Written By Monique
March 21, 2020, 4:58 a.m.(12/19/1012 AR)
Deepest congratulations ought to be given to the final three finalists in the Tournament of Thorns! To Princess Lucrezia Pravus, Marquis Malesh Stonewood and Sister Raya Vishel, I wish the greatest of luck in the Tournament finale tomorrow evening!
And to all those who have competed in the pre-games and in the Path games, win or lose, Arvum is fortunate to have your skill representing it. I have no doubt that no matter the obstacles facing us, you will meet them with superior skill.
And to all those who have competed in the pre-games and in the Path games, win or lose, Arvum is fortunate to have your skill representing it. I have no doubt that no matter the obstacles facing us, you will meet them with superior skill.
Written By Monique
March 19, 2020, 1:05 a.m.(12/14/1012 AR)
Three more finalists in the Tournament of Thorns! I record the names here so that their unparalleled skill in the social arts be commemorated in the eyes of the Gods.
My deepest congratulations to Lady Juliana Igniseri, Archduchess-Regent Jaenelle Velenosa, and Mistress Nina Autumndale!
This is an exciting time and I am thrilled to have witnessed the grace and skill of all of our contestants this evening.
My deepest congratulations to Lady Juliana Igniseri, Archduchess-Regent Jaenelle Velenosa, and Mistress Nina Autumndale!
This is an exciting time and I am thrilled to have witnessed the grace and skill of all of our contestants this evening.
Written By Monique
March 16, 2020, 11:26 p.m.(12/10/1012 AR)
I'm thrilled to record the names of the first three finalists in this year's Tournament of Thorns!
Extend congratulations to Lady Amari Keaton, Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, and Lady Appolonia Seraceni. All three of them would be fit to run any kingdom and I look forward to seeing how they do in the Tournament finale.
Extend congratulations to Lady Amari Keaton, Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, and Lady Appolonia Seraceni. All three of them would be fit to run any kingdom and I look forward to seeing how they do in the Tournament finale.
Written By Monique
March 15, 2020, 10:42 p.m.(12/8/1012 AR)
Tomorrow is the first Path to the Tournament of Thorns, the Path of the Wise Monarch. All the preparation, all the hard work by the Committee, and now the Tournament proper is finally upon us. I look forward, over the next week, to seeing which Path contestants choose. May luck and skill be on your side!
Written By Monique
March 11, 2020, 11:05 p.m.(11/28/1012 AR)
Ardent, a most beautiful alaricite and dragonweep-decorated cane in memory of Josephine Arcuri, has been crafted. It will be a most fitting prize for the Tournament of Thorns pre-games, and a most fitting tribute to her memory. Strong and beautiful.
Written By Monique
March 6, 2020, 2:54 p.m.(11/18/1012 AR)
A large amount of bloodshed in a land with a powerful cabal of mages who work blood magic. I cannot think what possibly could go wrong...
Written By Monique
March 4, 2020, 10:12 p.m.(11/14/1012 AR)
Official Tournament of Thorns Pre-Game ruling: you may try to coerce a thorn (of any kind) from someone else via social means, but you will not be eligible to receive the 5 point bonus for it. Further, a person may only win one of each thorn, so they won't be able to win another thorn for themselves. However, you will still be qualified for the stare-off with the Archlector Brigida, should you succeed in collecting all eight thorns, even if one is collected in this manner.
Written By Monique
March 1, 2020, 2:01 a.m.(11/7/1012 AR)
I have a new addiction. They call it Setarco Fire.
Written By Monique
March 1, 2020, 1:56 a.m.(11/7/1012 AR)
Thorns. I see thorns in my dreams. And it's a beautiful thing. Seeing people win thorns, and then also seeing people with dyed hands, it's been a highlight of my life. The Tournament of Thorns approaches!
Written By Monique
Feb. 24, 2020, 1:49 a.m.(10/23/1012 AR)
The pre-games for the Second Annual Tournament of Thorns start today! I can't possibly contain my excitement, and I hope that the socialites and courtiers turn out in force to this social skills tournament, to win the bonus thorns in preparation for the Tournament itself. And, of course, to win a chance at the most decadent cane, designed with sweet Josephine in mind.
Anisha's game is perfect for her, with her air of mystery. Contestants for her neodymium thorn will have to invent for her an origin story, of who she was before she became Anisha Whisper. Creativity and ingenuity, as well as a good story, will be rewarded over believeability. But it doesn't HURT if the story sounds plausible, I'm told.
Princess Alarissa has set her challenge up in the Queensrest Inn, and it's a fearsome one. Contestants will need to convince those austere and picky patrons that they should get her praseodymium thorn.
