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Written By Ailys

March 27, 2017, 12:33 p.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Nice shopkeeper, I helped mend. We created some perfumes together.

Written By Tobias

March 27, 2017, 12:27 p.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

So it has begun.

When I first accepted our main contract, I figured we'd be defending Arx against the occasional skirmish for the most part. Siege was a possibility, but unlikely given the army was only 20000 strong with no real archer or cavalry support.

Then I heard we had four more coming for us, and I knew a siege was inevitable. The Compact has great military leaders, and have shown it with the near destruction or two columns and the crippling of another... but when your enemy is so completely controlled to make morale a non-issue and the numbers they have... It was a matter of when, not if, a siege would take place.

I am happy to say that the Crimson Blades did their part preparing the outskirts for the inevitable, and that the Crimson Blades did their job well at the First Battle of Arx. Many routed, but many more held firm. I'm proud to say that the Crimson Blades never faltered, and that we had only minor injuries from the holding action at the Gate, even until the end when we wheeled around and skewered numerous Bringers in one hit.

The Compact can be proud of their sons and daughters. We held the line, and Arx survives.

Now comes the hard part... the waiting, and the infiltration.

Written By Samantha

March 27, 2017, 12:20 p.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

I spent a few hours last night at the Nightgold Estate, as the Duchess had invited nobles to come sit in vigil during the siege. There was food and drink a-plenty, and some talked, some prayed, and some did simple but useful work in the way of making and cleansing bandages to be used for the war effort.

The whole time I was there, I was wracked with guilt. Nevermore have I felt like what I am - the daughter of a servant. It felt like luxury I wasn't entitled to, and more to the point, what was I even doing there when there were people at the manor who needed me? Everyone was very kind, but soon enough, I couldn't bear it - a problem with me, and not my hostess, to be clear - and made my farewells to return home.

We could hear the drums, which seemed to make the very ground beneath our feet vibrate. We could hear the chanting as a dull but dangerous roar. Many of the younger refugee children were quite frightened, so I ordered that any of them who wished to sleep indoors might do so. The ballroom was filled with children, asleep in their camping bedding, those that could sleep. For those that could not, there was cocoa and stories and quiet games. I walked amongst them for a bit, receiving sticky kisses and too-tight hugs, and I knew then that I had done right thing by coming home.

And then deeper into the night, after the retreat, he came home, without a scratch on him. I know he fought, but I only saw he was unscathed after he walked into the parlor, and the first thing I thought was to thank the Thirteen. I held him tight. He is precious to me beyond imagining. And yet, I would never, ever demand he abjure his duty. It is part of who he is. All the same, during this siege, any time he leaves for the walls, I shall say a prayer, and any time he returns, I shall do likewise.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 11:41 a.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Orathy

This man from the Lower Boroughs is honorable, and fights for his people. Without them, the docks might have been lost, and he even led a hunt on Bringers of Silence. Amazing.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 11:35 a.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Umay

I know it is difficult for her, but I believe she has it all in the right place. She should not feel bad about being afraid, for it is what we all fear, and she should also realize you can't save everyone on the field, but standing with those passing on is perhaps one of the greatest comforts anyone could lend to someone. She is truly a faithful person. The Bringers seek to undo people like this. I don't want any of that.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 11:33 a.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Sparte

This Guard is quite brave, even if he does not have pure skill. And his faith is astounding. I cherish him as a fellow member of the Iron Guard, and would stand beside him any day in a fight.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 11:31 a.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Valdemar

The honourable Thraxian that I fought with against the Bringers of Silence. He is a man that is willing to put it all on the line to fight for his people, and I respect that. Without him, I might very well not have made it through the battle we fought.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 11:29 a.m.(3/2/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Ailys

This woman is a healer as much as a Princess, and she helped to save me after I was hurt in battle. I owe her a lot, in addition to those that pulled me from the wreckage of the building. I won't soon forget my debts to these people.

Written By Juliet

March 27, 2017, 10:18 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Valkieri

Duke Valkieri Rubino once told me he was the last honest person in the Lyceum.

I was going to challenge him to a duel for that. It seemed the thing to do. A decent way to flirt.

I vividly remember the first time I talked to him. There had been a... thing. And he, full of righteous fury, asked me if I fuck my brother.

It was delightful in its absurdity, but it made sense for the people involved, I suppose. I told him I did not feel comfortable answering that question without conferring with my brother.

