Written By Sigurd
Feb. 19, 2017, 9:55 p.m.(12/15/1005 AR)
Attended the Memorial for some time for my Duchess Nadia.
So many spoke of her in glowing terms, but that is not how I remember her. Not as a Duchess. Not as a warrior or a general or a leader.
I only remember the little girl with rosegold curls, a stubborn scowl on her face as she got up after being tossed by that horse /again/, cussing her heart out and storming up to the beast, as if to cow it with her stare.
I remember that same girl, hefting a sword almost as long as she was, insisting she was big enough to use it, despite her father and mine's assertions she could wait. She never liked waiting.
I grew up with Nadia. I was almost a brother to her, rather than a cousin. I watched her grow, because I grew with her. I watched her inherit her Duchy with almost no training, and do her best to do well by it. Whatever else she was, she had a good soul, and I will never forget that.
I'm sorry, Nadia. I would have been there, had I known. That will haunt me forever.
But the memory of your fierceness, your love, and your wonderful smile and forever optimism...That will stay in me forever as well.
Goodbye.
So many spoke of her in glowing terms, but that is not how I remember her. Not as a Duchess. Not as a warrior or a general or a leader.
I only remember the little girl with rosegold curls, a stubborn scowl on her face as she got up after being tossed by that horse /again/, cussing her heart out and storming up to the beast, as if to cow it with her stare.
I remember that same girl, hefting a sword almost as long as she was, insisting she was big enough to use it, despite her father and mine's assertions she could wait. She never liked waiting.
I grew up with Nadia. I was almost a brother to her, rather than a cousin. I watched her grow, because I grew with her. I watched her inherit her Duchy with almost no training, and do her best to do well by it. Whatever else she was, she had a good soul, and I will never forget that.
I'm sorry, Nadia. I would have been there, had I known. That will haunt me forever.
But the memory of your fierceness, your love, and your wonderful smile and forever optimism...That will stay in me forever as well.
Goodbye.
Written By Sigurd
Feb. 14, 2017, 1:50 a.m.(12/3/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadia
My cousin is dead.
My Duchess is dead.
These words chase themselves around and around in my head, like starving wolves chasing their own tails, leading nowhere.
Why didn't you listen? Why were you there? How did you fall? Why the hells wasn't I there to save you?
My Duchess is dead.
These words chase themselves around and around in my head, like starving wolves chasing their own tails, leading nowhere.
Why didn't you listen? Why were you there? How did you fall? Why the hells wasn't I there to save you?
Written By Sigurd
Feb. 12, 2017, 8:33 p.m.(11/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Percephon
Nosy, opinionated, and stubborn. A perfect man of the Faith and a perfect Scholar. And a good comrade for what was surely one of the strangest missions I have ever been on. And that's saying something.
Written By Sigurd
Feb. 12, 2017, 8:33 p.m.(11/28/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Jackson
He brought rum into Nightgold lands and called my men 'boyo'. Said a prayer over those he did not need to. I hardly know the man, even after a week with only him and two others for company, but that alone warrants some respect.
Written By Sigurd
Feb. 5, 2017, 12:22 p.m.(11/9/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Calathane
An interesting fellow. A decent head on his shoulders, if he can remove them from being buried in between the...preoccupations that this city has to offer. Not that I am one to judge, mind! Been down that path very often myself, which is why I am warnin-Scholar, stop squinting at me- warning the fellow to focus on his word.
Yes, that first part was a play on words, you daft man.
Yes, that first part was a play on words, you daft man.
Written By Sigurd
Feb. 5, 2017, 12:16 p.m.(11/9/1005 AR)
Met a lovely young woman by the name of Luna today. Had no shoes! I know the situation in the city is desperate at times, especially for people in the lower Boroughs, but this did bring it home more than the day usually does. I took her to get some boots made at the shop of my excellent friend Morrighan. It's just across from the Bank, I'd really recommend it for anyone looking for good clothing this winter.
She also had a pet 'performing bear'. I admit, that was a new one for me.
She also had a pet 'performing bear'. I admit, that was a new one for me.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 28, 2017, 3:45 a.m.(10/12/1005 AR)
Sleep comes slow tonight, as it does so often these days. The days are filled with tales of monsters and treachery and intrigue, and the nights are filled with worry.
