Written By Preston
Aug. 7, 2018, 5:48 p.m.(5/9/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Sina
Though you will have no children of your blood, you will have many children.
The faithful people of Arvum, the disciples of our orders, all look to the Godsworn to guide and protect them. To teach them. To care for them when they are ill, to praise them when they are good.
It is that love, that duty we feel, the obligation, which drives some of what we does - it is what drove my part in establishing the Grand Mausoleum of the Faith, the debt I felt I owed my people, my disciples, for not falling with them.
Be certain when you speak the oaths. For you forsake your family, forsake future offspring of your loins, but you gain a much larger family, and take on a much greater responsibility to nurture whole cities.
The faithful people of Arvum, the disciples of our orders, all look to the Godsworn to guide and protect them. To teach them. To care for them when they are ill, to praise them when they are good.
It is that love, that duty we feel, the obligation, which drives some of what we does - it is what drove my part in establishing the Grand Mausoleum of the Faith, the debt I felt I owed my people, my disciples, for not falling with them.
Be certain when you speak the oaths. For you forsake your family, forsake future offspring of your loins, but you gain a much larger family, and take on a much greater responsibility to nurture whole cities.
Written By Preston
Aug. 7, 2018, 1:01 p.m.(5/6/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Please don't try to charge things on horseback with a weaponised spoon, Dame Thena.
Written By Preston
Aug. 7, 2018, 12:19 p.m.(5/6/1009 AR)
I won't opine on Blessed Aureth or his points, in part because he is bored, in part because he is a Blessed and I have nothing to add.
What I will opine on, good scholar, are two points that the latest kerfluffle raised.
The first is simple. Yes. All duels are of interest to Gloria, just as all oaths are to Limerance. Just as Limerance and Gloria guard all honour, from the greatest King to the lowest serf. There is no oath you can break because it is a little oath - if you swear an oath to deliver an apple to a man, it is still a stain for you to fail. Your fault was in making an oath over something so trifling and then failing in it. Equally all duels are of interest, and if you fight a duel over a small matter - over a trivial matter - then it is on you to ensure that even if that is the case it is handled with all the importance as any duel.
Finally, unless your surname is 'Godsworn', you probably should not opine with certainty on what the Gods think or want. You are unlikely to have that right.
Personally however, the question of the spoon as a weapon does have an interesting side to explore should it be proven to be an effective if not efficient weapon - is such a weapon dishonourable in its usage because of the suffering such a blunt weapon without impact can create? It seems as a weapon it would create suffering beyond what is required, and thus be seen as reveling in that.
What I will opine on, good scholar, are two points that the latest kerfluffle raised.
The first is simple. Yes. All duels are of interest to Gloria, just as all oaths are to Limerance. Just as Limerance and Gloria guard all honour, from the greatest King to the lowest serf. There is no oath you can break because it is a little oath - if you swear an oath to deliver an apple to a man, it is still a stain for you to fail. Your fault was in making an oath over something so trifling and then failing in it. Equally all duels are of interest, and if you fight a duel over a small matter - over a trivial matter - then it is on you to ensure that even if that is the case it is handled with all the importance as any duel.
Finally, unless your surname is 'Godsworn', you probably should not opine with certainty on what the Gods think or want. You are unlikely to have that right.
Personally however, the question of the spoon as a weapon does have an interesting side to explore should it be proven to be an effective if not efficient weapon - is such a weapon dishonourable in its usage because of the suffering such a blunt weapon without impact can create? It seems as a weapon it would create suffering beyond what is required, and thus be seen as reveling in that.
Written By Preston
July 25, 2018, 6:36 a.m.(4/6/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I cannot tell if you are more sassy since you stopped being Blessed Aleksei, or if now you are not Blessed Aleksei I allow myself to enjoy your words and stop looking for hidden guidance.
Written By Preston
July 23, 2018, 3:38 p.m.(4/2/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Martin
As Thena writes, Brother Martin is known best by members of the Faith and by the orphans of the city. I actually know him little better than Thena - despite my being an orphan, I was raised away from the Tragedy in the Rectory. But that does not mean I did not visit it and the hard work with the Legates and later with the Dominus. And I think we all know the quality of his work in guiding young men by those who stand now with Solace and others and mourn his name. Despite his age, every time I met him he was seeking to be useful to the Faith - he was providing advice, hard earned and with the voice of great experience, to those of us who from necessity have raised high at a young age. He was taking on recently great risks, because someone must and he knew if his shoulders could bear the burden then at least another would be spared it.
