Written By Titus
Sept. 27, 2022, 6:58 p.m.(6/17/1018 AR)
Titus, remember this.
Many pursue wealth or power, thinking these things are most important in life and they spend each waking moment plotting and planning how to acquire more and more.
Understand that you will be unable to take mountains of gems or silver, epic weapons or other things beyond the veil. However you can always build legacies that continue on for generations.
It's said wise is the mother who plants the trees that will give shade, lumber and food to her daughter's people long after she is gone.
Understanding this, what am I establishing as a legacy?
Many pursue wealth or power, thinking these things are most important in life and they spend each waking moment plotting and planning how to acquire more and more.
Understand that you will be unable to take mountains of gems or silver, epic weapons or other things beyond the veil. However you can always build legacies that continue on for generations.
It's said wise is the mother who plants the trees that will give shade, lumber and food to her daughter's people long after she is gone.
Understanding this, what am I establishing as a legacy?
Written By Titus
Sept. 18, 2022, 10:04 a.m.(5/26/1018 AR)
The Compact isn't a dead word which we're united for. We all are the Compact, each of us. It is the space between you and I. Often the call goes out to fight for overlord or king, but really it's to fight and defend for the space between you and I. To fill that holy space with dreams and noble aspirations guided by the gods while you and I deal with the reality and hardships we were born to live and die in. This space between you and I, this is the Compact. And should we choose right in what fills that space, I believe we can make it as impenetrable as the walls of Sangris.
Written By Titus
Sept. 18, 2022, 10:02 a.m.(5/26/1018 AR)
The Compact isn't a dead word which we're united for. We all are the Compact, each of us. It is the space between you and I. Often the call goes out to fight for overlord or king, but really it's to fight and defend for the space between you and I. To fill that holy space with dreams and noble aspirations guided by the gods while you and I deal with the reality and hardships we were born to live and die in. This space between you and I, this is the Compact. And should we choose right in what fills that space, we can make it impenetrable.
Written By Titus
Aug. 27, 2022, 4:36 a.m.(4/10/1018 AR)
Gloria compels us to treat our foes with honour, to offer mercy and minimise the horrible effects of war to the combatants. When we have nothing but hatred and desires of revenge and see them as monsters instead of recognizing their humanity, our foe no longer is an enemy. They become your master for they've changed you. They control your emotions. You are not who you used to be as they've taken that away.
I have for a long time thought of greatness comes from decimating and destroying our enemy but glory comes from a place of far greater strength and challenge; compassion and empathy.
I have for a long time thought of greatness comes from decimating and destroying our enemy but glory comes from a place of far greater strength and challenge; compassion and empathy.
Written By Titus
Aug. 15, 2022, 6:10 p.m.(3/15/1018 AR)
Trips on the horizon.
Sand that shifts, as light as a dream. Within water, clear as glass. As light touches, a million colours of the rainbow. Locked away in the grip of a skeletal rocky hand that reaches out from the depths. Very dangerous as the sands shift and change.
Caverns of old, smooth to the touch. No stairs in sight as serpents slither. A well and a gate hidden away.
Sand that shifts, as light as a dream. Within water, clear as glass. As light touches, a million colours of the rainbow. Locked away in the grip of a skeletal rocky hand that reaches out from the depths. Very dangerous as the sands shift and change.
Caverns of old, smooth to the touch. No stairs in sight as serpents slither. A well and a gate hidden away.
Written By Titus
Aug. 13, 2022, 3:21 a.m.(3/10/1018 AR)
I am aware the Compact has experienced setbacks, that people have lost their homes such as with Artshall burned to ash and have lost people who have deep meaning to them. Life is of endings and beginnings and it may feel as though right now is surely a terrible ending.
May you remember the lesson that the Whip-poor-will gives us all if we choose to listen to her children.
We each face great moments of despair, when things seem to be their darkest. Indeed, reports right now come to me saying how the Compact has been driven back and lost many holdings, even a great city burned to ash and many have died across places like the Mourning Isles. But while the darkest of moments in the past created monsters of fear and terror, it also created something else, hope.
