Written By Valery
Sept. 20, 2017, 2:08 a.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
I got the plushie of Boots. It's almost as great as him.
It took me a while to convince the children that -this- plushie was mine, so I went to buy one for them... And they were all gone!
It took me a while to convince the children that -this- plushie was mine, so I went to buy one for them... And they were all gone!
Written By Arcelia
Sept. 20, 2017, 2 a.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
One thing to note on the difficulties of navigating thralldom is that there is a cultural barrier between a good portion of The Compact and Thrax Houses here. One does not go to another land and start dictating to its people how they should or shouldn't live, that is how many war begins. Removing Thralldom is not something that can be done over night and is something that should be gone about with a delicate hand if it is to be gone about. Challenging people to duels over debt as a matter of dishonor is a breech of cultural habits, pressing your own beliefs on others and invading their lives because you simply disagree with the style of life, and is likely to cause problems. However, going about trying to change the minds of the people and get it to resolve in a more natural format, through political maneuvering, is more likely to see the desired results and less likely to see loss of lives. Consider your approach to this carefully. We do not need to fight a war among ourselves when we have enemies coming at us from all sides.
Written By Edward
Sept. 20, 2017, 1:43 a.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Lydia
Well luckily the practice of serfdom provides you with an easy answer...you take all they own and leave them destitute and with no more than the dirt to scrabble in. And when that is not enough to settle the debt owed to you then you are forced to absorb the rest as a loss to you or your House.
Written By Felicia
Sept. 20, 2017, 1:05 a.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Hana
Hana is surprisingly sweet and handy when it comes to forging blades. I hope to see more of her soon. Perhaps I'll purchase a new sword. It needs the King's Own mark but it could be made of something fancier than steel if I can wrangle the price... Hmm.
Written By Serafine
Sept. 20, 2017, 12:47 a.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
I get to go on a boat! A real boat! A ship!
I'm so excited!
An adventure!
I'm so excited!
An adventure!
Written By Lydia
Sept. 19, 2017, 11:25 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
Fortunato Grayhope's art exhibition, "Freedom", has given me pause to think on the nature of debt and repayment. The Thrax use thrallship as a means to secure a debt... renege financially and you'll work off your debt in servitude. If we postulate, as Fortunato appears to have done, that this is not a desirable consequence what alternatives do we have? Surely to renege on a debt is an affront to honor, should we settle such matters by duel? Or like a breach of contract, if it were judicially adjudicated, what binding decision would have any impact on one so impoverished to be in such a situation? As they say, one cannot get blood from a stone. If it were to be a crime, would some sort of debtors prison be any different than thrallship? And how do any of these benefit the injured party? No such case has come before me yet as Duchess. How am I to decide?
Written By Saedrus
Sept. 19, 2017, 10:34 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
An absolutely phenomenal event. Master Fortunato outdid himself; I think every person that came into the exhibit was struck by the art. I am grateful for the efforts of Fortunato, Prince Mason and Aleksei to bring such a compelling evening together. Striking and unique, it was an evening with a message that I do not think could be easily brought forward by word of mouth alone, the harrowing and dreadful aspect of thraldom, of chains and slavery of which we do not always see but hear of, and the sort that has, for the most part, only existed in tales. Then of course, those chain we which we know too well.
Thanks too should be giving to all that attended, for those that were willing to listen, partake and that had something --even something small-- to offer in aid of the cause. There are so many names of so many people that have done so, and to each I am thankful.
An exceptional, though dauntingly eye-opening night.
Thanks too should be giving to all that attended, for those that were willing to listen, partake and that had something --even something small-- to offer in aid of the cause. There are so many names of so many people that have done so, and to each I am thankful.
An exceptional, though dauntingly eye-opening night.
Written By Morrighan
Sept. 19, 2017, 10:08 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Fortunato
He is indeed a master of his craft, his work is beautiful.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 19, 2017, 10:04 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
Lovely setting, sad and hopeful and brave all at the same time. I played a song, offered prayers at the shrines arranged along the shore, and spoke with a few of the others attending.
Written By Lucita
Sept. 19, 2017, 10:02 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
The art work was well executed, of topics related to slavery, and evocative, thought provoking. They were not something I would want to hang in my bedroom or dining room but powerful. The crowd was large and I only knew a few people who were there.
Written By Mirari
Sept. 19, 2017, 7:46 p.m.(4/1/1007 AR)
A tip, dearest reader, if you're going to attempt to take advantage of my generosity-- be smart about it.
Written By Mason
Sept. 19, 2017, 7:29 p.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Fortunato
The art show begins soon. I am quite nervous about how it will be received, but no matter the reactions, Master Fortunato has done incredible work. I never could have explained with words what he has captured on canvas. We could not have found anyone better for this project.
Written By Dagon
Sept. 19, 2017, 3:06 p.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
We must play the long game. The sooner we can cut at the heart, the sooner we can get to where we need to be. Not here. Not Darkwater. Further, and further... eye on the horizon.
I pray now for:
Skapti,
Serafine,
Katarina,
Maeve,
and Sivard.
