__WaterFox__

Clearly Daevos

Grimhildr decided to give Norland another visit

Proverbs, Poems, and Songs of Yong Ping By Chen Grimhildr The Li-ren were a peoples hailing from a peninsula known as Ai Zhou that was ruled by the tyrannical and corrupt Li dynasty. The move from Ai-zhou was a slow process with great families such as Li, Chen, and Tianrui sending over individual members to find places to settle. These initial endeavors lead to a home being found within The Sovereign State of Talon’s Grotto, later known as Talon’s port. The Li-ren would find troubles with political strife disrupting the landscape of Arcas and a great massacre even afflicting their peoples, but they would persist and go on to create Yong Ping. The great state of Yong Ping existed for approximately 70 years and produced a great wealth of art whether it was Li-ren or Oyashiman in origin. In the year SA 76 a great tsunami entirely wiped out the settlement with very few survivors. In the modern era the Li-ren family, Chen, has established themselves in Balian while the Oyashiman survivors of Yong Ping went on to found their own city. The literary works of Yong Ping up till now have been passed around from one private collection to another, woefully hidden from the world. This book is only a selection of those works as more are being rediscovered and translated everyday. If one has literarature or artifacts from Yong Ping then the author heavily encourages you to contact them so the history may be preserved. Proverbs All proverbs below are traditional to the Li-ren peoples and are understood to be sourced from an oral tradition that extends much further back than written records. These proverbs were all sourced from documents created by Chen Yunya and are typically attributed to her. 不作不死. (Bù zuò bù sǐ. 'Not do not die.') If you don't do stupid things you won't end up in tragedy. — 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 (Sài Wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú. 'Sai Weng [legendary old man's name] lost horse, how know not blessing'.) Blessings come in disguise. — 小洞不补，大洞吃苦。 (Xiǎodòng bù bǔ, dàdòng chī kǔ.'small hole not mend; big hole eat hardship') If small holes aren't fixed, then big holes will bring hardship. — 水满则溢。 (Shuǐmǎn zé yì. 'water full but overflows') Water flows in only to flow out. — 三尺，非一日之寒。 Bīngdòng sān chǐ, fēi yīrì zhī hán. "It takes more than one cold day for a river to freeze a meter deep." — 吃得苦中苦，方为人上人。 Chī dé kǔzhōngkǔ, fāng wéi rénshàngrén. Enduring deepening pain is how man ascends Poems Cherry Blossom completely falls before the steps under the moon By Chen Yunya Cherry Blossom completely falls before the steps under the moon, on an ivory-decorated bed, worrying, she leans on an incense burner. Distant like last year, today, the regret is the same. Her two knots of hair in disarray, clouds withering, her tears wet her red vest. Where does she feel the bitterness of yearning? In a drunken dream behind the screen window. Haikus of Arún Dharas Ebonheart Cast adrift in thought. The realm in which they observe, Deeming me malign. “Eyes” Year 45, SA. — A child’s twilight- His soul was drawn asunder. The lacuna calls. “The Void” Year 45, SA. — Unhallowed I am. Yet my laments draw no ears. A Daemon, they say. “Lamentations” Year 45, SA. — Il adri’iyat, Ael’ata asul hiuwe. Ame'ito narne. “Asul’athri” Year 45, SA — A Nightingale perched, Enshaded in umbral hues, Humming in delight “The Nightingale” Year 11, SA. — In a world of dreams- And in the world of waking. Then at last, we stir “Noumena” Year 20, SA. — Darkness Eternal His countenance is mournful- Vulmir was his name “Vulmir” Year 41, SA. — Silent was the night Palar fangs, and the embrace Then he was no more “The Creature” One Final Shot By Atsuki Waythe -=~+~=- In the night, an arrow flies. It's target unknown an unwanted surprise. For whatever is struck, shall face an agonizing demise. The arrow drawn by hate and released by