In the darkest of nights the smallest of stars shine even brighter. When you look up, may you find yourself remembering those who have left. Those who have touched your life in some small or even great way, and let their memory not fade. Remember their stories and be a better you. And may that better you touch others, even one, in such a way that when you die your star shines in their hearts. While many here hurt and often are angry or confused with Death being unfair, remember as children of Skald that it is your choices which can take ordinary people in extraordinary times and do tremendously amazing actions that ripple far down the stream of life.
Remember those who have died and keep their memory alive as you become a better person with their life touching yours. Remember that as a flame of hope, it isn't your place to shine forever but it can be your choice to ignite that spark in others and the light continue to spread and shine.
Remember the Whip-poor-will's lesson and look up to those stars and let their stories guide.
May you remember the lesson that the Whip-poor-will gives us all if we choose to listen to her children.
We each face great moments of despair, when things seem to be their darkest. Indeed, reports right now come to me saying how the Compact has been driven back and lost many holdings, even a great city burned to ash and many have died across places like the Mourning Isles. But while the darkest of moments in the past created monsters of fear and terror, it also created something else, hope.
In the darkest of nights the smallest of stars shine even brighter. When you look up, may you find yourself remembering those who have left. Those who have touched your life in some small or even great way, and let their memory not fade. Remember their stories and be a better you. And may that better you touch others, even one, in such a way that when you die your star shines in their hearts. While many here hurt and often are angry or confused with Death being unfair, remember as children of Skald that it is your choices which can take ordinary people in extraordinary times and do tremendously amazing actions that ripple far down the stream of life.
Remember those who have died and keep their memory alive as you become a better person with their life touching yours. Remember that as a flame of hope, it isn't your place to shine forever but it can be your choice to ignite that spark in others and the light continue to spread and shine.
Remember the Whip-poor-will's lesson and look up to those stars and let their stories guide.
Written By Titus
June 19, 2022, 7:55 p.m.(11/11/1017 AR)
There’s a good little phrase which encapsulates the Compact: What I do to you, I do unto myself. What you give to me, you give to yourself.
Written By Titus
June 14, 2022, 7:51 p.m.(11/1/1017 AR)
Victory isn’t always an available option but we can ensure every challenge is met with unyielding honour even to terrible foes.
Written By Titus
May 31, 2022, 7:34 p.m.(10/1/1017 AR)
I’m reminded of the story between the rabbit and turtle. The rabbit pointed out that none were faster than they were, they could get from one place to another quicker. It was the turtle though that reminded the rabbit that while they were slow moving, they could live for a hundred years and go far beyond were the quick rabbit could reach in their tiny lifespan of a few years.
While we may want to quickly react, we shouldn't forget the long game.
While we may want to quickly react, we shouldn't forget the long game.
Written By Titus
April 15, 2022, 6:23 p.m.(6/21/1017 AR)
Recovering from the failed attempt to breach the red tower, failure doesn't mean dishonour. It's another opportunity to reflect on what we set out to do, what we did well and what we can do better to form a new strategy.
Menoch the Red will meet the Queen.
Menoch the Red will meet the Queen.
Written By Titus
April 10, 2022, 5:48 p.m.(6/11/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others. You can see an example of this via the duchess of Whitehold.
Written By Titus
March 29, 2022, 8:47 p.m.(5/15/1017 AR)
It can be easy when reading a book or listening to a story of a legend or hero to simply take the high level moral of the story and that isn’t a terrible thing. But those names in my books and stories, they were individuals. People, not simply fictional legends. They lived like me, had challenges and pains. They had moments of weakness, moments of strength. They might have enjoyed eating the peppery blueclaw, or found comfort with books of salacious fiction or perhaps they might even have had a thing for honey that bordered on obsession. The thing is they were living people and people should be remembered not just for their sacrifice or some easy to remember five word sentence on an epitaph but the lives they had lived which they gave up for a higher cause.
As Arx endures, we shall remember. That’s what was promised. Stars fade when the stories hidden in them begin to be forgotten.
Perhaps the next time I hear a name in a book or story, or look on a cold weathered statue or faded painting, rather than simply remembering their legend I might be spurred to seek out a memory of the life they sacrificed and then check that I'm living my life to the fullest so Vellichor's history is full when I finally meet the Queen.
May those gone have their stars shine bright with memories we choose to keep alive.
