Written By Harlex
Sept. 8, 2018, 3:50 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
The subject of weapons came up in the drilling field. Qualities of steel and so forth. I tried to tell them that a good swordsman is better than a good sword.
They (the recruits) wouldn't hear it and asked me about mine.
So I told them about Grim.
When I arrived in Arx, I carried a longsword given to me by Captain Nazares when I joined the Dead Crows. He said it belonged to a 'mean-spirited corpse' and I never asked what that meant, but it doesn't take a Scholar to figure it out.
It was a standard longsword, thirty six inch blade the rest in the hilt. Only weighed about three, four pounds. Rusted to all damnation. It's previous owner had the cross-guard lined with these spikes that made it look like a straightened vine of thorns. Nasty instrument.
I loved it. I used nothing else.
After I came to the city, for a long time, it just sat near the fireplace. I'd eyeball it every evening, over a drink, and all the memories that were hidden in that blood-rust across the edge and in the pommel, in the secret dents and glaring scars.
Till one day I got sick of looking at it and I took it to Felix and had him detach the hilt, forge a new one, and fix up that tired blade. Even made a silver plating for the new pommel and new guard. Came out remarkable.
I then took the rusted hilt to the Shrine of Gloria. It seemed like the thing to do. And I gave it a bath in those flames, offering up all it's good deeds and asking forgiveness for the bad. Maybe I heard something, maybe I didn't.
Either way, since then I have had some luck with it, but it's still nothing special. It's limitations are clear, even in my hand. Just steel, as common as a blade of grass.
But there's no denying that it's deep as a well in it's memories.
And perhaps I will make some more with it, in time.
They (the recruits) wouldn't hear it and asked me about mine.
So I told them about Grim.
When I arrived in Arx, I carried a longsword given to me by Captain Nazares when I joined the Dead Crows. He said it belonged to a 'mean-spirited corpse' and I never asked what that meant, but it doesn't take a Scholar to figure it out.
It was a standard longsword, thirty six inch blade the rest in the hilt. Only weighed about three, four pounds. Rusted to all damnation. It's previous owner had the cross-guard lined with these spikes that made it look like a straightened vine of thorns. Nasty instrument.
I loved it. I used nothing else.
After I came to the city, for a long time, it just sat near the fireplace. I'd eyeball it every evening, over a drink, and all the memories that were hidden in that blood-rust across the edge and in the pommel, in the secret dents and glaring scars.
Till one day I got sick of looking at it and I took it to Felix and had him detach the hilt, forge a new one, and fix up that tired blade. Even made a silver plating for the new pommel and new guard. Came out remarkable.
I then took the rusted hilt to the Shrine of Gloria. It seemed like the thing to do. And I gave it a bath in those flames, offering up all it's good deeds and asking forgiveness for the bad. Maybe I heard something, maybe I didn't.
Either way, since then I have had some luck with it, but it's still nothing special. It's limitations are clear, even in my hand. Just steel, as common as a blade of grass.
But there's no denying that it's deep as a well in it's memories.
And perhaps I will make some more with it, in time.
Written By Artur
Sept. 8, 2018, 3:14 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Gwenna
Aww yeah! Mom /does/ wear a lot of silver. I should send her something!
Written By Gwenna
Sept. 8, 2018, 3:06 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
I often peruse the whites for a bit when the numbers start to blur or dance together on the ledger pages. Sethra brought a couple today that she thought I would find interesting - one by Guildmaster Joscelin Arterius and one by Prince Laric Grayson - and she chose well. I have always loved silver when it comes to jewelry. There are metals whose properties lead to greater expense and, perhaps, notice, but the simple beauty of the former is my favorite. It reminds me of my mother, of the glinting of untouched snow, of ice and winter skies. I did not realize before those entries how much more there was to the metal, both in history and in how to properly forge it. I find myself enlightened and even more fond of silver now.
Written By Shae
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:51 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
I'm wearing a dress. A dress that was made for me and purchased by a friend. He was thoughtful enough to include leather boots to match. It's meant for the wedding.
These kinds of garments are impractical. I recall more than a year ago, I loved such gowns, fragile things of thought and gossamer that snag on anything sharper than a foul word. It is soft, detailed. Beautiful too, as these things go. It .... it suits the circumstance. Or it will.
I rucked it up around my hips in the Kennels, bound it up with my belt to keep it out of the way. It didn't even wrinkle. None the worse for wear.
