Written By Cesare
Sept. 14, 2021, 10:25 p.m.(3/15/1016 AR)
On the occasion of my twenty-fifth birthday: It has been a momentous year. I know I said so in my last White Journal, but truly, I have grown so much. I think it's possible that more important than discovering what we desire and aspire to is learning what is intolerable to us. What we find an affront to our internal sense of right and wrong; what we cannot abide. It has always been in my nature to be somewhat conciliatory to the point of self-effacing, but as I grow into myself, I think I am learning when to stop giving pieces of myself away.
Have I changed? It's difficult to say. We see our own reflections far less clearly than others see us. Certainly my circumstances have changed. Through it all I am grateful to have had the love and support of the friends and new family I have begun to build around myself here in Arx. My patron, Lady Medeia, is a woman of strong beliefs and strong principles, which she uses not to wound but to mend - and I must also wish her a happy birthday, as it is an occasion we share. She gave me a sanctuary in both literal and figurative meaning, and in this next year I hope to do the same for more of you.
There are so many names I could list, ought to list here. And I am aware that at least one of you - Savio - will be shaking his head at my refusal to list them all. But you will all have to handle knowing that you would be here, if you should be. And I do hope to see you all at the party this weekend. There will be a lot of dancing, and wine. I have had the most delightful pair of pants made up for the occasion - they fit like a glove, truly - and you do not want to miss it if I manage to split a seam in my cavorting, I promise.
Have I changed? It's difficult to say. We see our own reflections far less clearly than others see us. Certainly my circumstances have changed. Through it all I am grateful to have had the love and support of the friends and new family I have begun to build around myself here in Arx. My patron, Lady Medeia, is a woman of strong beliefs and strong principles, which she uses not to wound but to mend - and I must also wish her a happy birthday, as it is an occasion we share. She gave me a sanctuary in both literal and figurative meaning, and in this next year I hope to do the same for more of you.
There are so many names I could list, ought to list here. And I am aware that at least one of you - Savio - will be shaking his head at my refusal to list them all. But you will all have to handle knowing that you would be here, if you should be. And I do hope to see you all at the party this weekend. There will be a lot of dancing, and wine. I have had the most delightful pair of pants made up for the occasion - they fit like a glove, truly - and you do not want to miss it if I manage to split a seam in my cavorting, I promise.
Written By Carissa
Sept. 14, 2021, 7 p.m.(3/15/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Medeia
Seeing my cousin Medeia in a less formal setting than the classroom was a delight. Her children are beautiful. And she's so generous of heart and spirit.
I'm so lucky to have the family I have now.
I'm so lucky to have the family I have now.
Written By Grady
Sept. 14, 2021, 3:40 p.m.(3/15/1016 AR)
I spent the most wonderful evening with the Eswynds, even if the cider they served was on the strong side, at least for me. The display of martial prowess among the people competing in the tournament was breathtaking. There weren't just swords, but also wrestling in the snow, and one man even competed with a spoon as his weapon! I found many details of the proceedings different from what I am used to, of course, but at their core, everyone present were people, just as any of us are. Sometimes it's our differences that make us stronger. Or more interesting, at the very least, and one should avoid being dull if one possibly can.
I'm looking forward to a chance to go back.
I'm looking forward to a chance to go back.
Written By Raymesin
Sept. 14, 2021, 3:33 p.m.(3/15/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Orland
Lord Orland showed up with Lord Savio, and while he was a lot quieter he did very well, too. I don't blame him for being quiet - if I have a bard to do my talking for me, I usually let them carry on as well. That's just sense.
It takes guts, walking into the lair of a known quantity like that. Lord Savio didn't know what he was getting into, not really, but Lord Orland did and he came anyway.
Credit where it's due, Scholar. However I might feel about silks, even I have to acknowledge that Lord Orland has grown into a brave, brave man.
It takes guts, walking into the lair of a known quantity like that. Lord Savio didn't know what he was getting into, not really, but Lord Orland did and he came anyway.
Credit where it's due, Scholar. However I might feel about silks, even I have to acknowledge that Lord Orland has grown into a brave, brave man.
