Written By Zakhar
April 17, 2021, 1:45 a.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
I was reminded that there are others that want to look out for my well being. I've somewhat always known that they are there. And why not? I am a treasure even after finding the bottom of the barrel and the several feet beneath it. Though, I also know that my means and ways can cause many to worry about me. To have someone on guard waiting for that word to come back that this time I didn't...
It's been a long journey, and I appreciate the many that I can call my friends and family. Its something that I didn't have for the longest periods of time, where I would have a friend, then I would outlive them. Or a family, and they would learn of what I am and then get to watch them run for the seas to find themselves and lose contact with me.
There are days in which I think I have seen one or two of the children that I once knew on the shores only to then see that it is just the cats playing. Those damn birds are going to get theirs someday. At least Shekies did a number on some of their flock recently. A good little kit, taking back what was stolen from her all that time ago. Still a very short period of time, barely year now.
Many kittens were lost over the years, and even more were made stronger and have lived out good lives.
Clive. Why are you crying?
It's been a long journey, and I appreciate the many that I can call my friends and family. Its something that I didn't have for the longest periods of time, where I would have a friend, then I would outlive them. Or a family, and they would learn of what I am and then get to watch them run for the seas to find themselves and lose contact with me.
There are days in which I think I have seen one or two of the children that I once knew on the shores only to then see that it is just the cats playing. Those damn birds are going to get theirs someday. At least Shekies did a number on some of their flock recently. A good little kit, taking back what was stolen from her all that time ago. Still a very short period of time, barely year now.
Many kittens were lost over the years, and even more were made stronger and have lived out good lives.
Clive. Why are you crying?
Written By Raja
April 17, 2021, 12:45 a.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
So, one day I went for a walk. Wagner Ulbran was sitting on a bench. That bench looked so comfy and my feet hurt, so, I sat on the bench as well. I remember to this day the look on his face as if he were surprised that I /dared/ to sit on the bench with him. He said something like, "You are either very brave or very foolish." This entertained me.
Anyways, this whole Wagner's bench thing has been going on between us for a long while. It is a whole friendly rivalry thing going on. But, the joke started to wane. I stepped it up a notch! So, I stole his bench. That's right, where his bench USED to be is a fluffy grassy patch. I now hold his bench hostage.
Anyways, this whole Wagner's bench thing has been going on between us for a long while. It is a whole friendly rivalry thing going on. But, the joke started to wane. I stepped it up a notch! So, I stole his bench. That's right, where his bench USED to be is a fluffy grassy patch. I now hold his bench hostage.
Written By Apollo
April 16, 2021, 11:31 p.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Orland
We cultivate the company we enjoy, my friend.
Written By Tesha
April 16, 2021, 10:52 p.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Baelor
I hope that wherever you are that you're not getting into too much trouble with trolls and other things.
Written By Tesha
April 16, 2021, 10:51 p.m.(4/22/1015 AR)
The Oathlands Spring Jubilee was a beautiful gathering. I should have danced, maybe I will feel like it next time they throw a party.
Written By Titus
April 16, 2021, 7:52 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
This is written about the recent banns with folks airing their problems for the world to laugh at us. I'm not from the continent that the city of Arx sits on, each day brings new challenges to see how others believe and try to learn or take something from them to make myself better.
A person that’s recently joined the Compact is someone who has impressed someone somewhere enough that they believe they’ll make the Compact as a whole better and that the Compact will also make them better people, you simply just can't walk in the gates and suddenly join. With every knee bent and new soul taken in, the Compact changes and grows. Those who can’t change will become irrelevant, it’s the nature of life like the ocean slamming against the shoreline or the stream that finally cuts a huge gorge.
This Compact of today is in no way the same Compact when it originally was formed. I've
A person born into the Compact has been given a gift and blessing that many in the world desire even if they aren't aware of it quite yet. Rather than look down on newcomers who are thrust into sudden and often drastic change as cultures clash and traditions need to be updated, perhaps one ought to ask themselves if the boot was on the other foot, would they be readily accepted to join the Compact now? In other words, what have you done lately?
Those who would pick apart and point out the differences aren't those who desire to change and grow, but instead desire stasis. Those who try to splinter and divide us, using terms like neo-noble or prodigals or even worse are supporting the work of our enemies. We're the Compact, and within us is a great melting pot of other houses and ideas which makes us stronger. A phalanx is only strong when all work together, those who don't work together will doom the entire unit.
There's far more who live outside this little but growing Compact. Ones who desire to destroy what I feel is a tremendously powerful tool for good.
