Written By Raziel
Jan. 20, 2021, 2:41 p.m.(10/14/1014 AR)
His Majesty, King Alaric III Grayson.
I remember a time when these words were spoken by more than the supporters of foreign invasion. I remember when he received my oath as King's Own. I remember when he released me from it.
But such is the way of service to the Crown. It is not the head that bears it that commands such loyalty. It is the station itself.
The names may change. The Compact remains.
I remember a time when these words were spoken by more than the supporters of foreign invasion. I remember when he received my oath as King's Own. I remember when he released me from it.
But such is the way of service to the Crown. It is not the head that bears it that commands such loyalty. It is the station itself.
The names may change. The Compact remains.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 17, 2021, 11:44 p.m.(10/9/1014 AR)
I used to have a lover, Scholar. When I was one of the King's Own, one of the Hundred. My oaths to His Majesty did not prevent me from loving and our love was powerful and passionate. While it did not threaten to eclipse my oaths, if anyone could have, she might.
I was a more sentimental man, then.
Ah but like many things about me, it was burnt away. I never saw her again, even after I was released from my oaths and was once more a Lord. A lesson well learnt.
Duty always remains. Far more lasting foundations to build one's life upon, than fickle love.
I was a more sentimental man, then.
Ah but like many things about me, it was burnt away. I never saw her again, even after I was released from my oaths and was once more a Lord. A lesson well learnt.
Duty always remains. Far more lasting foundations to build one's life upon, than fickle love.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 12, 2021, 11:47 a.m.(9/26/1014 AR)
Dying for a cause, that's easy. Momentary pain, but you die with the certainty you did so for a good cause, one you believed in. You die knowing your life had meaning, that whatever happens, you did all you could to make it so. It doesn't matter what comes after, you're dead. Gone back to the Wheel, story over.
Living for a cause, now that's much harder. No easy way out to spare you the consequences of your choices, of seeing that ideal of yours change, wither and die, or become something you no longer recognize. Living and meeting the gaze of every single person touched by the aftereffects, of having to face them every single day.
True strength lies not with doing the right thing once before having one's life extinguished. It is to spend one's entire life doing the right thing, carrying that burden constantly, despite popular opinion and the difficulties set in one's path.
The observant reader might notice I hold a point of view that would look postively on my own situation.
Of course I do. I never claimed to be an impartial man.
Living for a cause, now that's much harder. No easy way out to spare you the consequences of your choices, of seeing that ideal of yours change, wither and die, or become something you no longer recognize. Living and meeting the gaze of every single person touched by the aftereffects, of having to face them every single day.
True strength lies not with doing the right thing once before having one's life extinguished. It is to spend one's entire life doing the right thing, carrying that burden constantly, despite popular opinion and the difficulties set in one's path.
The observant reader might notice I hold a point of view that would look postively on my own situation.
Of course I do. I never claimed to be an impartial man.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 10, 2021, 11:09 p.m.(9/23/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
While every man needs a hobby, I am puzzled by the Dominus' choice. Still, I suppose avidly following the life of the now Lady Emberly Crovane offers a nice change of pace from the matter of heretics and their rival Dominus.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 5, 2021, 1:54 p.m.(9/12/1014 AR)
Are you ready to lose your pretty face? Your strong limbs? Are you ready to not simply die on the battlefield, but survive broken? Have you contemplated the long years that await you as but a shadow of your former self? Are you ready to see your friends and loved ones go through the same? Are you ready to watch those dear to you avoid you, so they are spared the discomfort of facing who you became?
You best take a good long look at yourself in the mirror because if you intend to go wage war for His Majesty and the Compact, odds are good it'll be the last time you'll look this good.
War is no tournament or fancy duel. If you're not ready to face the truth about what it may take from you, you've no business on the battlefield.
And lest you think I'm addressing anyone but you, no. I am specifically thinking of you, dear Peers of mine. Born high or low, your bones will break the same, much as your flesh will sear.
Best make your peace with it, preferrably before lives actually depend on you holding the line.
You best take a good long look at yourself in the mirror because if you intend to go wage war for His Majesty and the Compact, odds are good it'll be the last time you'll look this good.
War is no tournament or fancy duel. If you're not ready to face the truth about what it may take from you, you've no business on the battlefield.
And lest you think I'm addressing anyone but you, no. I am specifically thinking of you, dear Peers of mine. Born high or low, your bones will break the same, much as your flesh will sear.
