Written By Mason
Dec. 9, 2016, 6:16 p.m.(5/5/1005 AR)
If I trip over one my damn baby toy in this room, I will be at my wit's end. The child isn't even here yet and I still find myself stepping on something.
Today it was a small wooden block while I was walking to my desk.
Either Lou is playing a cruel joke on me or we seem be accumulating them mysteriously. Do children even need so many toys?
Today it was a small wooden block while I was walking to my desk.
Either Lou is playing a cruel joke on me or we seem be accumulating them mysteriously. Do children even need so many toys?
Written By Mason
Dec. 8, 2016, 5:59 p.m.(5/2/1005 AR)
What a curious topic to come up that I've been reading recently. In my time in Arvum, the one thing I have not been witness to in my time in this continent, beyond the leagues of sand, better food, and a more open-idea of clothing, is slavery. While those first things I mainly leave aside as a joke, I find myself intrigued by Arvum's concept of slavery itself. Or what they believe it to be.
Now, truly, I don't agree with the concept, but before one starts to question others ways on Thraxian culture, I would like to offer some insight on what slavery truly is. Because I think many Arvums have an idea about it, but I wonder if they have ever truly witnessed it. While I may not agree with thralldom, and I should stress that. It is not slavery and it is not for me, an outsider to this country to dictate how things should and shouldn't be. To put it mildly, the thralldom of the Thraxians is something that I would call 'amateur hour'. To be blunt, they're nicer about it, if such a thing could be called as much.
Slavery, is a way of life in Eurus. It is not questioned, it is something that simply is. Of the thirteen Great Dune Kingdoms, one is devoted wholly and completely to the raising and training of slaves. It is called Skal'daja, but in Arvum tongue, it is known as the City of Chains. And for good reason. Some say it is the birthplace for slavery in the entire world. It is one of the oldest cities in the Dune Kingdom, ruled by one known as the Grand Vizier of the Golden Chain of Rule. It is said that whenever a new Vizier takes the mantle, another golden link is forged. The chain is long, very long. Thousands of links.
But it is this place where slaves, bred, raised and trained like cattle begins. With my people, there is no need to pull outsiders into slavery, the infrastructure is already centuries old. There is no freedom, there is no working or buying you way out of servitude. In essence, there is no hope. Hope cannot be taken away if it was never there to begin with, it is not a concept that a slave understands, that they never will understand. Granted, not every Eursi noble treats their slaves poorly. Some very well, but they are still slaves. They are not people, they're barely registered as items. Valuable commodity, certainly because no noble worth his diamonds wants a dead slave and have to buy a new one, but that is where it begins and ends. Names are given to them, not even their own.
There are entire bloodlines devoted wholly to slavery. This has been meticiously tracked and recorded. Diseased or lame families are outright culled, being bad for business. If a noble family wishes particular slaves with bluer eyes and lighter hair of a particular shade, that can be afforded. If there is a certain body shape that one is looking for a person guard or perhaps a concubine, a great many options can be suggested. Slaves are tailored to the purchaser, from traits of personality to physical appearance. But all are broken.
A note upon that. There are occasional slave uprisings, but these are rare. And nothing will bring the infighting of the Houses together more than the idea of a rebellion. They are crushed, bloodily. I should not have to get what happens after that. I will leave that up to the imagination.
The fields to be trained in varies. Whether is is a simple laborer or water carrier. To soldiers, gladiators, to prostitutes and other slaves of pleasure. It is a very long list, and not one that I feel bothered to really writing out in it's entirety. Needless to say it is a very a busy economy and business is very good. The City of Chains is one of the richer of the Dune Kingdoms because of the amount of coin that drives it.
I have never seen the Plaza of Fetters with in the City Chains personally, but I'm told, by a cousin who once visited it, that it was a grand thing. It is a bazaar of merchants that prays to the coin and the Plaza of Fetter is it's high temple. The auctions of men, women, children, and beasts of burden go on for days.
Why am I writing all this down. To suggest something. Perhaps it's the wrong message, but I do wonder how much real slavery Arvians have honestly seen. To me, thralldom is a step up from slavery. That doesn't make it right. However, it does mean that things could be so very much worse. There is a chance for freedom. What I grew up with was something very very different. In the end, Thrax is going to do what it's going to do, this is an establishment that has been in place for a very long time. That would be like Eurus banning slavery. There would be economic chaos and at very worst, I suspect there would be a certain degree of warring between the nations. They are not Eurusi, and it is for that reason, that I will be grateful. Because I know, if I never have to look at another auction or blood sport arena again, I will be happier for it.
