Written By Aleksei
Oct. 19, 2017, 6:45 p.m.(6/6/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Mae
The Godsworn don't need free meals! They can afford their own. They better not be swooping in taking soup from the needy!
Written By Aleksei
Oct. 19, 2017, 6:43 p.m.(6/6/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirene
Wait, did you age a couple decades while I wasn't looking? You're barely older than me!
And _neither_ of us is anywhere nearly as old as Orazio.
And _neither_ of us is anywhere nearly as old as Orazio.
Written By Aleksei
Oct. 15, 2017, 4:38 p.m.(5/26/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Eleyna
The Liberators are always accepting donations!
Written By Aleksei
Sept. 20, 2017, 1:19 p.m.(4/2/1007 AR)
To say I was stunned would be something of an understatement. We had almost forty people in attendance at the opening of the Freedom art show, which is, by the way, a pretty big number for that room. Everyone managed, though, and there was such thoughtful conversation about all of the pieces. The amount of money we've already raised for our efforts are humbling, to say the least.
Out of the many pieces in the show, only one of them was centered on the topic of thralldom, but it's not surprising that people are going to talk a lot about the topic that is closest to home for all of us. The Compact thankfully outlawed slavery in centuries past, and it's true that the slavery of the compact is not the auction bloc and chains of Eurus, but we have our own forms. I've never made much secret of the official stance of the Faith on the subject of thralldom, but the efforts I've envisioned since I took my vows go even farther than that. There's so much work to do.
I'll say this, though: there are cultural differences between the areas of the Compact, yes. The Mourning Isles is not the only kingdom with its own values, in fact. But it has always been the place of the Faith to guide the moral laws of the Compact. And we can't treat the institution of thralldom as a simple cultural difference when it runs contrary to the virtues of the gods themselves. Which is why the Liberators have taken it upon themselves to make the purchase of thrall debt and their reintegration into free Compact society part of its core mission. We're working within the current laws of the various domains of the Isles, of course. It just means that when you put a price on someone's freedom, you never know who might be willing to come along and purchase it.
I'm so excited for what lies ahead.
Out of the many pieces in the show, only one of them was centered on the topic of thralldom, but it's not surprising that people are going to talk a lot about the topic that is closest to home for all of us. The Compact thankfully outlawed slavery in centuries past, and it's true that the slavery of the compact is not the auction bloc and chains of Eurus, but we have our own forms. I've never made much secret of the official stance of the Faith on the subject of thralldom, but the efforts I've envisioned since I took my vows go even farther than that. There's so much work to do.
I'll say this, though: there are cultural differences between the areas of the Compact, yes. The Mourning Isles is not the only kingdom with its own values, in fact. But it has always been the place of the Faith to guide the moral laws of the Compact. And we can't treat the institution of thralldom as a simple cultural difference when it runs contrary to the virtues of the gods themselves. Which is why the Liberators have taken it upon themselves to make the purchase of thrall debt and their reintegration into free Compact society part of its core mission. We're working within the current laws of the various domains of the Isles, of course. It just means that when you put a price on someone's freedom, you never know who might be willing to come along and purchase it.
I'm so excited for what lies ahead.
Written By Aleksei
Sept. 20, 2017, 11:18 a.m.(4/2/1007 AR)
The Liberators of Skald are proud to present the art show Freedom featuring work by Fortunato Grayhope and an anonymous contributor. The show will appear in the inner sanctum of the Shrine of the First Choice for a month, at which time the individual pieces will be auctioned.
Donations are currently being accepted, to which the auction proceeds will be contributed to, to support the Liberators of Skald in purchasing thrall debts and beginning a relocation and reintegration program that will become a core aspect of the Skald discipleship. Newly-freed citizens of the Compact will receive assistance from the Faith in relocating to any parish in the Compact, where they will be provided with temporary room and board and aid in securing work or apprenticeships with an aim to see every one of these citizens thriving and supporting themselves in their new lives.
Donations may be submitted to Blessed Aleksei Morgan or Prince Mason Grayson.
Donations are currently being accepted, to which the auction proceeds will be contributed to, to support the Liberators of Skald in purchasing thrall debts and beginning a relocation and reintegration program that will become a core aspect of the Skald discipleship. Newly-freed citizens of the Compact will receive assistance from the Faith in relocating to any parish in the Compact, where they will be provided with temporary room and board and aid in securing work or apprenticeships with an aim to see every one of these citizens thriving and supporting themselves in their new lives.
Donations may be submitted to Blessed Aleksei Morgan or Prince Mason Grayson.
Written By Aleksei
Aug. 27, 2017, 11:45 p.m.(2/8/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
I grew a beard to look more respectable for my station and I think it's working out pretty well. I look very mature and responsible with it.
