Written By Savio
May 27, 2021, 10:33 a.m.(7/18/1015 AR)
I used to enjoy the familiar ritual of committing my thoughts, songs, and poems to the keepers of the white journals. Now, I can't say how many times I've meant to do so, and come away with nothing to show for it. My thoughts are now best committed to secrecy. Grief writes black.
But I will do my best.
Strangers have been cruel. Commoners and nobles do not agree on much, but they certainly can agree on their contempt for prodigal neo-nobles.
Friends have been kind. Moreso than I deserve, as lately they never know if I'm going to be in pieces when they see me.
A mystery has twice given me joy and warmth that seems the light of Jayus itself. So much deeper the darkness, when it's gone.
I have filled the Lonely Cloud with beautiful things, just as I have filled my life with beautiful people, trying to make a new way forward into whoever I am now. Perhaps you will visit. You would be welcome if you do.
My name is still an epitaph to the dead. Congratulations, Lord Proscipi.
I have been to islands far from home and have seen what I expected to see. I hoped it wouldn't be so. Things are going to get worse before they get better.
I am not ashamed.
I am still here.
But I will do my best.
Strangers have been cruel. Commoners and nobles do not agree on much, but they certainly can agree on their contempt for prodigal neo-nobles.
Friends have been kind. Moreso than I deserve, as lately they never know if I'm going to be in pieces when they see me.
A mystery has twice given me joy and warmth that seems the light of Jayus itself. So much deeper the darkness, when it's gone.
I have filled the Lonely Cloud with beautiful things, just as I have filled my life with beautiful people, trying to make a new way forward into whoever I am now. Perhaps you will visit. You would be welcome if you do.
My name is still an epitaph to the dead. Congratulations, Lord Proscipi.
I have been to islands far from home and have seen what I expected to see. I hoped it wouldn't be so. Things are going to get worse before they get better.
I am not ashamed.
I am still here.
Written By Raimon
May 27, 2021, 2:38 a.m.(7/18/1015 AR)
In Suffocating Darkness
Your shoulders knot and tighten, clenched;
your limbs you cannot raise.
Your eyes downcast and sightless, stare;
You cannot lift your gaze.
You cannot even really breathe,
so binding is your cage.
You clench your jaws to hold within
frustrations, tears and rage.
You’ve curled and hunched to fit your bounds
and to one side you lean.
Your body’s shape is cramped and bent,
confined by walls unseen.
A place which had once nourished you
now holds but crusted bile
Stagnation's scent is choking you:
'tis fact beyond denial.
A knotted collar rings your neck,
your movements it constrains.
A massive weighted yoke it seems,
for dragging iron chains.
I pray that through your shell you’ll hear,
that note each brave heart finds –
Stab upward: Strike! An Aim that’s True
will shatter that-which-binds!
*Explode* into the clean cold air,
taste that which Freedom brings!
You’ll find across your back you bear
No yoke, but budding _wings_.
(( ooc: https://youtu.be/egXoY3n3Cy8?t=12 ))
Your shoulders knot and tighten, clenched;
your limbs you cannot raise.
Your eyes downcast and sightless, stare;
You cannot lift your gaze.
You cannot even really breathe,
so binding is your cage.
You clench your jaws to hold within
frustrations, tears and rage.
You’ve curled and hunched to fit your bounds
and to one side you lean.
Your body’s shape is cramped and bent,
confined by walls unseen.
A place which had once nourished you
now holds but crusted bile
Stagnation's scent is choking you:
'tis fact beyond denial.
A knotted collar rings your neck,
your movements it constrains.
A massive weighted yoke it seems,
for dragging iron chains.
I pray that through your shell you’ll hear,
that note each brave heart finds –
Stab upward: Strike! An Aim that’s True
will shatter that-which-binds!
*Explode* into the clean cold air,
taste that which Freedom brings!
You’ll find across your back you bear
No yoke, but budding _wings_.
(( ooc: https://youtu.be/egXoY3n3Cy8?t=12 ))
Written By Raimon
May 27, 2021, 2:29 a.m.(7/18/1015 AR)
Through woods I Run, my heart at peace
the tall trees at my side
Their arms reach out, to Touch the sky
their roots in depths abide
And they now thirst and gently sip
from places hidden deep,
where melted snow has waited long
to fuel their skyward leap
Throughout the land dry husks are cracked
and soil's churned awake
by tiny, stretching, yearning arms -
green faces: sun to take.
