Written By Harald
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:29 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Hear me, Gods of my fathers. As our ancient foe draws near, I give praise for the power of the coming storm, for it is in the storm we find our strength. I give thanks that the foe is more numerous than any fleet for a thousand years, for it is in facing the greatest of enemies that the greatest glories are written. I rejoice that Marin the Fallen and Denied leads our enemies, that by his presence we are reminded the price of arrogance. We have grown strong under your eyes, Gods and ancestors; I pray you behold our deeds, mark well our valor.
Written By Orazio
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:22 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I am old, and my heart is a tough thing of scars and sinew. It does not break easily.
Seeing nobility of the Compact defend the murder of children and the use of disease as a weapon of...not even of /war/, because war implies a conflict between warriors, on a field of battle. The use of disease as a weapon of /slaughter/. The imprisoning of those captured in war, holding them in cages riddled with human filth and disease, torturing them until you were sure that they were infected with a deadly malaise, and then sending them home to their children, their spouses, their parents, making them an instrument of the murder you were too dishonorable, cowardly, and craven to commit.
To the tune of tens of thousands dead, most by disease and torment.
Understand this: When you excuse such acts, then you normalize them. And aside from the sheer horror of that on an theological and moral level - the next time you go to war with YOUR enemies, it may be your children whose face and limbs swell and rot, your children's screaming that you hear as you try desperately to calm them, to prepare them for an agonizing death you know that they cannot possibly understand. Because you have said to your vassals, your allies, and your enemies that this is an acceptable tactic of war. That this a "hard choice" that a courageous man makes.
Allow me to say, as Legate of Concepts, as the Shield of the Faith, and as the Voice of the Most Holy: There is nothing honorable or courageous in what Abbas Thrax has done, on any of the (several) occasions that he has committed such acts. The actions of Abbas Thrax were not necessary to "save the Isles", and if they were? Then the Isles were not worth saving. When you defend those actions, you take dishonor on yourself, and it is a stain which will prove most difficult to remove.
And the Faith will remember who has championed such dark causes, and embraced such dishonorable acts.
Seeing nobility of the Compact defend the murder of children and the use of disease as a weapon of...not even of /war/, because war implies a conflict between warriors, on a field of battle. The use of disease as a weapon of /slaughter/. The imprisoning of those captured in war, holding them in cages riddled with human filth and disease, torturing them until you were sure that they were infected with a deadly malaise, and then sending them home to their children, their spouses, their parents, making them an instrument of the murder you were too dishonorable, cowardly, and craven to commit.
To the tune of tens of thousands dead, most by disease and torment.
Understand this: When you excuse such acts, then you normalize them. And aside from the sheer horror of that on an theological and moral level - the next time you go to war with YOUR enemies, it may be your children whose face and limbs swell and rot, your children's screaming that you hear as you try desperately to calm them, to prepare them for an agonizing death you know that they cannot possibly understand. Because you have said to your vassals, your allies, and your enemies that this is an acceptable tactic of war. That this a "hard choice" that a courageous man makes.
Allow me to say, as Legate of Concepts, as the Shield of the Faith, and as the Voice of the Most Holy: There is nothing honorable or courageous in what Abbas Thrax has done, on any of the (several) occasions that he has committed such acts. The actions of Abbas Thrax were not necessary to "save the Isles", and if they were? Then the Isles were not worth saving. When you defend those actions, you take dishonor on yourself, and it is a stain which will prove most difficult to remove.
And the Faith will remember who has championed such dark causes, and embraced such dishonorable acts.
Written By Estaban
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:19 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Soon, Soon the Saik family will have a new member and she will be Baroness Lucita Saik.
My good friend Prince Aiden surprised me with a night out at the Inn we were joined by Master Waldemai and Sparte!
Drinks were had and many songs song, people do not let Sparte trick you, he has a very good voice and a very good talent for singing Sea Shanties.
I drank to my soon to be wife.
I drank to my friends old and new.
I drank to those present.
I drank to those who have passed.
Those who have passed......
My Friend Killian.
My Friend Fergus.
How you both have inspired me, both why you were with us and even more now that you have passed back to the wheel.
I drank to you both and will do so again on my wedding day.
My good friend Prince Aiden surprised me with a night out at the Inn we were joined by Master Waldemai and Sparte!
Drinks were had and many songs song, people do not let Sparte trick you, he has a very good voice and a very good talent for singing Sea Shanties.
I drank to my soon to be wife.
I drank to my friends old and new.
I drank to those present.
I drank to those who have passed.
Those who have passed......
My Friend Killian.
My Friend Fergus.
How you both have inspired me, both why you were with us and even more now that you have passed back to the wheel.
I drank to you both and will do so again on my wedding day.
Written By Karadoc
Jan. 26, 2018, 12:15 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
"Loveless, loveless" is the refrain of these fables. However, I imagine if the titular Bad Man had less aggressively pious friends, he would be better able to enjoy his piles of gold. Or if he loved himself more and cared about the shivers of popular opinion less. Ho ho!
Written By Valery
Jan. 26, 2018, noon(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Thank you...
