Written By Victus
Nov. 23, 2016, 3 a.m.(3/11/1005 AR)
Some people are too clever for their own good. You don't have to slowly unravel a fucking impossible knot if all it takes is to pull out your knife and cut the thing apart instead. Rope's cheap to replace, anyway.
Just like people.
So keep things simple, I say.
On a different note (or perhaps its the same fucking note), I never considered myself the quickest of thinkers. Things others take easy often requires me to sit down and chew on it for a while. Letters swim before my fucking eyes, and give me headaches. (Not that men aught to spend much time with letters, of course, it being woman's business.) Sometimes it seems to me like those quick thinkers get sloppy, though. They rush ahead to their brilliant fucking revelation, and forget to take the time to ponder.
Then it all falls a-fucking-part.
Because what works in theory ain't always practical.
Just like people.
So keep things simple, I say.
On a different note (or perhaps its the same fucking note), I never considered myself the quickest of thinkers. Things others take easy often requires me to sit down and chew on it for a while. Letters swim before my fucking eyes, and give me headaches. (Not that men aught to spend much time with letters, of course, it being woman's business.) Sometimes it seems to me like those quick thinkers get sloppy, though. They rush ahead to their brilliant fucking revelation, and forget to take the time to ponder.
Then it all falls a-fucking-part.
Because what works in theory ain't always practical.
Written By Victus
Nov. 20, 2016, 4:42 a.m.(3/2/1005 AR)
The vast majority who lay claim to altruistic motives are either liars (to others or themselves or both) or just plain fools. As a practical matter, being selfish usually wins out, whether that's being selfish for yourself, or whichever House you represent.
Still, I'm forced to admit that there are some insane fuckers who somehow manage to disregard all the rules and still somehow come out not just fine, but on top. I'm a cynic, perhaps, but even I'll say that every rule has its exceptions.
Exactly who is which when you're in the middle of it, that's hard to tell, however. When the odds are two to one, even if you're being incredibly fucking generous, I know where my money's at.
Still, I'm forced to admit that there are some insane fuckers who somehow manage to disregard all the rules and still somehow come out not just fine, but on top. I'm a cynic, perhaps, but even I'll say that every rule has its exceptions.
Exactly who is which when you're in the middle of it, that's hard to tell, however. When the odds are two to one, even if you're being incredibly fucking generous, I know where my money's at.
Written By Victus
Nov. 16, 2016, 4:20 p.m.(2/19/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Natalia
This one's got poison in her.
She might look like a fucking angel, but all that pretty just hides a right fucking bitch. When you call her out on it, she blinks and says its all a fucking misunderstanding. Ha. No. She's a bitch and she knows it.
Then again, its not like I'm some fucking saint either. As long as she keeps buying me drinks, I'll keep accepting her fucking invitations.
She might look like a fucking angel, but all that pretty just hides a right fucking bitch. When you call her out on it, she blinks and says its all a fucking misunderstanding. Ha. No. She's a bitch and she knows it.
Then again, its not like I'm some fucking saint either. As long as she keeps buying me drinks, I'll keep accepting her fucking invitations.
Written By Victus
Nov. 15, 2016, 6:18 a.m.(2/15/1005 AR)
I was at the Assembly. Dawn Baseborn is now Regent of the Compact, though you probably knew that already. The word's spreading across the fucking whole of Arvum. Can't say that I'm surprised they picked her, either. The vast fucking majority of the time someone was talking to me about it, it was to either regale me with how great she was, or to worry that someone else would try to steal it from her for their own nefarious purposes.
If I am surprised its that there weren't any alternatives offered. My bad. I thought at least some ambitious fucker was gonna try something.
Anyhow, if you're riding into a storm, best have a Captain. And once you have a Captain, the crew best be behind that Captain. Even if the Captain is a young woman and a bastard at that. There's no point in looking back when you've made that choice. You ride it out with what you got, and hope to the fucking Gods everybody pulls their weight.
So here's to Dawn, Regent of the Compact. May you not suck at your new job.
If I am surprised its that there weren't any alternatives offered. My bad. I thought at least some ambitious fucker was gonna try something.
Anyhow, if you're riding into a storm, best have a Captain. And once you have a Captain, the crew best be behind that Captain. Even if the Captain is a young woman and a bastard at that. There's no point in looking back when you've made that choice. You ride it out with what you got, and hope to the fucking Gods everybody pulls their weight.
