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Written By Drea

Feb. 17, 2017, 9:36 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Even when things are bad, things are good. With every conversation I have with someone new I see the good. Maybe it's a fault, maybe I just need to get more people to see this too. There is always a light glimmering in the distance, and an end to a dark tunnel. Although we are just going into it...I see the light already. It's all on what we do...our choices.

Written By Calypso

Feb. 17, 2017, 8:47 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Loosing soldiers never gets easier. Anyone who tells you otherwise is demented and heartless. I sent letters home to every single family who suffered losses. I expressed my gratitude for their sacrifice and my sorrow for their pain.

Every life is a story. The small moments that make up who we are are so incredibly precious. Every smile. Every fight. Every moment spent loving, or feeling sadness or joy. Laughing at nothing of importance and yelling out frustrations. The spectrum of human existence is vast and each life experiences it in their own unique way.

Beyond my own soldiers, I am devastated by the loss of my friends and peers. I don't know that there is more I can say about each of them specifically, but I will say that I will not let a single one of these deaths be for nothing.

Marquis Vincere Igniseri
Lord Pietro Igniseri
Duchess Nadia Nightgold

It is by steel that we will win this, and by the might of mankind that we will find victory.

Written By Tikva

Feb. 17, 2017, 7:55 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Because I was asked about it this week--

Fatherhood.

My husband, Kelleth Riven, died fighting the Shav'Arvani in the Gray Forest, south of the Twainfort. He never got to meet his son, Lord Tiber, who was born three long, horrendous, miserable months after his death. My son will never know what it is to have a father. He will know the love of his uncles, of course, as he knows the love of his mother, as he knows the love of his aunts, and of all the zillion other people he is sure to charm into loving him before he turns two years old this spring.

As it happens, like my son, I also never knew my father. I knew Count Tibault, who raised me, and I knew him as one knows an older brother, an eldest brother, and the closest friend of one's heart.

I can't really speak to what that lack will mean for Tiber, any more than what I truly understand it meant for me. I have never regretted an instant of my family, the Laveers. I do not regret my new family, the Rivens. I love both, no, all of my family!

But I did hope for a completeness for my son that he will never have.

Written By Kima

Feb. 17, 2017, 7:54 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

If you had asked me about my thoughts on Prodigals, Abandoned, and Shavs even just a few short years ago, I would have offered a thoughtlessly scathing reply. I will be the first to admit that I was hardly the most tolerant.

It was only after I came to know recent Prodigals that I started changing my mind about the topic. These people, who had recently gone through the process of forsaking their previous lives for that of a citizen of the Compact, had very different ideas about it than natural born Arvani. More important, they had no illusions about the state of things outside the Compact's purview. Talk to newly arrived Prodigals and they will be happy to tell you that most of the people they left behind should stay out there. One might even say they left for a reason.

This came to mind the other day when I sat listening to two disparate Prodigals discuss the most recent Assembly. Both had come to Arx to bend the knee. The older man left his tribe some twenty years ago, feeling as though he had no worthwhile future amongst his more warlike compatriots. The other, a younger woman, was lured here by the kindness of a knight of Solace, and his recollections of the Scholars of Vellichor.

One of the things I have learned from them, when it comes to the Prodigal issue, is they place a high value on citizenship. That’s because they spent a lot to get it. Acquiring citizenship was a transaction for them, not an accident of birth. The older man in this left his home, and all that he knew, because he correctly saw where things were heading for his tribe. He was a guy that sold all his stuff, bought as many gambling chips as he could afford, and pushed them into the middle of the game table.

In Arvum, Prodigals are free to start their own story. Their past is no longer a set of boundaries on them. Just as important, they are free of the family and tribal restrictions. The young woman went into a career that does not exist amongst her people and even if it did, her family would not have approved. You can do those things where it is just you, striking out on your own. That’s the attraction of Arvum. It’s a blank canvass for those Prodigals that come here.

None of this means we should fling open our borders and let the world move to the Compact. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Borders and barriers are a filtering mechanism - though I won't go on about numbers and levels. It is outside of my area of expertise, and to pretend otherwise would be rank foolishness. Even so, I will conclude with this:

The people willing to go through all the steps it takes to become citizens of the Compact are going to be people who scrupulously observe the law. In fact, some of the Prodigals I've come to know since are almost hyper-patriotic for that reason. They take nothing for granted because they had to earn their citizenship. Their presence is a healthy reminder that citizenship has value.

Ultimately, my contention with those who argue the opposite is that there are those who place no value on citizenship. Those people tend not to put value on people. To them, people are just undifferentiated raw material, inputs they can manipulate. Whether the material comes from home or elsewhere is irrelevant because everything normal people associate with being human is of no concern to the managerial types. They see people the way normal people look at furniture.

