Written By Gwenna
Aug. 11, 2019, 9:34 a.m.(8/18/1011 AR)
I had such a wonderful time at the grand opening of Whitehold Brews, newly opened in the ward. Getting to spend time with family, old friends, and new acquaintances was great fun. I even joined the arm-wrestling contest! I did not last long, which is of little surprise to anyone I imagine, but rather enjoyed the thrill of it.
All told, it was a lovely evening and I am quite glad I managed to attend.
All told, it was a lovely evening and I am quite glad I managed to attend.
Written By Thena
Aug. 11, 2019, 9:26 a.m.(8/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Riagnon
I probably would have gruesomely destroyed it myself if it hadn't been already.
Written By Corban
Aug. 11, 2019, 8:23 a.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
I am gladdened to see Marcel Beaucage brought to justice and to have played some small role in helping Legate Aureth do so. His crimes against our fellow humans deserve the full weight of the Sentinel's justice.
Written By Athaur
Aug. 11, 2019, 2:45 a.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
There has been a lot of discussion on the Compact of late and how it should deal with it's neighbors. Lots of words thrown around like culture, adapting, and Right.
The claim is that Arvum belongs to the Compact by right. By right of conquest? Most certainly. Anything further then that I am unaware of. But if we are claiming right to this land by conquest it does not give us much of a moral high ground. It seems that many seek that the other people that live here either submit or be destroyed. When the choice comes between something or death, I can assure you that it is not much of a choice. Would you feel like you were offered a choice if the other option was to watch you, your family, those you were responsible for perish?
Because the Abandoned and The Shav's are people. They believe differently then you, yes. But they are no less human beings. They live in homes. They care for their families. They wish to grow and prosper as you do. Some of them have traditions and families stretching as far back into history as your own. To view them as somehow less then you is a mistake and will only sow more discord among those people, and those of us who have joined the Compact.
The claim is that Arvum belongs to the Compact by right. By right of conquest? Most certainly. Anything further then that I am unaware of. But if we are claiming right to this land by conquest it does not give us much of a moral high ground. It seems that many seek that the other people that live here either submit or be destroyed. When the choice comes between something or death, I can assure you that it is not much of a choice. Would you feel like you were offered a choice if the other option was to watch you, your family, those you were responsible for perish?
Because the Abandoned and The Shav's are people. They believe differently then you, yes. But they are no less human beings. They live in homes. They care for their families. They wish to grow and prosper as you do. Some of them have traditions and families stretching as far back into history as your own. To view them as somehow less then you is a mistake and will only sow more discord among those people, and those of us who have joined the Compact.
Written By Riagnon
Aug. 11, 2019, 1:44 a.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
It's actually pretty simple! You just work your way from the outside towards your plate in an alternating even-numbered pattern between courses with the exception of palate cleansers, certain savory pies, or sudden need to throw a utensil at a sibling from across the room. We used to have a book on the subject! I'd lend it to you were it not gruesomely destroyed.
Written By Duarte
Aug. 11, 2019, 1:34 a.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Manners were created to impart to others that they are considered important. Etiquette greases the works of human relations so business, matters of state and other affairs can be conducted at all. There is nothing self-serving or vane about manners. Indeed, just such behavior is often classified as "bad manner".
On another note of curiosity: when did the shav'arvani become a homogeneous people with a single shared culture?
Don't get me wrong - all my dealings with prodigals have been quite pleasant. I have sat at the table and assisted the re-introduction of abandoned tribes and families to the peerage. All very upstanding folk. Very commendable. Very civilized.
It certainly stands to reason that those abandoned families who deal with the Compact on the regular, settle near feudal land and are part of treaties, discussions, trade, or are open and considering re-introduction to the Compact would be the most civilized, well-mannered and culturally compatible tribes. Which makes "observing them" for "study" altogether silly. Some people need bigger problems.
But let's not pretend /all/ the shav'arvani across all of Arvum are Count Rivenshari's "people". They simply are not. Not in speech, manner, look or culture. It would be quite like me saying House Crovane are "my people" because we each don't reside in Eurus.
Many shav tribes across this continent are indeed backward and have inflicted savagery upon our holdings and lands and people or are involved in heretical cultism, and etc. I'm sure any person who has truly traveled this Continent - especially those charged with keeping peace or protecting charges throughout travel - can tell you. I'm just afraid that if you want to "observe them" you will have to travel farther than 20 feet beyond the city's limits.
