Written By Magnus
July 11, 2020, 5:15 p.m.(8/20/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
And lo, the skalds did tell the tales of The Balmy Prince.
I will teach my children these stories.
I will teach my children these stories.
Written By Shard
May 13, 2020, 11:54 p.m.(4/15/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
No.
Written By Rysen
May 12, 2020, 12:05 p.m.(4/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
The disagreement between me and Lord Alecstazi began with the White Journal he submitted on 6/12/1011.
It is true that I love my family and friends, that I feel deeply, and that it is at odds, sometimes with my reason. It also true that I have made many mistakes. Though sometimes it is hard to understand why, my friends and family have supported me, and I am grateful.
Dame Judyth used to teach us of the various species of love: that of passion, of fidelity, and of deep friendship - but the definition I liked the most was one that came from Seraph Avelia of Lenosia. She said that love was to "will the good of another." This concept has become dear to me. It is the balm to a life of war; it strengthens my resolve and makes me a better father, husband and lord of Stormwall. Others may disagree. They are free to do so, but I am a poet, and I am one who loves deeply.
I have the deepest respect for House Halfshav and House Thrax. I have been treated with kindness by both families, and hope that I may treat them in like manner as long as I live. My conflict with Lord Alecstazi is a personal one. We agree that duty is of greatest importance to a peer, and that love between married partners is not an evil. He has, however, treated my wife with extreme disrespect.
He criticized our affection, and said he could not see what House Crovane would gain from the match, not realizing, perhaps that the match was approved by Duchess Fianna, Count Graham, and the Faith, whose wisdom in such matters far exceeds his own. Time has vindicated my wife, as her tireless efforts as Minister of Income and Ambassador of the Marin'alfar have served both my House and the Compact. The fact that my wife and I shared deep affection before our match was approved is something that I would hope he can relate to.
Lord Alecstazi also avows himself a firm traditionalist, and has frequently written to defend those who support the institution of thralldom. He calls Lady Mikani a social climber, and yet if social standing is so important to him, one must ask how many princesses of the other Great Houses he courted before joining one of the newest Houses of the Compact, that extends back, like my own House, only a few generations? If traditions are so important to him, why would he call his own wife as his champion, when the very spirit of the institution of honor duels has been implemented to handle perceived slights without involving those emotionally invested in the conflict?
Let no one mistake Lord Alecstazi for a man of principle. His legacy in the Whites is an account of pettiness, meanness and arrogance. It is his love for my friend that redeems him. May it ever be so.
As for me, I hope that when my son and daughters look back at my journals after I've passed, they find a man who sought to fulfill his oaths, love his family and friends, and one who stood up for the mother who gave so much of herself caring for them.
It is true that I love my family and friends, that I feel deeply, and that it is at odds, sometimes with my reason. It also true that I have made many mistakes. Though sometimes it is hard to understand why, my friends and family have supported me, and I am grateful.
Dame Judyth used to teach us of the various species of love: that of passion, of fidelity, and of deep friendship - but the definition I liked the most was one that came from Seraph Avelia of Lenosia. She said that love was to "will the good of another." This concept has become dear to me. It is the balm to a life of war; it strengthens my resolve and makes me a better father, husband and lord of Stormwall. Others may disagree. They are free to do so, but I am a poet, and I am one who loves deeply.
I have the deepest respect for House Halfshav and House Thrax. I have been treated with kindness by both families, and hope that I may treat them in like manner as long as I live. My conflict with Lord Alecstazi is a personal one. We agree that duty is of greatest importance to a peer, and that love between married partners is not an evil. He has, however, treated my wife with extreme disrespect.
He criticized our affection, and said he could not see what House Crovane would gain from the match, not realizing, perhaps that the match was approved by Duchess Fianna, Count Graham, and the Faith, whose wisdom in such matters far exceeds his own. Time has vindicated my wife, as her tireless efforts as Minister of Income and Ambassador of the Marin'alfar have served both my House and the Compact. The fact that my wife and I shared deep affection before our match was approved is something that I would hope he can relate to.
Lord Alecstazi also avows himself a firm traditionalist, and has frequently written to defend those who support the institution of thralldom. He calls Lady Mikani a social climber, and yet if social standing is so important to him, one must ask how many princesses of the other Great Houses he courted before joining one of the newest Houses of the Compact, that extends back, like my own House, only a few generations? If traditions are so important to him, why would he call his own wife as his champion, when the very spirit of the institution of honor duels has been implemented to handle perceived slights without involving those emotionally invested in the conflict?
