can't be blamed if I draw him seventeen feet tall and depict you as a murderous cupcake, though."
Murderous cupcake. That's me.
Perhaps the title of one of my newest books?
Gods. What a strange, wonderful day.
How are you?
Love,
Tani
So, today was weird. It started off alright, had to take care of Scarecrow, made sure he didn't sleep. Not for -those- reasons, but because of the accidental thump I gave him. I still don't know what happened- he says he doesn't remember, but gods he looks -so damn proud- about it, you'd have thought -he- was the one that accidentally knocked some powerful, seasoned, brilliant fighter unconscious.
He seemed better this morning, but by the time I was certain he could get himself about, we got a note that there was a woman giving birth in the Shrine. From -Evaristo- of all people. The last baby-catching endeavor, I wasn't yet a Harlequin. I am now, so I got to take point; do you know, it all came right back to me? Helping Mum and Dad with all those brothers ... I mean, most of them were already born, but I helped catch four of them. And then I've assisted with Raymesin now and then.
Still. Not how I expected my morning to go.
It went well! You saw the results, I was glad to help you with that, your flowers deserve better than my personal tending. Baby's healthy, mother's great, got everyone settled and resting, Harlequins checking in on her until she gets more help.
Came home, got cleaned up. Took a nap.
Then, promptly ushered out the door after dinner when Raymesin told me about a -boasting- contest, of all things. Tall tales! Unbelievable stories!
"Yer goin' ter that," he said, and he kissed me and put on his coat and his hat and went off to work. And me ... well. Fine then!
So I told a group of people, even a few that know the man, about how I, Raymesin Ulbran's wife, -not- a fighter, somehow manages to knock my husband out in a single blow. There were some great stories I was up against! One about some amazing feats of sailing, another about a golden duck!
Somehow ... I won? There was a money and a promise to immortalize the tale as some kind of tapestry! And then I was warned by Apollo that, "I can't be blamed if I draw him seventeen feet tall and depict you as a murderous cupcake, though."
Murderous cupcake. That's me.
Perhaps the title of one of my newest books?
Gods. What a strange, wonderful day.
How are you?
Love,
Tani
Written By Pasquale
Aug. 4, 2020, 8:09 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
After listening to one to many groups of sailors boasting, Thea and I decided that we would attempt to make an event of it. That event happened today and we heard some truly impressive tales.
Lord Wash provided us with a beautifully told story of the day he sailed over the column on the island called the Devil’s comb. Lord Gogil told us about a golden duck he found during a voyage which sent shav’s scurrying for the hills. Then, finally, Messere Tanith told us a tale of the day she felled Raymesin Ulbran in single combat.
We named Messere Tanith victor after hearing that tale and I am rather looking forward to seeing the tapestry guildmaster Apollo makes of that event. Hopefully Messere Tanith will gain a lot of pleasure from the art and coin she won.
We will definitely do this again.
Lord Wash provided us with a beautifully told story of the day he sailed over the column on the island called the Devil’s comb. Lord Gogil told us about a golden duck he found during a voyage which sent shav’s scurrying for the hills. Then, finally, Messere Tanith told us a tale of the day she felled Raymesin Ulbran in single combat.
We named Messere Tanith victor after hearing that tale and I am rather looking forward to seeing the tapestry guildmaster Apollo makes of that event. Hopefully Messere Tanith will gain a lot of pleasure from the art and coin she won.
We will definitely do this again.
Written By Gwenna
Aug. 4, 2020, 6:51 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
Words nearly fail me. I am struck with utter disbelief mixed with a gratefulness. Disbelief that you could be gone. Gratefulness because I got to know you a little and you trusted me with something - someone, really. I felt truly honored by that. I'm so glad that the day I was updating my will, I thought not to save that brooch until I was gone. I never thought in a thousand years you might be lost from our sights before I would be. I write lost only from our sights, because I refuse to believe your story is complete.
Written By Tikva
Aug. 4, 2020, 4:40 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
I'm still learning the fiercest lesson that Shard has to teach. But I'm not done yet, and neither is she.
Sing your own song, always.
Sing your own song, always.
Written By Monique
Aug. 4, 2020, 4:23 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Evaristo
Charming and helpful, my two favorite qualities in a person. He never takes life too seriously, and yet there's the sense that if you needed him to, he would. It's like he knows that the world is full of incredible and magical things, just waiting for our wits to grow sharp enough to perceive them. And I think his wit is closer than most to that point.
Written By Thea
Aug. 4, 2020, 3:36 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
And just like that, I now lead the Phoenix Brigade. I have the biggest shoes to fill of those of aunt Eirene's. Here's to doing her and the rest of my family proud.
Written By Iseulet
Aug. 4, 2020, 12:03 p.m.(10/12/1013 AR)
We made it back from Estroch in one piece, despite some very good attempts to the contrary. My compliments to the efforts.
Now, for some gift giving.
I think the next trip might be more pleasant.
Now, for some gift giving.
I think the next trip might be more pleasant.
Written By Ras
Aug. 4, 2020, 10 a.m.(10/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
<<Dictated to a scholar who must have been prudish enough to censor certain language:>>
I started off hating Shard, because she punched my friend. Long story, but I thought it was my job to get justice, to make ---- fair.
No matter how many times I tried to punch Shard, though, I couldn't touch her. No matter what I said, she wouldn't listen. She's tough as ---- and she's stubborn as ----, and...
Deep down, she's a kind person.
