Written By Fortunato
Jan. 19, 2024, 11:13 a.m.(8/2/1021 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Was our friendship extremely strange? Are all my friendships extremely strange? All I know for sure is that when the days are dire, when it is time to go, when it is time to act, you will always be right there. Attempting some fool, big-hearted thing, caring of how much it will hurt. We have fought, we do not see eye to eye on many things, for all we have been in the cause of freedom together, but at this last, I am with you. Til every chain is broken. Until spring comes and the fields are sown for renewal.
Written By Lianne
Jan. 9, 2024, 5:24 p.m.(7/11/1021 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Transcribed from my Blacks by my own hand:
(10/2/1007 AR)
Of all the things which have brought me joy this week, it is the peace which Aleksei and I have found which makes me happiest. I do not expect that it will last; there is too much inherent tension in our opposing positions on so very many things, no matter how much we might agree on others. I will, however, enjoy this armistice for as long as it lasts. I rather like being able to think of him as a friend again.
I believe it was seeing another misunderstand my intentions that leant him some empathy, that reminded him I am not so cold and cruel as I can sometimes seem when I am pursuing understanding so doggedly. It was a matter of perspective, being on the outside of the conversation, an observer rather than participant.
He does seem tired, though. Increasingly. Each new struggle wears him away a little more. I want to ask if he feels the weight of his chains.
I also want to not lose this friendship while I have it.
(10/2/1007 AR)
Of all the things which have brought me joy this week, it is the peace which Aleksei and I have found which makes me happiest. I do not expect that it will last; there is too much inherent tension in our opposing positions on so very many things, no matter how much we might agree on others. I will, however, enjoy this armistice for as long as it lasts. I rather like being able to think of him as a friend again.
I believe it was seeing another misunderstand my intentions that leant him some empathy, that reminded him I am not so cold and cruel as I can sometimes seem when I am pursuing understanding so doggedly. It was a matter of perspective, being on the outside of the conversation, an observer rather than participant.
He does seem tired, though. Increasingly. Each new struggle wears him away a little more. I want to ask if he feels the weight of his chains.
I also want to not lose this friendship while I have it.
Written By Quenia
May 11, 2021, 3:50 a.m.(6/14/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Is there something wrong with not knowing how to swim?
Written By Sorrel
July 3, 2020, 11:09 a.m.(8/4/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
It's not that often that I end up with assassins on stage during a performance, but when I do, I stay in character and let Aleksei Morgan take them out for me.
Written By Aureth
June 13, 2020, 7:35 p.m.(6/20/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
It is a duty of the Faith to challenge our congregations to examine what is not comfortable as we strive for the virtues of the gods. It is good to see the disciples of the First Choice continuing to hold to this truth, even if he's not a priest anymore.
Written By Aureth
March 4, 2020, 4:16 p.m.(11/14/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Legacy is what you have done, not only what you are remembered for.
Aleksei Morgan is going to be remembered in the history of the Faith for being the first Archlector of the First Choice in this new era of memory and understanding, and his dedicated service as Liberator and First Liberator even after his unexpected family obligations required that he ask to be released from the priesthood.
But the godsworn are sworn to all the gods, and our work is not limited to the service of any one. Aleksei's work spanned the whole Pantheon, and it had a direct impact on how we worship, particularly here in the capital. As I see his work continuing to shape the future of ritual, as the mantle of what he has done is taken up by priests long after his departure, I see a legacy to be proud of, and the damn kid isn't even 30.
Aleksei Morgan is going to be remembered in the history of the Faith for being the first Archlector of the First Choice in this new era of memory and understanding, and his dedicated service as Liberator and First Liberator even after his unexpected family obligations required that he ask to be released from the priesthood.
But the godsworn are sworn to all the gods, and our work is not limited to the service of any one. Aleksei's work spanned the whole Pantheon, and it had a direct impact on how we worship, particularly here in the capital. As I see his work continuing to shape the future of ritual, as the mantle of what he has done is taken up by priests long after his departure, I see a legacy to be proud of, and the damn kid isn't even 30.
