Written By Bliss
May 21, 2018, 2:19 a.m.(10/12/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cleo
I know you hardly know me, but mere words of a few blustering men have never brought me low, particularly when they decide to hide them behind a tongue which I do not speak and, thus, prove the point I had made in the first place - or, in the other instance, admit that their disagreement with me arose entirely from their ignorance.
They showed what they were made of. I remain unimpressed. Your sympathies, however, are accepted in the spirit in which they were offered.
They showed what they were made of. I remain unimpressed. Your sympathies, however, are accepted in the spirit in which they were offered.
Written By Bliss
May 20, 2018, 2:15 p.m.(10/11/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Monique
The two most important questions?
What drives you?
What do you fear?
What drives you?
What do you fear?
Written By Bliss
May 18, 2018, 6:06 p.m.(10/8/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Caspian
I am glad this record will be permanent.
This is what happens when you never watch other people fight, dear Guildmaster.
This is what happens when you never watch other people fight, dear Guildmaster.
Written By Bliss
May 16, 2018, 1:35 p.m.(10/3/1008 AR)
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends --
It gives a lovely light!
(OOC credit: First Fig, Edna St. Vincent Millay)
It gives a lovely light!
(OOC credit: First Fig, Edna St. Vincent Millay)
Written By Bliss
May 15, 2018, 2:47 p.m.(10/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
At no point in my writings or my duel have I mocked Lady Eirene Malvici. I will be clarifying the tone of my duels more explicitly moving forward.
Written By Bliss
May 15, 2018, 1:59 p.m.(10/1/1008 AR)
Believe it or not, there was more to the show than nudity. There were prepared costumes, acrobatic stunts, color and life and action - and a man who took off his shirt while I pointed out he had some nice muscles, in a silly show of good sportsmanship.
As a side note, since I did start this conversation in this venue, of course I knew I was opening myself to criticism. That does not mean I cannot call the criticism idiotic, the people who make it misinformed and dull, and say that those who left, while they had every right to leave, are fools for expecting a Rite to Gloria over this particular duel.
I can do serious duels - I can do them and still make them some of the most interesting things this city has ever seen. I have ideas ever flowing, my hand is always writing, I watch every bout I see, every mummer I pass, every poet I hear to learn and adapt and improve.
I am getting a lot of concern from friends, so let me make this clear: I am feeling in no way torn down. Eventually, this city will catch up to where I am - and I will be on another level again entirely.
My name is Bliss, I have been fighting duels half my life, and my shoulder is finally recovered to the point where I can put on the shows I've always meant to. It only gets better from here.
Arx, this was my /opening act/. By the time I am finished, this city won't know what hit it.
As a side note, since I did start this conversation in this venue, of course I knew I was opening myself to criticism. That does not mean I cannot call the criticism idiotic, the people who make it misinformed and dull, and say that those who left, while they had every right to leave, are fools for expecting a Rite to Gloria over this particular duel.
I can do serious duels - I can do them and still make them some of the most interesting things this city has ever seen. I have ideas ever flowing, my hand is always writing, I watch every bout I see, every mummer I pass, every poet I hear to learn and adapt and improve.
I am getting a lot of concern from friends, so let me make this clear: I am feeling in no way torn down. Eventually, this city will catch up to where I am - and I will be on another level again entirely.
My name is Bliss, I have been fighting duels half my life, and my shoulder is finally recovered to the point where I can put on the shows I've always meant to. It only gets better from here.
Arx, this was my /opening act/. By the time I am finished, this city won't know what hit it.
Written By Bliss
May 15, 2018, 11:05 a.m.(10/1/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Arik
I suspect that the gash in my side should perhaps be proof enough that we were giving it our all. The show ended up being cut short as it is. There was no mocking of battle being done, this was a real fight for our sponsors, and blood was shed.
In the theatre, no one complains when the actors leave the stage for a scene break. In a war, no one suggests that when two swordsmen step apart due to an order or a horse charging them both that neither is giving their all. When two people are playing a game, if they agree to leave the board to get a drink only to return to it later, no one suggests that neither is playing the game to the best of their ability.
It was a stylistic choice. It is one I will certainly use again, because let's face it, we all can see people just hitting each other with swords until they reach a certain point of exhaustion every single day, at any time, in the training grounds.
Dear gods, people in this city can be so boring. Enjoy when things take an unexpected twist, life is dull when it's predictable.
