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Written By Strozza

Nov. 27, 2019, 11:48 a.m.(4/10/1012 AR)

Invited to the destruction. Why? I should not see it myself. I would not wish to joyously go to the severing of my own arm. The removal of my heart, nor any other piece of me sliced away.

Written By Amari

Nov. 27, 2019, 9:52 a.m.(4/10/1012 AR)

I rescued a lamb from a spring flood just east of Artshall, and was well covered with mud which became a stinking crust when it dried in the sun. Duke Cristoph didn't even recognize me on the street when we passed each other. I had intended to bathe before presenting myself to the Laurents, so I was tempted to sneak by, but the ever keen eyed Jael spotted me before I could.

Then there was all the commotion with a dear old woman with her bag of cheese falling at Cristoph's feet, and somehow I ended up bringing down a banana leaf smuggling operation by bopping the imposter pretending to be her son on the nose and noticing that the cheese wheels were full of dried leaf. Her fake son was taken into custody to await the Duke's justice, and Jael and I saw her to the healers. She had taken an awful spill and was in a sad state of confusion about her son.

It was a very busy day! My bath was well earned.

Written By Amari

Nov. 27, 2019, 9:32 a.m.(4/10/1012 AR)

Apologies to Duke Malcolm and farmer Joe in Graypeak. I was trying to help, but I clearly underestimated just how difficult it is to plow fields correctly. My furrows were not straight. Not at all.

At the next shrine I visited, in addition to my prayers to Gloria, I gave one to Petrichor, in the hope that Joe's turnip field be bountiful this year.

Written By Teagan

Nov. 27, 2019, 9:04 a.m.(4/10/1012 AR)

I swear there is no middle ground in my family. They are either mocking me for being laid up or fussing endlessly over me for being injured in the first place.

Thankfully, I am on my feet again. I am stretching my leg out lest the scar tissue at the back of my knee cause any problems later. I have been told some might find the scar attractive: let me tell you now, it is not, and skirts will forever be a blessing.

Written By Mabelle

Nov. 27, 2019, 7:37 a.m.(4/10/1012 AR)

Well. I was indeed warned about the mud on the road...

Written By Abellus

Nov. 27, 2019, 4:02 a.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Greetings, Scholar. You are here to record my deeds, yes? Let us begin, then.
I will not tell you about my journey here. It is not that there is anything of it to hide from anyone. But, my doings on my travels -- the days of rowing up the long river, the journey overland through foothills and forest; hunting deer and rabbits and, once, running off a bear; the nights spent keeping watch while wolves howled -- those are all old things to me -- familiar. I have done them many times before -- though I am young, as you observe. I did them with my tribe, my kinsman...with my father. They are as the blood in my veins, that much a part of me. When something is that familiar, you do not have to spend time thinking of it to remember it.
Instead, I will tell you of my first venturing forth here, in your city.
I walked the Valardin ward, had a look about. I went to the inn there, and sat by the window, and watched the silks -- er, the people, going to and fro in their various ways, enjoying the fine spring weather. It wasn't long before a group of such people came inside and sat nearby. They ordered juice and milk and water, except for one fellow, who said he would have the small beer today, as if this were some sort of accomplishment. I do not understand why -- is it really so strange to drink ale or mead?
Seeming, ah, -inspired- by his two or three draughts of small beer, the fellow at last proceeded to recite a story to his companions, which I had no trouble overhearing. A tale about Buttercup the bear -- oh, you've heard it, too. It's a good story!
I enjoyed it. So, I laughed. The people nearby seemed uncomfortable, then. And I will say, I enjoyed that, too, though not as much as the story. For I had to remember that it is not like back in Riva, where people there know my smiles and what I mean by them. Let them think as they like. Such is their choice. We all have them, whether or not we all know the truth.
So that is what I learned today, at the inn, to make such a thing noteworthy.

What's that, Scholar? No, I did not drink the Fizz-Key!

Written By Lenne

Nov. 27, 2019, 2:33 a.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Rysen was almost murdered tonight. A knife in the back, with more intended. We all hope that in moments like that, that we'll spring into action and save the day. I didn't. I froze like a startled deer until Lady Mikani's shouts for a doctor shoved some sense back into my head, and got me down to helping Rukhnis. She, at least, was exactly as unflappable and capable as I suspected. If it had been me, and not her, Rysen would likely be dead.

I knew something horrible would happen. The second I stepped off the boat in Stormwall, I felt something creeping up and down my spine. It had me babbling like a fool in front of Lady Mikani, and jumping at every touch or sound in my seat. Maybe some spirit was hungry for the coming blood. Though I only wish I could claim some second sight or sense, like half the frauds claiming to be spirit-walkers. Maybe I was just on edge to see an opera about war, in Stormwall, given things four years ago.

Life has become very complicated, very quickly. I was expecting to be sequestered in a warm, dusty library by now, not all this.

