Written By Lou
Sept. 19, 2021, 10:05 p.m.(3/25/1016 AR)
Plots and plans are starting to come to fruition. House Grayson will soon be sending folk scouting inside Bastion. I have a broad team of people working on another related project. While I haven't been so very hopeful for a very long time, now that we're working toward finally moving to do something I'm starting to feel maybe there's hope yet.
It's still very hard. The not knowing if many of your family and friends are still alive, and which are dead. I witnessed thousands of people dying, literally, just on my street that night, and I'm still not really that ready to talk about it. I find myself looking over my shoulder all the time just to make sure some moving plant or vine isn't trying to grab hold of me. I still have nightmares about it all.
I try my best to be keep how I'm feeling in check in front of the children, particularly since Mason is still away on some business. I've received a letter from him at least, so I'm assured that he's fine. Everything is fine. For now. At least.
It's still very hard. The not knowing if many of your family and friends are still alive, and which are dead. I witnessed thousands of people dying, literally, just on my street that night, and I'm still not really that ready to talk about it. I find myself looking over my shoulder all the time just to make sure some moving plant or vine isn't trying to grab hold of me. I still have nightmares about it all.
I try my best to be keep how I'm feeling in check in front of the children, particularly since Mason is still away on some business. I've received a letter from him at least, so I'm assured that he's fine. Everything is fine. For now. At least.
Written By Lou
Sept. 8, 2021, 8:14 p.m.(3/3/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Viviana
I distinctly disagree. When you're royal and have had your home city sacked and overrun with demons, I think you might have a different perspective on that as well.
It's hard to have hope when you do not know if you'll get your home back.
It's hard to have hope when you're not sure if your sister, your mother, your aunts, uncles, and cousins are still alive.
It's hard to have hope that you'll ever be able to go back home to visit your favorite child haunts.
It's hard to have hope when it is all being defiled and desecrated by those who who just want to see all of humanity gone.
I try. I do.
I found myself sitting in the Hall of Heroes before the Grayson fealty dinner last night, trying to discern how Copper was able to do it for over a thousand years, and also safeguard us all at the same time.
I didn't come up with any good answers to my ponderings.
It's hard to have hope when you do not know if you'll get your home back.
It's hard to have hope when you're not sure if your sister, your mother, your aunts, uncles, and cousins are still alive.
It's hard to have hope that you'll ever be able to go back home to visit your favorite child haunts.
It's hard to have hope when it is all being defiled and desecrated by those who who just want to see all of humanity gone.
I try. I do.
I found myself sitting in the Hall of Heroes before the Grayson fealty dinner last night, trying to discern how Copper was able to do it for over a thousand years, and also safeguard us all at the same time.
I didn't come up with any good answers to my ponderings.
Written By Lou
Aug. 25, 2021, 7:22 a.m.(2/2/1016 AR)
I believe that I am finally coming out of the stupor overcame me after the fall of Bastion.
All I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and stay there, permanently, after the horrors that I witnessed. This was especially so with Mason being away on business, wondering if he was in Bastion at the time or if he was on his way home from whatever took him away. I've received word he may even be on his way back, and when that happened I might disappear for another week or so. And. . . well, I won't go into those details. I'm blushing even thinking about it.
I've noticed the trend of several people explaining the things they've seen in the journals, in great detail. I worry about what those people have written. If it wouldn't attract the notice of another, certain, individual, one that is closer to home. But, then, I also wonder what would happen if more people would be so bold.
The events of Bastion are what they are. The horrors there were dark things made of the stuff of Nightmare and not Dream, though the Queen bid us to remember that we are all in a wonderful Dream and not the Nightmare they want us to believe. In the wake of what fell upon us, it is hard to remember that, even for me; for I have seen so many wonderful things in this world.
So, for now, I choose to recall them, rather than the horrors of that night:
- I have shared a cave with wolves when traveling north; a whole pack of them, peaceably and without threat of being hunted or eaten by them. They surrounded us as they entered, a guard of them laid around us, while a whole stream of others went around us and to the furthest reaches of the cave. All of this was to ride out a storm that sent both my team and that pack into the cave. There was nothing magical about, other than that it was a rare moment that human and beast were at one with one another; that in and of itself is a wondrous magical thing.