In the theatre, no one complains when the actors leave the stage for a scene break. In a war, no one suggests that when two swordsmen step apart due to an order or a horse charging them both that neither is giving their all. When two people are playing a game, if they agree to leave the board to get a drink only to return to it later, no one suggests that neither is playing the game to the best of their ability.
It was a stylistic choice. It is one I will certainly use again, because let's face it, we all can see people just hitting each other with swords until they reach a certain point of exhaustion every single day, at any time, in the training grounds.
Dear gods, people in this city can be so boring. Enjoy when things take an unexpected twist, life is dull when it's predictable.
Written By Bliss
May 15, 2018, 1:01 a.m.(9/28/1008 AR)
A few things about tonight that I think need to be said, because apparently this city has been in desperate need of showmanship for a very long time.
If you want people who are going to stare at each other while holding sharp pieces of metal, grunting and glaring, with the focus purely on the swordplay and the fight and nothing else? We have those. They are called Rites to Gloria, and we use them to honor Gloria.
If you want something that is all of that, but where people are looking to have fun, with a bit of entertainment thrown in, jokes, humor, laughter, puns, flashier moves? We have those. Those are called Champion duels. They are different! People might do things that are more than just slapping each other with metal! We like to show off.
If you want something that is like nothing that has been seen in the city before, which will be a unique experience each time, which might range from the silly and flirtatious removing of a shirt from a man who has fought a Rite of Gloria shirtless already, to elaborate showcased dramatic pieces of fighting and dance, to stunning feats of acrobatics and daring, to lyrical showdowns, to death-defying circumstances, to whatever the hell else I might think of? (And I can think of rather a lot, this was just thirty seconds of brainstorming) And if you want to see it in a way you will remember, that people will talk about?
That's when you come see Bliss fight.
I care little about expectations, preconceptions, propriety, sensibilities, or, to be perfectly blunt, people who need to thoroughly remove the stick that is embedded in their asses.
I am here to put on a show, have fun, and try to make the rest of you have fun.
If I am too much for you - well, then I suppose it's better you leave, because I am never going to stop literally putting my life on the line to try to make sure this city has a good time.
I suppose I shouldn't be too bothered. If you can't even figure out what kind of show you have gone to see, then you're just going to be confused when something actually worth getting upset about happens, too.
If you want people who are going to stare at each other while holding sharp pieces of metal, grunting and glaring, with the focus purely on the swordplay and the fight and nothing else? We have those. They are called Rites to Gloria, and we use them to honor Gloria.
If you want something that is all of that, but where people are looking to have fun, with a bit of entertainment thrown in, jokes, humor, laughter, puns, flashier moves? We have those. Those are called Champion duels. They are different! People might do things that are more than just slapping each other with metal! We like to show off.
If you want something that is like nothing that has been seen in the city before, which will be a unique experience each time, which might range from the silly and flirtatious removing of a shirt from a man who has fought a Rite of Gloria shirtless already, to elaborate showcased dramatic pieces of fighting and dance, to stunning feats of acrobatics and daring, to lyrical showdowns, to death-defying circumstances, to whatever the hell else I might think of? (And I can think of rather a lot, this was just thirty seconds of brainstorming) And if you want to see it in a way you will remember, that people will talk about?
That's when you come see Bliss fight.
I care little about expectations, preconceptions, propriety, sensibilities, or, to be perfectly blunt, people who need to thoroughly remove the stick that is embedded in their asses.
I am here to put on a show, have fun, and try to make the rest of you have fun.
If I am too much for you - well, then I suppose it's better you leave, because I am never going to stop literally putting my life on the line to try to make sure this city has a good time.
I suppose I shouldn't be too bothered. If you can't even figure out what kind of show you have gone to see, then you're just going to be confused when something actually worth getting upset about happens, too.
Written By Bliss
May 14, 2018, 6:06 a.m.(9/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Jeffeth
Win or lose, tomorrow Arx is going to see a duel the likes of which it hasn't in quite some time. To say I'm looking forward to this is putting it lightly.
Written By Bliss
May 13, 2018, 3:18 a.m.(9/24/1008 AR)
<In a different hand than the rest of Bliss Whisper's entries>
... you doing it? You writing down every word like I told you to, Jared? Every single one? Jared? Jared, you writing this down?
Good.
You're writing this, right?
Good.
Okay, so here's what I want you to bring to the Scholars. Write up - write up something talking about how great tonight was. You were there, you know how much fun we had. With Ailith. For Ailith. And the King. And the pub crawl - pub run? - pub crawl that we were all doing. With the singing, and the dancing, and the storytelling.
