Written By Sabella
Dec. 10, 2016, 1:50 p.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
The ending to my romantic journey started with someone's desire for me to not be harmed, and has finished with a glorious artwork by Fortunato Grayhope. This was everything that I hoped it could be. Some stories are not meant to go on long, some stories are like the flicker of a candle flame. One gust of wind- and it's out. But I have coveted those strands of smoke, and now I can let them disappear into the night air.
He never answered me. I will remember, and that's all that matters.
He never answered me. I will remember, and that's all that matters.
Written By Aislin
Dec. 10, 2016, 1:04 p.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
So, then: I say I should write my travels and findings in white journals. Let's make good on that, shall we? Chapter One of this effort, I suppose. I'll begin with runes, the topic I am most often approached about.
I've personally encountered these runic inscriptions on a number of items. An inscribed tablet, various items of strange jewelry, brass trinkets found almost exclusively near Southport, and such.
I've been able to distinguish differences among inscriptions, and most I've found lately seem to fall into two categories. One I associate predominantly with jewelry, and the majority of samples seem to be found in the Lyceum. The other I associate nearly exclusively with a group known as the Metallic Order, a near-mythical group of reportedly unaging (but it appears not, sadly, unkillable) champions who history records largely gave their lives to protect the realm.
At first, I believed these runes were a writing system. Then I learned they were, if anything, more ideographs than actual writing; the earliest writings I could find on them are centuries old, and they date the symbols back to the Age of Dreams. Each one representing a concept more than a letter or word. I began attempting to categorize them, to draw parallels between both of them.
After months and months of research -- and a great deal of help from many others -- we found that the runes represent /no/ language whatsoever. While some of the runes may have symbolic meaning, it's only meaning in the way a sword in a painting might represent battle. Or standing firm against an enemy. Or conquest.
So these runes are more of what an artist's signature on a painting might be; the designs flow almost impulsively, like how that painter might sign their work slightly differently depending on their mood. And like a signature represents a particular painter, these runic patterns represent individual magic-workers, or perhaps entire schools of magic-working.
Sadly, this means that no, I cannot translate those inscriptions for anyone; I know that disappoints a downright alarming number of people who, having heard me speak on runes at the Covenant or other places, have recently approached me to ask if I can do so.
Believe me, no one is more disappointed than I am that the runes are a mere byproduct of magic, a signature, and therefore presumably not a key to actually understanding it.
But it does make it theoretically possible to identify the source of a given relic or artifact, by comparing the runes to the existing known samples. You could, perhaps, also use it to identify a 'lineage', such as who had taught who; I don't have enough differing samples to be certain of that.
And knowing where things came from, being able to begin to trace their history, well, it may still help a bit to chase a little of the darkness and ignorance away.
I've personally encountered these runic inscriptions on a number of items. An inscribed tablet, various items of strange jewelry, brass trinkets found almost exclusively near Southport, and such.
I've been able to distinguish differences among inscriptions, and most I've found lately seem to fall into two categories. One I associate predominantly with jewelry, and the majority of samples seem to be found in the Lyceum. The other I associate nearly exclusively with a group known as the Metallic Order, a near-mythical group of reportedly unaging (but it appears not, sadly, unkillable) champions who history records largely gave their lives to protect the realm.
At first, I believed these runes were a writing system. Then I learned they were, if anything, more ideographs than actual writing; the earliest writings I could find on them are centuries old, and they date the symbols back to the Age of Dreams. Each one representing a concept more than a letter or word. I began attempting to categorize them, to draw parallels between both of them.
After months and months of research -- and a great deal of help from many others -- we found that the runes represent /no/ language whatsoever. While some of the runes may have symbolic meaning, it's only meaning in the way a sword in a painting might represent battle. Or standing firm against an enemy. Or conquest.
So these runes are more of what an artist's signature on a painting might be; the designs flow almost impulsively, like how that painter might sign their work slightly differently depending on their mood. And like a signature represents a particular painter, these runic patterns represent individual magic-workers, or perhaps entire schools of magic-working.
Sadly, this means that no, I cannot translate those inscriptions for anyone; I know that disappoints a downright alarming number of people who, having heard me speak on runes at the Covenant or other places, have recently approached me to ask if I can do so.
Believe me, no one is more disappointed than I am that the runes are a mere byproduct of magic, a signature, and therefore presumably not a key to actually understanding it.
But it does make it theoretically possible to identify the source of a given relic or artifact, by comparing the runes to the existing known samples. You could, perhaps, also use it to identify a 'lineage', such as who had taught who; I don't have enough differing samples to be certain of that.
