Written By Laric
May 3, 2020, 12:16 p.m.(3/22/1013 AR)
A few weeks ago, I put out a call for the citizens of our dear city to write and tell me what fire meant to them. I expected the answers I received to be romanticized and focused on passion. Instead many were nuanced and well considered, with some baring deeply personal events in the writer's past. It was an enjoyable exercise and one I may revisit in the future. My own answer, for posterity:
"To me, fire is a simple solution that can be applied to any problem; it is only limited by willpower, creativity and mastery over its wild nature. It is never enough on its own, but will clear the way for what might follow. Though that answer may seem plain, that is exactly what change is, the end result of solving a problem."
Metaphorically speaking, of course. A fire that burns alone dies alone, but can achieve great things when given purpose and partnership.
"To me, fire is a simple solution that can be applied to any problem; it is only limited by willpower, creativity and mastery over its wild nature. It is never enough on its own, but will clear the way for what might follow. Though that answer may seem plain, that is exactly what change is, the end result of solving a problem."
Metaphorically speaking, of course. A fire that burns alone dies alone, but can achieve great things when given purpose and partnership.
Written By Laric
March 26, 2019, 3:02 p.m.(10/22/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
Princess Reese does House Grayson proud with her decision to abstain from the Grand Melee in light of the rumors about attempts to fix the contest in her favor. If there is any evidence proving these rumors and labeling those behind the plot, perhaps the tournament's organizer will issue disqualifications.
Written By Laric
Feb. 25, 2019, 12:55 a.m.(8/19/1010 AR)
Balance is always a popular topic, and its recent relevance behooves me to reiterate old thoughts on it. A discussion about balance without defining and contextualizing what 'balance' is will simply fail or lead to misunderstanding after misunderstanding. The balance that leaps to mind in matters of good and evil is often harmony, or in other words coexistence.
Can true good coexist with true evil? Yes -- as evil. That 'balance' is a form of stasis. With stasis there is no change, with no change there is no growth, and with no growth everything loses its value, even freedom. True good ceases to be good when it decides to ignore true evil. It becomes moral convenience. True evil does not relent. It plays to win. It must be opposed in force. Anything less than that is dishonest to the gods. That struggle waxes and wanes in perpetuity. That unending change is a sort of balance; an acceptable balance, far above what may as well be consigning yourself to inevitable defeat.
Can true good coexist with true evil? Yes -- as evil. That 'balance' is a form of stasis. With stasis there is no change, with no change there is no growth, and with no growth everything loses its value, even freedom. True good ceases to be good when it decides to ignore true evil. It becomes moral convenience. True evil does not relent. It plays to win. It must be opposed in force. Anything less than that is dishonest to the gods. That struggle waxes and wanes in perpetuity. That unending change is a sort of balance; an acceptable balance, far above what may as well be consigning yourself to inevitable defeat.
Written By Laric
Jan. 16, 2019, 9:56 a.m.(5/15/1010 AR)
Religious zeal in action is at once a powerful and frightening thing to behold.
It is the product of earnest, steadfast belief in the gods and a desire to see Their will done. That much is commendable, but those possessed by zeal often begin to see themselves as direct instruments of the gods. This arrogance leads them to forget that in Arvum, only the Dominus and their Legates speak for the gods. Their instruments are the priests of the Faith, and the priests are assisted by the Faith's discipleships. Only those acknowledged and guided by the Faith of the Pantheon can say they enact Their will or speak with authority when it comes to interpreting Them or granting Their forgiveness. To think otherwise is dangerous hubris and something we must all be careful not to encourage.
It is the product of earnest, steadfast belief in the gods and a desire to see Their will done. That much is commendable, but those possessed by zeal often begin to see themselves as direct instruments of the gods. This arrogance leads them to forget that in Arvum, only the Dominus and their Legates speak for the gods. Their instruments are the priests of the Faith, and the priests are assisted by the Faith's discipleships. Only those acknowledged and guided by the Faith of the Pantheon can say they enact Their will or speak with authority when it comes to interpreting Them or granting Their forgiveness. To think otherwise is dangerous hubris and something we must all be careful not to encourage.