I pray for Katarina's crew. I will have plenty of time to learn their names on this trip. I will make sure to. Mangata, keep us safe. Keep everyone in Maelstrom safe. Shield us from the storm, Goddess. All of us.
I pray now for:
Skapti,
Serafine,
Katarina,
Maeve,
and Sivard.
I pray for Katarina's crew. I will have plenty of time to learn their names on this trip. I will make sure to. Mangata, keep us safe. Keep everyone in Maelstrom safe. Shield us from the storm, Goddess. All of us.
Written By Jhond
Sept. 19, 2017, 1:41 p.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
Apparently I should be reading all these journals people write. I'm missing all the gossip.
Written By Edain
Sept. 19, 2017, 11:33 a.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Vesper
I have heard that 2nd one used before as well as the occasional variation, which may or may not have involved eating Erusian Curry for the first time.
Written By Vesper
Sept. 19, 2017, 11:17 a.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
[ From the travel journal of Vesper Nighthawk, Sister-at-Arms for the Knights of Solace: ]
Please, forgive the lack of proper documentation during my time at Maelstrom, Scholar. I will offer a detailed entry once I return to the capital. For now, please see my current list of Oaths:
Thirteenth's shadowy scrotum.
Gloria's noble nipples.
By Limerance's loins.
Holy milk of Mangata.
Petrichor's mossy marbles.
( Also, adding one overheard. Jayus' gibbering gerbils. )
Please, forgive the lack of proper documentation during my time at Maelstrom, Scholar. I will offer a detailed entry once I return to the capital. For now, please see my current list of Oaths:
Thirteenth's shadowy scrotum.
Gloria's noble nipples.
By Limerance's loins.
Holy milk of Mangata.
Petrichor's mossy marbles.
( Also, adding one overheard. Jayus' gibbering gerbils. )
Written By Nash
Sept. 19, 2017, 10:57 a.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
A wise man asked recently what I valued most, and after some thought I was forced to admit that it was freedom. One would think that this is an easy choice, that everyone longs in their heart to be free, but that's not so. Some find freedom scant solace when they deal with the consequences of others having the freedom to make terrible choices that end in tragedy.
I walked by a man in mourning, whose grief had made him lose faith. He asked what so many ask, "If the gods are good, why did they let that tragedy happen? Why does evil exist?" It is the hardest question for the Faith to answer, and I believe there is scant comfort in it. For what if the answer is that the gods -are- doing all they can? That this world, with all its flaws, with all its tragedies and heartbreaks, with all its evil and darkness... is what is left after they spend their energy fighting evil, and man is left with the freedom to act? It is not comforting, no, but it is the cost of freedom. The world, for better or for worse, is what we make it.
I walked by a man in mourning, whose grief had made him lose faith. He asked what so many ask, "If the gods are good, why did they let that tragedy happen? Why does evil exist?" It is the hardest question for the Faith to answer, and I believe there is scant comfort in it. For what if the answer is that the gods -are- doing all they can? That this world, with all its flaws, with all its tragedies and heartbreaks, with all its evil and darkness... is what is left after they spend their energy fighting evil, and man is left with the freedom to act? It is not comforting, no, but it is the cost of freedom. The world, for better or for worse, is what we make it.
Written By Alarissa
Sept. 19, 2017, 8:05 a.m.(3/28/1007 AR)
There is a story I have heard - a scholar from Blancbier told it to me while I was looking for something, to pass the time. It was about a young woman who was visited by the gods. She was told that in order to save the west from the demons of the Reckoning, she would have to become a perfect knight. She was a princess who had never touched a sword before in one version, in another she was a common woman. In a third variation of the story he said, she was already a shining knight. But in all of the variations he told me, she followed the call of the gods. She sought to prove herself, to seek others who could help her save what would become the Oathlands. He told me of the deeds that this woman did, each one noble in heart, ripe with honour and self-sacrifice. How She gave of herself repeatedly. Eventually, her deeds, her nobility and her heart won the love of a foreign king who spoke an ancient pledge to forever save the honourable from evil of the world.
But like all stories, it is a tragic ending. There are no happy ever after. He left to fight a war in a distant land, to fight the demons of the reckoning with his kinsmen by his side while she remained behind, and saved her own lands. She succeeded, so did He. But the cost was his own life. Gravely wounded, his kinsmen slain almost to a man, he returned to her. He told her not to mourn him, but remember him. He told her he gives to her his heart and his courage so that she may see the world as it is meant to be.
The story, it would seem, has fallen out of fashion. One no longer tells it to their children to remind them of the values of chivalry and honour and move to other tales. That saddens me. Love in the time of the reckoning, of overcoming obstacles and striving to be a better person. Part of the story touched close. I will not let the story fade as it has.
But like all stories, it is a tragic ending. There are no happy ever after. He left to fight a war in a distant land, to fight the demons of the reckoning with his kinsmen by his side while she remained behind, and saved her own lands. She succeeded, so did He. But the cost was his own life. Gravely wounded, his kinsmen slain almost to a man, he returned to her. He told her not to mourn him, but remember him. He told her he gives to her his heart and his courage so that she may see the world as it is meant to be.
