Written By Rowan
March 27, 2017, 1:42 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)
I have never seen the like of the spirits' answer to our call. I have never seen so many in one place. If only it had not been for such dire circumstance. If only it had not been to the sound of troops moving in the distance and the onset of the fight. It is hard to take joy in seeing their faces in the smoke knowing the toll that was being paid at the gates below. Still...the image of the Stag in the fog charging the battle, the inspiring heat, I will never forget that.
I will never forget that I nearly lost my Tranquility. Nor that the Compact came together to hold the gates, to hold Arx.
The blood on the snow.
As the stories come in, I feel the weight of the numbers, of those lost - mortal and spirit alike, of the questions left in the wake of the fight. It is a night to drink to the fallen, to hold my children and those dear to me, and to thank the spirits they still breathe.
I will never forget that I nearly lost my Tranquility. Nor that the Compact came together to hold the gates, to hold Arx.
The blood on the snow.
As the stories come in, I feel the weight of the numbers, of those lost - mortal and spirit alike, of the questions left in the wake of the fight. It is a night to drink to the fallen, to hold my children and those dear to me, and to thank the spirits they still breathe.
Written By Rowan
March 26, 2017, 6:28 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
When I look to the spirits for strength and courage, I call to the spirit of the mighty bear.
When I look to the spirits for wisdom and foresight, I call to the spirit of the ancient owl.
When I look to the spirits for cunning and cleverness, I call to the spirit of the shrewd raven.
But when I look to the spirits for tenacity and perserverence, I call to the spirits of my ancestors, to the spirit of mankind. That is the nature of our spirit, the spirit that says 'There must be a way, and I will find it.' It is the spirit that says, 'Even beat and broken, I will rise again.'
When I look to the spirits for wisdom and foresight, I call to the spirit of the ancient owl.
When I look to the spirits for cunning and cleverness, I call to the spirit of the shrewd raven.
But when I look to the spirits for tenacity and perserverence, I call to the spirits of my ancestors, to the spirit of mankind. That is the nature of our spirit, the spirit that says 'There must be a way, and I will find it.' It is the spirit that says, 'Even beat and broken, I will rise again.'
Written By Rowan
March 26, 2017, 5:56 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Niamh
We each have our parts to play, I just wish that yours wasn't always, without fail, at the risk of your blood. Whether it's dueling for someone else's honor or rushing off to meet the enemy, it seems sometimes like you've got a damned deathwish. At least as the Minister of Agriculture it seemed like you might have been settling down some, might have stopped running ...I'm not even sure if it's to or away from something. But...well. That didn't last.
I'm glad you made it back in one piece. I'm glad for what more you'll go on to do. Glad for the opportunity to tell you the same as I do every time the next time you put your mortality on the line. 'Don't fuck this up.' What am I supposed to do without my little big sister if you do?
I'm glad you made it back in one piece. I'm glad for what more you'll go on to do. Glad for the opportunity to tell you the same as I do every time the next time you put your mortality on the line. 'Don't fuck this up.' What am I supposed to do without my little big sister if you do?
Written By Rowan
March 26, 2017, 12:25 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
Finicky Heron searched for breakfast along the banks of a river. Heron was proud and Heron was picky, and very little but the absolute best would do for breakfast. There were fish aplenty in the morning waters close to the shore, but none suited Heron.
Minnows tickled at Heron's legs, but Heron only said, 'Those tiny things are hardly fit for such regal creatures as me.'
Perch and Trout drifted lazily buy, supping on the plentiful minnows, but Heron found fault in those as well. 'So plain,' Heron lamented. 'I can't be bothered to bend my graceful neck for that.'
As the sun rose higher and warmed the river, the fish retreated to the deeper waters to find cool and rest with their full bellies. By lunch, Heron found himself settling, and gladly, on a tiny snail picked out of the mud to quiet the pangs in his stomach.
Minnows tickled at Heron's legs, but Heron only said, 'Those tiny things are hardly fit for such regal creatures as me.'
Perch and Trout drifted lazily buy, supping on the plentiful minnows, but Heron found fault in those as well. 'So plain,' Heron lamented. 'I can't be bothered to bend my graceful neck for that.'
As the sun rose higher and warmed the river, the fish retreated to the deeper waters to find cool and rest with their full bellies. By lunch, Heron found himself settling, and gladly, on a tiny snail picked out of the mud to quiet the pangs in his stomach.
