Written By Lou
April 23, 2023, 5:36 a.m.(9/7/1019 AR)
When we received reports of troubles northwest of Bastion, of people disappearing without a trace, I knew we needed to scout those regions to see if we could find any sign of survivors or what has been going on. I gathered as many Explorers as would volunteer for this and we took many trips to the northwest regions to scout as much as possible. We went from village to village, holding to holding; I lost count on how many we went to. There was no one left. Not. A. Single. Person.
They are just gone. All gone. I don't even want to imagine what happened to them, because my greatest fear is that my suspicions will bear out and that's not something I even want to begin to fathom, even if those suspicions might be right.
My heart grieves for those who have been lost and those who have lost.
elow Lou's journal entry is a sketch of a village, things scattered as though they were left behind mid-chore, empty and devoid of people.}
They are just gone. All gone. I don't even want to imagine what happened to them, because my greatest fear is that my suspicions will bear out and that's not something I even want to begin to fathom, even if those suspicions might be right.
My heart grieves for those who have been lost and those who have lost.
elow Lou's journal entry is a sketch of a village, things scattered as though they were left behind mid-chore, empty and devoid of people.}
Written By Lou
March 27, 2023, 6:31 p.m.(7/10/1019 AR)
For the most part, I have loved working on the memorial statue project for the fallen Grayson members in Bastion. Last night, however, I was reminded once more of the horrors as I had to gently break the news of Prince Niklas's passing to one of his cousins who recently returned. She pressed for details, upon which I gently pointed her in the direction of her Kennex family members. Those details should come from family members and not someone who is pretty much a stranger to them. That opened some old wounds I once thought healed, making them raw again. This doesn't bode well for a conversation I agreed to have with one of the Cardian representatives later tonight.
Written By Lou
March 5, 2023, 5:43 p.m.(5/22/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Tesha
I'm pretty sure this was probably a rhetorical question, but . . .
My soul has felt tired. It was during the assault against Bastion and everything that happened until months after we reclaimed our city. I swear, at times, it still feels tired, but I will not let that stop me from the things that need doing. There's just much too much that needs to be done.
I hope that you find something to keep yours going as well.
My soul has felt tired. It was during the assault against Bastion and everything that happened until months after we reclaimed our city. I swear, at times, it still feels tired, but I will not let that stop me from the things that need doing. There's just much too much that needs to be done.
I hope that you find something to keep yours going as well.
Written By Lou
March 5, 2023, 5:41 p.m.(5/22/1019 AR)
Several weeks ago I hosted an art event, where many of the cities artists came to work on their own things as I worked on the memorial statue for those Grayson family members who fell in Bastion. It was cathartic to get to work alongside each of these people, and listen to Lord Talwyn Saik play as we all worked. Former Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius even came for a spell, to watch us work and do our thing.
That day I think I managed to finally get some of the likeness of Prince Niklas and Prince Augustus to finally take shape. Getting people's faces right in stone is hard. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Niklas was probably even smiling at me from that stone face of his. The whole thing, the statue, the people, the music, it was all just perfect.
That day I think I managed to finally get some of the likeness of Prince Niklas and Prince Augustus to finally take shape. Getting people's faces right in stone is hard. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Niklas was probably even smiling at me from that stone face of his. The whole thing, the statue, the people, the music, it was all just perfect.
Written By Lou
Dec. 16, 2022, 7:01 p.m.(1/21/1019 AR)
I had a wonderful time hosting an impromptu dinner at House Grayson last evening. All were invited to come, only a few did. The numbers included Lord Ian Kennex, Lady Bonnie Shepherd, and Baroness Lucita Saik. King Alaric also attended, surprising everyone.
It was nice to catch up with everyone and see what they've been up to. After my break away from the city, I feel as though I have quite a lot of catching up to do, but boy did I need time to just... explore... and forget about the horrors of the last few years where I've lost both family and friends to darker forces.
However, now it's time to get back to work and start things anew, to make sure I stay in the fight that is to come.
