pomegrad

Unlike sorrow, time was a true curse to Rozsika. It never stops, but there is never enough of it. As the years dragged on, Rozsika became a grandmother, even a scholar. Her daughter, however, was not afforded the same time as she. There, in the kitchen of the family home, Rozsika felt the same about her queen. “Oh, Amaya,” she murmured to herself. A sprightly and diligent spirit the older woman was grateful to know and work with, long before the queen fell ill. “Y hope to see vy soon.” Meanwhile . . . A little girl sat somewhere, not to far from the square as news of Queen Amaya’s death echoed through Valdev. “Ve Koenas es gone? Like Mamej ag Papej?” the little girl asked aloud, a frown forming on her face. “If she es, Ea will really take care of Ledi like Ea promised!” Clutched fiercely to the little girl’s chest was a lovingly made, toy lamb. A gift from the late queen, who no doubt would serve as inspiration for the sweet girl in the years to come.

Mahaut, barely at an age to understand death, tumbled into the dirt and gravel of the Trelkastriet neighborhood as her mother thrust her and her siblings outside. Before the little girl could get up and run back to the house, she found herself firmly in the arms of a blonde-haired stranger ( @Koodini) from saints’ days before. She was off the ground, one soot-smothered plushie in her left hand, while the other gripped onto the adult who scooped her up. If fawns are disturbed or can't find their kin, they will bleat for their mother. A daughter of van Leuven is no different. She wailed and shrieked for her mother and father, one who never emerged from the home and the other who was so close yet so far. Despite all of Mahaut’s pleas and cries for them both, neither came running from the inferno. With all the prior coughing, the little girl's screams didn't last for long, the sound of flames and creaking wood overpowering her ruckus. Mahaut was defeated and tired. She gripped tightly onto the blonde, as nothing but a heap of hoarse mumbles and tears, and moved further from the dangerous fire. Meanwhile, a silver-haired stranger ( @RingAroundRosey ) flanked the two and cooed words of comfort to the disheveled, little girl.

A Scyfling poetess managed to find one of the missives, now sheltered by an awning as gloom and doom settled above Haense. “My Gud,” she murmured. She had a certain scholar to write to about the terrifying news, servants to pester next. There had to be some other explanation for it all, right?

