Written By Tristram
April 2, 2017, 3:39 p.m.(3/14/1006 AR)
I have to thank Sophie and Legate Orazio for making sure my "death" wasn't a permanent condition. That being said, Gloria blessed me in two ways: not only did She give me the stamina to survive, she also empowered Reese after my prayer to defend me as I was covering the healers' retreat. We will prevail.
Written By Tristram
April 2, 2017, 3:38 p.m.(3/14/1006 AR)
When the great evil tells you to DIE...just say no.
Written By Tristram
March 26, 2017, 5:55 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
As the sound of drum calls for my life,
I turn my head where sun is about to set.
There is no inn on the way to underworld.
At whose house shall I sleep tonight?
I turn my head where sun is about to set.
There is no inn on the way to underworld.
At whose house shall I sleep tonight?
Written By Tristram
March 26, 2017, 5:55 p.m.(2/28/1006 AR)
Gloria, I am yours to do with as you will. Bless all of those who fight. Let us protect that which lies at the heart of all of our people. I am prepared. Bless Charlaine Blanchard for her aid at the last moment--may the preparation succeed because of it.
Written By Tristram
March 19, 2017, 9:08 p.m.(2/14/1006 AR)
On this the eve of battle, I would like to ask forgiveness of those I have slighted, intentionally and unintentionally. Father Orazio, I have made mistakes which led you to feel disrespected; please accept my sincere apology. High Lady of the Crownlands Lark, that I have done or said things to make me less than worthy of your respect now fills me with remorse, and I apologize to you as well. Princess Reese and Prince Ainsley and all others who I may have senselessly offended, I ask your forgiveness. Know that I have nothing but respect for you. Gods preserve us against our enemies.
Written By Tristram
March 19, 2017, 9:01 p.m.(2/14/1006 AR)
I, along with every able-bodied man and woman in the city, stand into danger once more on behalf of Arx. Gloria's temple is quiet, more quiet than I expected; although many guards and soldiers have been here, the mood is tense and serious, and few speak aloud or engage in conversation. The quietness makes it perfect for meditation and prayer. I am humbled by the peace here. It has been a few weeks since I withdrew from greater society. The entire circumstance surrounding the duel (not the duel itself; it was settled fairly) left me with a need to meditate and think on my life, rather than keep being as social as I was. Praying for all the soldiers in the city makes this a vigil that will last days, but I think it will be worth it. As I pray, I remember the time before the Battle of Three Arrows, and the priestess who spoke to me that night. My mind is close to what it was that night. Though our force is mighty and consists of people often better warriors than I am, I am still ready for whatever might happen. I give no thought to my own glory, where once I might have; any heroism I may display in the coming siege will almost certainly be unwitnessed by anyone by the few soldiers who will be with me. Letting go of ego lets me focus on what matters: the people of Arx. Picturing their faces in my mind: the merchant I bought apple pie from on Thursday; his wife, a rosy-cheeked comedienne; the six scampering children rolling out of the Lower Boroughs and playing hide-and-seek, as if they'd challenged themselves to see how long they could get away with being here before someone scolded them back to their part of the city; the faces of my family and friends: Katarina, Luca, Eirene, Aurelian, Calypso, Sophie, Edain. Warriors and civilians alike. I pray for their safety, individually and collectively, and offer my own in return.
Written By Tristram
March 12, 2017, 5:13 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Oblivion. A dream shared by all. No matter what doubts we may have had individually about magic in the past, it's certainly clear that it exists. This will hopefully make it easier in the future.
Written By Tristram
March 12, 2017, 5:12 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
The Thraxian venture and planning continues. As the only Oathlander amongst those planning, I felt a tad outnumbered, and so I was on my best behavior. So much so I even began to have pleasant conversation with Dominic Thrax, who is not exactly known for his kind and gentle demeanor. Strange bedfellows these great enemies of ours make, and I wonder if the transmutation that will occur to our people will make us all better, in the end--if we should survive.