It was nice to catch up with everyone and see what they've been up to. After my break away from the city, I feel as though I have quite a lot of catching up to do, but boy did I need time to just... explore... and forget about the horrors of the last few years where I've lost both family and friends to darker forces.
However, now it's time to get back to work and start things anew, to make sure I stay in the fight that is to come.
Written By Lou
Aug. 28, 2022, 12:09 p.m.(4/12/1018 AR)
I cannot believe I'm actually excited for an Assembly of Peers for a change. Tonight should prove interesting and I will proudly stand by Prima Sen'azala's side tonight as she presents herself.
Written By Lou
Aug. 7, 2022, 8:46 p.m.(2/27/1018 AR)
Relationship Note on Felicia
I don't have words right now, but I hope to have them soon. For now, I'll say the expected thing.
You will be missed, dear friend. The Explorers will celebrate your life as we have all others who have come before you. You were an unsung hero of the Compact that the Compact didn't know it needed.
I will write a ranting, rambling entry later that includes remembrances and exploits; maybe even some of the more unbelievable ones as well.
When words find me again.
You will be missed, dear friend. The Explorers will celebrate your life as we have all others who have come before you. You were an unsung hero of the Compact that the Compact didn't know it needed.
I will write a ranting, rambling entry later that includes remembrances and exploits; maybe even some of the more unbelievable ones as well.
When words find me again.
Written By Lou
July 4, 2022, 7:10 a.m.(12/12/1017 AR)
It has been a grueling year. The attack on Bastion and its subsequent reclamation has been a process. The aftermath of such things even more so. Many horrors were encountered along the way, many of them gruesome and unbelievable, but true and real all the same. It has taken me this long to put my head on right, but I think I'm finally coming out on the other side of the darkness that swallowed me in the aftermath of the reclamation.
Hopefully.
In the meantime, I've poured everything that I am into the research regarding the weapon that was taken from Grayhold's crypts. We've made a few discoveries, some more puzzling than others. We don't have all of the answers yet but there are a few leads that we might be able to try. I guess this is where we start to put boots on the ground and see what more we can discover through action.
I can't say that I am wholly ready for this but it is a thing that must be done, for the safety and protection of all. The Traitor won't stop. Nor should we. We must persist if we are to ever ensure our survival.
Hopefully.
In the meantime, I've poured everything that I am into the research regarding the weapon that was taken from Grayhold's crypts. We've made a few discoveries, some more puzzling than others. We don't have all of the answers yet but there are a few leads that we might be able to try. I guess this is where we start to put boots on the ground and see what more we can discover through action.
I can't say that I am wholly ready for this but it is a thing that must be done, for the safety and protection of all. The Traitor won't stop. Nor should we. We must persist if we are to ever ensure our survival.
Written By Lou
July 4, 2022, 7:03 a.m.(12/12/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
Oh, how I wish you were here dearest sister. How I have a need to bend your ear and seek your advice, but I know you are off on grand adventures for the Faith and would not pull you away from them. You are loved and missed and I wish for all of the world that you might stay safe.
Written By Lou
May 25, 2022, 9:21 p.m.(9/17/1017 AR)
I posted this to the classified, but not everyone reads that, so I'm bringing it here.
What's Best: Triangles or Squares?
I've recently been in a heated argument with a friend of mine over the best way to fold rags, which are often used in cleaning several of our artifacts in the Explorer's museum. I'm team square. They are team triangle. What team are you on? Why? Why should I change my mind?
Convince me. Let me know your thoughts.
What's Best: Triangles or Squares?
I've recently been in a heated argument with a friend of mine over the best way to fold rags, which are often used in cleaning several of our artifacts in the Explorer's museum. I'm team square. They are team triangle. What team are you on? Why? Why should I change my mind?
Convince me. Let me know your thoughts.
Written By Lou
May 25, 2022, 6:37 a.m.(9/16/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Keely
I am very proud of my cousin, Keely. The person she has blossomed into. And no, I am not saying this just because she produces the most magnificent muffins every, as if out of thin air. She really is one of the best people I know and I think the world should know that too.
