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Written By Serafine

Nov. 6, 2016, 8:26 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

While the fall that came and went was all too brief, the colder weather reminds me of home. The home I had, anyway. Always cooler in those cliimes, must say I miss it. The ice in the air is pleasant on the skin, and it feels good to run outside of the training center after several rounds of 'toss the tosser'.

It still surprises me that the people have been more accommodating than I expected. Sure, I have the asses and their prejudices to combat, but either my reputation is doing wonders to keep the fighting to a minimum, or working out the tension through sparring has done more good than I'd guessed.

Either way.

Arx, you beautiful, exquisite, deadly mistress. I have missed you and it pains me not at all to say that.

Written By Serafine

Nov. 6, 2016, 8:17 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Freja

Barstools, Freja. Always barstools.

Written By Sylvie

Nov. 6, 2016, 7:54 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Winter in the city has grown tense, silent. I suppose that is to be expected.

I am almost relieved that Prince Donrai has called for the Assembly. Brave enough to take a step forward for us all.

I can only imagine what changes the next season will bring.

Written By Freja

Nov. 6, 2016, 7:49 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Serafine

She speaks openly about a past many in Arx would make every attempt to conceal. They, whoever they are, say that if you wear your weaknesses as armor than none can use it against you. There goes that chink in the chainmail. Does this woman have any weakness?

She has lost, as I have, but in greater capacity. Then again, who can compare human suffering?

Fuck this, I'm lapsing into poetics for a woman that would smirk at it as much as I tend to.

She eschewed her family to build her own, only to return back to her birthright. She's strong in all the right ways and I can't wait to see where her swords take her. Weapon Preference: Swords, or a barstool?

Written By Darren

Nov. 6, 2016, 7:20 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Noblesse oblige isn't a term I'm overly familiar with, but House Redrain was more than happy to contribute to Princess Donella's event in honour of the late Queen Genevieve. I brought along with me no less than several men carrying bundles of leather cloaks and heavy clothes to stave off the cold. And of course, another man with a barrel of whiskey, the perfect thing for a winter's night.

I also put myself between Princess Donella of House Thrax and a crazy fool with a dagger. He might've only been trying to cut his own hair to make some sort of absurd statement, but you never know how these sorts of things could go.

Written By Sudara

Nov. 6, 2016, 7:09 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Ill in Arx. In some ways, being under the weather in Arx is particularly frustrating. True, I can count upon the staff of the Hundred Cities to cater to virtually any whim communicated to them. True also that the medical care available here is of the highest standard. But it is not home. The servants are not my own. My children remain far out of reach. And the work and worries continue to pile up. Still, I can hope that this will serve me well in fostering patience, at the very least. And I could assuredly be much worse off: too ill to receive visitors still falls a long way short of the maladies suffered by many others in the sprawling mass of humanity who call the city home.

Written By Joscelin

Nov. 6, 2016, 6:21 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

The duel is over. Prince Luca fought on my behalf and was the first to bleed.

But it means everything else is over as well, and I must apologize for my slight against Lord Victus Thrax.

So here it is, my public apology:

I am sorry I insulted you.


Now that that is done, I have a great many things to do. Scholar, if you would-

Written By Signe

Nov. 6, 2016, 6:20 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

I woke up.

I looked toward the door.

I decided to stay in my room.

I love my warm sheets more than people.

Written By Margot

Nov. 6, 2016, 6:06 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Max

Pink skies in morning, sailors take warning.

Written By Victus

Nov. 6, 2016, 5:31 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Max

I knew the boy from he was about this (...the Lord Victus indicates to me about chest high...) so tall, when he first came to serve aboard my ship. It didn't take all that long for me to determine that the little shit was going to have his own ship sooner rather than later.

He was quick, he was able, and he didn't cower before a storm. Whether it was Mangata calling it or came in the shape of men.

He may hate the responsibilities of rulership, but I like him better than I did his brother, so as far as I'm concerned the elder Darkwater did us all a favor by getting killed.

Well, all of us but Maximilian.

Written By Edain

Nov. 6, 2016, 5:26 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Sir Leonard of Cohen was a famed bard of the Oathland's. This is somewhat lost to history, but he was known more for lyrical poetry than he was for having a lovely singing voice himself. There is one of his songs that has survived, and is perhaps sung but just about every knight at some point when he has had to much to drink and he wants to make their lord or lady swoon. My brother Prince Velen especially liked to sing this to Princess Marian, often drunk, at state dinners, while my father would sigh in exasperation. It is catchy to myself and I will admit, I sometimes hum it to myself when I remember him. I think what this song means is entirely up to the interpretation of the listener, but I have always thought it was about how love is messy, frustrating, heart crushing, and still worth every moment. So I thought I would share what were my brother's favorite verses:


I've heard there was a secret chord, Lagoma made for Vellichor.
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this: The fourth, the fifth. The minor fall, the major lift.
The humbled knight composing Hallelujah.


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.


Your sword was strong but you needed proof. You both crossed blades on the roof.
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you.
She tied you to a kitchen chair. She broke your throne, she cut your hair.
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah.


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.


Maybe I've been here before. I know this room, I've walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch. Love is not a victory march,
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.


There was a time you'd let me know What's real and going on below.
But now you never show it to me, do you?
Remember when I moved in you? The Holy Dove was moving too.
And every breath we drew was hallelujah.


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah.


Maybe there are Gods above. And all I ever learned from love
Was how to strike down someone who outdrew you.
It's not a cry you can hear at night. It's not somebody who's seen the light.
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.


Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah,

Written By Victus

Nov. 6, 2016, 5:22 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

I'm not a duelist.

But I do not let other men fight for my honor. That is for women and weaklings and the cowards.

Or Lords of Houses that can ill afford succession on matters little importance, I suppose. A general does not lead from the front if he wants to stay a general long. The front is where men go to die.

I'll say one more thing of duels to the first blood: They're not very satisfying.

Written By Kima

Nov. 6, 2016, 5:13 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Max

I won't waste ink on what is surely being written about by many others. Instead, I want to talk about the new friend I made, Count Maximilian Darkwater. Can we waste ink by bolding Darkwater? Make it look a touch more...dastardly?

Thank you, Scholar.

To whit, I met this dread Count at the Ebb and Flow in the company of Princess Jaenelle and Lord Victus Thrax. I freely admit, I tried to steal his sausage. I missed, unfortunately, but he was a good sport about it and offered me more. He talks a lot. Much more than either Victus or Abbas. Which is wonderful, as a woman can only talk and talk and talk for so long before she needs more than a grunt or a flat stare to get by.

We then made a bet, which I lost, but only because I foolishly misunderstood. (I'd never bet AGAINST Victus, that is preposterous). But a loss is a loss and I am a woman of honor. Drinks on me, at the Hundred Cities Bed and Bordello.

And yes, it goes without saying he's easy on the eyes. I don't befriend men who aren't.

Written By Edain

Nov. 6, 2016, 5:03 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Victus

So, Lord Victus. He is every negative stereotype of the Thrax 'men of the sea.' He is violent, gruff, foul mouthed, rude, and he has a very selective memory when it comes my tastes in art and instead projects his own ideas of 'good art' on to me. Ok that last part is a long story, never mind that. Here's the thing though, he owns who he is. He does not make apologies, and he doesn't have time for our crap. Sure he's an asshole, but it doesn't come from a place on insecurity to prove he is the strongest one there is. He simply isn't afraid to be what he is. Like is a strong word, but I cannot help but respect him for that.

Written By Silas

Nov. 6, 2016, 4:47 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Mother has sent us one of the pups she bred last spring. Apparently she found him irresistibly affable and couldn't stand to sell him like the rest of his siblings, but feared she didn't have time to care for him with father being as ill as he is.

The city is a poor substitute for an open field, but we'll make due. I'm sure he'll be popular.

Written By Darren

Nov. 6, 2016, 4:44 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Niccolo

Duke Niccolo of House Velenosa and I have not had many opportunities to chat. But on those few occassions that we do, I always walk away with an understanding that he is a logical man who has great care for his House. At the very least, we seem to share many of the same thoughts and ideals, and look forward to growing a friendship with the man as we move forward into the future.

Written By Lazarus

Nov. 6, 2016, 4:08 p.m.(1/18/1005 AR)

Work into the garden has gone well. The Grayson's continual support of our business made it clear that the garden should be inside their ward. Horatio invested in the place and installed a lab on the garden's ground. We brought a couple transplants from the homestead and they are taking well inside the nursery. I am excited for what the future holds for us.

Written By Calypso

Nov. 6, 2016, 3:45 p.m.(1/17/1005 AR)

The three way duel.

It was some several evenings ago now but I really think it is important to document such events. I had a duel between the Sword of Tor, Lord Dante Fidante and the Knight of Scrolls, Lord Damon Wyrmguard. Above all tests of skill, this was a test of strategy. How do you fight when there are two people trying to kill you and in the end only one of three can be left standing? What can be done to make alliances and keep them strong in a battle?

The fight started off equal, everyone seemed to be hitting left and then right striking in event strokes against each other. I wanted to test the idea of mid-battle alliance so I gave a nod to Lord Damon to help team up with me and knock Lord Dante out of the fight. Instead, foolish man, he made the choice to fight against me harder. Luckily I was able to defend, but in the mean time while his focus had switched to me only, Lord Dante was able to take advantage of that and help me finish Lord Damon off.

At that point, Lord Dante and I were in an even match. Both exhausted, both wounded and on equal footing. It was a matter of luck to see which blow would finally strike the other one out of consciousness. In the end, it was my strike that finished the fight. They both fought well, but Lord Damon made a mistake in going against the plan.

This was a lesson in the necessity of early alliance and cooperation. I have more work to do on this front and the time for me to do it in is swiftly closing. Its time to move.

Written By Esera

Nov. 6, 2016, 3:30 p.m.(1/17/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Myrinda

I am forced to admit I know far less about fashion than Myrinda Grayhope does. It is fair to say I know very little about fashion at all. But I do know that fashion is a weapon sharp as any blade -- in the Lyceum, and at Court. Through fashion, we create and recreate ourselves. Through fashion, we are illusion, and we are legend. There are few women in Arx so capable of illusion as Myrinda Grayhope, and so I have offered my patronage, and she has accepted.

Written By Darren

Nov. 6, 2016, 2:15 p.m.(1/17/1005 AR)

Relationship Note on Donella

What does it mean to have courage? To have 'guts'? Is it truly just the ability to open your mouth and say what it is you feel, regardless of the consequences? Perhaps. It certainly seems like that's the way of things at the moment. But I still believe that true courage is shown better in the silent acts. This includes both actions that are performed, as well as those that could have been, but are resisted instead.

Not all acts of courage are blatant. But then again, not all acts or speeches are courageous.

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