Let no one mistake Lord Alecstazi for a man of principle. His legacy in the Whites is an account of pettiness, meanness and arrogance. It is his love for my friend that redeems him. May it ever be so.
As for me, I hope that when my son and daughters look back at my journals after I've passed, they find a man who sought to fulfill his oaths, love his family and friends, and one who stood up for the mother who gave so much of herself caring for them.
Written By Rysen
May 11, 2020, 10:48 a.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Do beseech Jayus for some couplets, Lord
Your lack of logic finds us growing bored
O, but you claim no match for you be found
Save one who lately wore resplendent gown?
Sure, Lord, I shall have take your word for it -
That what Love did choose as a perfect fit
Was actually the High Lord's command,
And for stark duty took Brianna's hand.
No other reason moved that happy match -
Because Halfshav /had/ to marry Thrax.
For what reason? Ask me not, sweet Muse!
For the former prince might his temper lose,
And our duty from the gods and spirits
Should fully support this man's appearance
For truest friend, bright souled Brianna's sake
Else we may get Whites claiming thralls are great,
Since defeat by Love he'll not admit with grace
And so he digs himself a deeper grave.
Your lack of logic finds us growing bored
O, but you claim no match for you be found
Save one who lately wore resplendent gown?
Sure, Lord, I shall have take your word for it -
That what Love did choose as a perfect fit
Was actually the High Lord's command,
And for stark duty took Brianna's hand.
No other reason moved that happy match -
Because Halfshav /had/ to marry Thrax.
For what reason? Ask me not, sweet Muse!
For the former prince might his temper lose,
And our duty from the gods and spirits
Should fully support this man's appearance
For truest friend, bright souled Brianna's sake
Else we may get Whites claiming thralls are great,
Since defeat by Love he'll not admit with grace
And so he digs himself a deeper grave.
Written By Victus
May 11, 2020, 10:32 a.m.(4/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Marrying solely for love without forwarding the strength of your house is a foolish, selfish errand to partake in. I say that as I know it was not my cousin’s intent, but a very fortunate luxury to find a soul mate intertwined with a political match.
Rest assured, Lord Alecstazi is a dutiful man who had the best interests of his family at heart. Love did not blind to his responsibility as an honored peer.
The Ducal House Halfshav and House Thrax are looking forward to a prosperous alliance. And no more mixing up snow and swords which is an honest mistake.
Rest assured, Lord Alecstazi is a dutiful man who had the best interests of his family at heart. Love did not blind to his responsibility as an honored peer.
The Ducal House Halfshav and House Thrax are looking forward to a prosperous alliance. And no more mixing up snow and swords which is an honest mistake.
Written By Rysen
May 9, 2020, 11:49 p.m.(4/7/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Though I may deny it later,
I am a man of pride,
And 'fore the lord who Halfshav joined
My true love he belied.
No noble for bright love should wed,
But only duty should incite
A peer of our most sacred realm
To bind with another life.
He scoffed at my wife's joining
The renown House of Crovane
Just as Ivan the Apostate now
In Sungreet treats him with disdain:
"From a Prince a serpent's fallen
To bestial half a man.
One who had such promise
Now sunk with wedded band."
Yet bright is all love's promise,
And makes our duties light,
As hate the smallest trifle
Adds a lodestone's weight in spite.
Heirs Love grants in plenty,
And attentive to our young
That happy force is guiding us,
And makes our House trees strong,
I think that in this contest, Lord,
You must to this poet yield,
And admit before the wife you chose
That Love has won the field.
I give congratulations,
And to the Northlands welcome you.
May your married life be wonderful,
Though give Lord Arik fewer wounds.
I am a man of pride,
And 'fore the lord who Halfshav joined
My true love he belied.
No noble for bright love should wed,
But only duty should incite
A peer of our most sacred realm
To bind with another life.
He scoffed at my wife's joining
The renown House of Crovane
Just as Ivan the Apostate now
In Sungreet treats him with disdain:
"From a Prince a serpent's fallen
To bestial half a man.
One who had such promise
Now sunk with wedded band."
Yet bright is all love's promise,
And makes our duties light,
As hate the smallest trifle
Adds a lodestone's weight in spite.
Heirs Love grants in plenty,
And attentive to our young
That happy force is guiding us,
And makes our House trees strong,
I think that in this contest, Lord,
You must to this poet yield,
And admit before the wife you chose
That Love has won the field.
