Written By Denica
June 22, 2022, midnight(11/15/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
The last time we met, I came to you scared and left braver than ever.
You were an incredible woman. A role model. A Way Forward. My sister by more than marriage, and my friend.
I will never forget.
You were an incredible woman. A role model. A Way Forward. My sister by more than marriage, and my friend.
I will never forget.
Written By Isolde
June 21, 2022, 4:07 p.m.(11/14/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
What more can I say? This is heartbreaking. I mourn for the years that had gone by without us reconnecting. With this, two friends are lost to me.
Written By Natasha
June 20, 2022, 11:20 a.m.(11/12/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I wish we had more time.
Written By Martino
June 20, 2022, 6:18 a.m.(11/12/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
There are some people in life you meet once, twice, three, or just a handful of times. The Duchess Margot Tyde was one of those people and each meeting I still remember years later.
She understood the narrow walkway of ruling House Tyde, of leadership. Of wishes and wants over what was best. She survived and then thrived as Duchess, rebuilding what Tyde had lost from the rebellion.
Her son, fortunate to have met him once, was cheeky but well-educated. He knew the position he would find himself in already at that young age.
May he be found, may justice be served.
She understood the narrow walkway of ruling House Tyde, of leadership. Of wishes and wants over what was best. She survived and then thrived as Duchess, rebuilding what Tyde had lost from the rebellion.
Her son, fortunate to have met him once, was cheeky but well-educated. He knew the position he would find himself in already at that young age.
May he be found, may justice be served.
Written By Calista
June 18, 2022, 9:25 p.m.(11/9/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I do not want to believe the news today. I do not want to think about you in the past tense. I want to think about how we met all those years ago at the Ambassador Salon and you spoke so passionately to me about fashion. We could not have stylistically been more different. You held and maintained the traditional Thraxian fashion for women while I was experimenting with pushing the envelope on Lycene wear. Yet, you mentioned coral. You mentioned how you thought coral was so beautiful and would make for jewelry that could appeal to any and all. You were also inspired by the pinkish-orange hue and wished to push for this color to become popularized throughout the city.
We were both new to the capital. We were both young. We both had our eye on the same prize. Yet, I always admired you and always respected you. My gods, Margot, not another friend lost to chaos. "We Fall. We Rise."
Keep rising, Margot. Keep Rising.
We were both new to the capital. We were both young. We both had our eye on the same prize. Yet, I always admired you and always respected you. My gods, Margot, not another friend lost to chaos. "We Fall. We Rise."
Keep rising, Margot. Keep Rising.
Written By Catalana
June 18, 2022, 9:02 p.m.(11/9/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
The news of what has transpired today truly breaks my heart. What coward slays their wife when they rest in their bed? This mad man, this fake prince is not the kind and gentle Dagon I once shared drinks with. He is a shell of corruption and hate. Of all the bad that the traditionalists love.
The late duchess was my best friend. We had our children together and grew up with the same ideals and had the same of hopes for our homes. I had worked alongside her and trusted her with my life, as she did hers. I am sorry I have failed her and her children.
But I promise, her death will not be in vain. We will hold those who robbed Tyde of their duchess and stole her heirs will be brought to justice.
The late duchess was my best friend. We had our children together and grew up with the same ideals and had the same of hopes for our homes. I had worked alongside her and trusted her with my life, as she did hers. I am sorry I have failed her and her children.
But I promise, her death will not be in vain. We will hold those who robbed Tyde of their duchess and stole her heirs will be brought to justice.
Written By Medeia
April 29, 2021, 1:58 p.m.(5/19/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Scholar, my search for a new patron has come to an end! I had some truly impressive offers made, but it is an honor to be able to have Duchess Margot extend patronage and accept it. I'm glad to have my patron be someone of the Isles so that I may continue to learn of my new home and work on projects together to benefit it. The duchess has already been a welcoming and trustworthy figure since I became an Eswynd just under a year ago. If our experience to this point is any indication, this choice will be a good one for us both.
Written By Shard
June 26, 2020, 2:30 a.m.(7/17/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I don't recall, in any of my responses, including the first one which you took enough offense to that you decided to call out someone most of the Peerage considers a commoner, saying what you want to do is slavery. I do recall saying, in various ways, including in great detail in my previous entry, that how you want to do it is a monumentally bad idea.
Your response was to attempt to insult me, imply I had no idea about the value of human life, and then claim that I, and others who criticized you, including the /First Liberator/, Paladin of Freedom, and former and first Archlector of the First Choice, have not done anything to help thralls or slaves and therefore have no business commenting on your efforts. Indeed, you implied that no one cares or is caring for the former thralls of Sungreet, when that is demonstrably untrue, and you did it to people that not only have repeatedly risked their lives to fight slavery, but were, in fact, people who risked their lives to help free those very same thralls, and who fought alongside them as part of that effort.
If I have to spell it out even further: me. That includes me.
