Written By Sparte
April 2, 2017, 1:04 p.m.(3/14/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
Written By Eleyna
April 2, 2017, 12:57 p.m.(3/14/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
I was also more than happy to support her efforts to supply the city's medical centers as well. I might not be able to do much, but if honey infused soap can do it, it seems a ridiculously small price to pay compared to the efforts of others.
Written By Armel
April 2, 2017, 11:47 a.m.(3/14/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ann
Written By Lark
April 2, 2017, 11:09 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Gisele
Written By Lark
April 2, 2017, 11:04 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Written By Aiden
April 2, 2017, 5:11 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ailys
Without her I would feel too much that I shouldn't.
She always knows to bring tea. I love tea. She knows I don't like wine. Wine and things that make my stomach turn in knots.
Like wine.
I could not be who I am without my sister.
Written By Aiden
April 2, 2017, 5:01 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Silas
He asked nothing in return for it. He wanted me to feel safe.
Then he also gifted me a bird perch for Butler and my other birds to come.
Three gifts.
I don't know yet what to give him in return. I'm so bad at this, friend thing.
Silas is a steadfast friend to my brother, and maybe to me?
Written By Aiden
April 2, 2017, 4:52 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Selene
A macaw parrot egg! So rare to have and mine to hatch out.
She also allows me to work at the Whisper House in her aviary, so I can be surrounded by what I love.
Selene is someone I want to be around.
Written By Aiden
April 2, 2017, 4:50 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ainsley
Maybe he can show me around the city and introduce me to his friends.
Maybe I'd be scared about that.
Still, there is nothing I wouldn't do for my big brother... except, wield a sword, kill someone, or eat meat.
As long as there is an Ainsley, there can be an Aiden.
Written By Reese
April 2, 2017, 3:07 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
It is because I have had no words, but now they come.
Ainsley has returned to us and that gives me joy.
The Lady Tikva, a wash with life and hope, is good company for him.
Prince Edain is suffering greatly at the lose of his troops, how can he not be?
I did well on the siege gate battle and yet well is not good enough.
We are besieged and so many perished.
But there is hope and Ainsley is back, so there is most certainly hope.
Prince Edain thanked me for saving Prince Tristram.
I am am sure the Valardin would have dome the same for me.
They are very brave. Princess Deva is amazing, that shot.
I was part of the group that rescued Duchess Bella.
I fought besides Tobias. I was honored too. We killed many bringers.
But there are more. So many more.
Prince Luca, Sparte, Leta, Lady Eirene, Lord Artorius provided a distraction to help get supplies into the city.
It went well. We killed many bringers. Sparte saved Prince Luca. He is quite the warrior, Sparte.
Written By Ann
April 2, 2017, 2:34 a.m.(3/13/1006 AR)
1 wild night
Words cannot describe. I met someone interested in reading the principles of forestry practices for maximizing timber harvests. Damn him.
Written By Vanora
April 1, 2017, 8:45 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Driskell
May he continue to embrace the Darkness in order to know the light. May his reflection shine true. May He bless him, this man of Thrax, as he deserves to be.
Written By Isolde
April 1, 2017, 8:42 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
After a moment, The Acolyte emerges from the private rooms, dressed in a thick black robe, plain and severe, with the cowl pulled up over her head. Her full face mask is on, and she carries herself with the quiet reverence of the single minded fanatic for the Thirteenth. She carries a silver ewer of water, and incense and herbs, moving to stand behind the altar itself. She set down both and spreads her hands out over the bowls. "Let us be in prayer and offering, sacrificing pride and self upon this holy altar, to bring glory to the Darkest Reflection, and cleansing to this place of worship. We renew our vows to His service, and cleanse our souls of doubt, fear, and weakness." Taking the herbs and incense, she lets them fall into the bowl of coals, letting the smoke being to filter up and fill the air around them.
Taking up one of the candles, The Acolyte motions for the others to do the same, dipping it into the bowl, lighting it off of the coals and fragrent additions, holding it in front of her. "Without the Darkness, there is no Light, and without our Passions, we are blinded, weakened. Today, we bring the Light into the darkness of the acts of desecration, cleansing body, mind, soul, stone, and spirit from the darkess that seeks to corrupt, no matter the intention. We speak these words of devotion, pledging ourselves anew to strength, completion, and our truest selves." She dips her head slightly. "And so, the Princess Isolde sacrifices vanity, to let not her glory shine forth, but reflect the strength within others. She cleanses this from her soul, offering it upon this altar, in reverent service and renewed devotion." She looks to the others, allowing them the opportunity to say their own piece.
Vanora listens and watches with that continued quiet reverence. A black candle is grasped between slim fingers, dipped into the bowl, and held against the brazier until it flares up orange-red, making her face glow brighter and the rest of her a vessel for dancing shadows. Holding the candle before her she looks into the flame for a moment, reflective. "Without the Darkness, there is no Light. Without our Passions we are weakened." The words are repeated like something of an invocation, and then she goes on. "Lady Vanora Pravus sacrifices resentment and self-pity. She acknowledges the truth...that her suffering has not been great, but small and petty. That being recalled to Setarco and then to this city of Arx was not what she wished for her life, but is not the great burden she oft lets herself feel it is. She releases her clinging to what might have been but never was, and embraces what /is/. For the Thirteenth, she pledges to look forward and not back, not ever again. To offer her compassion for the suffering of others and release any of her own perceived suffering as meaningless. She cleanses this from her soul, offers it upon the altar, in reverent service and renewed devotion." Her voice is smooth with conviction, and words offered up as if there are no witnesses to them, no concern for what she might reveal of herself.
