Written By Raja
July 5, 2021, 1:50 p.m.(10/13/1015 AR)
Have you ever had a few too many drinks, a bit too much haze, and then sat back to wonder about the nature of things? Let's take freedom for example. The vast majority of us know about Skald and how he defeated Fate and allows us to choose our own paths. Of course he is also known for freeing us from the bonds of slavery. But, what exactly is freedom?
I think it goes deeper. Much deeper. I believe people deserve freedom from all oppressive forces. You do not have to be bound by shackles and chains to be enslaved. What about the poor bloke that suffers from ignorance? I am not saying willful ignorance, but the ignorance of someone who through circumstance and birth has no access to learning and education. Does not this person deserve to be free of that unseen bondage? With knowledge, he can rise and become stronger and build something for himself. What of despair? There are those that are forlorn beyond belief. They too deserve to be free of that oppression. I could go on and on.
I think it goes deeper. Much deeper. I believe people deserve freedom from all oppressive forces. You do not have to be bound by shackles and chains to be enslaved. What about the poor bloke that suffers from ignorance? I am not saying willful ignorance, but the ignorance of someone who through circumstance and birth has no access to learning and education. Does not this person deserve to be free of that unseen bondage? With knowledge, he can rise and become stronger and build something for himself. What of despair? There are those that are forlorn beyond belief. They too deserve to be free of that oppression. I could go on and on.
Written By Raja
June 27, 2021, 7:56 p.m.(9/25/1015 AR)
I love my patron, Zoey Kennex. She is so wise. She has shown me that I should look deeper into things I learn. Have you ever been told a story and then dismiss it from your mind as it does not pertain to you? You thought! Surprise! It /does/ pertain to you!
Written By Raja
June 14, 2021, 9:57 a.m.(8/26/1015 AR)
I held the competition for the fountains. It was a small, but lovely little event. I even wore silk! Shh. Don't tell anyone. Anyways, there were two entries. Both entries were very nice. So, I decided to keep both! Lord Valerian Kennex designed a fountain that had flowers in the base, so, I decided to use that one for the plaza itself. Samira made one of her praying. I was moved by the inspiration and decided to use it inside the library's main foyer. Wow. This vision has grown. I had originally only thought to make a small one-room building stuffed full of musty books. But, it is now becoming so much more!
Written By Raja
June 10, 2021, 12:22 p.m.(8/19/1015 AR)
How many Inquisits can an Inquisito inquisit if an Inquisito can inquisit Inquisitors. If an Inquisitor can inquisit Inquisitors, he would inquisit a lot of Inquisitors.
Written By Raja
June 10, 2021, 9:50 a.m.(8/18/1015 AR)
Snakes. I both love snakes and hate them at the same time. I mean, they are beautiful creatures, but evil too. Like me! Well, I don't think I am evil. I think devious is a better word. I did see a snake recently that was just adorable. It was tiny and tried to be so fierce! I have to appreciate it's spunk. I wonder what it would look like with a tiny hat on it..
Written By Raja
May 23, 2021, 10:13 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)
A Primer for Survival in the Lowers
The people of the Lowers are a tough and hardy people. We have seen a thing or two in their day. We are crude at times, rough around the edges. We love a good rowdy party. We love our booze. We love our haze. We laugh loudly, cry deeply, scream angrily. The vast majority of us leave the masks of niceities behind, revealing who we truely are as people. In all that, there are two primary virtues that we hold onto. They are our guiding principles. Those virtues are discretion and respect.
First, what is discretion? I found the meaning to basically mean the ability to use good judgement. It pertains to being discreet or being able to hold your tongue, hold your secrets. The people of the Lowers are a private people. We do not like our business being exposed by loose lips. Ever hear the phrase loose lips sink ships? It is literally true down here. In all honesty, it is not that much different than the folk on top of the hill. I mean, look upon the Silent Reflections. Holding people's secrets is a sacred duty.
Equally important is the virtue of respect. This basically means that you treat others how you want to be treated. If you walk into someone's home with foul words upon your lips, you can damn well expect retaliation. Sometimes that retaliation is in the form of a fist in your mouth. Sometimes it is slow burning as elaborate schemes are hatched. So, how does one show respect in the Lowers? The easiest way is to just leave us alone. Talk to us like people, not like the dirt beneath your feet. Be genuine. Listen and heed warnings. This does not mean that you have to spill forth flowery compliments. You will get odd looks for that. Just watch what you say.
