Written By Arik
Jan. 9, 2019, 11 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)
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)
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)
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)
Written By Shae
Jan. 9, 2019, 3:47 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)
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
Written By Brady
Jan. 9, 2019, 3:12 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)
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)
Written By Shard
Jan. 9, 2019, 2:50 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)
Written By Mirk
Jan. 9, 2019, 1:58 a.m.(4/28/1010 AR)
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)
Written By Rowenova
Jan. 8, 2019, 11:35 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Miranda
Jan. 8, 2019, 10:58 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
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
Written By Kanean
Jan. 8, 2019, 9:47 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Kanean
Jan. 8, 2019, 9:41 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Kanean
Jan. 8, 2019, 9:35 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Sparte
Jan. 8, 2019, 7:33 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Draven
Jan. 8, 2019, 6:04 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
Written By Samantha
Jan. 8, 2019, 5:53 p.m.(4/27/1010 AR)
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.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.