The story, it would seem, has fallen out of fashion. One no longer tells it to their children to remind them of the values of chivalry and honour and move to other tales. That saddens me. Love in the time of the reckoning, of overcoming obstacles and striving to be a better person. Part of the story touched close. I will not let the story fade as it has.
Written By Orazio
Sept. 18, 2017, 10:17 p.m.(3/27/1007 AR)
To the Faithful Reader:
One of the foundations of Arvani culture is personal honor, and men and women are known by their ability to keep their word. The strongest warrior is nothing but a liability and a disgrace, if they have not honor. The most powerful lord, nothing but a marauder and a tyrant if they cannot be bound by their given word.
We have many tales and stories of those who have faced deprivation, darkness, and great loss for the sake of not breaking their sworn word, but few are those in any age who have the ability to actually endure such travails in the face of convenience and temptation. Some might argue that this reflects good sense, not honor. Is each promise so valuable that it should be held to death, or worse? Perhaps not. But at the same time, how else might we know the integrity of a man or woman, of their will and how high they hold their own honor, if not by their ability to keep their own oaths?
(A variant to this question might exist, on how we might know the righteous and the clever if not by the oaths they choose to swear themselves to, as well. Certainly, my homeland favors clever heroes who swear the oaths that benefit them the most, and their enemies the least, and consider it rather your own fault if you do not pay attention to what is sworn (or not sworn). But even in the Lyceum, the cleverest have made a foolish promise or two in their time. We carry these regrets with us, even as we do our best to mitigate their consequences without proving forsworn.)
Should swearing a foolish oath be our doom? Should we allow a wasteful or damaging promise to drag us down to death? I'm not sure there's one answer for that. If one were to say "no, you should not hold an oath that would surely doom you", then I think we would soon find that the number of people who redefine "inconvenient" or "disadvantageous" to "certain doom" would increase dramatically. But if one were to say "yes, your honor must always come first, and it is always better death than to be forsworn", then would not risk empowering those who take advantage of the young, the foolish, and the trusting? Better to encourage wisdom and forethought before swearing yourself to any oath, and understand that some day, there may come a time when you must break your oath for principles higher than personal honor - but that it is still an indelible mark against your honor to do so. A hard and bitter pill to swallow, but perhaps a necessary one.
All of this, of course, a rambling reflection on someone I met today, who struggles with the keeping of an oath which restricts their options and abilities in ways both inconvenient and potentially dangerous, but who keeps it nonetheless. It is a stand which I can, and do, respect.
One of the foundations of Arvani culture is personal honor, and men and women are known by their ability to keep their word. The strongest warrior is nothing but a liability and a disgrace, if they have not honor. The most powerful lord, nothing but a marauder and a tyrant if they cannot be bound by their given word.
We have many tales and stories of those who have faced deprivation, darkness, and great loss for the sake of not breaking their sworn word, but few are those in any age who have the ability to actually endure such travails in the face of convenience and temptation. Some might argue that this reflects good sense, not honor. Is each promise so valuable that it should be held to death, or worse? Perhaps not. But at the same time, how else might we know the integrity of a man or woman, of their will and how high they hold their own honor, if not by their ability to keep their own oaths?
(A variant to this question might exist, on how we might know the righteous and the clever if not by the oaths they choose to swear themselves to, as well. Certainly, my homeland favors clever heroes who swear the oaths that benefit them the most, and their enemies the least, and consider it rather your own fault if you do not pay attention to what is sworn (or not sworn). But even in the Lyceum, the cleverest have made a foolish promise or two in their time. We carry these regrets with us, even as we do our best to mitigate their consequences without proving forsworn.)
Should swearing a foolish oath be our doom? Should we allow a wasteful or damaging promise to drag us down to death? I'm not sure there's one answer for that. If one were to say "no, you should not hold an oath that would surely doom you", then I think we would soon find that the number of people who redefine "inconvenient" or "disadvantageous" to "certain doom" would increase dramatically. But if one were to say "yes, your honor must always come first, and it is always better death than to be forsworn", then would not risk empowering those who take advantage of the young, the foolish, and the trusting? Better to encourage wisdom and forethought before swearing yourself to any oath, and understand that some day, there may come a time when you must break your oath for principles higher than personal honor - but that it is still an indelible mark against your honor to do so. A hard and bitter pill to swallow, but perhaps a necessary one.
All of this, of course, a rambling reflection on someone I met today, who struggles with the keeping of an oath which restricts their options and abilities in ways both inconvenient and potentially dangerous, but who keeps it nonetheless. It is a stand which I can, and do, respect.
Written By Aksel
Sept. 18, 2017, 9:35 p.m.(3/27/1007 AR)
I have been trying to figure out what to say about my latest adventure and honestly, I can't think of a thing to say other then that I would do it all again. Maybe not get swiped at by that duck bear thing. That I could do with out.
And I'm sure the healers could do without it as well.
And I'm sure the healers could do without it as well.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.