You know, the murderous sellsword who has no regard for the value of human life? I have no interest in being paid for it, but if you want to put the price at a thousand silver per freed thrall and shower someone in coin, you could pay the Liberators what you'd owe me if I did. I'd have to find out the exact numbers, but it starts at a bare minimum of four million silver and climbs pretty fast from there.
First rule of combat: before you attack, know who it is you're picking a fight with.
Just some friendly advice, Duchess Tyde.
Your response was to attempt to insult me, imply I had no idea about the value of human life, and then claim that I, and others who criticized you, including the /First Liberator/, Paladin of Freedom, and former and first Archlector of the First Choice, have not done anything to help thralls or slaves and therefore have no business commenting on your efforts. Indeed, you implied that no one cares or is caring for the former thralls of Sungreet, when that is demonstrably untrue, and you did it to people that not only have repeatedly risked their lives to fight slavery, but were, in fact, people who risked their lives to help free those very same thralls, and who fought alongside them as part of that effort.
If I have to spell it out even further: me. That includes me.
You know, the murderous sellsword who has no regard for the value of human life? I have no interest in being paid for it, but if you want to put the price at a thousand silver per freed thrall and shower someone in coin, you could pay the Liberators what you'd owe me if I did. I'd have to find out the exact numbers, but it starts at a bare minimum of four million silver and climbs pretty fast from there.
First rule of combat: before you attack, know who it is you're picking a fight with.
Just some friendly advice, Duchess Tyde.
Written By Shard
June 24, 2020, 8:20 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
It's Prima Shard, by the way.
If that's uncomfortable, I'm also Captain-General Shard. I run that mercenary company now.
If that's uncomfortable, I'm also Captain-General Shard. I run that mercenary company now.
Written By Shard
June 24, 2020, 8:05 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
It's extraordinarily funny that you feel the need to lecture me on the value of life and the importance of freedom. Let's just say that if you were offering money for freeing thralls and slaves without the stipulation that they must be brought to House Tyde, you would currently owe me more money than possibly anyone has ever owed to any sellsword at any time in the history of this entire city. Which makes this conversation a bit awkward for you.
By the way, I'm a sellsword because prodigals that come to Arx tend to vanish into the Lowers, often quite literally. Prodigals that aren't slaves or children (usually both) don't generally get charity from the nobility, and that charity usually only lasts so long. Being a sellsword was work that got me out of the Lowers, and, ironically, taking on an absurdly dangerous profession is why I didn't end up dead and dumped into the harbor. By the way, on the subject of charity, if you ever wonder why most prodigals, or commoners in general, like the Faith better than they like you, well, there you go, I've already revealed that mystery.
I accept that you're a woman who isn't entirely familiar with these things, so I, a woman who is /far/ too entirely familiar with these things, will elaborate a bit. You're correct that sellswords often kill people for money, but sellswords do that killing for money because people with that money (quite often nobles), pay them to do exactly that, with terms laying out which people, where, and how many. Sellswords exist because the people that sneer at them for being sellswords are quite often the same people willing to pay them to kill other people. Sellswords work on contract.
But as you brought up the subject of freedom and valuing human life, the only reason I lived long enough to end up in the Lowers is because a sellsword /didn't/ fulfill a contract to kill me and everyone I knew, a contract that he received from a Compact noble who wanted us dead because we were freefolk that happened to wander into lands he didn't actually hold but considered his. His enemies, in other words. You're familiar with that. But why didn't the sellsword fulfill the contract? It was because we paid him more.
Maybe don't lecture me on not knowing the value of human life. I know the exact value of human life here. I know exactly what price was put on my head, and why a bunch of nomads, who have to carry everything they own, had enough coin to buy off the leader of a mercenary company and every single sellsword he had with him.
Because it wasn't much.
By the way, I'm a sellsword because prodigals that come to Arx tend to vanish into the Lowers, often quite literally. Prodigals that aren't slaves or children (usually both) don't generally get charity from the nobility, and that charity usually only lasts so long. Being a sellsword was work that got me out of the Lowers, and, ironically, taking on an absurdly dangerous profession is why I didn't end up dead and dumped into the harbor. By the way, on the subject of charity, if you ever wonder why most prodigals, or commoners in general, like the Faith better than they like you, well, there you go, I've already revealed that mystery.
I accept that you're a woman who isn't entirely familiar with these things, so I, a woman who is /far/ too entirely familiar with these things, will elaborate a bit. You're correct that sellswords often kill people for money, but sellswords do that killing for money because people with that money (quite often nobles), pay them to do exactly that, with terms laying out which people, where, and how many. Sellswords exist because the people that sneer at them for being sellswords are quite often the same people willing to pay them to kill other people. Sellswords work on contract.
But as you brought up the subject of freedom and valuing human life, the only reason I lived long enough to end up in the Lowers is because a sellsword /didn't/ fulfill a contract to kill me and everyone I knew, a contract that he received from a Compact noble who wanted us dead because we were freefolk that happened to wander into lands he didn't actually hold but considered his. His enemies, in other words. You're familiar with that. But why didn't the sellsword fulfill the contract? It was because we paid him more.