Best make your peace with it, preferrably before lives actually depend on you holding the line.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 4, 2021, 11:18 p.m.(9/11/1014 AR)
A productive day, all in all. If there's one thing I can be sure of, it's that the coming days will not find me bored out of my mind with nothing to do.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 3, 2021, 10:20 p.m.(9/9/1014 AR)
Be worthy of those sworn to you, or else you may soon find yourself standing alone, your followers gone or siding with a greater opponent. Loyalty is not something that is simply demanded. It is something that must be built and maintianed, constantly. Not just before you need them to give their lives for your goals.
Just something to keep in mind.
Just something to keep in mind.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 2, 2021, 10:54 p.m.(9/7/1014 AR)
Every time I behold a flight of stairs, I have a thought for the architect. And whether they'd still like it if one were to bring a hammer upon their kneecaps and made them climb up and down their bloody stairs.
Written By Raziel
Jan. 2, 2021, 12:25 p.m.(9/6/1014 AR)
Well, Scholar, I'm afraid it was all a waste of time. So many months spent in search for that rare reagent and... nothing. It was never there, a story that ends in disappointment, the end.
So I've returned to Arx, as I always do.
Apparently just in time to witness some interesting events.
So I've returned to Arx, as I always do.
Apparently just in time to witness some interesting events.
Written By Raziel
July 4, 2020, 6:41 p.m.(8/6/1013 AR)
Gave a girl quite a fright today when she woke up. Mind you, she was quite grateful after the initial shock of my face had faded. People usually are after the surgery that keeps them from going back to the Wheel too soon.
It's funny, Scholar. Sometimes saving one little girl encountered by chance is more satisfying than seeing the traitor to the Crown pursued for months finally brought to justice. Even if the end of that traitor saves countless more lives.
A matter of perspective. Much like the line between monster and saviour, mm? How swiftly it is crossed.
It's funny, Scholar. Sometimes saving one little girl encountered by chance is more satisfying than seeing the traitor to the Crown pursued for months finally brought to justice. Even if the end of that traitor saves countless more lives.
A matter of perspective. Much like the line between monster and saviour, mm? How swiftly it is crossed.
Written By Raziel
July 2, 2020, 8:42 a.m.(8/1/1013 AR)
The bombs worked, but it will take some refining before they're useable, much less for battle. I'm sure there are more reliable ways to blow things up, gas being so volatile, but now we know.
Written By Raziel
June 30, 2020, 8:18 a.m.(7/25/1013 AR)
If anyone hears explosions in the near future, rest assured that I'm just seeing how effective an explosive I can make combining certain materials.
No, Scholar, I won't be doing this in the House of Questions. No, nor in the Bisland estate. Somewhere quieter where one is less likely to have an unfortunate encounter with shrapnel.
Of course it's dangerous! What nonsensical question is that?
No, Scholar, I won't be doing this in the House of Questions. No, nor in the Bisland estate. Somewhere quieter where one is less likely to have an unfortunate encounter with shrapnel.
Of course it's dangerous! What nonsensical question is that?
Written By Raziel
June 26, 2020, 8:45 a.m.(7/17/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
Note to self: Find out what a Prima is and why people seem to have such difficulty holding to one definition.
Oh I'm quite aware it does not make one a Peer, Scholar. I've just not heard or read the term before, and it pays to check when someone encounters something unknown, yes?
Oh I'm quite aware it does not make one a Peer, Scholar. I've just not heard or read the term before, and it pays to check when someone encounters something unknown, yes?
Written By Raziel
June 24, 2020, 8:44 p.m.(7/14/1013 AR)
As a Mirrormask, it is customary to have a mask. Shocking, I know.
I suppose I could craft mine, myself. I would only require the materials, and an idea for the design.
Perhaps one of those masks of crow's design. I already have the laugh of one anyway.
I suppose I could craft mine, myself. I would only require the materials, and an idea for the design.
Perhaps one of those masks of crow's design. I already have the laugh of one anyway.
Written By Raziel
June 23, 2020, 10:58 a.m.(7/12/1013 AR)
New ideas and perspectives should be confronted eagerly rather than shying away from them. If your ideas and beliefs cannot stand against such a simple test, then you lack true understanding or they are simply faulty and weak.