I give congratulations,
And to the Northlands welcome you.
May your married life be wonderful,
Though give Lord Arik fewer wounds.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 9, 2019, 2:44 p.m.(12/24/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
When, in order to defend a practice, you must discount a vast proportion of the history of that same practice, you may not actually be speaking in its defense as much as you believe.
His Grace, Prince Victus Thrax, stands united with the Faith in working towards the abolition of thralldom. You have already stated that you accede to this. Perhaps you and the Lord Commander are enjoying this little spat, but if not I suggest you quit while you are already behind.
His Grace, Prince Victus Thrax, stands united with the Faith in working towards the abolition of thralldom. You have already stated that you accede to this. Perhaps you and the Lord Commander are enjoying this little spat, but if not I suggest you quit while you are already behind.
Written By Eleanor
Oct. 8, 2019, 12:18 p.m.(12/22/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
To defend the system of thralldom without commenting on the heredity of debt is willfully blind to its cruelty. To declare that "by and large" thralls are deserving of the sentence is to declare that some children are born criminals, a stance I don't understand how anyone can possibly endorse.
Written By Eleanor
Oct. 4, 2019, 9:25 p.m.(12/15/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
And what about those criminals' children? Not innocents, either?
Written By Brianna
Oct. 1, 2019, 3:14 p.m.(12/8/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Yes, things are different now, but I do not think you are any less than you once were. We have much we still can do, much we can still accomplish, and I hope the scholar who reads this to you appreciates the greatness of the man in front of them.
Written By Arik
Sept. 22, 2019, 9:37 p.m.(11/19/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
For all the faults one may level against this Prince of Thrax the truth remains that when the moment came it was he who remained and others who left. Nothing is more revealing as a moment of disaster.
Written By Raimon
Sept. 14, 2019, 5:20 a.m.(11/1/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
It would be an honor, Cousin. Though we would need to find a third.
Written By Brianna
Aug. 21, 2019, 1:20 p.m.(9/10/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Ever since I met you, I know I will never walk alone in this life.
Your goose in a menace and won't stop following me.
Your goose in a menace and won't stop following me.
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 Brianna
July 15, 2019, 3:05 p.m.(6/20/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
My dear friend, with supporters like the one a few pages back, who needs enemies?
Written By Shard
July 10, 2019, 6:08 p.m.(6/10/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
What in the everliving fuck are you even talking about?
I've done bad things. I've even done at least one terrible thing. I have never, /ever/ done the things that we've been discussing. To be honest, if I wasn't so damned confused about what my title actually makes me as far as the Compact is concerned, I'd take up the offer to fight for me that I received a few days ago and challenge you over that accusation alone.
And even if I was whatever you're saying, whatever you're referring to, exactly how does that invalidate anything I've been saying? This argument was not about Shard, Better Than You. If that's how you've been reading it this entire time, you're not only hopeless, you're looking for excuses to ignore uncomfortable realities. I could be the biggest, most hypocritical monster on Arvum, and it wouldn't somehow make murdering babies /okay/. It wouldn't make butchering thousands okay. It wouldn't make torturing hundreds to death because you're mad at your liege and you think your new human body art project will get their attention fine and acceptable. It doesn't suddenly justify slavery.
I've never claimed to be a good person, let alone a paragon, so I don't see why you keep insisting I have. The more important question is why it is that someone like me, whoever and whatever you think /I/ am, seemingly has to point out these basic fucking things to someone like /you/.
I've done bad things. I've even done at least one terrible thing. I have never, /ever/ done the things that we've been discussing. To be honest, if I wasn't so damned confused about what my title actually makes me as far as the Compact is concerned, I'd take up the offer to fight for me that I received a few days ago and challenge you over that accusation alone.
And even if I was whatever you're saying, whatever you're referring to, exactly how does that invalidate anything I've been saying? This argument was not about Shard, Better Than You. If that's how you've been reading it this entire time, you're not only hopeless, you're looking for excuses to ignore uncomfortable realities. I could be the biggest, most hypocritical monster on Arvum, and it wouldn't somehow make murdering babies /okay/. It wouldn't make butchering thousands okay. It wouldn't make torturing hundreds to death because you're mad at your liege and you think your new human body art project will get their attention fine and acceptable. It doesn't suddenly justify slavery.
