History - Yarrow [Private]

[Aesha]

OOC: I realise you haven't quite finished in the admin office yet, but nevermind. Yay for Fluid Time

IC: The previous day Yarrow had been instructed to make her way to room 4A in the Academy of Lore for her history lesson. The room itself was easy to find, on the ground floor and merely a couple of corridors away from the main lobby of the building. A big oak door has the shiny brass symbols of 4A affixed to it, and Yarrow knew she was in the right place.

Pushing the door aside and moving in would reveal a quite plain, boring looking classroom that only held a couple of maps pinned to the walls, and a few portraits of famous historial scenes. Four desks had been spaced out in the middle of the classroom, for ease if the teacher had more than one pupil at a time. At the left end of the classroom stood a teacher's desk, piled hight with various texts and scrolls that would probably be used in Yarrow's lesson.

Yarrow's teacher was seated behind the desk, quietly studying a book as he waited for his newest pupil to arrive. He looked like any other old, slightly musty teacher, and fitted the image of a history scholar perfectly. His hair was a dark, wiry grey, and his eyes were a softer shade of the same colour. He wore a tweed waistcoat over a plain linen shirt and breeches. He looked up when Yarrow entered the room, though no sign of amicability appeared on his face.

"Serale? Yarrow, I presume?"

[Yarrow]

Serale, Mr. Tinden Fontesque. I am Yarrow Woodruff...yes. Yarrow smiled happily. The man didn't seem to be the phantom teacher who was scary and...evil. He seemed to be the opposite of that kind of teacher. She hoped he wasn't like that at least. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. She said as she glanced about the classroom.

It was quite plain almost boring looking classroom. It only held a couple of maps pinned to the walls, and a few portraits of famous scenes from past events. She counted four desks that was spaced out in the middle of the classroom. At the left end of the classroom was her teacher's desk....piled hight with various texts and scrolls. Maybe these would be what was going to be used for her studies. Her eyes moved up to the teacher...her looking about was complete.

[Aesha]

Tinden gave Yarrow a stiff, wooden sort of smile that suggested he didn't practice that particular expression all too often.

"You also, Yarrow. Please, take a seat."

The teacher gestured to the various desks that littered the classroom with his right hand, though didn't point out any specific one that he would like his student to sit at. Presumably though, one at the front of the classroom nearest Tinden himself would be the most sensible choice. He waited a moment, so that Yarrow could get comfortable, then plunged straight into the lesson.

"Well, first I will just give you an overview of what the classes will teach. Mainly we focus on a wide overview of the empire as a whole, then focus on a little of Abestat's history in particular. I am, of course, well versed in the subject of history, so is there anything imparticular you wanted to study as an addition?"

[Yarrow]

Yarrow took a quick seat in one of the front desks closest to her teacher. She tried to get comfortable, but being who she was it was hard. Sitting for long periods of time weren't always her strong points, but that was a good reason why she was in the military. Besides, she could make her self be still if she wanted to.

"Well, first I will just give you an overview of what the classes will teach. Mainly we focus on a wide overview of the empire as a whole, then focus on a little of Abestat's history in particular. I am, of course, well versed in the subject of history, so is there anything imparticular you wanted to study as an addition?"

Yes, sir...I am interested in the battles of history. I was sort of...I wanted to apply them to my line of work in the military...but you can't just simply tell me about history without telling me the why the battles were fought and such.... She paused to think and take in some air. You can't just teach a person one side of the story though, can you? It has to be both sides...or else the person wouldn't know very much...only half... Am I making any sense...? Yarrow wondered.

[Aesha]

The teacher's face remained impassive as Yarrow explained her preferred focus on the history of the empire. It was impossible to tell whether he approved or not; his stony, and ultimately quite grim expression seemed permanently fixed to his face no matter what anything said. He simply gave a small nod.

"Very good. It is important to learn from the perspective of both sides of the argument, yes. This way we can learn a good deal more from the history of the empire, rather than if we just focused on say, the side of the Allerians."

