Written By Sudara
March 12, 2017, 7:36 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
If dreams are to be believed, then at least one deity truly cares. If dreams can be trusted, then we are all in the direst of peril. If dreams are real, then reality itself is in danger of being undone. Yet secrets, cliques, and cabals seem as prevalent as ever. Certainly, there are mortal dangers aplenty in this world: if there were not, I would wear a different colour, at the very least. So what might our best response be? Perhaps my father's decision was wise: apolitical scholarship certainly has its temptations. Now more so than ever. It would certainly be pleasing to think that the pen might triumph over the sword in a time so troubled as the present.
Written By Agnarr
March 12, 2017, 7:30 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Ah, more gods. Hope at least not too many new names invoked, tend to forget which one is which.
Written By Ferrando
March 12, 2017, 7:26 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Aureth
If I had to describe anyone I knew as consistently 'beleaguered', unfortunately for Aureth I would probably have to select him. On the other hand, this may turn out to have been a fortunate bit of preparation, because it seems like he's more likely than not to become the newest Legate of the Pantheon before too long. I'm not sure what they'll call the position, though. The Legate of the Lost, I suppose?
Written By Edain
March 12, 2017, 7:17 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Clover
Little Lady Clover Wyrmgard. She is one of those people that it is nearly impossible to be in a bad mood around. If you can you are dead inside and should seek the assistance of a Mercy immediately. In days like these it is sometime hard to find your smile. It is even rarer to find someone that will draw one out of you kicking and screaming if they must.
She is a surprise hugger though, be warned.
She is a surprise hugger though, be warned.
Written By Alis
March 12, 2017, 7:15 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
These times, they test the notions of Honor.
I find it hard to believe there is any honor in lying. Especially not to save face, or to try and mitigate the consequences of actions one has taken to be childish.
But there are other lies. Ones meant to soothe and calm, or to lift the spirits.
Are those honorable? is any lie honorable? I struggle with this, which is why being a Knight is perhaps easiest for me on the field of battle. When my focus narrows to myself and my opponent, and I must only concern myself with my own actions. And not those of others who reflect on our fealty.
I find it hard to believe there is any honor in lying. Especially not to save face, or to try and mitigate the consequences of actions one has taken to be childish.
But there are other lies. Ones meant to soothe and calm, or to lift the spirits.
Are those honorable? is any lie honorable? I struggle with this, which is why being a Knight is perhaps easiest for me on the field of battle. When my focus narrows to myself and my opponent, and I must only concern myself with my own actions. And not those of others who reflect on our fealty.
Written By Edain
March 12, 2017, 7:13 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Katarina
The Princess from across the sea is a new addition to our family. Her story is a fascinating one. One I won't repeat here because it is hers to tell and I think people owe it to themselves to coming to her and hearing it for themselves. Talking about our traditions and our history to someone that is entirely an outsider has really been startling for me. It has made me realize how much I take for granted.
In the Oathlands we are pretty set in our ways. We feel like we have things pretty well figured out and we do not always like to try new things. I think it's good to have to step out of our comfort zones and learn new things and about new people. Also she seems to be very knowledgeable about sailing and more maritime ventures. Something my people are lacking in outside of the Safecove's Barony.
In the Oathlands we are pretty set in our ways. We feel like we have things pretty well figured out and we do not always like to try new things. I think it's good to have to step out of our comfort zones and learn new things and about new people. Also she seems to be very knowledgeable about sailing and more maritime ventures. Something my people are lacking in outside of the Safecove's Barony.
Written By Ailith
March 12, 2017, 6:54 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Easing one's passing onto their next journey is always a difficult task for those who fear which gate they will be accepted to cross. It is my belief that if their heart remains faithful to the true Gods of Arx they need not fear death. Embrace the next journey so you may find peace and welcome into the arms of loving Lagoma.
Written By Eleyna
March 12, 2017, 6:46 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
I woke up crying out in my sleep from strange, terrifying nightmares. That hasn’t happened since I was a child. I thought the dream was only the image of fear working on the weaker parts of my mind and yet, it seems many have seen these visions and had these dreams. They mean something.
That makes it even more frightening.
That makes it even more frightening.
Written By Eleyna
March 12, 2017, 6:45 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
This week, I shed my title of 'widow' and become a wife again.
I was an infant when my uncle won the tournament that secured him the right to marry my Aunt Carlotta. Theirs was a love story that I heard my entire life. Every bard, every poet, every musician that made their way to the Lenosian court had words to offer on it. It permeated my life and my dreams, creating a secret hope inside me that I would find my own great love who would defeat a string of Champions for the right to win my hand.
