Written By Iseulet
June 6, 2018, 6:12 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Subject: Regarding the Status of the Empyrean.
Warning: I am long winded when I get passionate.
While it may not have been immediately obvious to some, but maybe those close to the project and my heart - the Empyrean is firstly, a charitable organization.
I will make that clear first and foremost so that the rest of this (what is assuredly going to be a dissertation in white journal form) isn't misconstrued and I'll try to make this in digestible chunks.
--Income and Charity
The bulk of what we make here goes to charity. I have many projects lined up for this after we get up and running, but what I have earned through The Empyrean (roughly 20-30,000 silver though the precise figure escapes me currently) through the sales of the books I have written in conjunction with the Legate have gone directly toward its intended purpose: The rebuilding of Blackshore, and was released to my Baroness.
There are also only two copies left in the Lunaris (it was a limited supply), should one wish to purchase a copy. It is also available at the Gilded Page to read since Princess Reese bought and donated a copy to them.
--Income and Opportunity, Part 1: Entertainers
The portion of our income that doesn't go to charity will go toward providing an opportunity for entertainers of all stripes (not just Whispers, as in the Whisper House) to perform, earn silver, and make a name for themselves , although a Whisper has joined us in a part time basis and will be working with us on future performances.
I am honored to have the likes of her by my side (indeed - I am speechless and grateful beyond measure) and when it came to making her dream of the Bard's College real? I jumped at the chance.
Whispers are even invited and able to become members and entertain their guests in the members' area (as per the hospitality guidelines outlined to members of the Empyrean, they are able to bring guests into the members' area).
I look forward to future ties with them and working with them and while I am honored, I hope to be a place that takes an active interest in giving commoners as a whole a place to shine. As I said, Whispers are /more/ than welcome, but there are many entertainers in Arx that are not Whispers.
Just as there are more courtiers in Arx than exist within the sphere of the Whispers.
--Income and Opportunity, Part 2: Crafters
We prove a place where crafters can set up shop. For example, Mistress Giselle Caron is a fine perfumer and Master Nilos Latsis a master bookbinder (and dare I say the finest wig maker in all of Arx) and are setting up shop with us - with absolutely no start up costs, monthly fees, or other such strings. I even have a space I am making a point of keeping available to my sister, Mistress Thesbe Aryn, should she return to Arx and wish to fulfill her dream of becoming a seamstress with her own shop.
We also actively reach out to businesses to buy exclusive items specifically for the Empyrean to offer. For example, the cabaret's liquor is exclusively stock from Master Venturo Thayne's Raconteur. They are then sold at a profit to raise funds to pay employees and make donations.
Those that work with us are absolutely free to have their own, private shops - I'm not their mother (well, one is my sister) nor here to police their actions, but I understand what it is like to need a leg up, to have a 'family' and a community haven to collaborate with. That is the point of offering opportunity as a whole.
There's nothing more amazing than having a healthy, safe atmosphere in which to breed creativity, bond with fellow performers and creators and feed from each other's enthusiasm and help one another realize their dreams and aspirations. I know, because I was born a common bastard and was only recently afforded membership into the Peerage. While I thank Baroness Skye for this opportunity and hope that I am nothing but a boon to her home, I grew up singing for my supper. Unfortunately, many night I spent hungry. So did my sister. I personally would have flourished in a place like this. So would she. Maybe we wouldn't have been so hungry would we have had a place like this.
--Compare, Contrast
The Whisper House, by contrast has existed for many, many years and while we do offer services akin to theirs, perhaps or even the Observers if you want to stretch that far - neither one do it for a charitable purpose. The Observers work for the Crown and the Whisper House takes care of its own through similar means and all Whispers are Crownsworn to maintain neutrality. This is a tradition that reaches back far into their founding to make sure that a Whisper's allegiance remains untied to a specific House. I can't say we work toward only our House's goals, but we do bend over backward to be transparent and neutral, especially when collaborating with a number of Houses like with the upcoming trade route.