Written By Rowan
March 19, 2017, 8:26 p.m.(2/14/1006 AR)
Most of my life has been lived playing to my strengths and endeavoring at what I know, what I was born to. My path has sprawled ahead of me straight and clear. Now I find my path at a fork. Down one is the expected. Down one I continue as I have for as many years as I have known Down another I pick up the mantle of student once more and learn new skills to fold into the old that I never thought I'd need and never had cause to study. One promises great things with more assurance. The other - greater things with harder rock to carve through. What would my ancestors think of me if I took the easy route? That is not what a Greenmarch does.
Written By Rowan
March 19, 2017, 8:06 p.m.(2/14/1006 AR)
Moths are well known to be drawn to the bright lights of the world. Most seek out candles and campfires and lanterns hanging on the streets. One young moth, however, became enamored with one particular bright star. The young moth's parents chided it. They encouraged it to turn its focus towards the more attainable and certain. The young moth was adamant though, and continued to chase the bright star. It never did reach the star, but by the time the young moth had become an old one, the chase had taken it far and wide, to see the world, to meet many souls, and down the road of a long and happy life while those moths that chased flames burnt their wings and died unable to fly.
Written By Rowan
March 17, 2017, 1:51 a.m.(2/9/1006 AR)
~Two shapes fill the bulk of the page. They are made with stylized lines akin to some runes, worked into the likeness of the heads of a doe and a wolf. Beneath the drawing, separate from the entry, are the words 'We might die if we fight. We will die if we don't.'~
It is difficult to let something held cherished go to a likely end. It is harder still to participate. There is no picking and choosing in service though; the high notes or the shit, they both must be taken up with the same dedication.
It is difficult to let something held cherished go to a likely end. It is harder still to participate. There is no picking and choosing in service though; the high notes or the shit, they both must be taken up with the same dedication.
Written By Rowan
March 12, 2017, 5:24 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
It has come to my attention that some number of the nobility have had concerns for the nature of the battle totem left outside the Rectory. I will have to remember to account for the sense of perfectly understandable paranoia in Arx when making gifts to the Faith, or anyone else for that matter, in the future. I'll get the hang of expectations in the Compact one of these years. Maybe.
Written By Rowan
March 12, 2017, 11:11 a.m.(1/27/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Fortunato
There's a shine about some people, a substance and a quality. I have only met Master Fortunato a couple of times, but I have come away from each meeting with a respect and an intrigue, and a sense of time well spent. I don't believe the artist has a wasted breath to be had.
Written By Rowan
March 12, 2017, 10:44 a.m.(1/27/1006 AR)
An eagle, a cat, and a wild sow shared a tall tree for their home. The eagle kept her next in the highest bows, the cat in a hollow at its heart, and the sow amongst the roots.
The eagle and the sow had few occasions to encounter each other, and carried on life without concern for the other. The cat watched them both and spoke with them both about the other.
To the eagle, the cat asked, 'Have you seen the sow? The way she digs in the earth around the roots? She must mean to fall our tree to reach us and set upon our young.'
To the wild sow, she asked, 'Have you seen the eagle? The way she plucks young hares right out of their nest? Our little ones would be just as easy.'
When the cat went out into the world, having built up her own fears of her neighbors, she snuck about and hid herself and her kittens. The eagle and the wild sow, watching the cat, found her words even more worrisome. The eagle and the sow both resolved themselves not to leave their homes, lest the other make a go at setting upon their young.
Both the sow and the eagle, and their families, perished for hunger, and the cat made fine opportunity of their demise to provide for her own family on the meat of her neighbors' follies.
The eagle and the sow had few occasions to encounter each other, and carried on life without concern for the other. The cat watched them both and spoke with them both about the other.
To the eagle, the cat asked, 'Have you seen the sow? The way she digs in the earth around the roots? She must mean to fall our tree to reach us and set upon our young.'
To the wild sow, she asked, 'Have you seen the eagle? The way she plucks young hares right out of their nest? Our little ones would be just as easy.'
When the cat went out into the world, having built up her own fears of her neighbors, she snuck about and hid herself and her kittens. The eagle and the wild sow, watching the cat, found her words even more worrisome. The eagle and the sow both resolved themselves not to leave their homes, lest the other make a go at setting upon their young.
Both the sow and the eagle, and their families, perished for hunger, and the cat made fine opportunity of their demise to provide for her own family on the meat of her neighbors' follies.
Written By Rowan
March 5, 2017, 9:59 p.m.(1/14/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aldwin
I like the old man, for all we lead very different lives. He came into his position at a good time for those like me, that is certain. I do wish he'd speak more directly though. His language and mine - they vary at times. Misunderstandings can be made.