Maybe don't lecture me on not knowing the value of human life. I know the exact value of human life here. I know exactly what price was put on my head, and why a bunch of nomads, who have to carry everything they own, had enough coin to buy off the leader of a mercenary company and every single sellsword he had with him.
Because it wasn't much.
Written By Aureth
June 24, 2020, 6:53 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Really... really unwise choice of sparring partners on this particular topic.
Written By Martino
Feb. 23, 2020, 9:49 a.m.(10/21/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
The young Lord Alexander of yours does truly so well learning from your fine rule. To have heard your views, to challenge my own and explain what you see 'traditionalism' to be was eye opening.
Dinner in Tyde Hall is certainly not a soft affair.
Dinner in Tyde Hall is certainly not a soft affair.
Written By Radhilde
June 14, 2019, 9:24 a.m.(4/13/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
And I am happy to be here. I do look forward to learning much from you, Cousin.
Written By Radhilde
June 4, 2019, 4:45 p.m.(3/22/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Thank you for welcoming me to the family and your wonderful support.
Written By Harper
May 26, 2019, 12:55 p.m.(3/4/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Sometimes folks just aren't like you imagine they'd be. The Duchess was a real surprise, and a good one at that. Glad she came by. But I may still kick Magpie's arse over it.
Written By Vanora
May 24, 2019, 6:29 p.m.(2/28/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
A cup of tea and good conversation are the perfect way to pass a winter's afternoon.
Written By Marian
March 13, 2019, 2:34 a.m.(9/23/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
Always kill as a last resort. It's a mantra that my father drilled into me once I took up the sword. Diplomacy before warfare. To end a conflict without bloodshed is by far a greater victory. The offer to bend on knee, an invitation to rejoin the fold that can be given before the war horns sound and after the signal of surrender. Tribe by tribe we welcome prodigals back into the Compact.
Exile before execution. Choices have consequences, which can lead to an escort to the edge of our lands. An opportunity to seize life. A chance to start with a clean slate in lands outside the Compact. For those who seek life but wish to remain separate, a viable option. As long as they leave in peace, I shall bid them good journey. Our parting words are a warning not to return because my sympathy only stretches so far.
Death should never come easily. In the same token, never suffer an enemy to live. If their lives will mean the deaths of my people in the future then I shall bloody my sword without remorse. It's a judgment call in the moment. If I look into the heart of another and see malice of foul intentions, I strike. I have lived the Tragedy of not being vigilant. I would never criticize another for making hard decisions to keep the peace in their lands.
Weigh the scales. Review each life carefully before making your edict. Action once taken can not be undone.
Exile before execution. Choices have consequences, which can lead to an escort to the edge of our lands. An opportunity to seize life. A chance to start with a clean slate in lands outside the Compact. For those who seek life but wish to remain separate, a viable option. As long as they leave in peace, I shall bid them good journey. Our parting words are a warning not to return because my sympathy only stretches so far.
Death should never come easily. In the same token, never suffer an enemy to live. If their lives will mean the deaths of my people in the future then I shall bloody my sword without remorse. It's a judgment call in the moment. If I look into the heart of another and see malice of foul intentions, I strike. I have lived the Tragedy of not being vigilant. I would never criticize another for making hard decisions to keep the peace in their lands.
Weigh the scales. Review each life carefully before making your edict. Action once taken can not be undone.
Written By Gilroy
March 12, 2019, 10:44 a.m.(9/21/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
If you've decided that your only options are letting criminals go or killing them, then you might as well do it yourself.
I can't imagine you have much experience at 'hiring' people to do things anyway.
I can't imagine you have much experience at 'hiring' people to do things anyway.
Written By Archeron
March 12, 2019, 6:12 a.m.(9/21/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
It is a hard thing isn't it? That it means freedom for so many, but for a minority it means death.
As I've said, traditions are important - but they can also change for good reason over time. But, I hope that though Thralldom dies the death it deserves we salvage some small good from it. I hope that we understand the importance of restitution as well as punishment. I hope we understand slaughter is not the only way, that each man has a worth.
But for now, if you need it Cousin, I have an axe as well as a bow. And if there is to be more death at Tyde Hall, better the hand is a Tyde one. Enough other hands have spilled the blood of our people. At least to start.
As I've said, traditions are important - but they can also change for good reason over time. But, I hope that though Thralldom dies the death it deserves we salvage some small good from it. I hope that we understand the importance of restitution as well as punishment. I hope we understand slaughter is not the only way, that each man has a worth.
But for now, if you need it Cousin, I have an axe as well as a bow. And if there is to be more death at Tyde Hall, better the hand is a Tyde one. Enough other hands have spilled the blood of our people. At least to start.
Written By Ajax
March 12, 2019, 3:30 a.m.(9/21/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Margot
I have an idea or two, Duchess.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.