Written By Malesh
July 14, 2019, 11:28 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
It seems like I shall continue to do my duty and record my own personal history in journals so that our experiences and knowledge is not lost.
I hope I'll be forgiven for saving the reading of these things for your descendants.
I hope I'll be forgiven for saving the reading of these things for your descendants.
Written By Bliss
July 14, 2019, 11:23 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
In the end, there is nothing that brings me down more than stagnation. It can come in so many forms, and so many ways, that I often do not notice it creeping up behind me. We get ourselves comfortable in one thing, or define a role for ourselves, and feel we have to adhere to that role. We feel we can only be this one thing, and that we must act certain ways because we are. The Radiant must be a refined creature of effortless grace and beauty. A Champion must be showy, must be flashy, must be dramatic. A Lycene must raise eyebrows, a Northerner must be savage, an Oathlander shy in matters of sex and we start to narrow ourselves further and further with all these little limitations. Particularly those of us who are good at acting - we treat everything as a stage, and soon enough, we find ourselves trapped into a little box largely of our own making.
It is, in the end, of course, all bullshit.
If a label can be applied to us, we are the ones who are in charge of defining how we express that label, what it means, and how it is put out into the world. For me, the relevant labels are six: Champion, Whisper, Radiant, Lycene, Disciple, and largely the most important one, Bliss. Sometimes, I do not pay attention, and these words - and really, they are just words - sneak up on me, wrap me in chains, and suddenly I feel paralyzed until something happens that makes me lash out and snap them all.
Really, we are the ones who are in control of those chains. They are paper-thin, and while there might be consequences in tearing them apart, the freedom is more than worth it.
Whoever you are, whatever you are doing that is making you feel trapped, find the truth of yourself. Find who you want to be, find how it resonates with you, and be that person. Be more than the labels. A family name, a family motto, these are just guides, they are not codes that completely define who you are and who you must be. Remake yourself, constantly, into something better. Step things up. Be clever.
Or else you will never reach your full potential.
It is, in the end, of course, all bullshit.
If a label can be applied to us, we are the ones who are in charge of defining how we express that label, what it means, and how it is put out into the world. For me, the relevant labels are six: Champion, Whisper, Radiant, Lycene, Disciple, and largely the most important one, Bliss. Sometimes, I do not pay attention, and these words - and really, they are just words - sneak up on me, wrap me in chains, and suddenly I feel paralyzed until something happens that makes me lash out and snap them all.
Really, we are the ones who are in control of those chains. They are paper-thin, and while there might be consequences in tearing them apart, the freedom is more than worth it.
Whoever you are, whatever you are doing that is making you feel trapped, find the truth of yourself. Find who you want to be, find how it resonates with you, and be that person. Be more than the labels. A family name, a family motto, these are just guides, they are not codes that completely define who you are and who you must be. Remake yourself, constantly, into something better. Step things up. Be clever.
Or else you will never reach your full potential.
Written By Sylvi
July 14, 2019, 11:19 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Tyrus
My big brother, the last surviving sibling, after so much we've gone through, we are reunited once more! Thirteen years ago, he was taken from me, and I thought that I had seen the last of him. He was always there for me, gathering books he thought I would like from the library when I was too weak to stand. He's stay and we'd read books together. Sometimes the same, sometimes we'd read different books while he stayed in the room with me.
In the years since he was gone, I dove into those books as my sole solace, learning to work with my weakness, fighting it to get them myself, growing stronger, growing up. I had to learn to be strong without him. Now, he's back, after I had accepted long ago that he was lost to the sea. Now? After all this time, all that lost time is returned to me.
I don't think of it as thirteen years lost, it feels more to me that all those years going forward that I had already thought gone. It's a chance I never thought I would get back. So, I'm here in Arx, with Tyrus. I don't remember ever being happier.
In the years since he was gone, I dove into those books as my sole solace, learning to work with my weakness, fighting it to get them myself, growing stronger, growing up. I had to learn to be strong without him. Now, he's back, after I had accepted long ago that he was lost to the sea. Now? After all this time, all that lost time is returned to me.
I don't think of it as thirteen years lost, it feels more to me that all those years going forward that I had already thought gone. It's a chance I never thought I would get back. So, I'm here in Arx, with Tyrus. I don't remember ever being happier.
Written By Khanne
July 14, 2019, 11:15 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Is there a book somewhere called 'How to make enemies and piss people off'? If so... I think someone read it. If not, perhaps they should write it with their narcissistic opinion and experience.
Or perhaps, they should learn more about things they deign to speak of before putting ink to parchment.
Or perhaps, they should learn more about things they deign to speak of before putting ink to parchment.
Written By Sylvi
July 14, 2019, 11:03 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
The journey over was rather uneventful, and yet, I felt as though I had been run through the most horrific ordeal upon that wretched vessel. I know my family was worried about whether I was fit to sail in my condition, and I fear they may have a point. But I survived, and have come to witness the city finally in all its splendor. I've heard some say Arx is the greatest city in the realm, and though my home certainly will always hold a special place in my heart, I have discovered one thing.
I am most certainly going to never grow tired of exploring the Great Archive, so even if I never quite brave the boat back home... I don't think I will ever have any immediate plans to leave.
