Written By Evaristo
Sept. 13, 2020, 9:17 a.m.(1/7/1014 AR)
Winter blankets the city once more, and this is my fourth winter since returning to Arx. I got a warm enough wardrobe now so it hardly bothers me! The first year took me by surprise - I'd forgotten how the winters could be, having not been living in Arx in over a decade.
I like them now, but I have to admit, it's also nice to sail south to the warmer climates for a few weeks during it.
I like them now, but I have to admit, it's also nice to sail south to the warmer climates for a few weeks during it.
Written By Llewella
Sept. 13, 2020, 6:44 a.m.(1/7/1014 AR)
I braved the snow this week to meet with Mistress Caprice Artiglio. She was the first to respond to my request and I must say I'm quite pleased to have had the time to meet with her. It did not take her long at all to grasp what I wanted: a uniform, of sorts, blending elements of each fealty's style that I can wear when attending to my official duties with the Gold Order. I am no knight to take on the work they do, but as a research, I can still represent them when in their library or abroad on their behalf.
Written By Sunniva
Sept. 13, 2020, 2:17 a.m.(1/7/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Gerrick
After all these years, I had almost forgotten about the bunnies but seeing Gerrick this evening brought the silliness of childhood rushing back. Sadly - he still has no bunnies to show me.
Written By Tarik
Sept. 12, 2020, 11:42 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
I must confess from the very moment of the first snowfall, this winter has been amazing.
Written By Porter
Sept. 12, 2020, 10:20 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Bree
I've been skimming the writings of friends and family and I'm delighted to see that winter is here! And that we all have an opinion on it. My opinion is that it's a fantastic season. And I can't for every winter festival so that I can throw snowballs at people, and so that myself and Dame Bree can emerge victorious from as many contests as we can manage.
I'm also glad that she's returned from her most recent trip out of the city and that she's not upset I started volunteering her for things while she was gone.
I'm also glad that she's returned from her most recent trip out of the city and that she's not upset I started volunteering her for things while she was gone.
Written By Mirari
Sept. 12, 2020, 6:44 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
It is time to forge a new set of blade. Time to make new choices. For all we have in this life are the choices we make and their consequences.
[Below are sketches of two blades a dagger and a sword. The dagger is short, dark, and curved slightly and labeled 'choice'. The sword is straight edged, bright, and labeled 'consequence'.]
[Below are sketches of two blades a dagger and a sword. The dagger is short, dark, and curved slightly and labeled 'choice'. The sword is straight edged, bright, and labeled 'consequence'.]
Written By Mirari
Sept. 12, 2020, 6:43 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
It is time to force a new blade. It is time to relight the forge and transform a lump of metal to something new. It is time to make new loves, new joys, new sorrows, choices.
In this life all we really have are our choices and the consequences of them.
[below are sketches and schematics for two blades: a dark blade, short and slightly curved and labeled 'choice'. A longer blade, shining bright and straight labeled 'consequence'.]
In this life all we really have are our choices and the consequences of them.
[below are sketches and schematics for two blades: a dark blade, short and slightly curved and labeled 'choice'. A longer blade, shining bright and straight labeled 'consequence'.]
Written By Calypso
Sept. 12, 2020, 3:27 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Gabriella
An even keel. The ability to keep doing what you do without losing perspective, without losing your head, without getting overwhelmed or doing stupid shit. Nothing else, no other qualities matter, if you can't maintain them day in and day out. Being a leader isn't for one month, one year, one crisis.
An echo chamber. If your people, your advisers, are so scared of you that they're unwilling or unable to call you on your shit, you're going to veer off to crazytown right quick. This is where people who might have been great leaders turn into twisted versions of themselves.
An echo chamber. If your people, your advisers, are so scared of you that they're unwilling or unable to call you on your shit, you're going to veer off to crazytown right quick. This is where people who might have been great leaders turn into twisted versions of themselves.
Written By Haakon
Sept. 12, 2020, 2:56 p.m.(1/6/1014 AR)
Arx is greatly more tolerable under wind and white snow. The stink fades, the wind howls, and more folk are gone from the streets. A body can have a fine bracing walk now, without needing to wade among a thousand bodies and a dozen beast-drawn carts.
I'm glad the season of storms waited long enough to allow our last reaving, but I am glad to find it upon us, having returned. Now for clean wind, roaring fires, and strong drink. May the new season bury the old.
I'm glad the season of storms waited long enough to allow our last reaving, but I am glad to find it upon us, having returned. Now for clean wind, roaring fires, and strong drink. May the new season bury the old.
Written By Gerrick
Sept. 12, 2020, 11:15 a.m.(1/5/1014 AR)
1/15/1014 AR
I find myself being awake during the later hours more and more. What was once something that helped my career, and made for better means to find my way - to learn the nights hidden secrets better, has now become my normal.
It is odd within a city though - while its occupants slumber, I have a good portion of the city to myself. Shadows are becoming old friends, that hide themselves from the populace during their waking hours.
...
I find myself being awake during the later hours more and more. What was once something that helped my career, and made for better means to find my way - to learn the nights hidden secrets better, has now become my normal.
It is odd within a city though - while its occupants slumber, I have a good portion of the city to myself. Shadows are becoming old friends, that hide themselves from the populace during their waking hours.
...
Written By Svana
Sept. 12, 2020, 10:50 a.m.(1/5/1014 AR)
Winter is the best time to cuddle up with your loved ones and drink spiced cider, tell stories by the fire, stay in and read books...
...or if you're like me, go outside and hold your tongue out, let snowflakes settle on it, make snow angels, have snowball fights.
There are many reasons to enjoy the winter. I'm sure that it helps I'm from the Bonespire, but pish posh I say. How do you all enjoy such oppressive heat?
