Written By Laric
Nov. 20, 2017, 3:50 a.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Unfortunately, my work kept me from attending yesterday's assembly. As I understand it the platinum ballistae were a topic of discussion and there seems to be some belief they are my personal possessions or otherwise owned by the Inquisition. This is not the case. They were sent to me because the Inquisition arranged their transport, and as I stated previously, they were acquired specifically for Arx's defense. The Inquisition serves the Crown and the Crown rules Arx; as such, they are the Crown's property. The ballistae are under our watch until plans to install them have been finalized.
Furthermore, the Inquisition does not have a standing army. None of our Inquisitors have any experience operating siege weapons. To my knowledge exactly three Confessors have experience and that is only incidental; they are veterans of the Tor-Southport war. It is unlikely we will be operating the ballistae unless they require specialized knowledge to use. More than likely they will be operated by the Crown's standing army, the Iron Guard.
Finally, it must be noted that these weapons were made by a civilization steeped in magic, with access to other nations and their resources. Whatever Arvum was before or immediately after the Reckoning, our Compact is no longer either of those things. Attempting to replicate these ballistae with anything less than honed magecraft and platinum would be an exercise in frustration. We do not have mages and we do not have platinum. They, or even mere imitations of its design, are beyond our current means. This is a fact that the Crown must keep in mind when considering what to do with these priceless siege weapons, for if they become damaged, we are unlikely to find replacements.
Furthermore, the Inquisition does not have a standing army. None of our Inquisitors have any experience operating siege weapons. To my knowledge exactly three Confessors have experience and that is only incidental; they are veterans of the Tor-Southport war. It is unlikely we will be operating the ballistae unless they require specialized knowledge to use. More than likely they will be operated by the Crown's standing army, the Iron Guard.
Finally, it must be noted that these weapons were made by a civilization steeped in magic, with access to other nations and their resources. Whatever Arvum was before or immediately after the Reckoning, our Compact is no longer either of those things. Attempting to replicate these ballistae with anything less than honed magecraft and platinum would be an exercise in frustration. We do not have mages and we do not have platinum. They, or even mere imitations of its design, are beyond our current means. This is a fact that the Crown must keep in mind when considering what to do with these priceless siege weapons, for if they become damaged, we are unlikely to find replacements.
Written By Aiden
Nov. 20, 2017, 2:32 a.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
By lending resources and silver, support is given. It may be for some other subtle reason, though support it is, as sure as a signature signs off a contract.
Thank you to those who have given me support in the past, may I continue to find ways to impact Arx and those within it, praying that I can recover enough to do so.
Plushies are still a thing, sadly, they haven't been a priority. I still need an image of Saedrus' kitty. Would someone be so kind as to paint it for me? I'll reward them with support!
Thank you to those who have given me support in the past, may I continue to find ways to impact Arx and those within it, praying that I can recover enough to do so.
Plushies are still a thing, sadly, they haven't been a priority. I still need an image of Saedrus' kitty. Would someone be so kind as to paint it for me? I'll reward them with support!
Written By Audric
Nov. 20, 2017, 2:16 a.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Carita
'What ifs' are a useless exercise best kept to the folks who prefer to think of how to make the world perfect. Decisions are made knowing how things are when they're made, not if made in a perfect world. Conviction does not equal justification or freedom from guilt. Sometimes, a leader needs to know when to stand up and say, yeah, I fucked up real bad. Not 'I threw my vassal under a wagon in a vain attempt to make me look like slightly less of a turd'.
Written By Carita
Nov. 20, 2017, 1:21 a.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
An unpopular opinion. Many of mine often are.
We do attempt to make the best decisions. This is a point that is entirely tangential to the current issue of the evening's Assembly, I still feel it ought to be considered. At the last siege, when the walls of the Thrax ward were being breached. Thrall's Lament fell. Hundreds died. Who paid to see to that reconstruction? Who mourned for the loss? I know that it was a Kennex that mourned the most - the hardest. I know that it was the Crown that saw to the rebuilding effort. Imagine, if Thralldom had been done away with ten - twenty years earlier - how many would have lived? If someone had been forthright enough to declare it over - all of them might have lived. Life, all of it, is precious. Past and present. But, as leaders, sometimes we are forced to make decisions that are painful. That hurt. But, we make decisions that break chains. That incite change. We do it. Which is why when one Ward pains, the others rally in support.