We will remember him, all of the Faith. And the Solace will honour his sacrifice, they will continue I am sure to protect our travellers, to tend to the orphans, to provide charity. Thankfully, for I am a simpler man than Dame Thena, the Gods give a simpler task to the Templars. Justice. Now, or later, it will come for all those we have lost.
We will remember him, all of the Faith. And the Solace will honour his sacrifice, they will continue I am sure to protect our travellers, to tend to the orphans, to provide charity. Thankfully, for I am a simpler man than Dame Thena, the Gods give a simpler task to the Templars. Justice. Now, or later, it will come for all those we have lost.
Written By Preston
July 23, 2018, 1:41 p.m.(4/2/1009 AR)
Brother Martin. Grandmaster Armel. Disciple Cassius. The three knights of Solace with him. The Legate of Arts. The Legate of Creation. Brother Driskell. Disciple Sir Darrow. Templar Armand. Sir Viktor. Tens of thousands of Brothers, Sisters of the Faith Militant and Disciples at Stormwall. It has been a hard year or so. A hard time.
Written By Preston
July 17, 2018, 7:24 p.m.(3/17/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
There are some perks to not being grandmaster - no-one tries to make me have hobbies.
Written By Preston
July 17, 2018, 5:31 p.m.(3/17/1009 AR)
The Iron Guard once again did a service in cleaning and tending to the statue of Mangata after some fools defaced it. You have to wonder at why people would act in such a way? Still. The guard were on the case quickly, and I have posted a reward to help, and some of my Templars as there is an altar there which should not receive similar attention. The posting however is because it is a religious matter and thus it is our duty, not theirs, to protect the altar and the statue. It is not because I doubt their abilities.
In the recent Assembly of Peers, offers were made to help the Iron Guard because of recent high profile deaths. I understand these desires. But I would ask people to consider these things carefully. For an army in the thousands, the addition of 50 or even 100 more guards per fealty is not a huge impact. And, I fear, I must point out that people die. Regularly. Constantly. Wagons coming to the city will bear the bodies of Knights of Solace who have died on the road defending their charges, of pilgrims where sadly they did not make the Waystation, of men and women in various reasons. It is not because the Knights of Solace lack number or skill, it is because threats will eventually make it through. Eventually, something which will only win 1 time in 1000 will manage it. You can of course make it harder and harder for the opposition to succeed, but you can also reduce their chances to test their luck. Ask Dame Thena suggests, the Lowers are a place only to be entered with reason if you do not belong.
In the recent Assembly of Peers, offers were made to help the Iron Guard because of recent high profile deaths. I understand these desires. But I would ask people to consider these things carefully. For an army in the thousands, the addition of 50 or even 100 more guards per fealty is not a huge impact. And, I fear, I must point out that people die. Regularly. Constantly. Wagons coming to the city will bear the bodies of Knights of Solace who have died on the road defending their charges, of pilgrims where sadly they did not make the Waystation, of men and women in various reasons. It is not because the Knights of Solace lack number or skill, it is because threats will eventually make it through. Eventually, something which will only win 1 time in 1000 will manage it. You can of course make it harder and harder for the opposition to succeed, but you can also reduce their chances to test their luck. Ask Dame Thena suggests, the Lowers are a place only to be entered with reason if you do not belong.
Written By Preston
July 14, 2018, 9:35 a.m.(3/10/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Ailith
The Orthodoxy has certainty - and it manifests itself in two ways. One is the path I follow. The protection of what is important, fighting for what you know is right. That way is not as friendly, certainly not forgiving, and brings with it destruction. It is clearing the weeds so the garden might bloom. Yet. If all you ever do is destroy, there is nothing to grow. Nothing to bloom. And your destruction is for nothing.
The other path it opens is one of wisdom drawn from those traditions that are held dear, and the comfort - the sense of belonging those traditions provide. The instant bonds it can create. Such a path finds no greater champion than Seraph Ailith. She nurtures and helps people grow. She plants the seeds of the world that will be. She has perhaps the more pleasant of the two paths, but also the harder one. It is easy to destroy - yes, a fight might be hard, but there are only two paths. Live. Die. To create? To nurture? To improve? That is a harder task. And one she does with skill and compassion.
The other path it opens is one of wisdom drawn from those traditions that are held dear, and the comfort - the sense of belonging those traditions provide. The instant bonds it can create. Such a path finds no greater champion than Seraph Ailith. She nurtures and helps people grow. She plants the seeds of the world that will be. She has perhaps the more pleasant of the two paths, but also the harder one. It is easy to destroy - yes, a fight might be hard, but there are only two paths. Live. Die. To create? To nurture? To improve? That is a harder task. And one she does with skill and compassion.