I've never claimed to be a good person, let alone a paragon, so I don't see why you keep insisting I have. The more important question is why it is that someone like me, whoever and whatever you think /I/ am, seemingly has to point out these basic fucking things to someone like /you/.
Written By Preston
July 10, 2019, 7:45 a.m.(6/9/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
The prince of Thrax comments on the Valorous Few and perhaps on mercenaries more generally. I must admit, I am dull and predictable - I am wary of any who fight first for money. It places one at risk of dishonour, it pulls at the bonds of oaths. It is a path surrounded by murky waters, the beasts from which could at any time pounce from the depths to drag you away from the Gods. The Templars' displeasure with mercenaries and their actions has been clear in the past, with our issues with the Crimson Blades and their orders under Prince Alistair.
But what I will say is they are often the most honest of the secular forces we deal with. They are often the most willing to discuss matters with us. Now, I know this is because their motives are obvious - they want coin, and to survive to spend it. But some mercenary commanders have also been most willing to own errors and step up and pay with that same coin to rectify mistakes. Baroness Violet of the Crimson Blades is one such.
I never met Audric, I knew him only by reputation - I do not think we would have liked one another. I think the disagreements between myself and Prima Shard are written in the whites for the ages. But I have never found them to be dishonest. While I may often think Prima Shard is wrong, often self defeating, I may think she is at least half the cause of whatever distance she feels between herself and others in the Compact, I have never doubted that she earnestly held the views she espoused. And that earnestness is built on her experiences.
We each see the world from our own perspective. As a prince, as an outcast, as an orphan. As a noble, as a mercenary or as a knight of the Faith. Perhaps what is best is to agree on a common view of the future, than arguing over our perceptions of the past?
But what I will say is they are often the most honest of the secular forces we deal with. They are often the most willing to discuss matters with us. Now, I know this is because their motives are obvious - they want coin, and to survive to spend it. But some mercenary commanders have also been most willing to own errors and step up and pay with that same coin to rectify mistakes. Baroness Violet of the Crimson Blades is one such.
I never met Audric, I knew him only by reputation - I do not think we would have liked one another. I think the disagreements between myself and Prima Shard are written in the whites for the ages. But I have never found them to be dishonest. While I may often think Prima Shard is wrong, often self defeating, I may think she is at least half the cause of whatever distance she feels between herself and others in the Compact, I have never doubted that she earnestly held the views she espoused. And that earnestness is built on her experiences.
We each see the world from our own perspective. As a prince, as an outcast, as an orphan. As a noble, as a mercenary or as a knight of the Faith. Perhaps what is best is to agree on a common view of the future, than arguing over our perceptions of the past?
Written By Arik
July 9, 2019, 11:02 a.m.(6/7/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Zealotry is something which is endless and heedless. It cannot be reasoned with, it cannot be argued with. Not all zealotry is to the Pantheon, divinely inspired with passion. Some zealotry is born of hatred and pettiness. Uppity rabble that twists itself to the same shape at the end of every outward push. No matter what truth is provided, their truth is that you are the greater evil and they the lesser. Their thumb of the scale ensures their world view and their zealotry is never swayed. It's a tidy arrangement.
Written By Shard
July 9, 2019, 3:34 a.m.(6/7/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
Which actions are you referring to? When I fought in the front lines to defend Setarco? When I fought to defend the Lodge of Petrichor? When I spent weeks in the Gray Forest helping to root out cultists and demon worshipers? Actions taken under the command of Audric de Lire, I might add. Who was awarded a barony because of /his/ actions in the Silent War. My actions speak for themselves, the good and the bad. Am I conflicted? Of course I'm conflicted. Most people are conflicted over something.
I don't seek to make you a better people; no one can make you better other than yourselves. I'm not /that/ arrogant. But if you want suggestions? Fine. Feel free to ignore these:
When raiders attack you, why don't you go kill the raiders and then /stop killing when you're done/. Don't know who the raiders are? You might have an idea if you took the time to learn which tribes are which, what their stories are, what their traditions are, how they live and where they live. Because Thesarin is right; it's easy for the people that wronged you to get away with everything they've done, because the standard response is to not even bother checking targets before soldiers start attacking.
You know who would have a good idea about who the raiders are? The other tribes. Chances are when the raiders aren't attacking you, they're attacking them. Sometimes they don't, of course. Sometimes they're just attacking the Compact because they're very, very angry at the Compact. And I wonder why that might be. But either way, why should they tell you? Because today you might not murder them in their beds or drive them from their homes? Even I know that kind of thing rarely makes friends.
