Written By Sudara
Jan. 28, 2024, 3:12 p.m.(8/20/1021 AR)
This might be a very small gesture of defiance, but I wanted to enter into public record that I wish the defenders of Arx all the very best, and that I pray for their success and survival in this time of peril. And I am glad to put it on record that I expect the pillars of our civilisation - such as the myriad shelves of Journals - to still be standing once we have seen the back of our present foes.
Written By Sudara
Oct. 15, 2023, 5:23 p.m.(1/7/1021 AR)
All hail the new Archduke! As the House's Minister of Hospitality (however nominal and powerless that old honorific-in-jest might truly be), I am delighted to offer our new man in charge all the cocoa I can provide. Also commiserations and sympathy, now that he is officially the person to whom complaints might be made should any of the "Sins" live down to our byname....
Written By Sudara
June 11, 2023, 5:45 p.m.(12/22/1019 AR)
This evening, I missed a lecture that I would rather have liked to attend. A 'make and take' event (a concept which I do not think I have previously encountered), it concerned pigments and paints. Not remotely my customary type of focus, admittedly, but it might well have been interesting to try. Unfortunately by the point that I discovered it was happening (with my customary alacrity and timeliness), it was already underway - and I did not manage to organise myself to accomplish something so significant as getting out the door and across the city to reach it in time. Still, I shall have to try to remain alert for any future instances of this sort of thing, and I do hope that it proved popular! Lady Medeia Saik's name is one which I shall have to try to remember, especially if she hosts any future events of this sort.
Written By Sudara
April 9, 2023, 7:41 p.m.(8/8/1019 AR)
After attending the Assembly of Peers, I accepted Patrizio's invitation to meet him at the Dancing Feather (a tavern in the Pravus ward). There, I was introduced to Lark (a Grayson Princess) and Valencia (a Velenosan princess, I think), as well as Sira Illuso. Of those, I was in many ways most surprised and interested to meet the tailor: she is the new head of the Silver Consortium, and provided me with my first face-to-face encounter with the organisation for a long time! Sadly, I lacked the energy to stay for long, and had to swiftly excuse myself. But it seems that I did not make too bad an impression, and might even be able to meet them again...
Written By Sudara
April 9, 2023, 5:54 p.m.(8/8/1019 AR)
Note to self: kidnap the Archduchess of Lenosia as soon as possible.
(Addendum: liaise with Tenebrae as well as Jaenelle to make sure that timing suits: accidentally setting off into a storm would be rather awkward!)
(Addendum: liaise with Tenebrae as well as Jaenelle to make sure that timing suits: accidentally setting off into a storm would be rather awkward!)
Written By Sudara
Sept. 6, 2020, 7:26 p.m.(12/22/1013 AR)
I have just read the proclamation announcing the betrothal of my cousin Sebastian to Princess Adrienne Valardin. It is truly heart-warming to see a love-match being committed to, and even more so when the politics of power could so easily have been deemed a higher priority. I truly do hope that both of them find their union to be as fruitful and fulfilling as was my own.
Written By Sudara
Aug. 30, 2020, 8:23 p.m.(12/8/1013 AR)
I apologise to anyone who might recently have been hoping to snare me - whether for meeting, consultation, or simple chat. Though I do not believe that it is serious, my health has been rather inconveniently troublesome of late. Still, I should - at minimum - be able to respond to missives, if there is need or desire to contact me.
Written By Sudara
Aug. 16, 2020, 6:40 p.m.(11/8/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Camilla
I wish that I could claim more credit for the impressive young gentlewoman into whom my former pupil has grown. She is certainly now both accomplished and confident; I very much look forward to fruitful collaboration.
Written By Sudara
May 10, 2020, 6:53 p.m.(4/8/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Sylvi
I readily confess to having a soft spot for intelligent bookworms; my response is all the warmer when such people are met unexpectedly, and hail from places I might not have anticipated. This particular individual seems to be both charming and intriguing, and I very much hope to have the opportunity to learn where her own researches might have taken her.
Written By Sudara
March 22, 2020, 7:56 p.m.(12/22/1012 AR)
It is both very pleasant and somewhat intimidaing that - even after a lifetime of dabbling in the pursuit of interesting stories - I can still be presented with topics that are wholly new to me. It's almost always an honour and an intriguing delight, to be offered another chance to delve into an obscure corner of the Compact's history. But perhaps I am simply too much in love with the scent of old paper and the beauty of the written word....
Written By Sudara
March 15, 2020, 8:14 p.m.(12/8/1012 AR)
I wonder - is there any sort of established trend or custom for the establishment of formal shrines? Architecture, staffing, endowments, and more are all fields on which I confess to being rather ignorant. Though any such investment is certainly not of *immediate* concern, given the present course of events, I do now find myself pondering quite how I might best create a new foundation on Esterhold....