- I helped to re-discover the city of wonders, Whitepeak. And while Whitepeak was no city of wonders at the time I was there, we had on both occasions found things of wonder there. The library, which was mostly a burned wreck and had laid open to the elements for centuries, still had books which could be salvaged. Many parts of the city were still in tact, and we could see the various cultures that had influenced the districts of the city. And, although the bridges the edges of the city that would allow a person to travel to different continents in a matter of moments were broken and destroyed, we were yet able to still find one that worked, hidden within the heart of Whitepeak's city center. And, for a brief moment, I was able to cross from Whitepeak into Arx and back in a matter of moments. And, lastly, I was able to find a small, griffon, made of colorful brass, that, when wound up, would unfurl its wings and fly around the room a few times before curling back up to sleep once more. The last, that treasure, is something I hold dear, and I'm sure I've shown it to far, far too many people on more than one occasion, for it is a thing of beauty and wonder in and of itself. A tiny, flying, clockwork griffon.
- I traveled to the furthest peaks of Whitepeak with a group of friends, and we rescued a family of what could only have been in myth and legend. Dwarves. Yes. I said it. Real. Living. Dwarves. They had been stuck in their cave for the better part of 800 years. Somehow, we were able to free them from an impossible situation, allowing them to go in search of their family and loved ones. During part of this journey, I got to travel to one of the tallest peaks in the Gray Forest mountains and see one of the most beautiful views ever seen, and it was as though I could see from one end of Arvum to the other, with all of the colors of our bit of the world on display in front of us in the most vibrant view ever.
- I took a team and traveled to the far, far shores of Brightshore and conversed with an island of people we have not seen or spoken to for at least 200 years or more. We got to see their brightly colorful plants, see their strange, keenly intelligent animals, and to bring home a new to Arvum metal.
And those are only my most recent voyages, not the ones of the past where I've re-discovered some of the other marvels of our history. I choose to cling to these memories, these marvels, these wonders, and not the Nightmares that we've seen. I choose to move forward from all of this, and I will once more find wonder in the world. I deny the Nightmares that which they want most from us, and that is to despair at the seeming impossibility of it all.
Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Nothing is impossible if you but try. And, I will try. I will fight. I will endure. I will remember.
We all will. As the Compact endures, we will remember. As the Compact endures, we will regain our histories.
I am sure of it. Bastion will recover. Grayson will endure. We are not defeated. We will not be defeated.
All I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and stay there, permanently, after the horrors that I witnessed. This was especially so with Mason being away on business, wondering if he was in Bastion at the time or if he was on his way home from whatever took him away. I've received word he may even be on his way back, and when that happened I might disappear for another week or so. And. . . well, I won't go into those details. I'm blushing even thinking about it.
I've noticed the trend of several people explaining the things they've seen in the journals, in great detail. I worry about what those people have written. If it wouldn't attract the notice of another, certain, individual, one that is closer to home. But, then, I also wonder what would happen if more people would be so bold.
The events of Bastion are what they are. The horrors there were dark things made of the stuff of Nightmare and not Dream, though the Queen bid us to remember that we are all in a wonderful Dream and not the Nightmare they want us to believe. In the wake of what fell upon us, it is hard to remember that, even for me; for I have seen so many wonderful things in this world.
So, for now, I choose to recall them, rather than the horrors of that night:
- I have shared a cave with wolves when traveling north; a whole pack of them, peaceably and without threat of being hunted or eaten by them. They surrounded us as they entered, a guard of them laid around us, while a whole stream of others went around us and to the furthest reaches of the cave. All of this was to ride out a storm that sent both my team and that pack into the cave. There was nothing magical about, other than that it was a rare moment that human and beast were at one with one another; that in and of itself is a wondrous magical thing.
- I helped to re-discover the city of wonders, Whitepeak. And while Whitepeak was no city of wonders at the time I was there, we had on both occasions found things of wonder there. The library, which was mostly a burned wreck and had laid open to the elements for centuries, still had books which could be salvaged. Many parts of the city were still in tact, and we could see the various cultures that had influenced the districts of the city. And, although the bridges the edges of the city that would allow a person to travel to different continents in a matter of moments were broken and destroyed, we were yet able to still find one that worked, hidden within the heart of Whitepeak's city center. And, for a brief moment, I was able to cross from Whitepeak into Arx and back in a matter of moments. And, lastly, I was able to find a small, griffon, made of colorful brass, that, when wound up, would unfurl its wings and fly around the room a few times before curling back up to sleep once more. The last, that treasure, is something I hold dear, and I'm sure I've shown it to far, far too many people on more than one occasion, for it is a thing of beauty and wonder in and of itself. A tiny, flying, clockwork griffon.
