Written By Denica
Jan. 15, 2017, 9:42 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
A drawing accompanies the loose, looping script of the following page. It is of a dangling noose.
Princess Useless' become Princess Usefuls, my princely cousin said, when they are wed. I daresay I dread it as much as he seems to, but I am not eager, given this second Reckoning befalling all of Arvum. A union is a powerful tool for healing political divides, as it should have been for Thrax and Grayson. I daren't ask, lest it prompt a response I don't want to hear quite yet, but I wonder if this was not grandfather's plan for me. I have not been mistakenly released upon Arx.
My best course for delay is to be Princess Useful before shrugging me off on another house. If I can be her, then perhaps I can weather the coming storm with my family.
I have a dreadful lot of work to do.
A Tepid Princess Denica of Thrax
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 15, 2017, 9:25 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Eirlys
I am used to meeting people who are odd or eccentric, but Eirlys was a first.
She is lovely, amusing, friendly, and even charming. I look forward to sparring her in the near future.
But I have never had a woman start to strip five minutes after meeting me. Nice tattoos though. Very well done.
She is lovely, amusing, friendly, and even charming. I look forward to sparring her in the near future.
But I have never had a woman start to strip five minutes after meeting me. Nice tattoos though. Very well done.
Written By Tristram
Jan. 15, 2017, 9:05 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Elves. They're certainly beautiful, I'll give them that, but their diplomacy is for shit. As I said to Princess Donella Thrax, even when Valardin/Thrax relations were at their worst, neither side were as casually dismissive of the other as the Nox'alfar are of us within the first minute of meeting us. To them, we are children--which *MIGHT* make sense from their immortal opinion, except for the fact that if we "children" were as useless as they would like us to be, they wouldn't be allied with us, now would they? I find it vexing, but I will maintain my peace. At least until I get a bow like that one elf's, at which point perhaps I will speak up a bit louder for myself. When you don't need something from someone, it becomes easier to talk shit to them and these people desperately need some shit talked to them.
Written By Tristram
Jan. 15, 2017, 9:03 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Alistair
Having met Inquisitor Alistair, I was convinced of two things almost immediately. First, I doubt the man has laughed at any point in the last year, at least. He is impurturbable. Second, he is utterly committed to the good of the realm. I do not believe he is harsh, but I am often told that I have much too much trust in people. That being said...if I have to deal with any Inquisitors, he would be my choice.
Written By Magden
Jan. 15, 2017, 9 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Lord Inigo Malvici has excellent eyebrows and should try not to walk backwards.
Mistress Bethany's stuffed hawk is named Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorff. We call him 'Dorff'.
I want a dog.
People in Lycene Ward, apparently, have a lot of sex. The city's already crowded. They should slow down.
I'm the new rat catcher!
Captain Gian has never had a persimmon.
Welcome to Arx, mind where you step!
It's been a very busy day.
Live while you're alive.
Written By Ida
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:55 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Some think it selfish of me to stop taking commissions. It is not that I don't need or want the work, and it is not that I dislike the work. I love forging weapons. There are few things as rewarding as someone sending word upon receiving an item you labored over, to note how much they favor it.
Do you know when I last sat in a tavern to have a drink with friends? I don't even remember. I've lost touch with too many people. If recent events have taught me anything, it is that I should make time outside of the forge. I need to live more.
Do you know when I last sat in a tavern to have a drink with friends? I don't even remember. I've lost touch with too many people. If recent events have taught me anything, it is that I should make time outside of the forge. I need to live more.
Written By Valencia
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:52 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
An earnest wish....
Dearest gods and goddesses, please help those I know and adore to realize that if I offer a kind compliment it is sincere and from the heart.
I wish it was not so hard for people to understand this about me.
I do not mean to complain, saddens me that an earnestly sweet compliment can be so easily turned to taint and labeled mere flattery or worse?
I am by no means perfect. So far from it. But I cannot help that I see lovely things in most people.
Perhaps it is just easier for people to hear about the wicked and not the wonderful.
