Written By Sparte
April 7, 2023, 12:03 a.m.(8/2/1019 AR)
It has been some few weeks now I've had to settle back in, and today I returned to my duties as a Lieutenant within the Iron Guard. It was the first day I've spent returned to full uniform, common clothes traded for steel and iron. I owe my life many times over to this armor, but it was never my life it was intended to protect.
Today also renewed a certain contradicting certainty I have had for many years.
I always have been, and remain, unsuited to command. Giving orders fills me with some feeling opposite of both joy and comfort which I can't quite describe. Others will say the lack of desire for command is what makes a person suited to it, but those words are no better than flavorless gravy on stale biscuits.
Why then, did I accept this role? Not for my sake, nor for Duke Bisland, who has been generous with sending me paperwork to sort. It is because I believe command is not defined by the giving of orders, it is defined by results.
I dream of a city protected from harm, within and without. Men and women, who when faced with an enemy, are as strong as stone and unyielding as iron. Men and women, who when asked to keep the peace, show compassion and mercy to the struggles of our citizens. I do not know that my dream will be the results I achieve, but I know it is not orders that build virtue and courage in others. It is example.
Today also renewed a certain contradicting certainty I have had for many years.
I always have been, and remain, unsuited to command. Giving orders fills me with some feeling opposite of both joy and comfort which I can't quite describe. Others will say the lack of desire for command is what makes a person suited to it, but those words are no better than flavorless gravy on stale biscuits.
Why then, did I accept this role? Not for my sake, nor for Duke Bisland, who has been generous with sending me paperwork to sort. It is because I believe command is not defined by the giving of orders, it is defined by results.
I dream of a city protected from harm, within and without. Men and women, who when faced with an enemy, are as strong as stone and unyielding as iron. Men and women, who when asked to keep the peace, show compassion and mercy to the struggles of our citizens. I do not know that my dream will be the results I achieve, but I know it is not orders that build virtue and courage in others. It is example.
Written By Titus
April 3, 2023, 7:58 p.m.(7/24/1019 AR)
In Sangris, our city of crimson stone,
We are the guardians of our fate alone.
The needs of many outweigh the needs of few,
Our pyros empowered by choices we pursue.
We are warriors of honour, born and raised
Within the walls of Sangris, where we're praised
By the Stone Watchers, vigilant and strong,
Who've witnessed Vaevici heroes for so long.
Our city walls are massive, red, and feared,
Dreaded by any who wish to interfere
With House Vaevici and the people of Sangris,
Who'd die to protect what we hold dear in this.
Our minimalism yields effectiveness,
Our strength outshines ephemeral success,
For we value enduring works and might,
And put our military first in sight.
We stand in the Caldera, a land at war,
Our coast called the Sea of Skulls, forevermore
Haunted by the spirits of the dead,
Who seek to continue battles they once led.
But Sangris has never been breached, and we
Are hardy, warlike, and unwilling to flee.
Our pyros burns bright, fueled by honour and code,
Our destiny shaped by the choices we hold.
In the Valley of Flies, where corpses lay,
We remind invaders what's coming their way.
And at the Godfall, a sacred site we hold,
Forbidden to outsiders, a story untold.
For in Sangris, our city of crimson stone,
We are the writers of our fate alone.
And with the Stone Watchers as our guide,
We'll continue to stand, never to divide.
We are the guardians of our fate alone.
The needs of many outweigh the needs of few,
Our pyros empowered by choices we pursue.
We are warriors of honour, born and raised
Within the walls of Sangris, where we're praised
By the Stone Watchers, vigilant and strong,
Who've witnessed Vaevici heroes for so long.
Our city walls are massive, red, and feared,
Dreaded by any who wish to interfere
With House Vaevici and the people of Sangris,
Who'd die to protect what we hold dear in this.
Our minimalism yields effectiveness,
Our strength outshines ephemeral success,
For we value enduring works and might,
And put our military first in sight.
We stand in the Caldera, a land at war,
Our coast called the Sea of Skulls, forevermore
Haunted by the spirits of the dead,
Who seek to continue battles they once led.
But Sangris has never been breached, and we
Are hardy, warlike, and unwilling to flee.
Our pyros burns bright, fueled by honour and code,
Our destiny shaped by the choices we hold.
In the Valley of Flies, where corpses lay,
We remind invaders what's coming their way.
And at the Godfall, a sacred site we hold,
Forbidden to outsiders, a story untold.
For in Sangris, our city of crimson stone,
We are the writers of our fate alone.
And with the Stone Watchers as our guide,
We'll continue to stand, never to divide.
Written By Titus
April 3, 2023, 7:49 p.m.(7/24/1019 AR)
Oh Sentinel, faceless god of justice true,
Whose helm that hides thy visage from our view,
I pray to thee for strength and grace,
To face each trial with honour and embrace.
Not victory alone, but growth of soul,
Through trial and hardship make us strong and whole.
May honour be our guide in every quest,
And virtue guide our deeds at every test.
Thou art the Silent Watcher of our strife,
Recording all that happens in this life.
In failure, let us be unmarked by shame,
And in thy justice find eternal fame.