Worry about what tomorrow brings. Worry about things slipping out of our grasp. Or is it that they already have? Worry about seeing another dawn.
What is truth? What is a lie? What can we do to even tell the difference? Would that matter?
And most of all, they are filled with the fear of loss. Those already lost. Those in danger of being taken. Those will are even now being put in danger.
The comfort is next to me. The peace is offered. But the thoughts remain, etched into me like a knife across granite. Shallow now, but if they continue...
Worry about what tomorrow brings. Worry about things slipping out of our grasp. Or is it that they already have? Worry about seeing another dawn.
What is truth? What is a lie? What can we do to even tell the difference? Would that matter?
And most of all, they are filled with the fear of loss. Those already lost. Those in danger of being taken. Those will are even now being put in danger.
The comfort is next to me. The peace is offered. But the thoughts remain, etched into me like a knife across granite. Shallow now, but if they continue...
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 26, 2017, 12:13 p.m.(10/7/1005 AR)
{From a visit to the suite of Sigurd Nightgold}
Come closer, scholar. Do not mind the dark, I prefer it tonight...Hmm? Not, I do not need a fire. We are used to the chill, it helps build character, or at least that is the excuse we use.
Do you see this? It's a thread. So very simple, isn't it? And so very much like us. So very thin and fragile by itself, weaving in and out of other threads, bonding to form new ones, together weaving this enormous tapestry. It is..Remarkable, when I sit and consider it. And much like such strands of thread, it is so easy for us to fray. To be cut short. Or to simply end, in the span and timing of the grand design. I sit here, this strand in one hand, and my bottle in the other, and I think of the hundreds of threads I have seen cut. Little tears and rips in the design. My fault, many of them. Or my design. Or do I fool myself into thinking that? Is any of it really my choice?
Will my thread bond to another and produce more strands? A thread is flexible, but in the end, so much of its journey is determined by others. Another thread may tangle with it for some time and then stray away again. Or may brush, and then fade. Or they may be joined together and become stronger, the different colors melding into each other to form something that would never have happened separately. Sometimes this is hard. The two threads can be so different in texture and color and shape that at first they seem to chafe, or to be doomed to form an inferior design and be pulled apart, each content to their own fine design. And sometimes this happens. But sometimes..Something new and very exciting is made, each part unique and complimenting the other. Equals made one new equation. Only time may tell..Well, time and the current market for luxury textiles.
So many threads. So many cut short, each one an infinity of potential new strands throughout the design. Now nothing. Damn this war we must fight.
Leave me, scholar. Leave me to my drinks, and my thoughts.
Come closer, scholar. Do not mind the dark, I prefer it tonight...Hmm? Not, I do not need a fire. We are used to the chill, it helps build character, or at least that is the excuse we use.
Do you see this? It's a thread. So very simple, isn't it? And so very much like us. So very thin and fragile by itself, weaving in and out of other threads, bonding to form new ones, together weaving this enormous tapestry. It is..Remarkable, when I sit and consider it. And much like such strands of thread, it is so easy for us to fray. To be cut short. Or to simply end, in the span and timing of the grand design. I sit here, this strand in one hand, and my bottle in the other, and I think of the hundreds of threads I have seen cut. Little tears and rips in the design. My fault, many of them. Or my design. Or do I fool myself into thinking that? Is any of it really my choice?
Will my thread bond to another and produce more strands? A thread is flexible, but in the end, so much of its journey is determined by others. Another thread may tangle with it for some time and then stray away again. Or may brush, and then fade. Or they may be joined together and become stronger, the different colors melding into each other to form something that would never have happened separately. Sometimes this is hard. The two threads can be so different in texture and color and shape that at first they seem to chafe, or to be doomed to form an inferior design and be pulled apart, each content to their own fine design. And sometimes this happens. But sometimes..Something new and very exciting is made, each part unique and complimenting the other. Equals made one new equation. Only time may tell..Well, time and the current market for luxury textiles.
So many threads. So many cut short, each one an infinity of potential new strands throughout the design. Now nothing. Damn this war we must fight.
