Written By Aureth
Oct. 10, 2019, 3:21 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Also, generally, I admit I am a relatively new student of diplomacy, but I am entirely baffled at the idea of offering any such broad stroke to a people without receiving something quite significant in return.
Written By Tomwell
Oct. 10, 2019, 3:19 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Sina
Of course, that also means that we certainly have no adversarial relationship with them, either. In fact I believe that the Primasen of Nefer'khat have largely vowed to avoid interference in our affairs entirely. This does make them far different than Cardia and Jadairal.
Again, this doesn't signify my support for the embassies in any way, but we should go forth with correct information - something that is notably hard to come by, when it comes to the Nefer'khat, so I also emphasize that the Archscholar has my fullest respect.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 10, 2019, 2:47 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
I stand with those who think that embassies belong to our allies. We do not need to grant our enemies sovereign soil in our city in order to treat with them. Let them stand on Arvani ground, subject to Arvani law, when they wish to treat with us. To that end, I am publicly offering a very simple solution to that matter:
If anyone needs to meet with officials from the Cardian Empire or Jadairal on official diplomatic business, I am willing to open the doors of Whisper House to let these matters take place. There, you may have your neutral ground, but we are not going to be conceding any of our own soil to those who have expressed a will to dominate and rule over us.
If this is something that interests you, please do write.
Written By Bliss
Oct. 10, 2019, 2:38 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Well, I certainly hope people have learned their lessons. Call Champions and be done with it. Much, much cleaner.
Written By Rysen
Oct. 10, 2019, 12:21 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Arik
Of all the signs of power high,
Of timeless majesty and might
Nothing claims the foremost place
Nor pleasantly can frame the face,
Or be with fingers set in braids,
Or with gleaming, artful charms arrayed,
Or scratched when one is deep in thought
Or in freezing cold keep faces hot
O, beards of many colors!
Of sizes myriad and shapes!
Some by nature granted,
And some by human arts were made!
But all we celebrate with brews:
The hair that from our face protrudes,
The confidence our beards exude,
Shall like the fairest flowers bloom,
So let your majestic beards flow free
That grace your face so stylishly,
And drink your fill to celebrate
Such a wonder that adorns a face!
Written By Cassandra
Oct. 10, 2019, 12:06 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Written By Morrighan
Oct. 10, 2019, 11:34 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Khanne
Written By Sina
Oct. 10, 2019, 11:25 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
The Khati, as far as I am aware, have not been seeking to undermine the Compact, nor have they issued any impossible ultimatums that I have seen. This much cannot be said for our guests from Cardia or the Undying Empire.
Written By Lora
Oct. 10, 2019, 10:27 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
I pray that I am wrong.
Written By Sophie
Oct. 10, 2019, 9:35 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
I have been wandering the city again, visiting places I haven't gone in quite some time, seeing people I haven't seen, and meeting new faces that have just arrived in Arx.
I attended practices at the training grounds yesterday, and this morning I had the most rewarding conversation with Princess Reese and Lady Mabelle at the Ambassador Salon.
Our conversation got me thinking about the nature of heartbreak...
I am a Mercy. It's more than just my job - it's *who* I am. I can mend bones, and stitch wounds. I can apply poultices, prepare tinctures, and mix herbs in a tea to remedy most maladies. I can assist women in their ability to conceive, and I can prepare drafts so that they don't become with child unless they want to. There are so many things I can do, through science and learning, and countless hours of training with the Mercies at Blancbier. When it comes to medicine - I am a healer at my very core.
The heart though, remains a mystery to me. It rips and tears just as surely as flesh does, and the wounds of the heart are just as painful as the wounds of the body. As a healer we can try to mend hearts. We can offer a kind word, or an ear to listen, or a strong shoulder to lean upon, but the heart heals itself and in its own time.
Even as the bearer becomes convinced that the worst of the pain is over, and they start to forget - something occurs - the grasp of a familiarly calloused hand - or the taste of whiskey on a pair of lips - and once again the heart says to heartbreak "Hello, old friend. I almost forgot you - but you have returned."
We, the Arvani, as a people have conquered immeasurable threats - and we will undoubtedly conquer more in the coming days. We can and will stare at the face of certain death and raise our weapons and rush into battle to become victorious.
But to the the wounds of the heart even the strongest knight may fall to their knees... defeated.. broken.. until their old friend leaves again - and the heart begins to heal anew.
To those who feel as if the pain will never end -
It will end
You will love again some day.
Let the heart heal in its own time - for the only way to get over heartache is to walk through the flames of pain and come out whole on the other side.
In the meantime - the Mercies are here for you. Even if your wounds are not visible. We can provide an ear, a shoulder, or a hot cup of tea and a sticky bun. They may not help, but we can ask Lagoma's guidance through the transition and pray that through her fire you will be renewed.
Written By Peri
Oct. 10, 2019, 8:59 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Written By Peri
Oct. 10, 2019, 8:35 a.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
Written By Preston
Oct. 10, 2019, 2:45 a.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
As I said when the Compact considered the offer of joining with Cardia - it is a choice the nobles must make, but it is one I hope they will make while being able to look their Seraph in the eye. And I will continue to find other solutions to our problems, ones born of Arvum and our Gods and not the tempting offers of others.
Written By Shard
Oct. 10, 2019, 1:15 a.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Rysen
I get that the Compact isn't used to being on this side of things, but people are being painfully naive. They don't care about your rules, your titles, your customs, or your traditions, and there is nothing you can do to make them care, because you don't have the power to force them to do anything. They likely care about you and what's important to you less than the average noble house cares about some Abandoned squatters in the woods and what's important to them. Unfortunately, it's not like the entire Compact can just pick up and leave if they decide they don't care about our decision to reject their offers either.
Written By Tesha
Oct. 9, 2019, 11:58 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Eddard
Written By Sparte
Oct. 9, 2019, 11:57 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Hire a champion.
Written By Monique
Oct. 9, 2019, 11:11 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Written By Amari
Oct. 9, 2019, 10:42 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
I won't be attempting that again any time soon.
Written By Sina
Oct. 9, 2019, 9:24 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
While I was happy to provide the opportunity for the Compact to learn more about these foreign powers, I think allowing them an embassy without any formal treaties or relations is premature. Let them first come to the table with more reasonable offers and show a genuine desire for friendship without impossible strings attached. Personally, I would very much enjoy one day the possibility of getting to know them better, but until such a time as they respect the sovereignty of the Compact, and our beliefs, I think it would be best to maintain a certain distance.
I have been asked by some if I plan to host further events, but I have decided that at this time, I will no longer be offering the hospitality of the Academy to these representatives. As a representative of the Faith, I cannot in good conscience do more at this time. Perhaps once our relations have proven to be 'waterproof' as the Marin'alfar would say, I will reconsider it. That level of trust will, and should, take time to build.
Written By Dante
Oct. 9, 2019, 8:33 p.m.(12/25/1011 AR)
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.