Written By Aleksei
Aug. 27, 2017, 11:37 p.m.(2/8/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
Between congratulations and condolences, I sure know which one I immediately sent.
Written By Aleksei
Aug. 14, 2017, 11 a.m.(1/9/1007 AR)
I'm pretty amazed at the number of people who simply refused to swallow their pride and follow the honorable path by yielding during the Tournament of Roses melee. It was a pretty reckless display over a number of people who were then left unconscious and unable to be roused for quite some time by a team of Mercies and healers. (And that's coming from me, who's never been particularly known for looking before I leap.)
Neither Gloria nor Limerance calls for us to risk our lives in the pursuit of a friendly and honorable competition of arms. We honor the Goddess of Chivalry by knowing when we are beaten and graciously accepting it. We honor her by not putting our friends and compatriots at risk of inadvertently cutting us down on a field of competition because we refused to take the honorable course.
You'd think that we were on a field of true battle, how events played out. There is a place for unyielding heroism in this world -- a time when it truly honors Goria -- but that's against our enemies, not our friends.
Also, ten people on one isn't particularly honorable, either.
Neither Gloria nor Limerance calls for us to risk our lives in the pursuit of a friendly and honorable competition of arms. We honor the Goddess of Chivalry by knowing when we are beaten and graciously accepting it. We honor her by not putting our friends and compatriots at risk of inadvertently cutting us down on a field of competition because we refused to take the honorable course.
You'd think that we were on a field of true battle, how events played out. There is a place for unyielding heroism in this world -- a time when it truly honors Goria -- but that's against our enemies, not our friends.
Also, ten people on one isn't particularly honorable, either.
Written By Aleksei
Aug. 1, 2017, 6:41 p.m.(12/11/1006 AR)
Water you all thinking about all these puns? I don't quite sea it.
Written By Aleksei
July 24, 2017, 11:18 a.m.(11/22/1006 AR)
Peanut is only about a year old, but he's already saved my life more times than I can count. He's a truly heroic hound, because he has recognized the greatest threat to my life:
Air.
See, Peanut knows that I'm in the most danger when I'm breathing. So most mornings, when he realizes that I've fallen in to trouble yet again -- I'm sure it's so frustrating how many times he has to keep saving me from the same thing -- he selflessly flings his entire body on top of me and smothers me with his fur. At which point I of course wake up, still alive. Thanks to Peanut.
He also helps provide physical conditioning by weighing so much when I have to shove him off of my face.
Remember My Companion. (If I die in my sleep, it will be his fault.)
Air.
See, Peanut knows that I'm in the most danger when I'm breathing. So most mornings, when he realizes that I've fallen in to trouble yet again -- I'm sure it's so frustrating how many times he has to keep saving me from the same thing -- he selflessly flings his entire body on top of me and smothers me with his fur. At which point I of course wake up, still alive. Thanks to Peanut.
He also helps provide physical conditioning by weighing so much when I have to shove him off of my face.
Remember My Companion. (If I die in my sleep, it will be his fault.)
Written By Aleksei
July 14, 2017, 10:30 a.m.(11/2/1006 AR)
I'm pretty fond of jasmine.
Written By Aleksei
July 13, 2017, 10:11 a.m.(10/28/1006 AR)
Well, I think I smell pretty good!
Written By Aleksei
June 18, 2017, 8:09 p.m.(9/5/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Niamh
The first time I met Niamh Greenmarch, she woke me up in the Champions Guildhall by climbing on top of me and kissing the hell out of me. Soon enough she was lamenting that I couldn't think straight because she'd distracted me too well.
That was Niamh. Funny and fierce. Vivid and passionate. And she was my friend.
She wanted, very fiercely, to leave the world a better place than she found it. She tried so hard. I hope her imprint will be felt by those she leaves behind.
I know it's felt by me.
That was Niamh. Funny and fierce. Vivid and passionate. And she was my friend.
She wanted, very fiercely, to leave the world a better place than she found it. She tried so hard. I hope her imprint will be felt by those she leaves behind.
I know it's felt by me.
Written By Aleksei
June 4, 2017, 11:25 a.m.(8/3/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Juliet
What can I say about Juliet Fidante?
She stepped forward ahead of any of us to face Tolamar Brand. And she mocked him.
I wish I could tell you the kind of guts it took to step in front of the monstrosity he had become. She stepped up and called him the Failure of Oblivion. She told him we'd go easy on him.
It was all a distraction, of course. To give us an opening to begin the attack. But gods, those guts.
She may have been complicated. But I'll always remember her in that moment.
She stepped forward ahead of any of us to face Tolamar Brand. And she mocked him.
I wish I could tell you the kind of guts it took to step in front of the monstrosity he had become. She stepped up and called him the Failure of Oblivion. She told him we'd go easy on him.
It was all a distraction, of course. To give us an opening to begin the attack. But gods, those guts.