Just the same, I think I know now. I think I understand the Faith better. I have just the thing to pay the fee and honor the powers that be. I think you'll be pleased, Dominus.
Just the same, I think I know now. I think I understand the Faith better. I have just the thing to pay the fee and honor the powers that be. I think you'll be pleased, Dominus.
Written By Rowan
March 3, 2017, 5:34 p.m.(1/10/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
I would live in the Spring as long as I could. I would linger there and never truly grow, never truly change, in the thrill and the life of it. I will think back to the Spring often, and miss it I am sure. I will remember it with laughs and sly grins and warm smiles. I will remember the rain and the muddy path. It is difficult to leave behind, when I didn't recognize it for what it was for too long. I will not revisit this Spring again in anything but memory.
But Summer stretches out ahead with its own promises of growth, of long days to fill twisting roots deep into the earth before Autumn arrives. I welcome the Summer.
But Summer stretches out ahead with its own promises of growth, of long days to fill twisting roots deep into the earth before Autumn arrives. I welcome the Summer.
Written By Rowan
March 3, 2017, 5:23 p.m.(1/10/1006 AR)
The glade was home to a number of species - squirrel to bear, beetle to owl - and though they didn't always get along, most lived in a natural kind of harmony. There was one species though, above all others, that were loathed throughout the glade.
The peacocks.
The peacocks crowed and cawed at all hours. They made a great show of themselves as they strutted around and ensured that no ear in the glade did not hear of their granduer, their great well of insight, their magnificent bravado, and their rapier quick wit, even if it was rarely aimed to anyone but their own flock.
In all their cries to one another, they never noticed that the other animals of the glade did not agree.
One day one peacock found itself walking without the rest, and being the social beast it was, sought out the company of others in the glade. Some found excuse, some only scowled and turned away. Peacock became more confused and dismayed with each rejection. In time, the peacock found itself sulking by a creek and complaining at length to a weary old turtle.
The turtle listened with patience while the peacock lamented, 'Why do they all turn away rather than speak to me? Why do they not listen to my jokes and my cleverness?'
'Because they do not like peacocks,' the turtle told the peacock bluntly, being too old, and too tired, to cushion the blow.
'But why not? We are fantastic! Haven't they heard? We are the smartest and the funniest and the bravest in the glade,' the peacock protested.
'They have heard. They have all heard,' the turtle returned. 'You make sure no one could go a day without hearing it, but that doesn't make it true. Have you ever heard it once from outside your own flock?'
The peacocks.
The peacocks crowed and cawed at all hours. They made a great show of themselves as they strutted around and ensured that no ear in the glade did not hear of their granduer, their great well of insight, their magnificent bravado, and their rapier quick wit, even if it was rarely aimed to anyone but their own flock.
In all their cries to one another, they never noticed that the other animals of the glade did not agree.
One day one peacock found itself walking without the rest, and being the social beast it was, sought out the company of others in the glade. Some found excuse, some only scowled and turned away. Peacock became more confused and dismayed with each rejection. In time, the peacock found itself sulking by a creek and complaining at length to a weary old turtle.
The turtle listened with patience while the peacock lamented, 'Why do they all turn away rather than speak to me? Why do they not listen to my jokes and my cleverness?'
'Because they do not like peacocks,' the turtle told the peacock bluntly, being too old, and too tired, to cushion the blow.
'But why not? We are fantastic! Haven't they heard? We are the smartest and the funniest and the bravest in the glade,' the peacock protested.
'They have heard. They have all heard,' the turtle returned. 'You make sure no one could go a day without hearing it, but that doesn't make it true. Have you ever heard it once from outside your own flock?'
Written By Rowan
Feb. 25, 2017, 5:55 p.m.(12/26/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Fiachra
Prince Fucking Fiachra. Who'd have thought it. I know you're not there yet, and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to say it with a straight face, but I'm glad for you. I'll have to find a suitably flouncy shirt for you. I have no worries for you though, wherever your life may take you. You, more than any other, will always know the way back home.
Written By Rowan
Feb. 25, 2017, 5:41 p.m.(12/26/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirlys
Your path is one tangled with thorny brambles, descending into deep valleys, and climbing to the mountain peaks. I think that you've come to me - in all my lacking experience and wisdom - more than anyone else to be the shaman I am meant to be. I try. I am learning by you how to be what I am meant to be. I watch your highs and your lows, and I watch you cut your way through the brambles...I have no doubt that you'll overcome them all and be stronger at the end for it.
