Written By Asher
Nov. 29, 2020, 9:35 a.m.(6/22/1014 AR)
Another year, come and gone. The little ones, a year old, and I've been with my Swan for a little longer than that. Time really does speed by. I don't know how it happens, but it does.
I'm having trouble in my project; things aren't going smoothly. I'm certain I have enough material, enough funding for more if necessary, but it's just... Not coming together. Maybe Jayus is saying it's not something that should happen. I'll keep trying, I owe it to myself and to the people who have donated to the cause. But I need something new to happen, or else it will stall out.
Aureth recently became Dominus, after Dominus Orazio was murdered. But the thing I keep coming back to, is that when people refer to him by full title, they keep 'Grayhope' on his name. Dominus Orazio, if I recall, was never anything more than that. They call Aureth a Grayhope still. I think this may be a good time to talk to the family, spread the word, remind the kingdom what 'Grayhope' means. What it meant to begin with. Gray's Hopes. I think Aureth will make a fine Dominus, and bring hope back to the people.
I wish I knew how to bring hope back to myself, sometimes. My sleep is more troubled, of late. Nightmares, again. New ones. Well, one. The original was vivid, terrifying, and coincided with the timing of when Prince Tyrus Thrax collapsed outside the Great Archive, so I'm told. The dream was fire, and death, and a monstrous demon as big as a mountain. Fire and ash, forever, and the Abyss throughout creation. But it wasn't just a nightmare. The diamond was hot when I woke, but faded. I don't know what it means but I do know that I have to stop it from happening. So I venture into the nightmare again, and again, this time of my own volition. There has to be something in there to help. I wouldn't be given such dreams without hope.
I'm having trouble in my project; things aren't going smoothly. I'm certain I have enough material, enough funding for more if necessary, but it's just... Not coming together. Maybe Jayus is saying it's not something that should happen. I'll keep trying, I owe it to myself and to the people who have donated to the cause. But I need something new to happen, or else it will stall out.
Aureth recently became Dominus, after Dominus Orazio was murdered. But the thing I keep coming back to, is that when people refer to him by full title, they keep 'Grayhope' on his name. Dominus Orazio, if I recall, was never anything more than that. They call Aureth a Grayhope still. I think this may be a good time to talk to the family, spread the word, remind the kingdom what 'Grayhope' means. What it meant to begin with. Gray's Hopes. I think Aureth will make a fine Dominus, and bring hope back to the people.
I wish I knew how to bring hope back to myself, sometimes. My sleep is more troubled, of late. Nightmares, again. New ones. Well, one. The original was vivid, terrifying, and coincided with the timing of when Prince Tyrus Thrax collapsed outside the Great Archive, so I'm told. The dream was fire, and death, and a monstrous demon as big as a mountain. Fire and ash, forever, and the Abyss throughout creation. But it wasn't just a nightmare. The diamond was hot when I woke, but faded. I don't know what it means but I do know that I have to stop it from happening. So I venture into the nightmare again, and again, this time of my own volition. There has to be something in there to help. I wouldn't be given such dreams without hope.
Written By Asher
May 14, 2020, 12:24 a.m.(4/15/1013 AR)
Made a deal with Lady Eirene for assistance with my grand project; I make her wedding rings - hers and Lord Mihaly's, of course - and they help with the project. Some other additions beyond that of course. But it seems I'm racking up a backlog of things to make of Star Iron. Lady Mikani just got her order of hair beads; never thought I'd be done with those. I've still got to get the corset done. I'll get help from Svana for the non-metal bits, but the Star Iron bracings... Clever, that. Hidden behind the cloth, harder to see. But just as functional. I hope all this doesn't blow up in my face. Messing with magic tends to make horrible things happen, I hear.
Written By Asher
April 2, 2020, 4:49 p.m.(1/16/1013 AR)
I recently put out a flyer for Diamonds In The Rough; it's a good placement for my store. North of the city center, not too difficult to find. I've come a long way from having no store, and then my first stall, The Silver Lining. Gods, but it's been seven years. I don't know where the time goes; honestly. It's maddening. But, to be honest, it's a good change. I've got more commissions than ever, and people coming in nearly every hour. I may not be able to keep up with it all the time, but I'll take it.