Having your mind face new challenges should be a common occurrence, not a rare one. If you cannot explain why, for instance, the traitors and heretics we face are in the wrong, then you do the Compact and the Faith we adhere to a disservice.
And may just invite a visit from yours truly.
Having your mind face new challenges should be a common occurrence, not a rare one. If you cannot explain why, for instance, the traitors and heretics we face are in the wrong, then you do the Compact and the Faith we adhere to a disservice.
And may just invite a visit from yours truly.
Written By Raziel
June 22, 2020, 10:42 p.m.(7/10/1013 AR)
Some thoughts on the nature of injustice, Scholar.
Every place, every city, every kingdom, has injustices. A ruler may rule justly, wisely, truly, and still there will be injustices in his kingdom, in the shadowed corners beyond his sight, in the ones whom he placed his trust. For no ruler is omnipotent and omniscient, and injustice, by its very nature, is insidious and often a subtle thing in its beginnings.
That's not even getting into the injustices part of every system of rule. The hereditary rule common in the Compact has its failings, and that subject has been debated more thoroughly elsewhere. Yet even meritocracy has its failings, for not all are given the same opportunities, judged on the same merits. There are always flaws, no matter the good intentions, no matter the efforts deployed in the beginning to craft the perfect system.
Things change, after all.
So what is one to do with injustice? Is the knowledge that it will always be reason to give up? Of course not. Just because things will go wrong at some point is no reason to become lazy and accept it. The pursuit of justice is a constant and never ending battle. A struggle that will see no end in your lifetime. Yet it is a cause worth fighting for.
And like any other battle, dying for, if necessary.
Every place, every city, every kingdom, has injustices. A ruler may rule justly, wisely, truly, and still there will be injustices in his kingdom, in the shadowed corners beyond his sight, in the ones whom he placed his trust. For no ruler is omnipotent and omniscient, and injustice, by its very nature, is insidious and often a subtle thing in its beginnings.
That's not even getting into the injustices part of every system of rule. The hereditary rule common in the Compact has its failings, and that subject has been debated more thoroughly elsewhere. Yet even meritocracy has its failings, for not all are given the same opportunities, judged on the same merits. There are always flaws, no matter the good intentions, no matter the efforts deployed in the beginning to craft the perfect system.
Things change, after all.
So what is one to do with injustice? Is the knowledge that it will always be reason to give up? Of course not. Just because things will go wrong at some point is no reason to become lazy and accept it. The pursuit of justice is a constant and never ending battle. A struggle that will see no end in your lifetime. Yet it is a cause worth fighting for.
And like any other battle, dying for, if necessary.
Written By Raziel
June 22, 2020, 2:34 p.m.(7/10/1013 AR)
There are days I enjoy remembering the past. The day when I took my vows and rose up a knight of the King's Own.
And then there are days the mere mention of such is cause enough for me to, admittedly undeservingly, snap at whoever had the misfortune of mentioning it.
Memory. Keener than any blade.
Something to work on. Oh no, Scholar. I doubt it'll make me any nicer. But losing one's temper for a memory triggered by a few words is not worthy behaviour of a knight.
Prayer in Gloria's shrine should be fitting.
And then there are days the mere mention of such is cause enough for me to, admittedly undeservingly, snap at whoever had the misfortune of mentioning it.
Memory. Keener than any blade.
Something to work on. Oh no, Scholar. I doubt it'll make me any nicer. But losing one's temper for a memory triggered by a few words is not worthy behaviour of a knight.
Prayer in Gloria's shrine should be fitting.
Written By Raziel
June 22, 2020, 2:25 p.m.(7/10/1013 AR)
There are worse things than relatives with an overabundance of titles and an affection to mention them.
For instance, the relative who lost all of said titles after making it quite clear they did not deserve any of them.
For instance, the relative who lost all of said titles after making it quite clear they did not deserve any of them.
Written By Raziel
June 22, 2020, 2:23 p.m.(7/10/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Korka
I look forward to the day when what I say is seen as so utterly commonly thought as to be unremarkable.
Preferably in this lifetime.
Preferably in this lifetime.
Written By Raziel
June 19, 2020, 9 p.m.(7/4/1013 AR)
Should I ever be challenged, I believe I will set for the Champions to fight with scraps. Rusted metal, damaged pelts, weapons and armour cobbled together. It sounds like fun. Or at the very least a change of pace.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.