Skip to main content.

Written By Barric

June 7, 2018, 7:17 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Gianna

A very talented songstress, the Nightingale, and I am more than happy to devote what funds I can to assist in this new college.

Songs are more important than most realize to our very future.

Written By Barric

June 7, 2018, 7 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

There is nothing so lonely as ending up alone at the bar when everyone else has passed out, or otherwise left.

Written By Thena

June 7, 2018, 6:32 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Itzal

Probably sunstroke.

Written By Lys

June 7, 2018, 5:19 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Audric

My cousin, surely, does not need my protection in any way shape or form. But he's the only who has made me feel as if I belonged anywhere, with anyone, my entire life. And if someone should upset him, I will certainly feed them their own teeth.

Written By Lys

June 7, 2018, 5:15 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

I dreamt I was chasing a man made from smoke and mist. I tried to grab handfuls of his ephemereal form, and though I expected to catch ashes instead I found my palms pricked and bloodied from the thorns of a rose bush.

Written By Edain

June 7, 2018, 2:56 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

Though this will make Lord Commander Dayne dissapointed in me given his dedication to the sword, but I feel the spear is greatly under appreciated. For me , in battle, it is my spear that is my primary tool, both on horseback and on foot, and my sword is my sidearm for when quarters become to cramped.

I cannot claim it is as flashy or as sexy as either sword or axe, but it has a simple, time tested efficacy that let's you control the flow of battle at your own terms if wielded properly and is excellent as an offensive or defensive weapon.

Written By Audric

June 7, 2018, 1:27 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

Both of mine can do that! Coinspinner never loses its edge, and Stephen tends to heal whatever wounds it receives. It's handy! Swords, in my case, definitely better. Plus, two axes isn't showy enough.

Written By Audric

June 7, 2018, 1:27 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

Both of mine can do that! Coinspinner never loses its edge, and Stephen tends to heal whatever wounds it receives. It's handy! Swords, in my case, definitely better. Plus, two axes isn't showy enough.

Written By Cambria

June 7, 2018, 1:03 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Thoughts on weapons:

My preference is to have between myself and a potential threat a lot of armed professionals. Axes, swords, spears. If they are exceptionally proficient with a weapon, then I shall be well pleased, no matter their particular choice. In fact, one of my Guardians is absolutely deadly with wooden spoons. I can hardly imagine the damage this particular individual might be capable of should a spoon of metal come into their grip.

Written By Genevieve

June 7, 2018, 12:46 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

Axes. Straightforward, effective, good heft. Good for chopping, good for bludgeoning. My husband buys them for me and they're the best gifts. Axes all the way.

Written By Victus

June 7, 2018, 12:26 a.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Axes or swords?

Personally I like the axe much better. Can kill with it then bring it home and chop some firewood too. Don't scratch easy, don't break easy. I might be liken to change my mind should someone show me a sword that can carve logs without losing it's edge.

'Till then though, my mind is set.

Written By Fredrik

June 6, 2018, 11:47 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Ingrid

From: Desk of Lord Fredrik RedTyde
Subject: research studies

I recommend a good ballad, or a quality epic, if one wants to stay awake. Reading statistical analysis is all well and good, but even I drift off after a few straight hours.

And coffee. Lots of tea and coffee. No alcohol.

Written By Ingrid

June 6, 2018, 11:43 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Another evening plagued with restless dreams. Perhaps I've had enough sleep for now. I should probably visit the Archives again and bury myself in my research.

Written By Elloise

June 6, 2018, 11:22 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Arcadia

If you could learn blacksmithing, Cady, that would be indescribably helpful. I need an extra set of hands to swing a hammer for this little what-happens-if project I'm working on.

Written By Cambria

June 6, 2018, 11:04 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Isabeau

I am not well known in Arx for my bubbly personality. I do not flit hither and thither as other social butterflies, making friends wherever I go. This was not always so, but it has become so during my time in the capital. I realize, however, that reaching out for companionship is not a mistake. Denying it is a mistake.

Written By Arcadia

June 6, 2018, 10:52 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Three days since I've arrived in Arx, and I couldn't be happier. There is so much to see! And the people. So many beautiful people. Ugly ones, too! It's all so exciting! The room they gave me in the Leary house is huge and gorgeous, with a view of the most colorful garden.

Finally, I'm free. No parents. No chores. And I can still go run around the Gray Forest any time I want... It's a dream. I feel like I've died, and gone to wherever you go when that happens. Assuming it's nice, that is.

There's so much to learn. I've met a blacksmith, a Princess, and a pirate already. I want to be all three. The first blacksmithing princess pirate! Gods, I hope Fairen doesn't make me get a job. I could wander the streets of Arx until I became a decrepit old lady...

I wonder what that's like.

Being old?

Written By Itzal

June 6, 2018, 10:22 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

The fundraiser for the Bard's College was a wonderful success, if I do say so myself!

And I do.

What an adventure, and what a privilege to be there for its beginnings!

Written By Itzal

June 6, 2018, 10:17 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Thena

You're alive! And complimenting me!

