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Written By Apollo

Jan. 30, 2024, 5:49 p.m.(8/25/1021 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

I met Archlector Avary somewhat by accident. My accident, not hers. I don't inquire after every question that crosses my mind - I'd never have the time - but it happened I had one about The Sentinel one day, and I wrote to her. It was a simple missive, not more than a sentence or two, a question about the doctrine of the Faith of the Pantheon. Does the Sentinel judge us only at our deaths?

A curiosity. It likely might have been answered in a word, a sentence, a single brief paragraph at most, and I would have been satisfied.

But what I received was pages. Pages, taking apart the question I had, relating it not only to Faith doctrine as it currently stands, but to history, the tempers of various holdings, why one might ask such a question, why it might or might not matter, and how her answers might be applied to how choices are made by living souls, trying to make their way through a life guided by faith but not dominated by it. Most people, in other words.

I find fewer things in life more gratifying, more rewarding, than a conversation with someone who cares about the matter at hand.

In days that followed, I met with her for further conversation. Corresponded a bit more. Received, on every occasion, that same deliberate thoughtfulness. The Sentinel is the most recondite of the gods of the Pantheon, she told me. And she hoped to change that. To guide an understanding of The Sentinel, of the principles of faith that would inform peoples' choices in ways small and large.

I found in our conversations an understanding of justice that includes empathy, context, forgiveness. Lives to be guided by intention, and evaluated not at their ends, neither our finest nor most terrible moments, but as a continuity, decisions we are to make made with reflection on the ones we have. And I also found a good deal of hope. That if the Faith - even part of it - is in the care of such a thoughtful heart, then the next generation might come of age with a model for how they might decide things for themselves, with due care.

And I found in her a companionship that nothing will replace. I can't say if she felt the same. She might have thought me a nuisance, and merely tolerated my presence. I considered her a friend, and saw ahead a hundred conversations we might have, if they proved more enjoyable than nuisance.

I saw her there on Sovereign bridge the other night. Wounded, and stepping only deeper into the path of harm. I tried to protect her. I didn't understand what she meant to do. When she spent her last breath shattering that mirror, my heart broke. No more conversations. Her ambitions withered on the vine. I had hoped to see who she would be while we rebuild the world. How it would differ for her attention and care.

And now I won't. And I do not think her death poorly spent. I understand now that what I saw in her as she approached that mirror was not desperation but a considered determination. A decision made and an intention carried through.

But I wish she were still with us. I will be mourning her for a very long time.

Written By Lucita

Dec. 18, 2023, 8:50 a.m.(5/22/1021 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

The Archlector of the Sentinel is wise and it is so interesting to hear her speak of judging one's own actions and honesty, choices. Her skills at verbal eloquence and wealth of knowledge help bring comfort and cut away uncertainty.

Written By Graziella

Dec. 15, 2020, 6:03 a.m.(7/26/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

Balance.


It is refreshing to hear members of the Faith preaching the wisdom of such ideologies... even when they take alot of words to say one simple truth.


Balance.

Written By Lucita

Oct. 7, 2020, 8:36 p.m.(2/28/1014 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

Blessed Avary delighted the Saiks as she attended the informal dinner they hosted. She brought an Abacus Table to me, such a remarkable and useful gift. It is clear I how much I adlore it and appreciate her thoughtfulness since it seems I just can't stop telling people about it.

Written By Hamish

Aug. 2, 2020, 10:34 a.m.(10/7/1013 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

Some of us have had enough birthdays of our own, but are always happy to help others celebrate theirs.

Written By Sunaia

May 10, 2020, 9:23 a.m.(4/7/1013 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

I know I haven't spoken to my sister in so very long; and I don't blame her for that. It's as much my responsibility for not reaching out to her as hers for not reaching out to me. I'm sure she has her reasons

But, I do wish that, if you would, if you see her, Scholar: Would you please guide her to this entry? Maybe she'll read it and will realize that I need her and accept her choices, that I want to be family again.

I don't know how to tolerate deceit, Avary. I don't understand the need in personal relationships, particularly. That's not to say that I think all things should be open to everyone; but certain things, absolutely - in specific relationships.

The lingering issue pressing on my mind is this:

Though we can trust and offer trust, there is no way that I can see for how to both offer trust and ensure a just relationship will come from it. The few close relationships I have that are bound in trust came over such long periods of time, with people who have proved to me without ever trying to do so that I could trust in them, with only one exception - maybe two.

Is it just a necessity to accept that some people who are given the means to hurt us will, inevitably, hurt us despite our trust in them? Maybe it's just this that I should learn: Every person is different, will treat the trust we give differently.

That's a very liberating thought.

Written By Sunaia

April 19, 2020, 4:17 p.m.(2/22/1013 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

Having finished reading Killian's white journals, I've turned next to Avary's - as you know, scholar.