Written By Preston
July 13, 2018, 5:45 p.m.(3/9/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
You were what you were and are what you are, Little Sister. Given that you had to be what you were to be what you are, so it must be that it was all for the best. There is no shame after all in humble beginnings or humble ends. It is the manner of our living which Gloria weighs, how much of our life we gave to others that Gild measures. And in that, you could never be found wanting.
If nobles wish to ignore the Grandmasters of the Faith Militant because of their prejudices against their origins, or because they dislike the Faith, then so be it. It says more of them than it does of you or indeed my own Master. The hubris that they show is allowing the Abyss a path into their hearts and souls, and I would rather they announce their weakness so we know where to watch.
I am an orphan, born of no-one, heir to nothing. There is nothing before me, nothing in my wake. And I will always be proud to consider you a sister.
If nobles wish to ignore the Grandmasters of the Faith Militant because of their prejudices against their origins, or because they dislike the Faith, then so be it. It says more of them than it does of you or indeed my own Master. The hubris that they show is allowing the Abyss a path into their hearts and souls, and I would rather they announce their weakness so we know where to watch.
I am an orphan, born of no-one, heir to nothing. There is nothing before me, nothing in my wake. And I will always be proud to consider you a sister.
Written By Preston
July 11, 2018, 5:53 p.m.(3/5/1009 AR)
Ah. Duels. They always provide such emotion.
Looking over the whites, the one mistake I see is the declaration that someone has or has not offended Gloria. It is not for a secular man, no matter his power or station, to declare if he has offended the Gods or not. Even in the Faith, it is not for the Templars to declare our own wars righteous, but it is for the Archlector of Gloria, the Legate of Arts or the Dominus to do so.
Consult with the Disciples of Gloria, with Godsworn, with her Archlector, then listen to them when they say whether actions offend the Gods or not. Because it would be a horrid thing to walk your life thinking you had not offended Gloria, and then to reach for her in your moment of need and find only scorn.
Looking over the whites, the one mistake I see is the declaration that someone has or has not offended Gloria. It is not for a secular man, no matter his power or station, to declare if he has offended the Gods or not. Even in the Faith, it is not for the Templars to declare our own wars righteous, but it is for the Archlector of Gloria, the Legate of Arts or the Dominus to do so.
Consult with the Disciples of Gloria, with Godsworn, with her Archlector, then listen to them when they say whether actions offend the Gods or not. Because it would be a horrid thing to walk your life thinking you had not offended Gloria, and then to reach for her in your moment of need and find only scorn.
Written By Preston
July 2, 2018, 4:16 a.m.(2/13/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lydia
You place it as bigoted and attack the Faith for its choice, Duchess, yet I notice you do not accept vassals who are also sworn to other lords. Prince Darren does not accept knights who are also sworn to Thrax or to Grayson. We expect those who serve the Faith to believe the words of the Faith. We accept people from all fealties, we do not demand obedience over other temporal lords except from our Godsworn. We accommodate everyone from the liberals of the Lyceum to the most strident Oathlander. And all we ask is that they believe in the Faith in order to represent us. The Faith has no place for any others raised to the level of the Gods, raised to the level of worship. Yes. How dastardly we are.
Written By Preston
June 26, 2018, 9:18 a.m.(2/2/1009 AR)
I'll be honest, I've never fully understood why some ruling nobles wouldn't want to be friends of the Faith. I know that not all noble lords consider themselves pious, though I am sure all are dutiful to the Gods. The Faith though cares for the poor, orphaned and sick across Arvum. We are in every parish. Every hold. Every village. And the rightful tithes are redistributed across the land as we pay to provide these services. It seems you would want your smiths chosen to provide for the Knights of Solace. You'd be wanting your horse breeders animals chosen to provide for competitions - I will admit myself that we have a great deal of pride in some of our finer stallions and warhorses that have come from the Valardin lands, and look forward to seeing the horses of Saik to consider some for purchase when we help out that Barony soon. It seems you would want to champion your hold and its goods to the Faith. You would want the help of the Faith to just provide that extra support of our troops to guard your people as you expand your land. You would want to get to know the Lodge of petrichor, learn their secrets of the land. At least to me. Is not prosperity one of the duties of the noble? To ensure at his passing his people are happier, healthier and better off than when his reign started? But. There are many routes to that. And I accept that it is a freedom to choose to decide indifference to the Faith, to view us as a simple support apparatus. It does not impact on any of the services we provide to your people, so I suppose in many ways if you wish for a life free of the Faith you can just ignore us as we toil around your lands to help others. The Templars will still defend you. The scholars will record. The lodge will help you plant your seed and tend your animals. The Solace will still patrol your roads. That's fine.