Written By Asher
March 29, 2020, 3:58 p.m.(1/8/1013 AR)
After a long few weeks, I've got them ready - the Fabron couple's wedding bands. Sure, they're commoners, but they wanted rings. Made of Star Iron. So I got to work, and by the Gods, it's always surprising how long it takes for Star Iron to smelt properly. How long it takes to take the proper shape. Adding the gems, the Iridescite, even the Stygian, was easier. But now, it's done, and I have time to spare. It won't be long before I'm up again, ready to work, but I'm going to enjoy the time relaxing.
If only I knew how to give it some manner of other protection. Limerance, if you see this, or if Vellichor tells you - because this is indeed written after all - then bless those rings with some manner of shielding, to keep Jules and Svana safe. They deserve it.
If only I knew how to give it some manner of other protection. Limerance, if you see this, or if Vellichor tells you - because this is indeed written after all - then bless those rings with some manner of shielding, to keep Jules and Svana safe. They deserve it.
Written By Asher
March 18, 2020, 11:19 p.m.(12/14/1012 AR)
I found it! This journal was tucked away, and I thought it went missing when I went up to Crovane lands to work for them. But it's been here the whole time! I'm a dunce sometimes. But, luckily, I didn't need it while I was up there; a lot of shoeing horses, doing repairs, and the general smithy work. Being able to make fine jewelry doesn't matter as much in the cold, where everyone has to bundle up to keep warm. With furs and such that cover any area you wear jewelry in. But it was honest work, and I do appreciate the experience. I may have done things out of order a bit, jumped from being nobody to being a fine jeweler, but now I've got the in-between as a generic blacksmith! It all works out in the end.
Oh, speaking of jewelry, I've gotten a few requests already, I should note them down. Swift Grayhope wanted a couple of teeth since she lost a few in a drunken debaucle involving tying unicorns to a wagon. She provided the materials, and now she has Star Iron teeth with little amethysts embedded. Well, two teeth. Princess Bellamy Redrain asked for a ring and a pair of earrings, all white gold, all with rose-cut pink sapphires. I'm working on this one next, but finding the right sapphires are difficult. They need to be the right shade of pink, or else it just goes all wrong with the white gold. But, finding the white gold, not as difficult. These should be finished within a few days. Lastly, for now, Lady Clara asked for a choker made of Iridescite, a Dawnstone in the middle, with six diamonds as well - three to each side of the Dawnstone. This should be a bit trickier but I think I've got a method that should work fine.
<On the next page, Asher has drawn a detailed sketch of what the choker should look like, from multiple angles, when he is done. It's not very artistic, but it is in fact very measured. Each drawing has approximate lengths to a hundredth of an inch in some cases. The design is such that the Iridescite have made literal waves, curling around the Dawnstone in the middle. This is all that is on this page.>
I'm also thinking of setting something up with the Crafter's Guild; they've got a new way of preparing leather, though it took research. Why should we not have a new way of preparing metals? New alloys, perhaps. I'm certain that blending Iridescite and Star Iron would produce a lovely effect, but every time I've attempted, it comes out marbled rather than pure. I've got to be missing something, and I think it's got to do with the innate properties of the metals. They say that Star Iron and Iridescite are magical, after all, though I'm not sure just how.
Oh, speaking of jewelry, I've gotten a few requests already, I should note them down. Swift Grayhope wanted a couple of teeth since she lost a few in a drunken debaucle involving tying unicorns to a wagon. She provided the materials, and now she has Star Iron teeth with little amethysts embedded. Well, two teeth. Princess Bellamy Redrain asked for a ring and a pair of earrings, all white gold, all with rose-cut pink sapphires. I'm working on this one next, but finding the right sapphires are difficult. They need to be the right shade of pink, or else it just goes all wrong with the white gold. But, finding the white gold, not as difficult. These should be finished within a few days. Lastly, for now, Lady Clara asked for a choker made of Iridescite, a Dawnstone in the middle, with six diamonds as well - three to each side of the Dawnstone. This should be a bit trickier but I think I've got a method that should work fine.
