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Written By Sparte

Nov. 14, 2017, 2:54 p.m.(8/2/1007 AR)

I am at my wits end with Tom. She brought back a dead cat today. I mean, a full sized dead cat. Carried it like catch of the day. I know the cats sometimes attack her, and this looks like a stray, but what am I going to do with it? Why is she murdering bloody mouse catchers? I'm desperate to get her into the care of someone who can get her to behave half-way better at this point.

Written By Sparte

Nov. 12, 2017, 10:43 p.m.(7/27/1007 AR)

I got a new shirt today. The last one was torn after a bit of unexpected interactions on the job. Credit to the crafter, it is quite like the one that was damaged, and she mended the old one at no extra charge.

It gets me thinking that maybe I should at least wear the metal chest armor again though, while working. I'm not fond of it these days, but it seems to make a big difference for the unexpected.

Written By Sparte

Nov. 12, 2017, 9:48 a.m.(7/26/1007 AR)

Sometimes the right decision isn't the one people want to see made. How do you mend a bridge when it was cut from the other side?

Written By Sparte

Nov. 7, 2017, 10:27 p.m.(7/17/1007 AR)

I don't feel like I should be too specific about some things in journals these days. I know some people just write black journals, but that feels like just being specific to a few very bookish people and snubbing everyone else.

I found out today that somebody - who I thought was a little crazy and I hope she forgives me for that - was right and wrong about me. Right in a way she probably didn't expect, wrong in a way that got my hopes up. I don't know how to feel about things, but I guess being vague is the best way to acknowledge that things happened and now I'm more confused.

Written By Sparte

Oct. 22, 2017, 10:49 a.m.(6/12/1007 AR)

I've always kept bug repellant as part of my kit, because dealing with angry bugs is miserable. Yet somehow the first time it comes up, I'm positioned elsewhere. Not sure if I'm thankful or not for being spared that.

Written By Sparte

Oct. 15, 2017, 12:35 p.m.(5/26/1007 AR)

I've been using leathers instead of the standard issue steel for a few months now. I don't miss feeling like I was going to have heat stroke at midday, or the weight of it. On the other hand, I don't really feel protected as I was. Going back is unwelcoming, but I certainly felt my scrapes and bruises a lot less. I wonder if Valardin worry about things like this?

Written By Sparte

Oct. 13, 2017, 3:56 p.m.(5/22/1007 AR)

Tiny Tom has been going missing for days at a time lately. I don't know where she is going, but she is coming back with knicks and scratches. I'm worried what'll happen next time I leave her by herself so I can travel.

Written By Sparte

Oct. 8, 2017, 10:42 p.m.(5/13/1007 AR)

A quiet week. I don't remember when I last had one of those. I managed to catch up on my paperwork and did some of my regular patrols. Things were quiet. I know I'll be heading out again and I should just enjoy the break, so why don't I?

Written By Sparte

Oct. 1, 2017, 11:14 p.m.(4/26/1007 AR)


Sparte's Big Dumb Fish Recipe

Thrax fishes up a lot of fish that are pretty common at market, and then there is the occasional beastly sized one. This recipe calls for a grilling surface at least as long as the fish.

Ingredients
Your big dumb fish. Cleaned, de-boned, and skinned if it doesn't have scales. (Wisdom from a Thrax Sailor - You'll get so sick you'll wish you died)
A mixture of lard, salt flakes, and spices to taste. You need enough to cover the entire fish, inside and out.
Juice from a bitter citrus. Bigger fish, get more citrus.

Prep Step - The Beast

Now I don't know what you caught or how you caught it, but you have a big fish that is at least as long as your arm. You could cut it into little pieces and cook it like a regular fish, but there is no fun or spectacle in that. After you've cleaned and deboned the fish (and skinned it if needed) you will want to turn it into two giant fillets of meat. Pay attention to the thickness. For every finger's length of thickness, add an additional coating of your lard blend. You'll need to whip up a surface to cook this on that'll get solidly hot, but you don't want to burn it. Make sure you can support your monstrosity on the cooking surface you've setup while still being able to tend to the flame and keep the temperature controlled. If it is too big of a challenge, cut the fish lengthwise to thin it as many times as needed. Never cook something thicker than a working hand this way.

Cooking

You should have your cooking surface setup, your fish cut and cleaned, and properly coated by now. Get your fire going and lay the fish out. You want the fire hot, but not hot enough to blacken the fish prematurely. You may need an experienced cook to help you manage the fire. If the fish starts to smoke at any point that is your signal to flip the fillet. After you flip it, hit the topside with some of the juiced citrus. Be liberal, spread it around. After you've flipped it twice and coated it, cut into the middle of the fish to check if it has cooked through. If at least two thirds of the meat looks cooked, you're good to take it off the heat. If less than a third of the fish looks cooked then your heat is too high, toss some water on the flames so it'll smoke but not go out. Double the cook time and pray you didn't just ruin your monster fish.

Suggested serving method: On large wooden tray, or planks if size requires. Enjoy.

Written By Sparte

Oct. 1, 2017, 10:49 p.m.(4/26/1007 AR)


Sparte's Shrimp Recipe

I don't want to say anyone I sailed with or stayed with on my trip to Maelstrom can't cook, but they certainly cook things differently. This is my take on how to make some of their dishes more like the ones I enjoy.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons of Butter
1 pound fresh Maelstrom shrimp
2 cups of sea water, strained well
3 tablespoons of Honeyed Whiskey (Make friends with someone in Laurent)
A sharp spice to taste - I used Saffron

Prep Step - Salt Flakes

This takes a while, but you can do it in advance. Pour the sea water into a cooking pan and heat it very gently. Avoid a boil. After about an hour, the water will have all left and you'll be left with the salt from it. Once the water is no longer visible, scrape the bottom of the pan. You'll have made your own salt flakes, which can be used for other recipes as well.