Now, truly, I don't agree with the concept, but before one starts to question others ways on Thraxian culture, I would like to offer some insight on what slavery truly is. Because I think many Arvums have an idea about it, but I wonder if they have ever truly witnessed it. While I may not agree with thralldom, and I should stress that. It is not slavery and it is not for me, an outsider to this country to dictate how things should and shouldn't be. To put it mildly, the thralldom of the Thraxians is something that I would call 'amateur hour'. To be blunt, they're nicer about it, if such a thing could be called as much.
Slavery, is a way of life in Eurus. It is not questioned, it is something that simply is. Of the thirteen Great Dune Kingdoms, one is devoted wholly and completely to the raising and training of slaves. It is called Skal'daja, but in Arvum tongue, it is known as the City of Chains. And for good reason. Some say it is the birthplace for slavery in the entire world. It is one of the oldest cities in the Dune Kingdom, ruled by one known as the Grand Vizier of the Golden Chain of Rule. It is said that whenever a new Vizier takes the mantle, another golden link is forged. The chain is long, very long. Thousands of links.
But it is this place where slaves, bred, raised and trained like cattle begins. With my people, there is no need to pull outsiders into slavery, the infrastructure is already centuries old. There is no freedom, there is no working or buying you way out of servitude. In essence, there is no hope. Hope cannot be taken away if it was never there to begin with, it is not a concept that a slave understands, that they never will understand. Granted, not every Eursi noble treats their slaves poorly. Some very well, but they are still slaves. They are not people, they're barely registered as items. Valuable commodity, certainly because no noble worth his diamonds wants a dead slave and have to buy a new one, but that is where it begins and ends. Names are given to them, not even their own.
There are entire bloodlines devoted wholly to slavery. This has been meticiously tracked and recorded. Diseased or lame families are outright culled, being bad for business. If a noble family wishes particular slaves with bluer eyes and lighter hair of a particular shade, that can be afforded. If there is a certain body shape that one is looking for a person guard or perhaps a concubine, a great many options can be suggested. Slaves are tailored to the purchaser, from traits of personality to physical appearance. But all are broken.
A note upon that. There are occasional slave uprisings, but these are rare. And nothing will bring the infighting of the Houses together more than the idea of a rebellion. They are crushed, bloodily. I should not have to get what happens after that. I will leave that up to the imagination.
The fields to be trained in varies. Whether is is a simple laborer or water carrier. To soldiers, gladiators, to prostitutes and other slaves of pleasure. It is a very long list, and not one that I feel bothered to really writing out in it's entirety. Needless to say it is a very a busy economy and business is very good. The City of Chains is one of the richer of the Dune Kingdoms because of the amount of coin that drives it.
I have never seen the Plaza of Fetters with in the City Chains personally, but I'm told, by a cousin who once visited it, that it was a grand thing. It is a bazaar of merchants that prays to the coin and the Plaza of Fetter is it's high temple. The auctions of men, women, children, and beasts of burden go on for days.
Why am I writing all this down. To suggest something. Perhaps it's the wrong message, but I do wonder how much real slavery Arvians have honestly seen. To me, thralldom is a step up from slavery. That doesn't make it right. However, it does mean that things could be so very much worse. There is a chance for freedom. What I grew up with was something very very different. In the end, Thrax is going to do what it's going to do, this is an establishment that has been in place for a very long time. That would be like Eurus banning slavery. There would be economic chaos and at very worst, I suspect there would be a certain degree of warring between the nations. They are not Eurusi, and it is for that reason, that I will be grateful. Because I know, if I never have to look at another auction or blood sport arena again, I will be happier for it.
Written By Mason
Oct. 15, 2016, 6:30 p.m.(11/8/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
You know, you don't have to buy my sword. I'm not destitute.
Unless this is another angle at getting our child named after you. At least we know which aunt to hand our child over to.
You do realize that a boy named Dawn would be a bit strange, yes?
Unless this is another angle at getting our child named after you. At least we know which aunt to hand our child over to.
You do realize that a boy named Dawn would be a bit strange, yes?
Written By Mason
Oct. 15, 2016, 6:22 p.m.(11/8/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Ida
Dawn was right about the smith. Ida knows her craft and very happy to talk about it at length. Granted, she is the chatty sort, which actually I did not expect. Very considerate to what I was looking for, granted I had no idea what kind of colors are proper for a sword. Green? We decided on green.
She is a good woman with a good heart, I'm glad to of met her. And the reality is, I would visit again simply to talk. There are few in Arx that I would really consider an honest friend, but she makes no attempts at being anything more than kind and understanding. Not what I expected from a smith.
And really, I'm kinda curious to know what kind of fights she's been into.
She is a good woman with a good heart, I'm glad to of met her. And the reality is, I would visit again simply to talk. There are few in Arx that I would really consider an honest friend, but she makes no attempts at being anything more than kind and understanding. Not what I expected from a smith.
