Written By Lou
Aug. 21, 2019, 9:24 a.m.(9/10/1011 AR)
Research. Research. Research. I feel like I did when I was looking over weapons of a certain type over and over and over again. Will this research ever go anywhere? Will it even matter? Gods, I hope so. It might prove useful in the coming future. Things loom and lurk on the horizon, but then there are a ton of other subjects and topics I'd much rather be getting to. I try to seed and sprinkle those topics in between the major thread I've been doing, but even that doesn't seem like enough.
It's gotten to a point where I think I know enough about this particular topic, but yet still know nothing at all, and that's disheartening. There are too many elements, too many threads, that pull in so, so many directions. Thankfully, there have been some people I can count on to handle other bits and pieces, and we compare notes, but sometimes I feel as if we've lost the original direction of what we're looking for sometimes. Yet, still, I trudge on.
I would much rather be in the woods, discovering new things, new places, new people. I long for the days of when I'm back on the road, hopefully without another blooming war on the horizon. There are a few trips being planned, including another back to Whitepeak. I expect people will be going back there time, and time again. There's still so much to discover there. I hope they do not abuse those discoveries; that they are put to good use. I also hope they treat the city's dead with kindness and respect, until they can be properly put to rest after so many centuries and decades of being exposed to the elements.
I should speak to an artist, and commission a painting of Whitepeak based on the memory of things seen, to be added to the museum of the Explorers, to be showcased when it opens. Or several artists. I wonder if any are taking commissions.
It's gotten to a point where I think I know enough about this particular topic, but yet still know nothing at all, and that's disheartening. There are too many elements, too many threads, that pull in so, so many directions. Thankfully, there have been some people I can count on to handle other bits and pieces, and we compare notes, but sometimes I feel as if we've lost the original direction of what we're looking for sometimes. Yet, still, I trudge on.
I would much rather be in the woods, discovering new things, new places, new people. I long for the days of when I'm back on the road, hopefully without another blooming war on the horizon. There are a few trips being planned, including another back to Whitepeak. I expect people will be going back there time, and time again. There's still so much to discover there. I hope they do not abuse those discoveries; that they are put to good use. I also hope they treat the city's dead with kindness and respect, until they can be properly put to rest after so many centuries and decades of being exposed to the elements.
I should speak to an artist, and commission a painting of Whitepeak based on the memory of things seen, to be added to the museum of the Explorers, to be showcased when it opens. Or several artists. I wonder if any are taking commissions.
Written By Lou
June 27, 2019, 2:50 p.m.(5/12/1011 AR)
This one perfect day has inspired me to wax nostalgic over my latest exploratory trip.
Whitepeak. They called it the City of Miracles. It fell when Lorwroth Kinsbane sacked it. Its location had been forgotten for a long time, until a team of rather dedicated explorers shared information, worked together, and determinedly put their heads together, along with a smattering of help from outsiders, were able to discover general vicinity of where it should exist. It's been a topic of conversation over a number of centuries; explorers trying to find it, long thought impossible.
It was Sir Jordan Ober that had first brought the mountain to my attention asked me to find it; he was my protégé at the time. Rediscovering the location of the mountain was the best way I figured I could ever honor him after his heroic passing in saving Duke Harlan Ashford's life. And oh, how we did. He would have been both saddened and mystified to see the magnificence of Whitepeak.
The streets of Whitepeak were riddled with the skeletons of the people that Lorwroth Kinsbane and his warriors slew; those cut down while they tried to escape the grandeur of the city, else face his mighty wrath. Many of the buildings were destroyed. However, not all things were lost. Some things survived; great works of art, snippets of a lost language, trinkets made of brass, statues made of every kind of metal imaginable. The city is nowhere near as big as Arx, but it is big enough that it will take many, many decades to properly explore and catalog.
The first piece discovered, a tiny brass statue of a griffin, will be on loan to the Society of Explorers when we finally finish constructing our museum. I long to go back even now, but. . . seeing the city in all of its glory has made me realize that I need to see to doing my part at making sure the rest of Arvum gets to experience every bit of wonder I do when I go out and explore things; both the good and the terrible.
