Written By Amund
July 27, 2019, 7:08 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
If you must teach morals, do so sparingly and with correct timing. And do not discount the power of questioning; only those that are truly free have the luxury of being able to do so.
Written By Julian
July 27, 2019, 6:59 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Thinking about getting a cat. Any suggestions on who has the coolest cat that may have babies?
Written By Valdemar
July 27, 2019, 5:13 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Boys,
I have, and will do so again in the future, written here to advise you of the things you are likely to face. The trials and tests that life will undoubtedly put in your path. That is not my purpose here today, though. Instead, I'm going to tell you what I want for you, because holding on to your goals is how, ultimately, you will overcome those obstacles. Of course I want you to have the things that any parent will tell you they wish for their children: love, success, loyal friends...these things are an important part of life, vital experiences that you will need in order to give you strength against the unpleasant aspects of it that we all face.
But you will have responsibilities that go beyond the personal, and so there is more that I wish for you. Though I have had my issues with the Compact as a whole in the past, I've never failed to understand its necessity. Thus I desire for you, and the people you will rule over when I am gone, to have a greater place in it. Some of the hardest choices I have made since becoming Duke have been with this in mind, only made worth it when I look at you. Likewise, there are enemies out there that, at the moment, we as a whole are woefully unequipped to combat, and it is one of my greatest wishes to see you with the tools necessary to fight those battles on even ground. So much knowledge lost over the centuries, that I would see restored for you. That is the legacy I dream of leaving you, no matter how difficult it becomes.
I have, and will do so again in the future, written here to advise you of the things you are likely to face. The trials and tests that life will undoubtedly put in your path. That is not my purpose here today, though. Instead, I'm going to tell you what I want for you, because holding on to your goals is how, ultimately, you will overcome those obstacles. Of course I want you to have the things that any parent will tell you they wish for their children: love, success, loyal friends...these things are an important part of life, vital experiences that you will need in order to give you strength against the unpleasant aspects of it that we all face.
But you will have responsibilities that go beyond the personal, and so there is more that I wish for you. Though I have had my issues with the Compact as a whole in the past, I've never failed to understand its necessity. Thus I desire for you, and the people you will rule over when I am gone, to have a greater place in it. Some of the hardest choices I have made since becoming Duke have been with this in mind, only made worth it when I look at you. Likewise, there are enemies out there that, at the moment, we as a whole are woefully unequipped to combat, and it is one of my greatest wishes to see you with the tools necessary to fight those battles on even ground. So much knowledge lost over the centuries, that I would see restored for you. That is the legacy I dream of leaving you, no matter how difficult it becomes.
Written By Rysen
July 27, 2019, 2:44 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
I was traveling with a group of merchants with whom I'd been meeting to discuss Countess Arcadia's proposed trade outpost, when we were attacked by bandits on the Great Road. Luckily, we suffered no casualties - thanks in part to the extra guard Duchess Fianna has insisted on after the incident at the Seliki Manor. I was saddened to find out that our assailants had been deserters of the Crovane military. One of the prisoners said they were from the region south of Stormwall called Twilight Dale, and claimed that they attacked us because they're starving.
Since my brother has had his attention on suppressing the White Raven clan in the west, and I have been on campaign with Princess Marian Redrain, it may be that something is amiss in the dales. Than again, every bandit, once captured, has only turned to lawlessness in order to save his or her starving family. I've sent Deor to Twilight Dale to find out the truth of the matter.
Since my brother has had his attention on suppressing the White Raven clan in the west, and I have been on campaign with Princess Marian Redrain, it may be that something is amiss in the dales. Than again, every bandit, once captured, has only turned to lawlessness in order to save his or her starving family. I've sent Deor to Twilight Dale to find out the truth of the matter.
Written By Reigna
July 27, 2019, 1:15 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
I was rude to someone. Well they called me rude. But I cannot abide those that take advantage of the desperate and vulnerable. Those that feed off the needs of others, selling snake oil as miracle cures are beneath contempt. The sick, the hurting... they need *help* not lies and false hopes. Let it be known, that any purveyors of fake medicines, those that make their coin on the misery and exploitation of the sick and helpless had best stay clear of my path. If I see you, if I find you... You will rue the day.
Written By Acantha
July 27, 2019, 1:11 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Clearlake's annual Spring Festival has come and gone. It was late this year due to things beyond our control. I was happy at the turn out and I got to see some of my favorite people. Dame Felicia Harrow was there and she made a lot of children happy by rescuing candy from little boats for them. I find that being surrounded by friends and having the laughter of children in the air has renewed my spirits a bit more.
