Written By Ennettia
March 22, 2018, 11:58 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
(Sent to the archives via messenger)
A most wicked, evil woman. I loathe you, your friends, my friends, and the world entire beyond my curtained bed this morning. Next time I shall remember someone with such charming tales of youthful vigor is prone to leading others into evil.
That said, I shall finish my delightful glass of mulled and spice wine and sleep. I will undoubtedly adore your company immensely when the world ceases being so horribly vocal about everything.
A most wicked, evil woman. I loathe you, your friends, my friends, and the world entire beyond my curtained bed this morning. Next time I shall remember someone with such charming tales of youthful vigor is prone to leading others into evil.
That said, I shall finish my delightful glass of mulled and spice wine and sleep. I will undoubtedly adore your company immensely when the world ceases being so horribly vocal about everything.
Written By Morrighan
March 22, 2018, 11:57 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Yes, yes I am.
Written By Joscelin
March 22, 2018, 11:56 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Agatha
It was worth it. I was second place in the game and I made a small collection of friends who witnessed my humility. It kept me from hunting down wayward Grayhopes. I have no regrets.
Written By Agatha
March 22, 2018, 11:52 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Morrighan
You did not let her try the Foolsbane, did you? Oh, poor Guildmaster. I hope you put her somewhere safe to sleep and, well, the things her poor stomach will do. Her head is going to be a land of hammers today isn't it?
Written By Joscelin
March 22, 2018, 11:52 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Morrighan
I'm breathing too loudly. I can barely proper my diction and you're just happily scribbling away, giggling. I know you are. I can -feel- it.
Written By Morrighan
March 22, 2018, 11:49 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
One does not simply consume the 'shine and not have consequences later. I -did- warn you. It was amusing to watch, however.
Also, Valery has wonderful herbs for a tea to take care of your splitting skull.
Also, Valery has wonderful herbs for a tea to take care of your splitting skull.
Written By Joscelin
March 22, 2018, 11:46 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Morrighan
why do you let me make poor life decisions why
Written By Cadenza
March 22, 2018, 11:01 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
To my mother:
Your eldest is getting married; shocking I know. After all these years of you probably watching me grow and be who I am...you probably never thought it was a possibility. Pretty sure that father thought I was a lost cause....he said so quite a few times. But I think he says things like that because he misses you so. You two were so in love...so perfect for one another. It's no wonder you did what you did...and I understand now.
I wish you could have been here to see this day. I wish you could be there. You would have loved Iggy....he might have tried to charm you to make sure that you did. If I still had anything of yours....I'd wear it on that day....but I don't. Perhaps it is a good thing....to be myself on that day. If I had my way I'd just get married in my armor and go sparring after but.....for once....I will do you proud. I want to make you proud.
I felt you that day on the field. I hope you were looking down on me with pride as I kept going in closer to find those commanders. I hope there was a smile on your face as I raised my sword for the Lyceum. I held your fire, your strength, your determination....as I faced my own fears to do what needed to be done. I still blame myself for your death....even though I was a child.....father was resentful but I think it was out of pain. Time has passed and even though I look back and know what you did was to protect your family....I still feel at fault.
[A few tear drops are scattered upon the page here.]
This is the start of a new chapter of my life....a scary chapter but an exciting and happy. Perhaps I will find a way to be useful. I won't be running off at sea for years at a time anymore....so now I need to find a new purpose. I've already found joy and purpose as First Seeker of the Explorers. I think you'd proud; all that times getting trapped and beat up has paid off. With things calming down for now, I can focus on assisting Princess Lou further as she needs.
I miss you mother...
Your eldest is getting married; shocking I know. After all these years of you probably watching me grow and be who I am...you probably never thought it was a possibility. Pretty sure that father thought I was a lost cause....he said so quite a few times. But I think he says things like that because he misses you so. You two were so in love...so perfect for one another. It's no wonder you did what you did...and I understand now.
I wish you could have been here to see this day. I wish you could be there. You would have loved Iggy....he might have tried to charm you to make sure that you did. If I still had anything of yours....I'd wear it on that day....but I don't. Perhaps it is a good thing....to be myself on that day. If I had my way I'd just get married in my armor and go sparring after but.....for once....I will do you proud. I want to make you proud.