deceit, has hit its mark. The body, falling at the archer's feet. The blood spills out, the tears, they roll. The unspoken words now beginning to unfold. The words brought solace, tears to the murderer's eyes, now regretting their arrow, that had been released by lies. Alas, not enough was said, and now there was no time. The two now departed, death closing the other's eyes. Let this be a lesson to all those in wait, for you do not know, the mysterious path of fate. Had the words been spoken sooner, The two would not have been caught, within the webs of misunderstanding, that provoked one final shot. Songs The Ordinary Road recorded by Chen Yunya To those who wander on the road Ready to go? (via via) Those who’re fragile, those who’re proud I used to be part of your crowd You who are uncertain or bold Where do you go? (via via) Secretive and mysterious Are you still listening to us? I’ve walked across the mountains and seas, and in crowds beyond all these I thought I once had everything but it faded in the breeze I’ve been frustrated, hopeless, wondering where I should be ‘Til I realized the clue was in the ordinary While you are still there wondering Of coming things, via via Will life get better or will things Get worse; as time keeps on rolling Will life improve or will life bring Even more pain as we’re changing? I have once ruined everything, hoping that would set me free Into the darkness I would then sink, couldn’t stop me from falling I copied everybody; lost my identity Longing and despairing, just being ordinary Time to go, we all know, even if you got more You must go, walk this road, even if you are poor Time to go, and it don’t matter even before If this road, you must go on even if…. And so time flies past, just like that Tomorrow’s here, imagine that Breezes blowing; we’re still going We’re listening now to your story Song of River City by Chen Yunya 年生死两茫茫，不思量，自难忘。 千里孤坟，无处话凄凉。 纵使相逢应不识，尘满面，鬓如霜。 夜来幽梦忽还乡，小轩窗，正梳妆。 相顾无言，惟有泪千行。 料得年年肠断处，明月夜，短松冈。 Ten years, dead and living dim and draw apart. I don't try to remember, But forgetting is hard. Lonely grave a thousand miles off, Cold thoughts, where can I talk them out? Even if we met, you wouldn't know me, Dust on my face, Hair like frost. In a dream last night suddenly I was home. By the window of the little room, You were combing your hair and making up. You turned and looked, not speaking, only lines of tears coursing down. Year after year will it break my heart? The moonlit grave, The stubby pines. Roll San-Sui Roll recorded by Chen Yunya Twas late 23 at the old dragon wall She was commissioned to haul the black tar And built the San-Sui Ren there on the bar Roll, San-Sui, Roll For when the Pingers they closed the Red Sea And call came on high from the powers that be To build a royal monster right down on the key Roll, San-Sui, Roll, me boys Roll, San-Sui, Roll Carpathia, Vengeance, Huajiao call She was the tanker to out-size them all From the banks of Yong Ping to the port of Varhelm Roll, San-Sui, Roll And fair beauties threw a bottle of tea And watch as the goats set down in the Tyne What lay ahead could no mortal divine Roll, San-Sui, Roll, me boys Roll, San-Sui, Roll And it's one for the hot sun above Two for the nation we love And it's three for the fire that burns down below Roll on San-Sui Roll, San-Sui, Roll And it's one for the hot sun above Two for the nation we love And it's three for the fire that burns down below Roll on San-Sui Roll, San-Sui, Roll So come all ya good workmen, beware the command That comes down on high from the desk of a man Who's never held Jian or torch in his hands Roll, San-Sui, Roll For atop a wild breaker, the cracks in her frame Spilled her black guts all across the wild plain And she limped away through an ocean of flame Roll, San-Sui, roll, me boys Roll, San-Sui, Roll And it's one for the hot sun above Two for the nation we love And it's three for the fire that burns down below Roll on San-Sui Roll, San-Sui, Roll

