Written By Aureth
Dec. 17, 2019, 10:57 a.m.(5/22/1012 AR)
Tea with honey is not a solution to all problems, yet it can improve some in great measure.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 19, 2019, 4:15 p.m.(3/22/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Preston
Would you like me to buy you some fancy clothes?
Written By Aureth
Nov. 18, 2019, 6:38 p.m.(3/21/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Ras
I am lifting the ban on Master Ras entering the shrines of the Lost. I believe Blessed Hamish did well to protect the shrines from this breach. However, Ras has stepped forward, accepted responsibility for what he did, and set himself to the task I set him for penance so thoroughly and immediately that what I believed to be a daunting task that would take significant time has already been accomplished to my satisfaction.
It is my sincere hope that this is an experience that this young man will learn from, and that his path from here onwards will be more considered.
It is my sincere hope that this is an experience that this young man will learn from, and that his path from here onwards will be more considered.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 14, 2019, 11:02 p.m.(3/13/1012 AR)
Do you ever wonder, when reading the whites, whether someone has dictated their words, or claimed a quill to write themselves? I usually like to write my own. There's something very satisfying about watching your own rage bloom words in ink across the parchment.
Of course, there's the question of what you do with all of that fire and vinegar after you've written it. "I started this as a White," you think, "but perhaps this level of vitriol is too much and I should take it to the seal of the confessional."
Some of you may be surprised to hear that there are times when I do this, but it really is true.
Of course, there's the question of what you do with all of that fire and vinegar after you've written it. "I started this as a White," you think, "but perhaps this level of vitriol is too much and I should take it to the seal of the confessional."
Some of you may be surprised to hear that there are times when I do this, but it really is true.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 13, 2019, 8:32 p.m.(3/11/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Tatienne
This tradesperson is a blatant fool, whose pen ignores reality and attempts to publicly dishonor the very man who has committed his people, his energy, his effort, and his silver towards the abolishment of an evil institution, out of some frankly idiotic determination out of their own fancy that he isn't doing so fast enough. The only reason I do not call this personage to account for their calumniation of His Grace and of the Faith with a champion is that, frankly, to do so would be beneath the dignity of my post.
I strongly suggest that the faithful consider taking their business elsewhere, as Tatienne Lachance has apparently suffered some kind of break with reality. There are many merchants in the city of Arx and indeed in the Oathlands whose business acumen and grasp of common sense do not lead them to march into wild political folly.
I strongly suggest that the faithful consider taking their business elsewhere, as Tatienne Lachance has apparently suffered some kind of break with reality. There are many merchants in the city of Arx and indeed in the Oathlands whose business acumen and grasp of common sense do not lead them to march into wild political folly.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 13, 2019, 10:36 a.m.(3/10/1012 AR)
The idea that it is hypocritical of the Church to accept an earnest penance is to misunderstand the nature of penance and the mercy of the Church.
No one is beyond redemption. Even the blackest of hearts may seek restoration.
The light is for everyone.
Should you reach for it.
No one is beyond redemption. Even the blackest of hearts may seek restoration.
The light is for everyone.
Should you reach for it.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 12, 2019, midnight(3/7/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Shard
I share your certainty that the idiot in question acted as you write. Else he would have received a much harsher punishment.
Were we standing in the heart of Orthodoxy, that question of intent would matter not at all, for the Seraph of Sanctum would hold that sanctuary has been breached.
The mercy of the Faith, however, is to recognize that no blood was spilled upon holy ground in pursuit of this folly. The Faith militants' blades are stayed. They will fall upon the defiant neck. We do not squander our might upon mere foolishness.
It is when we are faced with defiance, misguided and unrepentant, that we must act.
Were we standing in the heart of Orthodoxy, that question of intent would matter not at all, for the Seraph of Sanctum would hold that sanctuary has been breached.
The mercy of the Faith, however, is to recognize that no blood was spilled upon holy ground in pursuit of this folly. The Faith militants' blades are stayed. They will fall upon the defiant neck. We do not squander our might upon mere foolishness.
It is when we are faced with defiance, misguided and unrepentant, that we must act.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 10, 2019, 11:52 p.m.(3/5/1012 AR)
It's never okay to attack anyone on holy ground. This is one of the enshrined pinnacles of civilization, a holy tenet that has been upheld across centuries.
Yes, consecrated shrines are obviously holy ground.
Yes, consecrated shrines are obviously holy ground.
Written By Aureth
Nov. 7, 2019, 3:43 p.m.(2/26/1012 AR)
I do not find it practical to explore the link between economy and morality to the extent some choose to do. Please bear in mind that the Faith has not asked anyone not to use fireweave. Materials that are already here can and should be used. To have such goods and refuse to use them out of some kind of moral superiority is tantamount to cutting off your own nose out of spite. You do get a lot of unsightly blood on your target floor but in the end you remain without a nose.
