Written By Sina
Jan. 19, 2020, 12:03 p.m.(8.145983382936507/9.175069444444444/1012.5954986152448 AR)
I don't remember exactly when I first heard of Josephine Arcuri. It seems like her name has always been there. A fixture. I can't say that I knew her well, but we met on occasion, and I frequented her shop, the Velvet Box, often. She created the Tome of Platinum Excess which was the prize for last year's Storybook Soiree, which she ultimately ended up winning back with the costume she had made for herself. Yet, as a testament to her generous spirit, she donated the tome to the Great Archive, and there it now stands in all its glory, locked away in the original case created for the works of the Storybook Soiree, along with all the other beautiful stories that were created for that event. This is the type of person that Josephine was. Generous. Kind. She could be gruff, but she was wise.
It is hard to write this entry, and not feel my eyes burn with tears. Yet, I know that she chose the most honorable way to return to the Queen. She is a shining example of what it means to be self-sacrificing. I will never forget her courage.
My journey in this began when I heard of the Tenny twins, and their fate. I knew that I could not stand idly by while my Scholars were endangered. Just as Josephine could not stand by and do nothing, while her family, and others, were endangered. What started out, for me, as a quest to track down the killer of the Tenny twins, turned into a journey unlike any other. I stood alongside many others, including Josephine, as we fought to end a threat to Arx and its people.
The Butcher of Arx, Baron Ruthas of Glenbriar, has also returned to the Wheel. While his story was a sad tale, let us always remember it, too. He was a man, driven to terrible acts, consumed by jealousy, rage, and a sense of abandonment. These things caused him to become a monster. Let us never allow anyone to feel that they have been abandoned by the Gods. To be forsaken by the Gods is a terrible thing. Should one fall from Their graces, however... there is always a path back to redemption, should one truly seek it.
Raise your glasses in the coming weeks to Josephine Arcuri. She lost much, and paid the ultimate price to save others. It is a memory that will never leave me; her steadfast determination when the time came for the Queen to call her home. In the coming weeks, I will begin work on a new school, to be located in the Lower Boroughs. This school will be called the Josephine Arcuri School of Arts. Originally, it was intended to be an expansion of the Vellichorian Academy, but now, I feel it is more fitting that it be dedicated to her, and to all of the Arts. It will be a trade school, as well as a theological school. Before she died, Josephine indicated her support for it, and I will be working with Brother Felix Meadson on forging the details. If any would wish to contribute to the project, please reach out to us. More details will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
It is hard to write this entry, and not feel my eyes burn with tears. Yet, I know that she chose the most honorable way to return to the Queen. She is a shining example of what it means to be self-sacrificing. I will never forget her courage.
My journey in this began when I heard of the Tenny twins, and their fate. I knew that I could not stand idly by while my Scholars were endangered. Just as Josephine could not stand by and do nothing, while her family, and others, were endangered. What started out, for me, as a quest to track down the killer of the Tenny twins, turned into a journey unlike any other. I stood alongside many others, including Josephine, as we fought to end a threat to Arx and its people.
The Butcher of Arx, Baron Ruthas of Glenbriar, has also returned to the Wheel. While his story was a sad tale, let us always remember it, too. He was a man, driven to terrible acts, consumed by jealousy, rage, and a sense of abandonment. These things caused him to become a monster. Let us never allow anyone to feel that they have been abandoned by the Gods. To be forsaken by the Gods is a terrible thing. Should one fall from Their graces, however... there is always a path back to redemption, should one truly seek it.
Raise your glasses in the coming weeks to Josephine Arcuri. She lost much, and paid the ultimate price to save others. It is a memory that will never leave me; her steadfast determination when the time came for the Queen to call her home. In the coming weeks, I will begin work on a new school, to be located in the Lower Boroughs. This school will be called the Josephine Arcuri School of Arts. Originally, it was intended to be an expansion of the Vellichorian Academy, but now, I feel it is more fitting that it be dedicated to her, and to all of the Arts. It will be a trade school, as well as a theological school. Before she died, Josephine indicated her support for it, and I will be working with Brother Felix Meadson on forging the details. If any would wish to contribute to the project, please reach out to us. More details will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.
Written By Corban
Jan. 19, 2020, 9:26 a.m.(8.138277529761904/8.743541666666665/1012.5948564608135 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
One of the last pieces that Guildmaster Josephine completed before her death was a star iron signet ring for the King's Own. I will wear the piece, and hand it down, always in her memory.
