Written By Harlex
Oct. 17, 2018, 8:34 a.m.(10/17/1009 AR)
In the Dead Crows we each had our personal philosophies.
We came from all walks of life and we did our best to respect it.
But as mercenaries, we held to one singular Law:
"That which is taken by the sword can only be recovered by it."
A simpler view of things. Though I'm not here to say it's the right way, but it has always been my way. And I think I want it recorded.
Maybe in the future someone wiser and sharper than us will make sense of how soldiers become this way. Never found an answer I liked completely.
We came from all walks of life and we did our best to respect it.
But as mercenaries, we held to one singular Law:
"That which is taken by the sword can only be recovered by it."
A simpler view of things. Though I'm not here to say it's the right way, but it has always been my way. And I think I want it recorded.
Maybe in the future someone wiser and sharper than us will make sense of how soldiers become this way. Never found an answer I liked completely.
Written By Cristoph
Oct. 17, 2018, 8:21 a.m.(10/17/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Norwood
If we're discussing best beards, I would like to nominate Baron Norwood. No one has a more well curated beard than that man. Perhaps he'll share his secrets with the rest of us.
Written By Kenna
Oct. 16, 2018, 11:06 p.m.(10/17/1009 AR)
A lot of people have listened to me lately. Listened and comforted, listened and distracted, or listened and advised.
The common thread is that they listened.
I really appreciated it, all of you.
The common thread is that they listened.
I really appreciated it, all of you.
Written By Josephine
Oct. 16, 2018, 10:34 p.m.(10/17/1009 AR)
It's been over a year since I lost my last son. That nasty war on the water. Nothing good ever came from the water I told them. The sea will take you from me and I will not forgive it for that. So I've spent nearly every lick of coin I have these last two months, as I see these young men and women gearing up to defend the lodge against these Shav's. I was breaking even at least, the metals for weapons and the leathers. But I was walking through the market and I saw two common boys - I say boys but in truth most everyone is far younger compared to me, but I digress. They were trying on their leathers that they had dug up from chests. Would barely protect a mouse much less a strapping lad. And so I sent Demetria to the bank. Told her to empty it clean. A noble may have a house to draw upon but there are some boys and girls from the lowers and the uppers who will be striding off to war and I'll spare their mothers and fathers as best I can, the letter written to tell them of their child's demise. For no child should pass before their mother, even if defense of our compact.
Helps toot hat Bisland threw a little coin in to bolster the pot some. Now too see who comes a calling.
Helps toot hat Bisland threw a little coin in to bolster the pot some. Now too see who comes a calling.
Written By Brogan
Oct. 16, 2018, 9:19 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
Lady Amari, I protest your claim that Vercyn has the best beard.
I will acknowledge it is indeed a mighty fine, possibly even magnificent beard. But, I contest it being the beard of all beards.
I will acknowledge it is indeed a mighty fine, possibly even magnificent beard. But, I contest it being the beard of all beards.
Written By Morrighan
Oct. 16, 2018, 8:23 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Sometimes I'm tempted to climb up into the bell tower and yell, to shout to Arx just how amazing and talented Josie is. She never ceases to amaze me with her work, how intricate it is, how beautiful. Each piece truly is a work of art, and I think it would be a nice thing, someday, for there to be a gallery just for her. For all her work to be displayed for the world to see. Generation after generation. She would deserve it, the world's best jeweler.
No, Scholar, I'm not biased -at all-.
No, Scholar, I'm not biased -at all-.
Written By Roxana
Oct. 16, 2018, 7:36 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Imane
If anyone is looking for a new dressmaker who is extremely talented and devoted to her patrons, I must highly recommend Mistress Imane who runs Swirl of Silk. I've been shopping there for some time and had my first commission completed, and it took my breath away. She's fantastic.
Written By Thena
Oct. 16, 2018, 7:32 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Evaristo
The last time I stole a baked good, it was full of haze.
Not sure if that encourages or discourages you, just putting it out there.
Not sure if that encourages or discourages you, just putting it out there.
Written By Amari
Oct. 16, 2018, 7:17 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Archeron
I'll be sending you horrible socks until you reconsider and address me by my new title(s).
Written By Joscelin
Oct. 16, 2018, 6:58 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Evaristo
You make me tired.
If you can make yourself presentable, you're allowed to join us for lunch any time you like. But you -will- wash your .... everything, first. Alright?