And knowing where things came from, being able to begin to trace their history, well, it may still help a bit to chase a little of the darkness and ignorance away.
Written By Aislin
Dec. 10, 2016, 12:34 p.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
There's nothing unique about Ashford as a house, so far as I know; we have no hidden destinies, no ties to prophecy, no guardianships, or elven blood. Our sole distinguishing trait is a desire to see the world... the good and the bad. To know, to understand. That trait is burned deeply into our blood, and it has driven me onwards my entire life.
But I often feel as though I'm staggering around an unlit cave of /ignorance/, feeling my way along the walls and praying I don't fall into a chasm! Trusting to intuition and blind luck to see me through, hoping that I don't do more harm than good as I blunder around in the dark. I want to /understand/, I want to know, not just... just fumble around and pray for the best!
I've known for a very long time there was more to the world than people wanted to admit. I'd seen evidence of magic, of the elves, of relics that should not exist. Tales of magic that aren't known outside of a handful of villages. And whenever I brought back tales of what I'd seen, few wanted to believe. "Direwolves? Those are a fairy tale." "Dragons? Ha!" "Elves? Are you a child?" "Really, you believe magic ever existed?" "Pfft. The Metallic Order? Yeah, like there were ever immortal mages like unto demigods out there."
It's the sort of thing which encourages you to start keeping things to yourself, lest you be thought insane. (Or start developing a strong desire to punch people who laugh.)
But now we live in a world where we are seeking an alliance with sarcastic elves in order to fight other elves (reportedly less 'sarcastic', more 'mind shatteringly evil'), and demons, and also an army of the /literal actual undead/. A world where people within the city walls vanish in a mysterious manner, seemingly wiped from the world. A world where blood magic rituals are used to summon abyssal beasts for gods-only-know what reasons, although I do not imagine they're pleasant for anyone (other than the beast and its masters, at least).
Many of us hold a few pieces of some grand mosiac of the world, shattered long ago and scattered across the realm. Bits of that mosiac are deeply unpleasant, and bits of it are gloriously beautiful, but none of us can see the whole of it so long as we all hold on to those little fragments. And if we cannot see the whole -- or at least, a good portion -- I really don't think we're ready for what's ahead.
After all, our enemies rely on ignorance and disbelief, the idea that we won't share or won't believe what others share. That if we keep what we learn to ourselves it can be more easily stamped out, and we'll be left defenseless and unprepared.
I've done my best to counter this; I founded the Society of Explorers as a place to try to fight back against this ignorance. In the hopes that we'll share the things we learn, and the genuine belief that if we do -- if enough of us feel our way through that unlit cave I've stumbled through so long -- we might just find our way. I've been willing to share the things I learn, at least those I'm not sworn to discretion on, with those who seek me out. With the Covenant, and the Society, and all the other groups that have come together to try to put together the pieces of that mosaic.
But there's one place I've failed: I still write so many of my travelogues, of my theories and research, in black journals.
And perhaps... perhaps it's time I stopped doing that. Perhaps it's time I just started putting those in white journals, for all to see.
But I often feel as though I'm staggering around an unlit cave of /ignorance/, feeling my way along the walls and praying I don't fall into a chasm! Trusting to intuition and blind luck to see me through, hoping that I don't do more harm than good as I blunder around in the dark. I want to /understand/, I want to know, not just... just fumble around and pray for the best!
I've known for a very long time there was more to the world than people wanted to admit. I'd seen evidence of magic, of the elves, of relics that should not exist. Tales of magic that aren't known outside of a handful of villages. And whenever I brought back tales of what I'd seen, few wanted to believe. "Direwolves? Those are a fairy tale." "Dragons? Ha!" "Elves? Are you a child?" "Really, you believe magic ever existed?" "Pfft. The Metallic Order? Yeah, like there were ever immortal mages like unto demigods out there."
It's the sort of thing which encourages you to start keeping things to yourself, lest you be thought insane. (Or start developing a strong desire to punch people who laugh.)
But now we live in a world where we are seeking an alliance with sarcastic elves in order to fight other elves (reportedly less 'sarcastic', more 'mind shatteringly evil'), and demons, and also an army of the /literal actual undead/. A world where people within the city walls vanish in a mysterious manner, seemingly wiped from the world. A world where blood magic rituals are used to summon abyssal beasts for gods-only-know what reasons, although I do not imagine they're pleasant for anyone (other than the beast and its masters, at least).