Whitepeak. They called it the City of Miracles. It fell when Lorwroth Kinsbane sacked it. Its location had been forgotten for a long time, until a team of rather dedicated explorers shared information, worked together, and determinedly put their heads together, along with a smattering of help from outsiders, were able to discover general vicinity of where it should exist. It's been a topic of conversation over a number of centuries; explorers trying to find it, long thought impossible.
It was Sir Jordan Ober that had first brought the mountain to my attention asked me to find it; he was my protégé at the time. Rediscovering the location of the mountain was the best way I figured I could ever honor him after his heroic passing in saving Duke Harlan Ashford's life. And oh, how we did. He would have been both saddened and mystified to see the magnificence of Whitepeak.
The streets of Whitepeak were riddled with the skeletons of the people that Lorwroth Kinsbane and his warriors slew; those cut down while they tried to escape the grandeur of the city, else face his mighty wrath. Many of the buildings were destroyed. However, not all things were lost. Some things survived; great works of art, snippets of a lost language, trinkets made of brass, statues made of every kind of metal imaginable. The city is nowhere near as big as Arx, but it is big enough that it will take many, many decades to properly explore and catalog.
The first piece discovered, a tiny brass statue of a griffin, will be on loan to the Society of Explorers when we finally finish constructing our museum. I long to go back even now, but. . . seeing the city in all of its glory has made me realize that I need to see to doing my part at making sure the rest of Arvum gets to experience every bit of wonder I do when I go out and explore things; both the good and the terrible.
Written By Lou
May 28, 2019, 10:20 a.m.(3/7/1011 AR)
The views and sights along the way have simply been glorious. They, perhaps, rival the western mountain range I went to not that long ago, the same place that could work as a griffon aerie had we any griffons to breed. Rival, yes. But they don't come quite close as yet. However, as we progressed, things took a wild turn and down a path that we did not expect. New discoveries were made, which require deep consideration. We'll still be moving forward with the next leg of our journey, which I hope will cast a lighter feeling upon us all.
Written By Lou
May 27, 2019, 6:45 p.m.(3/6/1011 AR)
Tonight I go off on a new journey, to hopefully discover a path to a new, but old, place. I am traveling with my beloved husband, Mason, Duchess Delilah, Sir Jeffeth, and my protege Lord Eddard. It'll be interesting to see what we discover, and I can only imagine it will be as exquisite as all of the other places I've been in the last year.
Written By Lou
May 2, 2019, 5:27 a.m.(1/11/1011 AR)
I've had some really amazing adventures in my life. Very soon, I think, it will be time for me to sit down and write out some of those adventures as books for the Explorers and the Great Archives. There is wonderment and awe to be experienced out in the world, lost people and races to discover. Every time I go out, there's something new and beautiful, or frightening.
Written By Lou
April 2, 2019, 10:34 a.m.(11/7/1010 AR)
What a long, strange journey this has been for me. For us. We found them. Five of them, nearly frozen down to the bone. Miraculously they survived, and we were able to get them free. Miraculously, they even spoke bits of our language. Five of them. Alive. They were separated from the others and there may be more. Gods, I hope there are more. They are in my thoughts, and I have been praying for their safe reunification ever since we left.
I just can't get over it. Five. I'm going to have to learn how to draw now, proper like. I want to capture every bit of it down on paper.
Norman Greyridge is a hero, they said. I hope he knows this, that he is a hero.
I just can't get over it. Five. I'm going to have to learn how to draw now, proper like. I want to capture every bit of it down on paper.
Norman Greyridge is a hero, they said. I hope he knows this, that he is a hero.
Written By Lou
Feb. 28, 2019, 9:55 a.m.(8/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Ahriman
Who could have guessed that on the one night that Willen goaded me into attending the Alarissa's linguistics night at the Ambassador Salon, which I usually avoid like the plague - the Ambassador Salon, not my cousin Alarissa, whom I very much love dearly - that I would run in to my long dead father, alive and well?
I will not apologize for my actions last night. When it's been 17 years, and you've long thought someone close to you dead, you'd go through a myriad of emotions, publicly, too.
There are so, so many questions. Hopefully, with time, there will be answers.
I will not apologize for my actions last night. When it's been 17 years, and you've long thought someone close to you dead, you'd go through a myriad of emotions, publicly, too.