She is quietly fierce and brave and has a warm heart. We need more people like her in this world.
She is quietly fierce and brave and has a warm heart. We need more people like her in this world.
Written By Lou
May 25, 2022, 6:33 a.m.(9/16/1017 AR)
Words from the Queen: Just remember that whatever you saw in Bastion or whatever you are feeling now, that the world is still a beautiful thing and we live in a Dream, not a Nightmare, no matter how much others might seeks to make us afraid. The Queen of Endings embraces all who were returned to Her and the Sentinel will see that justice is done for the wrongs committed against them.
----
I have not been in a good place. I rarely go out. I only do what is necessary. I feel relationships eroding over time. Darkness has crept into my heart. Not just because of Bastion. There have been other things too, more recently. I've been a danger on exploration expeditions; this cuts deepest.
I try to keep the words of the Queen close to my heart, but it does not always work. I feel as though I've been failing at everything lately. Even the investigation into the item that the Traitor took is taking longer than expected and that is a thing of need and necessity, not of want like a majority of my research.
Still, I try to maintain hope, even if I feel it fleeting.
I need to go somewhere, explore someplace, that's wholly my own to explore. To see wonder and light again, to banish away some of this darkness that has taken hold. Yet, nothing immediately comes to mind that might spark such things for me again.
----
I have not been in a good place. I rarely go out. I only do what is necessary. I feel relationships eroding over time. Darkness has crept into my heart. Not just because of Bastion. There have been other things too, more recently. I've been a danger on exploration expeditions; this cuts deepest.
I try to keep the words of the Queen close to my heart, but it does not always work. I feel as though I've been failing at everything lately. Even the investigation into the item that the Traitor took is taking longer than expected and that is a thing of need and necessity, not of want like a majority of my research.
Still, I try to maintain hope, even if I feel it fleeting.
I need to go somewhere, explore someplace, that's wholly my own to explore. To see wonder and light again, to banish away some of this darkness that has taken hold. Yet, nothing immediately comes to mind that might spark such things for me again.
Written By Lou
April 6, 2022, 1:22 p.m.(6/2/1017 AR)
I have done my best to be sober most of this week, in an effort to be clear headed for the most difficult thing I will have ever faced tonight.
That does not mean I'm not still bringing whiskey with me, in case the shit hits the fan. With luck, all will survive.
That does not mean I'm not still bringing whiskey with me, in case the shit hits the fan. With luck, all will survive.
Written By Lou
Feb. 15, 2022, 9:22 p.m.(2/15/1017 AR)
I just chased my entire family, except one person, from family dinner. I am in a much darker mood than I imagined. I had hoped that time away from the public would ease me out of things, but it really hasn't. I couldn't help myself when Noah came in and started using my full name. It was like I was some other person, stuck in a shell of myself, and I was abysmal.
But, who do you talk to about the horrors you've seen and read about? How do you talk about people you love who've been turned into undead versions of themselves, magicked into plant people who murder and kill with vines and limbs, like the monsters we saw in Bastion? It certainly wasn't polite dinner conversation.
They tried to make me into one of them. Me and others who came with us into Grayhold, to get the lay of the castle. They used familiar nursery songs to lure us to the nursery, and then tried to tell us that we were a stain that needed to be turned into one of them, to absolve us of being the 'get of Alarice'. To become part of the Traitor's mindless army.
I thought seeing thousands murdered by plant and rat amalgamations at Bastion the night it was sacked was bad. This was. . . so much worse. It was personal.
Then the battle of Bastion came. There were gargantuan. Three of them. I will not lie. When I saw that they were made up largely of members of the Grayson family, I vomited. I let myself have that moment. Only that moment. I then charged into battle to fight them. Or, I tried. I couldn't land a hit, but neither could they hit me.
By some miracle, I survived, unscathed. Others were not so lucky. I'm so damn grateful for everyone who helped us. I might not be able to properly express that. But, I am. So. Damn. Grateful.
Maybe, one day, I'll stop having nightmares about it all. Until then, they will see what it is they've forged when they forged me into The Tenacious Griffon.
