Written By Kima
Sept. 25, 2016, 5:04 p.m.(9/4/1004 AR)
I know that this is a service to the gods, the Compact, and history itself, but sometimes I cannot help but cringe at the sheer banality of it. 'Dear Journal, today I ate porridge.' 'Lady Felatia's shoes were pretty. I am jealous.' B A N A L.
Yet what am I doing? Engaging in the same process, dulling the mind of the hapless reader of these entries. If my scholar has grey hair, it is not for the more exciting entries, it is because sheer boredom is draining the life out of the man. Is it wrong to want my every word to drip as though the ink were instead gold? When you are your center - and everyone is their own center, never doubt - no, this is not unusual, or even indicative of serious narcissism.
I sparred with my brother today, to the viewing pleasure of Duke Niccolo, Lady Aislin, and even Hammar. Of course he lost. His talent lies elsewhere, though this is not to say Eos is not an accomplished swordsman. Also, there is something peaceful in having your own brother as a sparring partner. There may be those who claim that it won't do much to improve ones skills if you can fall into a predictable rhythm, but they can- well, I digress. The importance of sparring, of practice, is to become intimately familiar with forms and routine.
Why else do I find myself employed again and again as an instructor for those youths wishing to learn the sword?
To conclude today's uninspired ramble: I know that actual battle is not predictable, or routine. It's piss-your-pants-fear and the wild rush of adrenaline. It's stupid luck, so that even the peasant with a well-placed pitch fork might unseat an armed and armored knight. I wonder why there isn't a goddess amongst the pantheon that is a flec?
Maybe that's one of Tehom's aspects. I shall have to ask one more learned than I.
Yet what am I doing? Engaging in the same process, dulling the mind of the hapless reader of these entries. If my scholar has grey hair, it is not for the more exciting entries, it is because sheer boredom is draining the life out of the man. Is it wrong to want my every word to drip as though the ink were instead gold? When you are your center - and everyone is their own center, never doubt - no, this is not unusual, or even indicative of serious narcissism.
I sparred with my brother today, to the viewing pleasure of Duke Niccolo, Lady Aislin, and even Hammar. Of course he lost. His talent lies elsewhere, though this is not to say Eos is not an accomplished swordsman. Also, there is something peaceful in having your own brother as a sparring partner. There may be those who claim that it won't do much to improve ones skills if you can fall into a predictable rhythm, but they can- well, I digress. The importance of sparring, of practice, is to become intimately familiar with forms and routine.
Why else do I find myself employed again and again as an instructor for those youths wishing to learn the sword?
To conclude today's uninspired ramble: I know that actual battle is not predictable, or routine. It's piss-your-pants-fear and the wild rush of adrenaline. It's stupid luck, so that even the peasant with a well-placed pitch fork might unseat an armed and armored knight. I wonder why there isn't a goddess amongst the pantheon that is a flec?
Maybe that's one of Tehom's aspects. I shall have to ask one more learned than I.
Written By Samantha
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:56 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
She spent a great deal of time training with Duke Gabriel when we were children and I was living under his roof. She was my first female friend and today one of my staunchest supporters in my efforts to rebuild my house and speak for the common people.
Written By Samantha
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:51 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Gabriel
He rescued me when I was a little girl, and in the early years after, I was effectively his ward. He didn't necessarily have a lot to do with me directly but he's always been passingly fond of me, and spent much of my early childhood as part of his household before returning to Old Oak to to learn how to rule it as Marquessa. As far as I can remember, he is the closest thing to a father figure that I have. I am grateful, I want him to be proud...a part of me wishes I actually was his daughter.
Written By Sylvie
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:46 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Fergus
His Highness, Prince Fergus Redrain, is quite the impressive figure. His win at the dueling tournament proves his skill with the blade, even if it still leaves me with the question of why he would tie the peace knot to it.
A man's skill should never go wasted.
I am also relieved that my Lord Valkieri Rubino bested the best. They certainly are two of a kind.
Why am I always surrounded by gruff, tempered men? I do believe I saw the Prince almost smile once, though.
A man's skill should never go wasted.
I am also relieved that my Lord Valkieri Rubino bested the best. They certainly are two of a kind.
Why am I always surrounded by gruff, tempered men? I do believe I saw the Prince almost smile once, though.
Written By Darren
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:45 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Isolde
Princess Isolde is a fine person.
Written By Darren
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:43 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Mistress Joscelin came highly recommended to me by her patron, Lady Dawn. She's made a couple of pieces for me now, but her latest creation is by far some of her finest work. Here's hoping that it will be well received.