A person that’s recently joined the Compact is someone who has impressed someone somewhere enough that they believe they’ll make the Compact as a whole better and that the Compact will also make them better people, you simply just can't walk in the gates and suddenly join. With every knee bent and new soul taken in, the Compact changes and grows. Those who can’t change will become irrelevant, it’s the nature of life like the ocean slamming against the shoreline or the stream that finally cuts a huge gorge.
This Compact of today is in no way the same Compact when it originally was formed. I've
A person born into the Compact has been given a gift and blessing that many in the world desire even if they aren't aware of it quite yet. Rather than look down on newcomers who are thrust into sudden and often drastic change as cultures clash and traditions need to be updated, perhaps one ought to ask themselves if the boot was on the other foot, would they be readily accepted to join the Compact now? In other words, what have you done lately?
Those who would pick apart and point out the differences aren't those who desire to change and grow, but instead desire stasis. Those who try to splinter and divide us, using terms like neo-noble or prodigals or even worse are supporting the work of our enemies. We're the Compact, and within us is a great melting pot of other houses and ideas which makes us stronger. A phalanx is only strong when all work together, those who don't work together will doom the entire unit.
There's far more who live outside this little but growing Compact. Ones who desire to destroy what I feel is a tremendously powerful tool for good.
Written By Breccan
April 16, 2021, 7:28 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
There’s two types of people. Those who think “I don’t want anyone else to suffer like I have”, and others who think “I suffered, why shouldn’t they?”.
The lack of empathy is a poison that goes deep.
The lack of empathy is a poison that goes deep.
Written By Eirene
April 16, 2021, 6:46 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
So I had to take over for Marquessa Mia and host a dinner party for all the Grayson fealty who wanted to go. Thank the GODS Mab knows her shit in a kitchen because she handled all the food and making sure the hall looked like a proper banquet setting and was civilized. I even wore a non Lycene dress for it, because it was all about the Rivens last night.
Everything seemed to go smoothly. Nobody was stabbed (except a stuffed heron) and nobody got poisoned. We even had a visit from the Queen which is always such a lovely treat. The children will be sad they missed getting a hug from her majesty.
Mihlay is full of stars, says the queen. It's beautiful thought; he really does love the constellations but knowing her, it means something much deeper.
For the record, the puff pastry flowers with clotted cream centers and ladybug strawberries were a huge hit.
Everything seemed to go smoothly. Nobody was stabbed (except a stuffed heron) and nobody got poisoned. We even had a visit from the Queen which is always such a lovely treat. The children will be sad they missed getting a hug from her majesty.
Mihlay is full of stars, says the queen. It's beautiful thought; he really does love the constellations but knowing her, it means something much deeper.
For the record, the puff pastry flowers with clotted cream centers and ladybug strawberries were a huge hit.
Written By Orland
April 16, 2021, 3:50 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Apollo
Thoughts of ... an endearing .... friendship....
I finally had the opportunity to sit with Apollo, over a glass of brandy. I have to say this was an exceptional way to spend the evening. We spoke of art and what drives inspiration behind it. We also shared stories of our experiences, that are drawn or formed from the viewing of art. We may be similar in ways, but of course, share slightly different opinions which makes conversations quite interesting. He seemed to know, swiftly, of whom and what I was speaking at most turns of our conversation. It was easy to converse with him and in a way that is rare to admit to, at least for me.
We found a bridge of commonality between us, in the ways we view the world. And while I'm not quick to throw around terms of endearment, I would at once reconsider such a thing when it comes to Apollo. I should think anyone who receives the same back from him, is quite so lucky.
Apollo, I appreciate what you have given me, your time and company are precious. Those who don't acknowledge it, for other than what they can gain, are missing out. And not because you look strikingly familiar to my drifter.
I finally had the opportunity to sit with Apollo, over a glass of brandy. I have to say this was an exceptional way to spend the evening. We spoke of art and what drives inspiration behind it. We also shared stories of our experiences, that are drawn or formed from the viewing of art. We may be similar in ways, but of course, share slightly different opinions which makes conversations quite interesting. He seemed to know, swiftly, of whom and what I was speaking at most turns of our conversation. It was easy to converse with him and in a way that is rare to admit to, at least for me.
We found a bridge of commonality between us, in the ways we view the world. And while I'm not quick to throw around terms of endearment, I would at once reconsider such a thing when it comes to Apollo. I should think anyone who receives the same back from him, is quite so lucky.