Shard ain't the kind of kind where someone says nice words or gives hugs. She's the kind of kind that'll kill someone to make it quick if they really gotta die and the kill got botched. The kind of kind who's got the power to totally destroy a guy who annoys her, and nobody'd get her back for it, but she holds herself instead. The kind who'll tell someone to ---- off if they're teasing somebody, or stand with her sword ready to fight a whole pile of guards when she sees ----'s unfair. The kind who cares about a people she's fighting enough to want to save them from folk who'd kill them all. Or the kind who'll drag someone out of a place if he's digging himself a hole. Me.
I don't know why she started caring about me. But she's saved me a lot of times. She gave me so many warnings, ever since the beginning when she told me I best leave her alone. I ain't good at listening to people tell me what to do... ----.
Anyway, like I said, she's kind. Or, or GOOD, I guess. Maybe GOOD is a better word. You can't really be GOOD and not also be ------ off with the way the world is right now, you know? Well, maybe you can. Maybe KIND is the right word after all. Whatever. I don't know.
My point is, Shard's ------ off for all the right reasons. Maybe that's why she cares, because I was ------ too. And I guess that's why I started caring about her. Started caring a lot.
Can't shake the thought that I ------ up. It hasn't been that long but I miss her. She took up a big place in the city, to me, and now that she's gone that place is empty. I was just sitting in the stuffed armchair, holding her key, looking at the desk where she once stood.
She'll stand there again. She's tough as ---- and stubborn as ----. I have faith.
...
No, I don't want you to write about that. Yeah, it ------ me off when I read, sure, but can't expect that guy to start taking responsibility or talking to my face all of the sudden when he never has before. And Shard told me about a line. Got my line.
...
I'll listen to Shard.
Wait, did you write that last part down too? Fine, whatever. Stop now though.
...
Hey, Ayallah -- what? A diary? Yeah, tell stormbird I didn't see. Can she show me? Where is she?
...
----, man. Stop! Enough.
I started off hating Shard, because she punched my friend. Long story, but I thought it was my job to get justice, to make ---- fair.
No matter how many times I tried to punch Shard, though, I couldn't touch her. No matter what I said, she wouldn't listen. She's tough as ---- and she's stubborn as ----, and...
Deep down, she's a kind person.
Shard ain't the kind of kind where someone says nice words or gives hugs. She's the kind of kind that'll kill someone to make it quick if they really gotta die and the kill got botched. The kind of kind who's got the power to totally destroy a guy who annoys her, and nobody'd get her back for it, but she holds herself instead. The kind who'll tell someone to ---- off if they're teasing somebody, or stand with her sword ready to fight a whole pile of guards when she sees ----'s unfair. The kind who cares about a people she's fighting enough to want to save them from folk who'd kill them all. Or the kind who'll drag someone out of a place if he's digging himself a hole. Me.
I don't know why she started caring about me. But she's saved me a lot of times. She gave me so many warnings, ever since the beginning when she told me I best leave her alone. I ain't good at listening to people tell me what to do... ----.
Anyway, like I said, she's kind. Or, or GOOD, I guess. Maybe GOOD is a better word. You can't really be GOOD and not also be ------ off with the way the world is right now, you know? Well, maybe you can. Maybe KIND is the right word after all. Whatever. I don't know.
My point is, Shard's ------ off for all the right reasons. Maybe that's why she cares, because I was ------ too. And I guess that's why I started caring about her. Started caring a lot.
Can't shake the thought that I ------ up. It hasn't been that long but I miss her. She took up a big place in the city, to me, and now that she's gone that place is empty. I was just sitting in the stuffed armchair, holding her key, looking at the desk where she once stood.
She'll stand there again. She's tough as ---- and stubborn as ----. I have faith.
...
No, I don't want you to write about that. Yeah, it ------ me off when I read, sure, but can't expect that guy to start taking responsibility or talking to my face all of the sudden when he never has before. And Shard told me about a line. Got my line.
...
I'll listen to Shard.
Wait, did you write that last part down too? Fine, whatever. Stop now though.
...
Hey, Ayallah -- what? A diary? Yeah, tell stormbird I didn't see. Can she show me? Where is she?
...
----, man. Stop! Enough.
Written By Strozza
Aug. 4, 2020, 9:23 a.m.(10/11/1013 AR)
I never thought that I would say the phrase,
"Gods damned werewolves..."
"Gods damned werewolves..."
Written By Martino
Aug. 4, 2020, 5:06 a.m.(10/11/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Denica
The return of the Thraxian Princess, well, means all my stuff likely is not safe once more.
Written By Sydney
Aug. 4, 2020, 12:37 a.m.(10/11/1013 AR)
After all this is over, I am going to just find some remote place in the Crownlands and track some game that is less maddening to chase after.
Written By Avary
Aug. 3, 2020, 9:30 p.m.(10/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Hamish
Journal reader,
If you're going to celebrate a birthday for you or someone else, I'm expecting to see some invitations sent to Blessed Hamish and myself to show up.
If you're going to celebrate a birthday for you or someone else, I'm expecting to see some invitations sent to Blessed Hamish and myself to show up.
Written By Cecilia
Aug. 3, 2020, 6:47 p.m.(10/10/1013 AR)
Sleepless Thoughts:
Life would be so much easier if people would simply realize that in the end I am going to get what I want. Think of the time we could all save if they recognized this from the start.
Life would be so much easier if people would simply realize that in the end I am going to get what I want. Think of the time we could all save if they recognized this from the start.
Written By Tanith
Aug. 3, 2020, 3:46 p.m.(10/10/1013 AR)
I almost killed my husband today. He didn't deserve it and I am very sorry. I think I ought to invest in some less flattering armor, maybe, because honestly I have no idea what happened.
Written By Tanith
Aug. 3, 2020, 12:14 p.m.(10/10/1013 AR)
What have I gotten myself in to.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.