It's interesting to read her thoughts written upon vellum when I haven't had the faintest idea of what might be going on in her mind during my entire life. She's been an impassive, silent force - and, though she is the Archlector of the Sentinel, I haven't felt myself to be under her watchful gaze at all; I've felt, rather, so distant, so hidden from her view that it's as if I didn't even exist to her at all. But, that's what she wanted, isn't it?

She has a brilliant mind, of course; and, if it is that to which I am compared, when others say I'm like her, then I'm honestly humbled and honored. Though, I'm more certain it has to do with the fact that they simply don't know me well.

Written By Octavia

April 6, 2019, 5:47 p.m.(11/16/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

All of my gratitude to Archlector Avary for organizing Courtkeep this year. Even if it's the most boring festival, it's still important, and I hope it was somewhat exciting this year.

Written By Ysbail

March 18, 2019, 3:51 a.m.(10/5/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

I am struck by Archlector Avary's white entry on the nature of truth, especially in the wake of the madness that seems to be spreading throughout the Oathlands. How people claiming to have righteous intentions use whatever means necessary to justify their own greed and bloodlust.

Written By Beatrice

Feb. 25, 2019, 10:59 a.m.(8/20/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

The Archlector's recent journal on charity was, while modest, neither futile nor unrevelatory. I see these arguments daily in the business of domain stewardship.

I present five archetypes with a pile of dirt. The physician wants a hospital. The soldier says better to prevent harm first and recommends fortifications. The artist tells the soldier that utility is not the end of life and insists on a statue. The priest advises the artist that art should be divine and suggests a shrine. The academician argues that man's capacity for understanding is the better tribute to the gods and proposes a school. The physician points out that schools without bodies to fill them are wasted. And on we go.

None are inherently wrong. Futility? We must know what to do in the face of these debates. Too often we are left torn, divided, and with what we began: a pile of dirt.

Resources will ever be finite. Quantifying, assessing potential opportunities, the benefits and the consequences - and choice without consequence does not exist - for what to do with resources is, yes, an art. One which some of us have dedicated our lives as surely as the painter to his canvas. Yet, at the end, the most important part is not which you built, but that you built. Choose, before paralysis becomes stagnation.

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these most crucial of needs.

Written By Bliss

Feb. 24, 2019, 2:39 p.m.(8/18/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

As Aleksei said, it's very important, I think, to understand my statement wasn't a defense of slavery in any way shape or form. Civilizations have arisen on the backs of slaves - very successful ones, and of this, there's really no doubt. At the same time, we must ask ourselves: Is this who we want to be, or do we want to be something better than that? Can we be?

We're something new and different in the world, still. Is that worth preserving?

Written By Aleksei

Feb. 24, 2019, 1:08 a.m.(8/17/1010 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

Just want to make one thing clear: the fact that you can build a civilization on the backs of slaves is reprehensible. It's abhorrent.

But it's civilization.

Because that's the thing, isn't it? We have a whole Pantheon. We have thirteen gods, and there's a really important reason for that. Which I don't have to tell Blessed Avary, I know. Mostly I wanted to sort of clarify some of the things I said at the gathering Sir Andry held, since she mentioned me.

Slavery is evil. But Gild's domain is not concerned with slavery. You could, in some terrible ways, strengthen the prosperity of civilization through evil. Which is fucked up. But concepts are weird. And sometimes they overlap, and sometimes they contradict. Fortunately, we're lucky enough to know firsthand that you don't need slavery to build prosperity and civilization. We don't have to choose between Civilization and Freedom.

And then, of course, there's that pesky question of thralldom and Civilization. Will abolition break our society? I've written about it before, and I'm not going to go on about it again. But I'll say this: you don't have to break bonds. You don't have to rip up agreements. You build new ones instead.

And that's all I'll say.

It was an interesting discussion, at the very least.

Written By Harlan

March 30, 2018, 12:43 p.m.(6/16/1008 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

It is good to see another cousin return to the city -- especially one who has been as estranged as Archlector Avary. Hopefully I can help to increase her ties to Ashford -- we need all the strength we can get.

Written By Orazio

Jan. 11, 2017, 9:08 p.m.(8/20/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

The new Archlector of the Sentinel. I would be lying if I said I did not feel somewhat protective of the post, but although I have had no close and personal relationship with the new Blessed, her work in the field has always been impeccable, and I am happy to see her rise to fill the space.

Written By Caras

Jan. 11, 2017, 6:11 p.m.(8/19/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Avary

For many years now, my closest friend and confidant. I trust her implicitly in all things and have come to rely upon the strength of her faith, the fortitude of her will, and the kindness of her heart to carry me through difficult times. With her influence I have become a better priest and better devotee. We have both been recently appointed Archlectors serving under the same Legate and it will be good to continue our close and profitable partnership. She is an impressive woman and a capable priestess.

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