New scents abound, exploding now
from every living thing.
A thousand shouts scream to my nose:
Look Here! I live! It's Spring!
the tall trees at my side
Their arms reach out, to Touch the sky
their roots in depths abide
And they now thirst and gently sip
from places hidden deep,
where melted snow has waited long
to fuel their skyward leap
Throughout the land dry husks are cracked
and soil's churned awake
by tiny, stretching, yearning arms -
green faces: sun to take.
New scents abound, exploding now
from every living thing.
A thousand shouts scream to my nose:
Look Here! I live! It's Spring!
Written By Noah
May 26, 2021, 11:32 p.m.(7/18/1015 AR)
I have taken to learning about the Velenosa culture. I think I have a handle on it.
When you want to make friends, you send gifts.
I sent a very glitzy gift. They said it was trash. I have learned this new Velenosa language. This means that they loved it and want more gifts.
Clearly I'm doing this right.
When you want to make friends, you send gifts.
I sent a very glitzy gift. They said it was trash. I have learned this new Velenosa language. This means that they loved it and want more gifts.
Clearly I'm doing this right.
Written By Zakhar
May 26, 2021, 11:23 p.m.(7/18/1015 AR)
The concept of war ending without a parchment between the two warring factions to keep the peace... Not that the parchment can really make much of a difference. And to simply declare that a side has lost the war, without proof that their heads are upon pikes. There will always be at least one left over, waiting for their day to come. And they will be unstoppable.
This war is far from over. A whole new enemy has been created. Find the children of those that you slaughtered. Teach them there is a better direction than revenge.
Or your children will be facing an enemy worst than what you have ever seen.
This war is far from over. A whole new enemy has been created. Find the children of those that you slaughtered. Teach them there is a better direction than revenge.
Or your children will be facing an enemy worst than what you have ever seen.
Written By Lucita
May 26, 2021, 9:18 p.m.(7/17/1015 AR)
New wines, so delicious. Medeia was lucky to have run across a batch large enough to share with others outside the family.
Written By Titus
May 26, 2021, 8:48 p.m.(7/17/1015 AR)
The banns across the city have been interesting this week. Happiness, mourning and irritation.
There’s increasing distress and irritation within the peerage regarding the institution of nobility, and the rather quick increase in numbers of those newly minted nobility, the neo-nobles.
What I can say is that at one point, every house was new and with the Reckoning at Arx, many houses would have died out were it not for an heir named due to their actions. It was their actions which made them stand out, rising to the concept of nobility. And this continues even to this very day especially with new domains of prodigals desiring to embrace the Compact and join it to defend all others. Ancient houses like the Vaevici, while seen as new to the Compact, can bring interesting ideas and help to our Compact. Likewise, houses such as the Vaevici ought to find great and ancient Compact houses in which to be guided, mentored and developed. Nobility shouldn’t be thrown away, it’d destroy an ideology whereby we reward those who set aside personal desires and instead take on greater responsibilities so that many more lives might thrive. Prodigal houses should be encouraged then to embrace, adopt and work with old houses, so that while we have sometimes great cultural differences, we have bent the knee and publicly shown that we desire to take the best the Compact has to offer. Putting egotistical pride as a roadblock in the way of learning from an old noble house isn’t a noble trait, it’s selfish and not noble. Embracing that we can learn while also offering something from our own culture is noble. Being Prodigal means we understand and accept that we are better peoples for joining the Compact, it’s honourable. Bending the knee and then trying to undermine the Compact’s traditions and conventions is wrong, it’s dishonourable.
In other news that reached me, house Crovane had a birth of a son to the duchess and duke who was named after the mother’s late brother. A powerful gift one can give a child to link them to the memory of the past. May the boy grow up with the spirit of his late uncle, yet large enough to step out of the dead's shadow and make his own story.