He paused a moment, then smoothed a hand over one of the textbooks on the desk, considering it for a moment before continuing with his speech.

"That being said, you have to learn not to entirely trust everything you read. In history, no one is ever impartial to the events of the past, and it is very easy to mix up facts with opinions. However, both are particularly relevant, and opinions will in fact give insight into situations far beyond the facts ever could. Of course, the disadvantage is, people in the past may have exaggerated things because they supported one side and not the other, understand?"

Tinden waited for Yarrow's confirmation on the matter before continuing, this time getting to the actual history part of the class.

"Have you read any of the great works on the history of the Empire? Perhaps Odin's 'Historia' or other such articles? I am merely trying to ascertain what you may already know, of course. I myself have copies of the volumes here that we can work from, but I was just inquiring into how familiar with any particular points you might be."

[Yarrow]

"...it is very easy to mix up facts with opinions. However, both are particularly relevant, and opinions will in fact give insight into situations far beyond the facts ever could. Of course, the disadvantage is, people in the past may have exaggerated things because they supported one side and not the other, understand?" She thought a moment before nodding. It made much more sense then anything. If she wrote about the local uprising she might have written about how the rebels were more evil then they probably were and she'd probably write about how they had no right to have a uprising...or did they? It was something to think about on a rainy day then...

I understand, sir.

"Have you read any of the great works on the history of the Empire? Perhaps Odin's 'Historia' or other such articles? I am merely trying to ascertain what you may already know, of course. I myself have copies of the volumes here that we can work from, but I was just inquiring into how familiar with any particular points you might be." She didn't have to think about this. She shook her head no very quickly. She had very little time for reading and so she read very little...little to none...in fact it wasn't what she did in her spare time at all...it seemed that now that she was taking this as a class, however, she would be reading more in her spare time then she normally would. She didn't mind...

[Hoplites]

OOC: Serale! As you know, I'll be taking over this training thread from Aesha.

IC:

The impassive, callous face of the square-faced Professor Fontesque remained exactly that - impassive and callous. To any students, it seemed as if he was completely personality-less, his entire posture stoic and nonchalant. His hand still clasped over the first tome of Historia in the Triology series, a rather grim-looking smile stretched across his lips. All in all, he did not really show much in the way of cordiality - and if he did, it was rather unpracticed. The mirth he attempted to show were not pure.

"That is no problem, Yarrow." He replied. "I thought, you might want to read The First to Fourth Book of Historia, by Odin Khrias first. Try reading it through, and tell me what you think."

Sitting back with a rather professional... Professional gesture, he eyed his student intently as she began to pour through the book - if she chose to do so.

"This series of book deals with the early history of the land what is known right now as the Allerian Empire." He provided the additional information.

The other chairs and desks in the classroom stood there, their inanimate stillness providing a tranquil atmosphere, whilst the scenes hung upon the walls - they displayed what they contained in a rather vivid manner. Truly, very vivid. However, for now, it was the time to follow Tinden's instruction - to start reading through the book. Containing a Preface, it did look quite... Tome-ish, the fact that everything was written in such a professional tone.

OOC II: The link to the book could be found in the bolded link. And I'm terribly sorry for the short post - I really could not think of anything else to say, now that I've smoothed out the teacher's personality as much as possible.

[Yarrow]

ooc: HI HI!

ic: Yarrow nodded her head and took the tome The First to Fourth Book of Historia, by Odin Khrias. And glanced over the covers title. For a moment she did just that. Then she began to read...wondering how long it would take her...

How does one begin to tell a story filled with adventure, glory and majesty? How can one relate the tale of the rise of a great nation, the cataclysmic struggles of her people, and the amazing romance and magic behind every turn of event? The start pulled her in a little more. She rested a hand on her chin... As she read her lips moved over the words.

Every now and then she would pause to scratch her chin as if something amused her or made her think. The quiet atmosphere only helped her concentrate as she read on...