As Arx endures, we shall remember. That’s what was promised. Stars fade when the stories hidden in them begin to be forgotten.
Perhaps the next time I hear a name in a book or story, or look on a cold weathered statue or faded painting, rather than simply remembering their legend I might be spurred to seek out a memory of the life they sacrificed and then check that I'm living my life to the fullest so Vellichor's history is full when I finally meet the Queen.
May those gone have their stars shine bright with memories we choose to keep alive.
Written By Titus
March 22, 2022, 8:56 p.m.(5/1/1017 AR)
A very good bit of advice I heard today. Just because they might be in your circle doesn't mean they're in your corner.
Written By Titus
March 17, 2022, 2:42 p.m.(4/18/1017 AR)
It's concerning when friends of the Compact confuse love with honour, duty and fidelity. Or confusing noble marriages for common.
We’ve the ability to weaken the ruin of the world and civilization when we seek to foster understanding and fidelity between each other. That’s one of the great blessings of noble marriages. That we hold to our duty and honour dearly to go beyond our individual desires and instead do something that will benefit far more people than just ourselves.
We’re blessed to have multiple recent examples where the holy rite of marriage was done between great houses. The common are blessed by the sting and joy of love between individuals, but for the nobility the fidelity to the house and their loyalty to the leadership of their domain trumps all. It’s through this fidelity towards houses which represent so many people that we can strengthen bonds instead of tearing down. We can see other houses as allies and friends and family. Many years ago, there were individual kingdoms that warred heavily against each other and nearly often wiped each other out.
Highlord Belladonna Pravus and Duke Consort Cassis Nightgold created a further bond between (at the time) the Lyceum and the North where not too many generations ago presented a significant threat to southern domains. It strengthened disconnected regions.
Highlord Victus Thrax and Princess Consort Alarissa Valardin created a bond between two staunch defenders of traditions (one religious the other political) and a further relationship between two high houses. This ensured further peace and support between disconnected cultures and regions when multiple wars have happened just in recent past.
Highlord Alis Valardin and Prince Consort Fiachra Greenmarch created a bond between one of the oldest houses in the Compact with one of the newest, returning to the fold and offering healing between two houses that for a thousand years had a split between them. Greenmarch even worked hard in supporting the Faith and again, providing security in the Oathlands while the great knights of Valardin marched against threats to the Compact.
Highlord Jaenelle Velenosa and Prince Consort Noah Grayson created a further bond between two old great houses. Their union helped provide safety across the factions of the Lyceum and are ushering in a new era for the Lyceum.
Highlord Darren Redrain and Princess Donella Thrax once more created a further bond between two great houses. When Thrax was threatened, the Redrain stood immediately with them and their calls to banners to defend the Compact provided further safety for many lower houses and peoples.
A noble doesn't approach marriage with the individual goal of love. We approach it with a sense of solemn duty and through that devotion and hard work can Limerance bless our union. We can see in the examples of the high houses that they work hard on their duty and from that, blessings to many flow.
We’ve the ability to weaken the ruin of the world and civilization when we seek to foster understanding and fidelity between each other. That’s one of the great blessings of noble marriages. That we hold to our duty and honour dearly to go beyond our individual desires and instead do something that will benefit far more people than just ourselves.
We’re blessed to have multiple recent examples where the holy rite of marriage was done between great houses. The common are blessed by the sting and joy of love between individuals, but for the nobility the fidelity to the house and their loyalty to the leadership of their domain trumps all. It’s through this fidelity towards houses which represent so many people that we can strengthen bonds instead of tearing down. We can see other houses as allies and friends and family. Many years ago, there were individual kingdoms that warred heavily against each other and nearly often wiped each other out.
Highlord Belladonna Pravus and Duke Consort Cassis Nightgold created a further bond between (at the time) the Lyceum and the North where not too many generations ago presented a significant threat to southern domains. It strengthened disconnected regions.
Highlord Victus Thrax and Princess Consort Alarissa Valardin created a bond between two staunch defenders of traditions (one religious the other political) and a further relationship between two high houses. This ensured further peace and support between disconnected cultures and regions when multiple wars have happened just in recent past.