As for memories, house Fidante announced the death of Duke Inigo who died defending his people. There is a saying in the Red City, "A warrior of Sangris has no dream but to die under the shade of her city walls, gone in the blazes of honor to feed the Pyros of her people. In the death of one, a hundred more grip their spears tighter." My hope is that this Vaevici blessing is given to house Fidante, that their enemies find that they’ve only strengthened house Fidante through their dishonourable attack within the sanctity of a home.
There’s increasing distress and irritation within the peerage regarding the institution of nobility, and the rather quick increase in numbers of those newly minted nobility, the neo-nobles.
What I can say is that at one point, every house was new and with the Reckoning at Arx, many houses would have died out were it not for an heir named due to their actions. It was their actions which made them stand out, rising to the concept of nobility. And this continues even to this very day especially with new domains of prodigals desiring to embrace the Compact and join it to defend all others. Ancient houses like the Vaevici, while seen as new to the Compact, can bring interesting ideas and help to our Compact. Likewise, houses such as the Vaevici ought to find great and ancient Compact houses in which to be guided, mentored and developed. Nobility shouldn’t be thrown away, it’d destroy an ideology whereby we reward those who set aside personal desires and instead take on greater responsibilities so that many more lives might thrive. Prodigal houses should be encouraged then to embrace, adopt and work with old houses, so that while we have sometimes great cultural differences, we have bent the knee and publicly shown that we desire to take the best the Compact has to offer. Putting egotistical pride as a roadblock in the way of learning from an old noble house isn’t a noble trait, it’s selfish and not noble. Embracing that we can learn while also offering something from our own culture is noble. Being Prodigal means we understand and accept that we are better peoples for joining the Compact, it’s honourable. Bending the knee and then trying to undermine the Compact’s traditions and conventions is wrong, it’s dishonourable.
In other news that reached me, house Crovane had a birth of a son to the duchess and duke who was named after the mother’s late brother. A powerful gift one can give a child to link them to the memory of the past. May the boy grow up with the spirit of his late uncle, yet large enough to step out of the dead's shadow and make his own story.
As for memories, house Fidante announced the death of Duke Inigo who died defending his people. There is a saying in the Red City, "A warrior of Sangris has no dream but to die under the shade of her city walls, gone in the blazes of honor to feed the Pyros of her people. In the death of one, a hundred more grip their spears tighter." My hope is that this Vaevici blessing is given to house Fidante, that their enemies find that they’ve only strengthened house Fidante through their dishonourable attack within the sanctity of a home.
Written By Romulius
May 26, 2021, 8:39 p.m.(7/17/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Orland
While I cannot profess to be any sort of font of wisdom, it is a rewarding thing to know that I might act as some steadying force in such an uncertain time.
There is catharsis in rage, particularly when it serves to temper those more tempestuous emotions into thoughts closer to something righteous. The gods and many others know that I have fallen into such furies, as I am sure every other with any other experience with the tragedies of war has. When one assumes the duty to protect others, failure in those efforts is inevitable. This will never lessen the sting, as they are failures all the same.
We are all only mortal, Lord Amadeo, and the Queen of Endings will collect us eventually. If you feel that you have debased yourself in our conversation, allow it to serve as motivation to better yourself moving forward.
There is catharsis in rage, particularly when it serves to temper those more tempestuous emotions into thoughts closer to something righteous. The gods and many others know that I have fallen into such furies, as I am sure every other with any other experience with the tragedies of war has. When one assumes the duty to protect others, failure in those efforts is inevitable. This will never lessen the sting, as they are failures all the same.
We are all only mortal, Lord Amadeo, and the Queen of Endings will collect us eventually. If you feel that you have debased yourself in our conversation, allow it to serve as motivation to better yourself moving forward.
Written By Haakon
May 26, 2021, 4:55 p.m.(7/17/1015 AR)
It's been said that after Pieros Bay, the Ivanites in the Mourning Isles will need act with more cunning than brute force, if they wish to strike at the folk they hate. For most, I expect that's true.
For the rest, there's always another course for brute force.
Had word that some number of Arvani renegades had gone into Abandoned waters and treated with Shavs under the banner of a red sun on a white cloth. Turns out they're less treating with Shavs and more building palisades and seeking to conquer, with an aim toward raising their own new kingdom. They're delusional, but none can accuse them of wanting for ambition. Raids back and forth, ambush, torture, mass execution. Same as it ever was.