~~~~~<~<@
Dearest gods and goddesses, please help those I know and adore to realize that if I offer a kind compliment it is sincere and from the heart.
I wish it was not so hard for people to understand this about me.
I do not mean to complain, saddens me that an earnestly sweet compliment can be so easily turned to taint and labeled mere flattery or worse?
I am by no means perfect. So far from it. But I cannot help that I see lovely things in most people.
Perhaps it is just easier for people to hear about the wicked and not the wonderful.
~~~~~<~<@
Written By Jeremiah
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:50 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
I don't often like to speak of my past--some parts of it are terrible, but mostly it is because I am busy with my future--it has been so for the last thirteen years. Since my arrival in Arx...much has turned around. Much has changed for me.
Of the past, though? I have starved, I have been poor, I have been the least able. I have been ill I have lost I have gone without. Above all, I have survived, taken what I am given, and thrived with it.
Of the present...I am still a Prodigal--as I always will be. I am not an overly rich man. I hold ideals which I put above everything else--I am dangerously opinionated, usually unsubtle, and often too quick to take any action. Rash, heated, and at my worst hateful. I have behaviors and habits which are not worthy of praise. But I hold positions, skills, and serve those who may enact true change. I will not bury my coinage, fearing the future--I will spend it all in the hope that I may see sevenfold repayment. Coin, prestige, and position? What I earn I will use--not in the service of more of each. Gods and Spirits may provide those(I hope they will), but in the service of betterment.
Of the future...we can never know. But if the present is a seed, then the future will be my soil. I will survive and thrive whatever comes.It stands as a measure of my change that this is not in the Black Journals--when I first came, certainly such Reflections would be. But--let it be public. Few enough read what I write--let it be public. And if, in the future, I do not stand by these ideals and promises, and you wish me to? Say so. Point it to me. Pride and ambition are mine, yes--humble me if you need to and wish better of me.
Of the past, though? I have starved, I have been poor, I have been the least able. I have been ill I have lost I have gone without. Above all, I have survived, taken what I am given, and thrived with it.
Of the present...I am still a Prodigal--as I always will be. I am not an overly rich man. I hold ideals which I put above everything else--I am dangerously opinionated, usually unsubtle, and often too quick to take any action. Rash, heated, and at my worst hateful. I have behaviors and habits which are not worthy of praise. But I hold positions, skills, and serve those who may enact true change. I will not bury my coinage, fearing the future--I will spend it all in the hope that I may see sevenfold repayment. Coin, prestige, and position? What I earn I will use--not in the service of more of each. Gods and Spirits may provide those(I hope they will), but in the service of betterment.
Of the future...we can never know. But if the present is a seed, then the future will be my soil. I will survive and thrive whatever comes.It stands as a measure of my change that this is not in the Black Journals--when I first came, certainly such Reflections would be. But--let it be public. Few enough read what I write--let it be public. And if, in the future, I do not stand by these ideals and promises, and you wish me to? Say so. Point it to me. Pride and ambition are mine, yes--humble me if you need to and wish better of me.
Written By Fortunato
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:37 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Perception is subjective.
That can be terrifying, when you think about it. Take a friend. Stand on a precipice and look down. Don't speak to each other, not one word. Estimate the distance to the bottom, together, silent. If you stare long enough, the gulf becomes deeper. Or shallower. For you, the world changes merely through the length and intensity you stare at it. Of course, tritely, obviously, it's you that changes. At least for a moment.
Change is subjective. Unpredictable. Flickers of flame. Even a soft breeze can change the shape of a fire, however minutely. Or did you just think it did? Did you blink? Did you blink and forget?
Does it matter?
The need for control is the same as fear. You decide in the moment. You embrace the moment. Take a step and you may be somewhere else. Life is change. Take a breath. See where you are. Accept tomorrow will be different. Accept that tomorrow, you may be different.
Accept that every moment we have is a miracle.