Written By Tristan
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:54 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
I've learnt something about monsters in my time.
Sometimes monsters creep like oozing scum across the seas. Sometimes they have wings and spit acid. Sometimes they have human faces and sneak into the city to murder.
Sometimes they are human, and smile at you across a table, and try to justify their monstrosity. Sometimes you think because you know them and whatever they did seems so far away and distant that they can't possibly be monsters.
Knowing something is unspeakably terrible and doing it anyway does not make you a martyr or a hero. It makes you a monster.
Slaughtering people on the off chance they might have spoken with those allied with your enemies is not the way to 'save' anything, especially your soul.
I am so, so tired of people excusing the murder of children because the murderer was a noble they know and the murdered Abandoned no one here knew.
Sometimes monsters creep like oozing scum across the seas. Sometimes they have wings and spit acid. Sometimes they have human faces and sneak into the city to murder.
Sometimes they are human, and smile at you across a table, and try to justify their monstrosity. Sometimes you think because you know them and whatever they did seems so far away and distant that they can't possibly be monsters.
Knowing something is unspeakably terrible and doing it anyway does not make you a martyr or a hero. It makes you a monster.
Slaughtering people on the off chance they might have spoken with those allied with your enemies is not the way to 'save' anything, especially your soul.
I am so, so tired of people excusing the murder of children because the murderer was a noble they know and the murdered Abandoned no one here knew.
Written By Margerie
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:49 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
"That's the thing -- flowers aren't just pretty and smell good. They're very useful for a number of things. Medicine, perfume, dyes -- just to name a few. Perhaps people should be slower to jump to conclusions lest they fall on their backsides"
If we are going back to the message I sent after writing in this journal, and its response, let us provide context for our future readers.
I advised that the good Duke might be receiving some dead or dying flowers in the days to come and, yes, made my own impolite comment about feet being in the vicinity of mouths. However, I was making the suggestion that it might rather repair some of the damage of these comments if he donate a certain amount of silver to charity for each bunch of flowers received. I still find that a most worthy idea, especially with so many organizations in need as we focus on the urgency of the battles to come. And should he choose to embrace that idea in the spirit of making this a moment of light, I will further encourage all of you to send many, many wilting flowers to him that might otherwise go to waste. All the better if he employs those who might find purpose in them as perfumes (Those pretty scents for us to wear), as dyes (for that pretty clothing for us to wear), for medicines (No snippy comment here, I actually rather encourage that last).
You seem to be doubling down, m'lord. What you suggest is that you do recognize us as 'useful' and that I am leaping to a conclusion based on your earlier writings. So I have further conclusions to draw about the skill of those writings now, but I will leave that to the aforementioned future readers to infer on their own.
If we are going back to the message I sent after writing in this journal, and its response, let us provide context for our future readers.
I advised that the good Duke might be receiving some dead or dying flowers in the days to come and, yes, made my own impolite comment about feet being in the vicinity of mouths. However, I was making the suggestion that it might rather repair some of the damage of these comments if he donate a certain amount of silver to charity for each bunch of flowers received. I still find that a most worthy idea, especially with so many organizations in need as we focus on the urgency of the battles to come. And should he choose to embrace that idea in the spirit of making this a moment of light, I will further encourage all of you to send many, many wilting flowers to him that might otherwise go to waste. All the better if he employs those who might find purpose in them as perfumes (Those pretty scents for us to wear), as dyes (for that pretty clothing for us to wear), for medicines (No snippy comment here, I actually rather encourage that last).
You seem to be doubling down, m'lord. What you suggest is that you do recognize us as 'useful' and that I am leaping to a conclusion based on your earlier writings. So I have further conclusions to draw about the skill of those writings now, but I will leave that to the aforementioned future readers to infer on their own.
Written By Cristoph
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:45 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
My father always had this piece of advice handy for me as I was growing up. I'd like to share it here: "Shh. Cristoph, just stop talking."
Written By Mydas
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:37 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mae
Well said.
Written By Mae
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:31 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
To refer to women as flowers for you to pick is very strange, but poetic language sometimes is. To remind yourself that you should only pick flowers that fit your needs is stranger still. Surely, I thought, you're just awful at poetry.
But then you doubled down. Women are pretty, and beautiful, but also useful objects for men to take as they need. I think what Marquis Mydas was suggesting was that you should refer to women as people, not objects.
This is disgusting, my lord. I'm hoping that wherever Aislin is, she doesn't get sent a copy of this journal. I also hope that should you find any "flowers" to be "plucked" for their "usefulness", someone shows them these postings before they agree to marrying you.
But then you doubled down. Women are pretty, and beautiful, but also useful objects for men to take as they need. I think what Marquis Mydas was suggesting was that you should refer to women as people, not objects.
This is disgusting, my lord. I'm hoping that wherever Aislin is, she doesn't get sent a copy of this journal. I also hope that should you find any "flowers" to be "plucked" for their "usefulness", someone shows them these postings before they agree to marrying you.
