Written By Ouida
Oct. 14, 2018, 10:59 a.m.(10/12/1009 AR)
I am not a knight meant for tourneys, it seems, though I would be a liar to say that when I was a little girl, I did not dream of mounting a charger to tilt at my gloriously armored foe as the crowds cheered, winning admiring glances from other girls and boys and my father's smile. After a particularly disastrous training exercise that involved a bumblebee, a rotten apple, a horrifically timed breaking of wind, and almost reducing our master at arms' ability to sire children by half, it was determined that the lance was not to be the weapon of proficiency for me. I set my sights then on melee, after losing my heart to a Lycene duel wielding duelist seen at a tournament at Westrock Reach, when I was twelve. I talked about her so much, as young girls do, that my father forbade her name ever be spoken in his presence. That obsession only lasted as long as it took for me to then observe a comely sellsword I believe, at another tournament at Sanctum, who beat everyone who came near him senseless with his hammer and axe. Luckily my father quickly put an end to my dalliance with those weapons, much to the relief of others in the yard, I am sure. In the meantime, always I held in my heart the idea that when I became a squire, I would finally get to polish tournament armor, to hold the courser or charger or prepare the weapons rack, and stand at attention while cheering like the little girl once did inside my heart as I watched my knight compete.
As it is said, the gods give what the gods give, and not always in the season or amount that is to our even most fervent desires.
The knight I squired for was not one for tournaments of public rites, though that is another story altogether, but neither did he deny me or seek to change my love of them. Every time I participate, or watch, which is as much as I can, it is a joy to feel the hope of the little girl with stars in her eyes dreaming of taking the field with her heroes, and the wonder of the woman grown who finds herself one of them.
As it is said, the gods give what the gods give, and not always in the season or amount that is to our even most fervent desires.
The knight I squired for was not one for tournaments of public rites, though that is another story altogether, but neither did he deny me or seek to change my love of them. Every time I participate, or watch, which is as much as I can, it is a joy to feel the hope of the little girl with stars in her eyes dreaming of taking the field with her heroes, and the wonder of the woman grown who finds herself one of them.
Written By Perronne
Oct. 14, 2018, 10:48 a.m.(10/12/1009 AR)
Ugh.
The Southern-leaning taverns are absolutely INSUFFERABLE today, and doing business with my Lycene contacts isn't exactly a barrel of laughs, either. Or, well, I guess it is. For THEM. Doesn't matter that I'm now sworn to the Crown, I've gotten asked five times today if oathbreaking is the new Oathlands fashion. Whoever one supports in this mess, it's still a serious matter of honor! Laughing is not appropriate.
And don't think I don't see you making those jokes about coveting other people's 'swords', too. I SEE YOU AND IT'S NOT AS FUNNY AS YOU THINK IT IS.
The Southern-leaning taverns are absolutely INSUFFERABLE today, and doing business with my Lycene contacts isn't exactly a barrel of laughs, either. Or, well, I guess it is. For THEM. Doesn't matter that I'm now sworn to the Crown, I've gotten asked five times today if oathbreaking is the new Oathlands fashion. Whoever one supports in this mess, it's still a serious matter of honor! Laughing is not appropriate.
And don't think I don't see you making those jokes about coveting other people's 'swords', too. I SEE YOU AND IT'S NOT AS FUNNY AS YOU THINK IT IS.
Written By Norwood
Oct. 14, 2018, 10:15 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Honor is a concept I hold dear to my heart. It is an ideal, a perfect idea. I have never considered it optional to live honorably and would prefer to lose my life than to surrender my honor.
Written By Evaristo
Oct. 14, 2018, 9:35 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Summary of first week back in Arx:
Drunkedness: An even level, meaning, I have been consistently drunk most evenings.
Robbed: Not at all! And I even spent a night in the Lowers winning money in a card game but nobody robbed me on the way out even if I was drunk. I feel faintly insulted that nobody even tried.
Losing clothes: Apart from a button on my new coat, all clothes still on my body. The button was given to a being of pure light, so that's fine.
Business: Sold our wares, made money, immediately spent it most on a coat. Need to find more work now. Crew is paid and happy to have some time off.
Trouble: The being of pure light is trouble. Maybe best if I stay away.
