Written By Felix
Jan. 6, 2017, 12:10 p.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Rule by council? I wonder how they expect to get anything done. I appreciate goodwill and fairness, but not over intelligence.
Written By Cai
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:56 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
08/04/1005
I think is a bunch of bullshit.
I think is a bunch of bullshit.
Written By Darren
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:53 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Not all of you agreed with my decision not to support the Teind. Some of you complained I asked too many questions. Some of you condemned my response as inaction, while praising support of sacrificing ourselves for blood rituals to a group who mercilessly slaughtered our people and laughed about it afterward.
I have no regrets. A leader asks questions. They investigate every avenue. They do not take the words of a few and hold it as gospel. We can take the word of the Nox'alfar that satisfying the Teind will end the supposed plague that is coming, but then we live with the consequences if it does not work. We can live in fear and make decisions by that emotion. Or we can decide that there is another path, and work tirelessly to uncover it. Just because there is no obvious other choice does not mean there isn't one at all.
Let us never forget what the Nox'alfar did. They slaughtered our people. They cast our King's soul away. Now they demand blood in exchange for weapons. They demand we once more enter marriage contracts with them. They have asked for a great many things, for very little in return. They say they cannot save the King - but do not forget, they are the chosen people of the God of Death, this Mother, the Queen of Endings and Beginnings. Their King may not be able to undo his curse, but he is the chosen one of the thing that can do it. The least they can do, is petition the Lady Death and seek to restore the King's soul back to him.
I recall the first Assembly, where we were thought to be foolish for seeking out the Nox'alfar in the first place. The purpose of our letter had always been to meet with King Calithex, or his representatives, and ask these questions. To seek answers. We were to do this as a united front, the five Great Houses in unison. Lady Dawn made the decision she did, but I will continue to push for the five Great Houses to make our next decisions together.
So you may disagree with my vote, the questions I asked. You may call me a fool, claim I have my head stuck in the sand. That is fine. I will take my licks gracefully, explain my position, and encourage all to continue to ask the questions I have. To those of you who disagree with me - who take to their White Journals and cry foul and insult - I encourage you to continue to speak. But remember that we are stronger together, remember that there is enough evidence to suggest that those who want to summon the Silence also intend to break apart the Compact, to set us upon each other, because they know we will be weaker for that.
I will not stand for us all to be used as pawns. And I will stand side by side with my fellow High Lords to continue the work Lady Dawn began, and ensure the Compact's safety.
I have no regrets. A leader asks questions. They investigate every avenue. They do not take the words of a few and hold it as gospel. We can take the word of the Nox'alfar that satisfying the Teind will end the supposed plague that is coming, but then we live with the consequences if it does not work. We can live in fear and make decisions by that emotion. Or we can decide that there is another path, and work tirelessly to uncover it. Just because there is no obvious other choice does not mean there isn't one at all.
Let us never forget what the Nox'alfar did. They slaughtered our people. They cast our King's soul away. Now they demand blood in exchange for weapons. They demand we once more enter marriage contracts with them. They have asked for a great many things, for very little in return. They say they cannot save the King - but do not forget, they are the chosen people of the God of Death, this Mother, the Queen of Endings and Beginnings. Their King may not be able to undo his curse, but he is the chosen one of the thing that can do it. The least they can do, is petition the Lady Death and seek to restore the King's soul back to him.
I recall the first Assembly, where we were thought to be foolish for seeking out the Nox'alfar in the first place. The purpose of our letter had always been to meet with King Calithex, or his representatives, and ask these questions. To seek answers. We were to do this as a united front, the five Great Houses in unison. Lady Dawn made the decision she did, but I will continue to push for the five Great Houses to make our next decisions together.
So you may disagree with my vote, the questions I asked. You may call me a fool, claim I have my head stuck in the sand. That is fine. I will take my licks gracefully, explain my position, and encourage all to continue to ask the questions I have. To those of you who disagree with me - who take to their White Journals and cry foul and insult - I encourage you to continue to speak. But remember that we are stronger together, remember that there is enough evidence to suggest that those who want to summon the Silence also intend to break apart the Compact, to set us upon each other, because they know we will be weaker for that.
I will not stand for us all to be used as pawns. And I will stand side by side with my fellow High Lords to continue the work Lady Dawn began, and ensure the Compact's safety.
Written By Eirene
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:42 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Niccolo
While the city-states of the Lyceum may argue and bicker amongst ourselves from time to time about who is in 'charge', it's reassuring to know we have a leader who is willing to make the sacrifice for the good of his people.
A good commander knows when their own loss will provide for the good of their troops and ensure that while the battle is lost (from their perspective) that the war may still be won. He knows that. He sees that. It's reassuring that he won't hesitate to make that hard decision.