I felt you that day on the field. I hope you were looking down on me with pride as I kept going in closer to find those commanders. I hope there was a smile on your face as I raised my sword for the Lyceum. I held your fire, your strength, your determination....as I faced my own fears to do what needed to be done. I still blame myself for your death....even though I was a child.....father was resentful but I think it was out of pain. Time has passed and even though I look back and know what you did was to protect your family....I still feel at fault.
[A few tear drops are scattered upon the page here.]
This is the start of a new chapter of my life....a scary chapter but an exciting and happy. Perhaps I will find a way to be useful. I won't be running off at sea for years at a time anymore....so now I need to find a new purpose. I've already found joy and purpose as First Seeker of the Explorers. I think you'd proud; all that times getting trapped and beat up has paid off. With things calming down for now, I can focus on assisting Princess Lou further as she needs.
I miss you mother...
Written By Samantha
March 22, 2018, 10:18 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
It's not my business to interfere in the exchange of two siblings, but something said struck me as particularly odd - that to accept oaths and properties and title is to accept the Path of Chains. As both a Marquessa and a Liberator, I cannot agree with this idea. Skald values freedom, and the very essence of that is the freedom to choose. Whether you refuse or accept oaths, properties, or title is a choice that one should have the freedom to make.
Goodness knows Old Oak has a sizable, peaceful, and proud population of Prodigals who maintain their own customs and faith, and when asked to come to the aid of the Compact for the good of all, were there for the citizens of Arx during the Siege.
Choice is the paramount right of freedom.
Goodness knows Old Oak has a sizable, peaceful, and proud population of Prodigals who maintain their own customs and faith, and when asked to come to the aid of the Compact for the good of all, were there for the citizens of Arx during the Siege.
Choice is the paramount right of freedom.
Written By Yasmine
March 22, 2018, 10:05 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Vano
Strange to see a man that sold out the ideals of his own people now use those same people to score points on the Faith. You claim to be of the Ravashari shamanistic ways, yet by taking castles and lands and the oaths that accompany them, you have abandoned the very charge the Ravashari were given by Skald. You have embraced the Path of Chains, brother. You should get right with your own Faith before you try to insult and fight another.
Written By Niklas
March 22, 2018, 9:26 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
This discount book of bird training isn't worth the money I didn't actually pay for it.
Written By Mydas
March 22, 2018, 9:24 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Serafine
I am sorry you did not live to see these times, sister, when we could acknowledge each other as such. That your death proved to be the catalyst hardly seems to make up for it, does it? I've looked back on our correspondence, our promise to find the time to spend with one-another, when we would not be so pressed for time.
It's those little things that hammer in the fact that you're gone. I hope your next spin upon the Wheel gives you what you enjoyed of this life and more.
It's those little things that hammer in the fact that you're gone. I hope your next spin upon the Wheel gives you what you enjoyed of this life and more.
Written By Orazio
March 22, 2018, 9:14 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
Further commentary, of likely little use to any but myself:
I believe I have already mentioned that I am no great fan of unity as a virtue - if a fight must be had, if a stand must be made, than one must have that fight or make that stand, though all the world be arrayed against you. Likewise, if all the world is agreed in a wrong action, then you get no points for committing that action in order to 'get along'. Thus it is said by all the gods, and by the Church, and thus it will continue to be said and done.
There is, however, place for respect and for compassion, and a time and a place to have those fights. Now, I feel, is a time for mourning, and for recognizing the great losses which everyone, in nearly every demesne across the Compact, has faced. The people of Crovane sacrificed their largest city for the sake of defeating the enemy - I will not call that a tragedy, for it was a stand that had to be made, but I will stand in awe of their strength and courage for making it. Likewise, every army, Northlands, Oathlands, Crownlands, Isles, Faith, and Lyceum, stood and fought and died with unflinching courage so that the pirate king and his forces could not gain a permanent foothold on Arvum. The opposition they faced was of a number and kind that few among us could ever have imagined. And yet, none faltered, none failed. Every one of the dead, and every one of the living who prevailed, stand honored and loved by the gods for their display of the Virtues.