The First Townhall of Portoregne With recent appointments and upcoming elections a town hall has been called to let the voices of Portoregne’s citizens be heard. This meeting will not be for debate and such will be actively discouraged, but for concerns and wishes to be heard. The meeting will be held in the government building, which is left when facing the gates from within the city and the meeting room will be to the right. OOC portion: The event will take place at the government building on Friday at 5 pm est

Grimhildr has a great deal respect for Oksana after hearing she beat an armed and armored man on a horse with nothing but alcohol and a cane

Grimhildr smiled at the notice before continuing with her translations of Li-ren works

Grimhildr, a sapphic poet who also happens to know how to swing a sword, chokes on her drink

Grimhildr stared at her father's sword. The weapon was perhaps two centuries old, two centuries of being passed from Falkenrath to Falkenrath. A large part of her knew the line was always going to end with her, it was why she so foolishly chased glory as youth. She hardly believed any of the things she was taught then. She hardly cared to be around her fellow Waldenians. She wondered if she should even carry the name. She had no such doubts with the Chen though despite their obvious differences.

@Fireheart

"T'ey should add a provision for all ze civilians t'eir bandits have harmed", Grimhildr grumbled

Grimhildr, the seafood lover she is, inhales deeply with a frenzied look in her eye

"Yet t'ese Adrians left an unarmed civilian paralyzed", Grimhildr bitterly spoke while reading the missive

The mayor of a completely uninvolved city endorses

"Damn, didn't get ze duzt in time", Grimhildr lamented

Grimhildr grinned excitedly until she remembered that she would have to wear something appropriate

A certain sapphic poet screams in working that day

Letters were delivered to the various shop owners and merchants of Balian. “Assuming this letter was correctly delivered, you are one of the business owners enriching the city of Portoregne. Being a business owner myself and the newly appointed Syndic of Portoregne I think it would do well for us all to meet at the Hungry Hippo to have an informal discussion about economics within the city. It will be my goal to use your input to direct economic policy and hopefully create further draws to our city.” -Grimhildr Falkenrath - Chen

Grimhildr chokes on her morning tea

Grimhildr, a smith in Balian, for some reason takes interest

[!] Shortly after the citrus harvest a series of haikus could be seen pinned to the notice board in Balian The Fruit Gathering The sun warmly shines Upon children picking fruit What dreams do they hold? A fleeting summer With tastes of quickly learned things The lessons will last Grand trees bend and sway While the elder imparts truth Young ears hate to hear

Poetry of Lessons and Moments By Grimhildr Falkenrath Haiku I I awake at home Not from sun, rooster, or fear But my lover’s breath Haiku II Around the fire I notice it is the same This war is about? The Sound of Death As a child my mother said Listen to the dead I knew naught that horrible sound But how could I with youthful joy abound? Even gazing upon the fires Of the funeral pyre All I heard was cheer and laughter I would not know till long after Now I know Death’s sound After song and joy was drowned She was so horrendously right It was like they were stolen in the night That silence It whispers in my ear during the night It continues to haunt even in light Creeping down hallways It follows me always That terrible silence Starving Realness is a taste I know nought yet want I hunger for it desperately. I feel like wolf. Even capturing and tearing into my prey I still search for that thing at the center Cracking open bones I find nothing I hunt, I kill, I search again till I find something Something I know naught the sight or smell of Just it’s beating glory flitting in my mind At times I hope to find another beast like me One with teeth sharper and eyes far more keen Maybe if they dug into me they would find that thing Rip it out and show me their prize as I lay dying Perhaps then I’ll be satisfied Sonnet I Wandering a dull, lonesome wilderness Thinking myself strong I ignored the toll The waste stretched on, it was truly