There are so, so many questions. Hopefully, with time, there will be answers.
Written By Lou
Jan. 19, 2019, 11:50 a.m.(5/22/1010 AR)
Now that I've had some time to digest the events of the Assembly that occurred this past week, I can't help but point out something and make it very, very clear:
Several months ago, the Compact came together to fight hard against the yoke of having our freedoms and our names taken away from us, and to ensure that we do not become enslaved by one of the forces of darkness. We won that battle. I sincerely hope that we did not win that battle only to give any kind of serious credence to the offers that are being passed around now that involves become enslaved to yet another, no matter what kind of 'light' they are offering.
I did not fight for the freedom of all within the Compact and Arvum only to be enslaved by another. I will continue to fight for freedom what ever choice is made, for that is my choice, for all of us.
Several months ago, the Compact came together to fight hard against the yoke of having our freedoms and our names taken away from us, and to ensure that we do not become enslaved by one of the forces of darkness. We won that battle. I sincerely hope that we did not win that battle only to give any kind of serious credence to the offers that are being passed around now that involves become enslaved to yet another, no matter what kind of 'light' they are offering.
I did not fight for the freedom of all within the Compact and Arvum only to be enslaved by another. I will continue to fight for freedom what ever choice is made, for that is my choice, for all of us.
Written By Lou
Dec. 30, 2018, 8:41 a.m.(4/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
I am so, so very proud of everything you have accomplished, and I am glad to have been part of something so great and significant for you. I have faith that you will be able to do everything you set out to accomplish, and that which you were bid to do once it was all over.
Written By Lou
Dec. 30, 2018, 8:15 a.m.(4/8/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Fairen
We have endured. We have people who are capable of miraculous things. We do not need foreign forces. We will continue to endure. Why? Because Arx /is/ remembering. More and more. Little by little. Through the strength and continued work of our own people, our own heroes.
There is hope, Marquis Fairen Leary, I undoubtedly assure you.
There is hope, Marquis Fairen Leary, I undoubtedly assure you.
Written By Lou
Dec. 4, 2018, 8:48 a.m.(2/11/1010 AR)
When I interview potential proteges, I let them know that I am more than likely to drag them off on adventure. It's my promise for anyone that I decide to be patron to. Jordan took that to heart. It was his dream that we go to see Whitepeak, and it was one that I wholeheartedly encouraged. Together, we spent hours upon hours researching the mythical mountain, and then right before we needed to take action for the Lodge, we found the final piece we needed to make our inaugural trip to discover the long forgotten mountain.
He died saving Duke Harlan's life during the Lodge crisis. And, though he is gone, his dream is still quite alive. I've spent the better part of the last month talking to people, gauging interest and their credentials, and now I have a team of would be adventurers. This team includes my husband Mason, Lady Delilah Whitehawk, Sir Jeffeth Bayweather, and my protégé Lord Eddard Clement. (Though I really, truly, sincerely hope that Eddard leaves me out of any songs he writes for the Bardic College for this adventure.)
What started as a trip between a patron and a protege will now be a journey to honor Sir Jordan Ober and all the work he's put into seeing this through. I cannot know if we will be successful in discovering the path to the fabled mountain, but we will give it our very best in trying. Now, we need to spend the next few weeks gathering together the supplies and other items that we'll need to make this journey as successful as possible.
He died saving Duke Harlan's life during the Lodge crisis. And, though he is gone, his dream is still quite alive. I've spent the better part of the last month talking to people, gauging interest and their credentials, and now I have a team of would be adventurers. This team includes my husband Mason, Lady Delilah Whitehawk, Sir Jeffeth Bayweather, and my protégé Lord Eddard Clement. (Though I really, truly, sincerely hope that Eddard leaves me out of any songs he writes for the Bardic College for this adventure.)
What started as a trip between a patron and a protege will now be a journey to honor Sir Jordan Ober and all the work he's put into seeing this through. I cannot know if we will be successful in discovering the path to the fabled mountain, but we will give it our very best in trying. Now, we need to spend the next few weeks gathering together the supplies and other items that we'll need to make this journey as successful as possible.