Written By Demura

Feb. 17, 2017, 7:15 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Leona

There is a strength about his woman and I like it. I also like the fact that she works around my brother, Rymarr. I very much look forward to meeting with her in the future, passing back and forth ideas, and perhaps even coaxing her to relinquish some of her knowledge to me.

Written By Demura

Feb. 17, 2017, 7:14 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Refugee or not refugee. These are issues that those in control of their assets should be dealing with and no one else. Their decisions are their own and should be respected as such. If the wrong decision is made, then there is a choice to be had from the outside, but not a moment before.

My own holding is at the tip of the central prong of the Lycene, bound to not see very many of these refugees if any. However, I can fully understand why they would be welcome in their escape from the Bringers. We could get into a debate about their beliefs and be vetting them to bend the knee, but that detracts from what is really important. If they are willing to abide the law and contribute to the land for the benefit of all, then they are absolutely welcome.

Written By Leona

Feb. 17, 2017, 6:58 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Hadrian

He interrupted a perfectly good conversation about politics and the protection of the city to try to make random trade agreements. I'm not sure if he was defective or drunk or just very, very confused but this man is not someone with whom I want to spend a lot of time. As one of my companions said - it would be most unfair if everyone in the Malvici family were as exceptional as the Lady General Calypso.

Written By Mae

Feb. 17, 2017, 6:21 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Can I declare myself a shav refuge and get some of this charity? Maybe some new boots? My feet are cold.

Written By Rymarr

Feb. 17, 2017, 6:02 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Sanity at last. Gods, thank you.

Written By Kima

Feb. 17, 2017, 5:45 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Politics are about power; we cannot evade that truth or its consequences. We dream of a better world but it is in utopia – that is, nowhere.

Written By Percephon

Feb. 17, 2017, 3:50 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

I have seen a few other comments on this, and thought I would lend my own journal in support.

For those who feel the appeal to emotions, is it not right for us to assist these refuges of Abandoned -- regardless if they bend knee or not -- for actions that we, in part, seem to have caused through the issues of the Tiend? Does it not invite hubris, such as the stories of the Reckoning so many centuries ago, to think them unworthy of our help? It seems only right to assist these people in their time of need, those refugees who have clearly come in good stead, wishing nothing to do with our enemies.

For those who feel the appeal to the practical, is it not right to turn these people away, into the arms of our enemies? They will strengthen their numbers. For those who cannot, or will not fight, their sacrifices of blood will be used to fuel their evil magics. By not helping these people, we are only making our enemies stronger. They have practical skills, in foraging and foods, in leather and cloth. Skills that the compact can put to use, to strengthen us.

Regardless of the side of the coin one ends on, our path should be resolute: let us not turn these people away. Let us help them, in whatever ways we might. While I do not speak for House Telmar, I will gladly offer my personal assistance to those such as Marquessa Deepwood and Marquessa Greenmarch in their efforts to help these refugees.

Written By Simone

Feb. 17, 2017, 2:03 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Gentle readers:

Forgive me my opinions. I usually prefer to keep these to myself. But, this is a topic near and dear to my heart.

The Abandoned refugees are a recognizable result of the breakdown of the Bringers in the area of the Gray Forest. If those tribes were recognizable members of the Compact or members of our Council - they would have already been seen to safely - wouldn't they? Do we see them as a threatening mass rather than individuals? Do we judge them unjustly based on the brutal actions of others?

These refugees flee violence, hardship, and conflict. It highlights economic and political disparities between the Shav'arvani and the Compact, thus proving that many changes need to occur. In seeking to aid them, we are affirming that we are above these atrocities and great suffering. We should be willing to provide basic safety for themselves - and us.

Although, we do not need to create political pawns of these refugees, either. They need to be given opportunities to live and work in Arx, to become citizens and have a secure place among us. To have them willing to go out into the field with ours and fight our common enemies.

Otherwise, we will forever be at odds. Fighting internally, when the focus needs to be turned outward.

M. Simone Greenmarch

12/10/1005 AR.

Written By Joscelin

Feb. 17, 2017, 1:16 p.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Dominic

Mongoose has been under the weather, and after running into a large man who seemed to know about dogs, I sent Prince Dominic an inquiry after -realizing- he was -that- prince.

He was kind enough to see my beastie and offered a gut-clearing tea for her. So far, it's working well, though I have to keep the garden door open throughout the day for poor Mongoose.