- I traveled to the furthest peaks of Whitepeak with a group of friends, and we rescued a family of what could only have been in myth and legend. Dwarves. Yes. I said it. Real. Living. Dwarves. They had been stuck in their cave for the better part of 800 years. Somehow, we were able to free them from an impossible situation, allowing them to go in search of their family and loved ones. During part of this journey, I got to travel to one of the tallest peaks in the Gray Forest mountains and see one of the most beautiful views ever seen, and it was as though I could see from one end of Arvum to the other, with all of the colors of our bit of the world on display in front of us in the most vibrant view ever.
- I took a team and traveled to the far, far shores of Brightshore and conversed with an island of people we have not seen or spoken to for at least 200 years or more. We got to see their brightly colorful plants, see their strange, keenly intelligent animals, and to bring home a new to Arvum metal.
And those are only my most recent voyages, not the ones of the past where I've re-discovered some of the other marvels of our history. I choose to cling to these memories, these marvels, these wonders, and not the Nightmares that we've seen. I choose to move forward from all of this, and I will once more find wonder in the world. I deny the Nightmares that which they want most from us, and that is to despair at the seeming impossibility of it all.
Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Nothing is impossible if you but try. And, I will try. I will fight. I will endure. I will remember.
We all will. As the Compact endures, we will remember. As the Compact endures, we will regain our histories.
I am sure of it. Bastion will recover. Grayson will endure. We are not defeated. We will not be defeated.
Written By Lou
Aug. 21, 2021, 5:59 p.m.(1/23/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Mason
How I wish you were in the city right now, and not away on business. After the events of Bastion, I need someone who understands me only the way you do to talk to. I hope you are safe, and well, wherever you are. I am missing you sorely, and the kids miss you too.
Written By Lou
July 26, 2021, 1:30 p.m.(11/27/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Mason
You were right, love. They do exist. I thought they were the stuff made of story and legend when we first talked about them, so long ago, as we traveled to the north with Laric, Khanne, and Tikva. But they do exist. They are a terrible sight to endure and the world is less brighter for the person who fought them so valiantly and gave his life to protect so many others.
Written By Lou
June 20, 2021, 10:28 p.m.(9/11/1015 AR)
I feel as though I am really bad at this journaling duty. I haven't written in months, and not for lack of writing, just for lack of /time/ to write things.
There's been a bevy of things going on. Plots and machinations galore. Some mine, some others, some darker.
Things are moving at a slow pace, which I'm fine with. Some are impatient. There's also been a sharing of information. I should really get this all down in one section or other other soon, in case I ever need to go back and get context on just why I wrote.
Also, I am looking for the next exploration project to get into. You didn't seriously think I'd stop with Brightshore, did you? There's so many new places out there left to explore, and I've been told there's a new ship on the horizon! How exciting.
But, for now, I'd just be happy if I could find more information on the topic I'm investigating. If I hear Willen asking me one more time if I found anything new, I might throw something at him. It's been months. This is certainly the longest I've gone in searching for information.
There's been a bevy of things going on. Plots and machinations galore. Some mine, some others, some darker.
Things are moving at a slow pace, which I'm fine with. Some are impatient. There's also been a sharing of information. I should really get this all down in one section or other other soon, in case I ever need to go back and get context on just why I wrote.
Also, I am looking for the next exploration project to get into. You didn't seriously think I'd stop with Brightshore, did you? There's so many new places out there left to explore, and I've been told there's a new ship on the horizon! How exciting.
But, for now, I'd just be happy if I could find more information on the topic I'm investigating. If I hear Willen asking me one more time if I found anything new, I might throw something at him. It's been months. This is certainly the longest I've gone in searching for information.
Written By Lou
May 2, 2021, 2:52 p.m.(5/25/1015 AR)
I am pretty certain that I can never, in any world, look at cats the same ever again.