endless Bleak darkness was closing in on my soul Despite waning will, my feet had no mind Stoically they marched through that dreadful waste Despite my curses and groans of despair Happily for them I would be shown grace Twas a visage surely like the heavens Caressing my cheek like a coastal breeze In that warm embrace I learned the lessons Finally I would hear all my kin’s pleas My salvation could not be had alone My sword, my hatred should fall to the stone The Flower, My Flower Do you blame a flower for it’s wilting? Do you berate each petal for falling Or sigh in anguish as the stem fails How could I then fault you so? With each gray hair or wrinkle My flower you always will be yet a flower you are surely not No, you do not wilt like a flower Your petals do not abandon you You do not flop over in defeat Do mortal givings not mean a win? With each gray hair or wrinkle Another year you are with me So do not fear the fate of flowers Haiku III On the hunt for beans We searched amongst the tall trees Mother seemed amused How I Love The sun surely smiles as it rises Caressing the earth so tenderly Looking over each crag and river With an awe that makes life stir Such is how I look at you The sea surely aches for the moon With how she stirs under it's gaze Drawing the moon closer each night Their dance will toss even a battleship Such is how I yearn for you The trees surely love small creatures Watch how they hold weary birds Or let their oaken flesh be torn open So small creatures always have shelter Such is how I love you The Hyacinth Fragrant hyacinth, how are you lonely? Travelers walk by, merchants ride on It seems they only stop with lust in eye And hands seeking to rip you from home Hands that will drop you after a short ways Lovely hyacinth, can I sit just beside you? I love your sweet smell and vibrant petals If you only ask I will leave you as you are Or stay around, no matter the rain or heat I would even build a home with only my hands Darling hyacinth, my love is earnest I want only that which makes you smile It matters not if it would cause me pain My heart will be like the nourishing rains And my hands always a gentle breeze Reality Wandering through inky blackness You lose awareness of your own form It is only the biting winds and wounds That remind you of your existence Walking further the pain is numbed Sight, feeling, and hearing go too You are a ghost on a hidden path That soon will be lost to you A nothing traveling amidst nothing The world itself seems to be lost A thing that seemed never to be real A nothing, just nothing. A dim light then offends forgotten eyes You look up to see the mariner’s friends Twinkling in the sky in immortal shapes They whisper tales of dead ancestors The blood of bloods long past thrum The dead scream wisdom to your soul Your heart beats with the fire of creation You, as you care to know you, is birthed Though bone may crack and empires fall It changes not the realness of grand reality Fear not inevitable death, walk strongly You know well what and who you love Ballad of Purtoregne Colored brick and vibrant trees Smell of spices drifting on the breeze Travelers talk in foreign tongues While mermaids watch the young ones Travel deeper my dear, come with me These streets have so much more, you’ll see Pierogi or fresh mezcla, perhaps even a drink Travel down to the docks and you will surely agree It’s the crown of the sea No more perfect a home can be found Can't you see our dreams written on stone? So let's throw our worries off and stay Surely no better a future can be had We can rise to watch the glimmering waters And rest to find company in the taverns For you, all the silks and spice the market provides While I drink the vineyards' fine wine Constantly surrounded by kind faces No loneliness could ever be found We will want for nothing at all, My love Our destiny is surely here, in the city that is The crown of the sea Colored brick and vibrant trees Smell of spices drifting on the breeze Travelers talk in foreign tongues While mermaids watch the young ones Travel deeper my dear, come with me These streets have so much more, you’ll see Pierogi or fresh mezcla, perhaps even a drink Travel down to the docks and you will surely agree It's the crown of the sea Haiku IV Seafood smells drifting King and hunter eat alike I see your smile

