Written By Artur
Oct. 5, 2019, 1:32 p.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
It's been a strange period. Ever since I was young, I've always known that women were never my thing, but still, you feel some pressure. It's not something that society frowns on, after all, but it doesn't encourage it either. There is always an expectation, at least an imagined one, that you're supposed to pair off and beget.
I have always been fortunate. I have a large, loving family who has never tried to force any of those expectations on me. It's just one of the many reasons I love them all as much as I do.
Since I came to Arx, I've seen a lot of the young men my age pair off and do well, exactly that. There was no pressure on me to do so, but I built it up too much in my head. I decided I wanted to get it over and done with, preferably as soon as possible, with someone, anyone. That was wrong of me. I ended up treating people as a means to my end - literally. It was far from my crowning glory. If I ended up hurting anyone by that, I am genuinely sorry.
I feel like the clouds have parted though, and talking to my family and friends, I realised how many of the things I love I had let slip by the wayside in my single-minded pursuit of putting this task behind me. Gods, how wrong can someone be to see such a thing as a task to accomplish. Like mucking out a stable.
Anyway, I feel as though I am back to my old self. I am going to focus on the people and things I love and am genuinely passionate about, rather than trying to live up to an imagined standard. Maybe the right man will cross my path someday, and it will happen, but I'm in no big rush for it. Until then, I know there are other ways I can make my family proud and honour my house.
I have always been fortunate. I have a large, loving family who has never tried to force any of those expectations on me. It's just one of the many reasons I love them all as much as I do.
Since I came to Arx, I've seen a lot of the young men my age pair off and do well, exactly that. There was no pressure on me to do so, but I built it up too much in my head. I decided I wanted to get it over and done with, preferably as soon as possible, with someone, anyone. That was wrong of me. I ended up treating people as a means to my end - literally. It was far from my crowning glory. If I ended up hurting anyone by that, I am genuinely sorry.
I feel like the clouds have parted though, and talking to my family and friends, I realised how many of the things I love I had let slip by the wayside in my single-minded pursuit of putting this task behind me. Gods, how wrong can someone be to see such a thing as a task to accomplish. Like mucking out a stable.
Anyway, I feel as though I am back to my old self. I am going to focus on the people and things I love and am genuinely passionate about, rather than trying to live up to an imagined standard. Maybe the right man will cross my path someday, and it will happen, but I'm in no big rush for it. Until then, I know there are other ways I can make my family proud and honour my house.
Written By Vanora
Oct. 5, 2019, 12:46 p.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Tikva
The poem (or song?) in your last journal was absolutely beautiful.
Written By Rosalind
Oct. 5, 2019, 12:19 p.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
One week in the city---I have met some interesting people and have got caught up on a few of the going ons. I'm so glad to be of use and not just being a lazy layabout!
Written By Thea
Oct. 5, 2019, 10:46 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
Attending the Kennex tea party proved to be an interesting time. I should also mention, I'm quite excited, yes--you read that, excited, for my cousin and Dariel for they're upcoming marriage.
Written By Cassandra
Oct. 5, 2019, 9:55 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
Winter was almost my favorite month, but today I find myself a touch more melancholy than I allow myself. I am content in my work, in role, and in my duties. It fulfills me, and places a greater sense of accomplishment than I had anticipated. All well and good, but that is my work life, and when I reflect on a more personal level, there is a part of me that dearly misses home. And my family. I still carry the Laurent name, and I always will, but there is a feeling that with the life I have taken up now, I will understandably miss out on a great many things. Things I had cherished when I was a younger woman.
Were I to do it all over again, I would make no changes, I believe Gloria set me on this path, but that doesn't mean I cannot look back and wonder. If not for the fact that there are times I look at my office and note that it does feel colder than usual. It was personal duty to the gods that led me where I am, however I would think it can be allowed for me to miss my family.
If time allows, if it ever allows, I should spend some time with them.
Were I to do it all over again, I would make no changes, I believe Gloria set me on this path, but that doesn't mean I cannot look back and wonder. If not for the fact that there are times I look at my office and note that it does feel colder than usual. It was personal duty to the gods that led me where I am, however I would think it can be allowed for me to miss my family.
If time allows, if it ever allows, I should spend some time with them.
Written By Traherne
Oct. 5, 2019, 7:28 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
I'm feeling good again. Well, as good as an old soldier can, anyway. I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to make a suit of alaricite. Of course, I don't have enough of the stuff, but it'd be nice, wouldn't it? Maybe this year will offer up some opportunities. I have plenty of rubicund and a lot of good steel that needs some work, anyway. I should focus on that.
