Written By Delilah
May 17, 2019, 12:55 p.m.(2/14/1011 AR)
Every now and then, the veil slips back. An image takes shape from the blank background. Thoughts coalesce into clear ideas. A friend is found among the many faces of the city.
Like unexpectedly delightful tea blends, say, lime and rosemary, these joys are welcome when they strike.
Like unexpectedly delightful tea blends, say, lime and rosemary, these joys are welcome when they strike.
Written By Syd
May 17, 2019, 12:44 p.m.(2/14/1011 AR)
What makes someone a pastry chef? What makes someone a stone mason? Two things, largely, and they ain't hard to guess.
By a gelding's missing plums, my rosy children of snow and statues! No offense to Vellumichor but my personal recommendation is more lovemaking and less inkspilling. You're young, lusty, and boastful. Find yourself the ugliest lover who'll take you abed and make smiles together in warm flannel sheets every afternoon for a month.
The White Singer and the Widening Gyre, the Lord of Antlers and Echo of Whispers? Let them bide for a time, in this chilly city, and wrap yourselves in the little pleasures.
There is a brawny blacksmith of my acquaintance, can't remember his name, who smells of honest sweat and iron sparks, and any night he sleeps with his burly arms empty is another tiny tragedy. I'm too old to lay him gently in my own bed, so I must delegate. There is a charming young slab of a naval lady, built along the lines of a galleon--though twice as swift and thrice as strong--who in my younger days I would've pursued with such a persistence passionate pestilence that she would've been obliged to crush me like a boom swinging with the force of Jayus's spare hammer. There is a tailor with a throb in her voice and a candymaker sweeter then her goods. A knight whose sword is neither swift nor sharp, but it's long, my children, with a steady, purposeful, pounding. There is a heart in a heart, aglow with enough warmth to bring summer single-handed, and there is a mind of such startling diamond brilliance that all you can do--all you can wish to do--is prop your head on the pillow and watch the morning light play among its facets.
War is easy. Love is hard.
And ponder on this for a time, a saying from the Mother of Mercies: "We start whole. That's what 'whole' means. How we start."
By a gelding's missing plums, my rosy children of snow and statues! No offense to Vellumichor but my personal recommendation is more lovemaking and less inkspilling. You're young, lusty, and boastful. Find yourself the ugliest lover who'll take you abed and make smiles together in warm flannel sheets every afternoon for a month.
The White Singer and the Widening Gyre, the Lord of Antlers and Echo of Whispers? Let them bide for a time, in this chilly city, and wrap yourselves in the little pleasures.
There is a brawny blacksmith of my acquaintance, can't remember his name, who smells of honest sweat and iron sparks, and any night he sleeps with his burly arms empty is another tiny tragedy. I'm too old to lay him gently in my own bed, so I must delegate. There is a charming young slab of a naval lady, built along the lines of a galleon--though twice as swift and thrice as strong--who in my younger days I would've pursued with such a persistence passionate pestilence that she would've been obliged to crush me like a boom swinging with the force of Jayus's spare hammer. There is a tailor with a throb in her voice and a candymaker sweeter then her goods. A knight whose sword is neither swift nor sharp, but it's long, my children, with a steady, purposeful, pounding. There is a heart in a heart, aglow with enough warmth to bring summer single-handed, and there is a mind of such startling diamond brilliance that all you can do--all you can wish to do--is prop your head on the pillow and watch the morning light play among its facets.
War is easy. Love is hard.
And ponder on this for a time, a saying from the Mother of Mercies: "We start whole. That's what 'whole' means. How we start."
Written By Rysen
May 17, 2019, 12:33 p.m.(2/14/1011 AR)
We have concluded our investigation into Asger's death, and found much of value, though it seems to have lead to a dead end; however, I no longer have any doubt that Asger's murder was part of a large and ingenious design. Grimkin, the Cracknecks, Longwoods, Warwynds - perhaps even Marquis Ford - they are all connected in an attempt to divide us, to distract - yet my eyes are open, and my search continues with a restless will.
I remain eager to speak to High Lord Victus, and I offer my sincere thanks to those who helped us to investigate in the Northlands, especially my cousin, Duchess Fianna, Lady Amari Keaton, Lord Cadern Ravenseye, Rukhnis and even Gilroy Greyhope, whose insolence, under very specific circumstances, is quite useful.
To any who may be involved: look around. Your co-conspirators have been sent in agony to the Shinning Lands to await punishment for their sins and betrayals. There is still time for you to decide whether you will be a tool to be disposed of, or whether you will to do right in the eyes of the Sentinel. Send word before it's too late, for if I track you down, even Mercy will whet the blade of Justice.