<On the next page, Asher has drawn a detailed sketch of what the choker should look like, from multiple angles, when he is done. It's not very artistic, but it is in fact very measured. Each drawing has approximate lengths to a hundredth of an inch in some cases. The design is such that the Iridescite have made literal waves, curling around the Dawnstone in the middle. This is all that is on this page.>
I'm also thinking of setting something up with the Crafter's Guild; they've got a new way of preparing leather, though it took research. Why should we not have a new way of preparing metals? New alloys, perhaps. I'm certain that blending Iridescite and Star Iron would produce a lovely effect, but every time I've attempted, it comes out marbled rather than pure. I've got to be missing something, and I think it's got to do with the innate properties of the metals. They say that Star Iron and Iridescite are magical, after all, though I'm not sure just how.
Written By Asher
Aug. 28, 2018, 2:13 p.m.(6/23/1009 AR)
Since the Gala, it's been pretty excited, around the city - lots of people talking about the legends of the world. The Metallics and the Fractals, come to mind - as do the tales of the Elves, and the heroes of the Compact. The problem is, it's hard to know which is true, which is to be taken metaphorically, which is true but we're unable to prove it.
This is frustrating, for someone in my position - I am used to knowing things, factually. I spoke with Amantha Harrow recently, and connecting the strands of legends might have this person called the Horned God actually be someone we've heard about before, under other names. It really does all add up, but it's terrifying. And the worst part is, it's all supposition - how can we know, truly, what's going on? I'll have to ask for help from the knowledgeable. And if it's more rare knowledge, I may have to ask Thirteen Questions of someone who already knows; but the price may be too great. We shall see, and I hope it does not come to that.
This is frustrating, for someone in my position - I am used to knowing things, factually. I spoke with Amantha Harrow recently, and connecting the strands of legends might have this person called the Horned God actually be someone we've heard about before, under other names. It really does all add up, but it's terrifying. And the worst part is, it's all supposition - how can we know, truly, what's going on? I'll have to ask for help from the knowledgeable. And if it's more rare knowledge, I may have to ask Thirteen Questions of someone who already knows; but the price may be too great. We shall see, and I hope it does not come to that.
Written By Asher
Aug. 5, 2018, 11:43 p.m.(5/1/1009 AR)
It's been a productive week - a few commissions, prospect of a new shop... And even finding some restful sleep. By the Gods, it's good to not wake up screaming. I can honestly say that things are looking brighter, more colorful, than they usually are. It's been years since they started; the Siege almost seems like yesterday, as well. And somehow like it has always been this way. I'm sure that there is some way to explain that.
It seems that I've a shop of my own in the works. A bit of cleaning, sprucing it up, and I'll have a place in the Harrowed Grounds soon enough to work in. A place of my very own, taking orders for Star Iron from Duchesses and other nobility. It's like the nightmare continues into the waking world, but has sweetened considerably. I'm okay with this; friends and loved ones nearby make it all worthwhile.
It seems that I've a shop of my own in the works. A bit of cleaning, sprucing it up, and I'll have a place in the Harrowed Grounds soon enough to work in. A place of my very own, taking orders for Star Iron from Duchesses and other nobility. It's like the nightmare continues into the waking world, but has sweetened considerably. I'm okay with this; friends and loved ones nearby make it all worthwhile.
Written By Asher
July 28, 2018, 11:05 a.m.(4/12/1009 AR)
It's been a while since I wrote one of these. Not sure where I lost the time. I know that these are public thoughts, and yet writing it all down seems to be quite personal. It's for posterity, so that later generations can search through and research their history. Some might disdain to look at such things from a common man like me - I wasn't even born a Grayhope, just little Asher Morrlin, that runt nobody expected to survive his tenth winter. But I did, tenacious snot that I am. And I've learned some things that will help people survive. All people.
Hubris is dangerous. Your own overconfidence can, and usually will, be your undoing. I don't mean this in a way to say that you should not boast when drunk - that's all in good fun. I'm talking when thinking that you're stronger than your opponent, when you think you can handle something you don't understand. It is for this reason that I emphasize that magic be taken with a gravity that nothing else can. I should also apply this to the miracles given by the Gods, though the Gods know what they are doing when they give such miracles.