Written By Rowan
Feb. 24, 2017, 8:40 p.m.(12/24/1005 AR)
A hound, a wolf, and a fox sat at a tall hedge row, wondering between them what laid on the other side. Drought had stricken their land, and they could hear water running beyond the hedge. They could smell it on the air.
Wolf declared, "If we only run and jump the hedge, we can be on the other side."
Fox warned, "We don't know what is on the side. We should find a way through first, or ask Hawk to fly and tell us."
"There is no time! We'll all thirst to death first," Wolf returned.
"Rain will come eventually," said Hound. "We need only wait."
The three bickered between themselves for days, until their tongues were parched, until there was little time left. Wolf, urged to action, assured, "I will jump it and you will see. We'll have all the water we can drink. What else could it be but a river?" And so Wolf took a running blind leap over the hedge.
Hound and Fox listened through the hedge, but all they could hear was a howling growing fainter and fainter.
"There is nothing good beyond this hedge," Hound barked at Fox. "I will return home and wait for the masters to bring water. I have served them well, and they will surely provide." But the masters were just as thirsty, and would give nothing to Hound when they thirsted themselves, and Hound perished as well.
Fox, left alone, called out for Hawk, but Hawk had long since left while Fox bickered with Hound and Wolf. Fox was not willing to make the jump, and not willing to lay down and die, so Fox walked the hedges tirelessly until it found a place it could wriggle through. With cuts and scratches, Fox finally emerged at the other side.
A gorge stretched out before Fox. A great waterfall fell over one edge to a darkness below. Beyond the gorge was verdant green forests, the river that fed the falls, and a single narrow rope bridge - dangerous and frightening - but sound for cautious paws to cross.
Wolf declared, "If we only run and jump the hedge, we can be on the other side."
Fox warned, "We don't know what is on the side. We should find a way through first, or ask Hawk to fly and tell us."
"There is no time! We'll all thirst to death first," Wolf returned.
"Rain will come eventually," said Hound. "We need only wait."
The three bickered between themselves for days, until their tongues were parched, until there was little time left. Wolf, urged to action, assured, "I will jump it and you will see. We'll have all the water we can drink. What else could it be but a river?" And so Wolf took a running blind leap over the hedge.
Hound and Fox listened through the hedge, but all they could hear was a howling growing fainter and fainter.
"There is nothing good beyond this hedge," Hound barked at Fox. "I will return home and wait for the masters to bring water. I have served them well, and they will surely provide." But the masters were just as thirsty, and would give nothing to Hound when they thirsted themselves, and Hound perished as well.
Fox, left alone, called out for Hawk, but Hawk had long since left while Fox bickered with Hound and Wolf. Fox was not willing to make the jump, and not willing to lay down and die, so Fox walked the hedges tirelessly until it found a place it could wriggle through. With cuts and scratches, Fox finally emerged at the other side.
A gorge stretched out before Fox. A great waterfall fell over one edge to a darkness below. Beyond the gorge was verdant green forests, the river that fed the falls, and a single narrow rope bridge - dangerous and frightening - but sound for cautious paws to cross.
Written By Rowan
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:46 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
I was born shav, and lived over three-quarters of my life as such before - for a few vows and the flick of a quill - shav was exchanged for prodigal and 'Lord' was affixed to my name. I'm not certain that I will ever grow used to it.
Among the nobility, it does not bother me much. When one noble speaks it to another, it feels more like a nuance of language and little else. When I hear it on the lips of the common class, the language takes on a more uncomfortable suggestion. It feels a reminder that I am held in some higher regard by the world for no reason other than that my cousins married the right families and an agreement was made. There is an obligation to it, an unspoken note in the ring of it that they are well aware that they, and myself, have been dubbed different creatures by some intangible scale. By the same token, to ask to be only the name I came into the world with, it burdens them with social risk and confusion.
I never held dreams of nobility before being vaulted from a life I was happy and comfortable in to a life where I still feel like a child playing at pretend games. So if I should wince, if I should grunt or frown for an introduction...Have patience with me, Arx. I am still learning the steps to this dance.
Among the nobility, it does not bother me much. When one noble speaks it to another, it feels more like a nuance of language and little else. When I hear it on the lips of the common class, the language takes on a more uncomfortable suggestion. It feels a reminder that I am held in some higher regard by the world for no reason other than that my cousins married the right families and an agreement was made. There is an obligation to it, an unspoken note in the ring of it that they are well aware that they, and myself, have been dubbed different creatures by some intangible scale. By the same token, to ask to be only the name I came into the world with, it burdens them with social risk and confusion.