That can be terrifying, when you think about it. Take a friend. Stand on a precipice and look down. Don't speak to each other, not one word. Estimate the distance to the bottom, together, silent. If you stare long enough, the gulf becomes deeper. Or shallower. For you, the world changes merely through the length and intensity you stare at it. Of course, tritely, obviously, it's you that changes. At least for a moment.
Change is subjective. Unpredictable. Flickers of flame. Even a soft breeze can change the shape of a fire, however minutely. Or did you just think it did? Did you blink? Did you blink and forget?
Does it matter?
The need for control is the same as fear. You decide in the moment. You embrace the moment. Take a step and you may be somewhere else. Life is change. Take a breath. See where you are. Accept tomorrow will be different. Accept that tomorrow, you may be different.
Accept that every moment we have is a miracle.
Written By Kieran
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:19 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
So elves have arrived in the city. Everyone's abuzz about the news. A third of the city is curious and wants to learn more about them, another third thinks they're awful and wants to be rid of them, and a final third don't give a shit. I think I may fall into the later camp, but I haven't decided yet. I stopped by the city gates when the news went through the city. They look a bit odd, but that's to be expected, considering they're mythical people that aren't human. Apparently they're also a bt crazy, which, who knows, maybe I will get along great with, considering I am a bit nutty myself.
Anyways, they're staying in the Valardin district. Of all the fealties to welcome in mythological, faith-shaking, blood-sacrificing crazy people, Valardin would have definitely been my bet. I think there's a joke being played there, and I rather like it. At some point this coming week I intend to head over and maybe chat a bit with them to see if they're my kind of crazy or just plain crazy. Either way, it should be entertaining.
Anyways, they're staying in the Valardin district. Of all the fealties to welcome in mythological, faith-shaking, blood-sacrificing crazy people, Valardin would have definitely been my bet. I think there's a joke being played there, and I rather like it. At some point this coming week I intend to head over and maybe chat a bit with them to see if they're my kind of crazy or just plain crazy. Either way, it should be entertaining.
Written By Sylvie
Jan. 15, 2017, 8:01 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
I am glad to provide what support that I can to Prince Dagon Thrax. He has a long road ahead of him, and if I can provide any guidance or counsel, he is free to seek me out.
Written By Khanne
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:59 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Rowan
Where do you begin when someone swoops into your life, offering a hug and gifts you with smiles and laughter when you feel at your absolute lowest? When talking with that person seems as comfortable and familiar as if you have known them a lifetime? When you wonder, if perhaps, your souls were off mingling perhaps before you were born (causing mischief and trouble, no doubt)?
Where do you begin... but at the beginning and looking towards a hopefully long path ahead full of many things explored and experienced, survived and celebrated, and above all else watching the threads weave as they may.
But perhaps, the best place to begin is to simply say, thank you. Thank you, Rowan, when I was at my absolute lowest, you helped me rise up. When I needed someone the most, I found a stray. Thank you, Lord Stray, coholder of the title of finest strays in Arx, long may we reign.
Where do you begin... but at the beginning and looking towards a hopefully long path ahead full of many things explored and experienced, survived and celebrated, and above all else watching the threads weave as they may.
But perhaps, the best place to begin is to simply say, thank you. Thank you, Rowan, when I was at my absolute lowest, you helped me rise up. When I needed someone the most, I found a stray. Thank you, Lord Stray, coholder of the title of finest strays in Arx, long may we reign.
Written By Sylvie
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:56 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
I made an offer for a man's hand in marriage, and that offer was rejected. And around me, the number of engagements only grow.
Perhaps I should just have a tourney for my hand. I am sure at least someone would show up to try to vie for it.
Perhaps I should just have a tourney for my hand. I am sure at least someone would show up to try to vie for it.
Written By Pietro
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:53 p.m.(9/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Luca
If Prince Luca ever wishes to fight naked again and secure himself that naked prince title, I will be honored to join him.
Perhaps he'll start a new fashion! Very modish, the Velenosas.