Written By Lou
March 13, 2021, 3:53 p.m.(2/9/1015 AR)
I attempted to explain my latest goals to Queen Symonesse recently. I know it's an impossible task. Probably doomed to fail. But one I must try. Her response, paraphrased of course:
You Grayson's sure do not know how to do anything easy, do you?
Which is fair. I mean, I explore things. Some might think it's easy but it can be fraught with dangers. Lots of dangers. People have died exploring. Just go consult Norman Grayridge's journals.
But this? I'm out of my depth and know it. But, I have a start. We'll see if I sink or swim. There will be a lot of obstacles and uphill battles.
I can accept if I just end up treading water.
You Grayson's sure do not know how to do anything easy, do you?
Which is fair. I mean, I explore things. Some might think it's easy but it can be fraught with dangers. Lots of dangers. People have died exploring. Just go consult Norman Grayridge's journals.
But this? I'm out of my depth and know it. But, I have a start. We'll see if I sink or swim. There will be a lot of obstacles and uphill battles.
I can accept if I just end up treading water.
Written By Lou
March 7, 2021, 6:59 a.m.(1/24/1015 AR)
Explores must explore. Right? That's what we're born to do? Sometimes, once in a while, when poking at an area, the area pokes back. Or, something in the area. It's not often, and when it does it's usually something profound.
I learned some truths on my lastest expedition. Now, I need to put those truths into action, and talk to a few people, no matter how unpopular some ideas might be. I fear it will be an uphill battle and words will may fall on deaf ears. But that's the least of my fears. My worst fears are that it will just simply lead to inaction, altogether. Therein will lie ruin.
All the same, I am a person of action. I will do what I must to see things through as I can, as I always do.
I now have more than a few missives to pen. It's time to get to work.
I learned some truths on my lastest expedition. Now, I need to put those truths into action, and talk to a few people, no matter how unpopular some ideas might be. I fear it will be an uphill battle and words will may fall on deaf ears. But that's the least of my fears. My worst fears are that it will just simply lead to inaction, altogether. Therein will lie ruin.
All the same, I am a person of action. I will do what I must to see things through as I can, as I always do.
I now have more than a few missives to pen. It's time to get to work.
Written By Lou
March 2, 2021, 5:59 a.m.(1/14/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Giulio
I am rather surprised to hear about Count Giulio's demise, so soon after the Archscholar Sina was killed. It seems that no sooner had we set time aside for a Ceremony to remember one explorer that we need to set aside more time for another, and not for the usual means that would spell an exporer's demise.
I do hope that some truth can be uncovered in light of Giulio's death. I know a fair few who would want to know why he was killed. Though, I suppose, one might look no further than some of the topics he may have been researching, for he was quite prolific about collecting information.
I regret that I had not had the opportunity to drag him along on some adventure. I shall pray to the Queen of Endings that his soul might be able to find some rest.
I do hope that some truth can be uncovered in light of Giulio's death. I know a fair few who would want to know why he was killed. Though, I suppose, one might look no further than some of the topics he may have been researching, for he was quite prolific about collecting information.
I regret that I had not had the opportunity to drag him along on some adventure. I shall pray to the Queen of Endings that his soul might be able to find some rest.
Written By Lou
March 1, 2021, 11:07 p.m.(1/14/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Sina
I am a bit late in doing this. I am writing down the speech that I gave a the Remembering Archscholar Sina event that I held within the Society of Explorers, with a minor edit or three.
I knew Archscholar Sina when she was just Sina, a young woman in the employ of my cousin, Princess Alarissa Thrax. She was young, bright, and full of zest and wonder of the world then. I knew that she had a keen sense of adventure, and took the Explorer's test, along with Alarissa, just for fun to see if she could pass it. She was both delighted and surprised that she passed the test and I invited her to join the Explorers. Since that time, she had become rather proficient in helping many an Explorer follow their dreams.
Then came the call from the King to research what happened to his father, for he had heard a rumor that Alaric III was still alive. He set all of the Grayson to work on this task. I reached out to Sina, who had risen in rank of Archscholar over the years, with the hopes that she could help me. Not only was she a wonderful resource to the research I completed, but it also turned out that she had a mystery of her own to solve that went along with my research. So, for many years, we worked together to unravel the mystery of Alaric III's disappearance, and with that, helping her to uncover the truth about the White Singer, who serves at the Dune Emperor - Alaric III's - side.
