Written By Lydia
Feb. 27, 2022, 5:24 a.m.(3/10/1017 AR)
I will not rest until I have turned Arx upside down and found the answers I seek about my sister, Nadia and my father.
There has to be someone out there with answers for me, and I will not relent until I find them and the dreams of her stop haunting me.
I simply cannot take it anymore.
There has to be someone out there with answers for me, and I will not relent until I find them and the dreams of her stop haunting me.
I simply cannot take it anymore.
Written By Lydia
Dec. 31, 2021, 2:50 p.m.(11/6/1016 AR)
If you want out of the hole, first you must put down the shovel.
What a journey it has been since I first arrived at Arx. I have recently taken an extended absence to reflect back upon the past and for a long time I simply wrestled with my shovel. I think I have put it down. I hope I have put it down and I look up.
When I look at myself, I see my sister more than ever.
Not a day goes by that I do not think about my lost siblings and my father. I have lost them all and life has become quiet without them. I still dream of Nadia.
I want so much to make them proud. It's a journey I want to undertake. I am excited to take... And this new journey begins today.
What a journey it has been since I first arrived at Arx. I have recently taken an extended absence to reflect back upon the past and for a long time I simply wrestled with my shovel. I think I have put it down. I hope I have put it down and I look up.
When I look at myself, I see my sister more than ever.
Not a day goes by that I do not think about my lost siblings and my father. I have lost them all and life has become quiet without them. I still dream of Nadia.
I want so much to make them proud. It's a journey I want to undertake. I am excited to take... And this new journey begins today.
Written By Lydia
Sept. 20, 2021, 11:27 p.m.(3/27/1016 AR)
Macda, I agree. Brewers have been bottling bravery and foolishness, often together, since the dawn of time.
Written By Lydia
Sept. 20, 2021, 12:28 a.m.(3/25/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Yelana
Yelana is pleasant company when trapped in a pub in a snowstorm.
Written By Lydia
Sept. 19, 2021, 10:49 p.m.(3/25/1016 AR)
I have to agree with Lark. The peerage only works as far as each level respects the authority granted to those below them as well as they do the authority granted to them from those above them. To tread on this is to tread on the bedrock foundation of the compact.
Written By Lydia
Aug. 31, 2020, 12:06 a.m.(12/9/1013 AR)
I don't typically dwell on what-ifs, nor do I dig deeply into other's motivations. I know good people by the things they do, and that has always been enough for me. I can't imagine a life in the lowers, and I have to rely on the voice of others, the people of Nightgold who've experienced such a life for example. But as much as I try to learn, it is beyond me what would move someone to threaten, of all people, a doctor. Is there anyone who gives so much of their life to learning only so that they can help others to keep on living besides a doctor? We nobility might, abstractly, do such by keeping order and looking out for our peoples, but we're not often there with our hands-on as life blood is spilled, or through an individual's suffering. I wonder what drove Ras to such ends. What would one hope to gain? Please, Ras. We, as a people, must not sink to violence between each other. I see the proclamations. Your life is important to some, and that's precious. Consider carefully your penance, if you send out violence it will one day come home to roost. Send out something better. But what do I know? I have never lived in the lowers.
Written By Lydia
July 19, 2020, 9:59 p.m.(9/8/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Anisha
So, this awesome person did a big favor for me, and when it was all over all she asked for was a memento. And I've been racking my brain for two weeks now trying to come up with something. Something Nightgold, no... that would come from the house, not me. I looked around a few things I had, outfits, jewelry, and well, a lot of it was my sister's anyway, just never knew what to do with it. It's not like I've worn much of it. That'd be weird. So I guess I need to get something made. Hopefully it won't take me another two weeks to make my mind up on that too.
Written By Lydia
July 4, 2020, 9:09 p.m.(8/6/1013 AR)
It was difficult to watch myself as I ran the Gauntlet at Victus' party. But I managed to get this first hand account of the matter, and I include it here for my memoirs in its entirety.
---
[Lydia] At the cake table, Lydia carefully sizes up her target. She rubs her chin as she looks down upon it. She crouches table-side to observe it layer-on. Nodding to herself she picks up a huge double-headed axe, struggles briefly with its weight, then brings it down upon her cake broad-side. Pieces of cake fly everywhere. Like shrapnel, taking out many nearby the table. A good portion of cake splats against Lydia's face and slides down her décolletage. Satisfied the cake is in at least 4 pieces, Lydia moves on.
Lydia rushes the line of dinghies, hopping one, two, three. It is on the forth that her toe catches the rim of a dinghy and spinning heels-over-head into the drink she goes. Some of the cake is tossed from her body by centrifugal forces, the rest spreads about her in the water to feed the fishes.
Climbing out of the ocean, her silk dress is stuck to her body. The Shark Fishing is pure luck. But it helps to read the rules before rushing in. Crossing her fingers and adding please, not a shark, not a shark, she casts her lure. Of course she gets a shark! Exactly what she didn't want! She turns it in with an adorable pout.