It really is good to have you back in the city, cousin.
If you can make yourself presentable, you're allowed to join us for lunch any time you like. But you -will- wash your .... everything, first. Alright?
It really is good to have you back in the city, cousin.
Written By Joscelin
Oct. 16, 2018, 6:54 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Morrighan
My cousin Evaristo stole the bottle of booze you gave me. In about four months I'm going to need another one.
Written By Jaenelle
Oct. 16, 2018, 4:17 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
I dont find a need a new title to express my Ministry positions. I think the account balances in the bank speak for themselves as does the fact that I have not heard of anyone being swallowed by a pothole recently.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 16, 2018, 3:35 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Some scholars have thought for years that it is not actually possible to live a perfect life, paying perfect adherence to each of the concepts of each of the gods, because some of the demands and duties that arise from each of these concepts conflict. A Paragon of Lagoma might well drive a Paragon of the Sentinel insane, for the same reason that a Paragon of Limerance and a Paragon of Skald could easily end up at loggerheads. Yet it is our desire among the Faithful not to achieve perfection but to seek it, for the power of true righteousness is in the journey. We recognize that we are each fallible, that our choices make us who we are and define our lives as much as our beginnings and endings do.
Yet there are clear wrongs that come far from failures to enact a perfect life. When you act in direct opposition to a concept empowered by a god -- when you yield to a lust for power, to an avarice stripped of charity, if you seek to obliviate life rather than to embrace it, when you choose dishonorable murder instead of honorable combat. And those are wrongs. And we understand that when we commit those wrongs, we are seen to do so, in the eyes of gods if not of men and women, for the gods are always _watching_; the Sentinel knows what is done, and the Sentinel may not be empowered to act, and punish, for that is left to us, to the work of our hands, but the _knowledge_ will continue to exist.
When your dark deed is _seen_, then. What does that mean? What does it mean to be known to have done an evil? It does not mean that you are evil. Does it? A human soul is, of the primum from which it was spun, a divine creation, and it is the nature of humanity, beloved or accursed, to grow, to change, to develop, not just to be. So it is the nature of faith that if you have done an evil act, you are not _doomed_ by that act. You can grow and change. It is Skald's gift that you may make a choice. It is Lagoma's gift that you may grow and change.
But the Sentinel is watching. You cannot simply _say_ that you are sorry, and continue to do evil, and be redeemed. Redemption requires labor. The labor required is redress. And before there can be redress, there must be acknowledgment. You can't be sorry generally because evil things may have happened at some point. You must say, I did this evil thing, and I regret this evil thing, and it is my desire to work to undo evil.
In other words, if you don't own your shit, you will never, ever be able to clean it up. The reek of it will stick to you, invisibly. Like it is trapped upon the treads at the bottom of your shoe.
Yet there are clear wrongs that come far from failures to enact a perfect life. When you act in direct opposition to a concept empowered by a god -- when you yield to a lust for power, to an avarice stripped of charity, if you seek to obliviate life rather than to embrace it, when you choose dishonorable murder instead of honorable combat. And those are wrongs. And we understand that when we commit those wrongs, we are seen to do so, in the eyes of gods if not of men and women, for the gods are always _watching_; the Sentinel knows what is done, and the Sentinel may not be empowered to act, and punish, for that is left to us, to the work of our hands, but the _knowledge_ will continue to exist.
When your dark deed is _seen_, then. What does that mean? What does it mean to be known to have done an evil? It does not mean that you are evil. Does it? A human soul is, of the primum from which it was spun, a divine creation, and it is the nature of humanity, beloved or accursed, to grow, to change, to develop, not just to be. So it is the nature of faith that if you have done an evil act, you are not _doomed_ by that act. You can grow and change. It is Skald's gift that you may make a choice. It is Lagoma's gift that you may grow and change.
But the Sentinel is watching. You cannot simply _say_ that you are sorry, and continue to do evil, and be redeemed. Redemption requires labor. The labor required is redress. And before there can be redress, there must be acknowledgment. You can't be sorry generally because evil things may have happened at some point. You must say, I did this evil thing, and I regret this evil thing, and it is my desire to work to undo evil.
In other words, if you don't own your shit, you will never, ever be able to clean it up. The reek of it will stick to you, invisibly. Like it is trapped upon the treads at the bottom of your shoe.