Leave me, scholar. Leave me to my drinks, and my thoughts.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 22, 2017, 1:44 p.m.(9/24/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Calypso
A woman with a fine head on her shoulders. A fine tactician, an interesting (if sometimes blunt) conversationalist, and, far more importantly? She has the makings of a fine Minister of Defense. She is decisive when she needs to be, listens to other's advice when the time for discussion is here, and does not waste time on idle pleasantries when there is work to be done. I look forward to working more with her in the future.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 22, 2017, 9:58 a.m.(9/23/1005 AR)
I recently joined a new organization, that of the Defense Ministry.
Normally, I am a man who, while appreciating the fact such organizations must exist in our form of governing, really regard them with a bit of a roll of my eyes. After all, almost all of them are simply made-up things designed to keep idle nobles busy and feeling important about themselves. But this seems different. This seems...Important.
I was not only treated to a new Bevy of information (thank you, Prince Tristram, for organizing this so well), but I was also able to discuss and influence, in depth, strategies and innovation and practical theory about our ongoing efforts against the Bringers, and our other enemies. I feel very good about this at present. Calypso seems to have a good, decisive head on her shoulders, and the others, while diverse, all have the same aim and goal: the destruction of our enemies, and developing the means to do so.
This is a good start. Now to ensure it is a good finish.
Normally, I am a man who, while appreciating the fact such organizations must exist in our form of governing, really regard them with a bit of a roll of my eyes. After all, almost all of them are simply made-up things designed to keep idle nobles busy and feeling important about themselves. But this seems different. This seems...Important.
I was not only treated to a new Bevy of information (thank you, Prince Tristram, for organizing this so well), but I was also able to discuss and influence, in depth, strategies and innovation and practical theory about our ongoing efforts against the Bringers, and our other enemies. I feel very good about this at present. Calypso seems to have a good, decisive head on her shoulders, and the others, while diverse, all have the same aim and goal: the destruction of our enemies, and developing the means to do so.
This is a good start. Now to ensure it is a good finish.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 20, 2017, 4:29 p.m.(9/18/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Lianne
How can I begin to explain Lianne?
I met her while on an interesting expedition near my lands, where she gushed over my wolf (yes, the direwolf, scholar, don't smirk like that). We did not find what we were looking for, but I came back to Arx with an interest and a desire to get to know this woman better every day.
She is a keen mind, certainly. She challenges me, and I do to her. She speaks with passion on that which interests her, she speaks with the subtle power and grace of her heritage, while maintaining an utterly calm and firm idea of who she is as a strong, independent woman. Her depths are like the oceans near her homeland, shimmering even in the dark, warm and yet dangerous in the extreme, if they are treated poorly. There is no end to the delights she has already shown me and will continue to in the future that we have set upon. I cannot envision my life without you, and would not wish to. You are your own woman, while still being my Light.
I am looking forward to the road before us, even if we know some of the destinations. The ones we do not fill me with hope and amusement and a bit of fear. And I would not have it any other way.
I met her while on an interesting expedition near my lands, where she gushed over my wolf (yes, the direwolf, scholar, don't smirk like that). We did not find what we were looking for, but I came back to Arx with an interest and a desire to get to know this woman better every day.
She is a keen mind, certainly. She challenges me, and I do to her. She speaks with passion on that which interests her, she speaks with the subtle power and grace of her heritage, while maintaining an utterly calm and firm idea of who she is as a strong, independent woman. Her depths are like the oceans near her homeland, shimmering even in the dark, warm and yet dangerous in the extreme, if they are treated poorly. There is no end to the delights she has already shown me and will continue to in the future that we have set upon. I cannot envision my life without you, and would not wish to. You are your own woman, while still being my Light.
I am looking forward to the road before us, even if we know some of the destinations. The ones we do not fill me with hope and amusement and a bit of fear. And I would not have it any other way.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 15, 2017, 9:25 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirlys
I am used to meeting people who are odd or eccentric, but Eirlys was a first.
She is lovely, amusing, friendly, and even charming. I look forward to sparring her in the near future.
But I have never had a woman start to strip five minutes after meeting me. Nice tattoos though. Very well done.
She is lovely, amusing, friendly, and even charming. I look forward to sparring her in the near future.
But I have never had a woman start to strip five minutes after meeting me. Nice tattoos though. Very well done.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 14, 2017, 8:04 p.m.(9/1/1005 AR)
My brother soon returns. For all of the...Issues we have had in the past? He is a powerful intellect, a fierce will, and a keenly perceptive one. I, and my House, will have need of all of those qualities and more before all is said and done.