It is at the Kraken's Pass that all hope of getting the salt water out of silk goes out the window. Cloth drenched in oil slap at her body, ripping holy terror out of the silk, but she dances her way along. She almost seems to enjoy the tentacles having their way with her body, using each blow to spin herself along the plank. That is, until the dog-headed whale knocks her right in the back of the skull. She tumbles from the plank, a sickening thud upon the sea. It is a few moments before she can be seen climbing up the side of the next ship waving, looking like she's shouting "I'm okay, I'm okay" over her shoulder. But it might just be "ow that hurt", it's hard to tell.
Talk about a wardrobe malfunction, the torn neckline of her dress is more open, significantly lower than when she started. Her dress has lots of slits now to show off her graceful legs. She races toward the foremast, oily feet sometimes slipping on the teak deck, but she keeps her feet and climbs the rigging. She claims jewels, dangling bottles of perfume, anything she can toss about her neck and keep moving. From the foresail line she tucks a stuffed kraken under one arm. At the end, she snags a couple strips of fabric and tosses them over a descending line, holding both ends. If there are cries of "are you crazy" from the crowd she doesn't hear them. She slides down the line like a... um... like anything but a pro, crying out in delight.. um.. or maybe abject terror as gravity adds to her momentum. Her prize necklaces flail about her neck, beads and perfume and ribbons in wild chaos. But through it all she hangs on to her kraken and delivers him, and by some miracle every gathered prize safely to the deck.
Oh no, the dinghies again. With more care, she tries to make her way across, but after everything she's already beyond the limits of her stamina. She takes a graceful stumble and hits the water back-side first. Holding her stuffed Kraken above her head and out of the wet, she slowly returns to shore.
Climbing the sands, she simply plants one bare foot after another, non-stop. It is at the tree she catches her breath, and picks up the Conch shell. She shouts out aloud, "Bless you, Mangata, Goddess of sea and breeze, for all those who keep their composure as they face adversity. She presses her lips to the shell and blows a single, pristine note, clear and loud, as if the Goddess answers her in its tone. And, satisfied, she saunters her way off the gauntlet, drenched, bedraggled, and clothed in silken shreds that by some miracle give her a last remaining modicum of modesty. Nothing can take away her dignity.
(OOC) TL;DR Don't. I survived. I had way too much fun writing this and I'm very very sorry.
---
[Lydia] At the cake table, Lydia carefully sizes up her target. She rubs her chin as she looks down upon it. She crouches table-side to observe it layer-on. Nodding to herself she picks up a huge double-headed axe, struggles briefly with its weight, then brings it down upon her cake broad-side. Pieces of cake fly everywhere. Like shrapnel, taking out many nearby the table. A good portion of cake splats against Lydia's face and slides down her décolletage. Satisfied the cake is in at least 4 pieces, Lydia moves on.
Lydia rushes the line of dinghies, hopping one, two, three. It is on the forth that her toe catches the rim of a dinghy and spinning heels-over-head into the drink she goes. Some of the cake is tossed from her body by centrifugal forces, the rest spreads about her in the water to feed the fishes.
Climbing out of the ocean, her silk dress is stuck to her body. The Shark Fishing is pure luck. But it helps to read the rules before rushing in. Crossing her fingers and adding please, not a shark, not a shark, she casts her lure. Of course she gets a shark! Exactly what she didn't want! She turns it in with an adorable pout.
It is at the Kraken's Pass that all hope of getting the salt water out of silk goes out the window. Cloth drenched in oil slap at her body, ripping holy terror out of the silk, but she dances her way along. She almost seems to enjoy the tentacles having their way with her body, using each blow to spin herself along the plank. That is, until the dog-headed whale knocks her right in the back of the skull. She tumbles from the plank, a sickening thud upon the sea. It is a few moments before she can be seen climbing up the side of the next ship waving, looking like she's shouting "I'm okay, I'm okay" over her shoulder. But it might just be "ow that hurt", it's hard to tell.
Talk about a wardrobe malfunction, the torn neckline of her dress is more open, significantly lower than when she started. Her dress has lots of slits now to show off her graceful legs. She races toward the foremast, oily feet sometimes slipping on the teak deck, but she keeps her feet and climbs the rigging. She claims jewels, dangling bottles of perfume, anything she can toss about her neck and keep moving. From the foresail line she tucks a stuffed kraken under one arm. At the end, she snags a couple strips of fabric and tosses them over a descending line, holding both ends. If there are cries of "are you crazy" from the crowd she doesn't hear them. She slides down the line like a... um... like anything but a pro, crying out in delight.. um.. or maybe abject terror as gravity adds to her momentum. Her prize necklaces flail about her neck, beads and perfume and ribbons in wild chaos. But through it all she hangs on to her kraken and delivers him, and by some miracle every gathered prize safely to the deck.