We're at war, I've been saying it for a year now. Perhaps now everyone else will wake the fuck up. Perhaps now we can start fighting back.
A good commander knows when their own loss will provide for the good of their troops and ensure that while the battle is lost (from their perspective) that the war may still be won. He knows that. He sees that. It's reassuring that he won't hesitate to make that hard decision.
We're at war, I've been saying it for a year now. Perhaps now everyone else will wake the fuck up. Perhaps now we can start fighting back.
Written By Aislin
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:17 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Seriously, does no one think the Nox'alfar were petitioned for the King's soul? Why have so many people asked this? We have petitioned. /I/ asked, back in winter.
The sad fact is that the elves cannot end the Exsilium Noctis early.
It is like stabbing someone with a knife. You cannot then remove the knife, say you did not mean it, and have the wound suddenly vanish. Even if you might wish to.
Only divine intervention can end it early, and thus far, that avenue has not borne fruit.
The sad fact is that the elves cannot end the Exsilium Noctis early.
It is like stabbing someone with a knife. You cannot then remove the knife, say you did not mean it, and have the wound suddenly vanish. Even if you might wish to.
Only divine intervention can end it early, and thus far, that avenue has not borne fruit.
Written By Sylvie
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:13 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Let me edify those who may have heard me speak at the Assembly and took my words to heart.
No, I do not wish to be Regent and I never have.
My sentiment and belief in the need for a Regent, a single person that can make quick and decisive and intelligent decisions, still stands. While I believe that every man and woman who sits on the council are capable of each of these qualities, the /council/ is not.
No, I do not wish to be Regent and I never have.
My sentiment and belief in the need for a Regent, a single person that can make quick and decisive and intelligent decisions, still stands. While I believe that every man and woman who sits on the council are capable of each of these qualities, the /council/ is not.
Written By Valkieri
Jan. 6, 2017, 11:12 a.m.(8/4/1005 AR)
Cowards and idiots. You have no idea what you have lost, and worse, you are celebrating it. War is on our doorstep in the form of /thousands/ and yet you cheer to be ruled by committee while a leader you did not deserve gives her life for each and every one of you.
This world will burn around us while you congratulate yourselves.
This world will burn around us while you congratulate yourselves.
Written By Anze
Jan. 6, 2017, 9:53 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
Whoever invented the ocean really needs to take a step back and consider that sometimes less is more.
Written By Aldwin
Jan. 6, 2017, 7:54 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
There were Scholars in attendance at the Assembly of Peers who have captured what happened for the historical record, and these entries will be added to the Archive. I dedicate this journal not to add another entry on what happened, or even to pen my thoughts on that; those I will capture in my Black Reflections. Rather, I pen this to try and answer some of the questions that did not get answered last night.
The Kings Rest
According to the lore of the Nox'Alfar, King Alaric IV is under the effects of a curse called the Excilium Noctis. It is a curse that the Nox'Alfar reserve for those that they share blood with, and only used in those circumstances where death is not an acceptable punishment. Kings do not kill kings, but King Alaric IV interrupted a sacred ritual of the Nox'alfar, and so King Calithex of the Night Court felt he had to be punished. The Excilium Noctis was used.
This curse, according to the Nox'alfar, sends the spirit of its victim into the Shining Lands. Some small tether is kept in place to keep the body from dying, but the spirit itself is trapped in the Shining Lands and stripped of most of its sense of self. It is removed from the cycle of rebirth during this period, and kept from moving from he Shining Lands for the duration. There were those who asked if the Nox'alfar would return our King to us if we did as they ask, bu the answers is that the cannot. Only one of our Lost Gods, The Queen of Endings and Beginnings, the Lady Death, can return our King' soul to him.
Why We Provide 13 Sacrifices
Yes, there are others that could be brought into the abhorrent practice of ritual sacrifice. There are likely those from the various Keepers of the Teind that would volunteer for this ritual. The Compact was asked to provide 13 sacrifices to show our contrition for interrupting the ritual.
It is also easy to jump to the conclusion that 13 sacrifices are needed so that one might be dedicated to each god of the Pantheon, but this would be incorrect. The gods of the Pantheon do not demand a blood sacrifice. This is a practice that is found abhorrent by our gods. In occult circles, 12 is the number that has been used to represent a perfect world, with 13, being one more, pushing things into the supernatural. This is the symbol behind 13 victims for their sacrifice; a representation of supernatural power.
