Written By Valery
Jan. 26, 2018, 3:13 p.m.(1/16/1008 AR)
People are writing about being flowers...
I know which flower I would like to be.
I know which flower I would like to be.
Written By Astraea
Jan. 26, 2018, 2:21 p.m.(1/16/1008 AR)
After contemplation and meditation it seems I have not yet fully comprehended the wisdom of my forebears. I'm grateful to those who reached out to me to help me see the error in the thoughts and statements of my white journal. Truly I never knew I had so many friends! If ever my descendants or family in the far future read this. Know that I was foolish, childishly naive and in some ways not ready to begin documenting who I was and what I stand for in the white journals of the Vellichorian archives. In my hastiness to "help" I didn't stop to think about how I might hurt their growth by not letting them walk this stretch of the road without my silly, idealistic notions interfering in their journey.
Never stop loving. Never stop giving. Never stop seeking to better yourself. Even when you've fallen prey to the weaknesses of your heart, don't let it be the end. Take your penance, pray for guidance and stand tall to keep soldiering on. The people will need you and they have little patience for stupidity.
My only regret is in my eager attempts to bring hope, love and unity to everyone I did not seek counsel before doing so. I will continue to make amends for what I have done in this time and it will not be the end of my story. Skip forward a few chapters in my white because it gets better but for now, read what I've written. See it for what it is and make not the same mistakes as I.
For the Captain Kaede, I will be more vigilant or I have failed in my oaths. You deserved better!
For the Legate Orazio, I have known no better men to guide my conscience and thus you have set me straight.
For the Knight Marshal Preston, Fight on Brother and don't ever let the fires of righteousness dwindle in your heart.
For the Seraph Ailith, I will scour the ends of the earth for the right means to renew the people's faith.
For the Archlector Aleksei, Your words ring true and the High Lord should be praised for he is worthy of our respect and praise.
For my cousin Marian, Thank you for kicking me in the ass and confiding in me. I will not let you down.
To all else, please have patience with me. I may be devout, I may be strong but I am dumber than a sack of bricks and I have no shame in owning up to it when I've done something. Well...stupid.
Never stop loving. Never stop giving. Never stop seeking to better yourself. Even when you've fallen prey to the weaknesses of your heart, don't let it be the end. Take your penance, pray for guidance and stand tall to keep soldiering on. The people will need you and they have little patience for stupidity.
My only regret is in my eager attempts to bring hope, love and unity to everyone I did not seek counsel before doing so. I will continue to make amends for what I have done in this time and it will not be the end of my story. Skip forward a few chapters in my white because it gets better but for now, read what I've written. See it for what it is and make not the same mistakes as I.
For the Captain Kaede, I will be more vigilant or I have failed in my oaths. You deserved better!
For the Legate Orazio, I have known no better men to guide my conscience and thus you have set me straight.
For the Knight Marshal Preston, Fight on Brother and don't ever let the fires of righteousness dwindle in your heart.
For the Seraph Ailith, I will scour the ends of the earth for the right means to renew the people's faith.
For the Archlector Aleksei, Your words ring true and the High Lord should be praised for he is worthy of our respect and praise.
For my cousin Marian, Thank you for kicking me in the ass and confiding in me. I will not let you down.
To all else, please have patience with me. I may be devout, I may be strong but I am dumber than a sack of bricks and I have no shame in owning up to it when I've done something. Well...stupid.
Written By Aiden
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:58 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I wonder if any member of the Redrain fealty would take me as their plus one? I heard about bear wrestling, I'm curious, not concerned, honest.
Written By Ailith
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:49 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
It is midday and as I turned the corner to Commons Square, I can anticipate the children racing down the alleyway, chasing their ball as they do nearly every day at this time. I know in a short while, the couple two stories above will begin to argue, their words echoing to the streets I walk. Moments later, the door to the Soup Kitchen will open to welcome the hungry for lunch. Already a line has formed. I smile and greet familiar faces, lingering to talk with each member of my parish, the relatives of the Palace staff, and offering advice or coin, if needed.
Jonus. Wyrna. Hammon and Idrinne. Quenian. Peitro. Many, many more that I set to memorize their faces and names. Each person has a precious soul spun by the Mother of Beginnings. When I stand before them during services at the Chapel, I look them in the eyes to remember my vows. I am their Seraph and I will do my duty -- to remind them of the Faith, to be a presence in their lives in which they can rely upon for religious support and counseling, and to deliver the Light, sparing us all from the spread of darkness. It is a sacred duty I take with great responsibility.
For me, none represent a number to fill the Faith's coffers and seats in the Chapel. They are not commodities to be traded. Should I ever tread down that path, it leads a heart to darkness. Gradually, names are forgotten or never learned. They become a figure on a piece of paper, a token on a war map, to be dispensed without recalling the weight that is seen or held within your hand.