Highlord Alis Valardin and Prince Consort Fiachra Greenmarch created a bond between one of the oldest houses in the Compact with one of the newest, returning to the fold and offering healing between two houses that for a thousand years had a split between them. Greenmarch even worked hard in supporting the Faith and again, providing security in the Oathlands while the great knights of Valardin marched against threats to the Compact.
Highlord Jaenelle Velenosa and Prince Consort Noah Grayson created a further bond between two old great houses. Their union helped provide safety across the factions of the Lyceum and are ushering in a new era for the Lyceum.
Highlord Darren Redrain and Princess Donella Thrax once more created a further bond between two great houses. When Thrax was threatened, the Redrain stood immediately with them and their calls to banners to defend the Compact provided further safety for many lower houses and peoples.
A noble doesn't approach marriage with the individual goal of love. We approach it with a sense of solemn duty and through that devotion and hard work can Limerance bless our union. We can see in the examples of the high houses that they work hard on their duty and from that, blessings to many flow.
Written By Titus
March 14, 2022, 5:04 a.m.(4/11/1017 AR)
I feel a change in the air, something different, a beginning from an end.
What's most unexpected? That the time goes by so quickly or that I look forward to the next time?
What's most unexpected? That the time goes by so quickly or that I look forward to the next time?
Written By Titus
March 13, 2022, 7:40 a.m.(4/10/1017 AR)
I feel in some circumstances things which are fervently hidden have a strong desire to be found.
There's a desire starting to burn slowly to seek out a blade, not for me to wield but instead to help restore. If it can be restored, perhaps then Caldera can too.
Perhaps even me.
There's a desire starting to burn slowly to seek out a blade, not for me to wield but instead to help restore. If it can be restored, perhaps then Caldera can too.
Perhaps even me.
Written By Titus
March 4, 2022, 6:15 p.m.(3/21/1017 AR)
With thanks to Skald, not one person really knows what our end will be, nor the hand which will guide us through all the different moments in life towards that final minute as Destiny is shattered. A Queen might move a man or woman. A man or woman can move themselves too, and only then does that person truly begin their own game. No matter how we’re played or by whom, remember our soul is in our own keeping alone.
Even though there’s those who would presume to play us such as Powers, Thrones and Dominions, we are the sole keeper of our soul.
While we may pray to Gloria to keep us strong to our last moment, it is after that when we pass beyond the veil and stand before the great triune of the Queen, the Sentinel and Vellichor as our deeds and actions are read aloud to the ancestors who guard Elysium, we won’t be able to give the excuse that we were told by others to do this or that. Or that the ideals and virtues of the gods weren’t convenient at the time.
This will not suffice.
So may your soul be guarded, may you stand strong until the last moment no matter the pain or suffering you go through. May your soul never yield even if the flesh is weak. For our battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the powers and authorities beyond who desire to not simply shatter a world but destroy your priceless soul.
Dare greatly. Be resolute.
Even though there’s those who would presume to play us such as Powers, Thrones and Dominions, we are the sole keeper of our soul.
While we may pray to Gloria to keep us strong to our last moment, it is after that when we pass beyond the veil and stand before the great triune of the Queen, the Sentinel and Vellichor as our deeds and actions are read aloud to the ancestors who guard Elysium, we won’t be able to give the excuse that we were told by others to do this or that. Or that the ideals and virtues of the gods weren’t convenient at the time.
This will not suffice.
So may your soul be guarded, may you stand strong until the last moment no matter the pain or suffering you go through. May your soul never yield even if the flesh is weak. For our battle is not with flesh and blood, but against the powers and authorities beyond who desire to not simply shatter a world but destroy your priceless soul.
Dare greatly. Be resolute.
Written By Titus
Feb. 20, 2022, 10:18 p.m.(2/25/1017 AR)
For just a moment this morning there was absolute silent stillness.
Written By Titus
Feb. 7, 2022, 8:24 p.m.(1/27/1017 AR)
The final words of lord Macdon Castelus, Sword of the North and first Lord Commander of the Queen's Own, are a prime and inspiring example of loyal and faithful devotion to duty to the end.
Written By Titus
Jan. 16, 2022, 4:40 a.m.(12/10/1016 AR)
The upcoming khati storytime is a hard bought lesson on greed, a warning passed down from mother to daughter and from them to those who will attend. Sponsored by house Seraceni.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.