Written By Gwenna
Jan. 19, 2020, 6:49 a.m.(8.130505952380952/8.308333333333334/1012.5942088293651 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
The Velvet Box was one of my favorites places in the city of Arx to visit, as often to look over the items in the cases as to have something of my own design created. The most precious piece of Josephine's artistry that I have, however, is a stunning necklace Lorenzo had made for me not terribly long after we met. The jewelry is, of course, breathtaking to behold; all dark night and deep sapphire along a delicate silver chain. That the visionary behind such beauty has left the world came as such a shock to me, I'm still not quite sure how to feel. It is surely an even greater loss to those who knew her much better than I, as well as the Crafters Guild, and the city feels a little dimmer today with her in it.
Written By Sydney
Jan. 19, 2020, 6:20 a.m.(8.129095982142857/8.229375000000001/1012.5940913318452 AR)
This humidity shall truly be the death of me - there are dangers enough in the world without feeling your leathers sticking at your every step.
I feel closer to the hides from which these pieces were wrought than I ever wanted, and the solution of adding an intermediary layer will only serve to overheat me further. I like to imagine that those who wear silks don't have these problems, if only so that I have some level of comfort to one day aspire to.
Disgusting. A plunge in the river for me.
I feel closer to the hides from which these pieces were wrought than I ever wanted, and the solution of adding an intermediary layer will only serve to overheat me further. I like to imagine that those who wear silks don't have these problems, if only so that I have some level of comfort to one day aspire to.
Disgusting. A plunge in the river for me.
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 Camilla
Jan. 18, 2020, 10:45 p.m.(8.106489748677248/6.963425925925926/1012.5922074790565 AR)
I am eager to return to my work after my time outside of the city. What new and exciting things await me?
Written By Camilla
Jan. 18, 2020, 10:38 p.m.(8.106183862433863/6.946296296296296/1012.5921819885361 AR)
Life is hard. My Lady has a task for me, and so I must do it. The danger is great, but I will survive.
Written By Ida
Jan. 18, 2020, 8:34 p.m.(8.100048363095238/6.602708333333333/1012.5916706969246 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
I'm not very good with words to begin with, most times, find myself at an even greater loss than usual. The news of the loss of our Guildmaster is hard for me to frame into anything. From the accounts, it was a brave and honorable death, but that doesn't really dampen the sadness.
Written By Sina
Jan. 18, 2020, 6:18 p.m.(8.093293237433862/6.224421296296296/1012.5911077697862 AR)
I have no words right now to express my emotions. Josephine Arcuri's unflinching determination is a thing I will never forget.
Written By Evaristo
Jan. 18, 2020, 4:39 p.m.(8.088477182539682/5.954722222222222/1012.5907064318783 AR)
I've put pen to vellum and stared at the ink stain that has formed, no words taking shape. I've scoured the white journals for what others had to write about Josephine Arcuri, in a vain attempt to find /inspiration/. A hollow, shallow thing.
For all that I am a bard, I can not handle grief and I can not write about it. I can not handle being sad. So I won't.
I am glad that I got to know her more before the end, that we shared something that is a memory of pure joy. The Crown she made, for our one Queen.
I'm going to remember all the good times when I put on the jewelry she made for me.
Cheers to you, Josephine Arcuri.
For all that I am a bard, I can not handle grief and I can not write about it. I can not handle being sad. So I won't.
I am glad that I got to know her more before the end, that we shared something that is a memory of pure joy. The Crown she made, for our one Queen.
I'm going to remember all the good times when I put on the jewelry she made for me.
Cheers to you, Josephine Arcuri.
Written By Skye
Jan. 18, 2020, 12:40 p.m.(8/3/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
My heart weeps at the news of your passing. Your innate gifts allowed you to bring my visions to life in jewelry. Your ongoing support, that you took after stepping into the shoes of Guildmaster allowed Blackshore Isle to thrive. Your sound consul on matters of charity will be missed.
I shall light a candle in your name and pray for your loved ones who now know loss.
I shall light a candle in your name and pray for your loved ones who now know loss.
Written By Lora
Jan. 18, 2020, 11:13 a.m.(8/3/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
I met Josephine Arcuri on the last day that the green snow fell, on the day when everything seemed to happen twice. I'd gone to the Velvet Box to talk about a project for a journey we had both volunteered to make, but when the clocktower fell and everything changed, so too, I think, did we. We stayed up late that night, talking about love and loss and heartbreak.
A few months later I became her patron. I nominated myself when she began to search for one, little thinking she would choose me out of any number of the city's luminaries. But she did. The Velvet Box was in the Lyceum ward then, and I spent so many hours in her shop and beside her hearth. True to her word she taught me the basis of jewelcrafting; she humored my desires, and proudly sold a few of my designs alongside her own magnificent work.