Written By Tristram
March 11, 2017, 11:15 p.m.(1/27/1006 AR)
So the other day I saw Prism again. How other people don't just stare at her, I can't imagine. She embodies what it means to hope, I think; if there were a person representing hope...but she herself would say we *all* represent hope. So I'm going to redouble my efforts to provide and inspire hope for everyone.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 27, 2017, 10:20 p.m.(1/3/1006 AR)
Insofar as Prince Ainsley sees fit to bring up my White Journals, which I write as a religious obligation, perhaps here is the best place to mount a defense. He refers to my earlier musings on the different forms of love that I have encountered in my travels, and a wistful longing that I could love all of the three women who at the time interested me, honestly, fairly, and openly. It also states that I doubt I will ever see such a thing in my lifetime.
I am a member of the royal House Valardin. My responsibility as a noble is to marry in order to strengthen my family, and to father children to increase its numbers; made even more important due to the events of the Tragedy. There are many forms of love out there--and many which are not something a noble can ever sanctify with marriage, given the demands places on us by our role. For example, while Prince Ainsley's style of love is possible for him because the Graysons are so numerous and as such procreation need not be his concern, even if it were my *preference*, I do not have that same luxury.
Lest in some way this seem a slight to Prince Ainsley, let it be known: I cared very greatly for Lord Pietro and highly approved of their match. I proved that *directly* to Prince Ainsley on at least one occasion, when I helped Pietro with a delicate matter, for no gain of my own but the care I had for him.
*Because* I do not have that same luxury, *because* I must either father children for my family, or be a match for another family in a way that strengthens the Valardin line, any musings or wistful desires I might have and express here before Vellichor are just that--musings. I believe most people in the world have met more than one person they *could* love, and would if they could. Some of them do so--with a spouse, but an arrangement that the partners might see others. How many bastards, fathered? How many affairs, destroying lives and lines and causing wars? Not for me this dishonor, this besmirching, this cause for chaos.
So: being unable to love more than one person openly, and being unwilling to lie or dishonor a spouse that I *do* wish to have, I will always remain true to the one who marries me. It should *also* be noted, because I am certain that Prince Ainsley imagines otherwise, that I have taken no lover, made no promises, had no relations beyond kissing, with anyone--noble, commoner, or otherwise--since I arrived in Arx roughly six months ago. Nor do I intend to, until I marry. I wish nothing to cause my future spouse, or their family, to have any doubt whatsoever about my love and commitment to them.
I am a member of the royal House Valardin. My responsibility as a noble is to marry in order to strengthen my family, and to father children to increase its numbers; made even more important due to the events of the Tragedy. There are many forms of love out there--and many which are not something a noble can ever sanctify with marriage, given the demands places on us by our role. For example, while Prince Ainsley's style of love is possible for him because the Graysons are so numerous and as such procreation need not be his concern, even if it were my *preference*, I do not have that same luxury.
Lest in some way this seem a slight to Prince Ainsley, let it be known: I cared very greatly for Lord Pietro and highly approved of their match. I proved that *directly* to Prince Ainsley on at least one occasion, when I helped Pietro with a delicate matter, for no gain of my own but the care I had for him.
*Because* I do not have that same luxury, *because* I must either father children for my family, or be a match for another family in a way that strengthens the Valardin line, any musings or wistful desires I might have and express here before Vellichor are just that--musings. I believe most people in the world have met more than one person they *could* love, and would if they could. Some of them do so--with a spouse, but an arrangement that the partners might see others. How many bastards, fathered? How many affairs, destroying lives and lines and causing wars? Not for me this dishonor, this besmirching, this cause for chaos.
