Written By Eirene
Nov. 15, 2016, 11:17 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
So when I was a child, younger one that I am, we used to play Alarice versus Elves. I rarely got to claim Queen Alarice though. But we would take all the furniture we could get our hands on and wall off half a room - that was our version of Arx. One of the girls would be Queen Alarice and one of the boys would be King Ako. Or whatever his name was, the leader of these elves. We'd divide into two teams and try to 'take out' the others. Sneak through gaps in the chairs and tables, throw pillows and food from over the walls like artillery. Team who had the most people standing when someone came to tell us to knock it the fuck off won.
I remember, one time I actually got to be the Queen, I ordered a volley of walnuts be lobbed at our foes. I got in trouble for that one due to a black eye or two. But I won, dammit.
This time it's not a game. It's not a silly threat - eat your dinner or the elves will drag you away. This time our lives are all on the line and we know jack all about the real history of what happened.
And what was in that treaty about -peace marriages?-
Written By Samantha
Nov. 15, 2016, 10:29 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
We may be at war. The Gray Forest has been visited with atrocities the likes of which from the sound of it would make what I experienced in my childhood a day in the sun. Old Oak is a place of peace and trade, and we have very little in the way of a military. I am dispatching messages back home to bolster our defenses, but I am not prepared to order conscription just yet. The nobility throw away common lives far too easily and commoners are always the first to day in defense of the nation. For any man to do this with a willing heart, we must be a nation worth dying for.
I have received an offer of marriage. It would solve a great many problems, and open the door to a plethora of new ones.
Written By Eos
Nov. 15, 2016, 10:18 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
There are more meetings to be had here after the Assembly of the Peers. There were others before. A young woman of my homeland, of a family that has long served the Saikland Greens, has arrived to answer a request sent to her father. Leola Allenatore. I am sure she will stand the equal to him in time and is at least equal to the tasks I have set before her. As her father trained Mabosa, my long and steady company for some years now, she will train the new warhorses. Further than that, I have introduced her to what I have so far only called The Challenge; the walking, breathing, snarling embodiment of the Saik sigil. I don't think that she was fearless to sit next to the lion's cage, but she did not show it, and seemed to win some favor with the beast. I look forward to seeing what she is able to do with it.
Beyond that, I will only say that I miss for my family this week, for the Baron and Baroness that Kima and I call Father and Mother. For those few that survived the plague that I might call cousins and aunts and uncles. I can only hope that they are well. They are heavy on my mind.
Written By Abbas
Nov. 15, 2016, 9:39 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
Last night they held the Assembly. I did not speak like I wanted to do so. I had never been to such a thing before and I have been Reaving since I was 12. I haven't been breaking bread and negotiating deals. Nor is that what I am suited for.
I feel for those who are being butchered. Death is certain but being ripped apart limb from limb and mutilated for dark magic is beyond comprehension. I have done things that others will measure in terms of barbarity and cruelty. But it is nothing compared to what the Bringer did.
People are being slaughtered and all we do is leave notes in the woods. Hoping for peace is splendid but one should also be prepared for war. And right now our only defense is pleading to things that treat us like pawns.
That's no defense at all.
Written By Anze
Nov. 15, 2016, 8:56 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
Wars comin, tha's for f'an sure, jus I dunno with what. Think there is going tah be a lot of time spent at the trainin grounds, and if tha crowd there last night was any indication I ain' tha only one gettin ready.
Enjoy f'an your princess while yah can little cousin, bloods gonna poor eventually.
Written By Esera
Nov. 15, 2016, 8:52 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
Written By Esera
Nov. 15, 2016, 8:45 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
Written By Fortunato
Nov. 15, 2016, 8:20 a.m.(2/16/1005 AR)
In the center of the page, a couple of silky, pop-eared pups, tiny and delicate and impeccably groomed, run short-legged through a fire-blasted landscape of skeleton trees, kicking up wee puffs of ash with their wee feet. A large "NO" is written next to them in an emphatic hand.
The third sketch, in the lower right corner, is the least defined. The two pups seem to be in the attitude of mid-roll, one is on its back, stubby legs pawing at the air. Their fur is so aggressively fluffy that the contours of their bodies are nearly lost. They appear to be situated in a field of loose-sketched blades of grass, their eyes are closed, they have dopey, happy, sleepy expressions. A large "YES" is written next to them in an emphatic hand.