Now, there are times that these virtues do not matter. Those times are rare, but they do happen. This is where you need to be able to defend yourself. Get skills. Stay armed. Don't walk around flaunting your silks and jewelry. Sadly, in spite of our unique culture, there is desperation out there. So, you have to be able to back yourself up or at least have backup. Sadly, when desperation takes hold of an individual, they will forget those virtues. They will have to be reminded of our guiding tennants.
In conclusion, it is basically your mouth that keeps you alive down here. Be discreet and hold your tongue and speak respectfully.
The people of the Lowers are a tough and hardy people. We have seen a thing or two in their day. We are crude at times, rough around the edges. We love a good rowdy party. We love our booze. We love our haze. We laugh loudly, cry deeply, scream angrily. The vast majority of us leave the masks of niceities behind, revealing who we truely are as people. In all that, there are two primary virtues that we hold onto. They are our guiding principles. Those virtues are discretion and respect.
First, what is discretion? I found the meaning to basically mean the ability to use good judgement. It pertains to being discreet or being able to hold your tongue, hold your secrets. The people of the Lowers are a private people. We do not like our business being exposed by loose lips. Ever hear the phrase loose lips sink ships? It is literally true down here. In all honesty, it is not that much different than the folk on top of the hill. I mean, look upon the Silent Reflections. Holding people's secrets is a sacred duty.
Equally important is the virtue of respect. This basically means that you treat others how you want to be treated. If you walk into someone's home with foul words upon your lips, you can damn well expect retaliation. Sometimes that retaliation is in the form of a fist in your mouth. Sometimes it is slow burning as elaborate schemes are hatched. So, how does one show respect in the Lowers? The easiest way is to just leave us alone. Talk to us like people, not like the dirt beneath your feet. Be genuine. Listen and heed warnings. This does not mean that you have to spill forth flowery compliments. You will get odd looks for that. Just watch what you say.
Now, there are times that these virtues do not matter. Those times are rare, but they do happen. This is where you need to be able to defend yourself. Get skills. Stay armed. Don't walk around flaunting your silks and jewelry. Sadly, in spite of our unique culture, there is desperation out there. So, you have to be able to back yourself up or at least have backup. Sadly, when desperation takes hold of an individual, they will forget those virtues. They will have to be reminded of our guiding tennants.
In conclusion, it is basically your mouth that keeps you alive down here. Be discreet and hold your tongue and speak respectfully.
Written By Raja
May 23, 2021, 9:24 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)
I typically avoid fancy balls and rich parties. However, I found that the Celestial Ball was quite nice! I must admit that I enjoyed dressing up. I actually /felt/ pretty. It was good to see familiar faces there as well! Marquessa Quenia Igniseri did a fantastic job.
Written By Raja
May 23, 2021, 9:22 a.m.(7/10/1015 AR)
You know, people do not like the taste of their own medicine. Especially members of the peerage. Just hearing him growl and get his heckles up was almost satisfying enough to not need that apology I was seeking.
Written By Raja
May 20, 2021, 9:59 a.m.(7/4/1015 AR)
I had an idea! Yes, it did hurt. Ha! Anyways, now that all the rubble has been cleared and the foundations laid down for Sina Plaza and the Library, I want a fountain. A nice fountain with a marvelous statue on top! Yes, it is fancy. Why can't the Lowers have something fancy? There needs to be more inspiration down here. So, I decided to host a competition! I want people to come from all over the city to bring their designs! Then, the people will cast their lots for their favorite design! The winner will have their work displayed forever and will earn some sort of reward. I haven't decided what the reward will be yet. I was thinking they could choose between some resources or silver. But, that sounds so mundane. I will have to think more on it.
Written By Raja
April 30, 2021, 4:53 p.m.(5/21/1015 AR)
Ok. I made my decision. I am off to fight abroad. If I should die, I want Samira to have all my things and I want her to have access to my black journals to do with as she wishes.
Written By Raja
April 28, 2021, 1:15 p.m.(5/17/1015 AR)
I keep changing my plans for the library. At first, I had thought of building a simple building with a few shelves. However, my plans grow larger and larger in my head! I have finally decided on what I wish to do. When one enters the library, they will be greeted with a nice entrance area. I plan to build two wings off this entrance. One wing will be known as the Wing of Stories. It will be a place where a person can find all sorts of literature composed from the imagination. Poetry and stories will find a loving home here! I tend to feel that this will be a favorite place for people. The second wing will be called the Hall of Discovery. This will be an accumulation of knowledge of the world around us. In each of these halls, I will make comfortable places for people to sit and read. I am so very excited for the Lowers to have this.