Written By Aureth
Feb. 18, 2020, 11:03 p.m.(10.42366691468254/17.725347222222222/1012.7853055762235 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Peanut is very charming, but you are way less likely to leave hair all over the floor.
Written By Elisha
Oct. 8, 2019, 12:05 p.m.(12/22/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
The explorer who is not yet certain of the Faith awaiting him along his route wonders what the palace will be like, the barracks, the mill, the prison, the bazaar.
In every shrine of the Compact, every room is different and set in a different order, but as soon as the explorer arrives at an unknown cathedral and his eye penetrates the pinecone of spires and lancets and arches, following the scrawl of canals, gardens, rubbish heaps, he immediately distinguishes which are the princesses' balconies, the seraphs' lecterns, the tavern, the hospice, the slum.
This confirms the certainty that the explorer bears in their mind a Faith made only of differences, a Faith without figures and without form, a Faith of perfect parts which each individual faith only dimly reflects.
This is not true of the charlatan's chapel.
In every point of this storefront shrine you can, in turn, sleep, beg, sing, steal, fuck, reign, sell, and question false oracles. Any one of its dingy windows might open to the midwife's chamber or the thrall's fighting pit. The explorer roams the dusty corners and has nothing but doubts: as they are unable to distinguish the features of the chapel, the features they keep distinct in their mind also mingle.
You ask yourself this: What line separates the inside from the outside, the rumble of snoring from the thrusting of swords?
(One approach contains what is accepted as necessary when it is not so; the others, what is imagined as possible when, a moment later, it is possible no longer.)
In every shrine of the Compact, every room is different and set in a different order, but as soon as the explorer arrives at an unknown cathedral and his eye penetrates the pinecone of spires and lancets and arches, following the scrawl of canals, gardens, rubbish heaps, he immediately distinguishes which are the princesses' balconies, the seraphs' lecterns, the tavern, the hospice, the slum.
This confirms the certainty that the explorer bears in their mind a Faith made only of differences, a Faith without figures and without form, a Faith of perfect parts which each individual faith only dimly reflects.
This is not true of the charlatan's chapel.
In every point of this storefront shrine you can, in turn, sleep, beg, sing, steal, fuck, reign, sell, and question false oracles. Any one of its dingy windows might open to the midwife's chamber or the thrall's fighting pit. The explorer roams the dusty corners and has nothing but doubts: as they are unable to distinguish the features of the chapel, the features they keep distinct in their mind also mingle.
You ask yourself this: What line separates the inside from the outside, the rumble of snoring from the thrusting of swords?
(One approach contains what is accepted as necessary when it is not so; the others, what is imagined as possible when, a moment later, it is possible no longer.)
Written By Austen
July 16, 2019, 3:21 a.m.(6/21/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Coffee is good, it is true, but warm milk is better.
Written By Orathy
May 9, 2019, 11:10 p.m.(1/26/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
reckon that do be soundin like envy there aye...
seems to me it be a smart thing to be doin to be making sure ya can even the playin field with yer opponent before ya fight. I do be knowing beforehand that Jeffeth be havin alarcite armor 'n he damn well use it 'n get the chance to use it. Course, I do be settin the terms to use any armor ya got, because what be the fuckin point of buyin that shit iffin ya can't use it or fighting, iffin ya can't fight someone at their best?
Aye, he beat me. Sound. I ain't be sorry fer what I did nor that people, aye, real people, be supportin me too by helpin me in ways that aye, I ain't think you got.
Pity that, aye. Pity.
seems to me it be a smart thing to be doin to be making sure ya can even the playin field with yer opponent before ya fight. I do be knowing beforehand that Jeffeth be havin alarcite armor 'n he damn well use it 'n get the chance to use it. Course, I do be settin the terms to use any armor ya got, because what be the fuckin point of buyin that shit iffin ya can't use it or fighting, iffin ya can't fight someone at their best?