Written By Samantha

Feb. 17, 2017, 11:13 a.m.(12/10/1005 AR)

Many have questioned my wisdom by choosing to allow shav'arvani refugees into the March in addition to the Compact's citizens. This is an understandable fear, because they have been our enemies for a very long time. But now we are faced with the Bringers, and they are beings that all of humanity, not just exclusively those of the Compact, must rise up to defeat.

I said it in Assembly, I will say it again here: We do not make peace with our friends. We make peace with our enemies.

This is my intention; by affirming that I will not require any Abandoned who seeks refuge to bend knee and declare themselves Prodigal, and so long as they adhere to the law of my land while within my my borders, they may seek it in safety. Has anyone else noticed that the Bringers have none amongst them who are children, who are elderly, who are any way infirm? It's because they slaughter them.

It is my hope that we can convince the shav'arvani to join us in the fight against the Bringers. When it is over, they have agreed to leave my borders should they continue to be Abandoned, but I am prepared to force an exit if necessary.

If I lead by example, and show the worth of the Compact as embodied in my own acts and deeds and those of my people, I believe may convince many to join the Compact willingly, and not as a condition for their aid.

I know that many believe that my choice to be kind and merciful and to look at those around me and see people is a weakness that I will pay a heavy price for. But I believe that the choice to be kind and honorable is something only the strong can truly undertake, and the treasure one can reap as reward is well worth the weight upon my back.

Do not mistake kindness for weakness, my friends.

Written By Julea

Feb. 17, 2017, 9:34 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

[The following entry has been copied directly from Julea's crumpled speech notes ]

Assembly of Peers Speech:-

Must Remember:

1. No saying fuck, bloody abyss, shit, bloody or bollocks.
2. Breathe
3. Imagine people (probably Luca) naked then repeat step 2. Don't do step 1.
4. Don't offend princesses
5. Thank all the important people
6. Don't get stage fright.

There is not a single reason why crime has been on the up-rise in the boroughs and around the city. To consider the cause to be just one thing, would be to underestimate the scope of the problem. And I cannot speak for everyone in the boroughs, who are not just one voice, but many voices. But I will try touch on a few of the reasons.

People are scared about the rumors surrounding the Bringers and all the things that were once just nightmares and now have become a fixture in our reality. With little in the way of official information being released, rumors and gossip reign and people panic. And there are those out there that take advantage of that. People are worried.

People were unhappy about the division between the Crown and the Faith and the actions of the Crown in paying the Teind.

But probably the most prominent reason for the increased crime is the rise in the patrols of both the Knights and the Iron Guard in the boroughs. And the current solution to fix this, by further increasing their presence there, will likely make things worse, and further weaken the already tense situation and undo the hard work we've been doing to improve relations over the last few weeks.

While I'm sure that the Lord Commander does a great job, most of the Iron Guard have no clue when it comes to respectfully handling matters in the boroughs, and each day they are there, it's a bloody miracle that people are not getting hurt as they manage to offend and basically shit over all of the prominent families there and ignore traditional methods, and time honoured traditions of handling such things.

Think there's no single solution that's going to fix things in a hurry, but a great good way to start would be to set up a special precinct of the Guard made up of people from the boroughs and Captained by one of their own. Someone who they respect and knows how things work down in the boroughs. Who would be considerably less likely to offend people they ought not to.

Written By Calliope

Feb. 17, 2017, 5:53 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Donella

Princess Donella Thrax is difficult to read. I'm not certain if she approves or disapproves of me. I'd like to think approves. But I sense I need to earn her respect, and her trust. I'm not certain how to go about it, the standards she sets are high! Still, it seems as if it might be worth it.

Written By Calliope

Feb. 17, 2017, 5:52 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Rainier

Sir Ashford is an enterprising man. He created a test course, filled with obstacles, and then set citizens - peasant and noble alike! to capture a handkerchief. The chaos that ensued was ridiculous, and all over something that cost 10 silver. What an inspiring man.

He can also hold his own with my Uncle Harald. That's saying something.

Written By Valery

Feb. 17, 2017, 4:38 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

Nightmares seemed easier when I had someone at my side. Maybe they were just less terrible.
But I worry anyways...

Written By Brogan

Feb. 17, 2017, 3:02 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

She is dead. I see her body in the main hall, and the walls of our estate are draped in black, and she is dead.

My niece is dead. My wife is dead. My child is dead.

Still, I will drink. Still, I will fight. Still, I will screw.

Tomorrow I may be dead as well.

The spirits are fickle.

Written By Acacia

Feb. 17, 2017, 2:14 a.m.(12/9/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Mae

Today, Mae is my favorite.

Tomorrow, she might just be my favorite too.

It's just that deep down inside my heart, I know that beneath all the things that get so easily on my good side -- she's probably really getting in mayhem. Maybe. It's dismaying, really.

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