Cooking

Put half the Butter into your pan and heat it so it melts and spreads. Add the shrimp to the pan, still in their shells, in a single layer. Lightly season them with some of the salt flakes. Don't shift them once you put them in the pan, they're start to brown after a few minutes. Add the rest of the butter, shift the pan so it gets less heat but can still bring a light boil. Turn the shrimp and continue to cook, shaking the pan, for about half a minute. Take off heat and add the Honeyed Whiskey, stirring it around in the pan so they're coated. Season with remain salt flakes and your spice of choice.

Enjoy.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 28, 2017, 11:42 a.m.(4/18/1007 AR)

I can't say I've been mistaken for a servant before. Maybe that woman was just singling me out as someone who wasn't all silks and station. It was probably just her, but I'm left wondering if others see me in a similar light.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 24, 2017, 11:52 a.m.(4/10/1007 AR)

Finally back in Arx. It isn't that I dislike boats or water, but it was so strange being on an island. I hadn't realized how much good seafood there is out there, or how sick the bad seafood can make you. Though it was the first time in a while I was able to eat a carrot safely.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 18, 2017, 10:33 a.m.(3/26/1007 AR)

Thrax decor is everything I was promised. Mostly the promises were made by people who didn't like me, or wanted to scare me. The taxidermy is unpleasant, the murals are hideous, and that is just what is in the common areas.

Yet I learned something interesting. This wasn't originally Thrax decor. I'll be pushing this theory with some of the Thrax higher ups. If by some minor miracle they believe me, this island may become a far more pleasant place to visit.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 10, 2017, 8:10 p.m.(3/10/1007 AR)

A terrible battle. We lost several good men and woman, well over a dozen. I've been trying to help one fellow who has been on the edge ever since the battle. The mercies arn't sure if he'll recover or not. I'm told his name is Rolf, and that he has a wife and children back in the city. With the loss of the wagons that burned, it isn't sure how we'll get him back to the city in this condition. The mercies hope he recovers enough before we need to head back, and I'm doing what I can for him. I'm no mercy, and each day I realize that is truer than the last.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 6, 2017, 11:29 p.m.(2/28/1007 AR)

Forgotten winds of distant north, the might of ancient gray. Beneath your bower hang the hearts of men. By moon's light we fight our fight and soon become all killers, shadows follow red soaked feet as we walk away.

Petrichor, Petrichor, please forgive our trespass. Lagoma's light, come along, and wash away our shame. Jayus we give this song, belt in the wrong places.

Death take these fallen lives, and carry them away. Somewhere better, somewhere brighter, where war is well forgotten. Forgive us Gloria, who steels our blades, no joy is in this day.

Forgotten winds of distant North, the might of ancient gray. Beneath your bower, ever lower, hang the hearts of men. By moon's light we fought our fight, and the survivors wear the memories. Our deeds we see reflected back by blood and morning dew.

Sentinel, Sentinel, we fought to keep the order. Mangata, as day breaks, we know you've seen us through. Vellichor, I give these words, on tear stained paper. We are free, this fight our choice, and we fight to keep it that way.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 6, 2017, 11:07 p.m.(2/28/1007 AR)

The battles in the Gray Forest have been bloody. I kept my hands clean when I could, but nobody is coming out of this without the stain of it. I saw Grayson Guardsmen dead today, those they protected taken simply because they were there, to die to sate a band of lunatics. I shed a great deal of blood today, though it was not as a soldier should at the direction of others. It was by my hand, in my way, by my choice. I suspect there are some who think less of me for it, and perhaps they are right to do so.

Written By Sparte

Sept. 3, 2017, 12:12 a.m.(2/20/1007 AR)

My arm is finally servicable again. The mercies tell me to give it time to be sure, but it is flipping amazing to not have to wear that sling anymore. I've had a lot of time to think about things while on the mend, it was a good break. Today I was back in armor for the first time, and what do you know. I think I kind of missed the feel. Here is hoping it does me more good next time.

Written By Sparte

Aug. 26, 2017, 6:14 p.m.(2/5/1007 AR)

I've had a lot of time to think while my arm mends, and people really like going through journals. So here is something for people to work out.

I am never the same color as my parents in life, and shine like gold as I die. What am I?

Written By Sparte

Aug. 25, 2017, 1:03 p.m.(2/3/1007 AR)

I gave the horse I've been using for Gray Forest trips, Betsy, a really harsh run because of an emergency the other day. She is still really sore with me, and I've already given her several treats and even washed her down myself. It may be that Tiny Tom's attitudes are starting to rub off on her. I really hope not, that'll make every trip a new headache.

Written By Sparte

Aug. 24, 2017, 5:46 p.m.(2/1/1007 AR)

(This is an entire page of Sparte practicing writing things with his off hand. It isn't as clean as his usual writing)

A few days ago I got to leave Arx on a mission with some others. While I was on that mission some guy name Fin or something punched me in my arm and broke it. I don't know how long it'll take my arm to heal, but I am absolutely getting a rematch if nobody else gets the guy before I do.

Happier tidings, I got to draw my first map. It was only a copy really of another map, but I have to start somewhere. Hoping I get to go someplace unmapped one day. After I'm better at cartography.

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