I will miss the long nights of research we spent together, and going over our various crazy theories. I will miss her caring and her compassion. I will miss her wit and determination. She was, I think, one of my very dearest of friends, and I am so, so very happy to see the impact she had on so many others' lives, as represented by your presence here this evening. I hope that she has inspired the same spirit in all of those disciples that follows after her, and that her spirit runs through the Scholars and everyone else she's inspired over the years. She was a very brave woman, who made a very brave, and difficult decision to try and make the world a better place and protect many people in the process.
To Archscholar Sina. May we always remember her.
I knew Archscholar Sina when she was just Sina, a young woman in the employ of my cousin, Princess Alarissa Thrax. She was young, bright, and full of zest and wonder of the world then. I knew that she had a keen sense of adventure, and took the Explorer's test, along with Alarissa, just for fun to see if she could pass it. She was both delighted and surprised that she passed the test and I invited her to join the Explorers. Since that time, she had become rather proficient in helping many an Explorer follow their dreams.
Then came the call from the King to research what happened to his father, for he had heard a rumor that Alaric III was still alive. He set all of the Grayson to work on this task. I reached out to Sina, who had risen in rank of Archscholar over the years, with the hopes that she could help me. Not only was she a wonderful resource to the research I completed, but it also turned out that she had a mystery of her own to solve that went along with my research. So, for many years, we worked together to unravel the mystery of Alaric III's disappearance, and with that, helping her to uncover the truth about the White Singer, who serves at the Dune Emperor - Alaric III's - side.
I will miss the long nights of research we spent together, and going over our various crazy theories. I will miss her caring and her compassion. I will miss her wit and determination. She was, I think, one of my very dearest of friends, and I am so, so very happy to see the impact she had on so many others' lives, as represented by your presence here this evening. I hope that she has inspired the same spirit in all of those disciples that follows after her, and that her spirit runs through the Scholars and everyone else she's inspired over the years. She was a very brave woman, who made a very brave, and difficult decision to try and make the world a better place and protect many people in the process.
To Archscholar Sina. May we always remember her.
Written By Lou
Dec. 18, 2020, 7:31 p.m.(8/5/1014 AR)
I find myself yet again preparing to write a lecture for another adventure. This time Brightshore. The journey there was long, but well worth it. We returned home with a new to Arvum metal; or maybe it was old to Arvum and just long since forgotten? Goldsteel. Even now I've put out a call to crafters to see if they can do anything with the ingots we managed to trade for.
And some of my party came home with such strange animals that sometimes appear more intelligent than they seem. I'm certain it's just a trick my mind was playing on me; though the fossa, I'm pretty sure, harbors some grudge against me. It resembles a cat. The other two, though different counter parts of the same species, are so unlike anything I've ever seen before.
The people there were friendly, and I was able to learn the language of Brightshore during my time there.
I'll talk more about it on the morrow. I do need to save some points for my lecture, after all.
And some of my party came home with such strange animals that sometimes appear more intelligent than they seem. I'm certain it's just a trick my mind was playing on me; though the fossa, I'm pretty sure, harbors some grudge against me. It resembles a cat. The other two, though different counter parts of the same species, are so unlike anything I've ever seen before.
The people there were friendly, and I was able to learn the language of Brightshore during my time there.
I'll talk more about it on the morrow. I do need to save some points for my lecture, after all.
Written By Lou
Dec. 6, 2020, 1:16 p.m.(7/8/1014 AR)
Traveling across the ocean to a far away land in a caravel is quite the experience, but sometimes the land sickness is real after being out to sea for so long. My head still very much thinks that I'm on a boat. The rest of my body does too, and the land sways as if we're on the ocean. I'm not normally affected like this, but I've also never been at to sea for so long before. Past voyages in the Eventide vast always fell short of my goal because our ships were not ocean going vessels like the caravels.
I'll write more of my travels later, once the land sickness subsides and I can think of something other than not falling over.
I'll write more of my travels later, once the land sickness subsides and I can think of something other than not falling over.
Written By Lou
Sept. 7, 2020, 11:47 p.m.(12/24/1013 AR)
The nerve of some people! Suggesting that my clockwork griffon from Whitepeak be dismantled!?! Absolutely not! It is a priceless treasure from 800 years ago, and it is brass and beautiful and no one is dismantling it. It is to be loved and respected for the piece of history it is!
