Written By Shard
March 27, 2018, 4:52 p.m.(6/9/1008 AR)
What a fucking mess.
Rabbits aren't just eaten by people, they're eaten by everything. Even this solution is going to cause problems (not that I have a better one, what else can you do?), because if it's as thorough as it needs to be, it's going to leave a lot of local predators hungry. Or, if we spread out the destruction even farther, not so local. They can be clever little shits too; you won't find them all, and they breed like mad.
Better hope the disease is contained, and quickly.
Rabbits aren't just eaten by people, they're eaten by everything. Even this solution is going to cause problems (not that I have a better one, what else can you do?), because if it's as thorough as it needs to be, it's going to leave a lot of local predators hungry. Or, if we spread out the destruction even farther, not so local. They can be clever little shits too; you won't find them all, and they breed like mad.
Better hope the disease is contained, and quickly.
Written By Shard
March 25, 2018, 11:34 p.m.(6/6/1008 AR)
Do not burn down a forest and then wonder why no birds sing for you.
Written By Shard
March 22, 2018, 6:47 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
I don't think any of us were shocked. Like I said, this is extremely common. Maybe I was a little surprised that it started up before the bodies are even in the ground or on the pyre, before we've even finished notifying families, but shocked?
You both act as though you were the only ones to sacrifice out there. As if the Faith were alone in standing against the enemy, and you all did the rest of us a great big favor in doing so, as if you weren't standing shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the Compact, with every single House, Crownsworn, noble and commoner, Compact-born and prodigal, devout, shaman, and I guarantee you entirely faithless soldiers, every last one dying by the thousands because the Gyre's men and monsters did not give one single shit who they were killing or how brave they were or what they were worshiping or how. By all means, praise your people and the things they did, by all accounts they deserve that and more, but you don't do your dead any honor by stepping on the ones they died alongside or died to protect.
You've seen the casualty reports. The entire Compact is grieving. I watched the detachment of Valardin calvary in Setarco lose half of their entire number in a single charge, but somehow they've refrained from writing about how Setarco was unworthy of their presence. Most of the people Thesarin took north didn't return. Mercenary casualties are always high, given how we're deployed. All of Stormwall is homeless. The Seliki fleet is simply gone.
You talk about understanding, and then you talk about how shamanism 'tweaks your noses' by existing. She talks about unity, and then she says anyone who doesn't pray to the gods should be 'made to see the error of their ways'. Before I left to war, I wrote that I wasn't a crusader, and I wasn't fighting a crusade, even if I was fighting on the side of the gods. I said I didn't want to be mistaken for that if I died. This is why. You talk out of both sides of your mouths, and as soon as the real enemy is out of sight, you start eyeing up your allies, even the ones that absolutely do worship the gods and do follow your Faith, as most Compact shamans I've met do, because they don't do it exactly the way you want them to. And in the meantime, you pay bare lip service to one of your gods while completely ignoring everything he represents, since that's damned inconvenient when it comes to controlling everything around you.
You both act as though you were the only ones to sacrifice out there. As if the Faith were alone in standing against the enemy, and you all did the rest of us a great big favor in doing so, as if you weren't standing shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the Compact, with every single House, Crownsworn, noble and commoner, Compact-born and prodigal, devout, shaman, and I guarantee you entirely faithless soldiers, every last one dying by the thousands because the Gyre's men and monsters did not give one single shit who they were killing or how brave they were or what they were worshiping or how. By all means, praise your people and the things they did, by all accounts they deserve that and more, but you don't do your dead any honor by stepping on the ones they died alongside or died to protect.
You've seen the casualty reports. The entire Compact is grieving. I watched the detachment of Valardin calvary in Setarco lose half of their entire number in a single charge, but somehow they've refrained from writing about how Setarco was unworthy of their presence. Most of the people Thesarin took north didn't return. Mercenary casualties are always high, given how we're deployed. All of Stormwall is homeless. The Seliki fleet is simply gone.
You talk about understanding, and then you talk about how shamanism 'tweaks your noses' by existing. She talks about unity, and then she says anyone who doesn't pray to the gods should be 'made to see the error of their ways'. Before I left to war, I wrote that I wasn't a crusader, and I wasn't fighting a crusade, even if I was fighting on the side of the gods. I said I didn't want to be mistaken for that if I died. This is why. You talk out of both sides of your mouths, and as soon as the real enemy is out of sight, you start eyeing up your allies, even the ones that absolutely do worship the gods and do follow your Faith, as most Compact shamans I've met do, because they don't do it exactly the way you want them to. And in the meantime, you pay bare lip service to one of your gods while completely ignoring everything he represents, since that's damned inconvenient when it comes to controlling everything around you.
Written By Shard
March 21, 2018, 9:03 p.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Terese
We aren't done fighting, but by all means, don't let that stop you from sneering at the people you've just been dying alongside. It's actually very popular, that's why it happens so often, and why your organization has so much power. But don't worry, you don't need to find new targets just yet. There's more coming.