Written By Victus
Nov. 15, 2016, 6:18 a.m.(2/15/1005 AR)
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 Max
Nov. 15, 2016, 1:09 a.m.(2/15/1005 AR)
You must understand, that as a Darkwater man, sea ice is simply unheard of. The idea that there were entire islands made of nothing but ice was entirely alien. As alien and unbelievable as stories of Krakens or Elves or weak Thraxian men.
I was on watch in the middle of the night, high in the crows next, bundled in blankets and furs. I had a mug of hot rum, but I was freezing my Darkwater ass off. And then - on the horizon - I saw a cloud. Only it wasn't a cloud. It was an island. As we got closer, I called out land ho.
I climbed down from the crows nest and I woke the crew - and Victus came up next to me and started laughing. I could not figure out the issue until they explained it wasn't land, but the largest fucking ice cube I had ever seen.
They used some wood on board to fashion a sign that read 'MAXLAND, VASSAL OF DARKWATER ' and hammered it into the ice.
SO now, floating around the north sea, somewhere, is a sovereign outpost of Darkater. Population: Two penguins.
Written By Darren
Nov. 15, 2016, 12:06 a.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
And if my lady wants the stars? Well, then I'll just have to find a way to reach to the sky and pluck one out for her. It wouldn't be the most difficult thing I've ever accomplished.
Written By Isolde
Nov. 14, 2016, 11:48 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
The commonfolk will be telling tales for weeks, I think, of how the wicked Mirrormask seduced a High Prince. Or maybe they won't notice at all. Either way, someone needs to teach that man better timing. I suppose that's my obligation now.
The darling man. I'd give him the world, even if I don't get the stars. But don't tell him that. Darren, don't read this part.
Written By Hammar
Nov. 14, 2016, 9:57 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Written By Hammar
Nov. 14, 2016, 9:55 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Talen
Written By Isolde
Nov. 14, 2016, 7:58 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Let my Pride be forged into action, a unifiying force.
Let my Lust for Vengeance be an inspiration, that strengthens the Compact.
Let my Fury be made manifest, a weapon against the enemies that seek to divide us.
Let my Greed reflect the bounty of your favor, that all may come to you, and embrace their own Reflection.
In all things, I glorify you, and I dance eternal to your song.
Written By Silas
Nov. 14, 2016, 6:51 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
I have gifted him a bookcase, a book, and hopefully a set of good clothing is in the works.
Though I have discovered he is dressed by someone other than his mother these days...
Written By Juliet
Nov. 14, 2016, 5:07 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
As often as not, you will not be loved back.
Perhaps their heart belongs to another. Not all love as freely as you.
Perhaps they are scared by the intensity with which you feel. Or think you frivolous for giving away your heart so easily.
Perhaps they simply don't like you.
Perhaps they just want a friend.
And part of loving a person is respecting that. Is taking joy in their victories and triumphs in life.
Compersion, the feeling of knowing someone you loved, are loved by someone other than you. It is the greatest joy. It is the opposite of jealousy. It is the confirmation of everything good you see in someone.
But sometimes, not having their love, as you want it
It hurts nonetheless.
Written By Tulasam
Nov. 14, 2016, 4:17 p.m.(2/14/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Damon
Written By Cara
Nov. 14, 2016, 2:04 p.m.(2/13/1005 AR)
It feels a bit as though I've not had a conversation that didn't concern someone dead for hundreds of years in nigh ages. All of this investigating the distant past is giving me a terrible crick in the shoulder, not to mention a persistent headache from squinting. It was easier, when it was summer and there was no shortage of light.
I can say that I have learned this, though -- throughout our known history, no good has come from breaking a vow, or breaking a contract, or failing to fulfill the obligations of a marriage arrangement.
Would that we would all know better by now.
Written By Calista
Nov. 14, 2016, 10:37 a.m.(2/13/1005 AR)
It was a short but productive trip. I am quite pleased with what I was able to accomplish only to return just in time to seek a seamstress for new warm clothes.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.