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Written By Arik

Jan. 9, 2019, 11 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

Lord Arik Halfshav's treatise on the Great Road

On the date of 4/28/1010 AR there was an abundance of news regarding the consequences of the ambitious project known now as the Great Road. I write this brief treatise on the topic in the hopes future readers that care about my thoughts might avoid such issues. If I am still alive, then this white is not meant for you. Thus we begin.

First let us establish my own position. When Lord Kaldur reached out to House Halfshav I was immediately interested in the project. We are currently expanding a Mangata shrine town named Cascade Springs and the aid in roads, especially in such a hostile northern environment, can be invaluable. I encouraged my cousin Lord Mirk Halfshav to consider the project and he likewise saw the value in it. House Halfshav was a sponsor of the road.

Second let us acknowledge the consequences. Although the borders of Whitehold might be drawn in a complete line on a map that is a pretty notion. House Halfshav may have rights to the land within our domain but there are pockets of shavs either in the form of nomadic tribes which come down from Everwinter or actually settled tribes of abandoned. All of Avrum is likewise filled with the pretty maps that show the edges and borders of our noble domains and not the pockets of 'wilds' that exist within them.

So it is we have the Great Road, ambitious that it would connect as many domains on the map of Avrum as it could while daring the pockets of 'wilds' that do not exist on those maps but most certainly exist when one travels. For what it is worth the road itself was built, the deed was done, but now shav tribes and Compact Houses alike react to the new state of things. There have been skirmishes, religious conflicts, and more. In no less than a month from Copper's sacrifice we see that the world is not new and reborn with some special call to action. The world is still the world, the dream is still the dream, and as the Pantheon might say humanity still must guard against their own reflection. Nothing has changed, but we still try to improve things while our time still turns. The Great Road is a symbol of that drive to improve and do good. No matter what may come of it.

In the future when you read these white journals and see opinions both great and small I beseech you readers of this opinion. Good things do not come without cost. Gain does not come without risk. Though history might judge the Great Road for folly or current opinion at court might call into question the wisdom. Remember that when knowledge was lost we sought it. When the art of the world was tainted we pursued it. These endeavours were no less fraught with risk than the Great Road, no less ambitious, and in the end they are the same. Remember that while patience and caution are laudable traits inaction is still the enemy of progress and a better tomorrow. At least we hope for better.

Written By Lora

Jan. 9, 2019, 10:05 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

We undertook a great work because roads are a hallmark of a civilized world. This great work has led to chaos, strife, and death, all things that are antithetical to civilization.

It is almost like this has happened before.

It is almost as if there is some force in equal opposition to progress.

Written By Gaston

Jan. 9, 2019, 9:14 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

It's interesting to see how quickly those who lacked our ambition, our dedication, and our devotion are to leap for the jugular, now that disaster has fallen on us.

Did we expect nothing to happen? Did we expect an easy, quiet change to our land on such a massive scale? Oh, right, we must not have been thinking.

Despite the tragedy, I know for a fact that there are among us those whose wills are not broken, and who will do everything we can to make this right.

And in the end, our children and our children's children will thank us for such a combined effort to make Arx stronger.

Written By Jasher

Jan. 9, 2019, 8:41 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

It seems that the more matters change, the more they remain the same.

Written By Shae

Jan. 9, 2019, 3:47 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

A Prayer for Spring Planting

Thyme, for Courage and Strength
Sage, for Wisdom
Rosemary, for Remembrance
Lavender, for Devotion
And last Daisy, for Hope
May each of them grow strong and spread the joyful smiles each one holds, and inspire those that see them, to remember that within each of us resides, a bit of Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, and last, but certainly not least Daisy. And may we each carry them from here, like the wind, and birds, and the bees carry them, to share with the rest of Arx, and Arvum.

In dark times remember that together we are stronger, and our hope is one of our greatest strengths. When you see a daisy, remember you are not alone, hope grows in the least expected of places. Strong and Determined.

Written By Shae

Jan. 9, 2019, 3:38 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Petal

Thank you for hosting the Lodge Spring Planting party, may it help to bring a touch of hope to everyone. As well as grow that hope, so it may flourish and inspire others.

Written By Brady

Jan. 9, 2019, 3:12 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

My hand rested on her hips,
And the old man on his sword,
Neither steel, Norwood distract
My gaze from upon her lips,
As we shared whispered words.
So glad that I did act.

The music rang, the singers sang,
Curses on their mind.
A Baron suggested, rogue requested,
And we danced, just in time.

A family grew this spring.
A princess given birth,
Tis what others will recall.
But I would rather sing,
Of dancing with such mirth,
With a Princess in the Artshall.

Written By Kanean

Jan. 9, 2019, 2:55 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

I guess I realized that after a few conversations in several bars, I was kinda broke. I made some connections with other people now I had to find a job. I knew that the silver I had won't last me until tomorrow at this rate. Damn.. Well I started talking to people about some of the Sellsword guilds around. After some asking around, I found myself walking into the Valorous Few HQ. I met with Audric, who I must say is a very great guy, and talked about joining the guild, and there I got accepted. The pay isn't much yet since I am a newcomer, but the initial pay was well worth it. Now, just got to find me some people to hire me for some extra money.