I remain eager to speak to High Lord Victus, and I offer my sincere thanks to those who helped us to investigate in the Northlands, especially my cousin, Duchess Fianna, Lady Amari Keaton, Lord Cadern Ravenseye, Rukhnis and even Gilroy Greyhope, whose insolence, under very specific circumstances, is quite useful.
To any who may be involved: look around. Your co-conspirators have been sent in agony to the Shinning Lands to await punishment for their sins and betrayals. There is still time for you to decide whether you will be a tool to be disposed of, or whether you will to do right in the eyes of the Sentinel. Send word before it's too late, for if I track you down, even Mercy will whet the blade of Justice.
Written By Athaur
May 17, 2019, 11:41 a.m.(2/14/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Joslyn
We are getting married tomorrow. Don't mind me. Just losing my mind. Is it nerves or excitement? Your guess is as good as mine.
Written By Peri
May 17, 2019, 11:14 a.m.(2/13/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Raimon
Raimon, in your white you write that a warrior is someone who is prepared to kill and die for an idea.
I have thought of three challenges I face in understanding whether someone meets your criteria. I feel a Godsworn may have less challenges than I do.
Firstly, the knowledge of what ideas even _are_ is difficult. I recently spoke to someone who led me through the the complexities of duty and loyalty and the acts of obedience that follow from those ideas. The acts may be the same, yet the ideals behind those acts will be different. As I began to imagine what act would fall under what idea, I realized how little I understand of the concepts of Limerance.
Secondly, discerning the motivations of a person is difficult without the help of the gods.
Thirdly, making a life or death decision that requires the knowledge and the insight to know which ideal takes priority is difficult, and making that decision in the heat of a moment is difficult.
I am a veteran of the Gyre War and lost many people at Setarco. The Academy of War has meeting areas where we can re-enact those wars in miniature. I have relieved that time over and over working through every decision in that war with my compatriots as we slowly develop military doctrines and the strategic and tactical decisions that follow from them. Some decisions have us kill enemies, some decisions have us sacrifice our own people. I claim to you that knowing which ideal in any one moment is not easy.
I will not be able to judge whether myself or anyone is a warrior by your criteria until I have the years to grow insights and prove those insights time and time again when faced with decisions of life and death.
I hope until then to treat myself and others with respect from the humbleness of our ignorance. Unless someone is an absolute shite who violates some law. In the which case I will judge them greatly and perhaps will have to do so out of duty to an ideal despite wishing no good will towards shites.
If anyone asks what qualities absolute shites have, I confess that I have no oyster jobbing clue.
I have thought of three challenges I face in understanding whether someone meets your criteria. I feel a Godsworn may have less challenges than I do.
Firstly, the knowledge of what ideas even _are_ is difficult. I recently spoke to someone who led me through the the complexities of duty and loyalty and the acts of obedience that follow from those ideas. The acts may be the same, yet the ideals behind those acts will be different. As I began to imagine what act would fall under what idea, I realized how little I understand of the concepts of Limerance.
Secondly, discerning the motivations of a person is difficult without the help of the gods.
Thirdly, making a life or death decision that requires the knowledge and the insight to know which ideal takes priority is difficult, and making that decision in the heat of a moment is difficult.
I am a veteran of the Gyre War and lost many people at Setarco. The Academy of War has meeting areas where we can re-enact those wars in miniature. I have relieved that time over and over working through every decision in that war with my compatriots as we slowly develop military doctrines and the strategic and tactical decisions that follow from them. Some decisions have us kill enemies, some decisions have us sacrifice our own people. I claim to you that knowing which ideal in any one moment is not easy.
I will not be able to judge whether myself or anyone is a warrior by your criteria until I have the years to grow insights and prove those insights time and time again when faced with decisions of life and death.
I hope until then to treat myself and others with respect from the humbleness of our ignorance. Unless someone is an absolute shite who violates some law. In the which case I will judge them greatly and perhaps will have to do so out of duty to an ideal despite wishing no good will towards shites.
If anyone asks what qualities absolute shites have, I confess that I have no oyster jobbing clue.
Written By Valenzo
May 17, 2019, 8:47 a.m.(2/13/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Evaristo
Our dear Josie mentioned thirteen silver strands, aye?
I mean if we're all being honest here, you're probably responsible for...oh...twelve of them, I'd wager.
I mean if we're all being honest here, you're probably responsible for...oh...twelve of them, I'd wager.
Written By Jasher
May 17, 2019, 1:55 a.m.(2/13/1011 AR)
What makes someone a warrior?
