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Written By Desma

Oct. 11, 2020, 2:33 a.m.(3/7/1014 AR)

Here I am in Arx. Well and good.

On the recommendation of a dockhand who helped me ashore with my belongings, I immediately sought out Brother Felix Meadson. He put the keenest edge to my blade that it feels quite new again.

I've a good feeling about Arx. Now to meet with my cousin.

Written By Gehenna

Oct. 11, 2020, 12:48 a.m.(3/7/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Patrizio

Prince Patrizio Pravus and I keep running into each other and I've decided it's a bit fortuitous, really. He has a wit about him that some nobility are, sadly, lacking, as well as a good taste in drinks, and a wonderfully alliterative full name. In that last respect, Pravus's elevation certainly did him a favour. The other qualities are all his own.

Written By Eirene

Oct. 11, 2020, 12:35 a.m.(3/7/1014 AR)

Just returned from a festival celebrating Choice and all that it means. Mostly it meant people chose to party pretty damn hard. Ended up seeing something that will likely give me nightmares for a little while. But, the good part? Well, none of it was good, I suppose. Fourteen people dead. At least the one responsible is among them.

My knowledge in occult and esoteric matters can come in handy sometimes. Like knowing when you've got a real expert on your hands or someone who was throwing around symbols and letters like a toddler writes a letter. I do worry though. Any dabbling in blood magic is dangerous. A little knowledge or a lot; doesn't matter. It's all a threat.

Written By Poppy

Oct. 11, 2020, 12:19 a.m.(3/7/1014 AR)

I am grateful for the invitation to visit with the Eswynd family and learn how some of their traditions mirror our own back home.

Next time I will listen to Lord Haakon when he says sip. I'm pretty positive this hangover may last the entire week.

Written By Katarina

Oct. 11, 2020, 12:11 a.m.(3/7/1014 AR)

Princess Adrienne and Prince Sebastian's wedding was a truly marvelous occasion. I cannot credit Messere Nina Autumndale enough, though I know that she alone did not map out the celebration. However, if it was her vision that guided all of those who worked and contributed, then I cannot imagine a world in which she will not become the Compact's most requested wedding planner.

It felt good to wear a Suj'abbati قناع, in the same way that it feels good to discover a book that one had treasured in their youth. It is familiar and comforting, and yet distance and experience allow for a new perspective rather than a complete return. I believe I shall wear my قناع more, from now on. Though I am a daughter of Sanctum by adoption and by oath, the comfort of a mask is something that shall always live inside me, and to deny it completely would not make me a paragon of self-discipline. It would only make me less than what I am.

Written By Piccola

Oct. 10, 2020, 10:57 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

Valor is the result of making continuous efforts.

The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it. We are often on the line and do not know it. Many generals have thrown up her hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success.

As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in.

In war, victory may seem least likely when in reality it is but a moment away. A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying.

There is no defeat except from within and no barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.

Written By Preston

Oct. 10, 2020, 9:40 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

I hear of new swords being forged in the city, of new people arriving, I know myself of new ships being put to sea - as it will be for the first Templar caravels. This is all to the good. It shows our people increase, that we do more each day, each month, each year to push ourselves forward. And these acts bring us closer to the Gods, whether intended to or not. I am not so naïve as to think that a smith always will think of Jayus as he forged the blade, and yet Jayus is there. In each ringing note of the hammer on the blade and the anvil. We may see only two merchants trading coin, but over their shoulders stands Limerance and Gild, seeing them honour their contracts and build civilisation in trade.

It is also good because we have need of it. For winter's cold air cannot hide from us a certain truth. The Eurusi of the Dune Emperor are still close. They lurk in their warrens and hideaways in the Saffron Chain, those places they still cling to and fill with their dark worship, with their slaves and stolen silver. The Crusade is unfinished, and the threat still real. We must sweep them from the Saffron Chain, we must sweep them from the Mourning Isles, we must teach these Empires this single truth: We stand in the light of the Gods, united and unbowed.

Written By Sydney

Oct. 10, 2020, 9 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

The Lowers feel quieter of late.

A place is never truly quiet. It's only ever made to feel that way when you can't see what's going on within it.

So it goes.

Written By Tanith

Oct. 10, 2020, 8:53 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

I know people that stab things when they're stressed out, over-burned by thoughts that gnaw like angry weasels.

What a waste, say I. My mother says, 'make something!'

Lemon cake and tarts. And chocolate cake. And more tarts.

Until the sun comes up.

Written By Talwyn

Oct. 10, 2020, 6:02 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

It is always good to enjoy dinner with the Saik family. I am not as close to the twins of Medeia and Neilda as I am with Lucita, but their company is enjoyable.

Written By Talwyn

Oct. 10, 2020, 5:59 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

I had the honor of coming to the opening of the Jade Moon. While I did not get the chance to enjoy the food at the event -- it was something else to experience the music and drink and story of Zyanya and her mother. I look forward to speaking with Zyanya again as we have a shared interest in poetry, hers is so much differently structured than what I am used to. I wonder if it could be woven into music. And those instruments! I must learn more.