Perhaps he'll start a new fashion! Very modish, the Velenosas.
Written By Luca
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:47 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
The Naked Prince, I think it has a good ring to it. I doubt Essie would let me keep it as a title any more than she let me have Luca the Lazy, but what the hell.
Regardless, that was the best rush of challenge I've faced in too long. Sure it was stupid not to actually _read_ the rules of entry and not be able to use my new armor or my own blade, but fighting in a free-for-all in nothing but my breechcloth and nearly getting a leg cut off by a greatsword bigging than the girl wielding it?
Oooph, bliss!
Sure it was fucking irresponsible, especially as a bodyguard now, but I'm alive, healing fast, and get to treasure the memory forever.
Worth it!
Regardless, that was the best rush of challenge I've faced in too long. Sure it was stupid not to actually _read_ the rules of entry and not be able to use my new armor or my own blade, but fighting in a free-for-all in nothing but my breechcloth and nearly getting a leg cut off by a greatsword bigging than the girl wielding it?
Oooph, bliss!
Sure it was fucking irresponsible, especially as a bodyguard now, but I'm alive, healing fast, and get to treasure the memory forever.
Worth it!
Written By Silas
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:43 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
I think I'm becoming a competent florist.
I did not foresee this.
I did not foresee this.
Written By Bethany
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:38 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
Courage: An Element of Perseverance
Courage is oft a measure of our self-esteem and wilt. 't shows in what we believe and the power of belief ov'r our wilt. 't is at each moment the sore path. 't can be an unconscious act of boldness, but 'ere all 't is the conscious decision of a person to act despite the danger. Thither is nay courage without risk. Thither is nay heroism without stakes.
We cannot speak about courage without bethinking about losses and victories. Courage differs from imprudence or madness by its results. The courageous act saves life, gives desire, 't is a rare act of self-sacrifice for the valorous of others. The criminal who is't steals, or lies for personal gain, or kills, who is't causes unhappiness to others with his reckless actions, is not a courageous person.
Two thoughts: the courage as offense and the courage as defense. The courage of offense did remain the preserve of gentles and, by widespread ideology ‘cross culture, those gentles in the arena of war. The courage of defense, though by gross in sense necessity and was nay less at home on the battlefield than the courage of offense. Though than aught 't involved the ability to endure long, drawn-out suffering, teen, and hunger, and the constant importuning visions of battlefield horrors.
Perhap from the courage of defense, come the idolization of martyrdom. The courage of defense is eke venerated; to square injustice 'r ov'rcome difficulties high-lone - physically and morally - oft without the support of political courage of tales, sermons and public opinion need courage yond a few can has't.
Written by B. Mercier as Barnabas Michert
Courage is oft a measure of our self-esteem and wilt. 't shows in what we believe and the power of belief ov'r our wilt. 't is at each moment the sore path. 't can be an unconscious act of boldness, but 'ere all 't is the conscious decision of a person to act despite the danger. Thither is nay courage without risk. Thither is nay heroism without stakes.
We cannot speak about courage without bethinking about losses and victories. Courage differs from imprudence or madness by its results. The courageous act saves life, gives desire, 't is a rare act of self-sacrifice for the valorous of others. The criminal who is't steals, or lies for personal gain, or kills, who is't causes unhappiness to others with his reckless actions, is not a courageous person.
Two thoughts: the courage as offense and the courage as defense. The courage of offense did remain the preserve of gentles and, by widespread ideology ‘cross culture, those gentles in the arena of war. The courage of defense, though by gross in sense necessity and was nay less at home on the battlefield than the courage of offense. Though than aught 't involved the ability to endure long, drawn-out suffering, teen, and hunger, and the constant importuning visions of battlefield horrors.
Perhap from the courage of defense, come the idolization of martyrdom. The courage of defense is eke venerated; to square injustice 'r ov'rcome difficulties high-lone - physically and morally - oft without the support of political courage of tales, sermons and public opinion need courage yond a few can has't.