Many of us hold a few pieces of some grand mosiac of the world, shattered long ago and scattered across the realm. Bits of that mosiac are deeply unpleasant, and bits of it are gloriously beautiful, but none of us can see the whole of it so long as we all hold on to those little fragments. And if we cannot see the whole -- or at least, a good portion -- I really don't think we're ready for what's ahead.
After all, our enemies rely on ignorance and disbelief, the idea that we won't share or won't believe what others share. That if we keep what we learn to ourselves it can be more easily stamped out, and we'll be left defenseless and unprepared.
I've done my best to counter this; I founded the Society of Explorers as a place to try to fight back against this ignorance. In the hopes that we'll share the things we learn, and the genuine belief that if we do -- if enough of us feel our way through that unlit cave I've stumbled through so long -- we might just find our way. I've been willing to share the things I learn, at least those I'm not sworn to discretion on, with those who seek me out. With the Covenant, and the Society, and all the other groups that have come together to try to put together the pieces of that mosaic.
But there's one place I've failed: I still write so many of my travelogues, of my theories and research, in black journals.
And perhaps... perhaps it's time I stopped doing that. Perhaps it's time I just started putting those in white journals, for all to see.
Written By Barric
Dec. 10, 2016, 11:34 a.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
The elves were not what I expected. Perhaps we met younger ones even though one knew Alarice. Perhaps they were simply children playing at games. They were snide and rude and, on the surface, uninterested in diplomacy. I expected a more dignified and serious race that would take the clash at the Grove with more solemnity but they made a joke of it. I am disappointed yet I hope we will meet more appropriate elves soon. Actual diplomats or ones with some say in what happens rather than sulky, sarcastic children.
Written By Deva
Dec. 10, 2016, 11:26 a.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
We are all fine. No one lost as much as a fingernail. Unless you count a few ounces of pride?
Written By Natalia
Dec. 10, 2016, 10:27 a.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Reese
My cousin is a wonderful distraction when I am worried. She seems a little interested in romance, but I love the stories.
Written By Eirene
Dec. 10, 2016, 10:17 a.m.(5/7/1005 AR)
Who knows. Maybe in another thousand years, if we're not wiped off the face of the world or another fire burns down -- Oh stop looking so shocked, Archivist. It's a SAYING. No one is coming to burn your precious Archives. I'm --
It's my hope that nobody comes across these journals from this time period and goes 'what the fuck are they talking about? Elves. Undead. Were they all HIGH on dust or something?'
Fuck, now you've made me forget what the fuck I was going to say.
Those people who went. Went to FIND ELVES. It's not a game anymore. This isn't pretend. it's all too damned real and people I know; people I joke with and drink with and fight with... people I know are going into that ultimate unknown. Whatever gods or spirits or benevolent forces are out there better go with them.
I'll be pissed if they die.
It's my hope that nobody comes across these journals from this time period and goes 'what the fuck are they talking about? Elves. Undead. Were they all HIGH on dust or something?'
Fuck, now you've made me forget what the fuck I was going to say.
Those people who went. Went to FIND ELVES. It's not a game anymore. This isn't pretend. it's all too damned real and people I know; people I joke with and drink with and fight with... people I know are going into that ultimate unknown. Whatever gods or spirits or benevolent forces are out there better go with them.
I'll be pissed if they die.
Written By Fortunato
Dec. 10, 2016, 9:32 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Sabella
A painted sketch. Central, a multi-hued rose. The core is a whitish silver, the rough middle a band of pinkish red, the outer petals a nearly black indigo. A few of the indigo petals have fallen off in a trail across a shadow almost too dark to see them against. In the upper left corner of the sketch, a slivered moon. In the upper right corner, a brown eye, simply drawn, scarcely colored. Across the bottom right corner, a silver chain, gently strung. Bottom left corner, an opened door with no hint of the room beyond.
Written By Aislin
Dec. 10, 2016, 9 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
It is remarkably difficult to get undead entrails out of clothing. The laundress actually fainted.
I really rather liked that shirt; it's unfortunate it had to be burned.
I really rather liked that shirt; it's unfortunate it had to be burned.
Written By Valery
Dec. 10, 2016, 8:40 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
I arrived at the city a few days ago, and this is bigger and more amazing than anything I've seen before. Some buildings are huge. Others are so decorated. Other both...
And the people. There are lots of people, everywhere. And everyone has been really nice and helpful till now.
And the nobles. First person giving me a direction, was a prince. I've been drinking tea with a princess and a lord. I've been having dinner with a noble family. Or drinking with them.
All feels so alien and so nice that I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream at every moment, just to crash harder on the ground.
Plus, I got a job as apothecary for the Nightgold House. And they are paying me and they gave me a room on their huge building.