On another note of curiosity: when did the shav'arvani become a homogeneous people with a single shared culture?
Don't get me wrong - all my dealings with prodigals have been quite pleasant. I have sat at the table and assisted the re-introduction of abandoned tribes and families to the peerage. All very upstanding folk. Very commendable. Very civilized.
It certainly stands to reason that those abandoned families who deal with the Compact on the regular, settle near feudal land and are part of treaties, discussions, trade, or are open and considering re-introduction to the Compact would be the most civilized, well-mannered and culturally compatible tribes. Which makes "observing them" for "study" altogether silly. Some people need bigger problems.
But let's not pretend /all/ the shav'arvani across all of Arvum are Count Rivenshari's "people". They simply are not. Not in speech, manner, look or culture. It would be quite like me saying House Crovane are "my people" because we each don't reside in Eurus.
Many shav tribes across this continent are indeed backward and have inflicted savagery upon our holdings and lands and people or are involved in heretical cultism, and etc. I'm sure any person who has truly traveled this Continent - especially those charged with keeping peace or protecting charges throughout travel - can tell you. I'm just afraid that if you want to "observe them" you will have to travel farther than 20 feet beyond the city's limits.
Written By Miranda
Aug. 11, 2019, 12:32 a.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Ugh.
I hate tainted things.
Just saying.
I hate tainted things.
Just saying.
Written By Monique
Aug. 10, 2019, 11:50 p.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Sven
Blood & Gold. Brewmaster, you have made a Minx very happy. This is the perfect brew to make the Storybook Soiree unforgettable.
Written By Narcissa
Aug. 10, 2019, 11:15 p.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
A garden of decadence, profuse with petals of pride.
Night waxes and wanes, a dance of rotten repletion.
Clamor for highest vine, blind to humility's chide.
For all lacks a bloom holds, the mask stands as elision.
Night waxes and wanes, a dance of rotten repletion.
Clamor for highest vine, blind to humility's chide.
For all lacks a bloom holds, the mask stands as elision.
Written By Shard
Aug. 10, 2019, 11:11 p.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
When it comes to our greatest enemies, the Compact has not, and has never, defeated them alone, as much as people like to pretend otherwise. Not the Gyre, not the battles against the Horned One, not the Silent War, not the War of Stolen Names, and certainly not the Reckoning. The first statues in the Hall of Heroes are only the tiniest representation of the people and peoples that had a hand in ensuring that we could still be here, alive and arguing in journals. And, in some cases, still do have a hand in it, somewhere.
Written By Shard
Aug. 10, 2019, 11:02 p.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Elloise
No, what you're saying is that prodigals either are, and or come from cultures that are too 'simple' and 'savage' to act like ordinary human beings; it's just you think that's a good thing. Your words read like you're talking about some particularly dumb animal, not millions of people in thousands of different tribes.
There's no such thing as 'the morals of the Prodigal'. We're all different, we all come from different places and different tribes. Some are warriors, some are thieves, some are actual nobles, some are and have always been craftsmen. Every one of us has a different story, but I'm willing to bet none of them match up with whatever Haze-fueled nonsense you've convinced yourself of.
I grew up in the wilds. I prefer the wilds. My people preferred freedom and the open sky to high walls and safety and a single patch of land. But most people don't live like that and don't want to live like that, and that's fine for them. There's no 'morality' to whether you live in a tent in the woods or a house in a city, or whether you cook food you killed yourself over a campfire, or food you bought at the market in a kitchen. What you're saying doesn't make any sense at all. We're not children, we're not mysterious animals, we're people pretty much just like you in most ways that matter.
There's no such thing as 'the morals of the Prodigal'. We're all different, we all come from different places and different tribes. Some are warriors, some are thieves, some are actual nobles, some are and have always been craftsmen. Every one of us has a different story, but I'm willing to bet none of them match up with whatever Haze-fueled nonsense you've convinced yourself of.