Written By Sylvie
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:39 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
It honors me to be the Lady Dawn's distraction for even an afternoon of tea. Were it that she did not need one, because my heart feels for her and her own circumstances. I have suffered loss, but my loss hasn't carried with it the expectations and uncertainty of a whole realm.
And where I may suffer alone, the Voice of Grayson has no such time when she must keep the world turning.
And where I may suffer alone, the Voice of Grayson has no such time when she must keep the world turning.
Written By Isolde
Sept. 25, 2016, 2:16 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Darren
Prince Darren seems rather an all right individual.
Written By Mae
Sept. 25, 2016, 1:36 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Right, right, I'll try to slow down my talking. Start over. This slow enough for you? Feck it's like they don't train you scholars for folks as talk a little faster than the rest.
So I'm doing this thing right and there was extra in it for me if I could do it before the next mark on that thrice-damned candle the cull uses to make sure I'm not like popping into pastry shops along the way or something I don't even know what he thinks I do but it doesn't seem to be 'oh Mae is a professional who goes and does just what she's been hired to which is run and hand this thing to that cull and she's been doing this for years now maybe I ought to believe she's doing what she's good at the way she's good at it instead of giving her those feckin black looks like she's shit-dipped gutter trash that wrapped itself in clothes to pretend to be a girl'
Where was I?
Right.
So I was doing the thing I do and do well been over those roofs more times than I have hairs on my head when I hit this patch of leavings from a hawk-struck pigeon and wouldn't you know it I go down over the shingles like a merc chasing knights and my shirt's rucked up to my neck in the back and my ass is feeling like Ol' Dan's mule kicked back and caught me like when I was wee and used to tweak its tail to make him bray.
You're getting faster at this that's good. Keep up, boyo.
So I hit the edge and it's one of them curvy roofs like the fancies prefer to make their houses look like jewelry because feck they can't touch a damned thing without shouting to the gods 'look what good feckin taste I've got how many pantheon points does that win me' and I dunno if you've ever tried catching the lip of something that swoops up after a hard drop when you're going full speed because your boot soles are slicked with pigeon offal but it's hard, cully.
What I'm saying is I went flying. Wasn't the first time but usually it's just because I'm trying for height and making a jump right?
Sure, sure, I'm getting to the point keep your sandals on.
So there I am pretending to be the damned pigeon that got me in this mess even got its feathers stuck to my ass and thanks be to the powers there was this carriage coming and I rolled in the air because feck that, Mae's no pigeon, I'm a bloody hawk, and I came down on top it sweet as you please with just the littlest bit of thump so soft and light not even the coachman looked around but the horses were wise to me and took off running like their tails were on fire and that's how I caught a ride up-Borough to deliver Sir By the First Mark in my Feckin Candle Mae You Hear Me Girl's missive to the actress he's hoping to swive in half the time I ever made before on that run.
She tipped me good too.
So I'm doing this thing right and there was extra in it for me if I could do it before the next mark on that thrice-damned candle the cull uses to make sure I'm not like popping into pastry shops along the way or something I don't even know what he thinks I do but it doesn't seem to be 'oh Mae is a professional who goes and does just what she's been hired to which is run and hand this thing to that cull and she's been doing this for years now maybe I ought to believe she's doing what she's good at the way she's good at it instead of giving her those feckin black looks like she's shit-dipped gutter trash that wrapped itself in clothes to pretend to be a girl'
Where was I?
Right.
So I was doing the thing I do and do well been over those roofs more times than I have hairs on my head when I hit this patch of leavings from a hawk-struck pigeon and wouldn't you know it I go down over the shingles like a merc chasing knights and my shirt's rucked up to my neck in the back and my ass is feeling like Ol' Dan's mule kicked back and caught me like when I was wee and used to tweak its tail to make him bray.
You're getting faster at this that's good. Keep up, boyo.
So I hit the edge and it's one of them curvy roofs like the fancies prefer to make their houses look like jewelry because feck they can't touch a damned thing without shouting to the gods 'look what good feckin taste I've got how many pantheon points does that win me' and I dunno if you've ever tried catching the lip of something that swoops up after a hard drop when you're going full speed because your boot soles are slicked with pigeon offal but it's hard, cully.
What I'm saying is I went flying. Wasn't the first time but usually it's just because I'm trying for height and making a jump right?
Sure, sure, I'm getting to the point keep your sandals on.