I am most certainly going to never grow tired of exploring the Great Archive, so even if I never quite brave the boat back home... I don't think I will ever have any immediate plans to leave.
Written By Jeffeth
July 14, 2019, 11:01 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
I need a bird trainer. Please.
Written By Bliss
July 14, 2019, 10:55 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
The more I hear about a certain group of people, the more I see them write, the more they primp themselves up and act like they are the best people in all of Arvum because of how they are culturally, the more I realize that despite this being all they want to do, they really are just amateurs.
Here is a tip that I think many people need to learn: If you have to blatantly tell people how good you are at something, you are doing a bad job at selling it, particularly if it is something that is more subtle. Let your reputations speak for themselves. The rest of us will sit over here, pat you on the head, and tell you how very special and right you are just because we don't want to hear any more of it.
Here is a tip that I think many people need to learn: If you have to blatantly tell people how good you are at something, you are doing a bad job at selling it, particularly if it is something that is more subtle. Let your reputations speak for themselves. The rest of us will sit over here, pat you on the head, and tell you how very special and right you are just because we don't want to hear any more of it.
Written By Ajax
July 14, 2019, 10:49 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Kenna
It will always be okay. Eventually anyway.
Written By Ajax
July 14, 2019, 10:48 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Leonaess
Our newest addition. A healer of skill, I look forward to seeing what you're able to accomplish.
Written By Ajax
July 14, 2019, 10:48 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
As the heat breaks. I love the cool slowly edging into the air especially during the evening. It almost makes me feel young again. Now what to do about the grey in my hair?
Written By Bree
July 14, 2019, 10:47 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Felix
The best of all smiths. He created Kindness, my new blade, out of diamondplate. And now I can kill things with KINDNESS. Isn't that the best? I can stab with Kindness, and slice with Kindness, and poke with Kindness. The number of things I can do with Kindness are endless! Cannot wait to test her out.
Written By Jeffeth
July 14, 2019, 10:46 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
It is so lovely to have so many close Brothers and Sisters back in the city. Sir Brannen, Dame Bree, I am so glad you are here and I am looking forward to what we will do together.
Written By Bree
July 14, 2019, 10:46 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Tescelina
Lina is such a mystery, but hearing her laugh was like feeling the first touch of sunlight in the morning. I must make it happen again... and again!
Written By Tyche
July 14, 2019, 10:43 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Josephine has agreed to help me round up crafters for the best of all Pravus parties. The design challenge should be one that the people of Arx talk about for years to come! I wonder what mundane little items I should include in the challenge? Would it be too much to ask a seamstress to create a dress based on a small knife? Too dangerous, maybe, but exciting!
Written By Solange
July 14, 2019, 10:32 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
May I offer the sin of indecisiveness as well, Radiant? I have known people in my life who have managed to be boring, predictable, and indecisive. It's rather interesting.
Written By Solange
July 14, 2019, 10:23 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Arianna
I have a need to know who tutored the young Lady Arianna Pravus, because her journals are practically illegible and their history is lacking. If the House of Pravus has need of teaching, House Whisper is always available, with the finest courtiers in the Compact to instruct those who may need it.
Written By Norwood
July 14, 2019, 9:40 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
They will rue the day they took the children from my care.
Written By Maja
July 14, 2019, 8:45 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Ashur
Aila was falling all over herself for a charming young lord that we met today. Thank goodness he was tolerant of her advances but I fear his tolerance egged her on. So, Lord Ashur:
I'm sorry that my friend assaulted you with cheek kisses!
I assure you that I have had some strong words with her.
I'm sorry that my friend assaulted you with cheek kisses!
I assure you that I have had some strong words with her.
Written By Tatienne
July 14, 2019, 8:13 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
To be clear, this entry is not directed at any lord or lady in particular. But rather at a pattern I have encountered in my time in Arx that is frustrating in its frequency.
As a merchant offering my services to acquire goods, it is my job to engage in marketeering, negotiation and haggling for those who seek out my services. Especially for those for whom social mores demand they cannot do such work themselves.
If one is not opposed to engage in haggling and negotiating, they ought not need my services. If one merely wishes to hide that one wishes to engage in such practices from society, let it be known that I shall henceforth no longer hide it when people attempt it.
My rates are fair, my time is in high demand. If any wish not to pay my rates, that is their loss, but they should have the dignity and grace to tell me they wish not to pay for my services.
I do not negotiate with clients, nor should any who works in my field.
As a merchant offering my services to acquire goods, it is my job to engage in marketeering, negotiation and haggling for those who seek out my services. Especially for those for whom social mores demand they cannot do such work themselves.
If one is not opposed to engage in haggling and negotiating, they ought not need my services. If one merely wishes to hide that one wishes to engage in such practices from society, let it be known that I shall henceforth no longer hide it when people attempt it.
My rates are fair, my time is in high demand. If any wish not to pay my rates, that is their loss, but they should have the dignity and grace to tell me they wish not to pay for my services.
I do not negotiate with clients, nor should any who works in my field.
Written By Sparte
July 14, 2019, 6:50 p.m.(6/18/1011 AR)
*this page is a series of drawings of animals. There is a stoat with an injured ear and a scarf who shows up several times, a large rottweiler with a lonely air to them, and a squirrel being overly posessive of an acorn, mixed in with less detailed sketches of everything from birds to turtles*
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.