Written By Raymesin
Sept. 14, 2021, 3:15 p.m.(3/15/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
All credit to Lord Savio; the ink wasn't fully dry on that last journal, Scholar, before he wrote to set up a meeting.
He arrived politely and on time - on my turf, too - and he heard me out, and he carried himself like a nobleman should throughout. Like a man, and not some petulant whining child. I know a lot of people with much higher titles who'd have done a lot, lot worse.
What he did takes bravery, Scholar; not the bravery of battle or the bravery of a sailor in a storm, but the bravery to walk into a place when you know it's going to be a cold reception. The bravery to stand by your word even when a commoner calls you on it, when you'd only addressed your peers. The bravery to deal politely and with grace with someone who's known for being a murdering criminal bastard who hates silks. However you might feel about his background and antecedents, that was pure class.
I'm impressed, and I don't often say that about a silk.
He arrived politely and on time - on my turf, too - and he heard me out, and he carried himself like a nobleman should throughout. Like a man, and not some petulant whining child. I know a lot of people with much higher titles who'd have done a lot, lot worse.
What he did takes bravery, Scholar; not the bravery of battle or the bravery of a sailor in a storm, but the bravery to walk into a place when you know it's going to be a cold reception. The bravery to stand by your word even when a commoner calls you on it, when you'd only addressed your peers. The bravery to deal politely and with grace with someone who's known for being a murdering criminal bastard who hates silks. However you might feel about his background and antecedents, that was pure class.
I'm impressed, and I don't often say that about a silk.
Written By Raymesin
Sept. 14, 2021, 7:39 a.m.(3/14/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Savio
Savio? Come and visit me. Bring your husband. I'll tell you exactly what I think of you both, to your faces.
Thank you, Scholar. Will you make sure that that gets copied to his Lordship?
Thank you, Scholar. Will you make sure that that gets copied to his Lordship?
Written By Titus
Sept. 14, 2021, 3:33 a.m.(3/14/1016 AR)
A ship without at least one star to sail by is one that can find themselves on treacherous waters. It's wise to seek out assistance by those who understand they are mentors and not simply peers. I'm thankful I have such.
Written By Haakon
Sept. 13, 2021, 11:52 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
In the best fucking scrap yet in Eswyndol's yard, I watched Princes Jasher Thrax and Alantir Valardin beat each other bloody. I lost count of how many times I was certain one or the other would fall.
Written By Lisebet
Sept. 13, 2021, 11:05 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
Today's tea is an apple tea, with cinnamon and honey and spices. It's delicious and reminds me of a good apple cider.
Only it's tea.
Only it's tea.
Written By Piccola
Sept. 13, 2021, 9:10 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
Fear is why people do terrible things and never come to terms with the damage they cause until the sum of their horrors comes to take them.
Written By Carissa
Sept. 13, 2021, 5:38 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
Relationship Note on Medeia
Seeing my cousin teach a class on herbs used in medicine isn't so much a surprise.
Realizing how much I've missed her was, however. I barely know her as an adult, and I'd like to remedy that.
Realizing how much I've missed her was, however. I barely know her as an adult, and I'd like to remedy that.
Written By Romulius
Sept. 13, 2021, 5:01 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
It has been brought to my attention that my most recent publishing with the Scholars saw its closing remark misconstrued. In keeping true to my word, consider this a clarification: my intent was not to suggest neo-nobles to be deserving of death. I simply believe that those who have proven to be poor stewards of their house's dignity and derelict of their responsibilities should be stripped of titles and land. This is similarly true of those of high birth. I would only expect that those deemed exemplary enough to be granted noble title to be held to a more exacting standard - after all, are they not meant to have already proven themselves in being so ennobled?
Written By Tikva
Sept. 13, 2021, 4:01 p.m.(3/13/1016 AR)
Nobility is many things, but it is foremost a duty, an understanding of the responsibilities that a leader owes those who follow her, and when a person of title or blood loses track of that, they fail to keep faith with their own House.
I was not born to this. I was claimed by it. And I shall never forget the humility of that. The grace that was gifted me, and the duties that bind me. Perhaps it is because I was but a child when the Count raised me, and I was fully trained and educated for the role to which I aspired; but I look upon the chaos of blood and status that comes with the random spread of freshly raised commoners who _weren't_ so trained with perhaps even more horror than those who were to the manner born.