But, who do you talk to about the horrors you've seen and read about? How do you talk about people you love who've been turned into undead versions of themselves, magicked into plant people who murder and kill with vines and limbs, like the monsters we saw in Bastion? It certainly wasn't polite dinner conversation.
They tried to make me into one of them. Me and others who came with us into Grayhold, to get the lay of the castle. They used familiar nursery songs to lure us to the nursery, and then tried to tell us that we were a stain that needed to be turned into one of them, to absolve us of being the 'get of Alarice'. To become part of the Traitor's mindless army.
I thought seeing thousands murdered by plant and rat amalgamations at Bastion the night it was sacked was bad. This was. . . so much worse. It was personal.
Then the battle of Bastion came. There were gargantuan. Three of them. I will not lie. When I saw that they were made up largely of members of the Grayson family, I vomited. I let myself have that moment. Only that moment. I then charged into battle to fight them. Or, I tried. I couldn't land a hit, but neither could they hit me.
By some miracle, I survived, unscathed. Others were not so lucky. I'm so damn grateful for everyone who helped us. I might not be able to properly express that. But, I am. So. Damn. Grateful.
Maybe, one day, I'll stop having nightmares about it all. Until then, they will see what it is they've forged when they forged me into The Tenacious Griffon.
Written By Lou
Jan. 2, 2022, 9:44 p.m.(11/11/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Watcher
I am truly blessed with the friends that I have made. I'll be traveling to Grayhold soon to see what has become of our keep. A friend passed a long a lucky charm that probably isn't really lucky, and has demanded to them that I return it to them after the trip. In person. Not Dead. In Person.
The in person part was emphasized more than once. We exchanged a few joking words over it and then they calmed me down after getting some pretty distressing news.
I am forever grateful.
The in person part was emphasized more than once. We exchanged a few joking words over it and then they calmed me down after getting some pretty distressing news.
I am forever grateful.
Written By Lou
Nov. 17, 2021, 8:55 a.m.(8/2/1016 AR)
I am glad to see that the bards of this city have had the good sense not to take my cousin up on his offer. There's too much to do surrounding Bastion that the distraction would not have been a welcomed one.
Our progress after last week's series of meetings has moved along nicely. The groups are filling in. I even got another volunteer last evening at the Grayson Fealty Dinner, one which I'm certain Aindre will approve. He and I just need to decide if we are taking one or two groups. If it's just one, the remaining two members left to be recruited are his to choose. If it's two, I might have two more people to choose and he three. It'll all just depend on how fruitful we think we'll be together or apart.
I know Liara is eager to get things moving. Time is needed to put all the moving pieces into place. We're going to be going to the Western Gates after all, after we had initially decided not to go there. We'll need a leader for that mission, if she has not already found one herself, and then they will need to recruit the people needed to attend to that section of the city.
There is so much going on, and Liara is so busy, that I'm certain there's something for everyone to do, even our most diplomatic and social people who had originally expressed interest in a certain project involving a certain district.
I can be found, often, at the Pathfinder's Study at the Society of Explorers for any who wish to discuss anything, anything at all, regarding Bastion.
Our progress after last week's series of meetings has moved along nicely. The groups are filling in. I even got another volunteer last evening at the Grayson Fealty Dinner, one which I'm certain Aindre will approve. He and I just need to decide if we are taking one or two groups. If it's just one, the remaining two members left to be recruited are his to choose. If it's two, I might have two more people to choose and he three. It'll all just depend on how fruitful we think we'll be together or apart.
I know Liara is eager to get things moving. Time is needed to put all the moving pieces into place. We're going to be going to the Western Gates after all, after we had initially decided not to go there. We'll need a leader for that mission, if she has not already found one herself, and then they will need to recruit the people needed to attend to that section of the city.
There is so much going on, and Liara is so busy, that I'm certain there's something for everyone to do, even our most diplomatic and social people who had originally expressed interest in a certain project involving a certain district.
I can be found, often, at the Pathfinder's Study at the Society of Explorers for any who wish to discuss anything, anything at all, regarding Bastion.