Aye, he beat me. Sound. I ain't be sorry fer what I did nor that people, aye, real people, be supportin me too by helpin me in ways that aye, I ain't think you got.
Pity that, aye. Pity.
Written By Valdemar
Feb. 4, 2019, 6:29 p.m.(7/6/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
If you truly believe that thralldom is not slowing down in the face of recent reforms, you are hopelessly disconnected from reality. But then, I understand this is a problem with zealots.
Written By Willow
Feb. 4, 2019, 5:29 p.m.(7/6/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
And have they argued it here, in the context of the discussion that we have all been participating in the past few days? No. And that is the context of the comment. No one in this discussion. And indeed, in this discussion, literally no one has taken that position.
I am not being duped into anything. I am merely not a revolutionary who believes that the damage and upheaval such would cause when forced before its time would be worth it in order to end something I ideologically oppose sooner rather than later.
I am not being duped into anything. I am merely not a revolutionary who believes that the damage and upheaval such would cause when forced before its time would be worth it in order to end something I ideologically oppose sooner rather than later.
Written By Archeron
Feb. 4, 2019, 4:28 a.m.(7/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I don't doubt your sincerity. I don't doubt your conviction. I don't doubt your wisdom in much that you say. I think you would try. I think the Compact would try, because despite our darker demons we are a people that do seem to help one another. Not always for good reasons, and not always together - many of the Isles saw the Kennex failing as an Isles issue, and sailed there under their own flags rather than subsume into a larger effort that might be seen as endorsement of Liberator views - but we do have a remarkable capacity to help.
But I do doubt that even within planning, even with the year that Brass was willing to allow us, you could mitigate this and provide that shipping in the same way. As you say, you led a large navy to deal with the issue last time, and yet you'll need easily over a hundred times that number. A thousand perhaps. Kennex was not even a large population of Thralls for a holding of their size. Some ships will of course suffer to attrition, careless captains, storms, being taken by the remnants of the Gyre's fleets. And that won't help, but the main issue I see is that no amount of planning, in the year or such that you will have, will allow you to mitigate this. It's too large.
And all that might be fine, that might be worth it. I'm certainly not going to defend the morals of Thralldom - but what we are arguing about here is timescale. Steps are underway in the Isles to reform Thralldom - and have been ongoing for a while. Slowly the scope reduces, the worst excesses are ended. In a generation or two, perhaps 50 years from now, I wonder if there will be Thralldom in the Isles even without an overt attempt to end it? But let us be honest, that if we proceed on this, the Compact will - for various reasons - try to help but it will not be enough. If this choice is to be made, let it be made knowing what it is we are choosing.
But I do doubt that even within planning, even with the year that Brass was willing to allow us, you could mitigate this and provide that shipping in the same way. As you say, you led a large navy to deal with the issue last time, and yet you'll need easily over a hundred times that number. A thousand perhaps. Kennex was not even a large population of Thralls for a holding of their size. Some ships will of course suffer to attrition, careless captains, storms, being taken by the remnants of the Gyre's fleets. And that won't help, but the main issue I see is that no amount of planning, in the year or such that you will have, will allow you to mitigate this. It's too large.
And all that might be fine, that might be worth it. I'm certainly not going to defend the morals of Thralldom - but what we are arguing about here is timescale. Steps are underway in the Isles to reform Thralldom - and have been ongoing for a while. Slowly the scope reduces, the worst excesses are ended. In a generation or two, perhaps 50 years from now, I wonder if there will be Thralldom in the Isles even without an overt attempt to end it? But let us be honest, that if we proceed on this, the Compact will - for various reasons - try to help but it will not be enough. If this choice is to be made, let it be made knowing what it is we are choosing.
Written By Andry
Feb. 4, 2019, 1:24 a.m.(7/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I've been given to understand that the first liberator Aleksei Morgan has written to clarify that he believes freeing thralls does not have to be an attack on civilization if you do it in good faith and through law and in that case I agree. I don't know why so little work has been done in that direction in our recorded history but it should definitely be something that can be done while limiting the potential consequences. Law is the fidelity between Limerance and Gild, not slavery.
