Written By Archeron
Jan. 13, 2019, 12:39 p.m.(5/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Alexandre
The killing of Lord Alexandre is a sad crime. Misguided, foolish. Many things. For the uneducated, which I include the killer in, RedTyde is a vassal of Tyde. They were a march, and they lost everything in honouring their oaths during the rebellion. Their people killed. Some few hidden drops of the blood preserved in one or two. It is a story familiar to Tyde. They were recreated as a county recently. But you see Tyde didn't stand alone with her vassals then, the Northlands helped Tyde, old alliances and friendships that we like to think endure to this day.
We Thrax are very independent in our different holdings - perhaps no shock to hear this from a Tyde. We disagree perhaps as much as we agree, in style and thought. So I say to the attacker, a Grimhall vassal said something stupid, you blame them, so you kill Alexandre. I understand the chain of events. Yet we would never cause harm to the North, nor would we do what was done. If you wish to know how Tyde treats those we dislike I am sure you can read the story of the fate of Lord Darrow's family. You felt Grimhall was your enemy, and that is no business of ours. Until you did this.
I could make impotent threats to the whites. I could yell and scream. But, I'll simply say that this is a tragedy. It is a sad thing. It is misguided. And I hope the attacker realises before their end, whether it be near or far away, the stupidity of their act. They are a murderer, a coward, and always and forever an idiot.
We Thrax are very independent in our different holdings - perhaps no shock to hear this from a Tyde. We disagree perhaps as much as we agree, in style and thought. So I say to the attacker, a Grimhall vassal said something stupid, you blame them, so you kill Alexandre. I understand the chain of events. Yet we would never cause harm to the North, nor would we do what was done. If you wish to know how Tyde treats those we dislike I am sure you can read the story of the fate of Lord Darrow's family. You felt Grimhall was your enemy, and that is no business of ours. Until you did this.
I could make impotent threats to the whites. I could yell and scream. But, I'll simply say that this is a tragedy. It is a sad thing. It is misguided. And I hope the attacker realises before their end, whether it be near or far away, the stupidity of their act. They are a murderer, a coward, and always and forever an idiot.
Written By Archeron
Dec. 16, 2018, 3:44 p.m.(3/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Kaldur
I am excited to see what this new transport network can bring - and whether we can connect to the waterways as we hope. There are certainly risks - attacks on the crews or traffic on the route - but you do what you can. If it fails, we try something else. We find another way.
Written By Archeron
Dec. 9, 2018, 6:29 p.m.(2/22/1010 AR)
Well. My attempts to get a ranging force started in Thrax have not gone well - but I suppose I'll just need to rethink and approach it from another angle. We do tend to prefer our forests floating and transformed into boats, I suppose.
Written By Archeron
Nov. 25, 2018, 4:25 p.m.(1/22/1010 AR)
A fun time at the ball last night - I got to catch up with Princess Donella and Prince Victus. Who apparently has exciting plans I will enjoy. And the night before that i got to spend some time with Amari. All in all, a good few days.
I have also finally put out word for those who might be interested in engaging in ranging within Thrax, tending to our forests and learning skills suited to forestcraft. With Harlan injured, Killian and Aislin gone, and now Sir Jordan too.....it is something I will have to do without some of the advice I might have used.
Each day, each year, I feel more Thrax. I worry at some point it will be as though my time at Ashford never happened - I just stepped through some foggy doorway aged 6, and emerged in Arx a grown man. But, perhaps I over worry.
I have also finally put out word for those who might be interested in engaging in ranging within Thrax, tending to our forests and learning skills suited to forestcraft. With Harlan injured, Killian and Aislin gone, and now Sir Jordan too.....it is something I will have to do without some of the advice I might have used.
Each day, each year, I feel more Thrax. I worry at some point it will be as though my time at Ashford never happened - I just stepped through some foggy doorway aged 6, and emerged in Arx a grown man. But, perhaps I over worry.
Written By Archeron
Nov. 15, 2018, 7:32 a.m.(12/28/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Jordan
They say Sir Jordan fell - I hope the rumours are untrue, yet I fear they are often proved right. He is a man I knew more by reputation, but someone who was looked up to. Though I was of the Rangers, we all know that it takes more than men trained in forest craft to defend Ashford Keep - and in Sir Jordan the walls of Ashford Keep and its family had a staunch defender.
I was so pleased to defeat him in a Tourney for the East Light - happier times before the current fighting. And I was showing off trying to impress Lady Amari so she would be happy with our betrothal. And Sir Jordan took defeat well. He didn't think of his own failing, he instead showed genuine happiness in the success of others, of myself.