And really, I'm kinda curious to know what kind of fights she's been into.
Written By Mason
Oct. 15, 2016, 6:19 p.m.(11/8/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Natalia
In my time with Graysons, I have considered them to be not much like the nobility I have associated with in the past. Very goal-orientated and very generous.
My thoughts on Natalia go against that. Well, that's not fair, she is a lovely girl, but I have never seen a woman who is so caught up in fashion and presentation.
Again, she is lovely and I enjoy talking with her, and perhaps there is a bit of that Grayson wanderlust that I see in so many of them. I should tell her more stories of Erusus at some point.
Still, she's enjoyable to speak with. I told her if she wants to get on Lou's good side, do not ask to tea. Rather, bring a bottle of whiskey and sit down for a talk. Lou may be more willing to oblige.
I wish her luck in that. Oh, and never call her by her real name. Lou. It is always Lou. I speak from experience.
My thoughts on Natalia go against that. Well, that's not fair, she is a lovely girl, but I have never seen a woman who is so caught up in fashion and presentation.
Again, she is lovely and I enjoy talking with her, and perhaps there is a bit of that Grayson wanderlust that I see in so many of them. I should tell her more stories of Erusus at some point.
Still, she's enjoyable to speak with. I told her if she wants to get on Lou's good side, do not ask to tea. Rather, bring a bottle of whiskey and sit down for a talk. Lou may be more willing to oblige.
I wish her luck in that. Oh, and never call her by her real name. Lou. It is always Lou. I speak from experience.
Written By Mason
Sept. 29, 2016, 5:53 p.m.(9/16/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
She reminds me of Lou, but perhaps a little less well-travelled and experienced. This is not a bad thing, she has a desire to get out of Arx and explore what Arvum has to offer.
Travelling with my wife as I have, I understand and appreciate that urge. I had thought it was exclusive to Grayson, however I would consider this a pleasant surprise.
So far, my interactions with the Redrain has been nothing but positive. It is, for this humble diplomat of Ahj'on, a sincere relief.
Travelling with my wife as I have, I understand and appreciate that urge. I had thought it was exclusive to Grayson, however I would consider this a pleasant surprise.
So far, my interactions with the Redrain has been nothing but positive. It is, for this humble diplomat of Ahj'on, a sincere relief.
Written By Mason
Sept. 29, 2016, 5:49 p.m.(9/16/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
I was told that Prince Darren was a pleasant man, but I am pleased to know that he lived up to that particular reputation. The meeting we had, while perhaps not on the best subjects, was at least a good one, and we seemed to be on the same page about a few things.
I had no desire to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but he and his sister took it well. I would like, in the future to share drinks with him again.
I had no desire to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but he and his sister took it well. I would like, in the future to share drinks with him again.
Written By Mason
Sept. 12, 2016, 3:54 p.m.(7/21/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Lou
Lou is still trying to adapt to the way of life in a city. I think, well, I know she doesn't really enjoy it here. That she doubts her ability to fit in as well she thinks she should.
It's not a failing, it's simply how she is. Her tendency of not mincing words, and a worry that she would say something someone has no desire to hear. And that she relies on me keep things smooth. Which I'm more than happy to do so.
I want to make her happy, but for all my efforts, I do not know if I will be able to truly do so while she remains here. I even brought up the matter of children with her to perhaps give something to focus on. I don't even know if children would make her happy. I know I would be, for I have no desire to raise my children with the same mentality that my own siblings had.
Still, having children shouldn't be done for the sake of doing so. I don't want Lou to think she's tied somewhere, but I also know she fears being a good parent, while at the same time wanting the freedom to do what she's done all her life.
It's a delicate balance, and I try my best to keep her from doubting too much.
Eventually I hope she finds her place. Comfortable, even. Even if it's not the comfort she prefers in the wilderness. Regardless of that, I will follow her.
It's not a failing, it's simply how she is. Her tendency of not mincing words, and a worry that she would say something someone has no desire to hear. And that she relies on me keep things smooth. Which I'm more than happy to do so.
I want to make her happy, but for all my efforts, I do not know if I will be able to truly do so while she remains here. I even brought up the matter of children with her to perhaps give something to focus on. I don't even know if children would make her happy. I know I would be, for I have no desire to raise my children with the same mentality that my own siblings had.
Still, having children shouldn't be done for the sake of doing so. I don't want Lou to think she's tied somewhere, but I also know she fears being a good parent, while at the same time wanting the freedom to do what she's done all her life.
It's a delicate balance, and I try my best to keep her from doubting too much.
Eventually I hope she finds her place. Comfortable, even. Even if it's not the comfort she prefers in the wilderness. Regardless of that, I will follow her.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.