A thoughtful gift.
Thank you.
These kinds of garments are impractical. I recall more than a year ago, I loved such gowns, fragile things of thought and gossamer that snag on anything sharper than a foul word. It is soft, detailed. Beautiful too, as these things go. It .... it suits the circumstance. Or it will.
I rucked it up around my hips in the Kennels, bound it up with my belt to keep it out of the way. It didn't even wrinkle. None the worse for wear.
A thoughtful gift.
Thank you.
Written By Lys
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:49 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Capri
I'm sad we haven't gotten a chance to catch up yet, cousin!
Written By Niklas
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:49 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
There's lots of something happening today, isn't there?
Written By Lys
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:49 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Theo
Forgive me, scholars, for oversharing just a touch: Some days I love this man with the entirety of my little black heart, and would be willing to do anything for him. And other days, he drinks the last of my favorite wine and leaves the bottle so I pick it up expecting to find more in it and it's empty and I honestly consider that the time I'd spend in a jail sell for committing defenestration on a prince of the Lyceum worth it.
Written By Lys
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:46 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Austen
Sir Austen Ferron has been a surprise to me, for this man has been one of my most steadfast friends despite a rather rocky start.
Written By Valdemar
Sept. 8, 2018, 2:37 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Sons,
It is an easy thing to keep moving forward when things are going your way. When your sails are full of wind and you have clear skies ahead, it can feel like nothing can stop you. What you always have to remember is that the weather can change in the blink of an eye. The wind changes direction. Your enemies rise all around you. A raging storm appears. Long forgotten foes return bent on destroying us all. You will get angry, frustrated with those around you. Some of them might even disgust you. There will be the temptation to take the easy way through. Times like these will test your resolve, and you cannot allow them to break you. You are the future of house Grimhall, and for the sake of that house, for the sake of those we rule, you must weather the storm. You must persist in the face of fear and hatred, even if they are your own.
It is an easy thing to keep moving forward when things are going your way. When your sails are full of wind and you have clear skies ahead, it can feel like nothing can stop you. What you always have to remember is that the weather can change in the blink of an eye. The wind changes direction. Your enemies rise all around you. A raging storm appears. Long forgotten foes return bent on destroying us all. You will get angry, frustrated with those around you. Some of them might even disgust you. There will be the temptation to take the easy way through. Times like these will test your resolve, and you cannot allow them to break you. You are the future of house Grimhall, and for the sake of that house, for the sake of those we rule, you must weather the storm. You must persist in the face of fear and hatred, even if they are your own.
Written By Kenna
Sept. 8, 2018, 1:51 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Jyri
Jyri took a moment to look at Sally today before we found a body in the river.
The dead body was unfortunate.
But it's confirmed! Sally Acorn IS pregnant. I'm afraid she's going to be soiled even more rotten now.
She deserves it though. I'll have to find a new messenger once she gets too heavy though. Hopefully she'll be okay with that. Maybe Muffin is old enough now to take on that responsibility.
The dead body was unfortunate.
But it's confirmed! Sally Acorn IS pregnant. I'm afraid she's going to be soiled even more rotten now.
She deserves it though. I'll have to find a new messenger once she gets too heavy though. Hopefully she'll be okay with that. Maybe Muffin is old enough now to take on that responsibility.
Written By Joscelin
Sept. 8, 2018, 1:18 p.m.(7/22/1009 AR)
My dog does the Grayson kennels proud. She's intelligent, protective, affectionate, and brave. Obedient. Most of the time.
This morning was not one of those times.
One of the mangy street cats got into my shop some how. Mongoose was having none of it.
All the precious, important things were on the counters, thank goodness, but the rugs are a mess and I may have to take one of my chairs out back for a mercy killing.
I had to close the shop for most of the day because of this. Hopefully tomorrow will be less destructive. Mongoose herself looks properly chastised. I have no intentions of punishing her. If one of those awful feral felines winds up in my shop again, I -want- her to chase the damn thing out.
Speaking of cats. I keep thinking I see Ianthe's old, fat Driftwood in my garden now and again. Mongoose knew Driftwood, fostered him here for a time, so I have no fears she'll run him off. Wouldn't that be something, though? I gave Driftwood to Zhayla and then-
Yes. Yes, that would be something.
This morning was not one of those times.