And I need him, more than I might otherwise admit, were I not into my second bottle of this delightful whiskey. Buy smart, buy Nightgold Whiskey.
And I need him, more than I might otherwise admit, were I not into my second bottle of this delightful whiskey. Buy smart, buy Nightgold Whiskey.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 8, 2017, 1:57 p.m.(8/10/1005 AR)
As I sit here, surrounded by missives and reports and proclamations of these dire events, and all the myriad of things people have to say about them, I worry that /this/ is the danger of our new system.
Too many voices. Too many voices, all with more voices in their ears. A multitude of different aims and different goals. Oh, perhaps the same overarching states goal: to save Arx and Arvum. But the idea for '/how/ to do that? We are of as many minds as there are stars in the sky.
It is the enemy of progress. I only hope that our esteemed leaders realize this and can be strong. especially now.
Too many voices. Too many voices, all with more voices in their ears. A multitude of different aims and different goals. Oh, perhaps the same overarching states goal: to save Arx and Arvum. But the idea for '/how/ to do that? We are of as many minds as there are stars in the sky.
It is the enemy of progress. I only hope that our esteemed leaders realize this and can be strong. especially now.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 7, 2017, 3:44 a.m.(8/6/1005 AR)
I know some might say this is a small matter, not worthy of committing ink to paper in the middle of such awful tragedies as have happened in recent days, but I feel the responsibility to do so.
When the uprising was happening, I, along with Blitz, went out to ensure that Nadia and the other Nightgolds outside of the Ward were safe and protected. I did this out of duty, not a desire to cause bloodshed.
But bloodshed we found. Two 'Guardsmen' looting near the Redrain gates. Some poor townsman's house, who had little to begin with. I tried to reason with them, but they were in no mood to reason, even seeing myself and Blitz armed and armored so.
If anyone knows their names, so that I might contact their families and try to assist them in these dark times, please let me know. If they had wives and especially children, they are blameless in this. Those men deserved what they received from me, but there are always those left behind. I am certain we are all becoming much too aware of this.
I still cannot say what is certain. What needed to be done versus what is being done. But in the end, it matters little. We just have to deal with the consequences and try to keep this city alive. Keep our Houses alive. Keep our /Race/ alive. What we fight for is no less than that.
When the uprising was happening, I, along with Blitz, went out to ensure that Nadia and the other Nightgolds outside of the Ward were safe and protected. I did this out of duty, not a desire to cause bloodshed.
But bloodshed we found. Two 'Guardsmen' looting near the Redrain gates. Some poor townsman's house, who had little to begin with. I tried to reason with them, but they were in no mood to reason, even seeing myself and Blitz armed and armored so.
If anyone knows their names, so that I might contact their families and try to assist them in these dark times, please let me know. If they had wives and especially children, they are blameless in this. Those men deserved what they received from me, but there are always those left behind. I am certain we are all becoming much too aware of this.
I still cannot say what is certain. What needed to be done versus what is being done. But in the end, it matters little. We just have to deal with the consequences and try to keep this city alive. Keep our Houses alive. Keep our /Race/ alive. What we fight for is no less than that.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 6, 2017, 5:43 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
So many questions..
Why did nobody pursue whether the Nox,alfar would heal King Alaric of his curse after my High Lord Darren made the question? Why did Dawn even gather this assembly and, more importantly, take all these votes, only to inform us that it is a matter already taken care of for the most part. Why in the HELLS are why ennobling someone who was an agent of an agency that was presented at length to be our abject enemy? Yes, I like what I have seen of Samanth-oh excuse me, Ivy- as a person, but she was /lying/ to us the entire time, and our response is to ennoble her for it? If there are reasons, people deserve to know, it is a concern for all.
Why couldn't the Nox'alfar have just found 13 shavs? You can't tell me that, between here and the Gray Forest, there aren't 13 shavs they could have found to do this. Is this their way of punishing us? Who is supposed to be marrying into a group like that? It's just an enormous mound of shit, and no clear reason why it's sitting on our lawn.