Written By Belladonna
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:16 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Abbas
I would remind those who wish to offer respect to Prince Abbas did that he did what he did the way that he did it to ensure that no others would suffer the stain of his choices. He knew what he did was unspeakably terrible; he did it anyway.
Respect his choices, if you respect the man. Defending him and finding yourself facing consequences for such is precisely the opposite of appropriate.
Respect his choices, if you respect the man. Defending him and finding yourself facing consequences for such is precisely the opposite of appropriate.
Written By Jael
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:12 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
I don’t think you’re making the argument you think you’re making.
Written By Cassima
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:03 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Tila
Your brother indicated we had much in common, and I daresay he was right in that regard. Mi familia, I cannot wait to know you better.
Written By Cassima
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:03 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Cirroch
Thank you again for your warmth and hospitality. It pleases me to no end to better know my Northern side. I hope for many similar evenings spent with your family in our futures.
Written By Harlan
Jan. 26, 2018, 11:01 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Mydas
Cousin,
It saddens me that you feel that this is the only thing flowers -- or ladies -- are good for.
It saddens me that you feel that this is the only thing flowers -- or ladies -- are good for.
Written By Mydas
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:59 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Harlan
Cousin, I doubt you'll be able to save a metaphor that compares the women of this city to something easily plucked from the ground or trampled underfoot.
Written By Cassima
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:56 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Abbas
All hail the pirate king?
Written By Harlan
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:51 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
To repeat something sent in a messenger.
That's the thing -- flowers aren't just pretty and smell good. They're very useful for a number of things. Medicine, perfume, dyes -- just to name a few. Perhaps people should be slower to jump to conclusions lest they fall on their backsides.
That's the thing -- flowers aren't just pretty and smell good. They're very useful for a number of things. Medicine, perfume, dyes -- just to name a few. Perhaps people should be slower to jump to conclusions lest they fall on their backsides.
Written By Lucita
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:41 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
A few idle musings about, languages, symbolism.
(Warning: Stop reading now if you find rambling thoughts from too many glasses of wine while waiting for others to return home boring.)
Lord Tomwell commented about an orange rose and its meaning in his white journal. Makes me wonder if the Knight of Roses has returned to Arx and is once more teaching the language of roses to others. A long time ago Lord Ignacio taught me that with roses yellow meant jealousy and infidelity, red was courage, respect, not just love and passion but additionally, the various shades of red meant emphasis on different things, and I forgot the details. Pink was platonic love or friendship, and that was as far as the lesson got. Then he sent a vase full of different colored roses that added to my confusion.
(No, this is not a response about Duke Harlan's mention of flowers, it is simply relating a memory.)
Lord Arik used to try to explain the language and meaning of furs to me. They have to be gotten yourself, not just purchased to have true meaning (other than I'm cold, this would be warm). I am so _not_ going to hunt down, kill a bear and give its skin to Baron Estaban to make him realize he has to pay attention to what I am saying and show am a strong capable woman. I've got my own ways of doing that, none of which I am willing to discuss. Nor am I going to hunt white bunnies to let their fur imply anyone is helpless or a coward. Lord Arik once asked what color roses meant disdain or hatred, anger. I did not know! Will have to ask Lord Ignacio when he returns to Arx.
Wines have their own meanings and symbolism. They have nuances like a backward or closed flavor needs to mature and grow up or a flabby wine has a flavor of disappointment. A simple journal entry would turn into a thick tome if I got into that detail. So I won't. You're welcome.
(Warning: Stop reading now if you find rambling thoughts from too many glasses of wine while waiting for others to return home boring.)
Lord Tomwell commented about an orange rose and its meaning in his white journal. Makes me wonder if the Knight of Roses has returned to Arx and is once more teaching the language of roses to others. A long time ago Lord Ignacio taught me that with roses yellow meant jealousy and infidelity, red was courage, respect, not just love and passion but additionally, the various shades of red meant emphasis on different things, and I forgot the details. Pink was platonic love or friendship, and that was as far as the lesson got. Then he sent a vase full of different colored roses that added to my confusion.
(No, this is not a response about Duke Harlan's mention of flowers, it is simply relating a memory.)
Lord Arik used to try to explain the language and meaning of furs to me. They have to be gotten yourself, not just purchased to have true meaning (other than I'm cold, this would be warm). I am so _not_ going to hunt down, kill a bear and give its skin to Baron Estaban to make him realize he has to pay attention to what I am saying and show am a strong capable woman. I've got my own ways of doing that, none of which I am willing to discuss. Nor am I going to hunt white bunnies to let their fur imply anyone is helpless or a coward. Lord Arik once asked what color roses meant disdain or hatred, anger. I did not know! Will have to ask Lord Ignacio when he returns to Arx.
Wines have their own meanings and symbolism. They have nuances like a backward or closed flavor needs to mature and grow up or a flabby wine has a flavor of disappointment. A simple journal entry would turn into a thick tome if I got into that detail. So I won't. You're welcome.
Written By Samantha
Jan. 26, 2018, 10:37 a.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Margerie
That sound you hear is me somewhere in the back, clapping. Well said!
Also, in regard to your question...I'd be honored.
Also, in regard to your question...I'd be honored.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.