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Written By Iseulet

July 22, 2019, 10:35 a.m.(7/6/1011 AR)

Just one, probably quite long, trip to Grihem's Point and I am done with my project. I think I might make it in time for their Academy to open while I'm there. I can't wait to see the new developments and the dreams of Valdemar and Vanora realized. It makes my heart flutter.

Written By Gwenna

July 22, 2019, 10:01 a.m.(7/6/1011 AR)

I had a most wonderful time in Artshall at the Spring Fete! Truly, I do not spend nearly enough time with my Laurent family as I should. Lady Jael, newly married, agreed to be my partner for a dancing contest. I don't often dance, and those who were there could attest to why; I really only know enough to do passingly well at parties. My cousin, though? By the Gods, she is as graceful on the dance floor as about anyone I know! We managed to win even! The prize is glorious and I'm so glad I made the trip.

Written By Iseulet

July 22, 2019, 9:56 a.m.(7/6/1011 AR)

If I were a flower, maybe I'd be the bleeding heart. It was always my favorite growing up. They don't have much of a fragrance, but they are so strange and lovely...

Written By Celeste

July 22, 2019, 7:07 a.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Some of my earliest memories growing up are spending time at the Shrine of Tehom being mentored by the men and women who wore the Mask there. It's easy to see that the Masks of different regions place different priorities on their approach to our sacred duty, but I still recall the lessons as they were taught to me.

1. Question everything. This isn't to teach one to be annoying, but to teach everyone to think for themselves. What are your reasons for this decision? Why did you allow that to happen?
2. Learn when it's appropriate to voice those questions. The dog that yaps all the time quickly becomes ignored and its legitimate warnings lost because of it. Forcing divisiveness is not the goal of the Mirrormask, but creating an environment where we can acknowledge the motivations behind what we do.
3. If you're going to Question, ensure you do so thoughtfully. If your contrary opinion makes others double-down on their decision or does not provide a counter-point from a place of strength, you have only wasted your breath and made us all look bad.
4. Question yourself first. Before you present an argument, think through what others will respond with and try to answer those questions first.

There were many other lessons, but these are the ones that have come to mind most recently.

Written By Arcadia

July 22, 2019, 5:22 a.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Those Rivenshari dark ginger cookies have been my life saver over the last night. Everytime I woke, I had another and then I finished my bag for breakfast.

I need to befriend the Rivenshari cook just to get those cookies everyday.

Thank you for hosting such a great party.

Written By Sina

July 22, 2019, 2:25 a.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

In the Mourning Isles, there is a particular little white flower which is so fragrant and beautiful, yet they are also very understated. They grew in abundance, clustered wild along the coast in the tall grasses and sandy beaches beneath the shadow of a cliff near a particular port where my father's ship was berthed at one point. I was too young, I think, to remember precisely where. One of the few fond memories I have is of getting to leave the ship, walking along the beach looking for seashells, and my father putting a sprig of these flowers in my hair. I don't remember much else, but I do remember those flowers. My childhood memories are always so hazy, like trying to sail a ship through the fog with no lantern.

I suppose, though, if I were to be a type of flower, it would be those little white blossoms, though their name I do not know. I still remember their scent to this day, mingled with the scent of the Mourning Sea, accompanied by the sound of gulls wheeling and crying. The sun was setting, the tide beginning to roll in, and these little blossoms, being of a night-blooming species, were just beginning to open. For one of the few times I can recall, my father seemed to show a hint of something close to affection, beneath the hardened ship's captain that he was. One had to be hard, after all, in his line of work. These little white flowers... they were soft, but not delicate; they are tenacious, and weathered many a storm, and still they clung to the earth in spite of everything. Against tide, wind and storm, they persisted.

Strange how something so simple as talk of flowers can stir memories long-forgotten. Yes, if I were to be a type of flower, it would be those tenacious little night-blooming flowers of no particular name that I am aware of.

This was before the attempted mutiny, of course. Though he overthrew the mutineers, he was never quite the same after that, I think. It was only a few years later when his ship was destroyed, and I was taken in by House Thrax. Thirteen years ago, now. He's been gone for thirteen years.

Written By Brianna

July 22, 2019, 2:12 a.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Alecstazi

I'm glad you're smiling when I smash you into the dirt. It's what I do best.

Written By Ajax

July 21, 2019, 10:33 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Miranda

It's good to hear you're actually relaxing for a change. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Written By Ajax

July 21, 2019, 10:32 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

I love hearing people complain about the embargo. Still though, it's hard to argue that we have not lost access to quality materials. I wonder if this will lead towards an innovation on our end that will be better off then what was lost?

That'd be neat.

Written By Mikani

July 21, 2019, 10:32 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Eshra

A poem for my Rivenshari friends. Thank you for your invitation.

Oh today I danced.
I danced the dance of the drum.
I danced the dance of my beating heart.
I danced for the past, present and future.
I danced for liberation and freedom.
Oh today I danced.

(( A very small note at the bottom states, I think Rysen is rubbing off on me.))

Written By Thea

July 21, 2019, 10:18 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

I have heard nothing but bad news and the way heads have still been held high should still be admired.

Written By Jael

July 21, 2019, 9:43 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

I’m married now.