Yeah.
And tell them that if people read this and want to have a fun night on the town, they should ... they should hire me.
Good night, Jared.
Write that down.
... you doing it? You writing down every word like I told you to, Jared? Every single one? Jared? Jared, you writing this down?
Good.
You're writing this, right?
Good.
Okay, so here's what I want you to bring to the Scholars. Write up - write up something talking about how great tonight was. You were there, you know how much fun we had. With Ailith. For Ailith. And the King. And the pub crawl - pub run? - pub crawl that we were all doing. With the singing, and the dancing, and the storytelling.
Yeah.
And tell them that if people read this and want to have a fun night on the town, they should ... they should hire me.
Good night, Jared.
Write that down.
Written By Bliss
May 10, 2018, 11:21 p.m.(9/20/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Lumen
Whatever the rest of you may say, I still say that if he was so intent on me drinking that disgusting bottle of wine, he certainly shouldn't have minded when I helped him drink more. Yes, I threw it at his face, but it was the most expedient way possible.
Written By Bliss
May 10, 2018, 6:12 p.m.(9/19/1008 AR)
Whoever is going around saying I'm an expert diplomat: ... Have you ever met me?
Written By Bliss
May 10, 2018, 11:58 a.m.(9/19/1008 AR)
Including time for sleep and relaxation - something which I did not remember to include in my plans this last fortnight, and which I deeply regret - I am currently booked solid though my upcoming duel. If you are one I have spoken with and made some kind of plan, don't worry, you are not forgotten and you are in that list of things for me. But I am looking at this pile of missives and realizing I have going to have to set some ground rules regarding my time.
I am not certain what the best way to publicly do so is. The bulletin boards, likely. I will post something after I fight.
There are other things which I wish to write about which I will, somehow, also find time for. Perhaps Oaths - from the perspective of a Devotion. This is certainly well-trod ground lately, but I have yet to really put my two silver in.
Until then, I have letters to write.
I am not certain what the best way to publicly do so is. The bulletin boards, likely. I will post something after I fight.
There are other things which I wish to write about which I will, somehow, also find time for. Perhaps Oaths - from the perspective of a Devotion. This is certainly well-trod ground lately, but I have yet to really put my two silver in.
Until then, I have letters to write.
Written By Bliss
May 8, 2018, 2:37 p.m.(9/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Arik
I cannot speak for other Champions, but if there are eight words I try to live my life by, they are these:
I'm up for practically anything I find interesting.
I'm up for practically anything I find interesting.
Written By Bliss
May 8, 2018, 12:04 p.m.(9/15/1008 AR)
So the topic of Champions has come up, and this is something I have yammered on about to pretty much everyone with an open ear: There are fifteen of us actively working in this city. Challenge more duels.
Beyond the question of "does anybody really want to see what happens when fifteen bored Champions get together?" (Although, admittedly, I certainly do) there is a stigma over what and when duels should be challenged for. It is ridiculous and the standards are far, far too high.
Put simply, a duel should be challenged over anything you want someone backing you up on. Slights do not have to be major - I'll talk about major slights later, don't you worry. Did someone not buy you a drink, despite offering to others? Did someone forget your name? Did someone do something that is disturbing the honor of the Peerage as a whole? Is there a pretty girl you want to have a show for? A pretty boy? Are you just bored?
Issue a challenge. Call a duel. I know I personally charge less if I think the duel is going to be fought over something fun, because it gives people something to do and encourages more of them. By fighting more duels over things that are light-hearted, you're also taking the pressure off of yourself to hire the absolute top Champions, and this is good because as wonderful as Prince Luca and Caspian are, the rest of us each has our own unique style and flair to bring to the field. That is what the Champions are here for, for the show.
As for more pressing slights, real insults? Start declaring more duels for those as well. By being willing to put blood on the line, you are leaving your point up to Gloria. It is a very brave thing to do, and something any noble should be proud to do. By avoiding doing so, you are saying that you are not willing to fight for your honor, what you believe in, for your family, for your lands. Image is power, and you are sacrificing that image. Believe me when I say that everyone notices, from Commoner on up.
And for Gods' sakes stop fighting your own duels of honor. It's tacky. Save those for when your Swords fight to stop a war, or a Rite to Gloria. Some of you may think your honor is slighted by not fighting on your own - I'd say you are showing you are letting your pride get in the way of doing things right.