So here's to Dawn, Regent of the Compact. May you not suck at your new job.
Written By Victus
Nov. 13, 2016, 6:16 p.m.(2/11/1005 AR)
Friend.
I find it hard to trust anyone who would call another friend after a few drinks, a few words, a few fucking commonalities. It becomes just another word, deprived of meaning. And it should mean something. With friendship comes obligation.
Really, its a fucking burden.
Which is why I hardly bother with it.
I find it hard to trust anyone who would call another friend after a few drinks, a few words, a few fucking commonalities. It becomes just another word, deprived of meaning. And it should mean something. With friendship comes obligation.
Really, its a fucking burden.
Which is why I hardly bother with it.
Written By Victus
Nov. 11, 2016, 8 p.m.(2/5/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
People have asked me about my opinion of Donella.
A woman is not the ideal fit for the Voice of Thrax. None the less, if a woman was meant to be the voice, it is Donella. I suspect that if she were a man, I would support her candidacy for Prince of Maelstrom.
She is not, of course.
But she is, undoubtedly, the epitome of a woman of Thrax.
A woman is not the ideal fit for the Voice of Thrax. None the less, if a woman was meant to be the voice, it is Donella. I suspect that if she were a man, I would support her candidacy for Prince of Maelstrom.
She is not, of course.
But she is, undoubtedly, the epitome of a woman of Thrax.
Written By Victus
Nov. 8, 2016, 12:06 p.m.(1/23/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
I wondered what he was good for when someone actually focused on him. In the melee, the only opportunity I had to see him fight, I was too fuckingpreoccupied to pay him any actual attention. My information came second hand.
He looks like a self indulgent and silken fop.
But his reputation for fighting isn't unearned, and so his success in the melee I can't consider simply the result of flukes and luck, even if that was the impression I'd been given.
Competence deserves a measure of respect, whatever else I might think of someone. It takes too many fucking thousands of hours of hard work to achieve.
He looks like a self indulgent and silken fop.
But his reputation for fighting isn't unearned, and so his success in the melee I can't consider simply the result of flukes and luck, even if that was the impression I'd been given.
Competence deserves a measure of respect, whatever else I might think of someone. It takes too many fucking thousands of hours of hard work to achieve.
Written By Victus
Nov. 6, 2016, 5:31 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Max
I knew the boy from he was about this (...the Lord Victus indicates to me about chest high...) so tall, when he first came to serve aboard my ship. It didn't take all that long for me to determine that the little shit was going to have his own ship sooner rather than later.
He was quick, he was able, and he didn't cower before a storm. Whether it was Mangata calling it or came in the shape of men.
He may hate the responsibilities of rulership, but I like him better than I did his brother, so as far as I'm concerned the elder Darkwater did us all a favor by getting killed.
Well, all of us but Maximilian.
He was quick, he was able, and he didn't cower before a storm. Whether it was Mangata calling it or came in the shape of men.
He may hate the responsibilities of rulership, but I like him better than I did his brother, so as far as I'm concerned the elder Darkwater did us all a favor by getting killed.
Well, all of us but Maximilian.
Written By Victus
Nov. 6, 2016, 5:22 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)
I'm not a duelist.
But I do not let other men fight for my honor. That is for women and weaklings and the cowards.
Or Lords of Houses that can ill afford succession on matters little importance, I suppose. A general does not lead from the front if he wants to stay a general long. The front is where men go to die.
I'll say one more thing of duels to the first blood: They're not very satisfying.
But I do not let other men fight for my honor. That is for women and weaklings and the cowards.
Or Lords of Houses that can ill afford succession on matters little importance, I suppose. A general does not lead from the front if he wants to stay a general long. The front is where men go to die.
I'll say one more thing of duels to the first blood: They're not very satisfying.
Written By Victus
Nov. 3, 2016, 9:58 a.m.(1/8/1005 AR)
I look like shit?
Well. You don't exactly look so fucking pretty yourself, priest. And you don't got the excuse of having spent the night drinking yourself under the table. Though in my case I ended up waking up ontop of it, not under it.