Written By Cambria
July 27, 2019, 1:11 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Reason is weak compared to the imagination, which is not only more powerful than reason, but comprehends our feelings besides. What's more, as the mind functions to aid survival and well-being, it is no wonder that we spend a good deal of time in willful ignorance. Getting on with life, the activity in which most of us engage, depends on believing some things rather than others, to which truth is often subordinated.
Written By Cambria
July 27, 2019, 1:04 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
The mind is essentially functional. As various thinkers throughout history have argued, the primary purpose of the mind is not to arrive at truth, but to enable us to pursue our ends, which are largely practical. We therefore believe many things not because they are true, but because they make us feel a certain way. And though truth is not determined by feeling, in one sense moral value is. Therefore, our judgments concerning the worth of things, big or little, depend on the feelings the things arouse in us.
Written By Lora
July 27, 2019, 12:51 p.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
There will always be a handful of days where someone can ask "where were you when..." and anyone asked will have a story to tell because those days are preserved forever in memory, as clear as the moments as they happened.
I will always remember sitting with you at the forge when the world changed, when we lost something and gained something. Perhaps we might've become friends under some other circumstances but that brief moment, that fracture of darkness and despair like the occlusion in some splendid gem, created something unique. Though it may've been forged in sorrow it has become an effulgence of joy.
You are an excellent protege, an incredible guildmaster, but a far better friend.
((The lower half of the page is criss-crossed in little black bird footprints, which become increasingly lighter as the ink runs out.))
I will always remember sitting with you at the forge when the world changed, when we lost something and gained something. Perhaps we might've become friends under some other circumstances but that brief moment, that fracture of darkness and despair like the occlusion in some splendid gem, created something unique. Though it may've been forged in sorrow it has become an effulgence of joy.
You are an excellent protege, an incredible guildmaster, but a far better friend.
((The lower half of the page is criss-crossed in little black bird footprints, which become increasingly lighter as the ink runs out.))
Written By Mabelle
July 27, 2019, 11:14 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Tescelina
I'm pretty sure there is an unwritten law against giving me access to so much chocolate. I'm grateful nonetheless!
Written By Norwood
July 27, 2019, 10:47 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
My nephew Eddard is back and he has gifted me with a small tree. He is an odd man, but I find I am fond of having him back. The house was a bit too quiet otherwise.
Written By Kenna
July 27, 2019, 10:45 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
I have spent quite a bit of time thinking and considering an offer made to me. I am grateful for the questions answered and the quiet of the shrines which I have visited.
Written By Thea
July 27, 2019, 10:25 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
I've been spending time more time in Shrines these days, trying to clear my head--find an understanding. I'm so glad I have.
Written By Thea
July 27, 2019, 10:23 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
I've gotten good at this knot tying. I think our recruits should worry a bit as I may come up with new training ideas or punishments. Learning to sail is has been enjoyable.
Written By Hadrian
July 27, 2019, 9:49 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Dianna
Your sister has attained your #1 position. That, of course, means that you've been lodged into the #2 position. Not all hope is lost, though! There is still plenty of opportunity to regain your favored place among the pair of you.
The big kid table awaits.
The big kid table awaits.
Written By Hadrian
July 27, 2019, 8:54 a.m.(7/16/1011 AR)
You mean another one? I guess! I'm sure it will be truly delightful.
The composer will no doubt sweep me off my feet with their song. I will clutch at my chest, feeling my heart thundering so heavily behind my ribs. As I stand before them, awash in their words and feel the imagery they seek to wrap me in.
Just make absolutely certain that it includes a prominent mention of Peggy with this one, please? She is truly underrepresented in my life story.
The composer will no doubt sweep me off my feet with their song. I will clutch at my chest, feeling my heart thundering so heavily behind my ribs. As I stand before them, awash in their words and feel the imagery they seek to wrap me in.
Just make absolutely certain that it includes a prominent mention of Peggy with this one, please? She is truly underrepresented in my life story.
Written By Shard
July 27, 2019, 6:23 a.m.(7/15/1011 AR)
I've heard the saying that 'there are no stupid questions'. Of course there are. There are a whole lot of stupid questions, and we all end up asking at least a few from time to time. There's generally nothing wrong with those--except that they're stupid---if you're asking because you genuinely want to know the answer.