The reasoning for the serious attitude towards magic is simple - it is the same reason that there is a law against using it. For your own protection, of course. There is something, created around the time of the Reckoning, which poisons the Primum of humanity; the inert substance within oneself that would, theoretically, allows magic to be cast. Being poisoned, attempting magic gravely wounds you, or even kills you. But even without that, you must realize the reason that such a thing was likely created:
I'm fairly certain that humanity caused the Reckoning. I know not who, or why, but someone used magic and its outcome was to bring Archfiends to the world, which indeed did require the Compact to defeat, along with the great heroes of that age. Even so, magic was hidden away from us for a good reason. We cannot be trusted with it. Not at that level, at least. Even so many centuries later, I don't think humanity is yet ready for the full force of it; trust in the Gods, for now. When the Despite is destroyed, and its creator slain - in truth I don't know if they're dead already - that is when we might be safe enough to do small things. Very small.
The point is, hubris is deadly. Don't try to fight an avalanche. You might cause a larger one, and kill more than yourself in the process.
Hubris is dangerous. Your own overconfidence can, and usually will, be your undoing. I don't mean this in a way to say that you should not boast when drunk - that's all in good fun. I'm talking when thinking that you're stronger than your opponent, when you think you can handle something you don't understand. It is for this reason that I emphasize that magic be taken with a gravity that nothing else can. I should also apply this to the miracles given by the Gods, though the Gods know what they are doing when they give such miracles.
The reasoning for the serious attitude towards magic is simple - it is the same reason that there is a law against using it. For your own protection, of course. There is something, created around the time of the Reckoning, which poisons the Primum of humanity; the inert substance within oneself that would, theoretically, allows magic to be cast. Being poisoned, attempting magic gravely wounds you, or even kills you. But even without that, you must realize the reason that such a thing was likely created:
I'm fairly certain that humanity caused the Reckoning. I know not who, or why, but someone used magic and its outcome was to bring Archfiends to the world, which indeed did require the Compact to defeat, along with the great heroes of that age. Even so, magic was hidden away from us for a good reason. We cannot be trusted with it. Not at that level, at least. Even so many centuries later, I don't think humanity is yet ready for the full force of it; trust in the Gods, for now. When the Despite is destroyed, and its creator slain - in truth I don't know if they're dead already - that is when we might be safe enough to do small things. Very small.
The point is, hubris is deadly. Don't try to fight an avalanche. You might cause a larger one, and kill more than yourself in the process.
Written By Asher
June 18, 2017, 6:30 p.m.(9/5/1006 AR)
Lots of work this week. Got a commission for fifty pieces - five pieces a set - of jewelry. And then someone burnt down old man Lucio's shop. I'll find them - and stop them from doing that again. Koslov family, if you see this, you had better get out of town quick. Grayhopes don't stand for that kind of shit.
Written By Asher
May 21, 2017, 8:16 p.m.(7/4/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Silas
He's the most recent Lord-Commander of the Iron Guard. Didn't think I'd get along with him, but apparently it's just fine.
Written By Asher
May 21, 2017, 7:42 p.m.(7/4/1006 AR)
So, a few days ago, I attended a fundraiser. Originally, I went to survey things, to see how the Silks were treating things of importance; and of small animals, of course. It, in a way, translates into how they treat the small folk. I gave fifty writs, thinking that perhaps it was a good cause. And it is! It truly is. But then somehow I won three of the five gift baskets. I didn't realize I'm so lucky. I shouldn't push it, but maybe I should?
Written By Asher
May 11, 2017, 9:36 p.m.(6/12/1006 AR)
Well, I got pickpocketed by a friend today. Hadn't seen her in a while. Not like it was anything expensive though... Just a good luck charm. I shouldn't worry about it, I don't think anything bad could come of losing it.
Written By Asher
May 10, 2017, 5:39 p.m.(6/10/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Mira
There was a merchant in the Common Square recently who was selling things stolen from corpses from the siege. Not sure if he stole them himself, or if he bought them from people who stole them. I might have gotten him arrested and he wasn't at fault... He's obviously stupid, but possibly not his fault. Also bumped into Mira Matessi, and we hit it off; might have also gotten a request for a ring to be made, later on... Lucrative!
Written By Asher
May 10, 2017, 5:12 p.m.(6/10/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Magpie
I saved his life, because it was my job, and he made me part of the family. More to it than that, but still. Not a bad guy.
Written By Asher
March 26, 2017, 9:11 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
I made myself some really nice earrings a while back. Little golden rats, with sapphire eyes. I figure no noble is going to want these... And nobody is going to accuse me of having stolen them. Who even likes rats, anyway?
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