(Dante has since told me I may answer that question however I see fit, depending on what would bring the most amusement)

Duke Valkieri took it as confirmation and I asked him how far out the family tree he'd have to move before he was comfortable with coitus.

Sadly, Leo spoiled our fun. Though I will say my apology was genuine.


I'd only recently gotten to know him better. A chance encounter led to him inviting me places. I turned him down half the time, and I regret that. I did get to go to Princess Cara's wedding, however. With him and Duchess Dafne on my arms.

He hurt so much. He was so furious at the injustice of the world.

He told me he wasn't a good man.

I told him I'd never said he was a good man - just a virtuous one.

When I looked at him, I wanted to take his pain away.


I suppose the Mother of Beginnings will do it in my stead.

Goodbye, Valkieri. Please forgive me my lack of formality.

Written By Gibson

March 27, 2017, 9:52 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Valkieri

Get well soon.

Written By Lark

March 27, 2017, 9:30 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Valkieri

The Lyceum has lost many brave and honest men and women as of late, the Duke of Gemecitta among them. I grieve for them and for us all.

Written By Silas

March 27, 2017, 7:47 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

I think I'll write about the siege when it's over.

Otherwise each entry is going to be more depressing than the last. I'd rather take all the depression in one great angst deluge.

Written By Magpie

March 27, 2017, 7:38 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

'Be trapped in a city while it's under siege.'

Guess I can cross that off my bucket list.

Written By Octavia

March 27, 2017, 6:58 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Ford

I admire your valor at the walls, brother, but if you get yourself in trouble seeking glory, I will box your ears.

You may have named a successor, but I am an administrator, and not your equal in leadership. Our people love you, not me. Our soldiers follow you, not me. Our sailors sail at your direction, not mine. They would be fools to behave otherwise. Every plan I make functions better with you in charge.

You are not permitted to die.

Written By Octavia

March 27, 2017, 6:52 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Think not that I ignore the siege. I am acutely aware of the death that stands outside our gates. I would be a liability, not an asset, on a battlefield. I am a thinker, a student, a judge, not a warrior.

I leave the fighting to those capable. My place is in ensuring order. Ensuring that we survive. Ensuring that the people of Arx understand that we will endure, and that justice will prevail. Ensuring that those who would take advantage of our situation for their own material gain understand that their behavior will not be tolerated.

There will be a reformed court, of this I am certain. I have spoken to every ruling prince save Edain, and they are in agreement that a court is a necessity, and that I must bring it to pass. Prince Laric seems adamant that I lead it. Who am I to argue?

Think not that I ignore the siege, for the walls are not the only place it is fought.

Written By Merek

March 27, 2017, 2:23 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Where to begin? It was interesting to be called to assist by the Cullers, however I was more than willing to. It seems more Bringers had managed to invade past our lines. However... We hunted them down, and managed to defeat them. I'd take time to write out a full story about it, but at this time, all I can think about is how I met a Bringer face to face in battle, and saw so many things, and then woke up later being tended to with medicine. I'm still recovering, and it will likely scar, but I survived, somehow. I don't mind the scars. They remind me of the sacrifices we make.

Written By Rowan

March 27, 2017, 1:42 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

I have never seen the like of the spirits' answer to our call. I have never seen so many in one place. If only it had not been for such dire circumstance. If only it had not been to the sound of troops moving in the distance and the onset of the fight. It is hard to take joy in seeing their faces in the smoke knowing the toll that was being paid at the gates below. Still...the image of the Stag in the fog charging the battle, the inspiring heat, I will never forget that.

I will never forget that I nearly lost my Tranquility. Nor that the Compact came together to hold the gates, to hold Arx.

The blood on the snow.

As the stories come in, I feel the weight of the numbers, of those lost - mortal and spirit alike, of the questions left in the wake of the fight. It is a night to drink to the fallen, to hold my children and those dear to me, and to thank the spirits they still breathe.

Written By Tikva

March 27, 2017, 12:37 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Reese

_A reprise_:

Princess Ribbons rode to war
'Gainst Bringers by the score
And they fall before her blade
Pink as strawb'ry lemonade!

The power shone in her stroke
Gleaming roseate, full of hope
and the Bringer that she struck
Blew apart, well holy fuck--

Written By Darren

March 27, 2017, 12:36 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Relationship Note on Deva

I knew you were good with a bow, but damn.

Damn.

Written By Clover

March 27, 2017, 12:14 a.m.(3/1/1006 AR)

Ow.

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