It would be foolish of me to pretend to be an expert in matters of law or the best way to legally give men and women the freedom that they deserve, but I worry when I read statements that the Knight of Brass expects it done in a period of one year because when you're trying to do something fast and on a strict deadline, you're likely to take shortcuts and if this project is to be embarked upon it deserves to be done right.
I wish the first liberator all the best in his efforts, his cause is a worthy one and the difficulty of doing it right means he deserves and requires support from all of those who can offer it.
It would be foolish of me to pretend to be an expert in matters of law or the best way to legally give men and women the freedom that they deserve, but I worry when I read statements that the Knight of Brass expects it done in a period of one year because when you're trying to do something fast and on a strict deadline, you're likely to take shortcuts and if this project is to be embarked upon it deserves to be done right.
I wish the first liberator all the best in his efforts, his cause is a worthy one and the difficulty of doing it right means he deserves and requires support from all of those who can offer it.
Written By Andry
Feb. 3, 2019, 5:50 p.m.(7/4/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
The first liberator, Aleksei Morgan mentioned in his latest journals the concept of civilization and it's reflection in the context of the knight of brass and the thralldom of Thrax, expressing the belief that civilization can be maintained even when laws are changed, and that is true. However in his follow up reply to Lady Willow Nightgold he talks about these things as imaginary, and there I think he betrays his lack of respect and understanding of the concept.
In one of the very first and only recently recovered guiding documents the exorcist Palladium wrote to the faith, he tried to explain the precarious balance played between civilization and freedom. It's important that we at all times respect everyone as an individual, treating people like chattel is a dark and evil thing. It's also important that we at all times respect the sanctity of bargains struck, of institutions built. Rule of law is a cornerstone of civilization and if you treat it as imaginary or optional then civilization will break down will all due consequence.
We may not agree with all laws and due process can be painful and achieving the changes we want within the framework of deals made may be much slower then we would like but I assure you that the alternative is so much worse. These deals, arrangements and laws are what allow the compact to exist.
In one of the very first and only recently recovered guiding documents the exorcist Palladium wrote to the faith, he tried to explain the precarious balance played between civilization and freedom. It's important that we at all times respect everyone as an individual, treating people like chattel is a dark and evil thing. It's also important that we at all times respect the sanctity of bargains struck, of institutions built. Rule of law is a cornerstone of civilization and if you treat it as imaginary or optional then civilization will break down will all due consequence.
We may not agree with all laws and due process can be painful and achieving the changes we want within the framework of deals made may be much slower then we would like but I assure you that the alternative is so much worse. These deals, arrangements and laws are what allow the compact to exist.
Written By Ian
Feb. 3, 2019, 3:06 p.m.(7/4/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I don't know about a lot of the stuff you wrote about, but I do know this: People suffered. People died. A lot of them were ex-thralls.
This isn't gossip. I was there.
It happened before everyone got their resources together, in the first wave of chaos following the release. Some died in riots, some in mutinies. Some were turned out onto the street with nothing by people who had no motivation to care for them anymore. Most of that last group were kids.
Clearer heads than mine probably know how it's best to go on with the thrall thing. I have my opinions, but I'm not sure they amount to much. But if you don't factor into your choice that people are going to suffer, and people are going to die, and a lot of them will be ex-thralls, you're going to wind up sacrificing a lot more lives for your cause than you intend. None of these people will get to make a choice about whether they think freedom is worth dying for. That choice will be made for them.
What's the acceptable level of collateral damage? I don't know. There are no easy answers, and I'm glad these aren't choices I'm going to have to make.
I don't like posting to the whites, but I figured this had to be said.
This isn't gossip. I was there.
It happened before everyone got their resources together, in the first wave of chaos following the release. Some died in riots, some in mutinies. Some were turned out onto the street with nothing by people who had no motivation to care for them anymore. Most of that last group were kids.