Ah, but they're on your land? Then I ask you; what makes it yours? Because you say so? They say it's their land. They've often been living there for hundreds of years, if not longer. And the Compact claims every inch of land on Arvum. You claim the islands. You claim the seas. You claim the snowy wastes far, far from any holding. You claim more land than you can ever possibly fill, and yet it's all yours, forever, no matter what. They have no where to go that is not 'your land'. And, funny enough, when a tribe as a whole bends the knee, they often get to stay right where they were, on that land you needed so badly.
What should you do? What do you do with the Nox'alfar? Cardia? Jadairal? Eurus? What would you do if a khati ship sailed into the harbor next? Do you declare them all squatting law-breakers who should be put down? Do you make it clear that anyone can do anything to them they want, because they're not under the King's Law? Of course you don't, because if you did, you'd be in a war you'd very possibly not win. No, all of those were negotiated with. They were allowed to voice their offers and concerns in the Assembly of Peers. One of them even openly claimed to be holding the King's son hostage. He admitted to executing Compact citizens on Arvani soil. And you know what else he said? He said he did those things because he wanted to and because he could. Because his kingdom holds the power and ours does not.
And that, in the end, is why you won't treat the Abandoned the way you treat any of them. Not because of the law, not even because of what's been done to you. But because they don't have enough power. They don't have the ability to possibly destroy the Compact. They can be dangerous, of course, but not to all of us. Not to everyone at once. Not when all the banners are called and the Compact marches together. No, the Compact has the power to end any one tribe, or even a small alliance of tribes, and the Compact wants the land they're living on, so the Compact treats them all as enemies and criminals and at best turns a blind eye to nearly anything that's done to them. Bend the knee or die. And, sometimes, when a few nobles start feeling like society is being polluted, bend the knee and die anyway.
You use my title, but according to your laws I was born a criminal. According to your laws I had a potential death sentence hanging over my head the moment I drew breath, the moment my parents drew breath, and their parents, and /their/ parents. My family has been in Arvum a very long time. It's older than the Compact itself. But none of that mattered to the noble who ordered my death because my tribe was--temporarily at that--vaguely near his holdings. Why should it? He wanted us gone and I didn't have the power to stop him. We were enemies. Everyone out there is an enemy.
So you asked for suggestions. Ideas. I'm not a diplomat. I'm not much of a strategist. I'm very, very new to the idea of leadership at all. But it seems to me, that if nothing else I've said has made any kind of impression, you might consider that the Compact has far too many enemies. Powerful enemies. Enemies that are very good at convincing all your other enemies that life would be better without you. That any kind of sacrifice is worth making if they can be rid of you. In the past few years, these kinds of enemies, these warlords, have attacked the Compact directly three times. We've fought two wars against them. Their armies didn't come from nowhere. Too often they've come from desperate, angry Abandoned that have been driven straight into their arms because it becomes a choice between those warlords and you, and you've ensured that they /fucking hate you/. Maybe it would be in the Compact's better interests to stop doing that.
And before you start writing; no. I have hated, and still hate one of those warlords far, far more than I could ever, and have ever hated the Compact or anyone in it. On that, I have never been conflicted for even the briefest moment in my entire life.
I don't seek to make you a better people; no one can make you better other than yourselves. I'm not /that/ arrogant. But if you want suggestions? Fine. Feel free to ignore these:
When raiders attack you, why don't you go kill the raiders and then /stop killing when you're done/. Don't know who the raiders are? You might have an idea if you took the time to learn which tribes are which, what their stories are, what their traditions are, how they live and where they live. Because Thesarin is right; it's easy for the people that wronged you to get away with everything they've done, because the standard response is to not even bother checking targets before soldiers start attacking.
You know who would have a good idea about who the raiders are? The other tribes. Chances are when the raiders aren't attacking you, they're attacking them. Sometimes they don't, of course. Sometimes they're just attacking the Compact because they're very, very angry at the Compact. And I wonder why that might be. But either way, why should they tell you? Because today you might not murder them in their beds or drive them from their homes? Even I know that kind of thing rarely makes friends.