Lord Dante and his retainer will be quite literally laying around, and drinking wine. Good luck convincing them to get up and hear you out! But if you can, you'll win a brass thorn.
If the spirit of Gild moves you, you'll very much enjoy Archlector Etienne's challenge. Because who doesn't love having to deliver a sermon spur of the moment, under the judging eyes of the Gods (and the Archlector), to claim a golden thorn.
Princess Sabella has an extremely exacting challenge for contestants. For her, you'll need to tell a story. But not just any story! The ending must have a proper twist, enough to impress a Princess of Grayson's high standards and win you her silver thorn.
Once more, Lord Sebastian's game will be a test of the sharpness of one's mind. He has painted a great work (all of his works are great!), which together with a rhyme will give the answer he's looking for: but it won't be an easy task, for art is subjective and riddles can have many answers. But if you find the right one, you'll win his steel thorn.
Perhaps the most dangerous of our social pre-games is Swift Grayhope's challenge. Swift will be setting up at different points in the city and inviting contestants to test their alchemical know-how! Can you claim the copper thorn without staining your hands? We're sure it's not permanent... (we're not sure, actually)
And finally, my game is a choice between three, a choose your own adventure, if you will. Will you persuade my assistant Primus to reach the highest bookshelf for you, to retrieve your lost thorn? Or will you translate an ancient text to find it on your own, lost in the stacks? Or perhaps the Gilded Page's steward-in-training has lost your thorn! If you don't teach her proper stewardship, she may never remember where it went!
I wish the best of fortune to anyone Hunting Thorns. You make this fulfilling for me and I thank you.
<OOC - for pre-game rules, 'bbread events/76'>
Anisha's game is perfect for her, with her air of mystery. Contestants for her neodymium thorn will have to invent for her an origin story, of who she was before she became Anisha Whisper. Creativity and ingenuity, as well as a good story, will be rewarded over believeability. But it doesn't HURT if the story sounds plausible, I'm told.
Princess Alarissa has set her challenge up in the Queensrest Inn, and it's a fearsome one. Contestants will need to convince those austere and picky patrons that they should get her praseodymium thorn.
Lord Dante and his retainer will be quite literally laying around, and drinking wine. Good luck convincing them to get up and hear you out! But if you can, you'll win a brass thorn.
If the spirit of Gild moves you, you'll very much enjoy Archlector Etienne's challenge. Because who doesn't love having to deliver a sermon spur of the moment, under the judging eyes of the Gods (and the Archlector), to claim a golden thorn.
Princess Sabella has an extremely exacting challenge for contestants. For her, you'll need to tell a story. But not just any story! The ending must have a proper twist, enough to impress a Princess of Grayson's high standards and win you her silver thorn.
Once more, Lord Sebastian's game will be a test of the sharpness of one's mind. He has painted a great work (all of his works are great!), which together with a rhyme will give the answer he's looking for: but it won't be an easy task, for art is subjective and riddles can have many answers. But if you find the right one, you'll win his steel thorn.
Perhaps the most dangerous of our social pre-games is Swift Grayhope's challenge. Swift will be setting up at different points in the city and inviting contestants to test their alchemical know-how! Can you claim the copper thorn without staining your hands? We're sure it's not permanent... (we're not sure, actually)
And finally, my game is a choice between three, a choose your own adventure, if you will. Will you persuade my assistant Primus to reach the highest bookshelf for you, to retrieve your lost thorn? Or will you translate an ancient text to find it on your own, lost in the stacks? Or perhaps the Gilded Page's steward-in-training has lost your thorn! If you don't teach her proper stewardship, she may never remember where it went!
I wish the best of fortune to anyone Hunting Thorns. You make this fulfilling for me and I thank you.
<OOC - for pre-game rules, 'bbread events/76'>
Written By Monique
Feb. 13, 2020, 12:31 p.m.(10.03541583994709/2.9832870370370372/1012.7529513199956 AR)
The preparation for the second annual Tournament of Thorns is well underway and, so far, going smoothly. My gratitude to the Twilight Court for once again providing the fitting (and contentious) grand prize of a boon or possible folly. The pre-games start soon and I look forward to seeing how many thorns are won from the Committee challenges, and too, who can outstare the formidable Archlector Brigida to win the prize cane for the pre-games! Wherever Jo is, I know she's shaking her head on the outside and smiling on the inside.