If they want a device to dismantle and put back together, I'll ask if I can have the clockwork bird that we built to help discover the dwarves. Beautiful family of five that they were, and so very glad we got to rescue them. I figure since I held the last lecture, even though it was private, and enough people attended, I can probably talk about it a small bit without getting too many side eye looks.
Better yet, I'll make a copy of the clockwork plans we used to create the clockwork bird, without certain notations included. They can study those instead, they'll be more informative.
If they want a device to dismantle and put back together, I'll ask if I can have the clockwork bird that we built to help discover the dwarves. Beautiful family of five that they were, and so very glad we got to rescue them. I figure since I held the last lecture, even though it was private, and enough people attended, I can probably talk about it a small bit without getting too many side eye looks.
Better yet, I'll make a copy of the clockwork plans we used to create the clockwork bird, without certain notations included. They can study those instead, they'll be more informative.
Written By Lou
Aug. 10, 2020, 8:57 p.m.(10/24/1013 AR)
This has got to be the BEST DAY EVER.
That is all.
That is all.
Written By Lou
June 20, 2020, 3:24 a.m.(7/5/1013 AR)
Huh. So, it seems I've been invited to join the Crown because I'm a Voice of Grayson. I'm not quite so certain how I should feel about this and cannot recall if I was part of the Crown when I was Voice before. It's probably a time that I grayed out through copious amounts of exploration.
A part of me tells me to run for the hills and go explore all the things, but soon enough I'll be on a boat to Brightshore with several other individuals. We've almost gathered all of our needed and necessary supplies for the trip. And, then, I'll be gone for several months.
I guess we'll see how things shake out; assuming I survive the trip, of course.
A part of me tells me to run for the hills and go explore all the things, but soon enough I'll be on a boat to Brightshore with several other individuals. We've almost gathered all of our needed and necessary supplies for the trip. And, then, I'll be gone for several months.
I guess we'll see how things shake out; assuming I survive the trip, of course.
Written By Lou
June 14, 2020, 9:54 p.m.(6/22/1013 AR)
I very much want to be able to trust that this new prince of Eurus and his retinue can be trusted, but their arrival comes on the heels of assassins making an attempt on my husband's life, twice. The second time they almost made it all the way to the window of our room, where our children sleep. To say that I'm on edge and wary of these new people would be an understatement. A very, very gross understatement.
I can only say that I can try to not let any relationship we might form with them and their price be colored by the actions of others. But it is very, very hard.
I can only say that I can try to not let any relationship we might form with them and their price be colored by the actions of others. But it is very, very hard.
Written By Lou
Feb. 16, 2020, 8:30 a.m.(10.237715773809525/14.312083333333334/1012.7698096478175 AR)
Relationship Note on Sydney
I wouldn't be too hard on them. They are likely still smarting from the Silence War. They memory of it might still be too fresh, and they may be still to wary to trust a true Seraph when they see one standing before them, for it was "seraphs" who duped us before. And yes, do please notice the difference in how I spelled the word. We had people coming to us, claiming to be voices of the Gods. People believed them, joined their cause, and almost ended the world. A war was fought, and many, many died.
However, I have it on good authority that Prism is the real deal. She's good people. The best person even. That she is potentially a person I could entrust to ensure the safety of my children from the threats coming from Eurus; from many sources of people that I trust. So, I have every bit of Faith that if Prism says she'll do a thing for us, she'll do it, so long as we do our part in helping to end the slavery of Skal'daga, to free its people.
But, in order to do so, we'll have to have Faith in her, and in Skald, and in the Gods themselves; we'll have to get over our fears of the past, and the fears of what might come tomorrow, and decide to do this thing. This thing that is so, so /very/ right to do. Given our past, this is not an easy ask. It should be, but it's not. Doing something based solely on Faith is scary. People want assurances that everything will be alright. Those are not assurances that can be given. It will be a long, hard road, and people on both sides will die along that road, but I have every bit of Faith that once accomplished, we'll be all the stronger for it.
Like I was telling people at the Grayson family dinner. . .