The circumstances surrounding the Rise of the Allerian Empire is the focus of this first book, because it affords an objective approach to examining the environment of the Pre-Allerian World as well as preceding historical events which advantaged the Allerians to expand and conquer. Yarrow paused to take in this and then went onward again...

The known world itself has played host to a myriad of races and creatures with varying build, composition and competence. Yet, it became the tendancy for those of like mind and body to join in labor with their similars, and as such, monoracial states were born throughout the world. For purposes of discourse and differentiation, a map provides the earliest known period of complete continental colonization by non-Allerian powers. She glanced over the map...taking her time...smiling over those places that were beyond her reach....

Yarrow then turned her attention to that of the races. Humans...her own race...was first... The earliest traces of civilization, aside from the Ancient Allerians, originate in the far-west lands of Archaxetas, of which little else is known other than its inhabitants were human-like and possessed mythic spellcasting abilities. Because Human migration originated in the west and had a clear 'eastwardly' path, sweeping down the Hysiatean Plains, down a valley of rivers and into the rich, fertile crescent lands of Medonia and Daltina, and beyond. She scratched her chin and then rested a hand on a temple for a more comfortable position.

The Syndicate Model of Human Expansion... ...submits that a violent rebellion shook the internal borders of the Archaxetanian empire sometime in the 8200s, forcing a mass exodus of persecuted humans who had tried to oust the Archxetanian Family from power.

In 8476, the Southern Archaxetanian city of Kalyra broke out into rebellion - a civil war which had been healthily financed by both Medonia and Daltina, former rivals which considered their common threat to be a resurgence... ..of Archaxetanian rule. She blinked as she realized she had been talking and glanced up to see if this was bothering her teacher at all.

[Hoplites]

OOC: Sorry for my late reply...

IC:

That book - it was certainly not the shortest book in the entire Telath, and certainly, even though the Staff-Sergeant managed to exhibit her ability to tirelessly read the book... It did take quite a while. Several candlemarks? An hour, perhaps? Who knew (except the professor)? In that quite-a-while, though, whether by sheer inhuman ability of the professor, or simply his personality... He did not move, or even, did not make a single sound - he merely sat there, as if he had became an inanimate statue himself, and simply stared at her student as she read, quietly mumbling to herself during some of the paragraphs and sentences. As expected from first tome of the series... It had, indeed, gave a brief insight to the pre-Empire days of what was now the Allerian Empire. Interestingly, Yarrow could see where she resided in now - Abestat - was known as Lux during the ancient, long-gone-by Brightenings, and was arguably the capital of the Republic of Luctadomum, sometimes simply called the Luctine Republic.

Tinden Fontesque, being the very stoic, almost personality-less teacher of this Academy, whose face never, ever seemed to be able to lighten, who entire aura which he exuded about him was one of heavy seriousness, simply gave a smile rather lacking in cordiality, and a nod of the head. Obviously, he acknowledged that Yarrow had successfully managed trawl through the entire book, without having her eyes drooping - which was "Quite a feat in itself," as he remarked.

"Quite obviously, being in Abestat, we do tend to have a heavier emphasis on this city's history - quite ancient history, and with a lot of tales as well. Now, however, before we move on - are there anything you were particularly unsure of within the text you have just read, or maybe something you feel interested, and want to know more about?"

Within his hand, held a silver quill, one which he sometimes used to write on parchments with his almost flawless handwriting and illustrate to his students some of the points he made. Right now, though, there was no need for his quill.

The other tomes of Historia were piled nearby.

[Yarrow]

Well sir... She paused as if considering if she had any questions. After a moment of pause she shook her head slightly, but her forehead was creased slightly. Sir...he said himself...as you've said before that people show signs of...well...one side being more favored...or being opinion based. How can I...we be sure that this is what it was like? Was this the real history or just another show of opinion vs. facts and how nothing could ever be right when it comes to writing. She shook her head for her head hurt a little...

And if this isn't how it was then how was it like? Yarrow sighed and tapped her temples as she considered this topic a little more. What was history without all the opinions and the picking of sides?

