Written By Magden
Jan. 18, 2017, 6:27 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Words are so... wordy.
Written By Aislin
Jan. 18, 2017, 5:16 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
I could speak my mind on the actions of the Dominus, but I am not Godsworn to think I have the right to dictate the actions of the Faith; I am just an explorer, though I like to think that means I know something of the world beyond our walls.
I could claim I might have made different choices than the Regency Council has, but I was not there. And I am not a politician, to truly believe I would know better how to run the realm. But I am a student of history, and so I like to believe know something about alliances.
And one thing I know is that we do not have to agree with our allies. We do not even need to /like/ our allies. But we do need to treat them as allies, or else we lose them.
I imagine there are no few around the Compact who disagree vehemently with how the Thrax handle things. But alliances mean putting those differences aside in the face of common foe or greater threat.
And we broke one, an alliance that had stood since the time of Queen Alarice. An alliance that held back the Silence. The Nox'alfar, who are killed by the mere presence of the Bringers of Silence, asked our swords, in exchange for their magic to hold the Silence itself at bay.
Well, the Teind is paid. The enemy is locked away once more. The world will no longer end. And only the cleaning up remains, for this fight.
I like to think those who volunteered for the sacrifice would consider their lives well-spent; thirteen lives to save us all is a smaller cost than most armies ever pay to defend us, and from what I've found, the Silence is a threat that frightens even the other threats lurking in the darkness.
But gods and spirits alone know what will happen in thirteen by thirteen years, when the Teind comes due again and the Silence once again strains at its bonds. Hopefully, the Keepers will be willing to pay it once again.
And I could point fingers, or try to share the blame... but there's blame enough to go around, and trying to determine whose it is has little merit now. And doubtless I deserve some of it, though everything I've done, I'd do again. I hate the Teind. I hate the fact that it was even remotely necessary.
None of it changes the fact that our alliance is broken, the treaty gone. So for now, we stand alone.
We'll not have the weapons or metal to help with the Bringers that remain. Nor will we have their soldiers -- or their magic -- to help face any of the other threats out there. Distasteful as the Nox'alfar often are, they would've been a great aid.
And there are other threats. The world beyond the walls of Arx is a dark one, and there are threats stirring out there we don't even begin to understand. Perhaps even threats stirring within the walls, as well. Many of them are abyssal, and we'll need all the tools we can find against them.
But it isn't the end. We'll face this darkness together: Crownlander, Northerner, Lycene, Thrax... perhaps the Oathlands will join the fight against the Bringers as well, and the Compact will stand together. Perhaps we'll make common cause with the Abandoned as well, and all of humanity will stand our ground.
We will not fall. Whether we have alliance with elves, or any other creature of myth, we will hold.
But we've lost so much, forgotten so much, been manipulated and weakened for so long. So I'll renew my efforts to struggle our way out of ignorance. To claw back any bits of forgotten knowledge, any tools we can reasonably use.
Otherwise, the fights still ahead will be far worse than this.
I could claim I might have made different choices than the Regency Council has, but I was not there. And I am not a politician, to truly believe I would know better how to run the realm. But I am a student of history, and so I like to believe know something about alliances.
And one thing I know is that we do not have to agree with our allies. We do not even need to /like/ our allies. But we do need to treat them as allies, or else we lose them.
I imagine there are no few around the Compact who disagree vehemently with how the Thrax handle things. But alliances mean putting those differences aside in the face of common foe or greater threat.
And we broke one, an alliance that had stood since the time of Queen Alarice. An alliance that held back the Silence. The Nox'alfar, who are killed by the mere presence of the Bringers of Silence, asked our swords, in exchange for their magic to hold the Silence itself at bay.
Well, the Teind is paid. The enemy is locked away once more. The world will no longer end. And only the cleaning up remains, for this fight.
I like to think those who volunteered for the sacrifice would consider their lives well-spent; thirteen lives to save us all is a smaller cost than most armies ever pay to defend us, and from what I've found, the Silence is a threat that frightens even the other threats lurking in the darkness.
But gods and spirits alone know what will happen in thirteen by thirteen years, when the Teind comes due again and the Silence once again strains at its bonds. Hopefully, the Keepers will be willing to pay it once again.
And I could point fingers, or try to share the blame... but there's blame enough to go around, and trying to determine whose it is has little merit now. And doubtless I deserve some of it, though everything I've done, I'd do again. I hate the Teind. I hate the fact that it was even remotely necessary.
None of it changes the fact that our alliance is broken, the treaty gone. So for now, we stand alone.