VOLUME I: FAMILIAR & FOREIGN FACES. Penned and printed by Osta Kol c. 515 E.S. The following collection of poems is a testament to growth as a person and thoughts about those near and far, in land and heart. Flaxen Hair, 511 E.S. I look into the mirror, To face my reflection, And find something Raevir. Her, the girl looking back at me, Does not show it easily. She has flaxen hair that some agree, Looks beautiful with her eyes taiga green. But I ponder, would it be better if her hair was like her mother’s? If it were like a ripe chestnut, fallen from the tree and peeled for all to see. Or if it was like her grandmother's, dark as the crows that perch on Haeseni crests. Perhaps, with crow or mud-like hair, she'd find some kind of glee. Every passing glance I give the girl with flaxen hair, In windows, or puddles, I feel a burden she struggles to bear. Each light lock on her head is another reminder, She stands in someone else’s stead, Someone who's face grows a little uncertain, For his portrait is kept carefully under drawn curtains. “Woe is me,” the flaxen and green-eyed girl could say, Carrying a weight that should not be hers, But sometimes as evening goes to swallow day, There’s a different feeling that soon spurs. Where every strand looks less like flax, And closer to thin and moving gold. A new feeling sets in, seeping through the cracks, Where the girl’s hair is special, and beautiful to behold. Lady-Bard, 513 E.S. Oh Lady-Bard of Haense, your voice sounds so sweet as you sing, But the words are pains still fresh to the people. Do you ache too, lady-bard? I can't help but wonder, beyond your redwood locks, If there is a woman war-torn and scarred. I hope you can hold peace close to your chest, Like how your hands keep their grasp on the lute, I know at least, Haense will be well-blessed, When peace comes and you may have more songs we can hoot. Stellarbound Scholar, 513 E.S. The Saint of Ves must bless our steps, As your venture to the woods brought me into view, I must confess, it was not something to expect Tell me what good comes from drifting out Valdev? You met me with words on the breeze, natural and gentle, Like we were already friends for a lifetime, You spoke to me of your interests among the ferns and lentil, Such verve could make me forget we were not in peacetime. Eventually, we parted ways, in the streets and snow, Back to my lone home of pine and ink, while you likely sit at the windowsill to stare at the night, I put my pen to paper, or ink to the woodblock and slam down on the press, to and fro, While you likely sketch out new things I do not know and survey the stars like it is divine rite. Again I saw you in the woods, though that time I was the one who stood tall, While you were peacefully rested against that mighty tree in an evening sprawl. I spoke to you again, as true friends that time, I regaled you with what you missed in town, gemmed beauties and meaningful dances, If you were there, I bet you would've tap your foot to the lady-bard’s chime, It is not like that would be the last time, as the palace or tavern held many songs and prances. Because of your absence, though, I gave you a token of the fair, A ring of cerulean blue, akin to the river as we make our bridge passes, I think the piece pairs well with your beloved, blue-toned wear, Although you took interest in my bracelet made of the pearls the riverbed amasses. Your eye is astute, though I should expect nothing less, From the man that spends his hours awestruck with creations beyond the clouds, The same man that will share that passion with me as he has worries to express, And the only comfort I can assure him with is that I am no invasive nor gossiping crowds. It seems to work, which makes me glad, You are my friend, same in culture but more sage clad. Although, as our talks become commonplace, I wonder what shall become of our dynamic, You spoke to me of beauty, not of a ring, And it frankly sends my mind into a panic. Oh stellarbound scholar, do your eyes trace over me like I'm one of your star charts? How deep do I lay in that noble heart? Golden-Browed, 513 E.S. In a time where strife is king, Great powers come together, The people expectantly cling, To the diplomatic tether. They watch as the rope is taut, Pulled either way by those in command, But quickly it comes all for naught, And every person feels the dread at hand. He who is golden-browed, Did not slack the rope, Before the judging crowd, But instead fashioned it and dashed all hope. Turned it into a noose, It was all he thought to do, Condemnation turned loose, And the smothering of war will turn him blue. Tell me, good sir, As the siege engines spur, Will the wine be worth it? Even if it means your life is forfeit? The War Is No More, 515 E.S. In Valdev the winds did not howl but certain was the snow, Citizens were gathered in the street, warmed by the fire, Concerned friends huddled close, linked arms between belle or beau, Then the queen of the people emerged, she who many admire. Dark hair with silver slivers like moonlight, And icy eyes that rest upon crow’s feet, She proclaimed that we were finished with the fight, Fresh news that to many felt too soon or sweet. War is no more, though, no longer at our worse, With love in our hearts, the Haeseni disperse. To the taverns for drink, That is where the victorious Haeseni flock, ‘Til the carrion is gone and our cheeks turn pink, Where the men will stomp their boots and women swish their frocks. Gleefully, we can say, the war is no more, Let such burdens and sorrow join the times of yore. Good Men and Women of the Middenlan, 515 E.S. He with the golden brow, Brought dismay to the Midlands, Before kings and queens he could bow, But those leaders were met with a backhand. It would be a dreadful thing to die, When there is so much more to do, Righteous death they will firmly cry, But who would be left when it's through? He with the golden brow, Would not let that land fall, But as horses stormed the fields like a plow, Fewer men and women of the eagle stood tall. Sometime, either dawn or dusk, Those royals and duke surely met, With an absence of nature so brusque, And they brokered a peace hard to forget. He who is golden-browed, Understood what wreckage they sowed. Ten winters of unrelenting pride, For kings, for countries, for children and wives, These reasons to fight waited on either side, But with a war over, there is no more pause in our lives. Good men and women, both eagle and crow, These are joyous times that our children may know. Two birds of a feather, we may well be, As those of Winburgh find new a home, May they find our share of comradery, And dash all fears where folk solely roam. Good men and women of the Middenlan, Let this be our new opportunity, May you be greeted with a kind and gracious hand, For your peace may bring us new unity. GODAN SAVE THE SOULS LOST, GODAN BLESS THE SOULS YET TO COME,

As she heard the news, Osta couldn't help but jump for joy. Fash. She remembered the simple word uttered to her on the day of the peace conference, witnessed by many. That dark-haired woman was right, the proof was in front of Osta now. There was no need to worry, never again, hopefully.

Rozsika couldn't help but tap her foot and cane along to the tune upon hearing it, who didn’t love a good pick-me-up and heroic tale all wrapped into one song! Meanwhile . . . Osta Kol found herself struck with inspiration and courage thanks to the redheaded bard, a specific poem sitting on her desk. “Perhaps I should pay the lady-bard a visit.” It wouldn't hurt to make another creatively-inclined friend!

Even as the old woman went about her errands in Valdev, Rozsika couldn’t help but smile and hum along to the music seeping through the merry tavern’s walls. The future, all things considered, seemed bright.

Rozsika, thanks to Francseszka's diligence, held the invitation in hand, “Oh, how wonderful.” A weak smile lined the old woman’s face, “Y wonder sto Y can bring to help.” The old woman was already scuttling around the house, looking for gifts and things to help the bride-to-be get ready!

From her bedside, Rozsika read over her copy of the treatise, feeling a small sense of pride. “It jest a start,” she said, “Yam excited to share more with Fran e Ari soon.”