The people in my parish are precious for every child of the gods is deserving of the grace of the Pantheon. I have witnessed many leaders after sessions in Council Chambers carry the weight of knowing this truth. That even one person lost, regardless of one's station in life, is one too many. It is when this moment erodes and the people begin to wonder if their leaders care and consider that my duty is called to speak.
Seek no further than the shrines of our Gods. Remind yourself of your oaths before Limerance, of the honor to uphold their values before Gloria, of our past leaders' histories before Vellichor, of the judgment beneath the Sentinel's watchful gaze, and of the souls the Mother of Beginnings creates.
Find what is necessary to renew the people's faith lest the darkness spreads further.
Jonus. Wyrna. Hammon and Idrinne. Quenian. Peitro. Many, many more that I set to memorize their faces and names. Each person has a precious soul spun by the Mother of Beginnings. When I stand before them during services at the Chapel, I look them in the eyes to remember my vows. I am their Seraph and I will do my duty -- to remind them of the Faith, to be a presence in their lives in which they can rely upon for religious support and counseling, and to deliver the Light, sparing us all from the spread of darkness. It is a sacred duty I take with great responsibility.
For me, none represent a number to fill the Faith's coffers and seats in the Chapel. They are not commodities to be traded. Should I ever tread down that path, it leads a heart to darkness. Gradually, names are forgotten or never learned. They become a figure on a piece of paper, a token on a war map, to be dispensed without recalling the weight that is seen or held within your hand.
The people in my parish are precious for every child of the gods is deserving of the grace of the Pantheon. I have witnessed many leaders after sessions in Council Chambers carry the weight of knowing this truth. That even one person lost, regardless of one's station in life, is one too many. It is when this moment erodes and the people begin to wonder if their leaders care and consider that my duty is called to speak.
Seek no further than the shrines of our Gods. Remind yourself of your oaths before Limerance, of the honor to uphold their values before Gloria, of our past leaders' histories before Vellichor, of the judgment beneath the Sentinel's watchful gaze, and of the souls the Mother of Beginnings creates.
Find what is necessary to renew the people's faith lest the darkness spreads further.
Written By Preston
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:29 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Perhaps it must be made clear to some in the temporal world. If you wish to continue to rule in order that you can celebrate misdeed, so you can celebrate turning from the Gods, from their rules, their justice, their commands, from their good grace, to celebrate and be grateful to one of you who has done so, then that is your freedom, your right. But it is also not what we will fight for. Once, you were warned. All bar one of your high lords cast out, excommunicated from the Faith's love. You were forgiven. But do not presume the crime was forgotten, as the lesson seems to have been. Sometimes doing what is right has harsh consequences, and it is easier to do what is evil to preserve your power - but a virtuous noble is not tempted. Father Orazio expresses sorrow - let me express anger.
The Templars march to save the Compact and our people because the people are righteous, they are loved by the Gods and they love the God in turn. Even those who worship shamanistic ideals within the compact hold to the morals and ideals of the Faith, and are granted tolerance for as long as they do. If nobles turn from the values of the compact, the values of the Faith, and break the Compact, then when the enemy comes to your gates, and no army appears on the horizon to relieve you? Your people will know to thank you for your kind support of murder and disease. And the Templars will preserve what is good.
Now, the enemy comes to our shores. He comes to our very gates. We have tens of thousands faith militant in the field as we speak, gathering to defend the compact - now is not the time for silly desires to praise ill deed to risk unity. Because by the Gods, I will march on the enemy, if I must do so alone with my Brothers and Sisters, then so be it - but we will certainly tolerate none of the barbarity or evil some seem willing to allow.
The Templars march to save the Compact and our people because the people are righteous, they are loved by the Gods and they love the God in turn. Even those who worship shamanistic ideals within the compact hold to the morals and ideals of the Faith, and are granted tolerance for as long as they do. If nobles turn from the values of the compact, the values of the Faith, and break the Compact, then when the enemy comes to your gates, and no army appears on the horizon to relieve you? Your people will know to thank you for your kind support of murder and disease. And the Templars will preserve what is good.
Now, the enemy comes to our shores. He comes to our very gates. We have tens of thousands faith militant in the field as we speak, gathering to defend the compact - now is not the time for silly desires to praise ill deed to risk unity. Because by the Gods, I will march on the enemy, if I must do so alone with my Brothers and Sisters, then so be it - but we will certainly tolerate none of the barbarity or evil some seem willing to allow.
Written By Aureth
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:22 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Using babies as weapons to kill noncombatant Abandoned had nothing to do with the Silence and, in fact, if we had not defeated Tolamar Brand and his forces at the time that we did, Oblivion would have unmade the world and we would now all be enjoying permanent nonexistence.
Lying about obvious facts in the Whites is probably an affront to Vellichor but even if it is not it sure makes you look stupid.
Lying about obvious facts in the Whites is probably an affront to Vellichor but even if it is not it sure makes you look stupid.
Written By Thena
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:16 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Shh, I’m a prickly weed and everyone knows it.
Written By Percephon
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:14 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
It may be time to submit ... a modest proposal.
