Written By Sudara
Oct. 27, 2019, 6:21 p.m.(2/5/1012 AR)
I find myself once again happily indebted to a cousin, with Valentina having been kind enough to assist the furtherance of my education. Though I have spent most of my life in close company of assorted books and scrolls, there are still a great many areas about which I know all too little - especially fields of a more practical kind. Valentina has been able to set my feet on one path to remedying that failing, and I gratefully anticipate further opportunities to reap the fruits of her learning... though I still need to find tutors to help me rectify other areas of ignorance.
Written By Sudara
Oct. 20, 2019, 6:24 p.m.(1/19/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Llewella
This charming lady of Melaeris is not only an unusually accomplished artist, but also flatteringly enthusiastic about having me tap my fund of old tales dug up from obscure corners of history. She even goes so far as to say that she wants me to sit for her.
Written By Sudara
Oct. 13, 2019, 6:44 p.m.(1/5/1012 AR)
It does sometimes make me feel more than a little antiquated, but there is real pleasure in returning to the role of a tutor and instructor for others: it brings me back to a number of periods in my past, when I was entrusted with a small portion of the responsibility for educating various members of my kin. Frequently, the topics are the same: points of etiquette, principles of diplomacy, excursions into history, and the like. But I particularly welcome a recent addition to the curriculum: teaching others how to pass on their own knowledge feels doubly rewarding. At least to this former tormentor of young children with the terrors of books and numbers!
Written By Sudara
Oct. 13, 2019, 6:43 p.m.(1/5/1012 AR)
Though I am still - somewhat guiltily - enjoying the popular acclaim with which I and many others of my name are greeted within the Lycene Quarter, I cannot help but muse upon related changes. The welcome mellowing of attitudes towards the Truesworn is still in place; indeed, there have been a few enquiries about Truesworn history and even recruitment.
Written By Sudara
Oct. 6, 2019, 6:35 p.m.(12/19/1011 AR)
How some of my kin and acquaintances live like this, I find hard to imagine - but I have (briefly, no doubt) found myself once again a figure of widespread public recognition. To an extent, I am of course accustomed to such things when on Esterhold... but my life here in the capital is largely that of a bookworm, and it is profoundly strange to stand out like this amidst the throngs of Arx. Pleasant in its own way, but it is daunting to consider what this might be like for more than a few days at a time.
Written By Sudara
Sept. 1, 2019, 7:20 p.m.(10/4/1011 AR)
It's startling how much more productive some efforts one undertakes can be than are others of a similar type. Of late, two attempts that Tenebrae and I made to acquire the kinds of resources required for our fortification efforts turned out to be remarkably successful; one quite astonishingly so, in fact. I feel more than a little proud of our success, in spite of my awareness that its scale was in great part a matter of simple (if dramatic) good fortune. It certainly does make a change from our struggles in years past.
Written By Sudara
Aug. 25, 2019, 6:44 p.m.(9/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Icelyn
An acquaintance with whom I share a startling amount of history... but whose life story took very different paths to my own, at key moments. I very much hope that we can learn from each and help each other, and she is one of those to whom I hope to be able to show Esterhold.
Written By Sudara
Aug. 18, 2019, 5:01 p.m.(9/4/1011 AR)
This might be an embarrassing thing to admit comparatively publicly, but I confess that I do not know quite how or why my cousin (first, once-removed to be precise) Celeste came to be known as 'the Iron Kraken'. Is she a kraken because of her ability to take an interest in many things at once? Because of the length of her reach? The firmness of her grasp on those things that secure her attention? Certainly, she seems to have little direct similarity to overgrown seafood.
Written By Sudara
Aug. 4, 2019, 8 p.m.(8/4/1011 AR)
It feels rather strange to have a quiet week or two - with little more to occupy me than some idle reading, some light tutoring of a pupil or two, and my customary work on behalf of my House and domain. Even that last was less prevalent than usual, but it seems that my recent organisational exertions took something of a toll on my reserves of energy and enthusiasm. Still, I can hope that I will soon be able to return to my researches and perhaps start planning for my next substantial project.