Written By Monique
Feb. 4, 2020, 11:24 a.m.(9.286127232142857/10.023125/1012.6905106026786 AR)
Relationship Note on Talia
The Greenmarch Gown is a thing of regal beauty and shall be displayed with our other cherished treasures at Greenmarch Lodge. Talia Baseborn has created not only a masterpiece, but a new heirloom, and we are grateful.
Written By Monique
Feb. 3, 2020, 2:57 a.m.(9.18956142526455/11.615439814814815/1012.6824634521054 AR)
The first Committee meeting of the Second Annual Tournament of Thorns was full of excitement, excellent ideas and cookie thievery (don't think I didn't see you, Swift Grayhope and Archlector Etienne!)
The memory of Josephine Arcuri will be honored in full this Tournament, thanks to the most magnificent efforts of Princess Alarissa Thrax, Anisha Whisper, Lord Dante DiFidante, Archlector Etienne, Princess Sabella Grayson, Lord Sebastian Pravus, Swift Grayhope and Yasmine Champagne.
Congratulate them when you see them! And then buy them a drink because they'll certainly need it.
The memory of Josephine Arcuri will be honored in full this Tournament, thanks to the most magnificent efforts of Princess Alarissa Thrax, Anisha Whisper, Lord Dante DiFidante, Archlector Etienne, Princess Sabella Grayson, Lord Sebastian Pravus, Swift Grayhope and Yasmine Champagne.
Congratulate them when you see them! And then buy them a drink because they'll certainly need it.
Written By Monique
Jan. 20, 2020, 11:39 a.m.(8.216123098544973/13.102893518518519/1012.6013435915454 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
I have learned that grief is just another word for love.
Sitting here, re-reading the letter you left me, wearing Pena's headdress, smelling the vial of your perfume... it's almost as if you are still here. And then I look at the dragonweep and I feel an unbearable, unspeakable sadness.
"A stone that acts as a memory of love lost, and is shed in the hope that the one lost may one day find it, remember, and return."
You would leave me that.
Do not fear. I will never forget.
Sitting here, re-reading the letter you left me, wearing Pena's headdress, smelling the vial of your perfume... it's almost as if you are still here. And then I look at the dragonweep and I feel an unbearable, unspeakable sadness.
"A stone that acts as a memory of love lost, and is shed in the hope that the one lost may one day find it, remember, and return."
You would leave me that.
Do not fear. I will never forget.
Written By Monique
Jan. 19, 2020, 1:30 a.m.(8.114686673280424/7.422453703703703/1012.5928905561067 AR)
This year's Tournament of Thorns will be dedicated to Josephine Arcuri. I cannot imagine a world without her beauty but I have been through several bottles of whiskey and now I cannot imagine allowing her memory to fade. This Velvet Box voucher I have will be framed and the centerpiece of everything, as the woman herself was.
Written By Monique
Jan. 17, 2020, 12:14 a.m.(7/28/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
The Gilded Page is closed for the foreseeable future. I cannot function without you in this world.
Written By Monique
Jan. 10, 2020, 2:08 a.m.(7/14/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Quenia
I had an enlightening and engaging evening at House Igniseri, a dinner whose company could rival any for charm and excellence. Of the many captivating topics discussed, I find myself wishing I knew more about Eidolons. And, too, I find myself grateful to the Marquessa Quenia for her invitation and friendship.
Written By Monique
Jan. 4, 2020, 9:29 p.m.(7/3/1012 AR)
I've been contemplating Archscholar Py's reflections on the Laws of Protection a great deal lately, and how they relate to the Laws of the Dream. It's an interesting relation, and one I don't know if you can quantify tangibly, save in the case of the Nox, but even that is conjecture. Would that I knew how to properly test the Archscholar's theory...
Written By Monique
Jan. 3, 2020, 2:48 a.m.(6/27/1012 AR)
My sister Marian and I hosted a mud wrestling event together and it was every bit as spectacular as I'd hoped it would be. The bout between Marian and Master Nygard was sublime, and now I know who to turn to when I need to hide from an enraged sister. Not that that ever happens...
The highlight for me was mudwrestling with Princess Alarissa Thrax. I'll leave it to the imaginations of future generations (and current ones) as to why that might be. But it was a beautiful thing.
The highlight for me was mudwrestling with Princess Alarissa Thrax. I'll leave it to the imaginations of future generations (and current ones) as to why that might be. But it was a beautiful thing.
Written By Monique
Dec. 31, 2019, 12:58 p.m.(6/22/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Marian
I cannot wait to see my incredible sister rolling around in mud at the upcoming event! The gods and spirits don't even KNOW how thrilled this makes me. And it's not even my birthday! I pledge an extra thousand silver to whosoever gets Marian the muddiest.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.