I grew up in the wilds. I prefer the wilds. My people preferred freedom and the open sky to high walls and safety and a single patch of land. But most people don't live like that and don't want to live like that, and that's fine for them. There's no 'morality' to whether you live in a tent in the woods or a house in a city, or whether you cook food you killed yourself over a campfire, or food you bought at the market in a kitchen. What you're saying doesn't make any sense at all. We're not children, we're not mysterious animals, we're people pretty much just like you in most ways that matter.
Written By Cambria
Aug. 10, 2019, 10:20 p.m.(8/17/1011 AR)
Now that I am returned to my family's ancestral manor in Arx, I have taken some time to reflect upon my first impression of it, when I arrived in Arx during the latter half of 1006 AR. It was a strange experience for me, especially in view of the fact that I had never before visited the capital, but I felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity at my first sight of the old, near-dilapidated building. It seemed to me that I knew the wood of the ancient trees, and the manor half-hidden among the overgrown orchard felt as though I had seen it in some dream that was just too hazy to remember distinctly. Over time, I yielded more and more to what I considered an almost mischievous charm as I explored the property and delved into the old family archives. The portraits of my ancestors, which peered from the never-dissipating shadows of the long hall wherein they hung, were, of course, all well-known faces to me...
Written By Thena
Aug. 10, 2019, 7:33 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Riagnon
I’ll never understand all the damned forks. How complicated does putting food in your mouth really need to be?
Written By Reigna
Aug. 10, 2019, 7:28 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Elloise
I feel that you have picked up some misconceptions somewhere, Baroness. You seem to be conflating dishonesty (something actively frowned upon by our Faith and considered an extremely problematic habit in the Oathlands) and civilization. You know, one of the virtues of our Pantheon. Perhaps you should look into researching Gild.
I disagree that our natural selves need no taming. I quite enjoy clothing, laws and order rather than rampant chaos and the lack of mutual respect afforded by basic etiquette.
I very much hope that I misread your opinion on this matter, for the sake of your people and your reputation.
I disagree that our natural selves need no taming. I quite enjoy clothing, laws and order rather than rampant chaos and the lack of mutual respect afforded by basic etiquette.
I very much hope that I misread your opinion on this matter, for the sake of your people and your reputation.
Written By Willow
Aug. 10, 2019, 7:17 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
**rather than written words, this entry is merely a page covered with ink illustrations**
A three inch rectangle depicts a pair of big eyes, shining on the verge of tears, complete with short thick lashes and being wide open and youthful looking.
A crow and a wolf sit next to a small skeleton, with inky lines crackling like halos of black lightning, or black webbing around them, the wolf's features sharp with hunger, maw and jutting hip bones exaggerated.
Leafless trees withes are braided into skeletal wreathes worn by skeletal people whose features are obscured in specific features but whose body language wears despair like a coat.
A picturesque mountain valley grows sinister further off in the distance, with the trees losing leaves, fields losing grass, and a carpet of detritus which used to be leaves. A human chain of people with sorrowful eyes and exaggerated youth and small stature stand against a dark hooded figure outlined and with features obscured who is sucking the life from everything around it, complete with little lines as if to indicate motion where flowers between it and bushes grow more and more wilted the closer they get to the figure, leaving shriveled black petals raining at its feet as it gestures toward the line of people, as if to lead wolves and crows like a commander.
((A few places on the page are crispy and waterlogged so they have a wavy texture once they've dried))
The only words on the page are: "Twilight Dale, '11"
A three inch rectangle depicts a pair of big eyes, shining on the verge of tears, complete with short thick lashes and being wide open and youthful looking.
A crow and a wolf sit next to a small skeleton, with inky lines crackling like halos of black lightning, or black webbing around them, the wolf's features sharp with hunger, maw and jutting hip bones exaggerated.
Leafless trees withes are braided into skeletal wreathes worn by skeletal people whose features are obscured in specific features but whose body language wears despair like a coat.
A picturesque mountain valley grows sinister further off in the distance, with the trees losing leaves, fields losing grass, and a carpet of detritus which used to be leaves. A human chain of people with sorrowful eyes and exaggerated youth and small stature stand against a dark hooded figure outlined and with features obscured who is sucking the life from everything around it, complete with little lines as if to indicate motion where flowers between it and bushes grow more and more wilted the closer they get to the figure, leaving shriveled black petals raining at its feet as it gestures toward the line of people, as if to lead wolves and crows like a commander.