Written By Laric
Oct. 6, 2018, 8:01 p.m.(9/24/1009 AR)
The loss of my parents at a young age robbed birthdays of two things; a certain warmth in my youth and a certain nostalgia as an adult. That's not to say they were bereft of celebration, cake and sundry, just that they were never eagerly anticipated. I think that will change henceforth, as it will now mark the anniversary of the day that the last distant descendants of Brimstone's Hand were officially and legally freed from thralldom. A promise kept and a long-standing injustice finally corrected. Something I will be forever proud of, as will those who aided the endeavor.
Brimstone served in the Knights of the Gold Guard as a Captain, one of the many men and women sworn to Goldenpyre and his cause: an end to slavery. A part of their oath, as written by one of the last members of the Guard, Hrefna Glassworker: 'Until every chain is broken, until all the slaves are free, I serve'. To keep even part of his legacy thus chained was simply wrong when that very same legacy destroyed the Gyre. My only regret is that we could not have done this sooner.
My thanks to those who joined me and those who donated their time and silver, in no particular order:
King Alaric IV
Father Aureth Grayhope
Dame Morrighan
Duke Cristoph Laurent
Dame Mercedes Valardin
Master Aleksei Morgan
Brother Tomwell Leary
Princess Sabella Grayson
Radiant Lumen Whisper
Master B. L. Inky
Prince Luca Grayson
Master Salvadore
Mistress Juniper Whisper
Dame Thena Grayhope
Marquessa Reigna Keaton
Prince Niklas Grayson
Marquis Kael Keaton
Marquessa Samantha Deepwood
Lord Jophiel Bisland
Brimstone served in the Knights of the Gold Guard as a Captain, one of the many men and women sworn to Goldenpyre and his cause: an end to slavery. A part of their oath, as written by one of the last members of the Guard, Hrefna Glassworker: 'Until every chain is broken, until all the slaves are free, I serve'. To keep even part of his legacy thus chained was simply wrong when that very same legacy destroyed the Gyre. My only regret is that we could not have done this sooner.
My thanks to those who joined me and those who donated their time and silver, in no particular order:
King Alaric IV
Father Aureth Grayhope
Dame Morrighan
Duke Cristoph Laurent
Dame Mercedes Valardin
Master Aleksei Morgan
Brother Tomwell Leary
Princess Sabella Grayson
Radiant Lumen Whisper
Master B. L. Inky
Prince Luca Grayson
Master Salvadore
Mistress Juniper Whisper
Dame Thena Grayhope
Marquessa Reigna Keaton
Prince Niklas Grayson
Marquis Kael Keaton
Marquessa Samantha Deepwood
Lord Jophiel Bisland
Written By Laric
Oct. 5, 2018, 4:44 p.m.(9/22/1009 AR)
Another year goes by.
Written By Laric
Sept. 26, 2018, 10:59 p.m.(9/5/1009 AR)
Several months ago, I asked Mistress Perronne Amboise to keep an eye out for a particular item, a small piece of history that means a great deal to me but was otherwise not important enough for me to justify finding it. She agreed but offered no promises which was of course well enough; it had not been reproduced since the Reckoning, after all, and most were destroyed during the worst of the fighting. In the intervening weeks it slipped from my mind. Imagine my surprise and delight to learn she had found exactly what I was looking for, timeworn and weathered yet easily and immediately verifiable for what it was.
Tactile proof of ancient history is a special thing, and this will prove to be both a source of inspiration to me and a reminder that humanity will always need heroes; a reminder that what makes those heroes is not always strength of arms nor clever wit. The most impactful heroes are those who have had the courage to take a stand in the face of overwhelming adversity and do what must be done at great personal cost.
"Forever the Flame Against Darkness."
Powerful words.