I was given to the Salt when I was young, and when I was old enough to wield a cutlass, I spilled my share of blood upon the high seas. I killed many people--shav pirates, escaped thralls, or other malcontents--who found us, or who we found. I tasted saltwater and swam with sharks. I wear the scars of Silence, the Gyre, and the Lodge, among other battles.
For all this, they call me a warrior.
It is one of many paths, and there will be journals to come that will speak of their perspectives, but if you wish my perspective, being a warrior is not always about superior skill. It is also about understanding the mercy of preparation and a quick resolution, the weight of a weapon readied, and the scars that come with glory. It is to fight despite the odds you face, and to know that one day, you will not find victory but death, either by circumstance or choice.
Perhaps you may walk down that path, or you will never see it come to pass. But should the day come where you receive a weapon of your own, treat it with the respect it is due. One day you will kill someone with it, and if their face haunts your dreams, better that it is the face of an enemy that sought to destroy you or yours, than the face of an innocent.
I was given to the Salt when I was young, and when I was old enough to wield a cutlass, I spilled my share of blood upon the high seas. I killed many people--shav pirates, escaped thralls, or other malcontents--who found us, or who we found. I tasted saltwater and swam with sharks. I wear the scars of Silence, the Gyre, and the Lodge, among other battles.
For all this, they call me a warrior.
It is one of many paths, and there will be journals to come that will speak of their perspectives, but if you wish my perspective, being a warrior is not always about superior skill. It is also about understanding the mercy of preparation and a quick resolution, the weight of a weapon readied, and the scars that come with glory. It is to fight despite the odds you face, and to know that one day, you will not find victory but death, either by circumstance or choice.
Perhaps you may walk down that path, or you will never see it come to pass. But should the day come where you receive a weapon of your own, treat it with the respect it is due. One day you will kill someone with it, and if their face haunts your dreams, better that it is the face of an enemy that sought to destroy you or yours, than the face of an innocent.
Written By Willow
May 17, 2019, 12:19 a.m.(2/13/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Martino
Congratulations on your contract old friend. We shall have to get together to talk silks again sometime, you truly are my most valued ally when discussing the details and philosophies of fashion and the merits of one silk or cut versus another.
Written By Ishmael
May 16, 2019, 10:56 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
This city is rather lovely I will admit. I expect to be able to do a lot of great work here. Now if only it wasn't so beastly cold all the time
Written By Raimon
May 16, 2019, 9:18 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
I shall address the words of Lady Peri and Lord Quintin at the same time as they both asked what amounts to the same thing. What makes someone a warrior.
In my opinion, it is someone who is prepared to kill and die for an idea. That idea may be wealth, fealty, Honor. There are a number of reasons why some choose to fight. But it is an act of service in my opinion.
Since coming to Arx I have seen several individuals pursing martial capabilities because they feel they should. Not everyone is cut out for the field of battle. There is no shame in that. Strength comes from a variety of places. No one can be strong in every way. It is best to focus on ones strength then try to become something you are not.
In my opinion, it is someone who is prepared to kill and die for an idea. That idea may be wealth, fealty, Honor. There are a number of reasons why some choose to fight. But it is an act of service in my opinion.
Since coming to Arx I have seen several individuals pursing martial capabilities because they feel they should. Not everyone is cut out for the field of battle. There is no shame in that. Strength comes from a variety of places. No one can be strong in every way. It is best to focus on ones strength then try to become something you are not.
Written By Jaenelle
May 16, 2019, 5:08 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
For the record, you said that rainbow was a color. It was my position that rainbow is a group of many colors and therefore could not be labeled as singular.
Written By Riagnon
May 16, 2019, 4:30 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Kenna
No, that's not how you spell it.
Written By Willow
May 16, 2019, 4:28 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
I sometimes wonder if people aren't supercharging AntiVellichor with much unnecessary power by being as secretive as they are. In truth that is part of why I favor blunt openness in my dealings and feelings, even if they are things others have distaste for. I will gladly not share the secrets of others because they aren't mine to share, but I prefer not to keep any of my own.
Written By Evaristo
May 16, 2019, 3:13 p.m.(2/12/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Happy Birthday!
The gray hair isn't because of me, right?
The gray hair isn't because of me, right?
Written By Sparte
May 16, 2019, 10:23 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
I thank all within the Faith of the Pantheon for the opportunity to return to the grace of the Faith. I want to thank Legate Aureth and Archscholar Sina in particular, for taking the time to speak with me and help me to understand both the full burden of my choices and to see my path forward more clearly.
Written By Martino
May 16, 2019, 10:14 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
With many preparations being handled by the sweetest Lady Kaia, as we await the final details of our contract, I have recently been using free time to plunge forth into the Grand Archives and Library in research of both old and recent history of the city I call home. Southport.