So there I am pretending to be the damned pigeon that got me in this mess even got its feathers stuck to my ass and thanks be to the powers there was this carriage coming and I rolled in the air because feck that, Mae's no pigeon, I'm a bloody hawk, and I came down on top it sweet as you please with just the littlest bit of thump so soft and light not even the coachman looked around but the horses were wise to me and took off running like their tails were on fire and that's how I caught a ride up-Borough to deliver Sir By the First Mark in my Feckin Candle Mae You Hear Me Girl's missive to the actress he's hoping to swive in half the time I ever made before on that run.
She tipped me good too.
Written By Darren
Sept. 25, 2016, 1:03 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Fergus
It's no surprise to me that Fergus won the fencing competition. He's well deserving of the rubicund armor I promised he'd get if he won. Of course, I was going to get him some rubicund anyway. This is just a convenient excuse.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:46 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
Mistress Joscelin recently finished an order I placed with her. It was a gift to someone I'm very fond of. Her work is incredible, there is no doubt and Lady Dawn is very lucky to count herself as her patron. I'm very appreciative as well of the amount of detail she put in the piece, the way she was able to take my specifications and improve on them, and how much heart she puts on her work. I certainly plan to use her again for future jewelry needs.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:43 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Dawn
Lady Dawn. There more time I spend with her, the more we talk, the more I listen to her, I'll admit the more impressed I find myself. Her strength is admirable, as it is her compassion. She worries me sometimes, with how she perhaps gives too much of herself to her responsibilities. In that, she reminds me a little of Esera. But, I can't fault her for it. How could I? That she puts her House first is beyond admirable, that she extends this to the Compact makes it exceptional. She also does something I find few are very good at. She listens. She listens well, and that, will serve her in the days to come. There is a friendship developing with her, something I've recently opened myself to to, and I'm curious to see where it goes.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:37 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Freja
I've managed to spend some more time with Princess Freja, and I have to say her company has been quite enjoyable. Her approach to things, her no nonsense attitude and her bluntness at times are really quite refreshing. We have more in common than some might think, and we enjoy many similar things. I keep trying to get her to spar, but she keeps saying she knows she'll lose. Perhaps we will go hunting then, even though I know that I will be the one behind in such a case. Friendships are a rare thing, but I can see the princess and I becoming such.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:32 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Friendship amongst our peers can be a hard thing to achieve. But when it happens, rare as it is, it can be quite valuable. I don't have many friends, I admit. My family certainly has my trust, but outside of them, there are very few I consider to be close to. Someone I care much about, and very close to me recently told me that friendship can be a tricky thing. It certainly can be, yet here in Arx I've found that friendships can be very important, even as much as alliances.
I'm no young fox, though. I know quite well how our loyalties to our Houses, to our goals, to our families can change anything in the blink of an eye. When every House is trying to succeed, there are without a doubt going to be clashes with other Houses. I suppose that will be the true test of these new friendships, the times when we find ourselves at odds. Will these new connections survive? I don't know. I hope they do, because I haven't allowed true friendships in my life for some time. The friends of my youth are either death or hate me for the choices I've made. Marrying my wife didn't make me very popular with those I grew up with, after all.
Time will tell if these new friendships will fare better than those.
I'm no young fox, though. I know quite well how our loyalties to our Houses, to our goals, to our families can change anything in the blink of an eye. When every House is trying to succeed, there are without a doubt going to be clashes with other Houses. I suppose that will be the true test of these new friendships, the times when we find ourselves at odds. Will these new connections survive? I don't know. I hope they do, because I haven't allowed true friendships in my life for some time. The friends of my youth are either death or hate me for the choices I've made. Marrying my wife didn't make me very popular with those I grew up with, after all.
Time will tell if these new friendships will fare better than those.
Written By Edain
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:28 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Eos
I had the opportunity to meet Lord Eos Saik at sir Silas' fencing competition. I was very impressed with his skill. Though I would expect nothing less of the older brother of Lady Kima. Like his sister, he subverts my expectations of a knight of Lyceum, especially one allied with Southport. Oh he enjoys his excesses, but he conducts himself with honor and dignity. Not that he needs or requires this, but I approve, for whatever that's worth.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:19 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Ida
Mistress Ida just finished my sword, and I have to admit I'm beyond impressed. I look at the blade, and I can't help but admire her skill at capturing the essence of a person in her work. The blade calls to me, it feels right in my hands, when I hold it. It feels right in its sheath, when I wear it on my belt. The craftsmanship on it is excellent, and the details in the design can threaten to make one get lost in its study. She was well deserving of the money she earned, and I am somewhat jealous that she doesn't work for House Velenosa.