We'll not have the weapons or metal to help with the Bringers that remain. Nor will we have their soldiers -- or their magic -- to help face any of the other threats out there. Distasteful as the Nox'alfar often are, they would've been a great aid.
And there are other threats. The world beyond the walls of Arx is a dark one, and there are threats stirring out there we don't even begin to understand. Perhaps even threats stirring within the walls, as well. Many of them are abyssal, and we'll need all the tools we can find against them.
But it isn't the end. We'll face this darkness together: Crownlander, Northerner, Lycene, Thrax... perhaps the Oathlands will join the fight against the Bringers as well, and the Compact will stand together. Perhaps we'll make common cause with the Abandoned as well, and all of humanity will stand our ground.
We will not fall. Whether we have alliance with elves, or any other creature of myth, we will hold.
But we've lost so much, forgotten so much, been manipulated and weakened for so long. So I'll renew my efforts to struggle our way out of ignorance. To claw back any bits of forgotten knowledge, any tools we can reasonably use.
Otherwise, the fights still ahead will be far worse than this.
Written By Bethany
Jan. 18, 2017, 4:53 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Oh, Joscelin -
Congratulations. And, a party -
( This is by no means an encouragement, Silas. Lazarus. If you do I will singe off my eyebrows in an unfortunate 'alchemy accident' - I swear. The manor will smell like burnt hair for weeks. )
Congratulations. And, a party -
( This is by no means an encouragement, Silas. Lazarus. If you do I will singe off my eyebrows in an unfortunate 'alchemy accident' - I swear. The manor will smell like burnt hair for weeks. )
Written By Joscelin
Jan. 18, 2017, 4:44 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
...an engagement what?
Written By Belladonna
Jan. 18, 2017, 4:24 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
With so much terrible going on right now, I admit to more pleasure than I should perhaps take in hearing about a certain spear and a certain doorframe.
I wish congratulations to Master Felix Meadson of Pravus and Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius for their betrothal.
House Pravus will be announcing the date of their engagement party soon.
I wish congratulations to Master Felix Meadson of Pravus and Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius for their betrothal.
House Pravus will be announcing the date of their engagement party soon.
Written By Rowan
Jan. 18, 2017, 4:14 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
I wonder if the Crown will be providing for the salve that will be needed for the thorugh fucking the Nox'alfar have given the Compact after turning up skirt to them and asking nicely.
Now that the Compact has saved the Nox'alfar, perhaps now is a good time to see about saving ourselves. The Bringers of the Silence are still there. There is no reason I have been shown in the evasive half-answers given in the arguments in support of the Teind that says that their protection extends in anyway to us, that the Silence is not still a threat. Don't assume that we are safe from it. Keep looking for answers.
Now that the Compact has saved the Nox'alfar, perhaps now is a good time to see about saving ourselves. The Bringers of the Silence are still there. There is no reason I have been shown in the evasive half-answers given in the arguments in support of the Teind that says that their protection extends in anyway to us, that the Silence is not still a threat. Don't assume that we are safe from it. Keep looking for answers.
Written By Joscelin
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:57 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Felix
So one night many months ago I told a tall, strapping blacksmith about some of the traditions of my mother's people, primarily the courting customs. It was late, we were drinking at the Traders, it was funny to remember all these things I hadn't thought of in -years-.
When I told him about how a man might proclaim his designs to court a woman, I've never seen a man that burly -giggle- as he did, and he did giggle.
'No no,' I insisted. 'It's true, he has to chuck a spear at her home, at the doorframe, so all can see that he has staked his place in line. If there is one. Usually their isn't and it's just a formality, it's usually a way to proclaim to a village that a couple is bethrothed-'
And this morning, I woke to find a spear. In the door of my Atelier.
I realize my mistake. The traditions for the wedding day are -hilarious-.
When I told him about how a man might proclaim his designs to court a woman, I've never seen a man that burly -giggle- as he did, and he did giggle.
'No no,' I insisted. 'It's true, he has to chuck a spear at her home, at the doorframe, so all can see that he has staked his place in line. If there is one. Usually their isn't and it's just a formality, it's usually a way to proclaim to a village that a couple is bethrothed-'
And this morning, I woke to find a spear. In the door of my Atelier.
I realize my mistake. The traditions for the wedding day are -hilarious-.
Written By Rowan
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:54 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Fawkuhl
Tend to your flock, Dominus, before you dare to turn a judgemental eye on mine.