But what truly baffles me. What confuses me. What renders me mute in surprise? It is the fact that some noble lords seem to desire to be active enemies of the Faith, her clergy and the people. To oppose the good work of the Gods - to be obstinate. Of course, providing that opposition does not take tangible form, they may well be fine. But it seems like the work of a very disturbed mind to choose to hate the representatives of the Gods and to place oneself on that cliff edge.
But what truly baffles me. What confuses me. What renders me mute in surprise? It is the fact that some noble lords seem to desire to be active enemies of the Faith, her clergy and the people. To oppose the good work of the Gods - to be obstinate. Of course, providing that opposition does not take tangible form, they may well be fine. But it seems like the work of a very disturbed mind to choose to hate the representatives of the Gods and to place oneself on that cliff edge.
Written By Preston
June 25, 2018, 5:26 p.m.(1/28/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
Aleksei Morgan, formerly Aleksei Godsworn, formerly Aleksei Morgan...
Yes he was released from his oath. For reason and cause. However, he did atone for this. He debased himself before the Gods. He did this because he discovered he was not free to make the oaths he did. Had we known about his son, he would never have become Blessed Aleksei. Had he known? He would not have followed a calling that he felt.
In his time as Aleksei Godsworn however, he served the Faith with a great deal more honour than I see from many in the city. He was loyal. Obviously he was wrong, because despite his Oathlands upbringing he remains an unrepentant liberal. But he was also good. And virtuous. And kind. And he did what must be done even when it was not the easy path. He championed Skald in a way that means it is hard to imagine Skald's disciples without Aleksei at their head.
He also became our friend. And I remain proud to consider him that. That friendship does not die because we regret his actions, his ignorance of certain facts - things he could not necessarily control. And, this is the key difference that some who seek to attack him by comparing him to the castigation of divorcees recently fail to grasp - he did not seek to return to his station in life. He is no longer Blessed. No longer Godsworn. He is no longer a man commanding the respect many nobles would wish, but instead he is a common man. He sought punishment, he atoned, and he was humbled.
Yes he was released from his oath. For reason and cause. However, he did atone for this. He debased himself before the Gods. He did this because he discovered he was not free to make the oaths he did. Had we known about his son, he would never have become Blessed Aleksei. Had he known? He would not have followed a calling that he felt.
In his time as Aleksei Godsworn however, he served the Faith with a great deal more honour than I see from many in the city. He was loyal. Obviously he was wrong, because despite his Oathlands upbringing he remains an unrepentant liberal. But he was also good. And virtuous. And kind. And he did what must be done even when it was not the easy path. He championed Skald in a way that means it is hard to imagine Skald's disciples without Aleksei at their head.
He also became our friend. And I remain proud to consider him that. That friendship does not die because we regret his actions, his ignorance of certain facts - things he could not necessarily control. And, this is the key difference that some who seek to attack him by comparing him to the castigation of divorcees recently fail to grasp - he did not seek to return to his station in life. He is no longer Blessed. No longer Godsworn. He is no longer a man commanding the respect many nobles would wish, but instead he is a common man. He sought punishment, he atoned, and he was humbled.
Written By Preston
June 25, 2018, 10:39 a.m.(1/28/1009 AR)
When a noble is learning to count his coin, a Godsworn is studying the Gods. When a noble is exploring his lands to see what he rules, a Godsworn is on pilgrimage to see all the places of the Gods. When a noble is learning how to sit and deal in councils and courts, a Godsworn is engaged in deep contemplation on the nature of the Gods. When a noble is building walls to defend his people, a Godsworn is preaching and speaking to the people to fortify their hearts and Faith against evil. When a noble is ruling, a Godsworn is praying.
We do not tell you what crops to get your people to sow, we do not tell you what design for your castles you should use, we do not even tell you where to send your armies. We will advise where our specialism, such as the priests of Petrichor and crops, comes into it - but only ever that. A suggestion, not an argument.
We do not tell you what crops to get your people to sow, we do not tell you what design for your castles you should use, we do not even tell you where to send your armies. We will advise where our specialism, such as the priests of Petrichor and crops, comes into it - but only ever that. A suggestion, not an argument.