And Gloria, Grandmaster of the brave,
Whose sword points downward to an honoured grave,
I pray not for mere victory in war,
But strength to do my duty evermore.
When faced with battles where defeat seems sure,
May honour be my shield and strength secure.
And when I cross the threshold of the next,
May my head be unbowed, my soul unvexed.
For thou, O goddess, champion of the right,
Inspire us to stand tall and join the fight.
I pray to thee for strength and guidance true,
To face each challenge as a knight should do.
Whose helm that hides thy visage from our view,
I pray to thee for strength and grace,
To face each trial with honour and embrace.
Not victory alone, but growth of soul,
Through trial and hardship make us strong and whole.
May honour be our guide in every quest,
And virtue guide our deeds at every test.
Thou art the Silent Watcher of our strife,
Recording all that happens in this life.
In failure, let us be unmarked by shame,
And in thy justice find eternal fame.
And Gloria, Grandmaster of the brave,
Whose sword points downward to an honoured grave,
I pray not for mere victory in war,
But strength to do my duty evermore.
When faced with battles where defeat seems sure,
May honour be my shield and strength secure.
And when I cross the threshold of the next,
May my head be unbowed, my soul unvexed.
For thou, O goddess, champion of the right,
Inspire us to stand tall and join the fight.
I pray to thee for strength and guidance true,
To face each challenge as a knight should do.
Written By Aurora
April 3, 2023, 11:56 a.m.(7/23/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Ida
Oh! I wished to also record that one of the items from this month's box was created my Ida's assistants. They followed my design perfectly! I can not thank Ida enough for allowing me to include something in the box from her shop.
Written By Filshiar
April 2, 2023, 10:40 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
I am struck by the depth of this world and the people who walk among it. At times, thinking about it lifts my spirits, yet at others it darkens my day with worry. With each stone unturned, there are more questions and wonders than before. What is the right path forward, or will that always come down to a gut feeling or leap of faith?
Written By Titania
April 2, 2023, 10:03 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Pasquale
I had the chance to visit Malespero tower where I took archery lessons from lord Pasquale.
I find him calming to be around scholar, he reminds me well of me in ways. Also listening, watching very observant.
I have to say I do look forward to speaking to him again, the conversation and company is very enjoyable and welcoming.
I do hope for more in the future.
I find him calming to be around scholar, he reminds me well of me in ways. Also listening, watching very observant.
I have to say I do look forward to speaking to him again, the conversation and company is very enjoyable and welcoming.
I do hope for more in the future.
Written By Cillian
April 2, 2023, 9:16 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Patrizio
I am melting already your highness; not sure I can handle more if it gets hotter out.
I hate it, I feel like my leathers are going to just slip off of me, I been spending most my days
in a cool creek out in the woods or hidden away some place in the shade.
You can keep this heat; I look forward to the cooler days already.
I hate it, I feel like my leathers are going to just slip off of me, I been spending most my days
in a cool creek out in the woods or hidden away some place in the shade.
You can keep this heat; I look forward to the cooler days already.
Written By Aurora
April 2, 2023, 9:13 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
The first pair of boxes have been given to their owners. While I hope they like what they find inside I can not really worry too much for now, I still have to finish a few more.
Written By Denica
April 2, 2023, 7:27 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
Always Alabaster and sometimes Scarlet, maybe even Chartreuse.
Never ever Periwinkle, though often Soot and Sable.
But don't go Sepia, it's rarely worth the fuss.
Never ever Periwinkle, though often Soot and Sable.
But don't go Sepia, it's rarely worth the fuss.
Written By Jan
April 2, 2023, 4:12 p.m.(7/22/1019 AR)
I have had a couple of peers reach out to share what histories they know or written accounts they have of historical battles but I begin to wonder if perhaps I'd have better luck if I were to offer a reward, or barter. Not that wondering if that might improve response means that I have much anyone would find of interest.
Written By Mattheu
April 2, 2023, 12:45 p.m.(7/21/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Ann
There's a certain level of calm that is found when another suddenly finds themselves within a cooling creek.
Scholar, if you have a spot to help me hide for a bit, that would also be beneficial. While she found it cooling in the end, there were words shared.
Scholar, if you have a spot to help me hide for a bit, that would also be beneficial. While she found it cooling in the end, there were words shared.
Written By Auda
April 2, 2023, 9:10 a.m.(7/21/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Tanith
I'm glad so many of her cookies are shaped like skulls and bones.
They'll be the death of me.
They'll be the death of me.
Written By Ann
April 1, 2023, 2:40 p.m.(7/19/1019 AR)
People watching can be fun. You can learn a lot about people that way. How they carry themselves and how they treat others. Then you can use that knowledge to your advantage when needed. Sometimes it pays to be the quiet and unassuming one. Other times pull out your wild and dance without abandon card and still others may want to flock around that.
Either way, there are advantages of these acts. What say you, Scholar?
Either way, there are advantages of these acts. What say you, Scholar?
Written By Ann
April 1, 2023, 2:33 p.m.(7/19/1019 AR)
It's summer now.