Apollo, I appreciate what you have given me, your time and company are precious. Those who don't acknowledge it, for other than what they can gain, are missing out. And not because you look strikingly familiar to my drifter.
Written By Zakhar
April 16, 2021, 3:04 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
Am I too drunk to see the guards that you wandered in with? No. Am I not paying attention to how everyone else in the room treats you? No.
I am watching you and your cohorts closely, it is part of my business to do so. And if I fail, you will find a way to whip me into doing better next time. Why am I not using your title? Well that parts simple. You didn't offer it.
I was offered a name, no title. Am I supposed to read between the lines and give you the wrong title in the presence of the Queen? What of when someone decides to call me Lord or Sir? I would be stealing a title that is not mine to have. You would find a way to whip me into doing better there too.
No. This is your doing. Stop blaming others for your failure to offer title.
I am watching you and your cohorts closely, it is part of my business to do so. And if I fail, you will find a way to whip me into doing better next time. Why am I not using your title? Well that parts simple. You didn't offer it.
I was offered a name, no title. Am I supposed to read between the lines and give you the wrong title in the presence of the Queen? What of when someone decides to call me Lord or Sir? I would be stealing a title that is not mine to have. You would find a way to whip me into doing better there too.
No. This is your doing. Stop blaming others for your failure to offer title.
Written By Savio
April 16, 2021, 2:28 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
To those who are wondering if I know which end of a sword to hold:
Yes. Sometimes.
Yes. Sometimes.
Written By Orland
April 16, 2021, 1:36 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
Thoughts of a ... student... of strategy and or... seduction...
When one wants to pursue whatever their goal is, they have options before them to achieve it. I respect the ways people decide upon how they can achieve it, through investigation, research, collaboration, scouting, learning, doing... knowing. When one's goals align with another individual, and that individual is paramount to the goal being achieved, I would think naturally, as the goal seeker you would have to create a sense of trust, loyalty, and cooperation with them. One would also hope, as the pursuer of the goals, one would do their homework first, and get to know that person other than just an object of their goals.
Thereby, I am of lesser mind of those who pursue their goals with a stretch of a well toned leg, a flash of a body part, or promised sexual favours. Yet, I feel, this is the go to method for some in our society at present. I feel empathy and pity for those who cannot think of their own talents, intellect, interest, without exposing their bodies in this fashion. Seduction is a tactic, if one does their homework first. The person one attempts to seduce may not even like, the body part the goal seeker has after all, or they may be loyal to another individual already in a way that makes exposure look silly on the goal seeker.
Seduction, from my perspective, is less about a body, and more about charisma and conversation.
I do feel that men are lumped together like they are mindless animals when body parts are exposed. I've experienced it. I imagine it happens as well for women, but I am not privy to that side of life. I can only see what I see. In any case, for both genders, for someone to conclude another person will be suddenly shocked and awed enough to forgo their normal behaviors and to lose all wit because they are shown a piece of flesh, is ignorant and immature.
Thankfully there have been very few people I have come across in my last year of being in the city, that pursue people this way. Though there are a few that believe that their body is somehow a miracle to the world, and those are the ones whom have never actually lived any where tropical or by the ocean, or even poor! I wonder if have they even visited a bathing pool before? We came out naked. We clean ourselves naked. The body is not something new. Everyone has one.
When one wants to pursue whatever their goal is, they have options before them to achieve it. I respect the ways people decide upon how they can achieve it, through investigation, research, collaboration, scouting, learning, doing... knowing. When one's goals align with another individual, and that individual is paramount to the goal being achieved, I would think naturally, as the goal seeker you would have to create a sense of trust, loyalty, and cooperation with them. One would also hope, as the pursuer of the goals, one would do their homework first, and get to know that person other than just an object of their goals.
Thereby, I am of lesser mind of those who pursue their goals with a stretch of a well toned leg, a flash of a body part, or promised sexual favours. Yet, I feel, this is the go to method for some in our society at present. I feel empathy and pity for those who cannot think of their own talents, intellect, interest, without exposing their bodies in this fashion. Seduction is a tactic, if one does their homework first. The person one attempts to seduce may not even like, the body part the goal seeker has after all, or they may be loyal to another individual already in a way that makes exposure look silly on the goal seeker.
Seduction, from my perspective, is less about a body, and more about charisma and conversation.
I do feel that men are lumped together like they are mindless animals when body parts are exposed. I've experienced it. I imagine it happens as well for women, but I am not privy to that side of life. I can only see what I see. In any case, for both genders, for someone to conclude another person will be suddenly shocked and awed enough to forgo their normal behaviors and to lose all wit because they are shown a piece of flesh, is ignorant and immature.