I never held dreams of nobility before being vaulted from a life I was happy and comfortable in to a life where I still feel like a child playing at pretend games. So if I should wince, if I should grunt or frown for an introduction...Have patience with me, Arx. I am still learning the steps to this dance.
Written By Rowan
Feb. 19, 2017, 8:03 a.m.(12/13/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Muiryn
More than the hunt, more than than the fight, more than giving our fallen to the roots, more than walking away from the old growth and not knowing if we'd ever see it standing the way we left it again... More than all the many challenges we've put behind us...How is it that simple words have been the hardest thing to overcome?
Written By Rowan
Feb. 15, 2017, 9:55 p.m.(12/6/1005 AR)
The Storm rolled across the lands. It followed the winds and traveled from sea to mountain. Sometimes it raged violently and sent man and beast alike running for shelter. Other times, it rolled lazily and rumbled contented thunder while its lightning lit up the clouds in shakes of rose gold and silver.
One summer day, Storm blew across a parched Lake. Lake was tranquil and still, so glassy that Storm could see itself reflected back. Life blossomed around Lake, even with its shores so diminished. The Storm lingered with the Lake. It reached for Lake with rains until Lake's waters all but overflowed. Lake reached for Storm with the evening mists and the morning dew.
Storm gentled to linger, ignoring the winds that traveled in favor of staying with Lake, partings its clouds by day to grant Lake the sun's light. Lake became more bold, its surface pulled to waves by the steady winds. When Storm grew weak, Lake gave to it, and when Lake started to dwindle, Storm gave it rain.
When a strong wind came and blew Storm far from Lake, Storm's sorrow flooded the valleys, and Storm's rage could be seen for miles strikes at the tall trees. In time Storm calmed again. It found its own strength again, but never again found anything like the tranquil Lake wherever it blew. Lake danced with the strong Wind, but the Wind could not feed the Lake, and Lake returned to wanting for rain when the traveling winds did not bring it.
One summer day, Storm blew across a parched Lake. Lake was tranquil and still, so glassy that Storm could see itself reflected back. Life blossomed around Lake, even with its shores so diminished. The Storm lingered with the Lake. It reached for Lake with rains until Lake's waters all but overflowed. Lake reached for Storm with the evening mists and the morning dew.
Storm gentled to linger, ignoring the winds that traveled in favor of staying with Lake, partings its clouds by day to grant Lake the sun's light. Lake became more bold, its surface pulled to waves by the steady winds. When Storm grew weak, Lake gave to it, and when Lake started to dwindle, Storm gave it rain.
When a strong wind came and blew Storm far from Lake, Storm's sorrow flooded the valleys, and Storm's rage could be seen for miles strikes at the tall trees. In time Storm calmed again. It found its own strength again, but never again found anything like the tranquil Lake wherever it blew. Lake danced with the strong Wind, but the Wind could not feed the Lake, and Lake returned to wanting for rain when the traveling winds did not bring it.
Written By Rowan
Feb. 12, 2017, 7:11 p.m.(11/28/1005 AR)
A gaunt and starving wolf, half dead with hunger, met a hunting hound at the edge of the wood. "Cousin!" said the hound. "I always knew this would be your fate. Your wild and unpredictable life will be the ruin of you. Why don't you work steady as I do, and have your food given to you?"
Wolf thought about it and the pain in his gut and said, "I am desperate. I would have no objection, if only I could find a place."
"That is easy enough," said the hound. "Come with me to meet my master, and you can share in my work. He'll show you just how to do everything."
So Wolf and Hound went together to the master's estate. On their way, Wolf noticed a worn place around the Hound's neck where the fur would not grow. He asked the hound how it had come about.
"It is nothing," Hound assured the Wolf. "It is only where my master puts the collar to chain me up. It chafes a little, but one soon gets used to it."
"Is that all - " said Wolf, as he turned and returned to the woods.
Wolf thought about it and the pain in his gut and said, "I am desperate. I would have no objection, if only I could find a place."
"That is easy enough," said the hound. "Come with me to meet my master, and you can share in my work. He'll show you just how to do everything."
So Wolf and Hound went together to the master's estate. On their way, Wolf noticed a worn place around the Hound's neck where the fur would not grow. He asked the hound how it had come about.
"It is nothing," Hound assured the Wolf. "It is only where my master puts the collar to chain me up. It chafes a little, but one soon gets used to it."
"Is that all - " said Wolf, as he turned and returned to the woods.
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