Driskell takes his candle and he dips the wick to the bowl, lighting the small flame. "To the Thirteenth I give my pride. May my self-confidence not go awry and morph into a cancerous lesion that boils and bubbles into something greater than I can control. The arrogance, vanity and ego, these things which attach themselves to my past and current accomplishments, may they be shed off so that only truth remains. May the Reflection I seek give me truth no matter how terrible, and the strength to look deep into Him without shirking back. I, Driskell Stillwater, re-commit my service to the Shrine, to serve all others before myself as they seek the Reflection's truth."
"And so, we who commit our lives to the truth of the Thirteenth do so cleanse our souls of the burdens that shackle us to lies and blind us to the Reflection. We, who come with pure intention and souls of service do so to wash from this altar that which corrupts the purpose of this place, and the need for the Darkest Reflection for all of humanity." The Acolyte pours water from the ewer into the second bowl, before positioning it in the center of the altar, in between the three gathered. She holds her hand over the bowl, nodding for the others to join her. "In reverence, strength, and service, I ask the Thirteenth to bless these sacrifices of self, and let this altar, this shrine be renewed in purity of purpose. To reflect the darkness within us, that all may embrace their whole selves. We invoke thee and cleanse this place anew."
Driskell says "As agreed and said, so be it." as he puts his hand over the bowl adding his spiritual focus.
Vanora's hand is held over the bowl as well. "I too, beckon the Thirteenth to bless these sacrifices and renew this altar with purity and purpose. That this Shrine remains the place where the Darkness within us all can be reflected and gazed upon without flinching. We invoke thee and cleanse this place anew."
"And so, with this blessed water, we wash away the physical and spiritual desecration upon this altar, renewed souls, renewed purpose. Let those that worship at this altar do so with purpose and strength, and may the Darkest Reflection strengthen us all. And so it is." With that last, she pours the water over the surface of the altar, and into the bowl of coals, dousing them and sending up a final gust of steam and scent, the temple filled with the lingering haze of the cleansing ritual.
Written By Ainsley
April 1, 2017, 8:34 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
How clarifying a single, passionate sentence can be. I have plenty of reasons to keep myself alive, don't I? That don't hinge on any one person. Sure there are people who are on that list, but they are pieces of my world, not its entirety. Why do I fight? Why do I strive to _survive_ these battles?
- Lark, so much rests upon your shoulders and I would try to share those burdens.
- Aiden, my sweet little brother, I want to hear more about your birds, always.
- Ailys, my patient little sister, your heart is too tender-- I must protect it.
- Cara, cousin now by marriage you've become a sister in my heart; I want to be there to see what family you and Laric create.
- Laric, my stoic cousin-- I _have_ seen you smile, just a tiny bit. I want to see you laugh.
- Reese, my cousin of steel and ribbons-- I want to see you do the amazing things you are surely meant for.
- Gabriel, my uncle-- I want to do you proud, I want to follow your footsteps.
- Silas, who else will do your paperwork? ...who will be there with you cleaning up the Iron Guard and making them proud? Someone will fill my spot, but I don't want them to.
- Aleksei, somehow you've become my best friend. You'll never forgive me if I up and died on you, I'm sure.
- Tikva, if I die I won't get to learn more about you, and I want to know it all.
- Tiber, despite my poorly phrased offers to your mother-- I want to see what kind of a man you grow into.
- Grayson, I'm not just a Voice. I am not just a Prince. I must remember-- my family, my fealty cares for and loves me. I am not just a sword to them. They would feel my loss.
- The Compact, I wish to see it safe, always.
- Iron Guard, I made promises to my guardsmen and to the compact-- we must be a bastion of what service should be.
- Gloria, I may not come across as very religious but Gloria has always inspired me to honorable combat, and while dying is not a sin... I could not go, knowing I had not strived for my best.
- Lagoma, I am not done growing, not done changing.
- Vellichor, I have not learned all that I can learn.
I have many reasons to live. I could probably spend days thinking up reasons to add to this list.
Written By Karadoc
April 1, 2017, 5:01 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Written By Korka
April 1, 2017, 4:35 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Percephon
So I went to the bar. Books are boring.
Written By Roran
April 1, 2017, 3:56 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
Two decades later and he is the Legate of Concepts and I am the Archlector of Lagoma. We do not always see eye-to-eye on all matters of doctrine or purpose, but I trust him and count him as a friend. I am glad to find him again here in Arx.
Written By Artorius
April 1, 2017, 2:03 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Caelis
She's the only true family I have left, aside from Serah. She is the family member closest to my heart.
I missed you Cael.
Written By Artorius
April 1, 2017, 2:02 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Ophelia
Ophelia's smart. She'll keep herself and my sunshine safe.
Written By Artorius
April 1, 2017, 1:36 p.m.(3/12/1006 AR)
Legends themselves come to attack us in droves....and now, black magic stands to be our newest enemy. Or at least in my opinion.
I don't know if we will win this battle, but what I do know, is at all else, we will buy the world more time.
On my sword, I swear this.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.