We are a Compact for that purpose.
I am not defending the rashness of the decision. However, I am lauding the conviction in which that decision was made.
We do attempt to make the best decisions. This is a point that is entirely tangential to the current issue of the evening's Assembly, I still feel it ought to be considered. At the last siege, when the walls of the Thrax ward were being breached. Thrall's Lament fell. Hundreds died. Who paid to see to that reconstruction? Who mourned for the loss? I know that it was a Kennex that mourned the most - the hardest. I know that it was the Crown that saw to the rebuilding effort. Imagine, if Thralldom had been done away with ten - twenty years earlier - how many would have lived? If someone had been forthright enough to declare it over - all of them might have lived. Life, all of it, is precious. Past and present. But, as leaders, sometimes we are forced to make decisions that are painful. That hurt. But, we make decisions that break chains. That incite change. We do it. Which is why when one Ward pains, the others rally in support.
We are a Compact for that purpose.
I am not defending the rashness of the decision. However, I am lauding the conviction in which that decision was made.
Written By Khanne
Nov. 19, 2017, 11:53 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Would the brightest star still shine so brilliantly if no one set eyes upon it twinkling in the evening sky?
Written By Agnarr
Nov. 19, 2017, 11:45 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Alis
Might be true. First of seven in the brood.
Written By Ryhalt
Nov. 19, 2017, 11:21 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
It is good to see the efforts of many starting to pay off in the thrall crisis. I hope that those who have chosen to resettle in Westrock Reach are able to find better lives there, though I suspect that the social shifts will be seen everywhere and not just in the eastern isles.
Written By Ryhalt
Nov. 19, 2017, 11:18 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Clover
Lady Clover has returned from Blancbier and decided that I am a hopeless workaholic in her absence.
Written By Stefano
Nov. 19, 2017, 11:13 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
A good time spent with others in the Minstry. The King himself stopped by, food and drinks were plentiful, and a few games of Conquer were played.
Written By Monique
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:55 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Venteri
Looking forward to it a great deal. Even if it's not all the information that was ever under the sea. But, most of it, right, Your Highness???
Written By Darrow
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:27 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Marin'Alfar - another set of elves to not trust.
Though, this one does seem to like coffee. That's reasonable.
Though, this one does seem to like coffee. That's reasonable.
Written By Harald
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:13 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
An exercise in arithmetic:
By rough count, as such sums are vast, what follows is short list of what could have been purchased by the mountains of silver which went into repairing House Kennex.
-A fleet of near 300 warships.
- An army of 4,000 warriors.
- In terms more relatable to our Valardin allies, an army of 1,400 horsemen.
-Fifty alaricite swords.
- The settlement of five new fortified Counties.
I am glad that House Kennex has survived the sudden and reckless release of thralls.
Yet, to any fool who believes all has turned out well, I say this: in the wars to come, such wealth will be missed. Such is the true price of haste and vanity.
By rough count, as such sums are vast, what follows is short list of what could have been purchased by the mountains of silver which went into repairing House Kennex.
-A fleet of near 300 warships.
- An army of 4,000 warriors.
- In terms more relatable to our Valardin allies, an army of 1,400 horsemen.
-Fifty alaricite swords.
- The settlement of five new fortified Counties.
I am glad that House Kennex has survived the sudden and reckless release of thralls.
Yet, to any fool who believes all has turned out well, I say this: in the wars to come, such wealth will be missed. Such is the true price of haste and vanity.
Written By Darrow
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:07 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
It seems the sepulchers of the Hall of Heroes will fill shortly, if our criteria for enshrinement holds.
Perhaps I'll take the head of the Marin statue, though its features are already burned into my memory.
It would not do to forget.
Perhaps I'll take the head of the Marin statue, though its features are already burned into my memory.
It would not do to forget.
Written By Thesarin
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:06 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Riven once again extends its recognition of those who stood beside me against the darkness moving in the Grey Forest.