Written By Shard
March 19, 2018, 12:36 a.m.(5/20/1008 AR)
If you ever have the opportunity for a giant tentacle covered sea monster to vomit another tentacle covered sea monster into your face, pass it up.
Written By Shard
March 16, 2018, 2:31 a.m.(5/14/1008 AR)
I'm not here for your crusade. I recognize most people are, and all the best to them, but that's not me. I'm not your crusader. Stop calling me that. Stop assuming that's what I am. If I die in this damn fight, I don't want that being said over my corpse. I don't want posthumous prayers or medals. I'm fighting on the side of the gods, and I'm definitely fighting at your side, but I didn't come to fight a holy war and wave the Faith's banner. I'm a damned prodigal from the far north. I'm a sellsword. I collect pay for this (and you better believe I mean to if I make it out, even if that's not the reason why I'm here). Take me as I come, it won't change how hard I'll fight.
But if it has to be said, if I have to put it on record just to be sure, then fine: I'm here to kill a bunch of monsters and cultists because it's the right thing to do, because a lot of people are going to die but a lot more will die otherwise, because fuck this ancient watery asshole in his every slimy orifice, and because he's in my fucking way.
But if it has to be said, if I have to put it on record just to be sure, then fine: I'm here to kill a bunch of monsters and cultists because it's the right thing to do, because a lot of people are going to die but a lot more will die otherwise, because fuck this ancient watery asshole in his every slimy orifice, and because he's in my fucking way.
Written By Shard
March 15, 2018, 2:33 a.m.(5/12/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Ainsley
Don't jinx it.
Written By Shard
March 10, 2018, 2:20 a.m.(5/2/1008 AR)
There's nothing wrong with a damned good argument.
Bad arguments aren't that terrible either, aside from being generally obnoxious and/or a waste of time, but Arvani make an /art/ out of finding ways to best waste time, so it's not exactly something that should really be all that concerning to anyone.
Bad arguments aren't that terrible either, aside from being generally obnoxious and/or a waste of time, but Arvani make an /art/ out of finding ways to best waste time, so it's not exactly something that should really be all that concerning to anyone.
Written By Shard
March 5, 2018, 2:35 a.m.(4/20/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
I know where you sleep. It's a sign of dearest affection that I don't fill your room with live crabs.
Written By Shard
March 5, 2018, 2:28 a.m.(4/20/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
This seems to be the time for confessing heartfelt feelings. Fine, I'll jump on that wagon.
Captain-General, sir, you are /still/ a giant pain in the ass. This was your regular reminder in case we all die horribly on some damn island or the boat getting there.
Captain-General, sir, you are /still/ a giant pain in the ass. This was your regular reminder in case we all die horribly on some damn island or the boat getting there.
Written By Shard
March 1, 2018, 7:46 p.m.(4/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Derovai
You'd be surprised. A memory happens to be my greatest personal motivation. A really old one too. It hasn't failed me yet. It all depends on what path you're looking for.
Written By Shard
March 1, 2018, 7:43 p.m.(4/14/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Costas
You could leave him some booze in the shrine. He'd probably take that.
Written By Shard
March 1, 2018, 1:56 p.m.(4/13/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Costas
Skald hates it when people pray to him.
Written By Shard
Feb. 20, 2018, 5:06 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)
Thesarin makes a good point. A lot of times, the requests made of the spirits where I come from were as simple as 'help us find the herds so we can eat'.
The spirits of the animals we hunted in good times. Raven spirits in bad.
The spirits of the animals we hunted in good times. Raven spirits in bad.
Written By Shard
Feb. 20, 2018, 4:58 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
I don't think I can help you with this one, because I don't understand how the Paths here work. I don't know how they worship, and I don't really understand your worship yet. I don't know or understand the spirits here either (not that I was ever that good with the ones where I'm from, but I had someone to explain them to me there). Where I come from, worship, at least from what I've gathered since coming to the Compact, isn't the right word to use. This is probably something that's better for a conversation than a journal entry, but, shorter, where I'm from, the word to use isn't worship, at least as I understand that word.
The word to use is honor, or maybe respect. There's no prayer, there is meditation and trance. Bargains are made because spirits have desires and needs, but also because, at least where I'm from, this is a tradition, how we show respect. Everyone has needs. I don't know what word to use in Arvani for it, but when you get something, you give something. That's how it is, and it goes for neighbors as well as spirits. Maybe, if I want something from a stone, the stone doesn't actually need what I'm sacrificing to get that something, but I give it anyway, because it shows I respect the spirit enough, and what the spirit is giving enough, that I'm willing to give in return. And the greater the thing I ask for, the greater the thing I sacrifice, because it shows I understand and value what I'm asking for.
Of course, people start getting antsy whenever you start talking about this kind of thing and using the word 'sacrifice'. That's not what this is. Just think of it as a price. You pay a price, like you do with any bargain you make. Maybe that's a task in return. Maybe that's some food. Maybe it's an item you treasure. Maybe you make something. Maybe you destroy something. Maybe you protect the spirit's home. Maybe you build them a home. It's not the way gods work because spirits aren't gods. They're old things with their own ways and wisdoms.