Written By Lou
Nov. 21, 2018, 5:32 a.m.(1/13/1010 AR)
A different perspective for consideration. I've been heavily involved in the Lodge situation from an early, early time. Many months of preparation went into what happened. Part of my job was to determine where our enemy was, and to present that information to various people of the Compact. So, I scouted. On more than one occasion.
What I found among the Abandoned were not people who wanted to be enemies of the Compact, even though technically they were. I found a people willing to talk, and potentially even compromise and join the Compact, for the sheer reason that they were frightened of the growing situation in the forests and wanted our protection. People in their villages were disappearing, without a trace of how it happened. Whole villages were wiped out in sacrifice. Many were captured, to be used to fuel dark deeds or to be made into mindless slaves.
During my time in the caves, seeking out the cultists, I saw the product of what some of that mindless slave business was like. Some might have been willing, but I choose to believe that most were not. No one deserves that kind of fate, to be in a living nightmare that they can never awake from.
It is easy to forget, as history is fraught with many hurt feelings and feuding between our cultures, that the shav'arvani people used to be our people.
What I found among the Abandoned were not people who wanted to be enemies of the Compact, even though technically they were. I found a people willing to talk, and potentially even compromise and join the Compact, for the sheer reason that they were frightened of the growing situation in the forests and wanted our protection. People in their villages were disappearing, without a trace of how it happened. Whole villages were wiped out in sacrifice. Many were captured, to be used to fuel dark deeds or to be made into mindless slaves.
During my time in the caves, seeking out the cultists, I saw the product of what some of that mindless slave business was like. Some might have been willing, but I choose to believe that most were not. No one deserves that kind of fate, to be in a living nightmare that they can never awake from.
It is easy to forget, as history is fraught with many hurt feelings and feuding between our cultures, that the shav'arvani people used to be our people.
Written By Lou
Nov. 17, 2018, 1:53 p.m.(1/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Evaristo
If it is adventure you are seeking, the Society of Explorers provides such things. You should consider joining. There are a number of expeditions I am planning myself, though I am certain the others have things they are working on as well.
Written By Lou
Nov. 17, 2018, 5:07 a.m.(1/5/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Jordan
My protege. Perhaps the only one of mine who had a true sense of adventure, between his works for House Ashford, and our pet project of trying to find Whitepeak. Oh, how so very, very close we were to going on that trip together, after the so, so many hours of research, pouring over books, and journals of explorers, to find those pieces of information and putting all the bits together to form a would be map to find that legendary peak. It was fun to watch you delight in some new piece of history unraveled. You were a kindred spirit in that respect. I'd have only been too happy to give you credit for the discovery.
The plan has not changed, my friend. To Whitepeak we shall go, though now it will be in your honor, and to see it through. And, though I will have other like kindred spirits with me, explorers all, it will not be the same. They will be coming into this, fresh faced, and not completely understand the excitement at the discovery - should it happen. We will pour a out a drink for you Whitepeak, and say a few words in your honor and memory.
The plan has not changed, my friend. To Whitepeak we shall go, though now it will be in your honor, and to see it through. And, though I will have other like kindred spirits with me, explorers all, it will not be the same. They will be coming into this, fresh faced, and not completely understand the excitement at the discovery - should it happen. We will pour a out a drink for you Whitepeak, and say a few words in your honor and memory.
Written By Lou
Nov. 10, 2018, 3:48 a.m.(12/18/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Lore
Her sister's husband. I'm her sister. I know what happens. In my husband's case, they send them on trips to cities like Pyre on 'diplomatic' missions, all because he did not agree with slavery or the blood sports and said as much. Yet, in spite of this treachery, my husband insists there is still beauty in Eurus and wishes to return for a visit. He longs to look upon the dunes of sand again, and show his children there can be good there. I don't agree, not from everything I've learned about the place. My husband is a good man, with heady ideals and a healthy dose optimism that I do not tend to share. I'm an Explorer. I'm well aware of the horrors the world has to offer; being an Explorer confirms that. It's also how I met my husband, out on such an expedition.
Written By Lou
Nov. 6, 2018, 8:24 a.m.(12/11/1009 AR)
I cannot commend Prince Talen, Baroness Enyo, or Lady Emily enough for their fine fighting skills. Meriah for her quick ability to work when given a task. I know it could not have been easy for everyone, to see what the one we fight has done to other people. Or, to see the stark reality of the information we've been passing to each other stare us in the face. Each of them comported themselves well, and I would have them at my side again were they up to the task.