While my education did certainly cover so much of this before, it is always good to refresh and remind.
While my education did certainly cover so much of this before, it is always good to refresh and remind.
Written By Quintin
May 16, 2019, 9:31 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Raimon
What makes someone a warrior?
Written By Peri
May 16, 2019, 9:27 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Raimon
In your journals you reply to Harlex with "I do not begrudge how people choose to spend their time. But there is a difference between being a warrior and knowing how to use a weapon."
By your words I take it that you hold those who are adept in the arts of combat to ideals that some do not meet. What are the ideals to which you hold warriors? Do you measure the battle adept by the ideals of those in your lands? I aim to understand the ideals of all lands so that I can fit my demesne into the tapestry hanging in the Great Cathedral.
And now I will speak on knighthood. For when you said this about warriors it was knighthood my thoughts turned to. The Order of East Light was born out of many ideals, one of which I've heard was a mission to spread knightly values to your lands. When you said that not all who fight are warriors, I immediately thought of the duties and loyalties that knights have versus those who have not taken that path.
It is not for everyone to take the path of Knighthood. I have not spoken to many in that Order to understand truly their ideals, but I judge their goals worthy enough to grant them beneficial access to my ports. Yet I hesitate to approach any for joining this order because I worry that by seeking to follow the tenants of knighthood because part of those require a declaration of loyalty to just one person. Shall I place my hands in the moral judgement of but one person?
I feel a loyalty to my people. I would call it love. I feel a very strong loyalty to protection. That is a different type of love. Would such a love for that concept be enough for me to trust in the judgement of another and perhaps love that trust enough for me to hold to the duty of a knight? This is something I have thought on for many months since discovering that order.
My skill at combat is poor or perhaps mediocre. My skill at at navigating danger is as good as those of us who are not Prince Cerdic, yet I am no knight. Would you deem me a warrior once my skill at war is as good as any in Arvum, would I be one then?
I do not ask these questions with any rancor or frivolity. I know not what pricked you to post to the whites. I ask these things so that we honor Vellichor and share the ideals of our time with our descendants. They will hold us to that Eastern Light and question why we have made the choices we did. They will see what dedication it takes to hone worthy blades to defeat the darkness. If it ever come time for war I want my children and my children's children to know what it takes to fight the darkness.
Let us tell them.
By your words I take it that you hold those who are adept in the arts of combat to ideals that some do not meet. What are the ideals to which you hold warriors? Do you measure the battle adept by the ideals of those in your lands? I aim to understand the ideals of all lands so that I can fit my demesne into the tapestry hanging in the Great Cathedral.
And now I will speak on knighthood. For when you said this about warriors it was knighthood my thoughts turned to. The Order of East Light was born out of many ideals, one of which I've heard was a mission to spread knightly values to your lands. When you said that not all who fight are warriors, I immediately thought of the duties and loyalties that knights have versus those who have not taken that path.
It is not for everyone to take the path of Knighthood. I have not spoken to many in that Order to understand truly their ideals, but I judge their goals worthy enough to grant them beneficial access to my ports. Yet I hesitate to approach any for joining this order because I worry that by seeking to follow the tenants of knighthood because part of those require a declaration of loyalty to just one person. Shall I place my hands in the moral judgement of but one person?
I feel a loyalty to my people. I would call it love. I feel a very strong loyalty to protection. That is a different type of love. Would such a love for that concept be enough for me to trust in the judgement of another and perhaps love that trust enough for me to hold to the duty of a knight? This is something I have thought on for many months since discovering that order.
My skill at combat is poor or perhaps mediocre. My skill at at navigating danger is as good as those of us who are not Prince Cerdic, yet I am no knight. Would you deem me a warrior once my skill at war is as good as any in Arvum, would I be one then?
I do not ask these questions with any rancor or frivolity. I know not what pricked you to post to the whites. I ask these things so that we honor Vellichor and share the ideals of our time with our descendants. They will hold us to that Eastern Light and question why we have made the choices we did. They will see what dedication it takes to hone worthy blades to defeat the darkness. If it ever come time for war I want my children and my children's children to know what it takes to fight the darkness.
Let us tell them.
Written By Lisebet
May 16, 2019, 8:25 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
Some things should not be talked about, like my preference these days for lemon ginger tea. And my upset stomach that informs me in no uncertain terms that whiskey, wine and apples are undesirable at this time.
Why did I think this was a good idea again?
Why did I think this was a good idea again?
Written By Kenna
May 16, 2019, 6:39 a.m.(2/11/1011 AR)
Calaudrin
A, and i-n.
I'm thinking I should make a badge or sign.
A, and i-n.
I'm thinking I should make a badge or sign.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.