I beg you, my fellows who have been raised to the Peerage, to remember the worth for which you were raised. Please stop making us all look bad.
I was not born to this. I was claimed by it. And I shall never forget the humility of that. The grace that was gifted me, and the duties that bind me. Perhaps it is because I was but a child when the Count raised me, and I was fully trained and educated for the role to which I aspired; but I look upon the chaos of blood and status that comes with the random spread of freshly raised commoners who _weren't_ so trained with perhaps even more horror than those who were to the manner born.
I beg you, my fellows who have been raised to the Peerage, to remember the worth for which you were raised. Please stop making us all look bad.
Written By Savio
Sept. 13, 2021, 11:03 a.m.(3/12/1016 AR)
I have noticed of late a certain trend among the Peerage: That which is confidently stated in salons and journals does not make its way so easily to an individual, face to face. Broad statements are made, with a reluctance to finesse the particulars into a name, a face, a life lived.
There is so much about me to take exception to. I am a foreigner, I am a prodigal, I am recently ennobled, I am the subject of scandal. Perhaps it is me you are speaking to, in your statements?
So come and speak to me. Say to the individual all that you would say to an indeterminate and contemptible Other. The distillation of "us and them" to "you and I" begins in the quiet crucible of conversation, and there, not in journals or before audiences, differing aspects of society may come to know each other.
Come and say what you have to say, gentle peers. I will hear you out, but first you must accept that when you speak to all, you are heard by one. I will be available to you at my Lonely Cloud, or wherever else you may like to go.
And if you find yourself disinclined to say to one person what you would say and have already said to 'all of them' -- why is that?
There is so much about me to take exception to. I am a foreigner, I am a prodigal, I am recently ennobled, I am the subject of scandal. Perhaps it is me you are speaking to, in your statements?
So come and speak to me. Say to the individual all that you would say to an indeterminate and contemptible Other. The distillation of "us and them" to "you and I" begins in the quiet crucible of conversation, and there, not in journals or before audiences, differing aspects of society may come to know each other.
Come and say what you have to say, gentle peers. I will hear you out, but first you must accept that when you speak to all, you are heard by one. I will be available to you at my Lonely Cloud, or wherever else you may like to go.
And if you find yourself disinclined to say to one person what you would say and have already said to 'all of them' -- why is that?
Written By Denica
Sept. 12, 2021, 10:11 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
I've been searching for trouble, but trouble finds me.
Written By Jaenelle
Sept. 12, 2021, 9:43 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
It is always a deeply satisfying feeling to be seen. To know well enough that an understanding is formed.
Written By Kiera
Sept. 12, 2021, 8:39 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
Prince Noah Grayson's party in honor of his betrothed Archduchess Jaenelle Velenosa was a surprising delight. I even had the courage to offer a verse on love when they were called for which I offer here for my white:
Love is confusion
Both joy and pain.
Once one has loved and then loves again
For of her being , each plays a part
there side by side in one little heart
old memories blend with new desires
Present lust mixes with smoke from old fires
when love is mixing and swelling inside
To place one above others is not to be tried
Love is confusion
Both joy and pain.
Once one has loved and then loves again
For of her being , each plays a part
there side by side in one little heart
old memories blend with new desires
Present lust mixes with smoke from old fires
when love is mixing and swelling inside
To place one above others is not to be tried
Written By Kiera
Sept. 12, 2021, 8:07 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
Drake has done it again. He won the Knight games male but everyone but their pest foot forward, but prince alantir was particularly impressive. I had never seen him fight before. In fact, I know little of this fellow oathlander. Perhaps I shall endeavor to change this.
Written By Lisebet
Sept. 12, 2021, 8:05 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
Today's tea is a flowery chamomile tea, which is delicate and tasty. Quite yummy especially during colder weather. It reminds me of summer.
Written By Raven
Sept. 12, 2021, 8:02 p.m.(3/11/1016 AR)
This week completely unravelled and got away from me. I managed to make myself useful but can't help but to feel as if I am not being productive as I could be.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.