Written By Domonico
Oct. 5, 2019, 4:20 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
Let it be known for the record that I am absolutely thrilled by the upcoming marriages of my brother Lord Martino to Lady Kaia as well as my favourite second cousin Lady Miranda and Lord Dariel.
That being said, the pranks of the latter two are wearing me down.
That being said, the pranks of the latter two are wearing me down.
Written By Drusila
Oct. 5, 2019, 4:14 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Raven
"Make way or die."
I can see a flag flying high over a ship, a black heart held by a gauntlet with those words underneath it.
I can see a flag flying high over a ship, a black heart held by a gauntlet with those words underneath it.
Written By Brigida
Oct. 5, 2019, 4:13 a.m.(12/16/1011 AR)
I swear if one more person asks me what I think of that idea of the 'date' auction and if I believe it has any resemblence to slavery or thralldom, I will tan their hide with a sturdy piece of leather for subjecting me to such ridiculousness.
Some of the peerage of Arvum need to stop quibbling over tiny little things like that and perhaps turn their attentions to events and happening that are far more relevant.
Petrichor Preserve me from stupid people.
Some of the peerage of Arvum need to stop quibbling over tiny little things like that and perhaps turn their attentions to events and happening that are far more relevant.
Petrichor Preserve me from stupid people.
Written By Tikva
Oct. 5, 2019, 1:31 a.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
Gold and orange, scarlet, and brown,
To a crackling carpet tumbled down;
By night the naked limbs do reach
Stark and black til dawn's new breach;
The colors rain in falling leaves
As the autumn shows us all the trees
By lessons in the cool harvest season
How lovely it would be, when given reason,
If we learned the lesson before the snow
What beauty there is when you let shit go.
Let the dead leaves fall from your naked skin
And stand tall and clean of all within;
Strong and proud like a tree, and lovely, too,
When spring's green comes to awaken you.
To a crackling carpet tumbled down;
By night the naked limbs do reach
Stark and black til dawn's new breach;
The colors rain in falling leaves
As the autumn shows us all the trees
By lessons in the cool harvest season
How lovely it would be, when given reason,
If we learned the lesson before the snow
What beauty there is when you let shit go.
Let the dead leaves fall from your naked skin
And stand tall and clean of all within;
Strong and proud like a tree, and lovely, too,
When spring's green comes to awaken you.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 4, 2019, 11:37 p.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
As the autumn creeps towards a close, we look towards the dawn of a new year: a season to consider new beginnings.
A time to look to new projects. I have a few on my horizon, not least the continuation of development on the shrine of the Dreamer. I also think, in light of what has happened during the past couple of seasons, that some spectacular gratitude is in order, and I think our thanks shall not fall short of extravagant.
What new starts will you make in 1012 AR?
A time to look to new projects. I have a few on my horizon, not least the continuation of development on the shrine of the Dreamer. I also think, in light of what has happened during the past couple of seasons, that some spectacular gratitude is in order, and I think our thanks shall not fall short of extravagant.
What new starts will you make in 1012 AR?
Written By Eleanor
Oct. 4, 2019, 9:25 p.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
And what about those criminals' children? Not innocents, either?
Written By Raven
Oct. 4, 2019, 7:49 p.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
It was my delight recently to travel with Ladies Viviana and Lucrezia, and with my friend Drusila. Time at sea is time well spent with such fine companions. Few experiences can match the thrill of visiting new places and meeting delightful new people, and of course this journey did not disappoint.
I doubt I shall ever forget the singular ambiance of the charming gentleman barkeep who was so kindly and invested in our party's satisfaction. And then receiving such flattering compliments about my accessories! I could almost swoon at the memory alone.
My only regret is that our journey together had to end, as they all must do, but I will cherish the memories and keep them deep within the brambles of my thorny heart. Every time I set my eyes on Lady Lucrezia's fine new ship, I will recall our time together, and smile.
I doubt I shall ever forget the singular ambiance of the charming gentleman barkeep who was so kindly and invested in our party's satisfaction. And then receiving such flattering compliments about my accessories! I could almost swoon at the memory alone.
My only regret is that our journey together had to end, as they all must do, but I will cherish the memories and keep them deep within the brambles of my thorny heart. Every time I set my eyes on Lady Lucrezia's fine new ship, I will recall our time together, and smile.
Written By Naka
Oct. 4, 2019, 5:40 p.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Vitalis
Lord Vitalis Mazetti set forth a few interesting exercises in general observation for me earlier in the City Center. With so many stalls and so many people, it made for an interesting time, and potentially improving. If I have chiefly improved my observational skills with respect to the specific locale rather than in general, well, I suppose that could require further consideration. But I feel as if I am better positioned with respect to the whole of the subject matter.