One of the mangy street cats got into my shop some how. Mongoose was having none of it.
All the precious, important things were on the counters, thank goodness, but the rugs are a mess and I may have to take one of my chairs out back for a mercy killing.
I had to close the shop for most of the day because of this. Hopefully tomorrow will be less destructive. Mongoose herself looks properly chastised. I have no intentions of punishing her. If one of those awful feral felines winds up in my shop again, I -want- her to chase the damn thing out.
Speaking of cats. I keep thinking I see Ianthe's old, fat Driftwood in my garden now and again. Mongoose knew Driftwood, fostered him here for a time, so I have no fears she'll run him off. Wouldn't that be something, though? I gave Driftwood to Zhayla and then-
Yes. Yes, that would be something.
Written By Aureth
Sept. 8, 2018, 12:41 p.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
The nature of empathy is to stand in the place of another person, and to imagine what they feel and how they got to the place where they are. Though some have natural instincts and social intelligence, others do not, yet the study of others can develop the skill over time.
You can absolutely have complete empathy for another person and still demolish them for their position. A human being has value even when completely wrong. That doesn't mean they should simply be left to blunder in the dark and lead others astray.
It is amazing how far a person can lead others down wrong paths because no one will intervene with the truth for fear of being "the bad guy".
Being wrong is not an indelible trait. It can be changed.
You can absolutely have complete empathy for another person and still demolish them for their position. A human being has value even when completely wrong. That doesn't mean they should simply be left to blunder in the dark and lead others astray.
It is amazing how far a person can lead others down wrong paths because no one will intervene with the truth for fear of being "the bad guy".
Being wrong is not an indelible trait. It can be changed.
Written By Lumen
Sept. 8, 2018, 12:19 p.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
Swiftly invalidate a critique or opinion contrary to one's own, honestly given or otherwise, and avoid responding to it in any substantive way by dubbing its owner irrelevant and implying a lack common decency.
Written By Karadoc
Sept. 8, 2018, 11:04 a.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
I'm pretty sure I can attribute this to someone in the family for saying this -- I guess, maybe -- that there's difference between being fucking smart and wise and it's this: in order to adapt to uncertain futures and still have the ability to move forward -- have "strong opinions, which are weakly held."
Yeah, that's it.
No -- I'm not going to break it down. It's straightforward and if anyone's inclined to read my Whites they're smart enough to figure out what that means.
Yeah, that's it.
No -- I'm not going to break it down. It's straightforward and if anyone's inclined to read my Whites they're smart enough to figure out what that means.
Written By Monique
Sept. 8, 2018, 10:51 a.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
It's interesting, what people think they are entitled to have an opinion on with no real knowledge of a situation.
Empathy, I've noted of late, is in short supply when it is needed most. Accusations abound and the world grows more fractious with them.
Who are we fighting? Each other or the forces who mean serious harm?
Empathy, I've noted of late, is in short supply when it is needed most. Accusations abound and the world grows more fractious with them.
Who are we fighting? Each other or the forces who mean serious harm?
Written By Lumen
Sept. 8, 2018, 9:54 a.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
Indirect jabs upward, particularly very public ones, are neither constructive nor flattering.
Written By John
Sept. 8, 2018, 1:44 a.m.(7/21/1009 AR)
Few days ago we were investigating the dissapearance of ships with the Order. However it seems I pushed beyond my physical limitations... I was extremely exhausted and ended up falling asleep. The things a man has to do to get things done. Clearly I got it done... even... well no ai fell asleep so obviously I didn't solve the case. But hey, I was there and the intention counts, I think.
Written By Faye
Sept. 7, 2018, 11:25 p.m.(7/20/1009 AR)
The Shrine of the Sentinel is quiet, usually. I go there to think, because whenever I try to have five minutes by myself at the House of Questions, someone comes along with work. So I step out to find somewhere quiet, and when I'm there I think about... work. The fine line between success and failure. About justice and an ideal world. No, I don't think it's something we'll ever achieve, but its important to work towards.
Written By Aureth
Sept. 7, 2018, 10:41 p.m.(7/20/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Elloise
Sparrow.
Written By Shard
Sept. 7, 2018, 10:35 p.m.(7/20/1009 AR)
Relationship Note on Corban
Faded or not, Silver /is/ remembered. But that specific promise to remember isn't unique to her, or your orders. Unfortunately, neither is the tendency to forget.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.