Clearer heads than mine probably know how it's best to go on with the thrall thing. I have my opinions, but I'm not sure they amount to much. But if you don't factor into your choice that people are going to suffer, and people are going to die, and a lot of them will be ex-thralls, you're going to wind up sacrificing a lot more lives for your cause than you intend. None of these people will get to make a choice about whether they think freedom is worth dying for. That choice will be made for them.
What's the acceptable level of collateral damage? I don't know. There are no easy answers, and I'm glad these aren't choices I'm going to have to make.
I don't like posting to the whites, but I figured this had to be said.
Written By Willow
Feb. 3, 2019, 4:16 a.m.(7/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Posited by someone who very obviously has no context. Were you there at the assembly of peers when I physically got up from the Redrain bench and went to /bodily/ stand with Brass? That isn't rhetorical, I honestly don't remember.
Whether or not you were, you seem to be under the mistaken impression that I favor thralldom, which I do not. My position has never been one of thralls remaining thralls. The entire essence of my quarrel with Shard is over the timeline and the fact that she insists that the debts are all made up and thus because imaginary there would be nothing effected by simply erasing them.
That is not the case. And whether or not you agree with me, I cannot fathom how you would begin to think that being able to barely manage with twenty thousand overnight would be a reasonable basis for extrapolating that a million (a full fifty times that number) would then be something that there is a framework in place for. And a million? That was the low end of the estimation, which ranged from a million to a million and a half.
I am fully in favor of dismantling thralldom and have /never/ argued that it or slavery was beneficial for someone. I have argued and will continue to argue that releasing people into a situation where they will essentially cause a million man refugee crisis on top of stretching resources for other people unprepared /and/ largely destabilizing one of the Great Houses in the process to do it is rash and destructive.
And will continue to argue it, while doing everything I am personally able to do to see them freed in a context that will not cause a huge issue for the working order of the entire Kingdom. The figure given by Brass was a year, that given by Thrax was ten years. And do you know /why/ I have hard numbers? Because I have invested time, effort and resources toward that end (the ending of thralldom and slavery) already. As I will continue to do.
Whether or not you were, you seem to be under the mistaken impression that I favor thralldom, which I do not. My position has never been one of thralls remaining thralls. The entire essence of my quarrel with Shard is over the timeline and the fact that she insists that the debts are all made up and thus because imaginary there would be nothing effected by simply erasing them.
That is not the case. And whether or not you agree with me, I cannot fathom how you would begin to think that being able to barely manage with twenty thousand overnight would be a reasonable basis for extrapolating that a million (a full fifty times that number) would then be something that there is a framework in place for. And a million? That was the low end of the estimation, which ranged from a million to a million and a half.
I am fully in favor of dismantling thralldom and have /never/ argued that it or slavery was beneficial for someone. I have argued and will continue to argue that releasing people into a situation where they will essentially cause a million man refugee crisis on top of stretching resources for other people unprepared /and/ largely destabilizing one of the Great Houses in the process to do it is rash and destructive.
And will continue to argue it, while doing everything I am personally able to do to see them freed in a context that will not cause a huge issue for the working order of the entire Kingdom. The figure given by Brass was a year, that given by Thrax was ten years. And do you know /why/ I have hard numbers? Because I have invested time, effort and resources toward that end (the ending of thralldom and slavery) already. As I will continue to do.
Written By Nurie
Jan. 20, 2019, 3:37 p.m.(6/4/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Words to ease the heart and lift the spirit, spoken under the shrine's luminous painted sky, where the only others with ears to hear are the gods. Thank you for the gift of your time and your kind patience.
Written By Lisebet
Jan. 10, 2019, 11:13 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I don't know who it is, but I don't think I want to.
Written By Karadoc
Jan. 10, 2019, 5:10 p.m.(5/3/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Someone must truly appreciate the charitable cause, I think, if they are willing to participate. Though -- you'll never catch me within leagues of that esteemed dinner guest.
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