Increasing a student's confidence is, on occasion, also the purview of the instructor.
My thanks to him were stated on the occasion in question, but should also be recorded here.
Increasing a student's confidence is, on occasion, also the purview of the instructor.
My thanks to him were stated on the occasion in question, but should also be recorded here.
Written By Niklas
Oct. 4, 2019, 3:44 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Teagan
The best part of this season are the stews, but I also enjoy the desserts.
I, too, enjoy making complete non-sequiturs.
I, too, enjoy making complete non-sequiturs.
Written By Vanora
Oct. 4, 2019, 3:14 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
It feels good to have all of my boys under this roof again. To watch them smiling and laughing, the twins chasing after their big brother whom they absolutely adore.
Baby Harry is too little to keep up with their play, he just laughs and watches them. But it won't be long now before he is running in circles in the Practice Yard too, with a play sword of his own.
They grow up too quickly.
Baby Harry is too little to keep up with their play, he just laughs and watches them. But it won't be long now before he is running in circles in the Practice Yard too, with a play sword of his own.
They grow up too quickly.
Written By Alecstazi
Oct. 4, 2019, 3:06 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
The scholar tasked with reading me the issues of the day has left the poor woman quite parched. I gave her a glass of water and a rest before requesting that she pen this for me.
My first thought upon hearing all of the words written on this topic is that so many people are quick to wring their hands and wail and moan for the poor, poor victims of Thralldom. Clearly these innocent souls have suffered tragically in their lives of forced labor, having done nothing at all to deserve it.
Except that is not the case at /all/. We do not simply walk up to people minding their own business and slap them in irons and declare them Thralls. These are criminals, thieves, rapists, murderers and shavs who have taken up swords against people of the Compact. Those who have stolen from the law-abiding peoples who want only safety, security and peaceful lives. We enthrall those who have broken with the social contracts or live so far outside the boundaries of civilization to spit on the the thought of rejoining it. These are people, who in other parts of this Compact would be put to death. Was the system flawed? Of course. Were there those abusing it? Absolutely. But I ask you to find me a system of criminal justice anywhere that is without flaw or corruption.
Mainlanders are fond of punishing Compact citizens who commit terrible crimes by saying they are no longer members of the Compact, effectively turning them into abandoned, which in turn renders them unprotected from whatever Lord has decided to go on a cleansing rampage of getting those sorts off their lands.
What really gets me, however, about this event, or debacle that is raging is that it is attempting to shame those seeking to raise money to abolish something that they themselves abhor. I can see why there are those calling it crass or gross. Not because it seeks to normalize something as foul as the slave auctions of Eurus, but rather that it cheapens the horror of it. Instead of reacting with an innate horror at the imagery of a human being being paraded about like a sub-human animal, judged and allocated a price, it becomes a titillation. A means of deriving some sort of arbitrary social esteem that, while I can see how it might be flattering, nevertheless reduces a person down to a monetary value.
The appeal there is clear for those whose own ego is not enough to sustain them but requires some outside validation in the form of garnering an exorbitant price, or at least one that is higher than that Lord or Lady you secretly despise.
To those who protest, however, I ask you this: What harm is it really doing? If a person is not self-aware enough to see the reasons for why such a thing is, by its very nature, gauche, are words really going to change their mind? If this is how they choose to raise money to pay for a short-term non-solution to a greater problem that is, effectively, being kicked down the road for future conflicts to swell and fester, just roll your eyes and let them.
As for Whisper House and their participation, well. I'd have thought that they would choose the politically correct avenue, but I cannot fault them for adhering to the principals of Skald either. Let who so ever desires to, make themselves look like an ass. I do it all the time.
My first thought upon hearing all of the words written on this topic is that so many people are quick to wring their hands and wail and moan for the poor, poor victims of Thralldom. Clearly these innocent souls have suffered tragically in their lives of forced labor, having done nothing at all to deserve it.
Except that is not the case at /all/. We do not simply walk up to people minding their own business and slap them in irons and declare them Thralls. These are criminals, thieves, rapists, murderers and shavs who have taken up swords against people of the Compact. Those who have stolen from the law-abiding peoples who want only safety, security and peaceful lives. We enthrall those who have broken with the social contracts or live so far outside the boundaries of civilization to spit on the the thought of rejoining it. These are people, who in other parts of this Compact would be put to death. Was the system flawed? Of course. Were there those abusing it? Absolutely. But I ask you to find me a system of criminal justice anywhere that is without flaw or corruption.
Mainlanders are fond of punishing Compact citizens who commit terrible crimes by saying they are no longer members of the Compact, effectively turning them into abandoned, which in turn renders them unprotected from whatever Lord has decided to go on a cleansing rampage of getting those sorts off their lands.