Whatever my personal or theological disputes with any person or land, this remains the truth: I honor you, I salute you, and I mourn those of you who will never return home. And the Church will continue to work to try and ensure that such grave losses and sacrifices will not need to be repeated, as well as to aid with those who have lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
In other news, I understand that the High Lord of Valardin wishes to aid with my ignorance in the matter of oaths. I, of course, humbly accept this gracious and generous offer from the Prince of Sanctum, and am happy to instruct in the history of the Compact and theology of the Church in return, as His Highness desires.
I believe I have already mentioned that I am no great fan of unity as a virtue - if a fight must be had, if a stand must be made, than one must have that fight or make that stand, though all the world be arrayed against you. Likewise, if all the world is agreed in a wrong action, then you get no points for committing that action in order to 'get along'. Thus it is said by all the gods, and by the Church, and thus it will continue to be said and done.
There is, however, place for respect and for compassion, and a time and a place to have those fights. Now, I feel, is a time for mourning, and for recognizing the great losses which everyone, in nearly every demesne across the Compact, has faced. The people of Crovane sacrificed their largest city for the sake of defeating the enemy - I will not call that a tragedy, for it was a stand that had to be made, but I will stand in awe of their strength and courage for making it. Likewise, every army, Northlands, Oathlands, Crownlands, Isles, Faith, and Lyceum, stood and fought and died with unflinching courage so that the pirate king and his forces could not gain a permanent foothold on Arvum. The opposition they faced was of a number and kind that few among us could ever have imagined. And yet, none faltered, none failed. Every one of the dead, and every one of the living who prevailed, stand honored and loved by the gods for their display of the Virtues.
Whatever my personal or theological disputes with any person or land, this remains the truth: I honor you, I salute you, and I mourn those of you who will never return home. And the Church will continue to work to try and ensure that such grave losses and sacrifices will not need to be repeated, as well as to aid with those who have lost homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
In other news, I understand that the High Lord of Valardin wishes to aid with my ignorance in the matter of oaths. I, of course, humbly accept this gracious and generous offer from the Prince of Sanctum, and am happy to instruct in the history of the Compact and theology of the Church in return, as His Highness desires.
Written By Vano
March 22, 2018, 9:12 a.m.(5/27/1008 AR)
I have no been back in Arx for even a day and I see the topic of heretics have come up again.
Out of respect for Prince Edain, one of the few Arvians who's actions have backed up the words he first spoke to me and therefore, I respect, I'm not going to comment too strongly. And reality is because I'm not going to change anyone's mind with something more long-winded and eloquent. I'd be wasting my words. So I'll just say this.
For those of you that take issue with the Rivenshari's shamanistic faith, as we are some of those shamanistic Oathlanders, and feel the desire to hold judgement over a people that you don't even know: go fuck yourselves.
Out of respect for Prince Edain, one of the few Arvians who's actions have backed up the words he first spoke to me and therefore, I respect, I'm not going to comment too strongly. And reality is because I'm not going to change anyone's mind with something more long-winded and eloquent. I'd be wasting my words. So I'll just say this.
For those of you that take issue with the Rivenshari's shamanistic faith, as we are some of those shamanistic Oathlanders, and feel the desire to hold judgement over a people that you don't even know: go fuck yourselves.
Written By Edain
March 22, 2018, 8:03 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
I was going to send a private missive on this, but since you seem to decide this is your arena where you can try and paint public perception as you wish it seen rather than how it actually is I make this offer publicly.
You have spoken recently as if you have some great knowledge of the Oaths between the lieges and vassals of the Oathlands. If you would like me to educate you so you can stop embarrassing yourself when you speak in ignorance of what it means to be from the birthplace of the Faith I would be happy to help you. It is probable an important thing for the Legate of Concepts to know.
You have spoken recently as if you have some great knowledge of the Oaths between the lieges and vassals of the Oathlands. If you would like me to educate you so you can stop embarrassing yourself when you speak in ignorance of what it means to be from the birthplace of the Faith I would be happy to help you. It is probable an important thing for the Legate of Concepts to know.