Of course, that is not how my life played out. My husbands were decent men, but there was little more than respect between us that grew into affection. But it was not passion. It was not love as all those poets and musicians had regaled me with when I was a child. As years passed, I thought such a thing would be closed to me. Niccolo and Carlotta were an exception, not the rule.
After Lodovico's death, it seemed as if the Gods had no desire for me to possess even the joys of children and stability, much less love. I came to Arx expecting that I would work for the good of my House and put such thoughts aside. I was prepared to be the 'Black Widow of Lenosia' until the end of my days.
And then, there was a chance meeting in the gardens. Talen irritated me that first meeting and irritated me for many after. Yet, over the course of every irritation, I found myself more and more drawn to him. And now...
I'm not sure I could imagine living without him, even when he’s being irritating. Especially when he’s being irritating.
He’s handsome, but he’s no charmer like Uncle Niccolo. He’s not a brave knight in shining armor, but I know without a doubt that he would lie, cheat, and steal to keep me safe, keep me happy, and give me whatever I desire. He didn’t fight a line of Champions, but he did volunteer to take a dangerous role in the upcoming battle only to prove himself worthy of me. It’s not a love story that a poet may choose to immortalize, but it is enough for me. More than enough.
I was an infant when my uncle won the tournament that secured him the right to marry my Aunt Carlotta. Theirs was a love story that I heard my entire life. Every bard, every poet, every musician that made their way to the Lenosian court had words to offer on it. It permeated my life and my dreams, creating a secret hope inside me that I would find my own great love who would defeat a string of Champions for the right to win my hand.
Of course, that is not how my life played out. My husbands were decent men, but there was little more than respect between us that grew into affection. But it was not passion. It was not love as all those poets and musicians had regaled me with when I was a child. As years passed, I thought such a thing would be closed to me. Niccolo and Carlotta were an exception, not the rule.
After Lodovico's death, it seemed as if the Gods had no desire for me to possess even the joys of children and stability, much less love. I came to Arx expecting that I would work for the good of my House and put such thoughts aside. I was prepared to be the 'Black Widow of Lenosia' until the end of my days.
And then, there was a chance meeting in the gardens. Talen irritated me that first meeting and irritated me for many after. Yet, over the course of every irritation, I found myself more and more drawn to him. And now...
I'm not sure I could imagine living without him, even when he’s being irritating. Especially when he’s being irritating.
He’s handsome, but he’s no charmer like Uncle Niccolo. He’s not a brave knight in shining armor, but I know without a doubt that he would lie, cheat, and steal to keep me safe, keep me happy, and give me whatever I desire. He didn’t fight a line of Champions, but he did volunteer to take a dangerous role in the upcoming battle only to prove himself worthy of me. It’s not a love story that a poet may choose to immortalize, but it is enough for me. More than enough.
Written By Eleyna
March 12, 2017, 6:44 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
From the outside, Deva Redrain and I shouldn’t get along at all. She’s a perfect Northerner. I exemplify my Southern heritage. She is fiery and passionate. I try to control myself and more than one has referred to me as ‘icy’. She says what she thinks. I calculate nearly every word before it passes my lips.
And yet, I find myself quite liking Deva. She reminds me of all the best parts of my sister and yet, within her, I see the same core of steel that resides within myself. Perhaps opposites are simply drawn to one another or, perhaps, the surface differences don’t matter that much. Not really.
And yet, I find myself quite liking Deva. She reminds me of all the best parts of my sister and yet, within her, I see the same core of steel that resides within myself. Perhaps opposites are simply drawn to one another or, perhaps, the surface differences don’t matter that much. Not really.
Written By Hadrian
March 12, 2017, 6:42 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Of late I have not felt fully myself. Now? Now I feel positively grand! I do believe sending that monkey off to face its fate was the ideal situation. When I awoke one morning to find it surreptitiously pouring something into my drink, to say the least I found it peculiar and alarming. Since I held the tribunal to decide the fate of this would-be traitor and sent it off to suffer it's punishment? I've felt fully myself. Oh happy day.
Lesson learned: never trust a monkey to keep it's loyalty. At least I hope it was the monkey. If not? Then I am sorry monkey. Though I do not regret my actions. You were a flight of fancy that should have never been.
Lesson learned: never trust a monkey to keep it's loyalty. At least I hope it was the monkey. If not? Then I am sorry monkey. Though I do not regret my actions. You were a flight of fancy that should have never been.
Written By Darren
March 12, 2017, 6:37 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Not all of us are accustomed to having visions, from Goddesses or otherwise. Regardless, the message was heard, reaching with slender fingers past our collective consciousness in hopes of giving us a singular direction in which to move.