Written By Shard

Jan. 9, 2019, 2:50 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

Really? Did you really think building something like that through so much claimed territory wasn't going to end in violence? Or are people just upset that some of the violence hasn't been entirely one-sided? If Cardia brought in an army and built a road straight through your lands under threat of the sword or worse, you wouldn't sit back and just let it be either. Not that it seems to matter. I'm sure those children were such a terrifying threat to the Oathlands. Hopefully all the soldiers involved in that 'cleansing' are awarded medals for the extraordinary fucking bravery and outstanding honor it takes to murder babies in their mother's arms.

Written By Mirk

Jan. 9, 2019, 1:58 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)

Massacres, wars, lynchings, and duels. That's what news has reached Arx thus far. We don't know how bad it will get.

This with three foreign visitors in our harbor, watching.

Our capacity for ignoring the bigger picture in favor of what's right in front of us never ceases to amaze and dishearten.

Written By Sophie

Jan. 8, 2019, 11:36 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

The House of Solace is so quiet tonight. The Mercies mourn the loss of so many of our young ones. My heart is broken.

Written By Rowenova

Jan. 8, 2019, 11:35 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

Thank you so much to Mistress Petal for setting up the Spring Lodge Planting where so many were incredibly supportive to my dear husband who recently lost many friends in Kalslov/Volkov lands. Thank you all for your caring regard.

Written By Miranda

Jan. 8, 2019, 10:58 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

There is certainly a lot happening in the Oathlands.

I pray that things will settle out soon.

This fighting is not good for us with strangers coming up to our door.

Written By Thesbe

Jan. 8, 2019, 10:11 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Iseulet

Twin sister - The side of me I sometimes wish I could be more like. Sometimes.

Written By Kanean

Jan. 8, 2019, 9:47 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

I, finally, got the bow and some set of armor done. I went to the Training Center's archery range to practice. Oh boy, I thought it would be any silent day, but, no.., I met an overbearing woman named Adora Bell. I don't know if she is crazy or what, but she just kicks things inside the Training Center and, suddenly, she comes up to me trying to sell a BOOKCASE. *sigh* What a day, what else would be in store for me in the future...

Written By Kanean

Jan. 8, 2019, 9:41 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

A trip down memory lane.. I met Princess Marian. Well, I thought she was still of House Valardin. No, she is, now, the Voice of Redrain, which is quite surprising. I wonder what happened. She even has a scar on her face. Although, we talked for awhile in the Training Center. I did feel that small bit of awkwardness, maybe due to the fact that she was the one who imprisoned me and my brother in the past. (My brother's name is Abellus Ironfoot)

Written By Kanean

Jan. 8, 2019, 9:35 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

Well, what a day, first time coming to the Compact since my imprisonment. Not much people, walking around it seems. Well, I guess it is too early for people to be awake and strolling around. I look around and see some people inside bars and I found the training center. Hmm... I think I should practice my archery. It has been awhile since I used a bow and arrow. Time to find a weaponsmith then.

Written By Sparte

Jan. 8, 2019, 7:33 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

The news coming in is more horrifying by the hour. So many lives lost. I have no words for this pain. Was our peace always so fragile?

Written By Draven

Jan. 8, 2019, 6:04 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

Massacred! So many! All dead! They didn't have to be! You could have left them alone! You could have done so much better Stuff! It's not fair! They deserved better then that! So many Fluffy people! And every one of them claims to care about people! Then some of them do this Stuff!

Written By Samantha

Jan. 8, 2019, 5:53 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)

Threats.

They are a tool for many - the statesman, the diplomat, the warrior to name a few, and like any tool one must have the knowledge of when it is appropriate to utilize them.

First, one must understand what a threat is: a promise to deliver harm, either directly to the person or the faction which they represent, be it family, business, or what have you, combined with an ultimatum in keeping with the issuer's desires.

For some people, a threat is a hammer, to be wielded with brute force, and for some, it is effective in its application this way. For others it is more rarely applied, with its power being in the understanding that it is not a commonplace tool utlized by the one who delivers it.

There are two issues to consider when making a threat. For some people it's instinctive and natural. For others, they must put some thought in what they say before they speak. But these two issues effectively boil down to who you are threatening, and what the outcome of your threat will be.

Are you threatening a friend? An ally? Have they ever given you cause to believe their efforts are not compatible to your agenda? Have they ever lied to you? Does it make more sense for them to remain in alliance with you, or does it make sense that they might consider double crossing you?

If you care about the outcome (and granted, some may not, simply by virtue of their belief in their own ability), and whether the party you threaten remains your ally, pause before consider issuing an unnecessary threat. It can potentially become a self-fulfilling prophecy, save in a circumstance where they are willing look past it, and that is always based on the flip of a coin.

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