Written By Thena
March 22, 2018, 8 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
The Faith Militant troops at Stormwall were asked not to interfere with the shamans' worship and work. I do not know what orders Redrain troops were under but they did not interfere with our worship either. If we could not agree, we could at least fight beside each other, and we did. I don't know what was in each of my soldiers' hearts regarding that order and to be honest I don't care to. Everyone, not just my troops or Knight Marshall Preston's, did their job. We all suffered together and we all drove off the darkness together. That's what matters.
The Faith and the shamans have fought as one like this in the distant past. I think it would be folly to assume we will not have to do so again in the near future. And I think this was an important step towards coming to an understanding that will only help us greater serve our purpose...a small contentious step, but a step.
The Faith and the shamans have fought as one like this in the distant past. I think it would be folly to assume we will not have to do so again in the near future. And I think this was an important step towards coming to an understanding that will only help us greater serve our purpose...a small contentious step, but a step.
Written By Felicia
March 22, 2018, 7:48 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
Even with a little distance, and time, I find myself reluctant to write this for the sake of posterity, even if I agree with Prelate Stillwater's words that it's important to do so.
I stood at the Stormwall passes, one of the dozen King's Own to be there. Our duty to help protect the shamans and healers in the passes above the city proper. Although I consider myself a devotee of the Pantheon, and it is to those Gods whom I choose to pray, I write here that I was close enough to the circle of shamans to hear their pleas to the spirits of the storm, and to see the immediate response in the striking of the enemy's fleet by lightning.
I do not find discomfort in stating this. It is not for me to know the providence nor will of such things, it does not make me question my faith in the Mother or the other gods, but I believe I would dishonor the Pantheon by denying what I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears.
Word was passed, from the city below, that the dead were rising to join our enemies host, and those beyond the grace of Lagoma and Her Mercies needed to be beheaded to insure that they would not swell the ranks of our enemy further. This is a task that I performed myself, to help insure that the healers could continue their work for the living and insure that the passes remained free in case retreat was needed.
I was there, when the cavalry came up the path around Stormwall, and the terrible chorus of voices which followed in their wake. The word 'Feast' will never hold quite the same meaning to me as once it did.
On my honor, a horde of emaciated men, most of them on all fours as if beasts and bound by leashes crawled up the path in the wake of the cavalry, the host held by the hand of a creature whose nature I can only call 'demonic', for lack of a better word. This thing stood twice the height of a normal man, with wings leathern like those of a plucked chicken. It was not a creature of flesh and bone in its seeming, but formed of a dark mist bound by armor.
This thing affixed its attention upon Dame Greenblood and proclaimed its intent to consume her, loosing its horde to consume those that remained in the pass while the wounded were evacuated. It struck down Lady Eirlys Greenmarch in its effort to reach the Dame, and from the trees emerged a thing of similar proportions, formed of motes of spring green. And it bellowed in a voice like thunder 'You do not belong here!' before it struck its counterpart with force enough to shatter its armor. What remained was then dispersed by as much of our host as could reach it or its horde.
It was after this, with the bulk of the enemy host still in the city, that the decision to raze the city to put an end to them was carried out. The loss of the city is tragic, and I look forward to seeing it rebuilt, but given what I saw in the passes, I cannot fault the decision to purge it with fire to insure that they did not gain a toehold in the North.
I stood at the Stormwall passes, one of the dozen King's Own to be there. Our duty to help protect the shamans and healers in the passes above the city proper. Although I consider myself a devotee of the Pantheon, and it is to those Gods whom I choose to pray, I write here that I was close enough to the circle of shamans to hear their pleas to the spirits of the storm, and to see the immediate response in the striking of the enemy's fleet by lightning.
I do not find discomfort in stating this. It is not for me to know the providence nor will of such things, it does not make me question my faith in the Mother or the other gods, but I believe I would dishonor the Pantheon by denying what I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears.
Word was passed, from the city below, that the dead were rising to join our enemies host, and those beyond the grace of Lagoma and Her Mercies needed to be beheaded to insure that they would not swell the ranks of our enemy further. This is a task that I performed myself, to help insure that the healers could continue their work for the living and insure that the passes remained free in case retreat was needed.