How hard did you hit your head on that trip of yours?

Written By Fredrik

June 6, 2018, 10:05 p.m.(12/6/1008 AR)

From :Desk of Lord Fredrik RedTyde
Subject: Whisper's Words

As the good Whispers Bliss and Lumen (and Archlectors Aureth in his own style) have noted, we are not in competition with the Whispers, and never have been. To do so is to add unnecessary tension to an amiable situation, as far as I can see. They have been most gracious and from my readings, accurate in their descriptions, and I thank them for it. We appreciate all they do to grace our establishment with their own presence, and encourage all to mingle in the Empyrean free of stress. That is the point, after all.

Written By Bliss

June 6, 2018, 9:13 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)

When I arrived in Arx five years ago, I stepped off the carriage with my sword arm in a sling, with no title, with hardly a silver to my name, a strong voice and a drive to succeed. I walked directly to Whisper House, got an audience with the Radiant, and was accepted as an apprentice beginning that very day. Learning how to be a Whisper was perhaps the most grueling experience of my life - I had some experience with the Peerage, but I was raw, unrefined, angry and spiteful. But I was determined to improve and become the best I could be.

I am still many of those things, but with the support of Whisper House and endless hard work on my part, I am living a life I never imagined when I first left Tor all those years ago, and I am a far better person for it. I work every day to improve - every member of Whisper House does. None of us are ever content with where we have landed, otherwise we never would have become Whispers in the first place. I grew up in the drill grounds of Tor, alongside the future Rose, the generals, the finest soldiers and officers. It's where I learned to fight. My life has been one of literal blood, sweat, and tears.

Nothing comes remotely close to the utterly grueling work and training I went through to become a Whisper. Not even getting my arm back to its former speed.

---
When discussing anything regarding Whisper House, the first thing you must understand is why we were founded and what our purpose is. From there, our relationship to the Peerage and to the other Courtier houses of Arvum can be better understood.

Since our inception, Whisper House has operated under the direct patronage of the Crown. Queen Alarice set up the House under the first Radiant, Caithness Anthy, a brilliant diplomat and a woman of extreme charm and grace, at a time when a loose Compact needed to be drawn together and made stronger. It is this diplomatic work which remains at our core. We fiercely neutral so that we can negotiate the best deals between the noble houses to not only their mutual benefit, but that of all of Arvum. We have the finest performers and entertainers so that the Peerage has a place to come together and mingle without any of the weight of House tied to an event and so that there is no concern of what the appearance of a Lord at an event might mean.

We maintain the highest standards in etiquette, beauty, and elegance within our walls because the decisions that are made in Whisper House affect the lives of every member of the Compact, and the difference between two duchies going to war can be whether or not one of the Dukes involved is already annoyed because his tea is too cold, or whether he is in a great mood due to having a childhood favorite meal prepared the best he has ever had. Thousands of lives can hinge on such small things.

Many of these things can be found in other Courtier houses, it is true.

But perhaps the most important thing is our secrecy. I take this rule very seriously - particularly as a Devotion of Limerance - and I am just as serious about enforcing it. Whether it is just company with a Whisper that is being sought or whether it is advisement on heavy and sensitive matters of state, a Whisper can be trusted fully on such things, though we will, of course, refuse any service that would betray the Compact. The individual contracts are just as important as any advising matters - we know all too well how heavy the burdens of state weigh, and we are there to help make sure they do not break those who bear them. This part is often underestimated or dismissed, but our House words are what they are for a reason.

This is just some of what we do in Arx proper. We also do work around the Compact - more than many might expect. We smooth disagreements, arrange needed meetings, call in favors, and quite simply make things work and happen.

In light of all this, I do not think it difficult to understand why we choose to live in comfort and beauty. The work - both public and private - is draining, and we earn every silver that we are paid. That silver then goes to make sure we ourselves do not break by letting us enjoy what we have earned, but it also goes to making sure that we are the finest in Arx in terms of fashion and our trappings. No noble should ever be ashamed to have a Whisper on their arm for an event, because of who we are and everything we stand for.

---

As for the other Courtier houses, I am in agreement with Lumen Whisper: I welcome them and the services they provide. Perhaps they can even inspire us to do even better. That would not be a bad thing.

However, they are not Whisper House, which is a statement I don't think really needs to be written. Many of our courtiers do come from the other schools, elevated and trained and then retrained to their full potential once they come here. But our roles, our goals, and what we can do - they are distinct from one another.

I will say one last thing, one important correction: Whisper House does not just support our own performers. We do not turn everything inward, we are not self-indulgent without purpose. We teach, we provide opportunity, and we provide support of other nature as well. We simply have the highest standards for such things, for to bear the support of Whisper House, they must.

If there is any performer or artist in the city who is struggling - do send me, or whoever is Softest at the time, a missive. I will be happy to see what we can do for you.

-- Softest Whisper Bliss

Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.

Leave blank if this journal is not a relationship

Mark if this is a private, black journal entry