Written By Sudara
July 28, 2019, 4:14 p.m.(7/18/1011 AR)
It might very well just be an effect of my advancing years, but I confess that I am finding it increasingly difficult to organise large-scale efforts in the way I used to. It has taken almost all my capacities over the span of a couple of weeks to get a new effort underway and provide suitable support to Tenebrae in her work. Still, I have very much enjoyed concocting the plans, and hope that our endeavours will prove fruitful.
Written By Sudara
July 20, 2019, 9:48 a.m.(7/2/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadir
An intriguing Seraceni with far less interest in swashbuckling or buccaneering than in the building of alliances and the winning of friends. I am warmly grateful to him for the pleasant surprise of being approached with a request for long-term cooperation; I look forward to learning what we can do to help our home fiefs.
Written By Sudara
July 20, 2019, 9:47 a.m.(7/2/1011 AR)
Are my beloved followers now verging on respectability? It is rather a strange notion, but it would seem that an unexpected side-effect of our fortification efforts has been that the Trueworn are now hailed - by prodigal standards - as being comparatively civilised and unusually accomplished. Still prodigals, but now somewhat more than minimally-tolerated among the Lyceum. As surprises go, it is a decidedly welcome one.
Written By Sudara
July 14, 2019, 11:06 a.m.(6/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Galatea
An intriguing young woman, whose chosen scholarly path diverges from my own - but who appears willing to put up with an aging historian rambling at her about obscure corners of the past. Her kindness is very much appreciated.
Written By Sudara
July 14, 2019, 10:59 a.m.(6/17/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Videl
Equally committed to her art and her duty to her House - it seems that Granato is fortunate indeed to have her as one of those helping to care for it. There is a good deal to be said, I think, for those who hold power over others having artistry in their soul.
Written By Sudara
July 7, 2019, 7:08 p.m.(6/4/1011 AR)
My cousin Niccolo died this week. As a full first cousin (rather than one of my myriad once-removed kinfolk!), he was much too old for me to have ever served as one of his tutors. Indeed, where he was unquestionably someone of import, throughout my childhood and adolesence I was the spare daughter of a spare son and destined for little save a life among books. How fate chose to tweak the paths of both our lives.... I very much hope that he has found rest now. Whatever rumours might surround such a prominent Setarcan, he certainly suffered sorrows and losses aplenty.
Written By Sudara
July 7, 2019, 7:08 p.m.(6/4/1011 AR)
It is deeply perturbing that there have been so many disappearances, both of late and in the longer term. Amidst all the deaths and assassinations, there is something particularly unsettling about people vanishing without trace: are they in hiding? Has their death been so remarkably hideous that it cannot be revealed? Still, amidst this I find myself particularly wondering whether anyone might know where to find Master Morton Waldo..?
Written By Sudara
June 30, 2019, 7:39 p.m.(5/18/1011 AR)
Are researchers and bookworms in fashion once again? Of late, it has seemed so: in recent weeks I have had more calls upon my time and requests for aid than has been the case for a long time. I would be truly delighted to share many of my tales and fragments; unfortunately, most of those requested in recent times indicate serious concerns about the future. That people desire to learn more, to better judge how to proceed, is certainly to be welcomed, however. I hope that I have been able to provide at least a little insight.
Written By Sudara
June 30, 2019, 6:58 p.m.(5/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Viviana
One of my students whom I decidedly failed to turn into a bookworm. Instead, she has grown up dashing, bold, and well-suited to her role as Sword of Setarco. To her further credit, she is keen to seek assistance from those who possess skills she doesn't when she thinks that such things are needed.
Written By Sudara
June 30, 2019, 2:56 p.m.(5/18/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Valentina
Raised alongside Belladonna and Celeste while they were my pupils, she also suffered from my enthusiasm for matters historical and obscure. Thankfully, even now that she is a socialite of high renown and rank she seems to retain some fondness for her rambling old tutor and her stories!
Written By Sudara
June 23, 2019, 8:08 p.m.(5/4/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Vanora
Cousins in high places can certainly come in useful from time to time, even for those of us with concerns that tend to be far below matters that would occupy the time of a Duchess. When such kinswomen are both intelligent and delightful company, it is a true honour to be so well-connected.
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