Ashford is poorer for the loss - a loss that comes after so many other hard ones. Sir Jordan Ober joins a list that Ashford will remember. Killian. Aislin. Jordan.
I was so pleased to defeat him in a Tourney for the East Light - happier times before the current fighting. And I was showing off trying to impress Lady Amari so she would be happy with our betrothal. And Sir Jordan took defeat well. He didn't think of his own failing, he instead showed genuine happiness in the success of others, of myself.
Ashford is poorer for the loss - a loss that comes after so many other hard ones. Sir Jordan Ober joins a list that Ashford will remember. Killian. Aislin. Jordan.
Written By Archeron
Nov. 15, 2018, 4:23 a.m.(12/28/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
They say to speak no ill of the dead, so I will simply speak honestly and frankly - it is what Harald often barked at people to do. To just get on with it. I was no great fan of Duke Harald. One one of our few meetings, he called me a coward for being then apprehensive about boats - I had just returned to the city, just returned to Thrax. But, that is personal insult. I hardly cared, and I enjoyed getting a rise from him, from pushing him and seeing how he would react. It told you much about him. His resumption of the old feud between our families with my Cousin of course is one I am less able to forgive - for family is all, none know that more than Tyde and her vassals. And was a sadness as it marked the death of a strange friendship between the two. A rift that is now made permanent by his death.
But what I always struggled with Harald was that he was the man who had fought for Donrai and for Grimhall when their aid broke the stalemate. When my cousins and uncles and aunts looked out on their last morning, alongside the flags of Thrax they saw the flags of Grimhall. Perhaps they will have seen his flag, Grimhall's heir. And he was unchanged it seemed from those times. Of course, I am no child to think war is kind and lovely and my people are sweetness and light. We reaved and raided too - many noble families will see Tyde reborn and think to when our reavers came to their shores in that fight, ruling families crucified on the shores, men of the blood left staked in tide pools for the rising waters to claim them. Tyde has paid a price in blood and silver and it has changed. Thrax has changed, our traditions are built upon, we face the threats from without stronger than ever, more united than ever. I think Harald wanted to change too, but his actions in his later years - rejecting the counsel of some of his vassals, renewing old feuds - showed that he could not.
I did not like Harald. But I could respect him. He was a Duke, and for most of his life he held strong to our traditions, as we do. He never apologised, that is true. But he also never asked from anyone what he would not give himself. He died at the front because that is what he demanded of others. Because that is where he sent others.
Most importantly, his family continues past him - a line unbroken. For a Thraxian lord? That is everything.
But what I always struggled with Harald was that he was the man who had fought for Donrai and for Grimhall when their aid broke the stalemate. When my cousins and uncles and aunts looked out on their last morning, alongside the flags of Thrax they saw the flags of Grimhall. Perhaps they will have seen his flag, Grimhall's heir. And he was unchanged it seemed from those times. Of course, I am no child to think war is kind and lovely and my people are sweetness and light. We reaved and raided too - many noble families will see Tyde reborn and think to when our reavers came to their shores in that fight, ruling families crucified on the shores, men of the blood left staked in tide pools for the rising waters to claim them. Tyde has paid a price in blood and silver and it has changed. Thrax has changed, our traditions are built upon, we face the threats from without stronger than ever, more united than ever. I think Harald wanted to change too, but his actions in his later years - rejecting the counsel of some of his vassals, renewing old feuds - showed that he could not.
I did not like Harald. But I could respect him. He was a Duke, and for most of his life he held strong to our traditions, as we do. He never apologised, that is true. But he also never asked from anyone what he would not give himself. He died at the front because that is what he demanded of others. Because that is where he sent others.
Most importantly, his family continues past him - a line unbroken. For a Thraxian lord? That is everything.
Written By Archeron
Nov. 5, 2018, 4:20 a.m.(12/8/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
That's funny - I always more thought of you as Marigold's assistant....Root agrees. And now I'm being sent out for extra padding for his sleeping area. He is very demanding.
Written By Archeron
Oct. 25, 2018, 8:07 a.m.(11/14/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
I have pondered more on Master Oliver's death. And the more it enrages me. IN part because threatening retribution is so powerless. In truth, if this criminal is smart he will ensure he is captured away from the Isles, away from the worst punishments and to the mainland with its kinder view on things. It will not be in my power, even as a Ducal voice, to do anything to him.
So what is in my power? What can I do that will answer Oliver's killers? Thumb my nose at them? I will hold to our traditions, yes. But is that sufficient? To remain unchanged? Many die each day, we remain unchanged. That is nothing of note.