Drunkedness: An even level, meaning, I have been consistently drunk most evenings.
Robbed: Not at all! And I even spent a night in the Lowers winning money in a card game but nobody robbed me on the way out even if I was drunk. I feel faintly insulted that nobody even tried.
Losing clothes: Apart from a button on my new coat, all clothes still on my body. The button was given to a being of pure light, so that's fine.
Business: Sold our wares, made money, immediately spent it most on a coat. Need to find more work now. Crew is paid and happy to have some time off.
Trouble: The being of pure light is trouble. Maybe best if I stay away.
Written By Sparte
Oct. 14, 2018, 9:30 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
*this seems to be misfiled with his journal notes*
Wilhelm, I need you to collect more information on the man who made himself sick drinking that paint. I'm trying to figure out if he was trying to hurt himself or legitimately so daft as to think it was something else, and if the first, get him in proper care. Unsuprpisingly, we need to order more blue paint. I had to include a lake and some streams in a map this morning and dilluted the remaining paint so much to make it last they ended up looking purple.
Wilhelm, I need you to collect more information on the man who made himself sick drinking that paint. I'm trying to figure out if he was trying to hurt himself or legitimately so daft as to think it was something else, and if the first, get him in proper care. Unsuprpisingly, we need to order more blue paint. I had to include a lake and some streams in a map this morning and dilluted the remaining paint so much to make it last they ended up looking purple.
Written By Khanne
Oct. 14, 2018, 9:28 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
I am very, exceedingly, quite highly, and horribly uncomfortable to read about my life being wagered, even hypothetically. It's quite distressing that this was even a thought on anyone's mind, let alone....
This makes me a rather pouty-faced Khanne.
This makes me a rather pouty-faced Khanne.
Written By Lumen
Oct. 14, 2018, 9:20 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Bliss
While I do not condone the use of the Softest to push one's own personal agenda, it requires the keeping of a great many confidences - which Bliss has indeed upheld. This lends to a certain of quality of character that must be acknowledged and which, had title been left off, might have otherwise been overlooked.
In no way are Whispers required to forgo the defense of themselves or their own honor for the sake of impartiality. Such practice would be a recipe for victimization that I could not in good conscience uphold.
Bliss has most certainly cast this house of courtiers into an unflattering light, but she has previously done a great deal pulling it up out of stagnation and back into relevancy with that very same unorthodox approach. As the situation stands currently, I have no intention of calling for Bliss's resignation as Softest nor shall I invite her to leave our esteemed order.
In no way are Whispers required to forgo the defense of themselves or their own honor for the sake of impartiality. Such practice would be a recipe for victimization that I could not in good conscience uphold.
Bliss has most certainly cast this house of courtiers into an unflattering light, but she has previously done a great deal pulling it up out of stagnation and back into relevancy with that very same unorthodox approach. As the situation stands currently, I have no intention of calling for Bliss's resignation as Softest nor shall I invite her to leave our esteemed order.
Written By Amari
Oct. 14, 2018, 8:33 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
I was desperately in need of a good laugh today.
Written By Reese
Oct. 14, 2018, 7:45 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Cassandra
Legate Cassandra has been holding very wonderful rites to Gloria and I am thankful for all her effort. I am honored to have won the grand melee, but it was no easy win. Dame Felicia and myself were the last ones standing and she put up quite the fight! She is am amazing knight. Lord Domonico stood against me for a very long time and he is quite the amazing fighter as well. I have been training him and I am pleased to see how awesome he is. And Master Caspian stood to me and Dame Felicia together. He almost won and is quite amazing too.
I was very impressed with this grand melee like I never have never been with a grand melee before, for how honorable it was. Everyone yielded before they were near death, which I think is the honorable thing to do and nobody was dog piled the way I have sometimes seen in the past. I credit much of this with those fighting who were honorable and very skilled, but also with Legate's Cassandra's leadership of such.
Often I will give away prizes when I win, because I have so much, but I plan to wear this ring with pride.
Let Gloria be with us in the coming battles and my thanks goes out to Legate Cassandra for leading us in celebrations of Gloria before the battles.