[Hoplites]

OOC: I must apologize – I have no idea what I’m doing, so I think this’ll be slightly slow-going… >.< Sorry!

IC:

Listening to Yarrow’s query, the still-very-stoic-looking professor nodded his head once. These questions were indeed important – too many students he had had neglected to ask these sorts of questions. For indeed… No history was perfect. All too often, it was written by a person who participated in that particular event, and so inevitably, biased.

“The Historia series of book by Odin is fairly unbiased,” he explained, “As he chronicled it during the Pattern, 9916, and the first book describes the rise of the Empire – quite a time before that. The book contains mostly facts of the time, so there are little opinions in there, as the history here is mostly accurate – so you could believe in what this book describes.

It is when you view historical sources from other people of that time, which you have to be careful – for more often than not, it would bound to be biased, being a source that was created by people on one of the sides. Often, you will need to use your judgement to determine whether the source was created with a specific purpose, although you will be taught that particular judgement in a moment. Also,” he added in, “We call sources created at that time, contemporary sources.”

Having explained that, he let his quill rest languidly within the grasp of his fingers, whilst opening the first volume of Odin’s collection of work, his eyes scanned over the various words and the map of the pre-Empire’s era of the nowadays Empire’s land again for a moment, before concluding what the first tome was all about. “This is what the Empire was like before the Allerians issued from Insula Coronae in a campaign of conquest to subdue all other nations. See here, the first nation to ever be conquered by them was the Luctadomans – us. The battles between Lux and the Allerian Manipular Legion was devastating, and in the end, the phalanx of army from Lux, called the Hoplites, were defeated – even though historically, through the use of surprise tactics and the lack of guard after their first victory, the Legion was defeated once by the Hoplites – and that was their only ever defeat. The army which beat them, unfortunately, was completely annihilated for their short victory.” He stopped there. Too bad – such was the cruelty and sadness of events chronicled into the book.

“Before we continue on, do you have any other questions you would like to ask, even, perhaps, about the other various kingdoms and empires here?”

[Yarrow]

ooc: Take your time. You know how scattered my posts are : )

ic: Yarrow listened to the answer of her question. The answer was given to her very clearly and she knew, again, why he was the teacher and she wasn't. She smiled when he finished even though it was sort of sad...

“Before we continue on, do you have any other questions you would like to ask, even, perhaps, about the other various kingdoms and empires here?” Yarrow shook her head no. No sir. I have no questions at this time. Thank you.

[Yarrow]

ooc: *cough*cough* Brother?

[Hoplites]

OOC: I'm still here! Sorry about this - I'm really tied down at the moment, but I'll try to post as soon as I could.

*place-holder*

Sorry 'bout this...

Edit, Friday 23rd July, 16:00 GMT +8:

IC:

"No sir. I have no questions at this time. Thank you.

He nodded once again in his stoic mask - one could almost say that he exhibited no emotion, but one of solemnity and indifference. His whitening hair seemed crisp when he brushed on finger through, before flipping through the page with the map, to another few pages absolutely packed with words. They contained the name of many different empires, kingdoms, monarchies and duchies from the Brightenings long gone by, many of which very little people now knew. A few, of course, such as Medonia, was recognisable, its ancient site surviving and built upon to this very Era.

"There were two types of city states in the pre-Empire Patterns - one of monoracial, states comprising of only a single Race, such as the Dwarven Kingdom of Dargis - I have heard some people were venturing in there again. The Sylrosyan Elven Confederation, and the Nesocratic Federation of Eunesia - they were all monoracial.

However, some states did tolerate different races, and they build their empires and kingdoms based on trust on each other, and tolerence. They are all on the south to central-eastern part of what is now the Empire, including the Democratic Republic of Hriemalis, Empire Khadra, and the most famous of them, many historians agree, being the Republic of Luctadomum. In fact, Hriemalis and Luctadomum had roughly the same racial composition, being Western and Northern Humans, Dwarves and Halflings."

He waited for his student to absorb all of it first, for indeed, it was a pile of information to take in all at once. There was still more, however...