Prince Aiden of Grayson, Lord Armand Farshaw, Master Sparte, and Shard each did their part and more.
Once again, special recognition is extended to the one who saw to my injuries once the fight was over. Prince Aiden has my own deep thanks.
Prince Aiden of Grayson, Lord Armand Farshaw, Master Sparte, and Shard each did their part and more.
Once again, special recognition is extended to the one who saw to my injuries once the fight was over. Prince Aiden has my own deep thanks.
Written By Darrow
Nov. 19, 2017, 10:05 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
Koraj Marin.
Let his days be numbered and fearful.
Let his days be numbered and fearful.
Written By Edward
Nov. 19, 2017, 9:27 p.m.(8/13/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
The longer I stay in Arx, the more right you are.
Written By Corban
Nov. 19, 2017, 8:22 p.m.(8/12/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Bianca
The Archscholar of Vellichor is always a source of wisdom, every time I speak with her. That should come as no surprise, given the nature of her position. But her meditations on knowledge in the journals and discussions on theology in person always leave me with insight that I did not have before.
(And though it is not most politic to say so, I note the archscholar was a Wyrmguard. Is it any surprise that a Telmar vassal house produces such a fine theologian?)
(And though it is not most politic to say so, I note the archscholar was a Wyrmguard. Is it any surprise that a Telmar vassal house produces such a fine theologian?)
Written By Edain
Nov. 19, 2017, 8:21 p.m.(8/12/1007 AR)
I am truly blessed, gods know that I am. By the time this entry is delivered to the Archives, Princess Caelis and I will be on a ship back to Sanctum. With the concerning uptick in piracy and with them flying the flags of other nations, I am accompanying Princess Caelis so she can do her admiral thing and make certain all our ships are accounted for and that head count we need to ensure no one went rogue and participated in these acts of piracy where ships flew flags of other houses to prey on those bringing aid to the Kennex and Storward. The first meeting of the Assembly of Peers will be convening shortly and so this timing is not ideal, but on top of this there are some important duties that the Princess and I must carry out when we reach the Oathlands.
But as I said I am blessed. I have the best, and wises voices in all of Arvum. Lord Percephon's unparalleled reasons, Duke Arn's uncompromising committeemen to doing what must be done. And then there is my sister Princess Alis and my cousin Princess Isabeau. Both so infinitely smarter than I am they see things that I never would. That shall be sitting for me at the Assembly of Peers, and I and the Princess go to do what we need to do in the Oathlands, I know that there is no one that could represent the Oathlands better before the Assembly.
But as I said I am blessed. I have the best, and wises voices in all of Arvum. Lord Percephon's unparalleled reasons, Duke Arn's uncompromising committeemen to doing what must be done. And then there is my sister Princess Alis and my cousin Princess Isabeau. Both so infinitely smarter than I am they see things that I never would. That shall be sitting for me at the Assembly of Peers, and I and the Princess go to do what we need to do in the Oathlands, I know that there is no one that could represent the Oathlands better before the Assembly.
Written By Hadrian
Nov. 19, 2017, 8:18 p.m.(8/12/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarie
Straight talking, industrious, and without excuses. Such fine clothing is spun from her own hard work and inspiration from Jayus. She also proved herself an adequate negotiator, it was an enjoyable discussion really. I hope that her path as a designer and her other ambitions prove fruitful. I will be in the background, prepared to offer my assistance however I may.
She makes the very best garish crowns and sashes, too. Perfect for driving those you are forced to share chambers with absolutely insane!
She makes the very best garish crowns and sashes, too. Perfect for driving those you are forced to share chambers with absolutely insane!
Written By Aurora
Nov. 19, 2017, 7:50 p.m.(8/12/1007 AR)
While i'm not sure what might have happened in Alarie's shop for her to wish to turn business away, I believe it goes for every shop keeper in the city. We work hard for our money, we often lose sleep, forget to eat, and miss out on important things in life because we are trying to make your important things safer/prettier/breathtaking.
We are more than a good pair of hands. There is a whole person attached to those hands. Get to know us.
We are more than a good pair of hands. There is a whole person attached to those hands. Get to know us.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.