She had the most beautiful heart. She was kind and wise and generous beyond all imagining. She was my mentor and my dearest friend, and now she is gone.
I loved her, and have lost her, and now my heart is broken.
Goodbye, Jo.
A few months later I became her patron. I nominated myself when she began to search for one, little thinking she would choose me out of any number of the city's luminaries. But she did. The Velvet Box was in the Lyceum ward then, and I spent so many hours in her shop and beside her hearth. True to her word she taught me the basis of jewelcrafting; she humored my desires, and proudly sold a few of my designs alongside her own magnificent work.
She had the most beautiful heart. She was kind and wise and generous beyond all imagining. She was my mentor and my dearest friend, and now she is gone.
I loved her, and have lost her, and now my heart is broken.
Goodbye, Jo.
Written By Dianna
Jan. 18, 2020, 8:40 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On the Matter of Opposites and Reflection
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It has been asked of me, before, to comment and explain the differences between 'opposites' and 'reflections'.
They are similar, of course; near enough to be easily confused as the same thing - but they are not the same.
It is easy enough to find examples of opposites:
Dark and Light.
A giving, charitable person; and one who takes and strips the world of what they wish, only for themselves. (We have a fine example of both, most recently.)
But true reflections are much harder to find, as they are both the same -and- opposite. Let me explain:
When I look into the mirror at myself, I am myself here, and myself in the reflection. And yet, the 'Dianna' in the mirror is -not- Dianna, though she moves identically to me, at precisely the same moment, with no hesitation whatsoever. She dresses as me; has identical features to my own - only opposite: Her right is my left; and my right is her left. Again: Same, but opposite. Same -and- opposite.
A reflection is the same - and herein lies the key difference to mere 'opposites':
Josephine Arcuri and Baron Ruthas of Glenbriar were opposites: The former made things of beauty, gave generously - of herself, always and in all things; whereas the latter made ugliness and harmful things, took all that he wanted for himself - and intended to continue.
A reflection, however, would be, quite possibly, both easier and more difficult to defeat, I believe. For, imagine that I, Sister Dianna Godsworn, faced my own reflection -not- restrained by glass, but here, in our world. All that I am, which I cultivate in the good, would be restrained in the version of my reflection. All that I am that is considered dark or evil, that I allow to exist in me, freely, that I restrain only by my body and my ability to direct it towards what good may come of it, cannot exist with such strength in my reflection - HOWEVER. The good that would exist, unrestrained in my reflection's body, would be directed to evil and darkness.
And this is why it is so dangerous:
One may see what evil within me that I hold - and may judge me as evil, despite the end result of good. And, if one may see my reflection and the good she holds, they may judge her as good, and not understand that her intent is evil.
To judge clearly, one must see all, know all, understand all - and we fail miserably in this task, we humans.
I hope this explanation and these words may provide at least some with understanding that may, one day, help, at least in this:
As you face your reflection, you become, increasingly, the stronger one, because, remember:
As you empower yourself in understanding all that exists in your reflection, they increasingly lose interest in knowing that truth of -you-.
- Written by my own hand,
Sister Dianna Godsworn
Mirrormask
On the Matter of Opposites and Reflection
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It has been asked of me, before, to comment and explain the differences between 'opposites' and 'reflections'.
They are similar, of course; near enough to be easily confused as the same thing - but they are not the same.
It is easy enough to find examples of opposites:
Dark and Light.
A giving, charitable person; and one who takes and strips the world of what they wish, only for themselves. (We have a fine example of both, most recently.)
But true reflections are much harder to find, as they are both the same -and- opposite. Let me explain:
When I look into the mirror at myself, I am myself here, and myself in the reflection. And yet, the 'Dianna' in the mirror is -not- Dianna, though she moves identically to me, at precisely the same moment, with no hesitation whatsoever. She dresses as me; has identical features to my own - only opposite: Her right is my left; and my right is her left. Again: Same, but opposite. Same -and- opposite.
A reflection is the same - and herein lies the key difference to mere 'opposites':
Josephine Arcuri and Baron Ruthas of Glenbriar were opposites: The former made things of beauty, gave generously - of herself, always and in all things; whereas the latter made ugliness and harmful things, took all that he wanted for himself - and intended to continue.
A reflection, however, would be, quite possibly, both easier and more difficult to defeat, I believe. For, imagine that I, Sister Dianna Godsworn, faced my own reflection -not- restrained by glass, but here, in our world. All that I am, which I cultivate in the good, would be restrained in the version of my reflection. All that I am that is considered dark or evil, that I allow to exist in me, freely, that I restrain only by my body and my ability to direct it towards what good may come of it, cannot exist with such strength in my reflection - HOWEVER. The good that would exist, unrestrained in my reflection's body, would be directed to evil and darkness.