Tactile proof of ancient history is a special thing, and this will prove to be both a source of inspiration to me and a reminder that humanity will always need heroes; a reminder that what makes those heroes is not always strength of arms nor clever wit. The most impactful heroes are those who have had the courage to take a stand in the face of overwhelming adversity and do what must be done at great personal cost.
"Forever the Flame Against Darkness."
Powerful words.
Written By Laric
Sept. 7, 2018, 7:32 p.m.(7/20/1009 AR)
It is no secret that I hold the Metallic Order in high regard nor that I have spent considerable time and resources researching its history, as well as the lasting legacies of its members and those who served in the Metallic Guards. Women like Cobalt, whose brave defiance teaches the importance of standing against tyranny. Men like her husband Brimstone, one of the few members of the Gold Guard who survived the Reckoning, who set aside his raiments but pursued Gold's mission until his dying breath.
Men and women who deserve to be returned to the public conscience and remembered for the heroes they are, something I greatly look forward to helping achieve. Their sacrifices created a free future for Arvum, and even the most minor of their actions create the ripples around us to this day. Ah, but that's a topic to write on another time.
One of my aides brought me a transcription of Joscelin Arterius' journal about metallurgy. They had skimmed it and saw capitalized metals, made an assumption and had a copy transcribed. Not my standard fare (I am quite happy to leave metalworking to the professionals) but the Guildmaster's knowledge and passion for her craft practically flowed from the page, making for an enjoyable and inspiring read. Now, to make something of that inspiration with a different sort of metallurgy.
The Metallic Order was not idly named, nor were its members. Every metal has different primal, or as some would rather say alchemical, significance. The metal gold, for instance, has forever been linked with the virtues of courage and wisdom. It is no accident that Gold's tales speak of his heroism against desperate odds, of his clever and elegant solutions for each problem put in his path. It is likewise linked to the element of fire and the concept of change. Gold gives way to fire readily, allowing itself to be changed into something new, better, rid of its impurities. It is no coincidence that Gold became the Lady of Change's earthly champion.
Silver shows gentleness, compassion and humanity, as well as the dedication to stand for these things time and time again. It should surprise no one that Silver was one of the Compact's greatest supporters, but it may surprise you that she, not Iron, was responsible for building and protecting the city of Arx.
After the Reckoning, the remnants of her Guard became the Knights of Solace and the Silver Swords. They may have forgotten her over the centuries, but they have never forgotten her example and follow it to this day. The same might be said of humanity honoring her legacy; we have forgotten, but still we see silver in every day of our lives.
Enough for one night, I think.
Men and women who deserve to be returned to the public conscience and remembered for the heroes they are, something I greatly look forward to helping achieve. Their sacrifices created a free future for Arvum, and even the most minor of their actions create the ripples around us to this day. Ah, but that's a topic to write on another time.
One of my aides brought me a transcription of Joscelin Arterius' journal about metallurgy. They had skimmed it and saw capitalized metals, made an assumption and had a copy transcribed. Not my standard fare (I am quite happy to leave metalworking to the professionals) but the Guildmaster's knowledge and passion for her craft practically flowed from the page, making for an enjoyable and inspiring read. Now, to make something of that inspiration with a different sort of metallurgy.
The Metallic Order was not idly named, nor were its members. Every metal has different primal, or as some would rather say alchemical, significance. The metal gold, for instance, has forever been linked with the virtues of courage and wisdom. It is no accident that Gold's tales speak of his heroism against desperate odds, of his clever and elegant solutions for each problem put in his path. It is likewise linked to the element of fire and the concept of change. Gold gives way to fire readily, allowing itself to be changed into something new, better, rid of its impurities. It is no coincidence that Gold became the Lady of Change's earthly champion.
Silver shows gentleness, compassion and humanity, as well as the dedication to stand for these things time and time again. It should surprise no one that Silver was one of the Compact's greatest supporters, but it may surprise you that she, not Iron, was responsible for building and protecting the city of Arx.