She may have been complicated. But I'll always remember her in that moment.
Written By Aleksei
May 21, 2017, 5:06 p.m.(7/3/1006 AR)
I had to sort of follow the trail of journals back from Fortunato's to find the root of the current disagreement. I was rather surprised to find nobles of Arvum speaking of their intimate knowledge of slavery in response to the reasonable concerns of a native of Eurus. I don't think there are any among us who can claim to know the nature of chains more than someone who hails from the birthplace of slavery -- and fled his homeland in rejection of it.
There is a reason that people don't tend to explain sailing to Islanders, horseriding to Oathlanders, swordfighting to Champions, theology to priests, and so on, and so forth. Prince Mason, in my experience, has a remarkably nuanced understanding of slavery in all its forms, and his opinion and reflections on the subject isn't one I'd so readily toss aside.
It's at least worth thinking that putting a person on an auction block looks a lot different to someone who's seen it happen in Skal'daja. That should be respected and not condescended.
There is a reason that people don't tend to explain sailing to Islanders, horseriding to Oathlanders, swordfighting to Champions, theology to priests, and so on, and so forth. Prince Mason, in my experience, has a remarkably nuanced understanding of slavery in all its forms, and his opinion and reflections on the subject isn't one I'd so readily toss aside.
It's at least worth thinking that putting a person on an auction block looks a lot different to someone who's seen it happen in Skal'daja. That should be respected and not condescended.
Written By Aleksei
May 16, 2017, 3:42 p.m.(6/21/1006 AR)
I'm sure that there are people expecting me to make some sort of response to certain comments in certain White Reflections aimed my way. I, myself, have no desire to air other people's private business entrusted to me as a Priest of the Faith, so I have to disappoint everyone by saying that I don't have any public comment at all. I've made the appropriate responses in private. I did, after all, get put through etiquette lessons.
Written By Aleksei
May 9, 2017, 10:23 p.m.(6/8/1006 AR)
"Nothing comes free in life."
It's been a while since I read something so callous in the city's white reflections. For anyone who hasn't had reason to find this particular journal, the words were in reference to the "reasonable" possibility the debts of those thralls lucky enough to avoid the slaughter at Thrall's Lament might be increased to cover Thrax's rebuilding of their homes and other needs taken care of. It is, apparently, "reasonable" to add the cost of this to a person's debt.
Someday I'll write the treatise on thralldom that it deserves. And I know the sentiment in the journal I read isn't shared by everyone: I saw the horror, grief, and shock on the faces of several nobles from the Mourning Isles as they worked and organized the gathering of the bodies at Thrall's Lament. But I'll say this:
No person of decency would speak so about a dog, much less a human being.
The Sentinel sees your words. And so do I.
Brother Aleksei Morgan
Priest of the First Choice
Paladin of Freedom
It's been a while since I read something so callous in the city's white reflections. For anyone who hasn't had reason to find this particular journal, the words were in reference to the "reasonable" possibility the debts of those thralls lucky enough to avoid the slaughter at Thrall's Lament might be increased to cover Thrax's rebuilding of their homes and other needs taken care of. It is, apparently, "reasonable" to add the cost of this to a person's debt.
Someday I'll write the treatise on thralldom that it deserves. And I know the sentiment in the journal I read isn't shared by everyone: I saw the horror, grief, and shock on the faces of several nobles from the Mourning Isles as they worked and organized the gathering of the bodies at Thrall's Lament. But I'll say this:
No person of decency would speak so about a dog, much less a human being.
The Sentinel sees your words. And so do I.
Brother Aleksei Morgan
Priest of the First Choice
Paladin of Freedom
Written By Aleksei
May 7, 2017, 11:04 p.m.(6/4/1006 AR)
I'll write about it. Eventually, I'll write about it.
But for right now? It's enough to be alive and for the world to keep on turning.
I still love you.
We did it.
But for right now? It's enough to be alive and for the world to keep on turning.
I still love you.
We did it.
Written By Aleksei
May 6, 2017, 4:49 p.m.(6/1/1006 AR)
I hope that everyone I love knows it. I hope that if I don't come back, each of you still knows and remembers that. Because I do. I love each and every stupid, brave idiot in my life.
My family's not limited to blood. No one's is. Never forget that.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
My family's not limited to blood. No one's is. Never forget that.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
Written By Aleksei
April 23, 2017, 4:42 p.m.(5/1/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Rymarr
It's my understanding that Marquis Rymarr is attempting to spread false rumors that he was not, in fact, giddy at his wedding.
As the man standing closest to him while he gave his vows, I will stake my honor on his giddiness.
But he's welcome to call for a champion if he likes.
As the man standing closest to him while he gave his vows, I will stake my honor on his giddiness.
But he's welcome to call for a champion if he likes.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.