It’s still a strange thought.

Written By Josephine

July 21, 2019, 9:41 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Patrons day fast approaches. It makes me wonder what it is that I should create for my own patron. I look forward to seeing and hearing what others will do upon this particular feast day. How they'll honour their own patron.

Most certainly, I won't do so my getting a bowl of berries for the wendy bird. Most certainly not.

Written By Delfina

July 21, 2019, 9:33 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Magpie

The other day, I stopped in by chance at a terribly run-down little pawn shop, thinking I might find an old liquor cabinet or a crumpled map or something else that might be interesting. I happened to pick up a dusty, little glass bauble that caught my eye. The shopkeep said the shav he bought it from said, "It looks that way because the shav said that once there was a piece of the purest ocean blue crystal in it. Anytime he looked on it, it reminded him of the sea on a perfect summer day. Then, one night a beautiful woman approached him ... she was softly glowing in the darkness. She told him that a Thrax pirate had stolen a piece of her sea and locked it into that glass ball against her wishes, and she very much wanted it back. The shav was so awed that he agreed to give it back. The man held out the ball to her, but rather than take it, she just held her hand over it and crystal turned to seawater and flowed through the glass and up into her hand. She kissed the shav on the cheek and disappeared. Ever since? The shav has always had fair winds and safe sailing."

I know, it's a ridiculous story, but something about it charmed me, and I thought you might like it too.

Written By Jeffeth

July 21, 2019, 9:27 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

It can be hard to know what is an appropriate question to ask and what is not. I would like to reiterate my stance that I am open at any time to receive questions on anything I have learned during my time in Arx. I cannot reveal what is not mine to share, but I will educate as best I can with what I know.

Written By Shard

July 21, 2019, 9:02 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Yvon

They refer to themselves as 'Abandoned' because the Compact already abandoned them a long, long time ago. The Compact has its own words for them. You refer to parents and children; as fucking obnoxious as this comparison is, since when is putting your child into slavery a sign of good parenting? You are not their parents. They have their own parents. Their own elders.

There is no redemption in thralldom, and the 'value' of kidnapping the Abandoned and making them thralls is that you can have a whole lot of slaves working for you for free. There is no value to /them/. Those ex-Thralls that have thrived since being freed or freeing themselves have thrived in spite of thralldom, not because of it. The ex-thralls that have been murdered because they were /ex/-thralls certainly didn't fucking benefit.

You speak of forces of destruction and those that would overthrow the Compact. Slavery strengthens our enemies, quite literally. Maybe you should pay attention to more gods than the Thirteenth, and you would remember that.

Finally, the objection is not that it's 'unpleasant'. The objection is that it's slavery. 'Kinder' slavery than other forms, sure, but slavery all the same. And there is no such thing as a free people who have been forced to surrender their freedom, be it through chains or the sword.

Written By Saoirse

July 21, 2019, 8:13 p.m.(7/5/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Calista

Ah, see, I prefer my love to come with a certain ...bite.

Thank you for the education.

Written By Brigida

July 21, 2019, 7:22 p.m.(7/4/1011 AR)

I believe it is already established what manner of flower I am.
Thorns aplenty as well.

Written By Lysander

July 21, 2019, 7:18 p.m.(7/4/1011 AR)

I heart goes out to those who mourn Count Karadoc Tessere. You will be remembered.

Written By Rinel

July 21, 2019, 6:56 p.m.(7/4/1011 AR)

Relationship Note on Yvon

The Goodman Yvon has once again set pen to paper in what seems to be a pursuit to become the most reviled man in Arx. Herein I shall reply with several counterarguments.

The Goodman Yvon rightly acknowledges that the shav'arvani lack the guidance of both Faith and Crown. Yet he claims that this proves a lack of civilisation. Under such logic, not only are the Dune Kingdoms of Eurus uncivilised, but also the Skykingdom of Cardia, the so-called "Undying Empire" of Jaidairal, and even the Nox'alfar, allies of the Compact and progenitors of Her Majesty the Queen Symonesse. To be clear: Eurus, Cardia, and Jaidairal all practice heathen institutions, for which they will no doubt be held accountable--and Gods willing, it will be soon. But to be detestable is something altogether different than to be uncivilised. There exist shav'arvani holdings which rival any of the houses of the Compact in structure and organisation. Even their heresies are governed by hierarchies not dissimilar to our Faith. It is a foolish thing to underestimate our foes.

And this is where the Goodman makes his greatest mistake. The proper response to an enemy is not to enslave them, in contravention of Lord Skald's principles of freedom. It is either to conquer them, utterly, or to kill them. One may conquer by force of arms or by words, but in any case, it must be absolute. This is what has brought many shav'arvani into the Compact, where they have become civilised. But doing so by means of thralldom is wicked, for it renders us no better than our former masters at Caer'alfar.

That I, a woman who has on many times declared that the choices available to the Abandoned must be limited only to obeisance or death, must make statements in defense of them, is proof of the utter evil of slavery--and of the paucity of the Goodman's logic. I advise that Goodman Yvon take time away from the Shrine of the Thirteenth and reflect upon his thoughts at the Temple of Lord Skald.

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