Though, I did not escape entirely unscathed. Thought it might have seemed to them that I was focused on a single task, I can't say I won't have nightmares about those we fought, nor the way they were so in sync with each other. Their movements the same. Their speech patterns in unison with each other. I choose not to believe that all of them were willing subjects, not after the many villages I'd been to, gathering information and seeing just how decimated the shav'arvani populations had become at his hand.
Though, I did not escape entirely unscathed. Thought it might have seemed to them that I was focused on a single task, I can't say I won't have nightmares about those we fought, nor the way they were so in sync with each other. Their movements the same. Their speech patterns in unison with each other. I choose not to believe that all of them were willing subjects, not after the many villages I'd been to, gathering information and seeing just how decimated the shav'arvani populations had become at his hand.
Written By Lou
Nov. 5, 2018, 8:49 a.m.(12/9/1009 AR)
I spent the better part of last week upgrading my armor. I am now in possession of a full set of exotic armor, that's of excellent to exceptional quality depending on the pieces. This is much better than my haphazard set of high quality leather and exotic leather. For those of you concerned about nothing matching, well - all my exotic pieces now match, not that I really cared. I also now blend in quite well with the forest, or dark spaces, as the armor is all camouflaged. It's perfect!
Which is good because very soon I'll be traveling with my team on a dangerous mission. My will was written some time ago, when I was headed off to the mountains, but there was one thing I'd forgotten to mention. My assistants are to work for Mason should anything happen to me. It seems like he's never got enough time to do stuff for himself, and so this might better aid him so he can spend more time with the children.
I've read some of the reports coming back from the front, and those who've already had their missions. To say that they have been troubling is an understatement. Even if we win here, it's not over, and we must turn our attention somewhere else. I will strive to do my best to be there for those future times to come, as I feel there's still much work to be done - and new allies to discover.
Which is good because very soon I'll be traveling with my team on a dangerous mission. My will was written some time ago, when I was headed off to the mountains, but there was one thing I'd forgotten to mention. My assistants are to work for Mason should anything happen to me. It seems like he's never got enough time to do stuff for himself, and so this might better aid him so he can spend more time with the children.
I've read some of the reports coming back from the front, and those who've already had their missions. To say that they have been troubling is an understatement. Even if we win here, it's not over, and we must turn our attention somewhere else. I will strive to do my best to be there for those future times to come, as I feel there's still much work to be done - and new allies to discover.
Written By Lou
Oct. 17, 2018, 9:17 a.m.(10/17/1009 AR)
I am not a Minister, certainly not of coin. Looking at my bank account, the tellers have been giving me despairing looks. I might have depleted all of my funds paying off people in the various bits of research I've been working on over the last year to help with the coming battle to come with the Lodge. Money well spent, and I am starting to grow it back to full capacity by saving the allowance I am given and trading favors for silver. In time, I shall be able to grow it back to the small fortune that was there, assuming there are no other crises to look into that require my attention.
In the meantime, I spend bits here and there - smaller bits than looking for those answers for the Lodge - to travel, and see the world once more. I really ought to write a book about my recent mountain adventure; a report for the Explorers at the very least, since it also involved a bit about Brass, and there are two more trips involved - the very least - that stem from our exploration efforts.
In the meantime, I spend bits here and there - smaller bits than looking for those answers for the Lodge - to travel, and see the world once more. I really ought to write a book about my recent mountain adventure; a report for the Explorers at the very least, since it also involved a bit about Brass, and there are two more trips involved - the very least - that stem from our exploration efforts.
Written By Lou
Oct. 13, 2018, 4:26 a.m.(10/9/1009 AR)
So it begins. I can't say that I'm anticipating my part in this, but I'll do my best to come back alive and make sure the rest of my team comes back alive as well. I can only hope that we'll make a difference.
Written By Lou
Oct. 9, 2018, 1:56 p.m.(10/2/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Sabella
I will always try, sister dear. There are a number of things being researched, and places to go. I'll definitely be back to that mountainside. There's just something of that view, and the climb was not particularly dangerous if you went slow. I really can't do it justice.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.