--Current Projects
*Helping Lord Aethan Kennex rebuild the Kennex Navy. Absolutely no cost to them, I have donated a portion of my time and a small accumulation of personal military writs and have committed myself to a little tour through
*Establishing a trade route. The purpose of which is to not only provide economic growth around Arvum but to strengthen ties between Houses in a general fashion. Currently, affirmatively, this includes 30 Houses/Organizations, with another 16 possible.
--Future Projects / Projects That Interest Me
*Princess Alarissa's Thursday's Child project (and generally the freeing of Thralls in Thrax)
*Rebuilding of Darkwater
*Celebration in conjunction with the Faith.
It should be mentioned I have had a lot on my plate and have reached out only to the Faith on these for my immediate focus remains trained on my current projects, before I take on many others.
*Seraceni Fund Raiser
*The opening of a new form of entertainment for Arx. Yes, something /unique/ that can't be found anywhere else in Arx. This is coming very soon.
--Personal Notes
Fredrik has told me numerous times he won't be taking a salary. Neither will I.
To get to this place, I worked my fingers to the /bone/ for a number of organizations and Houses to be able to afford what the Empyrean is today. I have sunk thousands of writs and possibly hundreds of thousands of silver making it into what it is.
Still, every copper it makes is moved on to projects that are bigger than me and my ego.
[*Amendment. I have received donations. Donations to Date: <~10 economic writs, courtesy Lord Jaerith Keaton.]
For clarity, I even refuse to use the weekly allowance that my House affords me on anything other than The Empyrean and living expenses (sadly, I still must eat).
Not even fancy dresses or the trappings of wealth. I have no dragontears to adorn my fingers with. I have no sea silk sheets on my bed. I own the two common cloth dresses I arrived with and one silk dress that Baron Audric de Lire gifted me. Well. The silver was the gift - you can't expect him to be /too/ thoughtful. But I wanted a nice dress in which to attend a ball (to which I was stood up) so that's what it went to. I have two pairs of common cloth shoes, one pair of tights, and a garter. I have one bottle of perfume gifted to me by Mayir Grayhope. And recently - I have gotten my first piece of jewelry which is wholly mine: my Bard's College pin.
At the end of the day, all I have is an organization I worked very hard for from the ground up to forge into something unique. That I am passionate about. I believe the sheer amount of novels I could write on what visions I have for The Empyrean could make the Gilded Page blush. Now, there are similarities, on the surface to a number of organizations (not just Whispers) but why not come peel back the mask and delve deeper? Maybe we have more to offer than what's on the surface. Maybe we are /different/ than the Whisper House. The Golden Hart. The Heart in Hand. The Observers. The Gilded Page.
--A Note on Competition
It doesn't have to be directly said that Whisper Natalia feels that we are some kind of threat to the Whisper House, but I don't see it that way. Natalia, there's no reason to feel this way. And Countess Reigna, please never think I would ever be offended at the offering of a sincere question.
There's more than enough room in the city for more than one courtier service (charitable or non). And if we are talking about competition I might bring up that Master Rook Grayward has the monopoly on the courtier market - not the Empyrean.
I would also like to point out that perhaps we wouldn't have been able to pass through the registration committee (I hear the committee is rather tight on these things) should we have been /too/ much like the Whisper House.
Rhetorically, I wonder...
Should the Raconteur feel threatened should another place sell ale? Or wine?
How about Lottie's Place, The Bakery, and Petal's Bakery?
Should we allow only one tailor in the city?
--A Note on Biting
I don't... and the door to the Empyrean is always open to those of inquiring minds. So are messengers.
Warning: I am long winded when I get passionate.
While it may not have been immediately obvious to some, but maybe those close to the project and my heart - the Empyrean is firstly, a charitable organization.
I will make that clear first and foremost so that the rest of this (what is assuredly going to be a dissertation in white journal form) isn't misconstrued and I'll try to make this in digestible chunks.