What really gets me, however, about this event, or debacle that is raging is that it is attempting to shame those seeking to raise money to abolish something that they themselves abhor. I can see why there are those calling it crass or gross. Not because it seeks to normalize something as foul as the slave auctions of Eurus, but rather that it cheapens the horror of it. Instead of reacting with an innate horror at the imagery of a human being being paraded about like a sub-human animal, judged and allocated a price, it becomes a titillation. A means of deriving some sort of arbitrary social esteem that, while I can see how it might be flattering, nevertheless reduces a person down to a monetary value.
The appeal there is clear for those whose own ego is not enough to sustain them but requires some outside validation in the form of garnering an exorbitant price, or at least one that is higher than that Lord or Lady you secretly despise.
To those who protest, however, I ask you this: What harm is it really doing? If a person is not self-aware enough to see the reasons for why such a thing is, by its very nature, gauche, are words really going to change their mind? If this is how they choose to raise money to pay for a short-term non-solution to a greater problem that is, effectively, being kicked down the road for future conflicts to swell and fester, just roll your eyes and let them.
As for Whisper House and their participation, well. I'd have thought that they would choose the politically correct avenue, but I cannot fault them for adhering to the principals of Skald either. Let who so ever desires to, make themselves look like an ass. I do it all the time.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 4, 2019, 2:14 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Teagan
As it happens, I did not realize that anyone was ascribing a temper tantrum to me, as I was under the impression that the Peerage of Arx was quite familiar with what it looks like when my temper is engaged. But since Lady Teagan has decided to make her direction towards me so plain, I do wonder at why.
Voices of the Peerage should know better than to challenge the Faith for literally no reason. Especially Voices in the Oathlands. What a regrettably foolish choice to so publicly insist upon.
But this is what you have done, and so what I shall say is this:
I have far, far more important work to do than to puzzle out what possible objection Lady Teagan has to anything I have written, and so I shall carry on with it while she publicly brands herself regrettably foolish.
Voices of the Peerage should know better than to challenge the Faith for literally no reason. Especially Voices in the Oathlands. What a regrettably foolish choice to so publicly insist upon.
But this is what you have done, and so what I shall say is this:
I have far, far more important work to do than to puzzle out what possible objection Lady Teagan has to anything I have written, and so I shall carry on with it while she publicly brands herself regrettably foolish.
Written By Amund
Oct. 4, 2019, 1:48 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
The answer to existential questions isn't always obvious or as simple as we think.
But 'who am I' is a question I prefer to answer in the blacks.
But 'who am I' is a question I prefer to answer in the blacks.
Written By Willow
Oct. 4, 2019, 1:05 p.m.(12/14/1011 AR)
On date auctions:
I do find it a bit concerning that some people are so quick to conflate people willing to donate their time to charity to free people with someone who has actually lived their lives in shackles.
On thralldom:
Sure, voice your concerns, and they even make sense in some contexts. But to act as though people volunteering for charity are inherently wrong headed for pursuing the same goal as you but with a different methodology is confusing - and assumes you know what they are actually doing. It is entirely possible to be part of diplomatic efforts and helping shore up and expand infrastructure to cope with the freeing of thralls while /also/ spending money to help free them more quickly with a minimal loss to the ones whose way of life has until now relied on their presence.
On petty outrage:
It would be funny that some are so concerned with the WAY thralls are freed that they would prefer their freedom not come as soon as humanly possible if we were not even now being dogged by people who facilitate actual slavery and have the resources to turn an entire continent to glass /a thousand years ago/. Maybe we work on that problem and put our very well founded concerns about human auctions on the ones who still have actual slaves?
I do find it a bit concerning that some people are so quick to conflate people willing to donate their time to charity to free people with someone who has actually lived their lives in shackles.
On thralldom:
Sure, voice your concerns, and they even make sense in some contexts. But to act as though people volunteering for charity are inherently wrong headed for pursuing the same goal as you but with a different methodology is confusing - and assumes you know what they are actually doing. It is entirely possible to be part of diplomatic efforts and helping shore up and expand infrastructure to cope with the freeing of thralls while /also/ spending money to help free them more quickly with a minimal loss to the ones whose way of life has until now relied on their presence.
On petty outrage:
It would be funny that some are so concerned with the WAY thralls are freed that they would prefer their freedom not come as soon as humanly possible if we were not even now being dogged by people who facilitate actual slavery and have the resources to turn an entire continent to glass /a thousand years ago/. Maybe we work on that problem and put our very well founded concerns about human auctions on the ones who still have actual slaves?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.