You ever question your sanity? I do, sometimes. Last night I questioned it a little bit more than once. Ideas, foreign and frankly quite fucking offensive ideas, were starting to make an odd bit of sense. I don't fucking like it. A simple life, things making sense, choices being obvious, that's what I like.
Perhaps what I'm really questioning is not my own sanity, but the world's sanity.
Your sanity.
Who on earth thought priests should wear robes that make them look like women, for example, and why do you put up with it? What, you don't think they make you look like a woman? Well, there you go. Insanity.
Well. You don't exactly look so fucking pretty yourself, priest. And you don't got the excuse of having spent the night drinking yourself under the table. Though in my case I ended up waking up ontop of it, not under it.
You ever question your sanity? I do, sometimes. Last night I questioned it a little bit more than once. Ideas, foreign and frankly quite fucking offensive ideas, were starting to make an odd bit of sense. I don't fucking like it. A simple life, things making sense, choices being obvious, that's what I like.
Perhaps what I'm really questioning is not my own sanity, but the world's sanity.
Your sanity.
Who on earth thought priests should wear robes that make them look like women, for example, and why do you put up with it? What, you don't think they make you look like a woman? Well, there you go. Insanity.
Written By Victus
Oct. 30, 2016, 10:45 a.m.(12/24/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Sophie
At first I thought she was merely useless. As the hunting trip went on, I amended my opinion to useless liability. By the time we returned back to camp, we'll settle for merely a fucking liability.
Nobody who can gut and dress a kill is completely useless.
Especially when they pay you in drink for protecting their pretty little legs.
Nobody who can gut and dress a kill is completely useless.
Especially when they pay you in drink for protecting their pretty little legs.
Written By Victus
Oct. 30, 2016, 10:43 a.m.(12/24/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Kima
The first time I sparred her, I beat her with ease. There were too many useless flourishes, too many tricks designed not to inflict true damage upon her opponent so much as look fabulous.
Since then I kept beating her as our spars became a routine. She got better, stopped treating it like she was a dancer on a stage meant to draw out the oohs and aaahs of the crowd. Not that she still doesn't grin like a stupid every time she gets a move just right, but at least she lets the move come on its own these days, rather than try to force it.
Its no longer easy to beat her at all.
I suppose if I wanted to kill her I should've done it on the first day. This is the problem with training with those outside of your own House. You never know if you've given away a trick to someone who'll use it against you some day.
Though Thrax being Thrax, heh, I suppose its not as if that's not a risk anyway.
Since then I kept beating her as our spars became a routine. She got better, stopped treating it like she was a dancer on a stage meant to draw out the oohs and aaahs of the crowd. Not that she still doesn't grin like a stupid every time she gets a move just right, but at least she lets the move come on its own these days, rather than try to force it.
Its no longer easy to beat her at all.
I suppose if I wanted to kill her I should've done it on the first day. This is the problem with training with those outside of your own House. You never know if you've given away a trick to someone who'll use it against you some day.
Though Thrax being Thrax, heh, I suppose its not as if that's not a risk anyway.
Written By Victus
Oct. 30, 2016, 10:29 a.m.(12/24/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Serafine
A Shav with a Velenosa name. A Shav is still a Shav, though, and there are only two things Shavs are good for:
Being made into a thrall or being made into a corpse.
Being made into a thrall or being made into a corpse.
Written By Victus
Oct. 23, 2016, 6:12 p.m.(12/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Cordelia
What happens when you spoil a child? This is what happens.
A bloody disgrace of a girl who thinks she can do whatever the fuck she wants. Perhaps she could've, if she'd been born on the shore of landlubbers. On the Isles we do things differently, and I'll have no part in further enabling her behavior.
Bah.
A bloody disgrace of a girl who thinks she can do whatever the fuck she wants. Perhaps she could've, if she'd been born on the shore of landlubbers. On the Isles we do things differently, and I'll have no part in further enabling her behavior.
Bah.
Written By Victus
Oct. 23, 2016, 6:09 p.m.(12/4/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Abbas
His father betrayed us, his mother was banished. Still, Abbas has always been dependable. He has embraced Thrax and its ways like few of the current generation of my family has. That makes him stand out as someone worthy.
I've sailed with him, I've fought with him and I've killed with him.
Those are the things that make men family, even if they don't have ties of blood. We have that, too.