So. On behalf of myself and House Tyde, I have sent funds to Princess Alarissa from my own silver to pay the debts of at least 100 child thralls - and I will make an offer as Voice that House Tyde will find homes and apprenticeships for those of age amongst our holdings and our vassals should they lack free parents. I hope the family will forgive me for using the Thrax charity for this rather than Master Aleksei Morgan, but what starts in the Isles should end there to my mind.
So what is in my power? What can I do that will answer Oliver's killers? Thumb my nose at them? I will hold to our traditions, yes. But is that sufficient? To remain unchanged? Many die each day, we remain unchanged. That is nothing of note.
So. On behalf of myself and House Tyde, I have sent funds to Princess Alarissa from my own silver to pay the debts of at least 100 child thralls - and I will make an offer as Voice that House Tyde will find homes and apprenticeships for those of age amongst our holdings and our vassals should they lack free parents. I hope the family will forgive me for using the Thrax charity for this rather than Master Aleksei Morgan, but what starts in the Isles should end there to my mind.
Written By Archeron
Oct. 24, 2018, 6:15 a.m.(11/12/1009 AR)
As Prince Victus says, Oliver had paid his debt and done his time. The law, and more importantly the tradition, states he is free. His life is his own once more, indebted to no-one and only bound by the laws and traditions of the compact and his oaths of loyalty. My armour was made by Master Oliver oddly enough, but I cannot say I knew the man. But, I can say he was a fine craftsman, and so the crime is double for it denies Thrax a man of skills important to the war efforts. Not only is this killer a murderer, but a traitor too.
I do not know if their aim was to send a message against the Compact about interfering in traditions around Thralls, or if this was some provocative act by those seeking to start some war over Thralls from either direction, and cruel enough to use a man's life for their ends. I am sure we will find out in time, but for now it matters little. We deal with the facts.
You see, we have traditions in the Isles. Yes. One is Thralldom. But there is another. I say if this person is found, we give to them what all enemies of a House of Thrax receive. What tradition demands as punishment for our enemies. We enthrall them for murder, and we bind them to a cross to look out over the sea. Let them die a Thrall, let them die of thirst and exposure, let them die unremembered short of as a lesson. Tradition is important, after all.
I do not know if their aim was to send a message against the Compact about interfering in traditions around Thralls, or if this was some provocative act by those seeking to start some war over Thralls from either direction, and cruel enough to use a man's life for their ends. I am sure we will find out in time, but for now it matters little. We deal with the facts.
You see, we have traditions in the Isles. Yes. One is Thralldom. But there is another. I say if this person is found, we give to them what all enemies of a House of Thrax receive. What tradition demands as punishment for our enemies. We enthrall them for murder, and we bind them to a cross to look out over the sea. Let them die a Thrall, let them die of thirst and exposure, let them die unremembered short of as a lesson. Tradition is important, after all.
Written By Archeron
Oct. 16, 2018, 8:15 a.m.(10/15/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
I am not calling you that. Maybe Lady Amari, She Who Is Quite Alright But With Terrible Taste In Socks. Not all of that though.
Written By Archeron
Oct. 7, 2018, 11:09 a.m.(9/26/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
This sounds like the rumours could be the basis of a good drinking game....
Written By Archeron
Oct. 6, 2018, 11:58 a.m.(9/24/1009 AR)
I've been asked by a couple of people now when the wedding will be between Amari and I, as we pulled the date and they wished to attend and wanted to know when. Sadly the truth is that there won't be a wedding. The courtship is ended at request of the Keatons. What is very bad news for me is worse news for the other single noblewomen of Arx, I am sure. Though I suppose good news for the noblemen. I'm sure some formal announcement will be done, but, I wanted to record it down in the whites - in writing it, it becomes reality. Final. Done.
Written By Archeron
Oct. 2, 2018, 6:26 a.m.(9/15/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Alarissa
Don't worry Princess Alarissa, we will keep him safe. I make no promises about sober, but safe we can manage.
Written By Archeron
Sept. 30, 2018, 5:02 a.m.(9/11/1009 AR)
At a young age life taught me a lesson. If you allow yourself to care about something, it can be taken away. So you have to choose precious things, and guard them close. And the rest? The rest treat as a joke. Move through life in such a way and you are immune to the worst of it. To the randomness of things. To the choices of others. To the dark sense of humour the world seems to have. All of it.
It seems sometime in the past year or so I forgot that lesson, a lesson paid for by others. The result is that blooms seem brighter, voices louder and more varied, faces blur less. I notice the world more. I am not sure if the risk and the punishment is worth the reward, but. There that is. I shall try to, if not be a more serious man, then at least allow myself to feel the world of man a little more.
