Written By Raven
April 25, 2022, 10:14 p.m.(7/13/1017 AR)
I truely need to learn to stop and think. I can't fathom why it's so hard a thing for me. Mission for this week: keep my trap shut and behave.
Written By Tikva
April 25, 2022, 3:34 p.m.(7/12/1017 AR)
I am a dust mote floating in a ray of light, adrift in the air around me but whirling with each change in the breeze. I glitter as the shine of the sunbeam passes through the window so that you can observe me in my travel and guess at my direction. Without me, the light would still exist, and the afternoon would only be mildly less picturesque.
Yet the infinitesimally small change that would be created by my absence is one that I treasure, because the beauty of the piece is in its wholeness, and I regret nothing about being here. Shine on, light, and I will whirl on with you.
You do not need to make a huge change in the world to matter. Whether you are the mote of dust, the light, the window, the room at large: you are part of the painting, you belong, and your presence enriches the whole.
We are all tiny fragments of a great work of art. Dismiss none.
I just couldn't make this song work so now it's just words on a page. I am stymied, but what I imagine is still meaningful. I only wish I could share it in clear enough terms so that the meaning could reach your heart from mine.
Yet the infinitesimally small change that would be created by my absence is one that I treasure, because the beauty of the piece is in its wholeness, and I regret nothing about being here. Shine on, light, and I will whirl on with you.
You do not need to make a huge change in the world to matter. Whether you are the mote of dust, the light, the window, the room at large: you are part of the painting, you belong, and your presence enriches the whole.
We are all tiny fragments of a great work of art. Dismiss none.
I just couldn't make this song work so now it's just words on a page. I am stymied, but what I imagine is still meaningful. I only wish I could share it in clear enough terms so that the meaning could reach your heart from mine.
Written By Celine
April 25, 2022, 1:42 p.m.(7/12/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Erik
I wrote in The Whites a short while ago that you should never judge a book by its cover, and I find myself quite hilariously guilty of that today. Lord Erik Grimhall gave me a gift that ran so counter to my nature that it was a challenge not to appear disenchanted with each layer of wrapping removed. Closer inspection however revealed that what I had believed to be the gift, merely hid the true one in its pages, and the true gift in its turn, hid a secret of its own.
Bravo Lord Erik. You fooled me completely.
Bravo Lord Erik. You fooled me completely.
Written By Preston
April 25, 2022, 4:55 a.m.(7/11/1017 AR)
To be a knight is a most solemn thing for all. It is true, for a common person it can indeed be a greater change - a chance to be seen, to advance, but that is a byproduct of it. And the importance, the solemnity, applies whether it is a noble or a commoner. It is not simply a saying of words, or the meeting of some arbitrary goal. You give your oaths, before the Gods and your people. You swear your service to another, not to yourself or your own needs. The test, if there is one, is to choose wisely to whom you grant your service. For you are bound, by oath, to them. And in turn that they accept you, knowing your dishonour will also be theirs, just as theirs is yours.
I am perhaps lucky, as a Knight of the Faith. The Gods and the Faith will never act in dishonour, and yet in turn this places on me the fact that any dishonour on my part tarnishes so great a thing. It is why we are harsh with those who fall, yet allow the door open to redemption. It is why we are so protective of these ideals. And of course, if our people should ever think an oath a trivial thing, so the compact falls.
I am perhaps lucky, as a Knight of the Faith. The Gods and the Faith will never act in dishonour, and yet in turn this places on me the fact that any dishonour on my part tarnishes so great a thing. It is why we are harsh with those who fall, yet allow the door open to redemption. It is why we are so protective of these ideals. And of course, if our people should ever think an oath a trivial thing, so the compact falls.
Written By Orland
April 24, 2022, 10:05 p.m.(7/11/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
Savio is the only man who will ever be able to hit me with a pillow and live to talk about it! My life would be very different without my husband in it. Every pillow thwap that he makes to remind me to be a better person and not goad people, is especially heart warming. I love this man.
Written By Raven
April 24, 2022, 9:41 p.m.(7/11/1017 AR)
Eventually this will pass. Eventually.
Written By Piccola
April 24, 2022, 8:27 p.m.(7/11/1017 AR)
The half-wit, when he observes an object which is bathed in the glow of a seeming beauty, thinks that that object is in its essence beautiful.
The wise general, whose mind's eye is clear, will instead see the ladder by which she climbs to the prospect of true beauty.
The wise general, whose mind's eye is clear, will instead see the ladder by which she climbs to the prospect of true beauty.
Written By Lucita
April 24, 2022, 7:39 p.m.(7/11/1017 AR)
It has been a busy week at Saik tower, no time to get out and see friends till I get this paperwork finished, maybe soon.
Written By Sunaia
April 24, 2022, 5:19 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Congratulations, Sir Pasquale!
Keep calm, Lead, and Save the medic.
Keep calm, Lead, and Save the medic.
Written By Fairen
April 24, 2022, 4:28 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Recently I've been making more of a study of alchemy: a self-defense strategem, I say, as I watch family members craft compounds that may or may not be toxic and invite me to sample them.
(So far, I live.)
It's been quite a fascinating study, and I've learned from noted alchemists including Lady Mabelle and the Apothecary's College faculty, including Auda and Orick. Each of them has had their own approach and their own interests, approaching from different angles. My initial study was born out of a study of the special properties of the flora of Arvum, which we very much take for granted. Many of the teas and tinctures that we use may in fact be more efficacious than those of other lands, which is something I note with particular interest.