After the Reckoning, the remnants of her Guard became the Knights of Solace and the Silver Swords. They may have forgotten her over the centuries, but they have never forgotten her example and follow it to this day. The same might be said of humanity honoring her legacy; we have forgotten, but still we see silver in every day of our lives.
Enough for one night, I think.
Written By Laric
Aug. 28, 2018, 7:13 p.m.(6/24/1009 AR)
Certain privileges come with being a citizen of the Compact, but chief amongst them is freedom from slavery and tyranny. And for those privileges, all citizens are have the responsibility to abide by both the Laws of Limerance whether or not they worship the Pantheon. There are more privileges associated with being a member of the Peerage, but those are weighed by another responsibility not explicitly written in the Laws: to be a shining example of honorable conduct to their vassals, the people they protect and provide justice for.
This is true all throughout the Compact, from east to west and from north to south. Be greater.
This is true all throughout the Compact, from east to west and from north to south. Be greater.
Written By Laric
July 11, 2018, 12:55 p.m.(3/4/1009 AR)
House Grayson enjoys affable ties with House Leary. It is both an honor and a privilege for me to support the House's heir, Lord Tomwell, as a protege. Lady Elloise serves the Crown honorably through the Inquisition, and I personally mentor their close cousin, Princess Caith Thrax, a keen intellect in spite of her excitable tendencies.
Prince Barric's actions today are not representative of the House as a whole and I am confident His Majesty's voices will deal with the situation appropriately.
Prince Barric's actions today are not representative of the House as a whole and I am confident His Majesty's voices will deal with the situation appropriately.
Written By Laric
June 16, 2018, 4:29 p.m.(1/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aurelian
The case of Aurelian Valardin's impersonation is deeply complicated. It is not one I mean to discuss in this journal; while a villain has been brought to justice, there are broader implications that warrant further investigation and consideration. It would be irresponsible to release any related evidence while the matter is ongoing. I rest comfortably knowing that all the individuals involved and affected thus far understand this.
I am very proud of the men and women whose hard work and contributions led to this revelation. The Inquisition applauds House Valardin's humility and wisdom in requesting our aid and guidance, and we applaud their conviction in facing such an unpleasant truth as their ancestors would. Honor holds.
As a completely unrelated aside, citizens, do keep in mind the loud braying of an ass is most often driven by a guilty conscience. A donkey is a donkey and does not care to hear reason. They may come around in their own time.
I am very proud of the men and women whose hard work and contributions led to this revelation. The Inquisition applauds House Valardin's humility and wisdom in requesting our aid and guidance, and we applaud their conviction in facing such an unpleasant truth as their ancestors would. Honor holds.
As a completely unrelated aside, citizens, do keep in mind the loud braying of an ass is most often driven by a guilty conscience. A donkey is a donkey and does not care to hear reason. They may come around in their own time.
Written By Laric
June 15, 2018, 2:28 p.m.(1/8/1009 AR)
There is nothing quite so ignoble as the sight of a dragon trying to tiptoe into the heavens.
Written By Laric
June 10, 2018, 5:17 p.m.(12/17/1008 AR)
'Balance'. It's a powerful concept, but one that hinges entirely on its context. You cannot truly discuss 'balance' without first discussing what it means to what you apply it to. Take this example: when planning a construction, an architect must carefully consider its shape and the weight of their materials. If they do not ensure a balance, the construction will eventually collapse under its own weight. There must be equilibrium. A monument or home crumbling of its own accord is a terrible thing to behold, but they are often mistakes. Perhaps the architect failed to take something into account, or perhaps the builders or suppliers cut a corner and compromised the architect's vision.
But let's apply it much more broadly, concepts they are often attached to. Good and evil. Elysia and the Abyss. Can they achieve an architect's 'balance'? Equilibrium? Everlasting harmony? Let's say for a moment they could, as idealistic as that may be.
Adversity and challenge are what drive change and progress. A permanent balance of good and evil would be stasis, antithetical to Lagoma's teachings. Without progress there is no learning; a spit in the face of Vellichor.