Written By Joscelin
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:59 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Fortunato
Poignant writing, you render me speechless. My chest hurts now.
Written By Fortunato
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:55 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I look forward to the day when the peerage of Arx decides it tragically necessary to purge the Lowers because of what might be hiding among the commons.
I really do.
I don't envy them their burdens, the burden of having to weep over the bodies of people they decided they could not trust and therefore had to be disposed of in great quantities. How heavy their heads! As they mourn their need to make so many faceless dead.
I really do.
I don't envy them their burdens, the burden of having to weep over the bodies of people they decided they could not trust and therefore had to be disposed of in great quantities. How heavy their heads! As they mourn their need to make so many faceless dead.
Written By Joscelin
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:54 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Who would ever mistake you as something as pedestrian as a flower?
You've the radiance of a star. Perhaps then I could understand the confusion; a gem of the soul.
But then. You've so much -sass-....
You've the radiance of a star. Perhaps then I could understand the confusion; a gem of the soul.
But then. You've so much -sass-....
Written By Percephon
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:51 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
An interesting question: how will we be looked back on? What will our own descendants deplore about us? How much do we take for granted?
Written By Kaede
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:50 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
My tribe bent knee to join the Compact when the worst of Brand's forces were sweeping the North. I can't help but wonder what choices my chiefs would have made if they knew the nobles of Compact could happily endorse tactics as bad as the one's Brand used.
And look, it's the same Princess that was flirting with a Thraxian Reaver as the man told me women had no business being the captain of ships and telling me how we should know our role, that is so eager to defend the monster and write about forgiveness.
Perhaps we ought to write the coming storm a letter? We understand his tactics are extreme, but they were done in defense of his people, and we're a forgiving lot, so we'll gladly give him back his kingdom?
And look, it's the same Princess that was flirting with a Thraxian Reaver as the man told me women had no business being the captain of ships and telling me how we should know our role, that is so eager to defend the monster and write about forgiveness.
Perhaps we ought to write the coming storm a letter? We understand his tactics are extreme, but they were done in defense of his people, and we're a forgiving lot, so we'll gladly give him back his kingdom?
Written By Margerie
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:45 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Dafne
I cannot pretend to be an expert in the floral arts, but the name suggests it might match well with Princess Alis' flower of choice.
Written By Aleksei
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:45 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I think a better source of our praise and respect would be High Lord Victus for refusing to accept such methods as necessary, honorable, or worthy of respect. You only have to look back as far as Prince Abbas's removal from his position as Warlord of Thrax to see just how "necessary" his actions were in the eyes of his liege lord.
Written By Margerie
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:42 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
For my part, I think I have found greater happiness in being an Oak than any flower I might have been mistaken for in youth.
If you wish to be a flower, they grow everywhere. I rather admire the tenacious ones that find ways to flourish unexpectedly.
If you wish to be a flower, they grow everywhere. I rather admire the tenacious ones that find ways to flourish unexpectedly.
Written By Edward
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:35 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Abbas
It is perfectly fine to question the decisions that were made by a General facing a force of insanity in the numbers of thousands. There is always those willing to criticize in the after-action thinking they knew better or could have found a better path.
But let me be frankly clear, because I am one of the few best suited to speak on this:
If Prince Abbas did not do what he did and save the strength of his forces; we would have been fighting the Silent Army inside Arx instead of outside of it.
That is the flip of the coin of burden Abbas carries.
But let me be frankly clear, because I am one of the few best suited to speak on this:
If Prince Abbas did not do what he did and save the strength of his forces; we would have been fighting the Silent Army inside Arx instead of outside of it.
That is the flip of the coin of burden Abbas carries.
Written By Astraea
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:34 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Forgiveness is the most powerful thing that we can do for our mind and our spirituality. Yet, it remains one of the least attractive things to us, largely because pain is a powerful reminder not to make the same mistakes that hurt us in the first place. To forgive is somehow associated with saying that it is all right, that we accept the evil deed. But this is not forgiveness. Forgiveness means that you fill yourself with love and you radiate that love outward and refuse to hang onto the venom or hatred that was engendered by the behaviors that caused the wounds. Forgiveness is an act of strength, or so I was always taught. Maybe I'm wrong, I can accept that because I'm not perfect and I can be daft or downright naive sometimes. What I do know for certain is that we must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. When we become devoid of that then we become devoid of the ability to love as, I believe, the Gods meant us to. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. I don't want to believe any of us is above penance, redemption, and forgiveness. We only need look at our current predicament with the old Marin King and his daughters to see this is the truth of things. (Not that I endorse breaking curses that keep darkness at bay.) We all have the freedom of choice and it is a blessed freedom indeed.
Written By Thena
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:32 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Margerie
That’s a fine suggestion, Lady. Gild smiles upon the charitable.
Fortunately for me, being a commoner, I will never be mistaken for a flower.
Fortunately for me, being a commoner, I will never be mistaken for a flower.
Written By Dafne
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:30 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I think if I was a flower, I'd like to be deadly nightshade.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.