Thankfully there have been very few people I have come across in my last year of being in the city, that pursue people this way. Though there are a few that believe that their body is somehow a miracle to the world, and those are the ones whom have never actually lived any where tropical or by the ocean, or even poor! I wonder if have they even visited a bathing pool before? We came out naked. We clean ourselves naked. The body is not something new. Everyone has one.
Written By Ezmeralda
April 16, 2021, 1:25 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
When you do not seek or need approval you are at your most powerful. Every day I continue to walk the path that many others have walked before me. Some are further along than I and have reached back to offer me succor, to let me know that the way forward is difficult but the destination is worth it. There are those who walk behind me and for them I grant the same courtesy and kindness because those of us who walk this path, we are brethren forged by the circumstances of discrimination, disrespect and disapproval for simply being.
Sometimes I stray from the path to a nearby hill in order to scream from the top of my lungs, you do not validate my existence for I have always been. While those words may seem to fall on deaf ears, my brethren who walk the path have seen me leave the safety of the well beaten path to forge my own way even if just for a little and it heartens them to know that some of us just will not suffer in silence.
My concern is for my people, and we are spread over thousands of domains. We have persisted for over a thousand years, determined to maintain stability in our lands and provide what prosperity we can. For those of us who bear the burden of rulership, not leadership but true rulership, it is our duty to bear the burdens for our people and so we do. Gladly.
Yes I am a Prodigal and that much has been made clear every day to me since I made the decision for my people to join the Compact. To bend the knee to what we believe are higher ideals that we should all strive for and I do not regret it. Though I do, from time to time, find the need to clarify something woefully important and overlooked by our non-Prodigal Peers of the Realm. Many of us Prodigal rulers were not ennobled. We have ruled our respective lands for centuries, millenia in some cases like our own. We were Lords and Ladies before we ever bent the knee, and we have remained Lords and Ladies since. The Compact has not granted us anything that we did not have before but they have taken a modicum of the respect we have been granted by looking down on us as "neo-nobles" who have not been born to the title.
One of the Peers of this Realm who has been sympathetic to our plight, a beloved ally, asked a simple question that should be given thought. 'Do you know what we have given up to join you and live at your side?' Members of the Compact who often use these facts to chastise those of us who are 'misbehaving' or failing to assimilate fast enough for their comfort often remind us that we have sworn our oaths before Limerance, we are said to be granted the same rights as other citizens of the Compact, and yet they recognize we are treated unequally.
The Compact would do well to remember that honoring Limerance includes honoring the oaths of others. To remember the sacrifices we make to be here with you, to stand as your allies in battle even as you spit in our faces for those sacrifices. Even though many of our Peers and fellow citizens of the Realm do not want us to be here, we are here and we are staying until the day you choose to Abandon us again because despite the adversity we Prodigals are too strong, we do not break our oaths once they are given and we stand by what we say.
Sometimes I stray from the path to a nearby hill in order to scream from the top of my lungs, you do not validate my existence for I have always been. While those words may seem to fall on deaf ears, my brethren who walk the path have seen me leave the safety of the well beaten path to forge my own way even if just for a little and it heartens them to know that some of us just will not suffer in silence.
My concern is for my people, and we are spread over thousands of domains. We have persisted for over a thousand years, determined to maintain stability in our lands and provide what prosperity we can. For those of us who bear the burden of rulership, not leadership but true rulership, it is our duty to bear the burdens for our people and so we do. Gladly.
Yes I am a Prodigal and that much has been made clear every day to me since I made the decision for my people to join the Compact. To bend the knee to what we believe are higher ideals that we should all strive for and I do not regret it. Though I do, from time to time, find the need to clarify something woefully important and overlooked by our non-Prodigal Peers of the Realm. Many of us Prodigal rulers were not ennobled. We have ruled our respective lands for centuries, millenia in some cases like our own. We were Lords and Ladies before we ever bent the knee, and we have remained Lords and Ladies since. The Compact has not granted us anything that we did not have before but they have taken a modicum of the respect we have been granted by looking down on us as "neo-nobles" who have not been born to the title.
One of the Peers of this Realm who has been sympathetic to our plight, a beloved ally, asked a simple question that should be given thought. 'Do you know what we have given up to join you and live at your side?' Members of the Compact who often use these facts to chastise those of us who are 'misbehaving' or failing to assimilate fast enough for their comfort often remind us that we have sworn our oaths before Limerance, we are said to be granted the same rights as other citizens of the Compact, and yet they recognize we are treated unequally.