--Income and Charity
The bulk of what we make here goes to charity. I have many projects lined up for this after we get up and running, but what I have earned through The Empyrean (roughly 20-30,000 silver though the precise figure escapes me currently) through the sales of the books I have written in conjunction with the Legate have gone directly toward its intended purpose: The rebuilding of Blackshore, and was released to my Baroness.
There are also only two copies left in the Lunaris (it was a limited supply), should one wish to purchase a copy. It is also available at the Gilded Page to read since Princess Reese bought and donated a copy to them.
--Income and Opportunity, Part 1: Entertainers
The portion of our income that doesn't go to charity will go toward providing an opportunity for entertainers of all stripes (not just Whispers, as in the Whisper House) to perform, earn silver, and make a name for themselves , although a Whisper has joined us in a part time basis and will be working with us on future performances.
I am honored to have the likes of her by my side (indeed - I am speechless and grateful beyond measure) and when it came to making her dream of the Bard's College real? I jumped at the chance.
Whispers are even invited and able to become members and entertain their guests in the members' area (as per the hospitality guidelines outlined to members of the Empyrean, they are able to bring guests into the members' area).
I look forward to future ties with them and working with them and while I am honored, I hope to be a place that takes an active interest in giving commoners as a whole a place to shine. As I said, Whispers are /more/ than welcome, but there are many entertainers in Arx that are not Whispers.
Just as there are more courtiers in Arx than exist within the sphere of the Whispers.
--Income and Opportunity, Part 2: Crafters
We prove a place where crafters can set up shop. For example, Mistress Giselle Caron is a fine perfumer and Master Nilos Latsis a master bookbinder (and dare I say the finest wig maker in all of Arx) and are setting up shop with us - with absolutely no start up costs, monthly fees, or other such strings. I even have a space I am making a point of keeping available to my sister, Mistress Thesbe Aryn, should she return to Arx and wish to fulfill her dream of becoming a seamstress with her own shop.
We also actively reach out to businesses to buy exclusive items specifically for the Empyrean to offer. For example, the cabaret's liquor is exclusively stock from Master Venturo Thayne's Raconteur. They are then sold at a profit to raise funds to pay employees and make donations.
Those that work with us are absolutely free to have their own, private shops - I'm not their mother (well, one is my sister) nor here to police their actions, but I understand what it is like to need a leg up, to have a 'family' and a community haven to collaborate with. That is the point of offering opportunity as a whole.
There's nothing more amazing than having a healthy, safe atmosphere in which to breed creativity, bond with fellow performers and creators and feed from each other's enthusiasm and help one another realize their dreams and aspirations. I know, because I was born a common bastard and was only recently afforded membership into the Peerage. While I thank Baroness Skye for this opportunity and hope that I am nothing but a boon to her home, I grew up singing for my supper. Unfortunately, many night I spent hungry. So did my sister. I personally would have flourished in a place like this. So would she. Maybe we wouldn't have been so hungry would we have had a place like this.
--Compare, Contrast
The Whisper House, by contrast has existed for many, many years and while we do offer services akin to theirs, perhaps or even the Observers if you want to stretch that far - neither one do it for a charitable purpose. The Observers work for the Crown and the Whisper House takes care of its own through similar means and all Whispers are Crownsworn to maintain neutrality. This is a tradition that reaches back far into their founding to make sure that a Whisper's allegiance remains untied to a specific House. I can't say we work toward only our House's goals, but we do bend over backward to be transparent and neutral, especially when collaborating with a number of Houses like with the upcoming trade route.
--Current Projects
*Helping Lord Aethan Kennex rebuild the Kennex Navy. Absolutely no cost to them, I have donated a portion of my time and a small accumulation of personal military writs and have committed myself to a little tour through
*Establishing a trade route. The purpose of which is to not only provide economic growth around Arvum but to strengthen ties between Houses in a general fashion. Currently, affirmatively, this includes 30 Houses/Organizations, with another 16 possible.