I hate it.
You will find me inside or in a pool.
Carry on.
I hate it.
You will find me inside or in a pool.
Carry on.
Written By Medeia
March 30, 2023, 11:03 a.m.(7/15/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Haakon
Today marks five years since Haakon and I stood together and said our vows of marriage before Limerance (and family, friends, morbidly curious onlookers) within the Thrax estate.
Every year since has felt like a whole lifetime. There have been wars and losses I dare not count for the sorrow that would settle in my heart. However, I have been blessed to have my husband at my side through it all. I am grateful to have had five lifetimes with this man. A lady could not ask for a lord more dutiful, strong, and unlikely to tell her "no."
Of course, this is a dual celebration, as I like to tease him for getting a wife as a birthday present. I, as much as anyone, am surprised he has survived four full decades. And how lucky for him that he gets to revel in that with people so thoroughly dedicated to pestering him? (The children, of course.) (Yes, and also me. He is so fun to pester.)
Every year since has felt like a whole lifetime. There have been wars and losses I dare not count for the sorrow that would settle in my heart. However, I have been blessed to have my husband at my side through it all. I am grateful to have had five lifetimes with this man. A lady could not ask for a lord more dutiful, strong, and unlikely to tell her "no."
Of course, this is a dual celebration, as I like to tease him for getting a wife as a birthday present. I, as much as anyone, am surprised he has survived four full decades. And how lucky for him that he gets to revel in that with people so thoroughly dedicated to pestering him? (The children, of course.) (Yes, and also me. He is so fun to pester.)
Written By Tesha
March 28, 2023, 11:01 p.m.(7/12/1019 AR)
I think that I should find new people to write as my old sources of conversation are nowhere to be found.
Written By Silvana
March 28, 2023, 4:01 p.m.(7/12/1019 AR)
I don't understand the uproar over walls. They are useless things, unless you intended to pass where now they stand?
Written By Aconite
March 28, 2023, 12:06 a.m.(7/10/1019 AR)
Summer at long last. I hope that I will be able to hold one of my events but.. that requires time..
Hopefully these excursions will slow soon.
Hopefully these excursions will slow soon.
Written By Noah
March 27, 2023, 9:39 p.m.(7/10/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Jaenelle
Poison,
In a few months it will be 4 years of marriage. Four of them. I promised you two, so I made well and good on that promise. I'm pretty sure you are coming up with new ways to end my life. Just know, that I came into this willingly and knowing that I was going to probably die at your hands when boredom set in. Luckily, I was the one to teach you about pointy things so I know I can rule that one out as the way of my end.
(Bad drawing of a female stick figure pointing a knife the WRONG pointy way) <---- You.
Although.
You are also still as intoxicating (and dangerous) as when I first met you at the Ambassador. It may have been my best jerk moment considering I walked away with you. You have managed to make me growl slightly less, managed to get me to dance at social events, managed to get me to social events, have made me a father, have understood my dark moods and my less than pleasing happy moods when you are the one that gets the prank pulled on, you have changed all my plans for my life -- pretty much with one look too -- damn you. Through it all and I mean all of it. Even those few moments where I may have unintentionally almost caused a riot or got captured for running my mouth. Or when there were a few uncertain moves. I would do them all again in this life and in all the others. You have always been the better half in this arrangement and of that I have not one doubt. Thank you for choosing me (not that you had a lot of options since you related to almost everyone).
In a few months it will be 4 years of marriage. Four of them. I promised you two, so I made well and good on that promise. I'm pretty sure you are coming up with new ways to end my life. Just know, that I came into this willingly and knowing that I was going to probably die at your hands when boredom set in. Luckily, I was the one to teach you about pointy things so I know I can rule that one out as the way of my end.
(Bad drawing of a female stick figure pointing a knife the WRONG pointy way) <---- You.
Although.
You are also still as intoxicating (and dangerous) as when I first met you at the Ambassador. It may have been my best jerk moment considering I walked away with you. You have managed to make me growl slightly less, managed to get me to dance at social events, managed to get me to social events, have made me a father, have understood my dark moods and my less than pleasing happy moods when you are the one that gets the prank pulled on, you have changed all my plans for my life -- pretty much with one look too -- damn you. Through it all and I mean all of it. Even those few moments where I may have unintentionally almost caused a riot or got captured for running my mouth. Or when there were a few uncertain moves. I would do them all again in this life and in all the others. You have always been the better half in this arrangement and of that I have not one doubt. Thank you for choosing me (not that you had a lot of options since you related to almost everyone).
Written By Noah
March 27, 2023, 9:30 p.m.(7/10/1019 AR)
I was ripping things apart because sometimes it's a healthy coping mechanism to just rip things apart. Society tends to frown when you rip people to pieces (even if I think deserved) and there are SO MANY THINGS in the closet next to my sleeping chambers. I have no skill at fashion. None. I'm not even going to pretend. I wear black all the time. I wore gray when my oaths linked me to my house of birth. This though, I can do. The problem lies in when your oldest daughter sees you do it. Then she goes to her closet and starts to do it to the gown that was just crafted for her.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.