Written By Niccolo
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:15 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to participate in the fencing competition, truth be told. But I like Sir Silas, and it wouldn't do for House Velenosa to not be represented to I joined. I certainly don't regret it, it was a great showcase of skill. It was interesting to see how all the warriors of the Compact adapted to such a technical display of skill.
I faced off against Talen. I'm quite proud of how he's developed. I even almost defeated him, but almost doesn't quite count. If anything the whole thing convinced me that I must take to morning training sessions once more, and Talen and I agreed to do as much.
I don't feel the need to show off at competitions. Those days are far behind me, but it is important that House Velenosa remains relevant at such things, and it is important for the people to keep seeing events like this one, considering the current times. I'm quite grateful to Sir Silas for putting this together, and to those that took the time to participate and support it.
It also appears that some people have taken to calling me the Silver Fox. I like the name, I admit. I'll have to say how morning training sessions pay off the next time there is such an event happening.
I faced off against Talen. I'm quite proud of how he's developed. I even almost defeated him, but almost doesn't quite count. If anything the whole thing convinced me that I must take to morning training sessions once more, and Talen and I agreed to do as much.
I don't feel the need to show off at competitions. Those days are far behind me, but it is important that House Velenosa remains relevant at such things, and it is important for the people to keep seeing events like this one, considering the current times. I'm quite grateful to Sir Silas for putting this together, and to those that took the time to participate and support it.
It also appears that some people have taken to calling me the Silver Fox. I like the name, I admit. I'll have to say how morning training sessions pay off the next time there is such an event happening.
Written By Edain
Sept. 25, 2016, 12:12 p.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Fergus
I cannot claim to know Prince Fergus well. We have met only a handful of times and spoken only very briefly, but at Sir Silas' fencing competition he left me feeling very humbled. The eventual winner he bested me, handily I might add, in the very first round. I think he's a good man, direct, friendly and able to crack a joke, but his eyes do little to hide the toll that battle has taken on him. I hope in the dark days that come he does not have to untie the peace knot that restrains Farhaven's sword. He would vanquish his foes his foes, but I worry he'd lose something to do so.
Written By Freja
Sept. 25, 2016, 11:58 a.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
I have become more of a drinker since I have come here. There really isn't much to do here, save for that. I'm used to having too -much- to do back in Farhaven. There was always some hunt I could go on, some band of shav's I could play cat and mouse with out in the wild, some military matter they needed to push off on me...but here? Nothing. Nothing of the sort.
I attended this fencing, or sword event. Always hated the word "fencing". It makes it sound like some farm hands competing against one another to see who can build the fastest yard enclosure. Anyways, Fergus took the victory and won 7 out of 8 rounds. Color me shocked, but apparently he has been promised a rubicund set of armor for the feat. I was told I could get a rubicund weapon, but I would rather earn it with my deeds before it is purchased for me. Blood, not gold price.
I met a few new faces there, blurry ones at that. The names are much clearer; Joscelin (who doesn't mind whiskey being spilled on her. Whoops.), Mirari, and Samantha. Apparently, I promised them a rousing tale of hunts and the pelts gotten from them. It looks like I will be having to play hostess here soon. I'm certain that will get a round of laughs from the cousins.
Regardless, back to my whiskey. It does make for quiet, still and peaceful dreamless sleep.
I attended this fencing, or sword event. Always hated the word "fencing". It makes it sound like some farm hands competing against one another to see who can build the fastest yard enclosure. Anyways, Fergus took the victory and won 7 out of 8 rounds. Color me shocked, but apparently he has been promised a rubicund set of armor for the feat. I was told I could get a rubicund weapon, but I would rather earn it with my deeds before it is purchased for me. Blood, not gold price.
I met a few new faces there, blurry ones at that. The names are much clearer; Joscelin (who doesn't mind whiskey being spilled on her. Whoops.), Mirari, and Samantha. Apparently, I promised them a rousing tale of hunts and the pelts gotten from them. It looks like I will be having to play hostess here soon. I'm certain that will get a round of laughs from the cousins.
Regardless, back to my whiskey. It does make for quiet, still and peaceful dreamless sleep.
Written By Freja
Sept. 25, 2016, 11:28 a.m.(9/3/1004 AR)
Relationship Note on Joscelin
At this fencing, sword event thing I was a little -too- loud and energetic. This may or may have not resulted in my whiskey being spilled on this poor woman. She was a good sport about it and joined me in the cheering. I wouldn't mind seeing more of her, or hiring her. Further investigation revealed she is a talented jeweler. If she doesn't mind daring more whiskey stains on her clothing, I'll have to invite her out and soon.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.