--Future Projects / Projects That Interest Me
*Princess Alarissa's Thursday's Child project (and generally the freeing of Thralls in Thrax)
*Rebuilding of Darkwater
*Celebration in conjunction with the Faith.
It should be mentioned I have had a lot on my plate and have reached out only to the Faith on these for my immediate focus remains trained on my current projects, before I take on many others.
*Seraceni Fund Raiser
*The opening of a new form of entertainment for Arx. Yes, something /unique/ that can't be found anywhere else in Arx. This is coming very soon.
--Personal Notes
Fredrik has told me numerous times he won't be taking a salary. Neither will I.
To get to this place, I worked my fingers to the /bone/ for a number of organizations and Houses to be able to afford what the Empyrean is today. I have sunk thousands of writs and possibly hundreds of thousands of silver making it into what it is.
Still, every copper it makes is moved on to projects that are bigger than me and my ego.
[*Amendment. I have received donations. Donations to Date: <~10 economic writs, courtesy Lord Jaerith Keaton.]
For clarity, I even refuse to use the weekly allowance that my House affords me on anything other than The Empyrean and living expenses (sadly, I still must eat).
Not even fancy dresses or the trappings of wealth. I have no dragontears to adorn my fingers with. I have no sea silk sheets on my bed. I own the two common cloth dresses I arrived with and one silk dress that Baron Audric de Lire gifted me. Well. The silver was the gift - you can't expect him to be /too/ thoughtful. But I wanted a nice dress in which to attend a ball (to which I was stood up) so that's what it went to. I have two pairs of common cloth shoes, one pair of tights, and a garter. I have one bottle of perfume gifted to me by Mayir Grayhope. And recently - I have gotten my first piece of jewelry which is wholly mine: my Bard's College pin.
At the end of the day, all I have is an organization I worked very hard for from the ground up to forge into something unique. That I am passionate about. I believe the sheer amount of novels I could write on what visions I have for The Empyrean could make the Gilded Page blush. Now, there are similarities, on the surface to a number of organizations (not just Whispers) but why not come peel back the mask and delve deeper? Maybe we have more to offer than what's on the surface. Maybe we are /different/ than the Whisper House. The Golden Hart. The Heart in Hand. The Observers. The Gilded Page.
--A Note on Competition
It doesn't have to be directly said that Whisper Natalia feels that we are some kind of threat to the Whisper House, but I don't see it that way. Natalia, there's no reason to feel this way. And Countess Reigna, please never think I would ever be offended at the offering of a sincere question.
There's more than enough room in the city for more than one courtier service (charitable or non). And if we are talking about competition I might bring up that Master Rook Grayward has the monopoly on the courtier market - not the Empyrean.
I would also like to point out that perhaps we wouldn't have been able to pass through the registration committee (I hear the committee is rather tight on these things) should we have been /too/ much like the Whisper House.
Rhetorically, I wonder...
Should the Raconteur feel threatened should another place sell ale? Or wine?
How about Lottie's Place, The Bakery, and Petal's Bakery?
Should we allow only one tailor in the city?
--A Note on Biting
I don't... and the door to the Empyrean is always open to those of inquiring minds. So are messengers.
Written By Harper
June 6, 2018, 5:32 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Adriana
With a description like that, I know where I'll be going to supper.
Written By Aureth
June 6, 2018, 5:23 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Bastien
Someone even needs to provide the average to subpar!
Written By Dycard
June 6, 2018, 5:22 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Adriana
Biscuits are hard and are best served at sea, at the bottom of a bowl of stew. Your savoury scones are very nice, but they are not biscuits.
Written By Adriana
June 6, 2018, 5:01 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harper
I do try not to comment in regards to journals written by others (it feels so very odd to be intruding on the thoughts and words of another person!) but scones are delightful. Slightly crispy outside, fluffy inside, and a treat when served right from the oven with the butter melting and the jam cold in contrast. I'd be more than happy to make anyone some biscuits or scones if they came by the Sleepless Knights.