Reese
I was very impressed with this grand melee like I never have never been with a grand melee before, for how honorable it was. Everyone yielded before they were near death, which I think is the honorable thing to do and nobody was dog piled the way I have sometimes seen in the past. I credit much of this with those fighting who were honorable and very skilled, but also with Legate's Cassandra's leadership of such.
Often I will give away prizes when I win, because I have so much, but I plan to wear this ring with pride.
Let Gloria be with us in the coming battles and my thanks goes out to Legate Cassandra for leading us in celebrations of Gloria before the battles.
Reese
Written By Lys
Oct. 14, 2018, 4:54 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Audric
Scholar, Audric denies it, but I absolutely know he's the one who left this creepy ass goat doll in my bedroom.
Written By Esoka
Oct. 14, 2018, 2:08 a.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Jyri
The run wasn't that hard! It was just brisk! Do it each day and it'll get easier. Do it in armor, and you'll be solid as an oak in a few month's time.
For clarity to Vellichor, I had the honor of taking Guard Jyri Tersk through some paces in the honing of athleticism. And I got to meet his dogs! They were lovely and made me want another pet, though I think we'd do better with a cat. They're supposed to be lucky, and good at catching rodents, which is always handy in the Lowers.
For clarity to Vellichor, I had the honor of taking Guard Jyri Tersk through some paces in the honing of athleticism. And I got to meet his dogs! They were lovely and made me want another pet, though I think we'd do better with a cat. They're supposed to be lucky, and good at catching rodents, which is always handy in the Lowers.
Written By Caspian
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:46 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
Are we all praising Princess Donella? I've said it before and I'll say it again, this woman is my savior. She whisked me away from the bonds of slavery into glorious freedom. I would not be who I am today without her. I would have been another Thrall working the docks of Maelstrom or plowing it's fields. She will always have my gratitude.
Written By Starra
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:46 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Let this serve as my official notice. To whom? They will know.
It is with both great pride and heartache that I bring this to the attention of the citizenry of Arx. Though many and most of you do not know me, I am a man of many talents. The least of which is not dueling. Since entering this hive of gossip, accusations, and frivolity I have won a number of things in wagers. ALL have been paid up with haste except the house swords I have been promised. The wagers are made with swagger and bravado and much nose pointing at the sky and yet......After the win there is only excuses and promises of payments.
THIS IS NOTICE YE HOUSES THAT KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Send me what is mine or I will continue to cry!
Unlike the woman whom I can't seem to hear very well, I am generous and understanding. I will happily accept an actual boat loaded with Silver at the collective houses' convenience. Except Faruq! From Faruq I will accept only the sword or the most winning of apologies. Seriously, it better be fucking good.
Taking Everything,
--Starra
It is with both great pride and heartache that I bring this to the attention of the citizenry of Arx. Though many and most of you do not know me, I am a man of many talents. The least of which is not dueling. Since entering this hive of gossip, accusations, and frivolity I have won a number of things in wagers. ALL have been paid up with haste except the house swords I have been promised. The wagers are made with swagger and bravado and much nose pointing at the sky and yet......After the win there is only excuses and promises of payments.
THIS IS NOTICE YE HOUSES THAT KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Send me what is mine or I will continue to cry!
Unlike the woman whom I can't seem to hear very well, I am generous and understanding. I will happily accept an actual boat loaded with Silver at the collective houses' convenience. Except Faruq! From Faruq I will accept only the sword or the most winning of apologies. Seriously, it better be fucking good.
Taking Everything,
--Starra
Written By Prisila
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:37 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
As I got not but ten paces from the archives I realized I needed to turn back around and document my thoughts on another matter entirely. I am so proud of my kinsmen who go to sea with the fires of devotion to deal with this pirate menace. My pride extends to the Favored servants of Ischia - Nijah and Starra Serrano and to the allies who have joined us on this great but simple endeavor to reclaim lost lands and enforce the King's justice upon those who have long since broken oaths and run recklessly afoot. Tolerance is the first step to complacency I've been told but neither I nor the Marquis are willing to leave such a situation withstanding.
My thanks go to Princess Coraline and the Order of East Light, to House Pravus and our beloved Duchess, who has returned to us, for lending her most able Sword. To the Baroness Blackshore and her sublime Lady Iseulet, who is like blood of our own here in Ischia, we are grateful. For the Lady Miranda and the Duchess Grazia for her cooperation and support of this campaign. To the people of House Seraceni for giving us the strength, tenacity, privilege, and power to make this possibility a reality. Finally, to the Siren of Redwater Cove for the challenge and opportunity to show Gloria our mettle, our honor and our strength.