I admit a measure of bloody amusement at the notion of a lot of Ivanites expecting to land and just.. wipe out whole tribes of Abandoned in their own lands, just by arriving and wanting the Shavs to die. Most tribes are very fucking good at surviving, else they'd be dead or conquered, already.
Unsure whether the renegades can cut them down at the root with better discipline and arms, or if the Abandoned will whittle the Arvani down inside their walls. Time will tell.
Either way, I mean to kill some Ivanites and take what of theirs is worth taking.
For the rest, there's always another course for brute force.
Had word that some number of Arvani renegades had gone into Abandoned waters and treated with Shavs under the banner of a red sun on a white cloth. Turns out they're less treating with Shavs and more building palisades and seeking to conquer, with an aim toward raising their own new kingdom. They're delusional, but none can accuse them of wanting for ambition. Raids back and forth, ambush, torture, mass execution. Same as it ever was.
I admit a measure of bloody amusement at the notion of a lot of Ivanites expecting to land and just.. wipe out whole tribes of Abandoned in their own lands, just by arriving and wanting the Shavs to die. Most tribes are very fucking good at surviving, else they'd be dead or conquered, already.
Unsure whether the renegades can cut them down at the root with better discipline and arms, or if the Abandoned will whittle the Arvani down inside their walls. Time will tell.
Either way, I mean to kill some Ivanites and take what of theirs is worth taking.
Written By Sedna
May 26, 2021, 12:21 p.m.(7/17/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Zoya
The renovations on Mistress Zoya's suite are finally complete. Ember said to spare no expense so that's what she got. It's the least we could do for all Zoya's efforts.
I'm just not entirely sure where to place all of these excess crane statuettes and sconces and handles that didn't make the cut.. I'll send them to Redreef Shores. For... a crane room! Voila!
I'm just not entirely sure where to place all of these excess crane statuettes and sconces and handles that didn't make the cut.. I'll send them to Redreef Shores. For... a crane room! Voila!
Written By Raimon
May 26, 2021, 3:05 a.m.(7/16/1015 AR)
To Mangata
Bright moonlight dances whitecapped jigs
atop the weather-swells.
The wet night air is laden down
with heavy seaside smells.
The solemn scents of Death abound,
amidst the flotsam piles:
A dark green, pale white, clear and brown
Mosaic of Life-tiles.
I glimpse a seabird gone to rest,
her head tucked ’neath her wing.
She’ll fly, and on the morning cry:
new Joy-of-Life to sing.
The mists hang low about the rocks,
to shroud their slickened sides.
Up from the sea, small creatures float,
borne inland on the tides.
For some, life’s journey meets the Edge,
and ends when waves recede.
Soft, shapeless forms parched on dry sand,
which cannot salve their need.
But others’ lives are just begun,
when ’pon the sand they fall.
Into the ground they quickly dig,
and into safe-holes crawl.
As waves withdraw and gather strength,
once more to shoreward strive,
Their murmured breaths sing testament:
The Ocean is Alive!
Bright moonlight dances whitecapped jigs
atop the weather-swells.
The wet night air is laden down
with heavy seaside smells.
The solemn scents of Death abound,
amidst the flotsam piles:
A dark green, pale white, clear and brown
Mosaic of Life-tiles.
I glimpse a seabird gone to rest,
her head tucked ’neath her wing.
She’ll fly, and on the morning cry:
new Joy-of-Life to sing.
The mists hang low about the rocks,
to shroud their slickened sides.
Up from the sea, small creatures float,
borne inland on the tides.
For some, life’s journey meets the Edge,
and ends when waves recede.
Soft, shapeless forms parched on dry sand,
which cannot salve their need.
But others’ lives are just begun,
when ’pon the sand they fall.
Into the ground they quickly dig,
and into safe-holes crawl.
As waves withdraw and gather strength,
once more to shoreward strive,
Their murmured breaths sing testament:
The Ocean is Alive!
Written By Bran
May 26, 2021, 1:08 a.m.(7/16/1015 AR)
It was a night of song and contemplation. While the mysteries of the Stone Grove are as impenetrable as ever, the flora has never seemed as lively before. To be fair, I have not visited this grove before, having had only short dalliances in Arx... I am no poet - I merely recall the verses of others, yet it was surely enough to calm the mind and spirit.