The Compact would do well to remember that honoring Limerance includes honoring the oaths of others. To remember the sacrifices we make to be here with you, to stand as your allies in battle even as you spit in our faces for those sacrifices. Even though many of our Peers and fellow citizens of the Realm do not want us to be here, we are here and we are staying until the day you choose to Abandon us again because despite the adversity we Prodigals are too strong, we do not break our oaths once they are given and we stand by what we say.
Written By Rosemary
April 16, 2021, 12:49 p.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
Relationship Note on Audgrim
It takes a hard man to make me pay full price. The boots are beautiful so who would listen to me complain, and I'm still glad we met. Audgrim raises a good point, getting involved with the Crimson Blades could be quite lucrative. Young soldiers tend to have an affinity for rubicund and I happen to know a few guys. The horrible arithmetic of war does include a hefty profit for smart merchants that want to provide the best life for their family after all.
Written By Svana
April 16, 2021, 11:24 a.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
Setting people straight about your occupation doesn't make you a bad person or badly behaved. What does make one badly behaved is being of a higher station and constantly misrepresenting and misusing the occupations of highly skilled workers. I have faced certain challenges as a crafter that make me support any other commoner's profession with fierce determination.
Misconstruing other peoples' words seems to be another issue within our fair city at this moment. Accusations are abound. Even about the assassination of a certain 'Duke' who I will not blacken my hands with this day. Unity is what we need. We need to understand one another. We will lose more than our dignity if we are not careful, with wars on the horizon.
I swore I could smell cheesecake before I left home, so I should go snoop around.
Misconstruing other peoples' words seems to be another issue within our fair city at this moment. Accusations are abound. Even about the assassination of a certain 'Duke' who I will not blacken my hands with this day. Unity is what we need. We need to understand one another. We will lose more than our dignity if we are not careful, with wars on the horizon.
I swore I could smell cheesecake before I left home, so I should go snoop around.
Written By Auda
April 16, 2021, 10:53 a.m.(4/21/1015 AR)
I'm beginning to think that strange storm was part of a wildly successful ritual to poison the ground of Arx and set people against each other.
Written By Haakon
April 16, 2021, 10:13 a.m.(4/20/1015 AR)
We need start this fucking war.
Folk have too bloody much free time.
Folk have too bloody much free time.
Written By Aconite
April 16, 2021, 10:07 a.m.(4/20/1015 AR)
I have arrived back in Arx and it is Spring again. And while others air out the accumulated gloom and grime I find myself rushing to put these clippings I have brought from Tor into their beds. I get to garden again and I shall not be so exhausted from bearing so many heavy layers. And come Summer, fate willing, I plan to shed more. I cannot wait to see what I can germinate. But where to begin?
Written By Volya
April 16, 2021, 8:01 a.m.(4/20/1015 AR)
To the assholes who make it their business to have the criers shouting out inane and annoying squabbles out next to my window at the asscrack of dawn.
I could not give two flips about who poured salt in your coffee that you somehow feel obligated to involve the rest of the damn city in it.
If you can't be a decent human being and jerk off to your own pettiness in private, at the very least don't involve the rest of us.
I just know I'm not going to be able to get back to sleep now.
I could not give two flips about who poured salt in your coffee that you somehow feel obligated to involve the rest of the damn city in it.
If you can't be a decent human being and jerk off to your own pettiness in private, at the very least don't involve the rest of us.
I just know I'm not going to be able to get back to sleep now.
Written By Preston
April 16, 2021, 6:29 a.m.(4/20/1015 AR)
It is heartening to see nobles wish to stand up for the honour of the Faith, for the Faith is all of us. It is the string that connects us all, across the vast distances that can exist between our villages, castles and other holdings. To attack that string is to then attack all of us, and why the Faith is inviolate. But then, those who have spent their life alone cannot be expected to understand that as instinctively as nobles born to the title.
One should not mistake the silence of the Faith as acceptance, forgiveness or indifference to words that are said - one should simply understand the silence as the patience of a weary parent, determined that our children should be better. A parent fighting far larger battles against enemies that threaten us all and who is thus quite busy, for now.
One should not mistake the silence of the Faith as acceptance, forgiveness or indifference to words that are said - one should simply understand the silence as the patience of a weary parent, determined that our children should be better. A parent fighting far larger battles against enemies that threaten us all and who is thus quite busy, for now.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.