I was there, when the cavalry came up the path around Stormwall, and the terrible chorus of voices which followed in their wake. The word 'Feast' will never hold quite the same meaning to me as once it did.
On my honor, a horde of emaciated men, most of them on all fours as if beasts and bound by leashes crawled up the path in the wake of the cavalry, the host held by the hand of a creature whose nature I can only call 'demonic', for lack of a better word. This thing stood twice the height of a normal man, with wings leathern like those of a plucked chicken. It was not a creature of flesh and bone in its seeming, but formed of a dark mist bound by armor.
This thing affixed its attention upon Dame Greenblood and proclaimed its intent to consume her, loosing its horde to consume those that remained in the pass while the wounded were evacuated. It struck down Lady Eirlys Greenmarch in its effort to reach the Dame, and from the trees emerged a thing of similar proportions, formed of motes of spring green. And it bellowed in a voice like thunder 'You do not belong here!' before it struck its counterpart with force enough to shatter its armor. What remained was then dispersed by as much of our host as could reach it or its horde.
It was after this, with the bulk of the enemy host still in the city, that the decision to raze the city to put an end to them was carried out. The loss of the city is tragic, and I look forward to seeing it rebuilt, but given what I saw in the passes, I cannot fault the decision to purge it with fire to insure that they did not gain a toehold in the North.
Written By Orazio
March 22, 2018, 7:44 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
A few points of clarification.
There are few 'true' heathens in the Compact, and none who are rulers of any part of the Compact. All members of the Compact are, of course, devout members of the Faith of the Pantheon unless they have publicly declared otherwise, or they have been excommunicated. Some of these devout members of the Pantheon also practice certain ancestral and provincial customs which honor local spirits, and they have been permitted this by ancient treaty in the Northlands, a treaty the Faith has no interest in altering or breaking at this time. It has been a relationship which has served both lands well for centuries, and most Northerners are as devout members of the Faith as anyone in Arx, regardless of certain cultural customs which they continue to respect as local traditions.
The matter of the recently added shamanistic houses in the Oathlands is a different affair, as it is in the heart of the birthplace of the Faith, and done without the guidance or oversight of Redrain, who has centuries of practice in building and maintaining syncretic worship of the Pantheon and respect for those local traditions. Also, the houses of the Oathlands have no treaty protecting their own traditions, and the Church was not consulted on their inclusion into the Faith of the Pantheon by anyone involved, which would have solved a great many of the ongoing issues, had it happened. Still, I am assured that their ruling houses, too, have converted to the Faith of the Pantheon, in addition to their native traditions. Some people, I am told, juggle geese, while others honor spirits. So long as the Faith maintains its proper place in these Houses and lands, the Church has no quarrel with them. Should any lords, ladies, or leaders of these houses declare that they are /not/ devout members of the Faith of the Pantheon, regardless of whatever other local traditions they may enjoy, then that would be cause for concern, distress, and possibly direct action if the local lieges of the Oathlands refuse to handle the matter.
Regardless of any of the above, the Faith deployed its forces not out of a desire for gratitude, but because the cause was righteous and well within our charge to protect the Faithful from the faithless. The Faithful, most of whom were disciples from lands and fealties all over the Compact, fought side by side with their brethren with pride, valor, and honor. None considered themselves to stand above those who fought and died with them on the field of battle, nor did they consider themselves to stand beneath them. Sir Preston is very young, and as the young sometimes will, he sometimes gets overexcited on subjects about which he is passionate, and there have been a great many letters to write on behalf of the dead (as have all the commanders in both battles discovered).
I am advising him to take a much needed break from the white journals until his tasks of memorial are complete, and he has had a chance to recognize when he is feeling ill-suited to engage publicly as a representative of the Templars with people of the Compact.