I've sailed with him, I've fought with him and I've killed with him.
Those are the things that make men family, even if they don't have ties of blood. We have that, too.
Written By Victus
Oct. 16, 2016, 10:59 a.m.(11/10/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Signe
Can't claim to be much of a godly man. But there's a stretch between that, and pure fucking paganism.
This one's a proper pagan. Singing prayers to spirits, painting her kills in blood with heathen symbols.
Between you and me, priest, that doesn't seem quite right. Then again, she doesn't seem quite right. Something off in her head, I think. Perhaps her parents dropped her as a baby inbetween their bloody pagan orgies.
Still, as long as she's paying, I'm not going to tell her to stop buying me drinks.
This one's a proper pagan. Singing prayers to spirits, painting her kills in blood with heathen symbols.
Between you and me, priest, that doesn't seem quite right. Then again, she doesn't seem quite right. Something off in her head, I think. Perhaps her parents dropped her as a baby inbetween their bloody pagan orgies.
Still, as long as she's paying, I'm not going to tell her to stop buying me drinks.
Written By Victus
Oct. 14, 2016, 6:48 a.m.(11/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Saedrus
There are ways a man can take to escape the drudgery of a peasant life.
In Thrax you pick up the sword. From mercenary bands to noble households, to serving aboard our ships. With time and skill, a man can become something no matter the origin of his birth.
In Lycene I suppose you dress yourself in silks like a fucking woman and laze about while selling your company to the desperately lonely.
In Thrax you pick up the sword. From mercenary bands to noble households, to serving aboard our ships. With time and skill, a man can become something no matter the origin of his birth.
In Lycene I suppose you dress yourself in silks like a fucking woman and laze about while selling your company to the desperately lonely.
Written By Victus
Oct. 9, 2016, 8:26 a.m.(10/17/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Yasmine
I never really figured out where the Ravashari fit in the scheme of things on the mainland. Not many of her sort back home, or at all really. I suspect those who set foot on the Isles soon find themselves in thralldom.
What use is there for a bunch of traveling no-gooders? None that I can see.
Still not sure about the dancing, either. A damn lot of hip wriggling.
What use is there for a bunch of traveling no-gooders? None that I can see.
Still not sure about the dancing, either. A damn lot of hip wriggling.
Written By Victus
Oct. 2, 2016, 6:42 p.m.(9/25/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Kima
The woman's already fucking insufferable most of the time. I expect I'll be hearing about her fucking brother's win for a week now, and having to pay for the ale as I suffer through the process.
At least good ale makes up for most things.
At least good ale makes up for most things.
Written By Victus
Oct. 2, 2016, 6:36 p.m.(9/25/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
So you gotta wonder.
As she stood there at the very fucking end of Valardin's so-called fucking command competition (when the majority of participants are women, and a Whisper among 'em, call this Thraxian a fucking skeptic), what was going on behind her pristine fucking facade as every last pair of eyes in whole stadium focused on her?
The unacknowledged bastard of Grayson, and sure as fuck getting judged on more than just whether she could bully around a crew of Valardin cunts. I was. Yeah, you were too. To try to win when the odds are stacked against you, or simply play it safe so you can at least say you accomplished something.
Making that decision, did it say something about what kind of leader she might be?
That she went for perfection.
But only found muddy failure?
Heh. Whatever it says, I think the fact I was getting drunk in the stands pre-fucking-cludes me from judging it too damn harshly. It was just a game, anyway, and she's just a fucking girl.
As she stood there at the very fucking end of Valardin's so-called fucking command competition (when the majority of participants are women, and a Whisper among 'em, call this Thraxian a fucking skeptic), what was going on behind her pristine fucking facade as every last pair of eyes in whole stadium focused on her?
The unacknowledged bastard of Grayson, and sure as fuck getting judged on more than just whether she could bully around a crew of Valardin cunts. I was. Yeah, you were too. To try to win when the odds are stacked against you, or simply play it safe so you can at least say you accomplished something.
Making that decision, did it say something about what kind of leader she might be?
That she went for perfection.
But only found muddy failure?
Heh. Whatever it says, I think the fact I was getting drunk in the stands pre-fucking-cludes me from judging it too damn harshly. It was just a game, anyway, and she's just a fucking girl.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.