I remind those who read this that the official doctrine of the Faith of the Pantheon is still that blood magic is a terrible practice and to be condemned, not condoned. Take a lesson from the testimony provided about the White Stewards and seek always to understand what is placed before you, rather than just accepting. The gods of the Pantheon will provide miracles to the devout in need, but they will not ask for blood in exchange for it. Do not be fooled by the false prophets of our enemies.
May Vellichor grant us all Understanding.
The Kings Rest
According to the lore of the Nox'Alfar, King Alaric IV is under the effects of a curse called the Excilium Noctis. It is a curse that the Nox'Alfar reserve for those that they share blood with, and only used in those circumstances where death is not an acceptable punishment. Kings do not kill kings, but King Alaric IV interrupted a sacred ritual of the Nox'alfar, and so King Calithex of the Night Court felt he had to be punished. The Excilium Noctis was used.
This curse, according to the Nox'alfar, sends the spirit of its victim into the Shining Lands. Some small tether is kept in place to keep the body from dying, but the spirit itself is trapped in the Shining Lands and stripped of most of its sense of self. It is removed from the cycle of rebirth during this period, and kept from moving from he Shining Lands for the duration. There were those who asked if the Nox'alfar would return our King to us if we did as they ask, bu the answers is that the cannot. Only one of our Lost Gods, The Queen of Endings and Beginnings, the Lady Death, can return our King' soul to him.
Why We Provide 13 Sacrifices
Yes, there are others that could be brought into the abhorrent practice of ritual sacrifice. There are likely those from the various Keepers of the Teind that would volunteer for this ritual. The Compact was asked to provide 13 sacrifices to show our contrition for interrupting the ritual.
It is also easy to jump to the conclusion that 13 sacrifices are needed so that one might be dedicated to each god of the Pantheon, but this would be incorrect. The gods of the Pantheon do not demand a blood sacrifice. This is a practice that is found abhorrent by our gods. In occult circles, 12 is the number that has been used to represent a perfect world, with 13, being one more, pushing things into the supernatural. This is the symbol behind 13 victims for their sacrifice; a representation of supernatural power.
I remind those who read this that the official doctrine of the Faith of the Pantheon is still that blood magic is a terrible practice and to be condemned, not condoned. Take a lesson from the testimony provided about the White Stewards and seek always to understand what is placed before you, rather than just accepting. The gods of the Pantheon will provide miracles to the devout in need, but they will not ask for blood in exchange for it. Do not be fooled by the false prophets of our enemies.
May Vellichor grant us all Understanding.
Written By Halsim
Jan. 6, 2017, 7:45 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
One of the more important questions has gone unanswered in this time of insanity.
Why have Dawn and her cohorts not been called to arrest for conspiracy to commit blood sacrifice? Last I checked, dark magic was illegal within our Compact, and here we have the former Regent a willing accomplice.
So much for rule of law.
Why have Dawn and her cohorts not been called to arrest for conspiracy to commit blood sacrifice? Last I checked, dark magic was illegal within our Compact, and here we have the former Regent a willing accomplice.
So much for rule of law.
Written By Sigurd
Jan. 6, 2017, 5:43 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
So many questions..
Why did nobody pursue whether the Nox,alfar would heal King Alaric of his curse after my High Lord Darren made the question? Why did Dawn even gather this assembly and, more importantly, take all these votes, only to inform us that it is a matter already taken care of for the most part. Why in the HELLS are why ennobling someone who was an agent of an agency that was presented at length to be our abject enemy? Yes, I like what I have seen of Samanth-oh excuse me, Ivy- as a person, but she was /lying/ to us the entire time, and our response is to ennoble her for it? If there are reasons, people deserve to know, it is a concern for all.
Why couldn't the Nox'alfar have just found 13 shavs? You can't tell me that, between here and the Gray Forest, there aren't 13 shavs they could have found to do this. Is this their way of punishing us? Who is supposed to be marrying into a group like that? It's just an enormous mound of shit, and no clear reason why it's sitting on our lawn.
But I will obey my Prince's commands. I will be a loyal man of our House. I just..This is, from my history lessons, the part of the story where the words 'precipitating circumstances' get thrown around a lot, right before the map gets crowded with flags and arrows.
Why did nobody pursue whether the Nox,alfar would heal King Alaric of his curse after my High Lord Darren made the question? Why did Dawn even gather this assembly and, more importantly, take all these votes, only to inform us that it is a matter already taken care of for the most part. Why in the HELLS are why ennobling someone who was an agent of an agency that was presented at length to be our abject enemy? Yes, I like what I have seen of Samanth-oh excuse me, Ivy- as a person, but she was /lying/ to us the entire time, and our response is to ennoble her for it? If there are reasons, people deserve to know, it is a concern for all.