...or if you're like me, go outside and hold your tongue out, let snowflakes settle on it, make snow angels, have snowball fights.
There are many reasons to enjoy the winter. I'm sure that it helps I'm from the Bonespire, but pish posh I say. How do you all enjoy such oppressive heat?
Written By Zyanya
Sept. 12, 2020, 7:06 a.m.(1/5/1014 AR)
We come to the falling season
when earth and sky are made one,
as floor and ceiling are joined
by the drape of a lace curtain.
When the snow melts I wonder
will spring's perfumes make me feel
that I am finally home?
when earth and sky are made one,
as floor and ceiling are joined
by the drape of a lace curtain.
When the snow melts I wonder
will spring's perfumes make me feel
that I am finally home?
Written By Belladonna
Sept. 12, 2020, 6:35 a.m.(1/5/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Gabriella
A great ruler must love, do so until it hurts and further, until it bleeds. A great ruler's love knows no bounds and defies definition and expectation, it is rabid and intoxicating. She must wake up at night shivering in fear at the thought of disappointing her people. She should wish for death rather than wasting the lives of her followers. She must be steel wrapped in silk. Anything short of it is not good enough.
The tyrant's flaw is that she is short-sighted. Tyranny only ever produces one thing: righteous rebellion. It cannot stand on its own legs. Wherever people suffer, heroes are born and there is nothing stronger than those whose cries yearn for freedom and justice. There is nothing more inevitable.
I hope this suffices, my warrior-poet.
The tyrant's flaw is that she is short-sighted. Tyranny only ever produces one thing: righteous rebellion. It cannot stand on its own legs. Wherever people suffer, heroes are born and there is nothing stronger than those whose cries yearn for freedom and justice. There is nothing more inevitable.
I hope this suffices, my warrior-poet.
Written By Medeia
Sept. 12, 2020, 1:08 a.m.(1/5/1014 AR)
This morning I stood on the beach while it snowed, watching the water. (Spending time around so many northerners is clearly affecting my judgment.) I observed then, to my companion, that the waves beat against the shore in endless cycles that slowly change the shape of the land. We may not see it, day to day, but it is happening. And, the water sustains life as surely as it takes it.
I'm reminded of my own ability to make a difference, and to be more than one thing.
I'm reminded of my own ability to make a difference, and to be more than one thing.
Written By Aconite
Sept. 11, 2020, 11:41 p.m.(1/4/1014 AR)
It's here. And it's everything I'd dreaded. How can anyone enjoy this ...stuff?
Written By Sabella
Sept. 11, 2020, 7:18 p.m.(1/4/1014 AR)
I find myself very much pondering what my answers to the questions Princess Gabriella posed in her whites. I've gone back and forth on my answers quiet a few times but I believe I've finally settled on the ones that seem right to me:
What is the single most important quality of the best of rulers?
The ability to listen. To the things that are said and the things that are unsaid.
And what, then, is the single most damning quality of the worst of tyrants?
Originally I was going to say that being a tyrant is rather the most damning quality, but that seems too simple. SoI think the true answer is: a lack of imagination.
What is the single most important quality of the best of rulers?
The ability to listen. To the things that are said and the things that are unsaid.
And what, then, is the single most damning quality of the worst of tyrants?
Originally I was going to say that being a tyrant is rather the most damning quality, but that seems too simple. SoI think the true answer is: a lack of imagination.
Written By Thea
Sept. 11, 2020, 5:43 p.m.(1/4/1014 AR)
A new year is upon us. There are so many changes that have taken place. Within myself, the city. I've grown. It's an amazing feeling when you can realize you've done such. I'm excited to see what this new year brings. To see what it is in store for me, my family, the city. You know, this is my shot at optimism. It's working right?
Also, winter? I keep telling myself winter isn't awful. But damnit! It's cold! And wet. But I'm reminded of fires, furs, and hot drinks. I'll just go on a visit to Southport. Much needed visited home.
Also, winter? I keep telling myself winter isn't awful. But damnit! It's cold! And wet. But I'm reminded of fires, furs, and hot drinks. I'll just go on a visit to Southport. Much needed visited home.
Written By Eirene
Sept. 11, 2020, 9:59 a.m.(1/3/1014 AR)
Have I ever mentioned how much I fucking hate snow? Probably a lot. I'm from Southport. *South* port. Winter is a concept, not a reality.
Welcome new year. Be better than the last. But let's face it, it won't be. I'm sure of it.
I have a feeling something is going to drop; the sword over the head just dangling. Honestly, that's a dumb metaphor. The axe at the neck is more apt. Fighting in winter may be difficult for a desert peoples but I doubt they'll wait three months for a thaw. They'll need to raid for supplies soon enough because your hardtack only lasts so long before bugs set in and fresh water becomes rare.
Welcome new year. Be better than the last. But let's face it, it won't be. I'm sure of it.
I have a feeling something is going to drop; the sword over the head just dangling. Honestly, that's a dumb metaphor. The axe at the neck is more apt. Fighting in winter may be difficult for a desert peoples but I doubt they'll wait three months for a thaw. They'll need to raid for supplies soon enough because your hardtack only lasts so long before bugs set in and fresh water becomes rare.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 11, 2020, 9:52 a.m.(1/3/1014 AR)
I hope this winter will be full of joyful quiet times with family and friends huddling around a cozy fire and watching the snow fall. And cuddling, must not forget the cuddling or snuggling, or whatever one may wish to call it when one has a lap full of their beloved children begging for stories or songs and making faces at each other.
Written By Aine
Sept. 11, 2020, 9:10 a.m.(1/3/1014 AR)
I love the winter. From indoors. Next to a roaring fire.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.