It seems sometime in the past year or so I forgot that lesson, a lesson paid for by others. The result is that blooms seem brighter, voices louder and more varied, faces blur less. I notice the world more. I am not sure if the risk and the punishment is worth the reward, but. There that is. I shall try to, if not be a more serious man, then at least allow myself to feel the world of man a little more.
Written By Archeron
Sept. 26, 2018, 6:36 p.m.(9/4/1009 AR)
Had a strange time in a tavern today - met a man who claimed to be a trader, yet he'd never visited Tyde Isle. Why would you not visit the richest island in the Mourning Isles?
Written By Archeron
Sept. 24, 2018, 8:17 a.m.(8/27/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
It seems my intended has been having a lot of fun with strange drink concoctions. And I have been warned not to simply sit in my bed fort and hide from the world while she stays a few days with the Keatons.
So I thought I would make an entry in my whites - as I am often remiss at doing, yes Scholar, I am a terrible idolant who loves too much the world of petrichor over the world of man. Prove to my intended I did indeed go out and make my entry and read others and pootle along and take an interest in my fellow people.
Oh, and Root would like to make his own entry.
<The rest of the entry consists of inky paw prints>
So I thought I would make an entry in my whites - as I am often remiss at doing, yes Scholar, I am a terrible idolant who loves too much the world of petrichor over the world of man. Prove to my intended I did indeed go out and make my entry and read others and pootle along and take an interest in my fellow people.
Oh, and Root would like to make his own entry.
<The rest of the entry consists of inky paw prints>
Written By Archeron
Sept. 24, 2018, 8:13 a.m.(8/27/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Skye
I suppose the blunt answer I'd have is the best way to become used to it is to do it. Though, I'd say that you don't necessarily want to lose those things, Baroness. War should make you hesitate. Killing should make you uneasy. When those things become easy? When they become the simple choice? That is how the Isles made the reputation it is trying to move away from.
I am glad that my first time at war removed the delusion that it was some great adventure, a painful but necessary lesson. And my second time at war dismissed all notions I had that I might know anything about the enemies we faced.
Ultimately I'm a great fan of recognition life is choices. Each of us has choices, big and small. And like I said, I'm glad the ones to go to war and kill are not easy ones for you, Baroness. It says a lot about the kind of ruler you will be.
I am glad that my first time at war removed the delusion that it was some great adventure, a painful but necessary lesson. And my second time at war dismissed all notions I had that I might know anything about the enemies we faced.
Ultimately I'm a great fan of recognition life is choices. Each of us has choices, big and small. And like I said, I'm glad the ones to go to war and kill are not easy ones for you, Baroness. It says a lot about the kind of ruler you will be.
Written By Archeron
Sept. 12, 2018, 5:20 p.m.(8/2/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
I have never felt much need to compete with my sister. It is like having a writing competition between a man and a chair. We are suited to such different things, for each thing she can best me on, there will be something I can. But those things are so different.
I will say, she is the smarter of the pair of us. And the most precious. She is the one that truly has the potential to do something great - my job is a simple one. To keep her safe so that she has that opportunity.
I will say, she is the smarter of the pair of us. And the most precious. She is the one that truly has the potential to do something great - my job is a simple one. To keep her safe so that she has that opportunity.
Written By Archeron
Sept. 12, 2018, 12:10 p.m.(8/1/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lethe
Let me know if you need more money for hair combs, little sister. Can't have you going without.
And bad decisions often lead to the most fun. Though speaking as your brother, don't make me have to go and shoot someone with an arrow. That causes incidents, and then Margot will yell.
And bad decisions often lead to the most fun. Though speaking as your brother, don't make me have to go and shoot someone with an arrow. That causes incidents, and then Margot will yell.
Written By Archeron
Sept. 12, 2018, 5:32 a.m.(8/1/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Amari
As the days go past and it gets close to the date of the wedding, it is strange. I do not feel nervous about the prospect of spending my life with you - confused perhaps and why you would be so willing, but happy. Change happens in life - the seasons shift the forests from green to earthy browns, old trees fall in gales and for timber, new saplings grow into the light the gap allows down to the forest floor. But change has never really been my friend - it always seems to like radical shifts that I'm not always prepared for. The loss of my home and family and our stay at Ashford. Just as I am certain of my path at Ashford, the restoration of Tyde and my move to the city - a forest of stone and so many people. But this change? This one I may not be prepared for, and I am sure I will fail from time to time as a husband and can only ask your patience, but it isn't one that leaves me breathless or worried. It is one I am eager for.
Though now I realise I probably have to wash and comb Root for the event, so. If I come to the shrine all scratched, forgive me?
Though now I realise I probably have to wash and comb Root for the event, so. If I come to the shrine all scratched, forgive me?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.