Written By Josephine
Feb. 1, 2019, 6:15 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
It has been a few weeks and the few offers that ushered in with offer of patronage were considered. Considered just as long and carefully as I had when it was Lord Grady. There's something to be said to finding someone who make no demands of you save that at some point, you board a ship so they can show you their home.
The idea is not appealing.
And yet, there is a promise of being shown the mines and all the shafts belonging to the family, to temper that horror filled image of a ships deck and the water around.
There's something to be said too for selecting a patron not so high within the noble hierarchy. Which is not to say those who were were immediately struck. It is decidedly more a choice of how well we will align with one another. The expectations. Coin does not cross my mind, I make enough of it as is. The demands to place their requests before all others does not interest me, or the limits to whose goods that I can procure my supplies from and the like, do not interest me either.
In the end, it was a shared history. She is my past, and I suppose, in a way, I am her future. Strangely enough. A shared wound, a shared history, a shared grief that slipped out some time ago when we least expected it.
And a rose to seal the deal.
And so while I bid farewell to Lord Grady Deepwood and wish him the best on his journey and will remain ever at the service of the Deepwoods should they have need, I turn my - to borrow a phrase from my sailor sons - sails to Tor. To the Fidantes.
This rose sits in my forge, in a glass vase and I smile at it. Would that it sang like the gems and metals. I imagine it would be a quiet joy. I bid hello to Lady Lora Fidante. Let us see where this takes us.
The idea is not appealing.
And yet, there is a promise of being shown the mines and all the shafts belonging to the family, to temper that horror filled image of a ships deck and the water around.
There's something to be said too for selecting a patron not so high within the noble hierarchy. Which is not to say those who were were immediately struck. It is decidedly more a choice of how well we will align with one another. The expectations. Coin does not cross my mind, I make enough of it as is. The demands to place their requests before all others does not interest me, or the limits to whose goods that I can procure my supplies from and the like, do not interest me either.
In the end, it was a shared history. She is my past, and I suppose, in a way, I am her future. Strangely enough. A shared wound, a shared history, a shared grief that slipped out some time ago when we least expected it.
And a rose to seal the deal.
And so while I bid farewell to Lord Grady Deepwood and wish him the best on his journey and will remain ever at the service of the Deepwoods should they have need, I turn my - to borrow a phrase from my sailor sons - sails to Tor. To the Fidantes.
This rose sits in my forge, in a glass vase and I smile at it. Would that it sang like the gems and metals. I imagine it would be a quiet joy. I bid hello to Lady Lora Fidante. Let us see where this takes us.
Written By Corban
Feb. 1, 2019, 5:08 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sophie
With the Mother Mercy's duties throughout Arvum, it was not surprising that I would not have seen her for some time. But now that Princess Sophie is back in Arx, I am so glad to be able to get to spend time with her. We were friends in childhood, and that bond, it seems, is indelible. Our times over tea are some of my favorite in a week.
The Mercies, Lagoma, and the Compact are lucky to have her at the helm.
The Mercies, Lagoma, and the Compact are lucky to have her at the helm.
Written By Sparte
Feb. 1, 2019, 4:45 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
My mind is on the concept of sympathy today. I recognize that my perspective is limited. I do not claim mastery of a word or insight into the true nature of others when I write thoughts such as this. This is an exploration, and in a way, self-reflection.
Sympathy comes in many forms and for many reasons. The word means different things to different people. Some speak the word as though it were a virtue, while others speak it as if it were an insult.
I have considered whether it is a matter of circumstance. A person showing sympathy to someone because of a lie or deception may be taken advantage of, made a fool. A person going through a challenging time in their life may be offered succor from someone else in the name of sympathy. Another person may look at that same person's suffering and call them sympathetic as well, but not out of intent to offer aid, out of condemnation. Sympathy has brought about care for those who cannot care for themselves, time and time again.
There is context and nuance, always, yet I can not think of anyone single person I've heard use sympathy in a positive and a negative way. Nor does it seem to be a measure of where a person is raised, or how they were raised. So I am left wondering what sets within a person where the concept of sympathy rests.
Sympathy comes in many forms and for many reasons. The word means different things to different people. Some speak the word as though it were a virtue, while others speak it as if it were an insult.
I have considered whether it is a matter of circumstance. A person showing sympathy to someone because of a lie or deception may be taken advantage of, made a fool. A person going through a challenging time in their life may be offered succor from someone else in the name of sympathy. Another person may look at that same person's suffering and call them sympathetic as well, but not out of intent to offer aid, out of condemnation. Sympathy has brought about care for those who cannot care for themselves, time and time again.
There is context and nuance, always, yet I can not think of anyone single person I've heard use sympathy in a positive and a negative way. Nor does it seem to be a measure of where a person is raised, or how they were raised. So I am left wondering what sets within a person where the concept of sympathy rests.
Written By Edain
Feb. 1, 2019, 4:13 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Sparte
Very large mittens.
Written By Riagnon
Feb. 1, 2019, 3:44 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
To think this all began with my sister yelling, "Don't say another word OR ELSE," and me, naturally shouting back, "/Another word/!"
I refuse to learn from this! That's just what she wants.
I refuse to learn from this! That's just what she wants.
Written By Amari
Feb. 1, 2019, 2:57 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Cristoph
I was really impressed by the scale of the Duke Cristoph's plan for the Artshall School of Agriculture. I'm curious to see how it all comes together, as it will definitely take a lot of effort and further planning to make it a reality. It should be very beneficial though and more than pay for itself in the long term, as there will always be a need for farmers of skill to work the land and keep everyone well fed.