((A few places on the page are crispy and waterlogged so they have a wavy texture once they've dried))
The only words on the page are: "Twilight Dale, '11"
Written By Preston
Aug. 10, 2019, 6:54 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
I have said often of late, if you raise your hand against the Faith, you raise your hand against the Gods, and a hand that offends the Gods shall be struck off.
I won't weep for Lord Aramis. He was a heretic and a traitor, to our people and to the Gods. I do not hold his family to blame, indeed his father showed great humility and honour in handing his son over. Nor did we kill him, we were taking him for questioning. But, his death simply saves the executioner a job. And in only a small way pays back the hundreds if not thousands of lives his actions took.
I won't weep for Lord Aramis. He was a heretic and a traitor, to our people and to the Gods. I do not hold his family to blame, indeed his father showed great humility and honour in handing his son over. Nor did we kill him, we were taking him for questioning. But, his death simply saves the executioner a job. And in only a small way pays back the hundreds if not thousands of lives his actions took.
Written By Brianna
Aug. 10, 2019, 6:50 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
I want to thank everyone who came to the grand opening of Master Sven's new Arx location of Whitehold Brews! Congratulations to Prince Baelos for winning the arm-wrestling tournament.
Written By Sanya
Aug. 10, 2019, 6:44 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Lora
It's always a joy talking to you, cousin. I'm glad you're here. Wendy too.
Written By Bliss
Aug. 10, 2019, 4:47 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Elloise
It's a shame, Baroness Elloise. I always thought you as peculiar, but bright. Intelligent. Perhaps one of the most intelligent people in all of the Compact.
A shame that you are doing so much to prove that conception of you wrong.
I think you deserve an opportunity to apologize - first of all, not just to all the Prodigals who have written you, clearly offended by what you have done, but also to those of us in Whisper House, who do everything we can to embrace and heighten this civilization of ours that you so demean, as well as to the entire class of nobility which you have just maligned.
A Prodigal is simply someone who has, through whatever turn of event, chosen to become part of the Compact. To make a better life for themselves than what they had before. The ones who deserve our respect are the ones who are seeking to integrate themselves into our society, to become Arvani as much as they can. There is certainly nothing inherently better about them, particularly when they first get here - because when they first get here, they have so much to learn.
Remember that it is the Compact who have defeated our enemies, which honors the gods, and which fights back. Including Petrichor, which many of your so-called nature-loving shavs have abandoned.
But I have seen some of your journal entries since, and you seem to be doubling down, despite being called out by the very people you are idolizing. Dear, oh, dear. If you want to spend time with the shavs, Baroness Elloise, I do hope you don't seek to be bringing Whitefrost into their fold. Until such time, well, I hope you enjoy learning what rejecting civilization actually feels like.
A shame that you are doing so much to prove that conception of you wrong.
I think you deserve an opportunity to apologize - first of all, not just to all the Prodigals who have written you, clearly offended by what you have done, but also to those of us in Whisper House, who do everything we can to embrace and heighten this civilization of ours that you so demean, as well as to the entire class of nobility which you have just maligned.
A Prodigal is simply someone who has, through whatever turn of event, chosen to become part of the Compact. To make a better life for themselves than what they had before. The ones who deserve our respect are the ones who are seeking to integrate themselves into our society, to become Arvani as much as they can. There is certainly nothing inherently better about them, particularly when they first get here - because when they first get here, they have so much to learn.
Remember that it is the Compact who have defeated our enemies, which honors the gods, and which fights back. Including Petrichor, which many of your so-called nature-loving shavs have abandoned.
But I have seen some of your journal entries since, and you seem to be doubling down, despite being called out by the very people you are idolizing. Dear, oh, dear. If you want to spend time with the shavs, Baroness Elloise, I do hope you don't seek to be bringing Whitefrost into their fold. Until such time, well, I hope you enjoy learning what rejecting civilization actually feels like.
Written By Lisebet
Aug. 10, 2019, 4:33 p.m.(8/16/1011 AR)
It's a good thing I love my husband, I think. I mean, political marriage and all, it is a definite bonus when one discovers a compatibility of spirit.
But he's still not touching me ever again.
Wait - there is such a thing as tea. Fine, maybe not for several years.
But he's still not touching me ever again.
Wait - there is such a thing as tea. Fine, maybe not for several years.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.