We will succeed at any cost but none of us believe the cost is too high for freedom and justice. For the morality of the Houses, organizations, and supportive people who continue pouring into Ischian waters with their flotillas, their armies and their courage -- thank you.
My thanks go to Princess Coraline and the Order of East Light, to House Pravus and our beloved Duchess, who has returned to us, for lending her most able Sword. To the Baroness Blackshore and her sublime Lady Iseulet, who is like blood of our own here in Ischia, we are grateful. For the Lady Miranda and the Duchess Grazia for her cooperation and support of this campaign. To the people of House Seraceni for giving us the strength, tenacity, privilege, and power to make this possibility a reality. Finally, to the Siren of Redwater Cove for the challenge and opportunity to show Gloria our mettle, our honor and our strength.
We will succeed at any cost but none of us believe the cost is too high for freedom and justice. For the morality of the Houses, organizations, and supportive people who continue pouring into Ischian waters with their flotillas, their armies and their courage -- thank you.
Written By Gailin
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:24 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Its been a long time since I've written and a lot has gone on. I lost my beloved wife the late Countess Titania, the woman I loved more than any other. Ive been in mourning for a long time, and am now due to reflection and my knowledge of whom my wife was I know its time to get back out into the public eye. To go out and eat drink and be merry, as shed not want me to keep mourning her death, and she wouldnt want me to keep blaming myself for it. So no matter what anyone thinks, or says about it Im going to start getting out and having drinks and laughs and further myself and my house as my lovely late wife would have wanted.
Written By Morrighan
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:22 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
She really is a treasure, and I think we're fortuitous to have her with us in the North. Nelly has a wicked sense of humor, it's one of my favorite things about her.
Written By Lisebet
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:08 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
I am not reading all the journals about current events. It's a mess, it's clearly a mess, and I have no clue about those involved really. So it's not my place to put forth my opinion.
I actually came to write in my journal about the Grotto and meeting some very lovely and friendly people there. I am looking forward to getting to know them better in future.
I actually came to write in my journal about the Grotto and meeting some very lovely and friendly people there. I am looking forward to getting to know them better in future.
Written By Delilah
Oct. 13, 2018, 11:07 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Donella
Let me say publicly that Princess Donella is a treasure of the Northlands. I find it disconcerting how easily she roused me to laugh, and the more so for sparring with His Majesty and coming away very well out of it.
In light of all the other turbulence this evening, I mark that as a treasured memory.
In light of all the other turbulence this evening, I mark that as a treasured memory.
Written By Prisila
Oct. 13, 2018, 10:52 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Now, I do come in here completely blind as I chose not to indulge in several of the newest white journal entries. There's a small mass of people who've congregated around some of the tables to get a read on the situation, pun intended. As such, I realized that the contrarian opinion albeit an unpopular one might be a question that I am very curious to have answered and that question is, has the Whisper House ever fallen into disfavor?
As stated this journal entry is a simple thought experimentation on the lessons of the 13th and I like to reflect on these things and admit my failings, I am most certainly not to insinuate anything at all about the Whisper House or it's establishment and anyone who walks away from this particular historical curiosity with anything more has missed the point entirely. I should be educated on this, but I happen not to be and I am okay acknowledging this.
As stated this journal entry is a simple thought experimentation on the lessons of the 13th and I like to reflect on these things and admit my failings, I am most certainly not to insinuate anything at all about the Whisper House or it's establishment and anyone who walks away from this particular historical curiosity with anything more has missed the point entirely. I should be educated on this, but I happen not to be and I am okay acknowledging this.
Written By Arik
Oct. 13, 2018, 10:28 p.m.(10/11/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Cambria
I mean... Does the average commoner or even the average Peer who is not a House Sword or a Voice or a Head of a family actually know the traditions and details of heirloom weapons and what House Swords actually are? There hasn't been a House Sword versus House Sword honor duel to the death for quite some time. It's not as if we are exactly commonly employed within the public sphere.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.