Rozsika Korvacz was not a stranger to sorrow. In her youth, she likened it to a curse upon her or a monster. Something always lurking, waiting to snag her up when something went wrong. As she grew older, however, she realized sorrow was more like a shadow that shared the same steps as her. It followed her through life, even when she wasn’t looking at or thinking about it. She felt sorrow not just because she lost someone or something, but because she loved them. Love shed the light she needed in life, while sorrow was the shadow in its wake. And she loved her daughter so much. In time, that motherly love will outweigh the sorrow and leave Rozsika thinking fondly of Xénia again, but that fondness comes with healing. For now, Rozsika is hurt. From upstairs in the Korvacz residence, after the news of Xénia’s fate, there was a sobbing that even wood struggled to muffle.

Rozsika Korvacz held the special invitation in her grasp, her expression portraying precisely how she felt. Absolutely thrilled! “Finally! Y dear daughter will have a dobry paj. Y wish them a happy marriage.” The mother of the bride-to-be was already off to pester her daughter about what wedding details she could help with!

Rozsika Korvacz sat at the dining table, calloused and aging hands diligently working on some personal craft. “Xénia will make a fine Baroness, leading Kotovy with the care and strength it deserves,” she spoke softly. “E y paj will get more time to rest e enjoy life with y, see his hard work pay off.” A win-win in Rozsika’s book!

Corrine d’Amaury found herself pleasantly surprised by the wedding announcement of the couple. “Oh, how lovely for dear Cecilia! I'm sure she’ll be happy with him.” The woman wondered what kind of wedding gift she could prepare for her niece and her husband-to-be.

Lyonesse of Guise sat somewhere quiet, adjusting her glasses as she dissected the missive’s articles. “Mm, this will do.” The Scribe flexed her aching hand, adding aloud, “A wonderful start for our people.”

With the help of her son in its acquisition, Rozsika held the copy of the debutante reviews in her hands. While reading over it at her desk, her contented smile faltered. “Oh vy, it sounds like they all did so well,” she spoke aloud, assuming Arisztid (@Koodini) was still near enough to hear her. “But where jest Xénia? Y thought she did so well this season, spouse or niet spouse.” Her gaze drifted to the intricate, wooden clock that rested on the tablecloth, wondering how many other lovely debutantes didn't find their names in the reviews.

I have more opinions than I thought I would on this: 1. Faith should not be a mechanic; it sounds cool on paper, but in practice, I feel that it could restrict player creativity in the creation and management of religions since they will have a corresponding effect on nations if we're going off the nations aspect of this post. It feels like religion becomes less of a roleplay aspect and more of an incentive for PvP. 2. I do not think faith points should be implemented in nations. Similar to @psychra_notte's concerns, the idea of faith points in a nation feels like it could gradually turn into activity checks or pressure for players to be on certain personas, as the sample mentions a quota for hours in order to generate faith points. How would current or future nations that don't have an official religion be affected? 2.5. I actually do like the idea of nations having approved religions in-game, but in a different context, I guess? I know you can do /nations or /realms and see the different nations in LotC. If there was ever the ability to get a more in-depth look at them in the Realms List, I think it would be neat to see their official religions listed. 3. I don't think religious leaders need to exist in-game if it's solely for the purpose of faith points or mechanical benefits. It'd be cool if nations had state religions listed in-game and their corresponding leaders listed too, similar to how NLs and their personas are listed on the Realms List, but I think that's as far as it should go. 4. I do not think that faith points should have a mechanical influence over warclaims and PvP. Again, I feel like it takes away from the influence and impact it has on roleplay and reduces it to a PvP benefit. 5. Similar to nations spending faith points, I don't think religious leaders spending their faith points should be implemented as a mechanic. It feels like some of the ideas listed for this can be done through staff or player-led events instead and don't need mechanical benefits. By implementing the system, wouldn't that restrict what activities religions can do? Or muddle the lines between what can be done with and without points? - 7. I think it would be great if there were event-lines that catered to religious roleplay too. There's definitely the concern of misinterpretation on staff behalf, but if religious leaders and lore writers for the religions could work with staff in the process of the events, I think it'd be pretty awesome to see. It feels like some of the faith point spending/goals for religious leaders could just be roleplay-oriented events instead. 8. Not sure how I feel about mechanically impacting artifacts. Do they generate more faith points like the sample emphasizes? What would they do? It feels like relics, even if they are an item, should be roleplay-oriented, but this point feels pretty vague. tl;dr religion for rp not pvp

Rozsika Korvacz perked up as she heard her eldest daughter's question. She gently plucked it from Xénia's hands to look over the recipe, saying, “Da! Moy can. Y wonder if Ramóna or Arisztid would help. Dobry read too.”