So: being unable to love more than one person openly, and being unwilling to lie or dishonor a spouse that I *do* wish to have, I will always remain true to the one who marries me. It should *also* be noted, because I am certain that Prince Ainsley imagines otherwise, that I have taken no lover, made no promises, had no relations beyond kissing, with anyone--noble, commoner, or otherwise--since I arrived in Arx roughly six months ago. Nor do I intend to, until I marry. I wish nothing to cause my future spouse, or their family, to have any doubt whatsoever about my love and commitment to them.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 26, 2017, 2:01 p.m.(12/28/1005 AR)
I should point out that a lack of ambition in favor of efficiency in a role applies solely to the military aspects of dealing with the enemy. On a social level, I have a few irons in the fire. I would like to marry, but I would like to remain a Valardin. There are two women I have met so far that I am fond enough of, and believe I would match well with for the rest of my life, whom I would like to officially court. Yet I know that one of them won't, for she believes in her family; and the other seems too distracted to consider it by her duties and the future. I hope to work that out with her. I'm also interested in opening a restaurant, still; and am going to be talking to Alis and Edain about two other ideas I have on my mind. So life proceeds within civilization as well as without.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 26, 2017, 1:52 p.m.(12/28/1005 AR)
Yesterday, I was promoted to the rank of Commander in the Minisry of Defense. As much as I'm fond of the way that Prince Commander sounds, and as much as I was once quite ambitious for it, the reality of the battle with the Bringers soured most ideas of ambition and replaced it with a cooler head. I'm not the smartest, but I am dedicated to whatever is the most efficient means of ending this threat to our existance. If that was to remain an Agent or to become a Commander, I would have done either. Now is the time for me to prove that I can in fact do what I promised I could. I've also applied to the Dominus to become a Knight of Solace, but I have not yet been accepted.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:49 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
I don't know what to make of her. Is she too innocent for me? The last thing I want to do is spoil that, but she is lovely and graceful and wonderful. I am not an innocent man; will she find me darker than she might wish in a Prince?
Written By Tristram
Feb. 19, 2017, 7:37 p.m.(12/14/1005 AR)
Here we are at the memorial bonfire for Nadia, but I cannot help but think of Pietro and Vincere as well. I cannot help but wonder if we can live up to and achieve the salvation of Arvum that they all strove to bring about. Though angry almost every time I saw him, Pietro was passionate enough to make a strong ally against our enemy, and Vincere was a deep thinker. Nadia brought grace and beauty to the art of battle. Can they be replaced? Perhaps there are others who might be -like- them, but there will be no one who can -replace- them, the spirit, the thought, and the beliefs that they had. I did not know any of them as well as I might've liked, but I will strive to remember them well.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 12, 2017, 12:52 p.m.(11/28/1005 AR)
I thought I'd put this in a seperate entry. I think I might open a restaurant, and have food in from all over the Oathlands and other regions, a gourmet sort of place that'll be sort of like the Salon with a lot less frou-frou. It's going to take time and money, but I think it'll be worth it. Now to think about names...
Written By Tristram
Feb. 12, 2017, 12:51 p.m.(11/28/1005 AR)
This week is filled with trepidation and excitement. We ride! Facing the Bringers in massed combat as our first real test as a people and an army. With any luck, we'll do the Valardin name proud, and save the Crownlands for now--at least long enough for us to catch a breather and educate ourselves more. Things have been tough with the sense of constant trepidation I've been feeling, and so I've been a great deal more cautious. The first training under Ansel with Calypso looking on went well for MiniDef. I look forward to more. But for now: may Gloria guide our arms and our cause!
Written By Tristram
Feb. 4, 2017, 7:49 p.m.(11/7/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
Young. Eager. Optimistic. Nervous around nobles but, nevertheless, determined to succeed; I saw him practicing while wounded. I think he's going to be good for the Iron Guard.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 4, 2017, 7:48 p.m.(11/7/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Luna
Look out for this one, she's special--spiritual and joyful, determined to make the world happy alongside her bear Reinhardt. I think she might succeed, at that.
Written By Tristram
Feb. 4, 2017, 7:47 p.m.(11/7/1005 AR)
The Shield of the Compact has changed, and I am changing with it. No longer concerned so much with intelligence gathering, we're going to be dealing with tactics and fighting. Looking forward to Ansel's practice. We'll see how well we work together, and hopefully, my ability with the bow will help us develop better fighting tactics. Aside from that, I met the most delightful woman, a girl named Luna who has a pet bear and is determined to entertain and bring joy despite the fact that so many are sad. I admire that spirit!
Written By Tristram
Jan. 28, 2017, 1:11 p.m.(10/13/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Sophie
If it were not for Sophie, I would have made more mistakes. Alis is great; Edain is a leader worthy of the title, but it is my cousin Sophie that keeps me grounded.
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