But I will obey my Prince's commands. I will be a loyal man of our House. I just..This is, from my history lessons, the part of the story where the words 'precipitating circumstances' get thrown around a lot, right before the map gets crowded with flags and arrows.
Why did nobody pursue whether the Nox,alfar would heal King Alaric of his curse after my High Lord Darren made the question? Why did Dawn even gather this assembly and, more importantly, take all these votes, only to inform us that it is a matter already taken care of for the most part. Why in the HELLS are why ennobling someone who was an agent of an agency that was presented at length to be our abject enemy? Yes, I like what I have seen of Samanth-oh excuse me, Ivy- as a person, but she was /lying/ to us the entire time, and our response is to ennoble her for it? If there are reasons, people deserve to know, it is a concern for all.
Why couldn't the Nox'alfar have just found 13 shavs? You can't tell me that, between here and the Gray Forest, there aren't 13 shavs they could have found to do this. Is this their way of punishing us? Who is supposed to be marrying into a group like that? It's just an enormous mound of shit, and no clear reason why it's sitting on our lawn.
But I will obey my Prince's commands. I will be a loyal man of our House. I just..This is, from my history lessons, the part of the story where the words 'precipitating circumstances' get thrown around a lot, right before the map gets crowded with flags and arrows.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 3, 2017, 12:32 p.m.(7/23/1005 AR)
Well, that was a viciously exhausting day. Two rounds, and I am left beaten and bruised, with my stamina at its end.
As I lay in my suite trying to recover with the aid of a kind soul, I received a missive. It read simply
"If it makes you feel better, you lasted much, much, much longer than Anze."
I am uncertain how to feel about this, but I think the questions can wait until I can move properly again.
As I lay in my suite trying to recover with the aid of a kind soul, I received a missive. It read simply
"If it makes you feel better, you lasted much, much, much longer than Anze."
I am uncertain how to feel about this, but I think the questions can wait until I can move properly again.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 2, 2017, 10:15 p.m.(7/21/1005 AR)
I have heard that Mydas has recently settled all of our debts and troubles back home (at least on the financial side of things) and is making ready to return. I may already have my scouts and patrols out looking for trouble, but I still will not rest easy until my brother is safely back at my side where I can keep watch over him. Family is everything, especially in these dark times.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 1, 2017, 11:16 p.m.(7/18/1005 AR)
It has been several months since I arrived in Arx now, and I can honestly say this city is not what I expected. It is far more, and far less, than what I was led to believe.
It is more, in the respect that I have learned more about the other Houses, and other ways of life, than I have ever thought possible. The ideals and passions fought for have a depth and nobility about them. Yes, even occasionally Thrax, for all their...Issues, a couple of them have a bit of nobleness and honor about them. A couple, mind. Even the Valardin? Some are not as straight-backed as I have been led to believe.
It is less in that there is still all the old problems that you have whenever you try to get more than three or four nobles in a room. So much deceit, backstabbing, doubletalk, and soft fancy talk. Okay...Okay, maybe I have been guilty of some of that myself. One does what one must to survive here. But I can only hope that when the proverbial shit hits the proverbial wall, we can figure out how to work together to take care of it, or there will be a hell of a mess.
It is more, in the respect that I have learned more about the other Houses, and other ways of life, than I have ever thought possible. The ideals and passions fought for have a depth and nobility about them. Yes, even occasionally Thrax, for all their...Issues, a couple of them have a bit of nobleness and honor about them. A couple, mind. Even the Valardin? Some are not as straight-backed as I have been led to believe.
It is less in that there is still all the old problems that you have whenever you try to get more than three or four nobles in a room. So much deceit, backstabbing, doubletalk, and soft fancy talk. Okay...Okay, maybe I have been guilty of some of that myself. One does what one must to survive here. But I can only hope that when the proverbial shit hits the proverbial wall, we can figure out how to work together to take care of it, or there will be a hell of a mess.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 1, 2017, 10:57 p.m.(7/18/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadia
My darling cousin. She is so sweet on the surface of things, but underneath, there are dark depths. Perhaps this is the reason for her close friendship with some Thraxians? Regardless, a more fine cousin I could not ask for, and I am not merely saying that because Cassius managed to recently best me (barely) in the sparring ring. No, she has been most generous with both time and effort since my arrival in Arx, and I look forward to working with her more in the future.
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