Ah, but they're on your land? Then I ask you; what makes it yours? Because you say so? They say it's their land. They've often been living there for hundreds of years, if not longer. And the Compact claims every inch of land on Arvum. You claim the islands. You claim the seas. You claim the snowy wastes far, far from any holding. You claim more land than you can ever possibly fill, and yet it's all yours, forever, no matter what. They have no where to go that is not 'your land'. And, funny enough, when a tribe as a whole bends the knee, they often get to stay right where they were, on that land you needed so badly.
What should you do? What do you do with the Nox'alfar? Cardia? Jadairal? Eurus? What would you do if a khati ship sailed into the harbor next? Do you declare them all squatting law-breakers who should be put down? Do you make it clear that anyone can do anything to them they want, because they're not under the King's Law? Of course you don't, because if you did, you'd be in a war you'd very possibly not win. No, all of those were negotiated with. They were allowed to voice their offers and concerns in the Assembly of Peers. One of them even openly claimed to be holding the King's son hostage. He admitted to executing Compact citizens on Arvani soil. And you know what else he said? He said he did those things because he wanted to and because he could. Because his kingdom holds the power and ours does not.
And that, in the end, is why you won't treat the Abandoned the way you treat any of them. Not because of the law, not even because of what's been done to you. But because they don't have enough power. They don't have the ability to possibly destroy the Compact. They can be dangerous, of course, but not to all of us. Not to everyone at once. Not when all the banners are called and the Compact marches together. No, the Compact has the power to end any one tribe, or even a small alliance of tribes, and the Compact wants the land they're living on, so the Compact treats them all as enemies and criminals and at best turns a blind eye to nearly anything that's done to them. Bend the knee or die. And, sometimes, when a few nobles start feeling like society is being polluted, bend the knee and die anyway.
You use my title, but according to your laws I was born a criminal. According to your laws I had a potential death sentence hanging over my head the moment I drew breath, the moment my parents drew breath, and their parents, and /their/ parents. My family has been in Arvum a very long time. It's older than the Compact itself. But none of that mattered to the noble who ordered my death because my tribe was--temporarily at that--vaguely near his holdings. Why should it? He wanted us gone and I didn't have the power to stop him. We were enemies. Everyone out there is an enemy.
So you asked for suggestions. Ideas. I'm not a diplomat. I'm not much of a strategist. I'm very, very new to the idea of leadership at all. But it seems to me, that if nothing else I've said has made any kind of impression, you might consider that the Compact has far too many enemies. Powerful enemies. Enemies that are very good at convincing all your other enemies that life would be better without you. That any kind of sacrifice is worth making if they can be rid of you. In the past few years, these kinds of enemies, these warlords, have attacked the Compact directly three times. We've fought two wars against them. Their armies didn't come from nowhere. Too often they've come from desperate, angry Abandoned that have been driven straight into their arms because it becomes a choice between those warlords and you, and you've ensured that they /fucking hate you/. Maybe it would be in the Compact's better interests to stop doing that.
And before you start writing; no. I have hated, and still hate one of those warlords far, far more than I could ever, and have ever hated the Compact or anyone in it. On that, I have never been conflicted for even the briefest moment in my entire life.
Written By Shard
July 7, 2019, 8:03 p.m.(6/4/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
A lot of those stories came from Audric himself, and they were different every single time. I won't defend Audric as a good man; he was not a good man, and he'd tell you that himself. But while I served under him, we never engaged in butchery. Fighting, yes. Ugly jobs, yes. That's the life of a sellsword, and he loved it. It would not surprise me to learn he did worse things than I was ever aware of.
Why I worked under Audric De Lire is a long story. I don't care to tell it here, but the short of it is this: I would never have been alive to come to the Compact if it wasn't for him. I would have been another dead, forgotten Abandoned corpse left to rot in the wilds, along with all of my tribe. And whatever reasons he had for what he did, selfish, unselfish, it doesn't change the outcome.
And, to be blunt, I was so naive and so angry when I first came to Arx that I'm fairly confident I would've been knifed in an alley within a month if I didn't have someone to watch my back and keep me from doing something particularly stupid.
Why I worked under Audric De Lire is a long story. I don't care to tell it here, but the short of it is this: I would never have been alive to come to the Compact if it wasn't for him. I would have been another dead, forgotten Abandoned corpse left to rot in the wilds, along with all of my tribe. And whatever reasons he had for what he did, selfish, unselfish, it doesn't change the outcome.
And, to be blunt, I was so naive and so angry when I first came to Arx that I'm fairly confident I would've been knifed in an alley within a month if I didn't have someone to watch my back and keep me from doing something particularly stupid.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.