Written By Preston
June 24, 2018, 3:29 p.m.(1/26/1009 AR)
Let me preface this by saying, for those reading who are unaware, I am a Templar. A Godsworn priest and knight of the Faith. I have watched public worship of the Thirteenth, and no it is not to my liking. The questioning and introduction of doubt where none existed before, it is not the way I was raised to act and believe.
That said, the style of worship in parishes is up to Seraphs and their flock. For public order reasons I would tend to agree that it is immensely unwise to hold a Lycene-style rite to Tehom with all the cavorting and what not it entails in the middle of Sanctum. However, worship is a matter for the Faith. And I am quite certain Prince Edain has not outlawed anything to do with the Faith, because I would be getting missives from the Seraph of Sanctum for the Grandmaster.
That said, the style of worship in parishes is up to Seraphs and their flock. For public order reasons I would tend to agree that it is immensely unwise to hold a Lycene-style rite to Tehom with all the cavorting and what not it entails in the middle of Sanctum. However, worship is a matter for the Faith. And I am quite certain Prince Edain has not outlawed anything to do with the Faith, because I would be getting missives from the Seraph of Sanctum for the Grandmaster.
Written By Preston
June 24, 2018, 1:24 p.m.(1/26/1009 AR)
Wait, did I just see an idea that the Faith should be the one bending to accept the spirits and it would be better for that?
I am forever impressed at how scholars record things without snapping their quills.
I am forever impressed at how scholars record things without snapping their quills.
Written By Preston
June 22, 2018, 12:36 p.m.(1/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Jeffeth
How does anyone not recognise Sir Jeffeth? He can gather geese with a rake.
Written By Preston
June 17, 2018, 1:18 p.m.(1/12/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I don't know what the reasons are, nor do I care. You took a heavy burden to help the Faith, and were willing to give your life to it. Whatever has drawn you away, I am sure is important. After your penance, you will always be a welcome guest at the Templar compound and I will always wish for you the very best.
Written By Preston
June 17, 2018, 8:48 a.m.(1/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Asger
The Duke brings up Stormwall and what was seen. I could answer him in three ways. First I could say that what we saw was lightning - this occurs all the time. And often strikes the tallest trees in the forest. And what taller trees are there on the ocean than trebuchets on boats? But, that is a cowardly answer. I could answer that where he puts down actions to the intervention of spirits answering the prayers of his shamans, I put down to the actions of Mangata and of Petrichor, answering the prayers of the many thousands of Godsworn struggling at that time outside his walls. But that is a zealot's answer.
What I would instead answer is that, let us suppose the spirits are real. Rabbits are also real. But we do not worship rabbits. We thank Petrichor for his bounty. Medicinal herbs are real, and we thank Lagoma for her mercy we do not thank the herb. The Rectory is real, but we do not worship its hewn stone. We thank Jayus for his craft guiding the hands of the masons. If the spirits are real, they are - as all things are - creations of the Gods, or of the Abyss. If you deny that they are of the Gods, you accept they are of the Abyss. If you accept they are of the Gods, then we thank the Gods for that and worship the Gods for that bounty.
I am accused often of seeing the world in black and white. Good and evil. It is true. Because we have seen what happens when you allow even a hint of grey. The slippery slope that it becomes. Men like Abbas were born of that grey, where you can cross at will from good to evil providing you can justify the ends. That isn't what we should strive to be. And yes, we will fail. Because we are mortal. But we will pick ourselves up after each failure and strive again to be good, to be pious and to be the greatness the Gods deserve in their followers.
What I would instead answer is that, let us suppose the spirits are real. Rabbits are also real. But we do not worship rabbits. We thank Petrichor for his bounty. Medicinal herbs are real, and we thank Lagoma for her mercy we do not thank the herb. The Rectory is real, but we do not worship its hewn stone. We thank Jayus for his craft guiding the hands of the masons. If the spirits are real, they are - as all things are - creations of the Gods, or of the Abyss. If you deny that they are of the Gods, you accept they are of the Abyss. If you accept they are of the Gods, then we thank the Gods for that and worship the Gods for that bounty.
I am accused often of seeing the world in black and white. Good and evil. It is true. Because we have seen what happens when you allow even a hint of grey. The slippery slope that it becomes. Men like Abbas were born of that grey, where you can cross at will from good to evil providing you can justify the ends. That isn't what we should strive to be. And yes, we will fail. Because we are mortal. But we will pick ourselves up after each failure and strive again to be good, to be pious and to be the greatness the Gods deserve in their followers.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.