All of that aside, I have also had the opportunity to put my hand to blending a few compounds and creating a few scent formulations. I had the privilege of putting forth an entry in the recent contest hosted by the Dominus to create a new anointin oil -- and I was immediately taken by the idea of selecting ingredients for all the gods to create a single scent for Aion that captured them all.
(I confess that I may have tailored my entry to the Dominus's tastes as well, by centering Death's theme in the overall scent.)
The competition was remarkable, and I truly don't understand how some of those scents were created, which suggests I have more yet to learn. I was honored to be chosen in the end, and look forward with working with the Faith's alchemists to recreate the scent.
I may have been too enthusiastic and created too many pamphlets on the processes of distillation and enfleurage, however.
(So far, I live.)
It's been quite a fascinating study, and I've learned from noted alchemists including Lady Mabelle and the Apothecary's College faculty, including Auda and Orick. Each of them has had their own approach and their own interests, approaching from different angles. My initial study was born out of a study of the special properties of the flora of Arvum, which we very much take for granted. Many of the teas and tinctures that we use may in fact be more efficacious than those of other lands, which is something I note with particular interest.
All of that aside, I have also had the opportunity to put my hand to blending a few compounds and creating a few scent formulations. I had the privilege of putting forth an entry in the recent contest hosted by the Dominus to create a new anointin oil -- and I was immediately taken by the idea of selecting ingredients for all the gods to create a single scent for Aion that captured them all.
(I confess that I may have tailored my entry to the Dominus's tastes as well, by centering Death's theme in the overall scent.)
The competition was remarkable, and I truly don't understand how some of those scents were created, which suggests I have more yet to learn. I was honored to be chosen in the end, and look forward with working with the Faith's alchemists to recreate the scent.
I may have been too enthusiastic and created too many pamphlets on the processes of distillation and enfleurage, however.
Written By Aureth
April 24, 2022, 3:55 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
I am very pleased by the results of the festival of fragrance today. The turnout was excellent and people seemed very inclined to enjoy the day. The votes were tallied and the white team's malty, foamy ale with its bitter bite was the crowd favorite. I hope the parishioners of the Sanctum congregation enjoy it at their harvest festival this year.
While there were several beautiful fragrances, I am pleased to announce that the winner is a new anointing oil for the Dreamer, composed as a set of notes blended from all the Pantheon by Marquis Fairen Leary. The Faith made a gift to him of our jade stone, which I believe he intends to put to the science.
Mangata blessed us with a sunny day and we returned her a laughing festival. Praises be for all under the brilliant sky and may all your days carry the sweetness of running water with them.
While there were several beautiful fragrances, I am pleased to announce that the winner is a new anointing oil for the Dreamer, composed as a set of notes blended from all the Pantheon by Marquis Fairen Leary. The Faith made a gift to him of our jade stone, which I believe he intends to put to the science.
Mangata blessed us with a sunny day and we returned her a laughing festival. Praises be for all under the brilliant sky and may all your days carry the sweetness of running water with them.
Written By Lisebet
April 24, 2022, 3:40 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Crumble is a big hit with the children, though I fear the laundry staff may quit. Somehow they did manage to get the cake out of my dress though. I'm not going to ask how.
Written By Pasquale
April 24, 2022, 2:40 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
How strange to finally be able to call myself a Knight after all those years of thinking it unachievable.
Written By Ida
April 24, 2022, 2:13 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
I finally managed to make some of the dark-hued daggers I wrote about being inspired to make. I have a few more designs of them that I hope to get into the shop, but a good number made their way there the last day or so. I've enjoyed trying to blend hints of color into the dark metal and seeing what they feel like. Twilight, ice on a frozen pond, cool autumn mornings... There are more than I expected, maybe, and I'm a bit excited to try different blends.
Written By Elora
April 24, 2022, 1:48 p.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Softest Whisper Aconite asked me to help mount a talent show and exhibition for the animals and pets of Arx. I could -not- be more delighted.
Written By Kiera
April 24, 2022, 11:01 a.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Another evening of fun and sweets hosted by the laurents. I was expecting cake as advertissed but puppies. Though in retrospect, it somehow seems as though I should have and i'm not quite certain what that says. Also, I learned that there are aparently some people who don't like cake. Can you imagine?
Written By Kiera
April 24, 2022, 10:53 a.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Relationship Note on Vitalis
The treasuring of our friendship is mutual. my friendship with vitalis i unlike any other. We share scholarly pursuits and can talk about subjects of mutual interst for hours but our association is far from disapassionate intellectual. We care deeply about each other as individuals and he is one of a handful of people around which I can truly be myself
Written By Thea
April 24, 2022, 9:43 a.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
The weather is finally warmer. The touch of sun on my skin. I took Calo to the beach and he laughed as the waves splashed against his legs. He dug his toes in the sand. And tried to eat it....I'm pretty sure he was disappointed it didn't taste as good as he hoped.
Written By Rosalind
April 24, 2022, 9:39 a.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
Planning a new adventure. And no, scholar. Not camping! Why, did you want to go?!
Written By Rosalind
April 24, 2022, 9:37 a.m.(7/10/1017 AR)
The house is full of the noise of....children. It's sorta amazing!
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.