Written By Kaldur
April 12, 2018, 8:19 p.m.(7/16/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Fianna
Written By Kaldur
April 12, 2018, 8:19 p.m.(7/16/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Felix
Written By Kaldur
April 3, 2018, 4:38 p.m.(6/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Wynna
Written By Kaldur
March 30, 2018, 6:32 p.m.(6/17/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Eilonwy
Written By Kaldur
March 28, 2018, 8:39 p.m.(6/12/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mirari
Written By Kaldur
March 28, 2018, 8:38 p.m.(6/12/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
Written By Kaldur
March 26, 2018, 11:49 p.m.(6/8/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Orrin
Written By Kaldur
March 22, 2018, 4:18 p.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Samantha
Written By Kaldur
March 22, 2018, 4:15 p.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Oona
Written By Kaldur
March 20, 2018, 3:02 p.m.(5/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
Written By Kaldur
March 20, 2018, 2:29 p.m.(5/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Peri
Written By Kaldur
March 20, 2018, 2:24 p.m.(5/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
Written By Kaldur
March 19, 2018, 5:55 p.m.(5/21/1008 AR)
My dear sister and Commander is alive, though wounded. I doubt I would have survived the day had she fallen. And so many did not live to see the next gray and smoke-smudged dawn. They call it a victory. This victory tastes of ash and blood.
The Seliki fleet, vanguard of our forces, is destroyed all save the Golden Pearl.
Rumors of visions are on the lips of people, ensconced in the sacred archives. A larger force. Coming. Soon. The Gyre's response to a taunt cast in his teeth. As if the Gyre were waiting for a taunt to bring his forces to bear. As if the Gyre has friends.
It is easy for me to say - young, unproven, unwed, from a humble House - that we have much more to gain remembering that we do have friends. That we have bonds stronger than fear.
-----
I stood at the sea wall this morning and watched the waves crash. Gulls squawked and squabbled over a body washed up upon the rocks. A man. I couldn't make his House or allegiance so I climbed down to see, hoping to recognize something so that his family could know what befell him at Setarco.
Crab-chewed and gull-pecked, he was the enemy. Gaunt and starved. Stubbled. This man chose to sail under Gyre's banner. Skald's greatest gift to us is free will... What did this man look upon in his life that this was what he chose? We are taught that there is always a choice. Brothers and sisters, I pray we never face a choice is no choice at all. A choice like this man faced.
I stood, watching scavengers scuttle over the man's body and wondered. Were there any waiting for his return? Any sons or daughters hoping for their father's silhouette in the doorframe? A mother looking up from her labors, heart in her throat, at the sound of footfalls upon the path.
Us? We will carry word of the fallen to their loved ones. Bitter words, full of sadness. They will be mourned. And we will rebuild. Together. Who will mourn this man? There are none to carry the words home. I do not know his name. I cannot -- should not -- describe his face.
I stooped to say words over him. I cannot let him be buried next to my people, who he stood against, but I won't let his spirit linger without a prayer to guide him on. Crossing hands over his chest, I noted a strange scar on the back of his hand. Callused. Likely a sailor. The scar is strange and livid against his skin. Shaped like a hook. Should any read this who knew this man... he will not come home to you. The Gyre sent him to his death. And now I send him to his reward, with a prayer that he may find the peace he did not have in life.
This does not feel like victory.
Written By Kaldur
Oct. 15, 2017, 11:26 p.m.(5/27/1007 AR)
Written By Kaldur
Oct. 1, 2017, 6:39 p.m.(4/26/1007 AR)
Written By Kaldur
July 20, 2017, 12:05 p.m.(11/14/1006 AR)
Dearest sister,
I hope this letter finds you happy and well in Pearlspire, and that the troubles that continue to plague the Compact are held at bay there for the time being. Please give my love and respect to father and grandmother; I did not have time to get a letter out to each of them this week, focusing instead on getting this one to you.
I am writing to let you know that there is a Society of Explorers here in Arx! These men and women have made it their mission to expand our knowledge of the world, bet it by mapping new places, exploring known ruins, or unearthing knowledge that has been long thought lost. These expeditions are sometimes funded by noble houses and wealthy individuals, but also by the Society itself when they discover leads that are important to follow. As they grow in influence and stature, they are working on procuring equipment and resources like gear and ships to ensure that their members have what they need to succeed.
This is not to say the work is not dangerous. It is, I think, very dangerous, and one of the Explorers mentioned the discovery of demon wolves the size of bears only a day's ride from Arx! Talk about a discovery. As dangerous as it is, it is also important work, which is something new that I have come to understand; if rumors are to be believed many of the Compact's recent successes have been influenced by knowledge the Society has unearthed in recent years.
You can probably see right through my attempts to lure you to Arx. You have always been clear-sighted that way. Still, I hope you will consider it. I know that as father's heir you are not as free as you might be to do all of the exploring for which your soul longs. Still, I think the Society would be willing to work with you to find a place where you could satisfy your longings while also seeing to responsibilities. And where better to do that than here in in the capitol? There is currently no bar to entry for the Society, though they are considering requesting some basic competency based on the danger of the work. Nonetheless, I know they would be both glad and lucky to have you. My contacts there are Lady Aislin, Lady Lou (who doesn't like the 'lady' part), and Prince Mason, Graysons all.
I miss you and hope you will come to join me here, but in the meanwhile, please write and let me know how everything is at home.
Your brother,
Kaldur
Written By Kaldur
July 1, 2017, 2:30 p.m.(10/5/1006 AR)
Marquessa Deepwood would have me try my hand at diplomacy, something that frightens me, and so I welcome it. The rush of life that comes from jumping off a cliff into the sea, and the hammer-hard pulsing of my heart at the prospect of speaking to powerful figures withing House Thrax are remarkably similar. Both could easily kill me, I suppose. In both, however, I am reminded of the joy of being alive and of the rewards of freedom.
Speaking of freedom, I continue to explore my evolving interest in Skald, the god of First Choice. A recent visit to the temple yielded an excellent discussion with both a general and a Liberator. I do not know that my passion for what Skald shows us will lead to becoming godsworn, but I am interested in learning more of what a life devoted to him might mean.
For my family: when you finally arrive and have time to visit the archives to read my journal, I want you to know that I miss you and wish fervently for your arrival in Arx. Father, I miss the boom of your laugh. This city could use that sound. Peri, I miss your expansive and inquisitive nature. I think you would be thrilled for a time with all there is to discover here in Arx. Grandmother, I miss your lust for life. I need you here to keep reminding me that life is best lived on one's own terms.
Please come soon.
Written By Kaldur
June 25, 2017, 9:42 p.m.(9/21/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Carita
Written By Kaldur
June 25, 2017, 9:38 p.m.(9/21/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
Written By Kaldur
June 11, 2017, 5:03 p.m.(8/19/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.