Written by B. Mercier as Barnabas Michert
Written By Khanne
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:38 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Damon
I should have taken the time to talk to you, to respond to your last missive. It was a busy week, a rough week... and now, you are gone.
Your last words to me were ones I can hold and smile... before the guilt sets in that in return, I gave you silence.
I am sorry.
Your last words to me were ones I can hold and smile... before the guilt sets in that in return, I gave you silence.
I am sorry.
Written By Denica
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:23 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
Dagon. My big brother. Tis so warming to my heart to be in his presence once more; to take in his sweet nature, that which is a warm echo of that of our parents. He disassembles my darkest thoughts with his easy words, so thoroughly that I may simply forget all the woes of Arvum outside of our walls. I wish to make him proud--not perhaps with the same desperation as I do Donella, but as I would want mother and father to. And I wish to be of comfort, too. I must wear my smile freely, even when my fears work to mute it.
Written By Khanne
Jan. 15, 2017, 7:20 p.m.(9/3/1005 AR)
Insanity.
That is what recent times have seemed to be. I sit here, trying to put my thoughts, my experiences to parchment, and my mind spins. All around me there is brightness, and there is darkness.
Darkness.
Disappointment in people. A lack of being able to trust another's word.
Heartbreak as I watched something I held so close to my heart, my souls, die.
Guilt that it was my fault.
Loss. This word deserves a long pause after it, as I have lost so much already in my short time here, so I will repeat it, emphasizing its impact.
Loss.
More guilt. Did I do enough? Should I have gone in? Should I have tried? What is worth sacrificing your own life? Is it worth it for the barest, slimmest chance of saving a stranger? Even if you are 99.99999999% sure they are beyond saving? Is it worth sacrificing your life if all you accomplish is killing one... two... three... beings of evil? What if you could live, and stop many more? How do you know what is right?
And yet... there is brightness.
Friends who sit and talk with all day, helping me keep my mind from worry.
Friends who also bring booze so good you could swear it was blessed.
Friends who hold you when you need an anchor.
Surprises in the form of birthday wishes and gifts from people... well, I would say, people I did not expect them from, but really, I expected them from no one. So many thoughtful gifts I will treasure.
Surprises... in the form of people who showed me sides of them I never imagined.
Surprises in the form of finding a fellow Stray that feels like I've known them my entire life.
Balance is integral to who I am, and in this, there is light and dark, good and bad, anger and elation and in the center of it all, is where I reside, riding the tides of chaos with arms outstretched so I do not fall over.
That is what recent times have seemed to be. I sit here, trying to put my thoughts, my experiences to parchment, and my mind spins. All around me there is brightness, and there is darkness.
Darkness.
Disappointment in people. A lack of being able to trust another's word.
Heartbreak as I watched something I held so close to my heart, my souls, die.
Guilt that it was my fault.
Loss. This word deserves a long pause after it, as I have lost so much already in my short time here, so I will repeat it, emphasizing its impact.
Loss.
More guilt. Did I do enough? Should I have gone in? Should I have tried? What is worth sacrificing your own life? Is it worth it for the barest, slimmest chance of saving a stranger? Even if you are 99.99999999% sure they are beyond saving? Is it worth sacrificing your life if all you accomplish is killing one... two... three... beings of evil? What if you could live, and stop many more? How do you know what is right?
And yet... there is brightness.
Friends who sit and talk with all day, helping me keep my mind from worry.
Friends who also bring booze so good you could swear it was blessed.
Friends who hold you when you need an anchor.
Surprises in the form of birthday wishes and gifts from people... well, I would say, people I did not expect them from, but really, I expected them from no one. So many thoughtful gifts I will treasure.
Surprises... in the form of people who showed me sides of them I never imagined.
Surprises in the form of finding a fellow Stray that feels like I've known them my entire life.
Balance is integral to who I am, and in this, there is light and dark, good and bad, anger and elation and in the center of it all, is where I reside, riding the tides of chaos with arms outstretched so I do not fall over.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.