Written By Desma

Oct. 10, 2020, 4:40 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

I decided to travel from Southport to Arx by ship rather than journeying overland. Splinter certainly enjoyed the novelty of the sea trip, alternately flying ahead of the ship and oft-times perching in the rigging to watch us scurrying like ants beneath him.

I've the permission of Duchess Calypso Malvici to join my cousin Count Domonico's house. I shall henceforth be knows as Lady Desma Magnotta and not Malvici.

I do hope that my letter reached him ahead of my imminent arrival.

Written By Rosalind

Oct. 10, 2020, 12:46 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Caprice

I'm ready when you are!

Written By Rosalind

Oct. 10, 2020, 12:26 p.m.(3/6/1014 AR)

I keep reading about tarts. Lots and lots of tarts! Which has now made me really really HUNGRY! Apparently to the Solicitous Bakery. Where I will buy everything there! Look out bakery!

Written By Porter

Oct. 10, 2020, 11:08 a.m.(3/5/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Tanith

Let it be recorded for all to see, Tanith Grayhope is the most fantastic baker in this city and I'm not biased at all just because she sent thirteen freshly baked blackberry tarts to my home.

Written By Serena

Oct. 10, 2020, 10:11 a.m.(3/5/1014 AR)

Scholar,

If I had to choose just one thing that I enjoyed most, just one thing that made me always remember I have no regrets about my path to Whisper House, it would be the people. Not just the other Whispers, so often sweet and willing to help you better yourself. I mean our clientele.

No, I shall not give away their names. Their reasons to visit are their own to tell and not mine. I will say this week I've enjoyed everything from helping a young lord learn to dance before his wedding, enjoyed tea with an older gentleman whose family had all moved away, and taught etiquette lessons to a lass from the boroughs trying to open her own business.

It's these small, personal interactions with the people that I enjoy the most. It puts hope in the heart, a smile on the lips. Oh, certainly it is moving to know that you assisted a House in a campaign to get a new law accepted by the people or somesuch. But for me? The true joy comes down to the personal.

Serena Whisper

Written By Dusa

Oct. 10, 2020, 4:56 a.m.(3/5/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Grimgar

His Lordship continues to behave in a manner more befitting sanguine temperaments. Treatments seem to surround salves for bruises and bandages for cuts. Very few scarring, something his mother seems to covet in my work. I prefer this to treating illness, but there are some days I yearn for a more complex challenge. Thankfully, it does not come in the form of His Lordship's condition.

Written By Damiana

Oct. 10, 2020, 4:06 a.m.(3/5/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Gwenys

Brought by a wagon with a guard of knights bearing the dragon pennant of my sister Emma, I entered Arx in the midst of a snowstorm. How different this place is from my home in the White City. A place full of diverse cultures, peoples and beliefs. Where opportunity to grow and be part of something larger than you were is there if you want to grasp it.

The gift of my sister Gwenys though hugging me was something I never thought I’d have. I missed you, and I can tell you’ve grown as you were away. Maybe our progeny will read stories about your legends like we’ve read on Sugan, Antfortas and other amazing ancestors.

If only I can get bards and scholars to keep up with your pace to record your deeds and send them back to me.

Written By Orick

Oct. 10, 2020, 2:04 a.m.(3/5/1014 AR)

Busy, busy in these weeks leading up to the masquerade celebrations. Praise Jayus for keeping my creativity sharp and my hands laden with work, there are new mask commissions ever other day yet I have managed to keep up with the work.

The shop has been a great success and I can't wait to have a grand opening in the summer when the courtyard is in bloom and the cafe area is set up outside. I am considering all manner of rose inspired treats, then we can really call it A Taste of Tor.

Written By Zyanya

Oct. 9, 2020, 11:48 p.m.(3/4/1014 AR)

A Tale of Weijin, the first part of its history by Lir Zyanya-Shimin, Poet.

Chains broken, a world made free, Jadairal was born. The first where human hearts lived without shackle, where daily gift of choice was made to honor Skald. Slavery struck down and choice became their blessing, with each one made a prayer in hope it would soften the scars which still clasped every throat, every hungry heart.

Their choice once made became law: a stone can only be a stone, not carved, or lifted to greater monument. Born to toil will always toil, born to rule will always rule, hands which coins cross must pass them on without grasping.

But those who have will ever want for more and when Caer'alfar came again, borders were drawn with fire. Fire and blood, the lowborn spilled human blood on humanity's soil, until the highborn called a truce and named it freedom.

Client kingdom, bordered by bloodstained chain, proud Jadai, they pretended this was peace and looked away from the future when their children's children might once again serve. Those below did not blind themselves but saw these links not yet woven and knew when the altars of Caer'alfar were built anew in Daobujin Bo, their lives would be first upon the block. For stone must always be stone.

Foundations are not built with gold.

Those who had felt metal against their skin and writs against their soul, who had spilled their blood, given their children to the burning borders, they did not take sword in hand, did not rise in a wave to crash against the walls built of gold to drown those behind them. Skald's gift was not cast in stone or iron or gold but given to all. Those below knew the god of freedom as well as any who perched above. They chose not to rise up, not to cast down.

To mist-wrapped mountains,
their lives on their backs,
children on their hips,
they walked.
Bent and bowed
like wind-shaped trees,
they walked.

Until they saw a life ahead,
hearts hungry, hearts full,
they walked.

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