Written By Tikva
Oct. 16, 2018, 3:18 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
I will note in excuse of scarcity that this baby, unlike my previous two babies, has some kind of personal vendetta against my bowels. I will not treat the scholars here to a litany of symptoms, or anything, but please if you are thinking of us, I beg you send fresh flowers to Ainsley in sympathy for having to live with me and whoever this little tyrant is going to turn out to be.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 16, 2018, 3:12 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
No message fails to change when it reaches its audience. Words spoken are never the same as words heard. Intention does not reality make.
A skilled speaker takes into account the prism through which her audience views her words, and accommodates it accordingly. An unskilled speaker expects others to listen with the same ear as with which he speaks.
A skilled listener listens for the intent behind the words. An unskilled listener hears merely what comes out of a speaker's mouth.
The context of a message always changes its contents, either purposefully or without purpose. If you divorce words from their context, you create different meaning than was intended. If you analyze speech within the context of its being spoken, you will be more likely to understand its intended meaning.
The study of history is, generally, a study of fragments stripped of their context, being forced through the prism of the expectations of the present day.
What will future historians make of what we record for Vellichor now? What expectations will these words conform to, a hundred years from now?
Hell, what expectations will these words fail to conform to tomorrow?
What will you be remembered for saying? What would you prefer to be remembered for saying?
A skilled speaker takes into account the prism through which her audience views her words, and accommodates it accordingly. An unskilled speaker expects others to listen with the same ear as with which he speaks.
A skilled listener listens for the intent behind the words. An unskilled listener hears merely what comes out of a speaker's mouth.
The context of a message always changes its contents, either purposefully or without purpose. If you divorce words from their context, you create different meaning than was intended. If you analyze speech within the context of its being spoken, you will be more likely to understand its intended meaning.
The study of history is, generally, a study of fragments stripped of their context, being forced through the prism of the expectations of the present day.
What will future historians make of what we record for Vellichor now? What expectations will these words conform to, a hundred years from now?
Hell, what expectations will these words fail to conform to tomorrow?
What will you be remembered for saying? What would you prefer to be remembered for saying?
Written By Jyri
Oct. 16, 2018, 2:46 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Many things have happened lately, and I do as Arxians do - I record it in the journals. Maybe some even find it half interesting to read what a Prodigal Iron Guard goes about.
First, I have been running in full armour every day as per Lady Esoka's suggestion. I imagine her running right in front of me and I strive to catch up. Helps me keep going. I am running a bit longer every day.
Second, I have poured a lot of money into a new set of armour. One piece at a time. It's a great armour and it will protect me well. I like my weapons but I need a better one - but right now, survival feels more important.
Third... I could say a lot about the third. The most important thing happening right now. But it will not be for the journals. Not this time.
First, I have been running in full armour every day as per Lady Esoka's suggestion. I imagine her running right in front of me and I strive to catch up. Helps me keep going. I am running a bit longer every day.
Second, I have poured a lot of money into a new set of armour. One piece at a time. It's a great armour and it will protect me well. I like my weapons but I need a better one - but right now, survival feels more important.
Third... I could say a lot about the third. The most important thing happening right now. But it will not be for the journals. Not this time.
Written By Karadoc
Oct. 16, 2018, 1:27 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lucita
I took the initiative to design a new insignia for our House signet rings, and brought the drawings to Messere Josephine's shop (the Velvet Box) to see it brought to life by her hardworking apprentices. After its completion, it turned out to be a very good ring -- the choice of emerald and iridescite was just perfect -- and I sent it along with Cypriano to deliver it to the Baroness herself. It's a new start, what with Neilda here at home in the capital city. We needed it. (Yes, Neilda -- you're getting a new ring next, I promise!)
Written By Karadoc
Oct. 16, 2018, 1:23 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Juliana
I challenged her to do her worst. Or, rather, her best to see if I can be flapped. So, I suppose -- that this means an informal war has been declared between us -- and it's a fine way to make a new friend.
Written By Delilah
Oct. 16, 2018, 1:21 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
With all these dreams recounted in the White's, I wonder whether someone has ever set out to collect them in a book.
Some of them are particularly lovely. Others, imagined not to be so.
Some of them are particularly lovely. Others, imagined not to be so.
Written By Vercyn
Oct. 16, 2018, 1:21 p.m.(10/16/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
It's all in the careful selection of which enemy's blood you oil it with, my dear.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.