Written By Sudara
Feb. 16, 2020, 7:46 p.m.(10.271149553571428/9.184375/1012.772595796131 AR)
As an experienced ruler and courtier, I should probably have a better notion of quite how to respond to my change in circumstances - especially given the forewarning of it. But I confess that I am still surprised whenever anyone addresses me by my new title. Growing up as the spare daughter of an already-spare son, I saw little in my future save historical research and perhaps some authorial efforts. Now... I find myself declared to be royalty. It is hard to imagine quite when the novelty might wear off.
Written By Sudara
Feb. 9, 2020, 8:10 p.m.(9.669083167989418/24.468657407407406/1012.7224235973324 AR)
What a privilege it is to not only witness but play some small part in a remarkable accomplishment every now and then. The work done by and for the Lodge of Petrichor has been quite astonishing, and I earnestly hope that it will be of assistance to people throughout the Compact. And in this first flush of the news... I don't think that I have ever been so widely recognised in the streets of Arx!
Written By Sudara
Jan. 26, 2020, 6:14 p.m.(8.664155505952381/24.192708333333332/1012.638679625496 AR)
Did many in the Compact suspect - let alone *know* - that there was a secret subterranean city concealed on an island near our shores? My late father's old fascination with ancient ruins and lost tales seems ever more relevant... though I confess that I am more than a little glad that he never uncovered anything remotely like Hissah. I prefer my discoveries to be rather less lively and menacing.
Written By Sudara
Jan. 12, 2020, 6:11 p.m.(7/19/1012 AR)
Summer is truly here, as the Compact bestirs itself and stories spread of projects - both grand and subtle - getting underway. Certainly, it seems to be a season for change within the kingdom. I earnestly hope and pray that the outcomes are beneficial for us all.
Written By Sudara
Jan. 5, 2020, 7:42 p.m.(7/5/1012 AR)
Is it good or bad that I am finally starting to *understand* how to guide a domain towards prosperity? Or, at least, to guide the specific one with which Trogen and I were entrusted - I should not presume to claim any breadth of competence, especially when I still feel that I am just finding my feet! Certainly, one should understand one's responsibilities... yet I cannot help but feel guilt that it has taken me so long to become a better steward for my people and their land. Still, I can warmly recommend the formal study of agriculture, husbandry, economic theory, and the practices of stewarding a domain: they truly can yield fruitful results. And I gladly note that Dame Leola Allenatore of the Lodge of Petrichor has been of invaluable aid in my efforts to better myself in this regard.
Written By Sudara
Dec. 22, 2019, 7:05 p.m.(6/5/1012 AR)
As a young child, I sometimes dreamed of being royal - while asleep, while distracting myself during court events, while playing with friends, I might imagine being anything from a young princess to a reigning queen. But, for all the history (lofty and sordid alike) associated with my name, I never actually imagined that I might wind up having a *right* to call myself 'princess'. Yet it seems that I might perhaps get to do so, and in the near future. Even amidst all the perils and wonders of our times, I confess that this personally feels quite thoroughly strange.
Written By Sudara
Dec. 15, 2019, 6:45 p.m.(5/19/1012 AR)
Even though I was unable to attend the marrige of my friend Martino to his lovely bride - an event at which I fear I would have been precious little use, amidst the unexpected alarums and perils - I did manage to attend less perilous occasions. I was one of those lurking in the background at the Black and White Ball of Grimhall; I succeeded in being marginally more visible (and with a full bevvy of children in attendance!) at the wedding of Arianna and Valentina - which has provided me with someone else to call me 'Auntie S'. It's an unconventional honorific, but one of which I am rather fond, I confess.
Written By Sudara
Dec. 15, 2019, 6:45 p.m.(5/19/1012 AR)
It might be customary to make this a formal proclamation on behalf of the Truesworn, but I hope that a Journal entry will come across as more personal: I am truly delighted that Lord Martino and the Lady Kaia are now wed - and that they and their guests survived their wedding, in spite of the best efforts of their assailant. I hope and pray for a full and swift recovery.
Written By Sudara
Dec. 1, 2019, 6:58 p.m.(4/19/1012 AR)
From my dual perspectives in Arx and from my adoptive homeland of Esterhold, I cannot help but stand in warm admiration of the work done at Aviaron's Peak. It sounds as if it has become a hub not only for trade but for amicable cooperation of other kinds. As an occasional diplomat and obscure ruler, I cannot help but be very favourably impressed!
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.