Written By Aerwyna
Feb. 1, 2019, 1:08 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
So far life in Arx has been interesting, intriguing, intimidating but so far -- good.
Written By Reigna
Feb. 1, 2019, 12:11 p.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
Do the ends ever justify the means?
I have my own answer, but I would be curious to see what other people believe, and why.
I have my own answer, but I would be curious to see what other people believe, and why.
Written By Edain
Feb. 1, 2019, 10:54 a.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
I will pay 50,000 silver to any Mercy, Physician or Healer that tells High Lord Victus, "Edain told you so," when you have to set his broken or dislocated wrist after testing his 'knife gauntlets.'
Written By Peri
Feb. 1, 2019, 9:53 a.m.(6/28/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
Now I am thinking you could commission variations on this idea of gauntlets with knives. For example, one with small hooks on the palm and fingers for being able to boulder or to climb cliff faces that have been sprayed by the sea.
Written By Sparte
Feb. 1, 2019, 9:24 a.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
How do you peacebond gauntlets?
Written By Lisebet
Feb. 1, 2019, 8:41 a.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
Mmm, chocolate. Violet is the best!
Written By Perronne
Feb. 1, 2019, 7:54 a.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
I have a few friends who like to think of journals as writing letters to Vellichor. Not in the sense of 'the god swoops down, picks up a journal, and reads it', but more like in the sense of 'would you want your mother to read that journal' - like, thinking of a journal being addressed TO a god helps them keep themselves from saying things that are gonna come back to haunt them down the line. If you wouldn't say it to Vellichor's face (does he have a face? If he does, I bet he has a beard) then keep it to the blacks.
I can't do that. It's paralyzing! I would not know what to say to a god at all, much less assume one was interested in what I write. I also can't go with 'what if your mother was reading this journal' because oh wow, I would not want my mother to read any of my journals. Pretty much ever. And if I could write to a god, then it probably wouldn't be the god of Wisdom for reasons shared with why I rarely write to my mother: it opens one to critique that I'm sure (if my mother is any judge) would be polite, well-meaning, and utterly cutting. Because I'm not exactly a wise person.
Which is what all the above was trying to get to: I'm not a particularly wise person. I know a fair number of things, which are mostly useless outside my very specific niche, although WITHIN that niche, they are immensely profitable and very entertaining! But I can admit that a wise person wouldn't really do the things I do, which mostly involve impulse and luck and having failed miserably enough times to be able to avoid most common points of failure on repeat. Although I always find new ways to fail! I am very good at that.
All of which is to say that sometimes I question my life choices, really.
I can't do that. It's paralyzing! I would not know what to say to a god at all, much less assume one was interested in what I write. I also can't go with 'what if your mother was reading this journal' because oh wow, I would not want my mother to read any of my journals. Pretty much ever. And if I could write to a god, then it probably wouldn't be the god of Wisdom for reasons shared with why I rarely write to my mother: it opens one to critique that I'm sure (if my mother is any judge) would be polite, well-meaning, and utterly cutting. Because I'm not exactly a wise person.
Which is what all the above was trying to get to: I'm not a particularly wise person. I know a fair number of things, which are mostly useless outside my very specific niche, although WITHIN that niche, they are immensely profitable and very entertaining! But I can admit that a wise person wouldn't really do the things I do, which mostly involve impulse and luck and having failed miserably enough times to be able to avoid most common points of failure on repeat. Although I always find new ways to fail! I am very good at that.
All of which is to say that sometimes I question my life choices, really.
Written By Victus
Feb. 1, 2019, 3:20 a.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
I will give 50,000 silver to anyone who can make an adequate design of a finger-knife gauntlet. With the realistic feeling of shredding with claws. My interest is piqued.
Written By Cerdensulathara
Jan. 31, 2019, 11:37 p.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Rinel
This, this is my best friend.
Written By Sophie
Jan. 31, 2019, 9:54 p.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
If someone does make these very dangerous sounding gauntlets - please keep in mind that the Mercies are always available when (not if) they are needed.
Be careful scratching your nose (Or whatever else might itch.. ahem).
We can be found at the House of Solace. I'll have a bed ready!
Be careful scratching your nose (Or whatever else might itch.. ahem).
We can be found at the House of Solace. I'll have a bed ready!
Written By Marian
Jan. 31, 2019, 9:50 p.m.(6/27/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
I'm not a fan of blades in gloves for reasons already expressed. Reinforce areas of the glove with harder, less flexible material so that you turn your hand into a bludgeoning weapon. If you want to get nastier have barbs lined over the knuckles so you're able to rip and tear as you punch.
Written By Cerdensulathara
Jan. 31, 2019, 9:18 p.m.(6/26/1010 AR)
Relationship Note on Olivia
She is an acquaintance at best.
Written By Lucita
Jan. 31, 2019, 7:54 p.m.(6/26/1010 AR)
Stewardship is helpful. Now I'm starting to learn who to ask things of without annoying half a dozen others futilely. Turns out to be a bit of a time saver. Now I can actually settle down and enjoy music and a glass of wine for a while.
Written By Miella
Jan. 31, 2019, 6:20 p.m.(6/26/1010 AR)
I won the essay contest! I've never won anything in my life! It's amazing!
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.