But if you're asking stupid questions to try to teach, then there actually has to be a lesson in there somewhere. If you're asking, for instance, 'why is slavery wrong?' then I'd assume what you're actually looking for, what you want the person you're asking to think about, are solid reasons as to why slavery IS wrong. Maybe you want them to be able to back up knee-jerk reactions with well reasoned opinions. Maybe you just want to reinforce what they already believe. Who knows? I'm not a very good teacher, I've never really taught that way. I've had a few teachers who did, though, and they always had some kind of point. Some reason. Some purpose. Sometimes they would have to slap me across the face with it a few times before it sunk in, but it was always there.
If you lay out a long, detailed argument as to why slavery is, in fact, good, and specifically who should be enslaved, and why, and how that would benefit all of us, and--and this is important--these are not only arguments that other people are making, right now, with no exaggeration and in all seriousness, they're at least close to the justification for the incident that set off this topic in the first place, well, then it just sounds like you're advocating for the fucking thing. And slavery of one kind or another has a lot of fucking advocates. It doesn't need another one chiming in solely because they just want to ask questions. That kind've thing doesn't teach any lessons, it just pisses people off. And I suppose if pissing people off is the actual goal, then mission fucking accomplished, but don't try to dress it up as something to learn from, because it's not. The only lesson that comes out of that is to stop paying attention to anything you have to say.
But if you're asking stupid questions to try to teach, then there actually has to be a lesson in there somewhere. If you're asking, for instance, 'why is slavery wrong?' then I'd assume what you're actually looking for, what you want the person you're asking to think about, are solid reasons as to why slavery IS wrong. Maybe you want them to be able to back up knee-jerk reactions with well reasoned opinions. Maybe you just want to reinforce what they already believe. Who knows? I'm not a very good teacher, I've never really taught that way. I've had a few teachers who did, though, and they always had some kind of point. Some reason. Some purpose. Sometimes they would have to slap me across the face with it a few times before it sunk in, but it was always there.
If you lay out a long, detailed argument as to why slavery is, in fact, good, and specifically who should be enslaved, and why, and how that would benefit all of us, and--and this is important--these are not only arguments that other people are making, right now, with no exaggeration and in all seriousness, they're at least close to the justification for the incident that set off this topic in the first place, well, then it just sounds like you're advocating for the fucking thing. And slavery of one kind or another has a lot of fucking advocates. It doesn't need another one chiming in solely because they just want to ask questions. That kind've thing doesn't teach any lessons, it just pisses people off. And I suppose if pissing people off is the actual goal, then mission fucking accomplished, but don't try to dress it up as something to learn from, because it's not. The only lesson that comes out of that is to stop paying attention to anything you have to say.
Written By Gaspar
July 27, 2019, 5:48 a.m.(7/15/1011 AR)
My greatest source of lamentation since arriving in Arx: missing most of the "festivities" from Saoirse's party. I continue to hear murmurs about it.
It was a gathering of some of my favorite people, however. It would be pleasant to have them all together with their wits about them next time.
It was a gathering of some of my favorite people, however. It would be pleasant to have them all together with their wits about them next time.
Written By Preston
July 27, 2019, 3:44 a.m.(7/15/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Brianna
The question of questions - an enjoyable phrase to say to a Scholar - is complicated. And it will vary, a Liberal will say everything is free, nothing is forbidden. pragmatist will likely not want to have the debate at all as it only will cause division between the Liberal and the Orthodox, and the Orthodox will say that only questions that seek to improve yourself are useful, questions that challenge the order of our world are dangerous. But, those are matters of paths and views, not of absolutes.
Where it becomes a matter of absolutes are questions that may suggest paths that go to heresy. If one answer continues us on our path to serve the Gods and the other answer separates us from them, then the question can only do harm. This can happen even if the asker is simply musing, but also when the one asking seeks to provoke that separation. So. It is why there is a line at a point, in how far one may tread that path. And why the mirrormasks are so well trained under Blessed Vayne. I do not share his style of worship, but I can recognise the skill involved in his art.
Where it becomes a matter of absolutes are questions that may suggest paths that go to heresy. If one answer continues us on our path to serve the Gods and the other answer separates us from them, then the question can only do harm. This can happen even if the asker is simply musing, but also when the one asking seeks to provoke that separation. So. It is why there is a line at a point, in how far one may tread that path. And why the mirrormasks are so well trained under Blessed Vayne. I do not share his style of worship, but I can recognise the skill involved in his art.
Written By Brigida
July 27, 2019, 2:33 a.m.(7/15/1011 AR)
Time to do a bit of cleaning around the Shrine. I think I'll gather up the offerings to Petrichor and prepare a service in which they are properly offered up.
I might as well make a thing of it and see how many people would actually attend.
I might as well make a thing of it and see how many people would actually attend.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.