Having a little brother in the armed forces along with several male friends, please talk to your bros. Don't laugh off the red flags or let them laugh it off either.

Balian’s Coastal Cuisine By Grimhildr Falkenrath-Chen The lands of Balian are overflowing with resources, but the costa rubinissma was named for good reason. The warm waters around Balian yield to a vast variety of species that offer a range of flavors that cannot be had from land dwelling creatures. The vast reefs also yield minerals of great color and contain many shellfish whose shells or pearls are highly sought after. As one can imagine many traditions, dishes, and even garb have developed as a direct influence of the bountiful ocean Balian calls neighbor. This literature will not serve as an exhaustive source for all maritime culture, but as far as it pertains to the culinary side and even this only serves as an introduction. The author heavily encourages their readers to visit Balian and engage with the people if they desire more. Common Motifs of Fishermen The trident Spearfishermen will often wear jewelry or have a tattoo of the weapons they use for their craft. Not only does this marking denote their profession, but many spearfishermen will claim it frightens away the more dangerous creatures. Rope braid Those who do any work with the sea can often be seen with jewelry meant to resemble the braid of a rope or a tattoo of rope around their right ankle. They claim it is so God can pull them back from the depths should they be thrown to the depths. Mermaids Rumors of mermaids are spread across all lands, but after an incident in which two fishermen thought lost to a storm were supposedly brought back in by a mermaid the tales have found new popularity. Culturally mermaids represent the positive connection the people have with the sea. Many fishermen will have a tattoo or have a mermaid carved into their fileting knife as if to show they still revere the ocean even if they do take from it. Means of Gathering Oyster raking Oyster raking is typically undertaken by the common people themselves, but there are those who make their money gathering large quantities of oysters for the upper classes. Oyster rakers will most commonly be seen gathering in the cooler months when Balian’s growing cycle has finally ended. Coastal foraging In all seasons it is not uncommon to see children and young adults combing tidal pools at low tide for edible creatures. Of the most popular things to gather are mussels, crabs, and clams. More experienced foragers can be seen taking various types of seaweed and smaller shells to make a delicious stock that is of high repute amongst curators of cuisine. Spear fishing In times past spearfishing was primarily practiced by Rhenyari fishermen who could not afford a boat and crew to head to sea with. As the method grew in popularity those of the city began to take note and took interest in the practice. These days spearfishing competitions are held in which competitors will try to bring in the biggest or most dangerous catch. Balianese Dishes The Chili Pastes While these pastes are used in more dishes than just seafood-based ones it would be foolish to not mention them at all. There are multiple variants of chili paste within Balian and of recognized types they will still vary from family to family, but the three most common are amarillo, rojo, and naranja. Amarillo chili paste is made by combining bell peppers, aji peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro with olive oil. Of the chili pastes this is the mildest and more commonly used with breakfast and lunch dishes. In terms of seafood, it is popularly served fresh atop blander fish or mixed into stir fry dishes such as picadillo. Guests who are uncertain of seafood or spice will find this mixture to be very kind to their palate. Rojo chili paste is made of red chili peppers, shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, cumin, garum, shrimp paste, and lemon juice. Of the three most common chili pastes this one is the most popular of all. This paste will often be used as a coating to flavor nuts, fish, chicken, and steak. One of my favorite cocktails involves a dollop of rojo stirred with your alcohol of choice before having a fresh oyster dropped in. Such a drink is an acquired taste. Naranja chili paste is composed of smoked then dried peppers, caraway, cumin, coriander, mint, garlic, smoked paprika, and saffron if one can afford it. The generally bitter taste is balanced by the mint and other spices, making it a popular choice to use with sweet meats like shrimp or conch to create a well rounded flavor profile. Mezcla de Camarones While there are many variants of this dish within Balian this dish always involves raw shrimp and a heaping of lemon juice. The traditional Balian style of mezcla de camarones typically involve tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. A Rudran styled dish typically has chili paste mixed with the lemon juice and bell peppers. Akritian style is more or less their xoriatiki dish with the addition of shrimp. Garum A condiment made from any oily fish, but anchovies are most popular for those who make their own. This sauce has its oldest origins with the Akritians and slowly spread from there to become a staple of Balian cuisine. This sauce is known for it’s taste of the sea that adds very unique umami flavor to dishes. It is more commonly used in dishes in place of salt due to salt's importance in preserving foods. Asada de Hojas Meaning leaf grilled, this method was pioneered by Rhenyari spearfishermen who would spend weeks hunting for their prize. The most traditional way of making this dish is by slathering a fish with a chili paste of choice and wrapping it up in banana leaves before chucking it into the coals of the fire. The more modern way of preparation simply involves the slathering of a whole fish with chili paste and baking it. El Gran Hervor The intersection of cultures and friendly nature of those in Balian resulted in a dish meant to serve many. El Grand Hervor or the grand boil is first made by combining mirepoix with spices then adding a fish stock. The broth will be allowed to boil for several hours or at the very least one before a spice known as file is added to the broth to thicken it up. The catches of the day whether it be shellfish, fish, or squid will then be added to boil till ready. A special thanks to Andromeda Ester of Ba'as, a true queen of the South. If not for her work and offered knowledge most of this writing would be a soulless recipe book with no hint of the grand cultures and traditions behind the food. Another special thanks is owed to the fish mongers and waifs of Balian who allowed me into their kitchens and even dine with their families in order to create this book.

Makes sense to me. Never understood why these two particular things required ST oversight given what they do

The Costa Rubinissma Boil In celebration of the city’s opening the Kingdom of Balian will be organizing the experience of creating a cultural dish from scratch for all participants to join in with and subsequently enjoy.. The boil will have participants choose from either aiding with the creation of the broth for this massive dish or scouring the coastlines and foraging for delicious herbs, vegetables, meat or fish to put with the meal. The person who managed to reel in the most impressive catch or bring back the most foraged goods will earn a wreath forged of aurum, made to appear as though it were made of golden grape vines, known as the ‘Wreath of the Great Beachcomber” OOC portion: The event will take place at the Balian docks on Wednesday at 5 PM EST