Written By Rhue

Nov. 27, 2019, 12:13 a.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

I have recently been honing my skills in the art of investigation. There's something both vexing and exhilarating about the process. Just when I feel I have exhausted all leads, that I am continuously running into dead ends, I am reminded that all it takes to proceed is one breakthrough, one new snippet of information to bring entirely new theories and knowledge to light.

I so enjoy scholarly pursuits. There is simply so much to learn! I feel it would take a hundred lifetimes to uncover all I wish to understand.

Written By Zoey

Nov. 26, 2019, 11:41 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Well, other than the assassination attempt, it was a lovely night at the Opera.

Written By Arcadia

Nov. 26, 2019, 10:37 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Spring brings new beginnings.

I feel like I can breathe again.

Written By Josephine

Nov. 26, 2019, 8:37 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

No, a thousandfold.

Written By Josephine

Nov. 26, 2019, 8:36 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

The Marquessa will be repaid tenfold.

No.

A hundredfold.

Written By Juliette

Nov. 26, 2019, 6:45 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

I have been dreaming for days now of what shape my family's footprint in the grand bazaar must take. Overwhelmed with the sheer array of possibilities, I am frozen and indecisive.

Written By Juliette

Nov. 26, 2019, 6:41 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

I made my first mirrormask yesterday, and can only hope that the recipient has as much love for the end result as I have pride in having created an item of such studied loveliness and important symbolism.

Written By Juliette

Nov. 26, 2019, 6:39 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Each and every new brick laid in the road to glory further convinces me that I am blessed my family has sworn to serve House Pravus faithfully. I must visit home again before long that I may lay eyes on the wondrous grandeur of the palace on the hill.

Written By Valdemar

Nov. 26, 2019, 5:27 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Sons, whether you find yourself in a position of rulership or not, you will undoubtedly face a decision at some point in your lives where your instincts tell you that one choice is the correct one no matter how many other signs tell you otherwise. Every advisor you trust, every tradition that you hold dear, even your own logic perhaps, will be screaming at you, telling you not to do it. That there has to be some other way to accomplish what you are trying to do. That the feeling deep down in your gut is wrong, and they will pile reasons on you to prove it. You may begin to feel you are drowning in those reasons before it is over.

Never be afraid to go against them, to face those consequences and strike out on your own if you deem your path worth it. Nothing of value is ever achieved through indecision or meekness. Consider advice when it is warranted, but in the end you must be your own man, or else live a life of regret, something that I never want for any of you.

Written By Strozza

Nov. 26, 2019, 5:07 p.m.(4/9/1012 AR)

Despite recent turnings for lighter nights and brighter days there is ever the one grim spot that returns.

Is this loss among the gains the balance of things?

Written By Strozza

Nov. 26, 2019, 3:42 p.m.(4/8/1012 AR)

A fair morning, sunshine, the smell of rain - and I find myself so suddenly thinking of sunlight and song.

Written By Amari

Nov. 26, 2019, 8:31 a.m.(4/8/1012 AR)

The peoples calling themselves Carnifex's Own reminded me of the prodigals that reside where Duke Laurent built his amazing agricultural college (with their blessings and participation). It would seem there are many that went their own way over differing opinions with the Faith. Though it would seem those in the Oathlands are, for obvious reasons, quite prone to these schisms when they feel the Dominus of the time or the flock has strayed too far from the orthodox.

I hope these people who have kept to the faith of the pantheon despite their isolation, will rejoin the Compact now that Sundrin's malign influence has been ended. I also hope that Godrin will be returned to Valardin and the Templar, Sir Halrick be put to rest with honors. Should any assistance be needed to see any of those tasks completed, I would be happy to lend a hand.

Unless it involves the giant voles again.

Many thanks to the party I accompanied and the great bravery all exhibited. Princess Marian, Princess Reese, Lady Teagan, Lady Tesha, Lady Rosalind, Tatienne and Evaristo were paragons of courage in that cave, and Barf as well, though I'm not sure he's forgiven me yet for going ahead without him.

Written By Lenne

Nov. 26, 2019, 2:56 a.m.(4/7/1012 AR)

Traveling is a wonderful experience, full of newfound sights and delights. Traveling for weeks with two armswomen with no sense of humor and seemingly no passions in life is... not.

Arx! The center of history in the world! I don't think I've seen a more welcome sight in years. Nor a more overwhelming one. In Stormwall, everything is new. Here, you can feel the pressure of the years like a weight on your chest. There are houses older than any tree in the Grey Wood. I can believe that demons and spirits were broken here. How could you hope to overturn a place where half the cobblestones have seen the passage of millions of lives?

I'll miss my old journals. I'll miss the Wood. I'll even miss Darand with his wrinkly old face and hideous spirit-walking smoke. But I'd never live with myself if I turned down the chance to come to the capital. There are sure to be more answers here than anywhere else.

Everyone has been welcoming, but they don't seem to have been expecting me. Did the messenger not make it here? Perhaps I shouldn't have been so flippant about the guards and not taking a boat.

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