Would the enforcers and guardians of this balance impose their will on the world, removing choice to ensure their balance? This would be antithetical to not just Skald's teachings, but also Gloria and the Sentinel. The death of choice is tyranny, and tyranny - no matter whatever good intentions may drive it - is unjust.
When applied to good and evil, that sort of balance - an equilibrium - is undeniably evil. It is a deliberate act, not a mistake.
Archscholar Py wrote on the subject once, and he wrote poignantly. The balance of good and evil is a swinging pendulum, a constant give and take, an unending push and pull. It is foolish to try and interfere with its movement on any grand scale. There is no safety in the center of the pendulum.
Good and evil are concepts greater than any of us, and I think it is the height of hubris to assume mastery over either. The best any one soul can do is to live their life fully, facing whatever consequences may arise from it.
But let's apply it much more broadly, concepts they are often attached to. Good and evil. Elysia and the Abyss. Can they achieve an architect's 'balance'? Equilibrium? Everlasting harmony? Let's say for a moment they could, as idealistic as that may be.
Adversity and challenge are what drive change and progress. A permanent balance of good and evil would be stasis, antithetical to Lagoma's teachings. Without progress there is no learning; a spit in the face of Vellichor.
Would the enforcers and guardians of this balance impose their will on the world, removing choice to ensure their balance? This would be antithetical to not just Skald's teachings, but also Gloria and the Sentinel. The death of choice is tyranny, and tyranny - no matter whatever good intentions may drive it - is unjust.
When applied to good and evil, that sort of balance - an equilibrium - is undeniably evil. It is a deliberate act, not a mistake.
Archscholar Py wrote on the subject once, and he wrote poignantly. The balance of good and evil is a swinging pendulum, a constant give and take, an unending push and pull. It is foolish to try and interfere with its movement on any grand scale. There is no safety in the center of the pendulum.
Good and evil are concepts greater than any of us, and I think it is the height of hubris to assume mastery over either. The best any one soul can do is to live their life fully, facing whatever consequences may arise from it.
Written By Laric
May 20, 2018, 1:09 p.m.(10/11/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
A wonderful question.
Written By Laric
May 12, 2018, 9:04 p.m.(9/23/1008 AR)
And so another year goes by. Time is always in such an inconvenient hurry.
Written By Laric
April 30, 2018, 1:09 a.m.(8/23/1008 AR)
Siguldry is a word. Who knew?
Written By Laric
April 22, 2018, 10:03 p.m.(8/8/1008 AR)
I will not be celebrating Monday.
Written By Laric
March 25, 2018, 8:43 p.m.(6/6/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Samael
Time is a finite resource. Do less, delegate more. 'Sleep' tends to be a natural dead area where one can easily redistribute two or three hours to more pressing matters than one's personal rest and well-being.
Written By Laric
March 9, 2018, 12:47 p.m.(5/1/1008 AR)
Countess Reigna has written wisely -- her concern mirrors Princess Tikva's, albeit from another perspective. We would all be interested to read why House Pravus decided to adopt the children, I think; most ennobled bastards or wards earn their title well into adulthood and Gods know there has been a good deal of unrest surrounding ennoblement in the past few months. Simply put, the circumstances make the decision seem sudden and surprising. Duchess Belladonna's announcement said little else on the matter.
That is the House's decision and of course doesn't change what has been done. I wish Lady Aisha and Lord Amir happiness. If their father cannot join them, I hope they are at least never too far from their mother.
That is the House's decision and of course doesn't change what has been done. I wish Lady Aisha and Lord Amir happiness. If their father cannot join them, I hope they are at least never too far from their mother.
Written By Laric
Feb. 13, 2018, 5:43 p.m.(3/3/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
You know, I couldn't agree more.
Going over my older journals, it seems the last duel I was involved in was thirteen years ago last month. That's a good sign for the challenge I'm about to put forth.
Going over my older journals, it seems the last duel I was involved in was thirteen years ago last month. That's a good sign for the challenge I'm about to put forth.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.