Not a good look for the Peerage.
Beyond the question of "does anybody really want to see what happens when fifteen bored Champions get together?" (Although, admittedly, I certainly do) there is a stigma over what and when duels should be challenged for. It is ridiculous and the standards are far, far too high.
Put simply, a duel should be challenged over anything you want someone backing you up on. Slights do not have to be major - I'll talk about major slights later, don't you worry. Did someone not buy you a drink, despite offering to others? Did someone forget your name? Did someone do something that is disturbing the honor of the Peerage as a whole? Is there a pretty girl you want to have a show for? A pretty boy? Are you just bored?
Issue a challenge. Call a duel. I know I personally charge less if I think the duel is going to be fought over something fun, because it gives people something to do and encourages more of them. By fighting more duels over things that are light-hearted, you're also taking the pressure off of yourself to hire the absolute top Champions, and this is good because as wonderful as Prince Luca and Caspian are, the rest of us each has our own unique style and flair to bring to the field. That is what the Champions are here for, for the show.
As for more pressing slights, real insults? Start declaring more duels for those as well. By being willing to put blood on the line, you are leaving your point up to Gloria. It is a very brave thing to do, and something any noble should be proud to do. By avoiding doing so, you are saying that you are not willing to fight for your honor, what you believe in, for your family, for your lands. Image is power, and you are sacrificing that image. Believe me when I say that everyone notices, from Commoner on up.
And for Gods' sakes stop fighting your own duels of honor. It's tacky. Save those for when your Swords fight to stop a war, or a Rite to Gloria. Some of you may think your honor is slighted by not fighting on your own - I'd say you are showing you are letting your pride get in the way of doing things right.
Not a good look for the Peerage.
Written By Bliss
May 7, 2018, 3:20 a.m.(9/12/1008 AR)
There are certainly an awful lot of slights being openly thrown around.
If anyone needs a Champion, I am easy enough to contact.
If anyone needs a Champion, I am easy enough to contact.
Written By Bliss
May 5, 2018, 3:45 p.m.(9/9/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
Why in the blazes would you give up wine when you're already feeling miserable?
I'm drinking a double dose now. Just to be sure.
I'm drinking a double dose now. Just to be sure.
Written By Bliss
May 5, 2018, 3:37 p.m.(9/9/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
Thank you for the reminder to drink my tea.
Written By Bliss
May 4, 2018, 7:36 p.m.(9/5/1008 AR)
I do suppose that it is just about time to give my written update to what is surely my rapidly growing Arvian half of my fan club.
With each passing day, I come more alive in this city. Whether it has been fighting duels in the Whisper House for the favor of a woman's kiss, engaging in not one, but two hard-fought bouts with Princess Agatha Redrain - once with swords, and once with thumbs - tearing down the egos of the presumptuous, putting on a song and dance show with trained animals in Guardian Square, or simply being the most charming Whisper I can be, every day has been full of life, laughter, and mischief.
And these are only the things which I will admit to.
There are rumors that a trove of letters written to me by my fans outside the city might be made public soon. All I can say is that I will neither confirm nor deny a single thing in their contents. If this does come to light, laugh at those which are funny, speculate over the ones which are mysterious, and feel free to write some of your own to me. I love receiving letters, as the beleaguered messengers of the city will assure you.
Live your lives. Holding back will only leave you disappointed with yourself.
With each passing day, I come more alive in this city. Whether it has been fighting duels in the Whisper House for the favor of a woman's kiss, engaging in not one, but two hard-fought bouts with Princess Agatha Redrain - once with swords, and once with thumbs - tearing down the egos of the presumptuous, putting on a song and dance show with trained animals in Guardian Square, or simply being the most charming Whisper I can be, every day has been full of life, laughter, and mischief.
And these are only the things which I will admit to.
There are rumors that a trove of letters written to me by my fans outside the city might be made public soon. All I can say is that I will neither confirm nor deny a single thing in their contents. If this does come to light, laugh at those which are funny, speculate over the ones which are mysterious, and feel free to write some of your own to me. I love receiving letters, as the beleaguered messengers of the city will assure you.
Live your lives. Holding back will only leave you disappointed with yourself.
Written By Bliss
April 30, 2018, 12:14 a.m.(8/23/1008 AR)
This new dance sounds like fun! If anyone wants to teach me how to do it, you can send a message to Whisper House. Do I need new clothes? I should get new clothes for it.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.