And this is why it is so dangerous:
One may see what evil within me that I hold - and may judge me as evil, despite the end result of good. And, if one may see my reflection and the good she holds, they may judge her as good, and not understand that her intent is evil.
To judge clearly, one must see all, know all, understand all - and we fail miserably in this task, we humans.
I hope this explanation and these words may provide at least some with understanding that may, one day, help, at least in this:
As you face your reflection, you become, increasingly, the stronger one, because, remember:
As you empower yourself in understanding all that exists in your reflection, they increasingly lose interest in knowing that truth of -you-.
- Written by my own hand,
Sister Dianna Godsworn
Mirrormask
Written By Ephrath
Jan. 18, 2020, 8:18 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
I cannot say I knew her well, but I knew her well enough. I knew her by her work. By the skill in it. Just as a painter can recognize the methods used by another... I saw who she was in her art.
I saw the traditional rules and methodology shaped to be her own. Each piece not needing a maker's mark because I saw what was undeniably hers.
She was wildly talented and a gracious leader.
I know some have spoken of me being one of the best jewelers to arrive to Arx, but Guildmaster Josephine: I do not think I shall ever compare.
I saw the traditional rules and methodology shaped to be her own. Each piece not needing a maker's mark because I saw what was undeniably hers.
She was wildly talented and a gracious leader.
I know some have spoken of me being one of the best jewelers to arrive to Arx, but Guildmaster Josephine: I do not think I shall ever compare.
Written By Teagan
Jan. 18, 2020, 8:13 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Josephine
Not even a day before word of her passing swept through the city, my commission -- my final commission -- of Guildmaster Arcuri arrived.
It is beautiful. Just like everything else she made.
I cannot say we were close friends, but I respected her. I appreciated her. She did more for Blackram than she will likely ever know.
A part of me cannot yet bear to wear the piece but I know I must for her.
It is beautiful. Just like everything else she made.
I cannot say we were close friends, but I respected her. I appreciated her. She did more for Blackram than she will likely ever know.
A part of me cannot yet bear to wear the piece but I know I must for her.
Written By Thomas
Jan. 18, 2020, 8:08 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
...No matter how many times this city surprises you it will always find a way to outdo itself.
I've been sitting here with my mouth hanging open for the better part of an hour and staring at nothing, as the Scholar can attest.
I've been sitting here with my mouth hanging open for the better part of an hour and staring at nothing, as the Scholar can attest.
Written By Otto
Jan. 18, 2020, 6:32 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
It is difficult to lift my hammer today. But I think it is what would be desired. So my forge burns hot.
Written By Qadira
Jan. 18, 2020, 3:50 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
All my life I have refused to be judged, weighed, or measured. I have said, "Let others think what they will." As if their stones could not strike me. As if nothing could bring me down. But they thought, and they judged, and they brought me down over, and over, and over...
I stood the same number of times, and one more. Always one more. To spite them.
I should not be able to write this. By their black justice, I should not be able to write at all. There are many things I should not do, and many more I should not have done. Through it all, I have prevailed. Despite everything, I have survived. To spite them.
Now the venom curdles in my throat. Am I a better person? Am I, somehow, a good person?
By gaining my freedom, it seems I have imprisoned myself in doubt.
I will not be chained. Not again.
Whatever I do will be right.
I stood the same number of times, and one more. Always one more. To spite them.
I should not be able to write this. By their black justice, I should not be able to write at all. There are many things I should not do, and many more I should not have done. Through it all, I have prevailed. Despite everything, I have survived. To spite them.
Now the venom curdles in my throat. Am I a better person? Am I, somehow, a good person?
By gaining my freedom, it seems I have imprisoned myself in doubt.
I will not be chained. Not again.
Whatever I do will be right.
Written By Reese
Jan. 18, 2020, 2:18 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
Mistress Josephine will be deeply missed. Her work is wonderful and the jewelry she crafted will likely become heirlooms in many families. I plan to leave the pieces I have of her work my nieces and nephews. She was a wonderful woman who I was honored to know.
Written By Arcadia
Jan. 18, 2020, 1:19 a.m.(8/2/1012 AR)
It takes a lot to leave me speechless. But today has rendered me mute so many times.
To the anonymous gift giver. The one who favored my house. I want to thank you. The kindness and generosity has left me speechless and dumbfounded. As did the masterful work of master Behtuk.
Thank you.
To the anonymous gift giver. The one who favored my house. I want to thank you. The kindness and generosity has left me speechless and dumbfounded. As did the masterful work of master Behtuk.
Thank you.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.