Written By Harper
June 6, 2018, 4:59 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
I've never had scones, but all this talk of them is sure making me wish I had. Anything that goes with butter, jam, honey, and so on has to be good, right?
Written By Reigna
June 6, 2018, 4:57 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Fredrik
Thank you, Lord RedTyde for your time and explanations, the clarifications are certainly appreciated, as is your acceptance that I meant no offense, but was genuine in my questioning. I could, instead of asking, make assumptions (I do try to avoid those when I can) and operate out of continued ignorance, but truly that sort of thing is not something I am comfortable with -- which is why I tend to include notations about being uncertain of details when I am in fact, uncertain.
I do look forward to Lady Iseulet's additions to the conversation, but I feel that perhaps my queries might have been received by some as attacking, when no such malice exists. Confusion, certainly. I am well enough versed in Economics to understand the concepts of competition, but there were questions of social etiquette I was unclear on. Certainly Master Bastien's wisdom offers forth a need I had not considered, though I am positive the employees that work for the Empyrean will be well worth the coin charged.
I do look forward to Lady Iseulet's additions to the conversation, but I feel that perhaps my queries might have been received by some as attacking, when no such malice exists. Confusion, certainly. I am well enough versed in Economics to understand the concepts of competition, but there were questions of social etiquette I was unclear on. Certainly Master Bastien's wisdom offers forth a need I had not considered, though I am positive the employees that work for the Empyrean will be well worth the coin charged.
Written By Morrighan
June 6, 2018, 4:52 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
I want scones! I'll trade you something pretty for a dozen.
Written By Bastien
June 6, 2018, 4:48 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Not everyone can afford the best. Someone has to provide the middling.
Written By Fredrik
June 6, 2018, 4:29 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
From: Desk of Lord Fredrik RedTyde
Subject: Countess Reigna
I also want it noted that Countess Reigna is well within her rights to question the Empyrean, as an unknown arrival that does, at first blush, cast worrying duplication of service. These are her opinions, and as the Countess has a keen mind and fine wit, I invite her to place them out here, and of course to contact myself or Lady Iseulet for questions. Let this never become a place for browbeating, but for honest questions and answers, as well as lively debate (and of course poems, random thoughts, and the other lovely things people place in the Whites).
Subject: Countess Reigna
I also want it noted that Countess Reigna is well within her rights to question the Empyrean, as an unknown arrival that does, at first blush, cast worrying duplication of service. These are her opinions, and as the Countess has a keen mind and fine wit, I invite her to place them out here, and of course to contact myself or Lady Iseulet for questions. Let this never become a place for browbeating, but for honest questions and answers, as well as lively debate (and of course poems, random thoughts, and the other lovely things people place in the Whites).
Written By Aureth
June 6, 2018, 4:22 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Courtiers other than the Whispers have existed for hundreds of years. And yet!
Written By Clara
June 6, 2018, 4:22 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Subject: The Empyreans and Whispers
I think there are enough people in the world for both organizations to exist even if they were in slight competition. Unless I missed something and suddenly the population has decreased exponentially?
I think there are enough people in the world for both organizations to exist even if they were in slight competition. Unless I missed something and suddenly the population has decreased exponentially?
Written By Fredrik
June 6, 2018, 4:14 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
From: Desk of Lord Fredrik RedTyde
Subject: The Empyrean
I will leave the finer points of debate about services, competition, and the like to other minds. I will only offer a couple small points in reply to the Countess Reigna.
We invite, and have, Whispers who will be performing at the Empyrean. The Empyrean harbours no ill will or desire to destroy or compete with the Whispers in its business model, and if it becomes apparent that is occuring? It will change.
I do not, nor will I ever, receive any salary or compensation from the Empyrean of any substantial amount, or indeed of any amount I can forsee.
I do not own the Empyrean. I help to run it, and do so for no cost, and no benefit other than the opportunity to see the many faces of other fine people of Arx.
