Written By Max
Nov. 4, 2016, 3:19 a.m.(1/10/1005 AR)
This city is abominable. Crowded and annoying as hell. And the smells - they are beyond description. Food roasting mixes with animal dung and the scent of pretension. That one is particularly thick.
I wandered the streets last night, unable to sleep. I wandered into a three way sword battle between a poetic fop, a man no particular skill, and a woman with a sword as sharp as any. I admit, I do not find an armed woman entirely appropriate, but I will only share that sentiment quietly when she is in ear shot.
I had tea in the 'Salon', with Princess Natalia. She did not find me entirely good company, partially by design and partially by nature. She is not as vapid as she seems, but her company is like the tea she drinks. Something that starts hot, and many find delightful, but quickly cools and no good Thraxian appreciates.
I wandered the streets last night, unable to sleep. I wandered into a three way sword battle between a poetic fop, a man no particular skill, and a woman with a sword as sharp as any. I admit, I do not find an armed woman entirely appropriate, but I will only share that sentiment quietly when she is in ear shot.
I had tea in the 'Salon', with Princess Natalia. She did not find me entirely good company, partially by design and partially by nature. She is not as vapid as she seems, but her company is like the tea she drinks. Something that starts hot, and many find delightful, but quickly cools and no good Thraxian appreciates.
Written By Max
Nov. 3, 2016, 8:26 p.m.(1/9/1005 AR)
This interminable city. Braying asses and preening peacocks, the lot of them. Brother dear, be a man and come back from the dead that I need not attend these matters you in your mortality shirk. The city grows larger on the horizon and I must be back to it. I have seen to the matters of the Abandoned near Tyde reaches as Victus requested, and I admit that this has given me some measure of respite from the popinjay mainlander onslaught that is my ever awkward duty to attend, but now that respite of the sea is gone. A few more coins in my pocket and a few more workers for my holdings...
But all good things must end. Once more into the stone quay, and once more into perfumed purgatory.
But all good things must end. Once more into the stone quay, and once more into perfumed purgatory.
Written By Max
Sept. 2, 2016, 2:38 p.m.(6/19/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Brianna
The Count's first meeting with Brianna Halfshav was an interesting one. He liked her, in his own way, until she called him a 'kid', a word that the Count only hears to describe certain children of animals. Either way, he didn't like the word, and whatever approval he had for her quickly went away. He also believes she holds intimate feelings for Victus, which makes him trust her even less.
Written By Max
Aug. 31, 2016, 3:24 p.m.(6/13/1004 AR)
Before I begin, let me elaborate by saying I am not Count Maximilian Darkwater, nor am I any particular lord. I will maintain anonymity for the sake of the White Journal and the Black Reflections, as this story is not about me. While this may give clues to who I am, let it be known that the reason I write these Journals are that I am a confident of my Lord's, and that my Lord does not like writing journals. To be fair, my Lord does not like a lot of things. His appetites are for sailing, whaling, drinking, killing and sharing a kinship with those of the same interests. He's recently developed a taste for hunting, though I fear with Prince Valardin's indifference and mockery, or at least what my Lord considers such, he'll lose interest.
I was told to share my thoughts, and was sworn by the Count that no harm will come to me for speaking my mind. While I will not be doing this regarding the nobles of the Compact, I was told to write this entry of the Count himself. And so, with faith in my Lord, he is an ill-tempered man of little patience, who takes offense at jokes made at his expense unless made by those he considers friend, which is too sparse a number. He has little humor himself, and thinks very little of other people altogether, believing everyone is selfish or has ulterior motive, and believing still he's the exception that proves the rule. Still, the Count has some qualities. When he makes a promise, he usually keeps it, unless House Thrax deems otherwise, and his loyalty towards the Princes of Maelstrom seems to be his most redeeming quality.
Whatever the case, I will continue observing as I have, and writing down my impressions of what Max thinks of the various people he meets. I only hope I don't write out of turn, for the Lord's sake and mine.
Written By Max
Aug. 26, 2016, 7:49 a.m.(5/25/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Alrec
There's mixed feelings about Alrec. Maximilian has a fondness for the man, firstly. He does. The man's blood runs Dark through and through. He admires his loyalty towards silver, but in the Count's mind Alrec could have had all the silver he wanted if he served under Darkwater, still. To this end, Maximilian sees him as a friend, but if House Thrax orders him killed... well, you can always find new friends.
Written By Max
Aug. 23, 2016, 12:18 a.m.(5/15/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Nadia
Maximilian is unsure what to think about Nadia. There's a grudging respect for her (as much as Maximilian could respect a land-loving woman), and while her exuberance makes her an opposite to him, he's willing to drink at her table in a tavern and treats her more like an equal compared to the rest of the Ladies of Arvum, whom he's known to have to force himself to bow to. She shares with Valencia the humored nickname for Maximilian: the Dread Count Darkwater.
Written By Max
Aug. 21, 2016, 7:42 a.m.(5/10/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Malorie
For a land-loving woman, she sure knows how to show a man of the Mourning Isles a good time. As in she held a hunt a lot of silk-swaddled and heavily armored toilers attended, and I rode a horse for the first time. No comment on her yet.
Written By Max
June 21, 2016, 12:56 p.m.(10/26/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Donrai
Ever the typical man of the Mourning Isles, Maximilian not only admires Donrai but aspires to be like him, feared and respected in equal measure. He does know that Donrai's hiding his flesh underneath that mask and the rest of his clothing, but Maximilian doesn't care. Donrai has presence. He's very loyal to the Prince of Maelstrom, ready to drop everything at a moment's notice to obey the man.
Written By Max
June 21, 2016, 12:46 p.m.(10/26/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
While Maximilian thinks that Victus is plagued with the temperament all the young Thraxians of this generation are, he also feels Victus is the most practical of House Thrax next to Donrai himself. For these reasons and because of Victus taking Maximilian under his wing when the Darkwater Count first became a man grown, Maximilian is quite fond of Victus and is more then happy to join him in any kind of situation, social or otherwise.
Written By Max
June 9, 2016, 7 p.m.(9/18/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
Having first met this Redrain Princess at the Ambassador's before the King's Rest, Maximilian isn't sure what to think of her. Announcing that there was far too much decorum in the capital for her liking, and giving her desire that he was as dreadful as the name Count Darkwater suggested, he feels around the woman he can really be himself around her.
Written By Max
June 9, 2016, 6:59 p.m.(9/18/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Arianwen
Quick with wine and with words of wisdom, Arianwen suggested that Maximilian befriend Lord Edain by offering him a gift in the form of a hunting falcon. She's pretty for sure, and Maximilian has an eye on her.
Written By Max
June 9, 2016, 6:55 p.m.(9/18/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
Having first met this Redrain Princess at the Ambassador's before the King's Rest, Maximilian isn't sure what to think of her. Announcing that there was far too much decorum in the capital for her liking, and giving her desire that he was as dreadful as the name Count Darkwater suggested, he feels around the woman he can really be the unkind man he truly is.
Written By Max
June 9, 2016, 6:54 p.m.(9/18/1003 AR)
Relationship Note on Valencia
Having first met this Redrain Princess at the Ambassador's before the King's Rest, Maximilian isn't sure what to think of her. Announcing that there was far too much decorum in the capital for her liking, and giving her desire that he was as dreadful as the name Count Darkwater suggested, he feels around the woman he can really be the unkind man he truly is.
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