Written By Piccola
May 26, 2021, 12:20 a.m.(7/16/1015 AR)
Another war has come and gone.
I fear not what arrives. Upon my doorstep is a proposal, and it is one that I am willing to accept. If it is what takes me from the battlefield, so be it; but if not it is one that I will throw myself into willingly and wholly.
I cannot escape her eyes.
I fear not what arrives. Upon my doorstep is a proposal, and it is one that I am willing to accept. If it is what takes me from the battlefield, so be it; but if not it is one that I will throw myself into willingly and wholly.
I cannot escape her eyes.
Written By Aethan
May 25, 2021, 5:45 p.m.(7/15/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Elara
Pouring through my notes on all that we've done, I came your memories you left behind. Your song. For you today, I transcribe it in the journals. This is why I need a Minister of Culture.
---
The sun and the moon rise from the sea
Shedding their lights to ripple and sway
Across the prows of the greatest navy
See our flags snap in the breeze
Violet and white are the colors we carry
Proud are those who guard over our seas
Let the pirates and monsters beware us, for we are the strongest and bravest
Threaten our waters, your ships will sink under
And the tide will be red before the Kennex Navy
Let the men and women who stand to defend
Against those who would reap from the ocean
Find ravagers applenty with swords to rend
While those ashore set great things in motion
In Stormward ships and blessings we send
And our leaders see to Kennex progression
Let the pirates and monsters beware us, for we are the strongest and bravest
Threaten our waters, your ships will sink under
And the tide will be red before the Kennex Navy
- Composed by Lady Elara Kennex, 9/26/1008 AR
---
The sun and the moon rise from the sea
Shedding their lights to ripple and sway
Across the prows of the greatest navy
See our flags snap in the breeze
Violet and white are the colors we carry
Proud are those who guard over our seas
Let the pirates and monsters beware us, for we are the strongest and bravest
Threaten our waters, your ships will sink under
And the tide will be red before the Kennex Navy
Let the men and women who stand to defend
Against those who would reap from the ocean
Find ravagers applenty with swords to rend
While those ashore set great things in motion
In Stormward ships and blessings we send
And our leaders see to Kennex progression
Let the pirates and monsters beware us, for we are the strongest and bravest
Threaten our waters, your ships will sink under
And the tide will be red before the Kennex Navy
- Composed by Lady Elara Kennex, 9/26/1008 AR
Written By Viviana
May 25, 2021, 3:24 p.m.(7/15/1015 AR)
I am profoundly not sorry for whomever I may offend in those austere halls with my sailor's patter. I'm sure they've heard worse.
Written By Tanith
May 25, 2021, 2:15 p.m.(7/15/1015 AR)
My husband has a -terrible- sense of humor. Honestly. The -worst-.
Written By Aelgar
May 25, 2021, 9:14 a.m.(7/14/1015 AR)
I am making more contacts every week, people interested in speading knowledge and those feeling drawn to service. Just yesterday, I spoke with a young man who is called to his oaths as Godsworn, and a week ago I inducted yet another Scholar Disciple. We are growing, yet the cohesion is still not as solid as it could be and so some of us work to tighten the glue between the thirteen shrines, making so many pieces into a smoothly functioning whole. In the end, we are hoping that the end will be a deeply integrated and cooperative process that will help people immerse their lives into Faith.
Written By Zakhar
May 24, 2021, 10:10 p.m.(7/13/1015 AR)
There's a level of amusement when one gets to an older deposition in life, where many others will look you over and not really think that could still be something which your mind is able to keep up with. Then there's a few others that will automatically believe that you are the culprit, simply because they've seen you do far worse with a spoon.
Either direction the conversation goes. There's always cookies and tea available for the guard if they choose to visit the gardens.
Either direction the conversation goes. There's always cookies and tea available for the guard if they choose to visit the gardens.
Written By Alarissa
May 24, 2021, 9:40 p.m.(7/13/1015 AR)
I didn't realize they shed so much. So. Much.
Written By Malcolm
May 24, 2021, 5:33 p.m.(7/13/1015 AR)
A lot of folk (more than usual) have been saying really nice things about me lately -- and I don't quite know why. But.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.