There are few 'true' heathens in the Compact, and none who are rulers of any part of the Compact. All members of the Compact are, of course, devout members of the Faith of the Pantheon unless they have publicly declared otherwise, or they have been excommunicated. Some of these devout members of the Pantheon also practice certain ancestral and provincial customs which honor local spirits, and they have been permitted this by ancient treaty in the Northlands, a treaty the Faith has no interest in altering or breaking at this time. It has been a relationship which has served both lands well for centuries, and most Northerners are as devout members of the Faith as anyone in Arx, regardless of certain cultural customs which they continue to respect as local traditions.
The matter of the recently added shamanistic houses in the Oathlands is a different affair, as it is in the heart of the birthplace of the Faith, and done without the guidance or oversight of Redrain, who has centuries of practice in building and maintaining syncretic worship of the Pantheon and respect for those local traditions. Also, the houses of the Oathlands have no treaty protecting their own traditions, and the Church was not consulted on their inclusion into the Faith of the Pantheon by anyone involved, which would have solved a great many of the ongoing issues, had it happened. Still, I am assured that their ruling houses, too, have converted to the Faith of the Pantheon, in addition to their native traditions. Some people, I am told, juggle geese, while others honor spirits. So long as the Faith maintains its proper place in these Houses and lands, the Church has no quarrel with them. Should any lords, ladies, or leaders of these houses declare that they are /not/ devout members of the Faith of the Pantheon, regardless of whatever other local traditions they may enjoy, then that would be cause for concern, distress, and possibly direct action if the local lieges of the Oathlands refuse to handle the matter.
Regardless of any of the above, the Faith deployed its forces not out of a desire for gratitude, but because the cause was righteous and well within our charge to protect the Faithful from the faithless. The Faithful, most of whom were disciples from lands and fealties all over the Compact, fought side by side with their brethren with pride, valor, and honor. None considered themselves to stand above those who fought and died with them on the field of battle, nor did they consider themselves to stand beneath them. Sir Preston is very young, and as the young sometimes will, he sometimes gets overexcited on subjects about which he is passionate, and there have been a great many letters to write on behalf of the dead (as have all the commanders in both battles discovered).
I am advising him to take a much needed break from the white journals until his tasks of memorial are complete, and he has had a chance to recognize when he is feeling ill-suited to engage publicly as a representative of the Templars with people of the Compact.
Written By Norwood
March 22, 2018, 7:39 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
My honor is untouched when I fight alongside those I might otherwise not see eye to eye with upon the battlefield. We fought for the same cause.
Written By Preston
March 22, 2018, 7:36 a.m.(5/26/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
I do not think once I have suggested we fought alone, or that those we fought alongside were unworthy - how could I when many were commanded by our own disciples, Dame Esoka, Lord Alban, Lord Ainsley and others? Indeed I have had a great deal of praise to say about especially the Redrain troops, and the sacrifice of Redrain to prevent the enemy from gaining a foothold - Princess Marian and I did not always agree on strategy, but we discussed and in that discussion I believe better things were said. Nor did I say that our suffering is unique, but observed that in that suffering it is possible that the Princess was being unpolitic, and perhaps we should understand that loss rather than seek offense from it.
As for the notion the Gyre's forces didn't care who they were killing, I would suggest you ask your friends who were at Stormwall as to who the enemy targeted when they could. Thankfully I am no-one special to the Gods, or those parts of them you wish to call spirits, or perhaps I would not have returned.
On nose tweaking, it is kind, but I am not a legate or an archlector. So it was not my sweet little nose I spoke of. And I did not say by existing it did so, but that some shamans would rather be offended, would rather revel in their difference and exaggerate them, to annoy the legates. Rather that than come to an understanding. Equally true is that some of the Faith would equally rather those differences remained.
As for the notion the Gyre's forces didn't care who they were killing, I would suggest you ask your friends who were at Stormwall as to who the enemy targeted when they could. Thankfully I am no-one special to the Gods, or those parts of them you wish to call spirits, or perhaps I would not have returned.
On nose tweaking, it is kind, but I am not a legate or an archlector. So it was not my sweet little nose I spoke of. And I did not say by existing it did so, but that some shamans would rather be offended, would rather revel in their difference and exaggerate them, to annoy the legates. Rather that than come to an understanding. Equally true is that some of the Faith would equally rather those differences remained.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.