Sometimes, you won't always have more information at your fingertips to make a decision. Sometimes, you have to make a decision based solely on Faith alone and trust that the people you surround yourself with will come through in the end. I say this as the leader of the Society of Explorers, of course. Most of the places we find are based in part due to research, but largely because we have the Faith that all of the effort we've put into a project will follow through and we'll find the lost races we're seeking, like the legendary dwarves, and the lost places of magical wonders, like Whitepeak. We never know, when we start a journey if we'll ever find these places, but it doesn't stop us from trying all the same, nor does it stop us from having the Faith to put one foot forward and simply try.
However, I have it on good authority that Prism is the real deal. She's good people. The best person even. That she is potentially a person I could entrust to ensure the safety of my children from the threats coming from Eurus; from many sources of people that I trust. So, I have every bit of Faith that if Prism says she'll do a thing for us, she'll do it, so long as we do our part in helping to end the slavery of Skal'daga, to free its people.
But, in order to do so, we'll have to have Faith in her, and in Skald, and in the Gods themselves; we'll have to get over our fears of the past, and the fears of what might come tomorrow, and decide to do this thing. This thing that is so, so /very/ right to do. Given our past, this is not an easy ask. It should be, but it's not. Doing something based solely on Faith is scary. People want assurances that everything will be alright. Those are not assurances that can be given. It will be a long, hard road, and people on both sides will die along that road, but I have every bit of Faith that once accomplished, we'll be all the stronger for it.
Like I was telling people at the Grayson family dinner. . .
Sometimes, you won't always have more information at your fingertips to make a decision. Sometimes, you have to make a decision based solely on Faith alone and trust that the people you surround yourself with will come through in the end. I say this as the leader of the Society of Explorers, of course. Most of the places we find are based in part due to research, but largely because we have the Faith that all of the effort we've put into a project will follow through and we'll find the lost races we're seeking, like the legendary dwarves, and the lost places of magical wonders, like Whitepeak. We never know, when we start a journey if we'll ever find these places, but it doesn't stop us from trying all the same, nor does it stop us from having the Faith to put one foot forward and simply try.
Written By Lou
Dec. 27, 2019, 9:21 a.m.(6/14/1012 AR)
I went back. To Whitepeak. It was as amazing and wonderful to be there as the first time, even though the bodies in the streets from Lorwroth Kinsbane's rampage there, all those years ago, is still such a sobering experience when you first walk in. I would just spend days, weeks, months, years there, if I could, however the journey is so, so long that you can only bring enough supplies to stay for a day or two, at most, and still have enough supplies to get back. Mountaineering is not for the weak of heart, that's for certain. But it's oh so worth it, in the end, to see her peaks and valleys, and the interlocking concentric circles of the streets below, for you get to see a whole view of the city when you first entering, from top of the bowl above.
I am already planning another trip back, but it'll be months before I can gather enough resources and supplies to return. I could spend my whole life exploring there, and I would be ever so happy, with each new experience and wonder uncovered.
In the meantime, my experiences with Whitepeak have made me think long and hard about what mark I want to make on the world, and what direction I want to take my life. That, and other things, have given me a drive to learn a thing or two - even if I can't be great at it, I'll pour my heart and soul into it making some new discoveries.
I am already planning another trip back, but it'll be months before I can gather enough resources and supplies to return. I could spend my whole life exploring there, and I would be ever so happy, with each new experience and wonder uncovered.
In the meantime, my experiences with Whitepeak have made me think long and hard about what mark I want to make on the world, and what direction I want to take my life. That, and other things, have given me a drive to learn a thing or two - even if I can't be great at it, I'll pour my heart and soul into it making some new discoveries.
Written By Lou
Dec. 2, 2019, 2:01 p.m.(4/20/1012 AR)
I have discovered that there are new entries and texts regarding Norman the Explorer within the Great Archives. I have been enjoying learning more about him, especially given it seems I've inadvertently followed in his footsteps a time or two without even realizing it. He was a great explorer, and to some - even - a hero. I cannot wait to see what more I can discover about the man and his adventures. I expect, sometime soon, I should come to start writing my own down - but do I create several books, or do I write about them in the White Journals for others to discover as I have discovered his own?
Perhaps I'll need to decide between the many adventures I've had. However, whatever the case, I'll be ever glad to get back to Whitepeak again; as time, and duties as Grayson Voice allows, of course.
Perhaps I'll need to decide between the many adventures I've had. However, whatever the case, I'll be ever glad to get back to Whitepeak again; as time, and duties as Grayson Voice allows, of course.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.