Further. The Dune Kingdoms make it their faith to worship the Dark Reflections. The position of the Church about this is not limited to being appalled about slavery -- though the active practice of it is horrifying -- but rather to stand as moral guardians of our people against the seeming that anything about such trade may be complacently ignored.
The Faith has not condemned trade with Cardia or Jadairal. For one thing, trade with either place barely exists. Most steelsilk that exists in Arx, according to economists, has existed here for generations, which is part of why it is so costly to purchase. As to talk about trade with Nefer'khat, we may regulate trade with the bottom of the sea, or the moon.
I would gladly outfit all of the Liberators in steelsilk, to keep them safe to fight for freedom another day, had I the funds. Moral suasion is wonderful but this is a distraction.
Please retain your noses. I mean or don't, Skald granted us all the gift of choice.
Further. The Dune Kingdoms make it their faith to worship the Dark Reflections. The position of the Church about this is not limited to being appalled about slavery -- though the active practice of it is horrifying -- but rather to stand as moral guardians of our people against the seeming that anything about such trade may be complacently ignored.
The Faith has not condemned trade with Cardia or Jadairal. For one thing, trade with either place barely exists. Most steelsilk that exists in Arx, according to economists, has existed here for generations, which is part of why it is so costly to purchase. As to talk about trade with Nefer'khat, we may regulate trade with the bottom of the sea, or the moon.
I would gladly outfit all of the Liberators in steelsilk, to keep them safe to fight for freedom another day, had I the funds. Moral suasion is wonderful but this is a distraction.
Please retain your noses. I mean or don't, Skald granted us all the gift of choice.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 24, 2019, 6 p.m.(1/27/1012 AR)
If your uncle is actually named Marit, I apologize.
Really.
Really.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 24, 2019, 5:59 p.m.(1/27/1012 AR)
For those who are concerned, I am not railing against anyone in particular who died recently. It's worth thinking on, but not because your uncle Marit was a jerk.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 23, 2019, 10:53 p.m.(1/25/1012 AR)
What truths come in a eulogy that may come at no other time? When you write of the life a person has lived, and you must encapsulate memory for the goodwill of the mourners, does it matter what is true in fact?
It does the dead no honor to pretend they had virtues other than they had in life, nor does it do the mourners any honor to veil their beloved in fiction. Yet a eulogy is no place for an excoriation.
What do you do, if you must embrace a life that carried in it much to detest in order to do your duty to the public? Do you find the good in a person and ignore the bad entirely? Do you speak truth to those who wish only to mourn the one they loved? It is a sophistry that not all fictions are lies and that courtesy in itself is a cloak that ill-behooves any who must stand in a public face.
Yet no one who has died lived a life wholly without redeeming quality. No one is all evil, any more than anyone is all good. People are not simple and no life can truly be wound into a twenty minute speech before the altar of the Queen.
If the eulogy is a prayer to Death, the truth is necessary. It may be framed politely but it must not be elided completely. Lying to the gods is nothing more or less than insult. But Death will take the soul of even the worst among us. For she granted us those souls, and will take that weaving of hers back unto herself, as only the Mother of Beginnings might: for all things must end, so that they may begin again.
If the eulogy is a performative work for the audience of the mourners, then I think the matter becomes debatable. When does compassion become foolishness? When does empathy become enablement?
It's a question much on my mind of late.
It does the dead no honor to pretend they had virtues other than they had in life, nor does it do the mourners any honor to veil their beloved in fiction. Yet a eulogy is no place for an excoriation.
What do you do, if you must embrace a life that carried in it much to detest in order to do your duty to the public? Do you find the good in a person and ignore the bad entirely? Do you speak truth to those who wish only to mourn the one they loved? It is a sophistry that not all fictions are lies and that courtesy in itself is a cloak that ill-behooves any who must stand in a public face.
Yet no one who has died lived a life wholly without redeeming quality. No one is all evil, any more than anyone is all good. People are not simple and no life can truly be wound into a twenty minute speech before the altar of the Queen.
If the eulogy is a prayer to Death, the truth is necessary. It may be framed politely but it must not be elided completely. Lying to the gods is nothing more or less than insult. But Death will take the soul of even the worst among us. For she granted us those souls, and will take that weaving of hers back unto herself, as only the Mother of Beginnings might: for all things must end, so that they may begin again.
If the eulogy is a performative work for the audience of the mourners, then I think the matter becomes debatable. When does compassion become foolishness? When does empathy become enablement?