Written By Lou
Nov. 16, 2021, 8:09 a.m.(7/28/1016 AR)
I will be taking another group into Grayhold to see what lurks in the castle. I have two individuals express interest. I can take maybe up to three or four more. It is hard to say who might be available, as we have so many working to help Bastion. I suspect I shall be placing a classified ad soon, to see if there might be interest. Otherwise, I shall start working down my contacts.
We have no idea what is in the castle itself, only the crypts. I'm willing to take whoever is brave enough to attend, knowing the risks are exceptionally high.
We have no idea what is in the castle itself, only the crypts. I'm willing to take whoever is brave enough to attend, knowing the risks are exceptionally high.
Written By Lou
Nov. 16, 2021, 7:44 a.m.(7/28/1016 AR)
Just in case anyone is in need of a bit of adventure, I have offered the services of the Society of Explorers in the Arx Cares auction. One expedition of a user's choice, where they will be guided by 1-2 Explorers, and they may take up to 3-4 additional people themselves. I expect if they have not explored any part of the world before, excepting their trip to Arx, they will have a grand time with the expedition, and mayhap they'll find something interesting along their path.
For those of you who might wonder, as my sister Sabella often does, yes - you will get dirt on you if you go out exploring. Maybe even some cobwebs. The danger of an expedition depends on how careful you intend to be. The risks can be small or significant if you are not paying attention.
I look forward to seeing who has winning bid and, of course, all the stories that will come from the adventure of it all.
For those of you who might wonder, as my sister Sabella often does, yes - you will get dirt on you if you go out exploring. Maybe even some cobwebs. The danger of an expedition depends on how careful you intend to be. The risks can be small or significant if you are not paying attention.
I look forward to seeing who has winning bid and, of course, all the stories that will come from the adventure of it all.
Written By Lou
Sept. 19, 2021, 10:13 p.m.(3/25/1016 AR)
Scholars. Please help me find the information on the Nefer'khat queens I am seeking this week. Please do not let this take as long as the final bits of research that I did on those who might be god touched. That was. . . torture for a someone like me who is eager to learn new things. Maybe explore new places. I promise. I won't flip a table, no matter how hard I want to, if we cannot find it this week, but... I'll pay a bonus to anyone who help dig through the stacks if we don't find it. A very handsome bonus.%f
Of course, maybe I SHOULD want it to linger longer, because once this task is complete, I'll once more be digging into darker things; the prospect of that turns my stomach upside down.
Of course, maybe I SHOULD want it to linger longer, because once this task is complete, I'll once more be digging into darker things; the prospect of that turns my stomach upside down.
Written By Lou
Sept. 19, 2021, 10:10 p.m.(3/25/1016 AR)
I keep coming up with lists for more things to do. This week, it's all about griffons. Aiden had stated a project so very long ago, to try and bring griffons back to Arvum. It was rough going for him, and at one point I know he gave up working on it. It can seem pretty daunting, trying to do a thing when there are obstacles in the way. I should know. I've got said obstacles that are much greater than the ones he had working on a project. That project stalled for me. But, perhaps, I can get movement on this.
I've sent out messages to those involved previously, to see if they still want to work on it. It'll be good to get my mind on SOMETHING other than Bastion, so I'm not completely consumed by the preparations we're doing there. And griffons? They're pretty damned cool, right? I'm hoping that those that helped Aiden can help me fill in some gaps. I didn't get to talk to him much about it before the war, other than to try and give him hints about where some have been sighted by a friend. We never did get to talk about that, alas. He would have enjoyed hearing the friend's tale.
I've sent out messages to those involved previously, to see if they still want to work on it. It'll be good to get my mind on SOMETHING other than Bastion, so I'm not completely consumed by the preparations we're doing there. And griffons? They're pretty damned cool, right? I'm hoping that those that helped Aiden can help me fill in some gaps. I didn't get to talk to him much about it before the war, other than to try and give him hints about where some have been sighted by a friend. We never did get to talk about that, alas. He would have enjoyed hearing the friend's tale.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.