I -need- to get more clothes, though, and I still haven't find someone to make some for me...
And the people. There are lots of people, everywhere. And everyone has been really nice and helpful till now.
And the nobles. First person giving me a direction, was a prince. I've been drinking tea with a princess and a lord. I've been having dinner with a noble family. Or drinking with them.
All feels so alien and so nice that I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream at every moment, just to crash harder on the ground.
Plus, I got a job as apothecary for the Nightgold House. And they are paying me and they gave me a room on their huge building.
I -need- to get more clothes, though, and I still haven't find someone to make some for me...
Written By Agnarr
Dec. 10, 2016, 7:34 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Heard Audric and a Count Maximilian wax about myths.
Written By Silas
Dec. 10, 2016, 6:17 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Bethany
Whip-smart but careful enough not to show it to everyone, Bethany is a daughter any father can be proud of and a sister any brother can be impressed by.
Should she find her footing, the world ought to watch out.
Should she find her footing, the world ought to watch out.
Written By Aksel
Dec. 10, 2016, 3:59 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Belladonna
Met in a bar, had a couple of drinks and a better conversation than I had expected out of someone like her. I have the sensation that she is very sly, perhaps even ruthless, yet is pleasant at the same time. While this isn't something I haven't met before, she was, at the very least kind enough to talk to me for an evening.
Good thing I don't have anything she wants. There are perks to just being another no-name face in the crowd. You're not important and you don't have anything of real value. So that usually means I get people when they're most honest and there's no need for buttering up.
Smart woman though. But, no reason not to have another chat if I ever run into her again.
Good thing I don't have anything she wants. There are perks to just being another no-name face in the crowd. You're not important and you don't have anything of real value. So that usually means I get people when they're most honest and there's no need for buttering up.
Smart woman though. But, no reason not to have another chat if I ever run into her again.
Written By Khanne
Dec. 10, 2016, 3:28 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Well, the sun has risen, and set, and now the stars shine over the lands. Day one is under my belt, and though I still have much to explore, and many people to meet, I think it has gone well thus far. I happened upon Princess Natalia Grayson, who seems a kind soul, and Lord Sigurd Nightgold. Intriguing man, he. We have spoken of meeting again some time when we are not near sleep. I shall look forward to that. No sign of my brother as of yet, I am sure he is near, sword in hand. I do hope to speak with him soon, as well as others of my name. Tomorrow shall come before I know it, and so for now, I rest.
Written By Jeremiah
Dec. 10, 2016, 3:10 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
I find this exceedingly odd, but I will give this a shot, for posterity's sake. I can barely write in my usual style, as this feels more like a performance than not, truly. Still. Some weeks in and I have made some progress; my standard of comfort is worse than it was at Whitehold, but I have met people I would recommend and people who would recommend me. I have joined both the Crafter's Guild and the Silver Consortium in some manner, and intend to contact the Scholars.
As for personal matters, it seems even more exceedingly odd to write of them here. Perhaps that will have to wait for the next time I visit these chambers.
As for personal matters, it seems even more exceedingly odd to write of them here. Perhaps that will have to wait for the next time I visit these chambers.
Written By Calista
Dec. 10, 2016, 3:04 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Barric
Time away has only brought him closer. A friendship grows deeper still. A favor given proved to bind our unspoken words.
Oh, and that smile. It can melt the thickest layers of ice.
Oh, and that smile. It can melt the thickest layers of ice.
Written By Isolde
Dec. 10, 2016, 1:59 a.m.(5/6/1005 AR)
We live in the world where I am not the most petulant child upon it.
I feel as if I have some apologies to make.
More thoughts to come, as I process everything that happened on the Delegation. It went... almost too smoothly. I may sleep in my armor for a year or so.
I feel as if I have some apologies to make.
More thoughts to come, as I process everything that happened on the Delegation. It went... almost too smoothly. I may sleep in my armor for a year or so.
Written By Serafine
Dec. 10, 2016, 12:40 a.m.(5/5/1005 AR)
Relationship Note on Deva
Holy testicles, woman.
That -shot-...!
That -shot-...!
Written By Audric
Dec. 10, 2016, 12:37 a.m.(5/5/1005 AR)
Well, that was significantly more fun than I anticipated it would be! No one even died! I will admit, that's a little bit surprising, but we did get to do some fighting, so. Net positive, I have to say.
Written By Serafine
Dec. 10, 2016, 12:36 a.m.(5/5/1005 AR)
Well. That was ... educational.
And gross.
Ugh, I don't think this is going to wash out-
And gross.
Ugh, I don't think this is going to wash out-
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.