Written By Raja
April 28, 2021, 10:36 a.m.(5/16/1015 AR)
I am not the woman who stands quietly when she is angered. I am not one to cow down to pompous pricks.
Written By Raja
April 28, 2021, 10:28 a.m.(5/16/1015 AR)
Am I justified to be angered at a Prince who walked into my forge and asked me to 'lower' myself? Who even does that? I dare say that not even the king would be so crass! I did not know this man from anyone else on the street and he saunters in while I was working on a blade talking about lowering myself before him. What's worse is when I told him to fuck off and that I would not bend my knee to him, he called me sweetheart and explained I could use both knees! I was so angry I saw red! I barely managed to keep it all together. I kicked him out of my shop. His poor assistant though, needs a pay raise and a stiff drink.
Written By Raja
April 27, 2021, 11:48 a.m.(5/15/1015 AR)
Oh. We will get that brawl.
Written By Raja
April 25, 2021, 10:15 p.m.(5/11/1015 AR)
I have Wagner's bench held hostage. It's a nice bench. Sturdy. Neat to look at. A little cold. I should donate his bench to a worthy cause. I heard Sir Preston is looking for benches.
Written By Raja
April 25, 2021, 10:11 p.m.(5/11/1015 AR)
Have you ever felt as if you were in a storm? The skies are blackened and the winds whirl around you? It's the kind of storm that brings fear into your very soul. That was me for most of my life. My storm was fear which led to anger. The anger turned the storms destructive. It destroyed all around me, leaving me utterly alone.
Then there was a glimmer in the darkness. A light. I was drawn to it, fought my way through wind and rage. As I drew nearer to that light, it grows. The power of that light was stronger than the storm. Eventually, the storm is behind me and before me is the most beautiful of lights. It shows the beauty of the world around me. It shows all the great things that can be enjoyed in life when one is not focused on rage. That light was my husband. His love is that light. As crazy as he is, he has showed me that life is worth living to it's fullness.
Then there was a glimmer in the darkness. A light. I was drawn to it, fought my way through wind and rage. As I drew nearer to that light, it grows. The power of that light was stronger than the storm. Eventually, the storm is behind me and before me is the most beautiful of lights. It shows the beauty of the world around me. It shows all the great things that can be enjoyed in life when one is not focused on rage. That light was my husband. His love is that light. As crazy as he is, he has showed me that life is worth living to it's fullness.
Written By Raja
April 18, 2021, 10:24 p.m.(4/25/1015 AR)
I had a very good team helping to clear out the folk in the are where the new library will be built. An older woman was taken to better places. A family was offered work elsewhere. There was a madman I hear.. but he disappeared deeper into the Lowers. I am sure we will hear from him again.
Written By Raja
April 17, 2021, 12:45 a.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
So, one day I went for a walk. Wagner Ulbran was sitting on a bench. That bench looked so comfy and my feet hurt, so, I sat on the bench as well. I remember to this day the look on his face as if he were surprised that I /dared/ to sit on the bench with him. He said something like, "You are either very brave or very foolish." This entertained me.
Anyways, this whole Wagner's bench thing has been going on between us for a long while. It is a whole friendly rivalry thing going on. But, the joke started to wane. I stepped it up a notch! So, I stole his bench. That's right, where his bench USED to be is a fluffy grassy patch. I now hold his bench hostage.
Anyways, this whole Wagner's bench thing has been going on between us for a long while. It is a whole friendly rivalry thing going on. But, the joke started to wane. I stepped it up a notch! So, I stole his bench. That's right, where his bench USED to be is a fluffy grassy patch. I now hold his bench hostage.
Written By Raja
April 14, 2021, 8:30 a.m.(4/16/1015 AR)
Something is going on. All these people are saying all these things about me! They are good things.. but.. Where did all this come from? I don't know whether to bask in the glow or to go hide under a rock and hiss like a cat.
Written By Raja
April 11, 2021, 10:03 p.m.(4/11/1015 AR)
I love my husband. I really do. I miss him. I know he travels with the wind. I knew this when I signed up for this marriage. But, it gets hard. I see others like Raymesin and Tanith together and then feel acutely aware of how much I miss him when he is away. I know he is fine. I know one day he will return. I just wish it were today.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.