I will let Lady Iseulet speak for herself and the Empyrean at large, of course, but I do hope that this helps to alleviate any concerns that one might have about my own personage. I enjoy silver as much as the next person, and as much as I will be needing a veritable mountain of it to rebuild my home? I will not be getting it from formal work at the Empyrean.
Subject: The Empyrean
I will leave the finer points of debate about services, competition, and the like to other minds. I will only offer a couple small points in reply to the Countess Reigna.
We invite, and have, Whispers who will be performing at the Empyrean. The Empyrean harbours no ill will or desire to destroy or compete with the Whispers in its business model, and if it becomes apparent that is occuring? It will change.
I do not, nor will I ever, receive any salary or compensation from the Empyrean of any substantial amount, or indeed of any amount I can forsee.
I do not own the Empyrean. I help to run it, and do so for no cost, and no benefit other than the opportunity to see the many faces of other fine people of Arx.
I will let Lady Iseulet speak for herself and the Empyrean at large, of course, but I do hope that this helps to alleviate any concerns that one might have about my own personage. I enjoy silver as much as the next person, and as much as I will be needing a veritable mountain of it to rebuild my home? I will not be getting it from formal work at the Empyrean.
Written By Reigna
June 6, 2018, 4:12 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Lumen
I did not mean to imply that I thought this enterprise was a threat to Whisper House, not at all, in fact. I was simply questioning the need for such a similarly modeled enterprise when the Whisper House exists for just those purposes. Just as I might question someone seeking to establish another secular guild of Physicians.
There is also the issue that the owners and operators appear, from the available signage and information, to be of the Peerage. Typically when those of the Peerage set up shops it is with the understanding that these are not for-profit ventures. Lady Monique, for example, runs the Gilded Page but all proceeds are donated to charity, something she is very open about. I had not heard of such charity from the Empyrean, but I concede that does not mean they are not doing the same.
There is also the issue that the owners and operators appear, from the available signage and information, to be of the Peerage. Typically when those of the Peerage set up shops it is with the understanding that these are not for-profit ventures. Lady Monique, for example, runs the Gilded Page but all proceeds are donated to charity, something she is very open about. I had not heard of such charity from the Empyrean, but I concede that does not mean they are not doing the same.
Written By Eilonwy
June 6, 2018, 3:50 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
My birthday came and went. As it seems people write about such things in the city. I am glad it passed quietly and marks another year of relative safety in my life now as one of the bent.
Written By Itzal
June 6, 2018, 3:47 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
I just get more places to potentially play and sing. However, I shall be happy to visit the Whisper House more often, they have been excellent company last time I went!
Written By Lumen
June 6, 2018, 3:41 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reigna
Forgive me for saying and I mean this as no critique but 'direct competition' seems a very generous interpretation. Company kept is a subjective matter of taste. Personally, I'm of the mind that our world is more in need than ever before of levity and relaxation. To take one more such source as a threat instead of a thing to be embraced would... well, be nothing short of a tragedy.
Written By Reigna
June 6, 2018, 3:04 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
I am a bit confused by the services offered by this Empyrean place. They seem to be offering services traditionally offered by the Whisper House, and thus I am forced to be somewhat curious as to the reasons two nobles would feel the need to establish a secondary source of such services. And in truth the fact that this establishment is owned and operated by two members of the Peerage, in direct competition with the Whisper House seems... odd?
Perhaps there is something I am missing. I hope that I am.
Perhaps there is something I am missing. I hope that I am.
Written By Natalia
June 6, 2018, 2:37 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Wondering again if all of the peerage is aware of Whisper House (no I'm not, clearly they aren't all aware).
How do any of them miss that we exist? I'm not really sure.
Irritating.
How do any of them miss that we exist? I'm not really sure.
Irritating.
Written By Pasquale
June 6, 2018, 2:08 p.m.(12/5/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Haizea
One of my new kin-by-oaths. Mirrormask. I wonder what she sees in the reflections. She says she wishes to build and create, which will have much utility on Nilanza right now. We shall see what we make of each other in the days to come.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.