You speak of heathens serving the Oathlands, but know that not one of the Greenmarch heathens stood for the Teind, that as one voice Greenmarch spoke out against it, called for answers as to other ways, and even more gravely stood against the Compact condoning and being implicated in the practice. They have put the good of our world, our people, at the fore, and walked unafraid to take a difficult and right path ahead of an easy and wrong one. That is the legacy of House Greenmarch.
I do not believe that you can say the same for your own house, where so many were more eager to put their faith in another people's goddess and blood magic before looking to their own.
You speak of heathens serving the Oathlands, but know that not one of the Greenmarch heathens stood for the Teind, that as one voice Greenmarch spoke out against it, called for answers as to other ways, and even more gravely stood against the Compact condoning and being implicated in the practice. They have put the good of our world, our people, at the fore, and walked unafraid to take a difficult and right path ahead of an easy and wrong one. That is the legacy of House Greenmarch.
I do not believe that you can say the same for your own house, where so many were more eager to put their faith in another people's goddess and blood magic before looking to their own.
Written By Felix
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:52 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
With all that has come about, I've stayed away from making my personal life very public.
Today I threw a spear at Joscelin's door. This morning, anyways. Let's just say that the Saffron Chain has fun courting and betrothal rituals. Why aren't more doors being pelted with spears? Probably the repairs. I split her door frame pretty good, so I'm going to have to fix that.
I love this woman, at any rate. We've been through quite a bit and I am proud to be taking her name around the Spring Equinox. It's very important to her, her family line and her name. One also has to admit that Felix Arterius does sound pretty dashing.
Today I threw a spear at Joscelin's door. This morning, anyways. Let's just say that the Saffron Chain has fun courting and betrothal rituals. Why aren't more doors being pelted with spears? Probably the repairs. I split her door frame pretty good, so I'm going to have to fix that.
I love this woman, at any rate. We've been through quite a bit and I am proud to be taking her name around the Spring Equinox. It's very important to her, her family line and her name. One also has to admit that Felix Arterius does sound pretty dashing.
Written By Bethany
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:43 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
An observation I made today. When you ask them the question: 'what do you think of __" How an expression changes - the features shift - the body language softens and the eyes go distant. Perhaps wistful. Perhaps pensive. When someone speaks about someone that they find interesting. Someone they like.
There is overwhelming poetry in that.
Try it. You'll see.
There is overwhelming poetry in that.
Try it. You'll see.
Written By Ainsley
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:32 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
It was /not/ an entire bushel. But please, if there is an entire bushel of these apples out there, please, please send them to the Iron Guard. They are menace to Arx and must be dealt with.
Written By Ainsley
Jan. 18, 2017, 3:31 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Pietro
It would be vastly more frustrating to deal with the fact that Lord Igniseri beat me, in both armed and unarmed combat, if his company wasn't so pleasant.
Written By Serafine
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:51 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
I wonder how Blacktongue knew it was -exactly- one bushel?
Written By Blacktongue
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:46 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Okay, so bear with me here, I know we have pissed off potential allies because some Northern prince is more fool than I, a whole slew of bad nasties want to kill us and now we're starting to gnaw at our own limbs....BUT!
Is no one really going to comment on the fact the Iron Guard locked up a bushel of apples?
Is no one really going to comment on the fact the Iron Guard locked up a bushel of apples?
Written By Lianne
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:44 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Our inability to change the past should not preclude our attempts to understand it.
Written By Aureth
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:44 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
I woke up this morning and it looks like we got fucked by the high lords again.
Must be Wednesday.
Must be Wednesday.
Written By Alistair
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:41 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
And we are left with nothing.
But we need nothing. Blood and blade can overcome any abyssal foe.
But we need nothing. Blood and blade can overcome any abyssal foe.
Written By Alistair
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:41 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
And we are left with nothing.
But we need nothing. Blood and blade can overcome any abyssal foe.
But we need nothing. Blood and blade can overcome any abyssal foe.
Written By Bethany
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:37 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Ira
Torian reputation, alchemist's flare -
Questionable sanity, very strange hair.
Questionable sanity, very strange hair.
Written By Alistair
Jan. 18, 2017, 1:35 p.m.(9/12/1005 AR)
I played my part. I did my duty. As the Crown's agent I acted as guard and guide.
I entertained her absurd requests. I took her where she wanted to go. I answered her questions, both the insane and the not so insane. In turn she answered some of mine. I do not know what she saw in me.
And now our games are finished and our follies done.
And we are left with nothing.
I entertained her absurd requests. I took her where she wanted to go. I answered her questions, both the insane and the not so insane. In turn she answered some of mine. I do not know what she saw in me.
And now our games are finished and our follies done.
And we are left with nothing.
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