If you're trying to compare the two, I can see the problem. That keeps tripping me up too.
The word to use is honor, or maybe respect. There's no prayer, there is meditation and trance. Bargains are made because spirits have desires and needs, but also because, at least where I'm from, this is a tradition, how we show respect. Everyone has needs. I don't know what word to use in Arvani for it, but when you get something, you give something. That's how it is, and it goes for neighbors as well as spirits. Maybe, if I want something from a stone, the stone doesn't actually need what I'm sacrificing to get that something, but I give it anyway, because it shows I respect the spirit enough, and what the spirit is giving enough, that I'm willing to give in return. And the greater the thing I ask for, the greater the thing I sacrifice, because it shows I understand and value what I'm asking for.
Of course, people start getting antsy whenever you start talking about this kind of thing and using the word 'sacrifice'. That's not what this is. Just think of it as a price. You pay a price, like you do with any bargain you make. Maybe that's a task in return. Maybe that's some food. Maybe it's an item you treasure. Maybe you make something. Maybe you destroy something. Maybe you protect the spirit's home. Maybe you build them a home. It's not the way gods work because spirits aren't gods. They're old things with their own ways and wisdoms.
If you're trying to compare the two, I can see the problem. That keeps tripping me up too.
Written By Shard
Feb. 20, 2018, 1:29 p.m.(3/23/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
I can't speak to the politics between the Faith and the Peerage. I also can't really speak to the way that Arx shamans might deal with the spirits; we've talked about this, I'm pretty ignorant on it. Perhaps it's the exact same way the gods are worshiped here.
That said, I should point out that, in your example, behaving that way only works until you piss off the spirit of the rock formation by ignoring what the spirit actually wants and asks for. Maybe the nobles you're talking about don't realize it either, but if a spirit wants to act, and it can act, it will act. It's not the power of a god, but that doesn't really matter too much when the spirit you've annoyed happens to be a living hill intent on crushing you (something that happened to us last year when the Grayson forces were in the Gray Forest until Khanne realized what we were dealing with and was able to communicate with it). People thinking about how shamanism is easier might want to consider that spirits are neither obligated to be friendly nor required to be helpful nor necessarily understandable to humanity at all. A rock is a rock, after all. If you form a relationship with it, you'd best hold up your end.
I've seen spirits. I've had a drink with a god. This world's too weird a place to ignore either.
That said, I should point out that, in your example, behaving that way only works until you piss off the spirit of the rock formation by ignoring what the spirit actually wants and asks for. Maybe the nobles you're talking about don't realize it either, but if a spirit wants to act, and it can act, it will act. It's not the power of a god, but that doesn't really matter too much when the spirit you've annoyed happens to be a living hill intent on crushing you (something that happened to us last year when the Grayson forces were in the Gray Forest until Khanne realized what we were dealing with and was able to communicate with it). People thinking about how shamanism is easier might want to consider that spirits are neither obligated to be friendly nor required to be helpful nor necessarily understandable to humanity at all. A rock is a rock, after all. If you form a relationship with it, you'd best hold up your end.
I've seen spirits. I've had a drink with a god. This world's too weird a place to ignore either.
Written By Shard
Feb. 20, 2018, 3:26 a.m.(3/22/1008 AR)
I don't understand. Does the Faith feel unappreciated on the eve of battle? They're in everything, every day, everywhere, no matter where you look, or stand, or walk, or what you read or listen to. There are statues and songs, tapestries and cathedrals and giant armies. The gods and the Faith are on jewelry and clothing and weapons and woven into the proclamations and laws and meetings and decisions of everything the Compact does. They've declared this a holy war. People from every end of the Compact have come to fight in it, prodigal to princess. Nobody is ignoring the Faith or their contributions.
Is it because you're not alone in this? Is it because you're not the /only/ ones on that battlefield? Don't confuse unity with conformity. One is a great strength. One is the weapon of an enemy we haven't fully faced yet, and need to be ready for once we survive the Pirate King.
Is it because you're not alone in this? Is it because you're not the /only/ ones on that battlefield? Don't confuse unity with conformity. One is a great strength. One is the weapon of an enemy we haven't fully faced yet, and need to be ready for once we survive the Pirate King.
Written By Shard
Feb. 11, 2018, 11:30 p.m.(2/28/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Magpie
What the fuck is a friendship bracelet?
Written By Shard
Feb. 10, 2018, 11:49 p.m.(2/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Darrow
Every time he looks in a mirror.
Written By Shard
Feb. 3, 2018, 4:05 p.m.(2/11/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
Don't worry. Abandoned tribes that stay too close to you can end up conveniently disappearing even when the Templars or local forces aren't called on to officially remove them. Tribes that mistake this kind of thing for kindness tend to end up paying their own prices for it sooner or later, whether it's at the hands of the Faith militant or not.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.