Some of us have known for a long time what we are up against. What our enemy is, what it means, and what we are fighting for. Though we at times took different paths and searched for different solutions to the problem, the goal in the end remained the same. We fight for Arx, for the Compact, for our homes far and wide.
Now is not the time to look over our shoulder and into the past, to wish for things that could have been. We are, in this moment, armed with more knowledge than we have ever been. We stand united and must move forward toward victory, as there is no alternative.
House Redrain will stand tall, and together with the rest of the Compact, we will deliver an end to those that wish to end us. They will hear nothing but our cries of victory, as we defeat our enemies. To the last.
Some of us have known for a long time what we are up against. What our enemy is, what it means, and what we are fighting for. Though we at times took different paths and searched for different solutions to the problem, the goal in the end remained the same. We fight for Arx, for the Compact, for our homes far and wide.
Now is not the time to look over our shoulder and into the past, to wish for things that could have been. We are, in this moment, armed with more knowledge than we have ever been. We stand united and must move forward toward victory, as there is no alternative.
House Redrain will stand tall, and together with the rest of the Compact, we will deliver an end to those that wish to end us. They will hear nothing but our cries of victory, as we defeat our enemies. To the last.
Written By Cicero
March 12, 2017, 6:34 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Hope. Optimism.
No solider, I look forward.
Plans for the future
No solider, I look forward.
Plans for the future
Written By Sigurd
March 12, 2017, 6:30 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
I accept, after hearing the Dominus, the respected authority in Arx on Pantheon matters and head of the Faith, speak about the vision, that it was one of hers.
I spoke about the need to kill the Silence. Have, more than once. About how they can be killed. I will not apologize for that, or for perhaps assuming that a sane goddess would not make every man, woman, and child in the city lose their minds with fear just a few dears before the battle for our lives.
However, as I said, I do acknowledge that it was a goddesse's vision and thus not a trick in itself. Just poor timing.
I spoke about the need to kill the Silence. Have, more than once. About how they can be killed. I will not apologize for that, or for perhaps assuming that a sane goddess would not make every man, woman, and child in the city lose their minds with fear just a few dears before the battle for our lives.
However, as I said, I do acknowledge that it was a goddesse's vision and thus not a trick in itself. Just poor timing.
Written By Hadrian
March 12, 2017, 6:19 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Relationship Note on Karadoc
One of the Saiks, he strikes me as the sort who prefers intellectual or social pursuits, perhaps both. While he seems to believe himself the black sheep, I'd like to think my words to him may inspire him to pursue something other than such a self-defeating attitude. It is only a matter of time for him to become established, make connections, and begin meeting new and interesting people. Then begin work in earnest. I imagine there will be plenty of unexpected results out of him, while I expect I will enjoy sitting back and quietly congratulating myself on being right. It will be positively delightful.
Written By Aureth
March 12, 2017, 6:12 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
SUPERNATURAL VISIONS AND YOU: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE
People of Arvum; ladies; gentlemen; others;
It has come to my attention that some of you do not understand the vision that came upon us all on this day of 1006 After the Reckoning. Some of you believe that this is a trick, or a trap, or that there is some meaning other than the obvious behind a vision of reality being consumed by oblivion.
It's not. There isn't. You're wrong. And you should probably go soak your head in a bucket of ice water to see if you can do something about how your brain seems to not be working.
The Queen of Endings and Beginnings, Death, the Lost Goddess of Our Pantheon, has sent you a vision to warn you of what is coming. To tell you that Princess Dawn Grayson and the King's Own and Lady Darkwater who went forth to the Teind did so to stop the Silence, and that without their actions, we would all already be dead, because that is how close the Void bites at our heels.
It is coming, because Tolamar Brand is bringing it.
Here's the rundown from the lady on the throne of bones:
1. Silence, the Archfiend of Oblivion wants to get into the Shining Lands.
2. Tolamar Brand, the Herald of Oblivion, wants to help Silence get there.
3. Tolamar Brand is headed for the Thinnest Point to open the door and let Silence in.
4. Silence enters the Shining Lands. Everything is destroyed. Everything!
5. Even you!
6. AND you!
These are her words. This is her message. I have it in the written word and if you'd like to see it I'd be DELIGHTED to share it with you.
Stop the Silence. Anything else that is bothering you, anything else that you're afraid of, anything else you think might matter in this life or the next, drop it. Now. This is your priority.
And if it's not, you're wrong, and don't think I'm kidding about the ice water.
People of Arvum; ladies; gentlemen; others;
It has come to my attention that some of you do not understand the vision that came upon us all on this day of 1006 After the Reckoning. Some of you believe that this is a trick, or a trap, or that there is some meaning other than the obvious behind a vision of reality being consumed by oblivion.