Why couldn't the Nox'alfar have just found 13 shavs? You can't tell me that, between here and the Gray Forest, there aren't 13 shavs they could have found to do this. Is this their way of punishing us? Who is supposed to be marrying into a group like that? It's just an enormous mound of shit, and no clear reason why it's sitting on our lawn.
But I will obey my Prince's commands. I will be a loyal man of our House. I just..This is, from my history lessons, the part of the story where the words 'precipitating circumstances' get thrown around a lot, right before the map gets crowded with flags and arrows.
Written By Silas
Jan. 6, 2017, 4:22 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
I hope you know what you're doing...
Written By Julea
Jan. 6, 2017, 3:21 a.m.(8/3/1005 AR)
That was my first time attending such an assembly, with so many Silks all in one room. I sat with the Redrain's and no one seem to mind any so I stayed there. And watched and listened and tried to hold my tongue and failed abysmally at times.
I may need to consider a gag should I attend such an event again.
I was proud of the stance that Prince Darren took and the questions posed, though disappointed that he was not able to find the answers we all wanted. Given the gravity of the decision, I would of thought that he, and the other heads of the houses would of been provided with all the necessary information prior to the assembly calling for the vote.
It is never wise to make such a huge decision without having as much information as possible. And while time is of the essence, this thing that is asked of us, it's big. And it feels wrong. There must be another way.
Julea
3rd of August, 1005
PS. Also if it weren't for the serious nature of the whole affair, it would of been of been easily the best stage show I've ever attended.
I may need to consider a gag should I attend such an event again.
I was proud of the stance that Prince Darren took and the questions posed, though disappointed that he was not able to find the answers we all wanted. Given the gravity of the decision, I would of thought that he, and the other heads of the houses would of been provided with all the necessary information prior to the assembly calling for the vote.
It is never wise to make such a huge decision without having as much information as possible. And while time is of the essence, this thing that is asked of us, it's big. And it feels wrong. There must be another way.
Julea
3rd of August, 1005
PS. Also if it weren't for the serious nature of the whole affair, it would of been of been easily the best stage show I've ever attended.
Written By Aislin
Jan. 6, 2017, 2:47 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
So, then. Time is running out. And as best I can tell from the fragments of history and lore we still have, the consequences if we do nothing are unimaginable.
Perhaps the time for talk, for debate, really is past. Perhaps it really is the time for individual action.
If so, I'll make what difference I can where I may, and damn the risks; they're mine to take.
Perhaps the time for talk, for debate, really is past. Perhaps it really is the time for individual action.
If so, I'll make what difference I can where I may, and damn the risks; they're mine to take.
Written By Somhairle
Jan. 6, 2017, 2:45 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Cordelia
She is the daughter of my father's old friend, and the woman he wished me wed to before his death. Her fondness for adventure suits her; she is like a character in old tales, defiant and warm-hearted. She seems unused to quiet sorts-- whenever I listen and wait to respond, she squirms and blushes. Always so alive, so full of thunder, but any storm can be tamed.
Written By Valencia
Jan. 6, 2017, 2:31 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
I love you far too much to let you do this. Please forgive me. But I would rather die than see this happen.
~~~<~<#
~~~<~<#
Written By Agnarr
Jan. 6, 2017, 1:51 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
So much for blood, it seems. Well, it's going to run, way I see it.
Written By Lark
Jan. 6, 2017, 1:36 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
Ink disrupted by a few teardrops and made to run down the page:
Where you go, my heart goes.
Where you go, my heart goes.
Written By Max
Jan. 6, 2017, 12:59 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
This city. It's....
FUCKING.
U
C
K
I
N
G
Crazy. All of it. Everyone.
FUCKING.
U
C
K
I
N
G
Crazy. All of it. Everyone.
Written By Mason
Jan. 6, 2017, 12:56 a.m.(8/2/1005 AR)
There would have been rolling heads in the Sultan's palace had what happened tonight occurred in Ahj'on. I'm not really quite sure what to make of it.
It's easy to stick your heads in the sand and demand that you have questions that need to be answered. There are enemies at your very gates and people would rather bicker and complain with each other than actually do something about it.
I'm not sure what to weep for me more. The fact that we may already of handed over our lives to coming darkness or the fact that they likely played us so well into doing so ourselves.
Time will tell, I suppose.
It's easy to stick your heads in the sand and demand that you have questions that need to be answered. There are enemies at your very gates and people would rather bicker and complain with each other than actually do something about it.
I'm not sure what to weep for me more. The fact that we may already of handed over our lives to coming darkness or the fact that they likely played us so well into doing so ourselves.
Time will tell, I suppose.
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