Written By Calla
Dec. 2, 2021, 10:09 a.m.(9/4/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Drusila
I have been sent an interesting gift. It was waiting for me as I arrived back from Sangris, nestled upon my pillow like one might leave a chocolate for a weary traveler.
It is, what I will presume to be, an egg. But it is leathery and soft. Occasionally, it undulates as if something within writhes in a sack of slime. Stretches. Tests the boundaries of its leathery purse. When I hold it in the warmth of my palm, it presses itself against the hollow, soaking in the warmth of my skin. It feels like a nuzzle. An affectionate gesture.
And so I keep it close. I've been told it was almost time to come into the world. I await its arrival eagerly - whatever it may be.
It is, what I will presume to be, an egg. But it is leathery and soft. Occasionally, it undulates as if something within writhes in a sack of slime. Stretches. Tests the boundaries of its leathery purse. When I hold it in the warmth of my palm, it presses itself against the hollow, soaking in the warmth of my skin. It feels like a nuzzle. An affectionate gesture.
And so I keep it close. I've been told it was almost time to come into the world. I await its arrival eagerly - whatever it may be.
Written By Calla
Feb. 24, 2021, 7:16 p.m.(1/3/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Titus
At last! I managed to drag another Vaevici to Arx. My cousin has arrived to help us with the war efforts, although I probably should have warned him about the weather in the Fall and Winter here. I remember my first experience with how cold it can get in Arx, it was only last year.
But Titus will do well here I think. He's a rare Vaevici, like me, who is more open-minded about this Compact and our new place in it. I can't wait to see how he settles in here.
But Titus will do well here I think. He's a rare Vaevici, like me, who is more open-minded about this Compact and our new place in it. I can't wait to see how he settles in here.
Written By Calla
Dec. 16, 2020, 4:33 p.m.(7/28/1014 AR)
I have learned two truths recently.
I have a distinct "type" when it comes to men.
And
There seems to be quite a few of them in this City.
I'm in trouble.
I have a distinct "type" when it comes to men.
And
There seems to be quite a few of them in this City.
I'm in trouble.
Written By Calla
March 15, 2020, 6:37 p.m.(12/8/1012 AR)
There is a small food cart in Arx that has a peppered noodle and seafood dish that is remarkably similar to something we make at home. A soldier of mine discovered it while traveling through the lower boroughs, and now there's a steady stream of off-duty Legio to the cart. It's close enough to the harbor that the seafood is fresh, and the spices taste as near as one can come using local, cheap ingredients.
Most remarkable is style of fermenting the peppers. It is utterly alien to the denizens of Arx, but can be commonly found back home. I cannot help but wonder the story that lead from Sangris to this cart.
Did a lucky merchant brave the Sea of Skulls and think themselves the victor, only to lose it all in Arx, and start this cart-shop as a final effort to pass something onto his or her descendants?
Was a bitter crewman left unpaid, and with nothing but their memory of a foreign dish, seek to strike out on their own and beat a merchant at their own game?
Perhaps the blooded of Sangris left a departing explorer with a gift, and nine months later, a scion of Sangris was born into Arvum, with no knowledge of their half-native land but the twinkle in their mother's eye, and this recipe.
The owner of the cart says that they took over after the previous owner died many years ago, and *that* owner was unlikely to be the original one, given how dreadfully aged the cart looks. The true story has been lost to ages, I fear. But it is an interesting mote of history to discover in such an unimportant part of an otherwise remarkable city.
Most remarkable is style of fermenting the peppers. It is utterly alien to the denizens of Arx, but can be commonly found back home. I cannot help but wonder the story that lead from Sangris to this cart.
Did a lucky merchant brave the Sea of Skulls and think themselves the victor, only to lose it all in Arx, and start this cart-shop as a final effort to pass something onto his or her descendants?
Was a bitter crewman left unpaid, and with nothing but their memory of a foreign dish, seek to strike out on their own and beat a merchant at their own game?
Perhaps the blooded of Sangris left a departing explorer with a gift, and nine months later, a scion of Sangris was born into Arvum, with no knowledge of their half-native land but the twinkle in their mother's eye, and this recipe.
The owner of the cart says that they took over after the previous owner died many years ago, and *that* owner was unlikely to be the original one, given how dreadfully aged the cart looks. The true story has been lost to ages, I fear. But it is an interesting mote of history to discover in such an unimportant part of an otherwise remarkable city.
Written By Calla
March 6, 2020, 5:30 p.m.(11/18/1012 AR)
Autumn. Cool, cloudy, strong wind from the south. Is that how I am to begin these reflections?
We made good time sailing into the port of Arx from Sangris, by way of Setarco. The caravels and most of the supporting ships lingered behind to establish a foothold in the Caldera. I was whisked away to the capital of Arvum so that I could perform my diplomatic and feudal obligations. I'll return, I'm sure, to lead the Legio Sangris in battle against the other Houses of the region. My skills and knowledge are too valuable, there. However, after browsing the journals provided at the archive, I can see that I am perhaps more valuable here -- for a time, anyway.
On the trip, I was nervous. I had expected to be peered and prodded at, made to take oath upon oath, and knelt before liege after liege. None of that has happened. There were oaths, yes, but not quite what I had expected. My largest shock was discovering that my people are considered a myth. Indeed, the Arvani seem so unaware that we exist that my presence in the city has gone largely unnoticed. I hardly mind. There's so much new to take in that I'm grateful to not be overwhelmed.
Curious observations: The Compact has outlawed slavery (note to self: "Thralldom") for less time than mine own city-state (note to self: House, now). Perhaps it is because the Eurusi never bothered to enslave the Arvani that they (note to self: We, now) were tolerant of the practice for so long. Then again, the Caldera was rarely raided by the Eurusi, given the geography of the Saffron Chain.
We made good time sailing into the port of Arx from Sangris, by way of Setarco. The caravels and most of the supporting ships lingered behind to establish a foothold in the Caldera. I was whisked away to the capital of Arvum so that I could perform my diplomatic and feudal obligations. I'll return, I'm sure, to lead the Legio Sangris in battle against the other Houses of the region. My skills and knowledge are too valuable, there. However, after browsing the journals provided at the archive, I can see that I am perhaps more valuable here -- for a time, anyway.
On the trip, I was nervous. I had expected to be peered and prodded at, made to take oath upon oath, and knelt before liege after liege. None of that has happened. There were oaths, yes, but not quite what I had expected. My largest shock was discovering that my people are considered a myth. Indeed, the Arvani seem so unaware that we exist that my presence in the city has gone largely unnoticed. I hardly mind. There's so much new to take in that I'm grateful to not be overwhelmed.
Curious observations: The Compact has outlawed slavery (note to self: "Thralldom") for less time than mine own city-state (note to self: House, now). Perhaps it is because the Eurusi never bothered to enslave the Arvani that they (note to self: We, now) were tolerant of the practice for so long. Then again, the Caldera was rarely raided by the Eurusi, given the geography of the Saffron Chain.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.