It's not. There isn't. You're wrong. And you should probably go soak your head in a bucket of ice water to see if you can do something about how your brain seems to not be working.
The Queen of Endings and Beginnings, Death, the Lost Goddess of Our Pantheon, has sent you a vision to warn you of what is coming. To tell you that Princess Dawn Grayson and the King's Own and Lady Darkwater who went forth to the Teind did so to stop the Silence, and that without their actions, we would all already be dead, because that is how close the Void bites at our heels.
It is coming, because Tolamar Brand is bringing it.
Here's the rundown from the lady on the throne of bones:
1. Silence, the Archfiend of Oblivion wants to get into the Shining Lands.
2. Tolamar Brand, the Herald of Oblivion, wants to help Silence get there.
3. Tolamar Brand is headed for the Thinnest Point to open the door and let Silence in.
4. Silence enters the Shining Lands. Everything is destroyed. Everything!
5. Even you!
6. AND you!
These are her words. This is her message. I have it in the written word and if you'd like to see it I'd be DELIGHTED to share it with you.
Stop the Silence. Anything else that is bothering you, anything else that you're afraid of, anything else you think might matter in this life or the next, drop it. Now. This is your priority.
And if it's not, you're wrong, and don't think I'm kidding about the ice water.
Written By Leta
March 12, 2017, 5:43 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
There's strange and important things going on, but I'm sure people of the Faith and scholarly minds will write about these matters. No one wants to read my thoughts about it.
I'm now sworn to House Velenosa, oath and all. Never thought I'd do that, but there's reasons higher than silver, and so I did. I thought it would feel different, and maybe it does, but just a little. I am trying to learn some Lycene songs and dances. It's not much, but I don't rightly know where else to start. I like silks and I like wine already. Maybe I ought to look into etiquette lessons.
I haven't told my folk. Not that my parents got anything against House Velenosa. It's just they'll worry. Folk have ideas about the different Houses, and sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong.
I'm now sworn to House Velenosa, oath and all. Never thought I'd do that, but there's reasons higher than silver, and so I did. I thought it would feel different, and maybe it does, but just a little. I am trying to learn some Lycene songs and dances. It's not much, but I don't rightly know where else to start. I like silks and I like wine already. Maybe I ought to look into etiquette lessons.
I haven't told my folk. Not that my parents got anything against House Velenosa. It's just they'll worry. Folk have ideas about the different Houses, and sometimes they're right and sometimes they're wrong.
Written By Sylvie
March 12, 2017, 5:42 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
I have arrived back to the city only in time to receive a dream of the horrors that will happen to all of us if we fail. If those fighting for us fail. If we do not have faith. For a moment, I thought of fleeing again back to the Lyceum and beaches and the Southern sun even in winter.
But I will stay and fight. My work in the Lyceum was for the fight we face, and I will continue to do what is needed here.
But I will stay and fight. My work in the Lyceum was for the fight we face, and I will continue to do what is needed here.
Written By Reese
March 12, 2017, 5:34 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
Miss Leola and Lady Clover are valuable archers to Arx.
I didn't mind being their pin cushion.
It was good practice
I didn't mind being their pin cushion.
It was good practice
Written By Reese
March 12, 2017, 5:34 p.m.(1/28/1006 AR)
I joined the hunt that Duke Cristoph was holding.
I thought that Alejandra could use getting out into the woods.
It did seem to help cheer her up and she took down a deer.
I have short swords, so I wasn't going to join the hunt.
I really came for Alejandra.
I joined the fight later when we ran across a bear.
I didn't want to kill a bear, it doesn't feel natural or right to kill a normal bear.
Duke Cristoph pointed out that the bear will be just be killed when the bringer army comes anyways.
He is right, but that is a troubling thought, very troubling.
We saw the bear was mauling the woman, there was no choice.
I drew Devotion and draining the life from the bear.
I am not proud of such.
I hope the woman is doing well.
I thought that Alejandra could use getting out into the woods.
It did seem to help cheer her up and she took down a deer.
I have short swords, so I wasn't going to join the hunt.
I really came for Alejandra.
I joined the fight later when we ran across a bear.
I didn't want to kill a bear, it doesn't feel natural or right to kill a normal bear.
Duke Cristoph pointed out that the bear will be just be killed when the bringer army comes anyways.
He is right, but that is a troubling thought, very troubling.
We saw the bear was mauling the woman, there was no choice.
I drew Devotion and draining the life from the bear.
I am not proud of such.
I hope the woman is doing well.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.