Oh no, the dinghies again. With more care, she tries to make her way across, but after everything she's already beyond the limits of her stamina. She takes a graceful stumble and hits the water back-side first. Holding her stuffed Kraken above her head and out of the wet, she slowly returns to shore.
Climbing the sands, she simply plants one bare foot after another, non-stop. It is at the tree she catches her breath, and picks up the Conch shell. She shouts out aloud, "Bless you, Mangata, Goddess of sea and breeze, for all those who keep their composure as they face adversity. She presses her lips to the shell and blows a single, pristine note, clear and loud, as if the Goddess answers her in its tone. And, satisfied, she saunters her way off the gauntlet, drenched, bedraggled, and clothed in silken shreds that by some miracle give her a last remaining modicum of modesty. Nothing can take away her dignity.
(OOC) TL;DR Don't. I survived. I had way too much fun writing this and I'm very very sorry.
Written By Lydia
Sept. 2, 2018, 10:44 p.m.(7/6/1009 AR)
So, Sigurd has returned to Stonedeep, and Brogan is back in town.
One of these days I'll find them both back in Arx once more.
Life's fun, when they're both about.
One of these days I'll find them both back in Arx once more.
Life's fun, when they're both about.
Written By Lydia
Aug. 26, 2018, 11:19 p.m.(6/20/1009 AR)
I involve myself too much with frivolous things. I need to focus on what is good for Nightgold. I need to grow up.
Written By Lydia
Aug. 7, 2018, 3:55 p.m.(5/9/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
I had a particularly good sulk, when someone I was interested in found someone else.
Isn't that de rigueur, for such things?
It was epic while it lasted, but time heals.
Isn't that de rigueur, for such things?
It was epic while it lasted, but time heals.
Written By Lydia
July 1, 2018, 11:52 p.m.(2/13/1009 AR)
Darren has been expanding Redrain's facilities here in Arx, and I think he's done a magnificent job.
Written By Lydia
July 1, 2018, 11:37 p.m.(2/13/1009 AR)
I am getting really sick of the bigoted attitudes I'm encountering. The faith kicking out people of good character who have done good works. Nobles grumbling (or worse) about ones chosen companion because of their heritage. Nothing turns my stomach more, lately.
Written By Lydia
June 23, 2018, 12:04 p.m.(1/24/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Belladonna
Belladonna was my sister-in-law. More than that she was a mentor and a friend as I took on the mantle my sister left me.
Then Cassius was slain, and she became bitter. She lashed out at me in her journal once and I let it go. Times were troubling. This would pass, and we'd be as we were again.
Now, she has lashed out similarly at my cousin and I am left dumbstruck. How could someone I thought I knew, that I trusted, change so much? The Belladonna I knew would never have acted like this.
Then Cassius was slain, and she became bitter. She lashed out at me in her journal once and I let it go. Times were troubling. This would pass, and we'd be as we were again.
Now, she has lashed out similarly at my cousin and I am left dumbstruck. How could someone I thought I knew, that I trusted, change so much? The Belladonna I knew would never have acted like this.
Written By Lydia
June 23, 2018, noon(1/24/1009 AR)
I continue to focus my efforts on learning and improving. I want to be the best I can be, for Nightgold and Redrain and The Compact of course, but also for me. I want to live up to the examples of my father and sister and ancestors before me.
I can no longer simply drift, I must chart a course.
I can no longer simply drift, I must chart a course.
Written By Lydia
June 1, 2018, 11:18 p.m.(11/24/1008 AR)
We had a gathering for Cassius last night. Tales were shared, which was all this was about. You are never truly gone as long as somebody still knows your story.
Written By Lydia
May 19, 2018, 12:31 a.m.(10/8/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mayir
Mayir sure is an accommodating host. I have never had someone offer to procure, on my behalf, such a variety of things both common and bespoke.
Written By Lydia
May 18, 2018, 11:06 p.m.(10/8/1008 AR)
I'm not ashamed to admit it. I've never really dabbled with Haze or Dust or anything of the sort before.
I know it can be "enjoyed" safely, but something that changes ones personality so dramatically has never appealed to me... before.
But with Cassius gone, Nadia gone, my father gone... I must admit. It felt nice. It did calm me. It did what the box said it would I suppose. Horray for modern medicine?
I know it can be "enjoyed" safely, but something that changes ones personality so dramatically has never appealed to me... before.
But with Cassius gone, Nadia gone, my father gone... I must admit. It felt nice. It did calm me. It did what the box said it would I suppose. Horray for modern medicine?
Written By Lydia
May 8, 2018, 4:13 p.m.(9/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Niklas
I think Niklas has a hit on his hands.
Written By Lydia
May 5, 2018, 10:18 p.m.(9/9/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Signe
I got to spend some time with Signe today. She's reminded me that I've been straddling between the shamanistic beliefs of my youth and the Compact's devotion to the Pantheon. It occurs to me that this is a divide We will one day need to bridge. How can we stand together if in our very conscience we are divided?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.