It's a question much on my mind of late.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 21, 2019, 11:32 p.m.(1/21/1012 AR)
Lambs are innocent, new and soft and sweet as any fresh springtime. Straying from their mother's side, a lamb bleats with curiosity - and outrage, for the world is huge, and its pasture is small. Its fine pink nose lifts to test the air, and the mother sheep watches it without concern, for the shepherd protects her, and watches her, and guards her from harm.
Its brother lambs frolic on the green, and bleat in terror at the first sign of snow, for this is their first winter, and they have never experienced the cold. But the shepherd with his crook can herd them back into the pasture, and through the pasture to the barn, where they may shelter from the winter.
Yet here is a curious lamb, and innocent, and he sees that the world is wide. He frolics on the edges of the pasture, leaving marks in the snow for predators that lurk. His bleats sound luring to the other lambs, and some of them paw at the gate, and batter their baby skulls against the barn door because they wish to wander out into the blizzard to play with their brother.
But the cold has sunk into his bones, and his lips and nose are raw with it, and disease foams his mouth.
And there are wolves in the dark.
Its brother lambs frolic on the green, and bleat in terror at the first sign of snow, for this is their first winter, and they have never experienced the cold. But the shepherd with his crook can herd them back into the pasture, and through the pasture to the barn, where they may shelter from the winter.
Yet here is a curious lamb, and innocent, and he sees that the world is wide. He frolics on the edges of the pasture, leaving marks in the snow for predators that lurk. His bleats sound luring to the other lambs, and some of them paw at the gate, and batter their baby skulls against the barn door because they wish to wander out into the blizzard to play with their brother.
But the cold has sunk into his bones, and his lips and nose are raw with it, and disease foams his mouth.
And there are wolves in the dark.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 21, 2019, 2:45 p.m.(1/20/1012 AR)
Unity is not in itself a virtue. Unity, alone, encourages yielding to your neighbor's thoughts or falling into the trap of thinking as a group rather than as an individual.
Do not yield to unity. Embrace your own thoughts and your own personal freedom within behavior that adheres to the structure and sense of society.
Do not yield to unity. Embrace your own thoughts and your own personal freedom within behavior that adheres to the structure and sense of society.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 20, 2019, 2:48 p.m.(1/18/1012 AR)
I grieve with the fallen. The candles will burn in the Shrine of the Queen of Endings for each day and each night, and priests and Harlequins will be there to offer aid and comfort to the bereaved.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 15, 2019, 11:37 a.m.(1/8/1012 AR)
Do not assume that Shard is not correct merely because her social position is strange and her tongue harsh. I have seen few clearer eyes on the subject of diplomacy. The wise would be wiser to heed a sensible pen.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 11, 2019, 2:38 p.m.(12/28/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Hamish
I am glad to welcome Archlector Hamish to his new role as Voice of the Queen of Endings. He comes very highly recommended.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 10, 2019, 3:21 p.m.(12/26/1011 AR)
I have yet to read or hear an argument on the subject of offering an additional diplomatic foothold to Cardia that I find persuasive. The metaphor about houseguests I find particularly apt -- excepting that the fact of the matter is, if you invite an embassy into your territory, you are housing the ambassador of the current regime, not some imaginary kind cousin.
Also, generally, I admit I am a relatively new student of diplomacy, but I am entirely baffled at the idea of offering any such broad stroke to a people without receiving something quite significant in return.
Also, generally, I admit I am a relatively new student of diplomacy, but I am entirely baffled at the idea of offering any such broad stroke to a people without receiving something quite significant in return.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 9, 2019, 2:44 p.m.(12/24/1011 AR)
Relationship Note on Alecstazi
When, in order to defend a practice, you must discount a vast proportion of the history of that same practice, you may not actually be speaking in its defense as much as you believe.
His Grace, Prince Victus Thrax, stands united with the Faith in working towards the abolition of thralldom. You have already stated that you accede to this. Perhaps you and the Lord Commander are enjoying this little spat, but if not I suggest you quit while you are already behind.
His Grace, Prince Victus Thrax, stands united with the Faith in working towards the abolition of thralldom. You have already stated that you accede to this. Perhaps you and the Lord Commander are enjoying this little spat, but if not I suggest you quit while you are already behind.
Written By Aureth
Oct. 7, 2019, 8:07 p.m.(12/21/1011 AR)
I strongly advise the public not to publicly profess adherence to the works of excommunicated heretics who have refused to repent.
I was going to write more, but honestly that's it. That's all I've got. Do not do this.
I was going to write more, but honestly that's it. That's all I've got. Do not do this.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.